Spider Monkey

Chapter Sixty - Three - King Of The Castle

They made it to the Kingdom quickly. Hedley taking his own bike and riding alongside Daryl's. And there, they met up with Morgan.

Jesus took them inside the building and everyone froze when they saw a tiger pacing the stage. Well, all except one.

Hedley gasped in amazement and went forward, arm up to pet. "Kitty!"

"No." Daryl said, pulling his son back, earning a disappointed growl from the teen.

Ezekiel sat on his throne, "Jesus! It pleases me to see you, old friend."

"It pleases him, indeed!"

"Jerry." He told off his guard then smiled brightly at the visitors, "Tell me, what news do you bring good King Ezekiel? Are these new allies you've brought me?"

"Indeed, they are, Your Majesty." Jesus turned to the group and saw how unsure they were. "This is - Oh, right. I forgot to mention that --"

"Yeah, a tiger." Rick said.

The tiger roared. Hedley clapped his hands and began to happy stim at the noise.

Jesus spoke up, "This is Rick Grimes, the leader of Alexandria, and these are some of his people."

"I welcome you all to the Kingdom, good travellers. Now, what brings you to our fair land? Why do you seek an audience with the King?"

"Ezekiel -- King Ezekiel. Alexandria, the Hilltop, and the Kingdom -- all three of our communities have something in common. We all serve the Saviours." Rick said, taking his stand. The group fanned out, Carl tugging onto Hedley's hand as they went. "Alexandria already fought them once, and we won. We thought we took out the threat, but we didn't know then what we know now. We only beat one outpost. We've been told you have a deal with them, that you know them. Then you know they rule through violence and fear."

Jesus saw Ezekiel's frown at him, "Your Majesty, I only told them of the --"

Ezekiel cut him off, "Our deal with the Saviours is not known among my people -- for good cause. We made you a party to that secret when you told us of the Hilltop's own travails, but we did not expect you to share --"

"We can help each other." Rick said.

"Don't interrupt the King." Ordered one of his guards.

"We brought you into our confidence. Why did you break it?" The King asked Jesus.

"Because I want you to hear Rick's plans." Was his answer.

"And what plans have you, Rick Grimes of Alexandria?"

"We came to ask the Kingdom, to ask you, to join us in fighting the Saviours, fighting for freedom for all of us."

"What you are asking is very serious."

Michonne stepped forward, "Several of our people -- good people -- were killed by the Saviours, brutally."

Morgan from the sidelines asked, "Who?"

Rosita spoke, "Abraham. Merle. Glenn. Spencer, Olivia. Eugene was taken. They took Hedley. He escaped. Every second he's out here, he's a target. You gonna say you were right?"

"No." Morgan shook his head, "I'm-I'm just real sorry they're gone."

Rick added, "Negan murdered Glenn, Merle and Abraham, beat them to death."

Sasha also spoke, "Terrorised the Hilltop, set loose walkers just to make a point."

"I used to think the deal was something we could live with. A lot of us did. But that's changing. So let's change the world, Your Majesty." Said Jesus. "I want to be honest about what we're asking."