Wanderlust

When it rains it pours

Daryl stood in the treeline listening for any sounds coming from the kingdom. Hearing voices, Daryl watched as two men began working on the pieces that once was the gate for the kingdom. Recognizing them as guards for the kingdom, Daryl stepped from his hiding spot and whistled to them. Turning to look, the men looked relieved to see it was Daryl.

"Hey man, one of your guys made it to Hilltop and told us what happened. I've got more people on their way to help but I came as fast as I could. Is.....is everything OK? Did you lose a lot of people?" Daryl asked quietly

He wanted to ask about Gypsy first thing but another part of him didn't want to know if she was really dead. The two men looked at each other then at Daryl.

"Yeah, we lost a lot of people....some ran, some stayed and fought and died." the man explained somberly

Daryl's heart hurt. He knew Gypsy would be the type to stay and fight.

"What about your king?" Daryl asked

"He's OK, we were able to get him and Shiva to safety." one of the men said

Well, at least the tiger is OK, he thought.

"Alright, I'm going to have a look around to see what they need me to do, thanks" Daryl said softly as the two men nodded and then went back to fixing the gate

Daryl walked slowly through the town, glancing over at Gypsy's small house. His heart sank a little more seeing her front door off its hinges. Walking over and taking a step inside, he called out her name.

"Gypsy?" he yelled but his call was met with silence.

Walking back out he spied king Ezekiel and made his way to where he was.

"Ah Daryl, you came back" Ezekiel smiled softly.

Daryl nodded to the king

"yeah, one of your men made it to Hilltop and told us what happened. They're sending word to Rick and they'll be here soon to help" Daryl said quietly. He wanted to ask him about Gypsy but he was once again afraid to ask. "So....um....you lose a lot of people?" Daryl continued

Ezekiel looked at Daryl and knew immediately who his concern was.

"Yes Daryl, we lost several people, but many are just missing. Gypsy is one of the ones that is missing, but so are all the children so I'm thinking....hoping when everything happened she got to the children and led them to safety. I wouldn't have a clue where they went but I hope they return soon" Ezekiel said softly

Daryl stared at him for a moment and then nodded his head slowly.

" I can find them, I have an idea which way they went and I'm one of the best at tracking. I'll find them and bring them back" Daryl said resolved

Ezekiel had no doubt Daryl could and would do what he said.

"Thank you Daryl" Ezekiel smiled

Turning to walk away, Daryl stopped and turned back to look at the king again.

"Did they......did they attack here because of me? Because they found out I was here?" Daryl asked.

He wasn't sure he wanted to hear it, but he needed to. The guilt was eating him up that he perhaps had brought all this trouble on them.
Ezekiel shook his head

"No Daryl, this had nothing to do with you. They still do not know that you had been here. This was about me refusing to double our donations to them. I do believe I now will be telling your Rick we are ready to fight." Ezekiel said

Daryl looked at Ezekiel and then nodded his head and left silently hoping and praying Gypsy had left some sort of clue to where they went. Going back to her house, he walked around back and looked at the wall and the dirt at the base. Seeing all the small shoe prints, he knew immediately he was on the right track. He couldn't help but be impressed the she must have lifted all the kids up and over this wall. That had to be killer on her arms. Scaling the wall and landing softly on the other side, he once again noticed the small footprints and a trail they had left. He knew it was too soon to be happy about anything but he was relieved in knowing that she had gotten herself and the kids away from the destruction. He would find them, he had no doubt.
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