William W Johnstone - Ashes 09

Author:Valor in the Ashes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-09T13:50:44+00:00

CHAPTER 1

On the gray morning that Emil decided it was time to turn east toward New York (if he’d driven much farther he’d have been floating in Lake Erie), he was boosted up onto the hood of his hearse. The hood was slippery with frost and Emil fell off after about fifteen seconds of wild arm-waving and some fancy footwork. His followers thought it was a new dance and burst into applause.

“I think we’re about to hear a speech,” Rosebud said to Thermopolis.

“I find them entertaining.”

She looked at him. “You would.”

Emil decided not to chance the hood again. “Gather around, friends!” he yelled. “Come close.”

Everybody pushed in and almost smothered Emil.

“Get back, damn it!” Emil shrieked. “I can’t breathe. That’s better. Now listen up. From here on, we’re really gonna be in Indian country …”

“My old man is an Indian,” Wren said, pointing to Whistler.

Two of the faithful lifted Emil up so he could see. “Oh. Well, sorry.” They put him back down. “We’re in enemy territory, then.

Somebody get me a damn

box!” A box was found for Emil to stand on. “Thank you. Friends, our fate is uncertain.

But our mission is clear. We go to New York City to aid the great Ben Raines in his fight against the flesh-eating Night People, the scourge of the twenty-first century.”

“We know all that, Brother,” one of his faithful said.

“Hush up. We go into battle as modern day Joans of Arc … ah, Joans and Johns.

We carry with us the sword of retribution …”

“Can I see that sword, Father Emil?” Brother Sonny said. “Huh? Huh? Can I?”

“Hush

up!

And now, friends, comes decision time. Any who want to leave, any who feel their personal well of courage is dry, had better cut and run now, for once we get near the Big Apple, I

suspect we’re not going to have time for anything except fighting and staying alive.”

“For once he makes sense,” Rosebud

whispered.

“You having second thoughts about this?” her husband asked.

She shook her head. “No. For all his big army, I think Ben Raines is going to need all the help he can get.” She smiled. “Besides, I wouldn’t miss the look on his face when he sees this collection of warriors for anything.”

Thermopolis smiled with her.

“Thermopolis, you are going to take charge when we get close to the battleground, aren’t you? I mean, that little man couldn’t lead a charge against a marshmallow factory.”

“Let’s just say that Emil and I will share the command.

He really means well, Rosebud.”

“I know. Just tell me that when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, you’ll make the decisions.”

“I suspect that if we do make it into New York

City, Ben Raines will call the shots.”

“Forward to victory, mighty army of Blomm!”

Emil shouted, then fell off the box.

“General Raines?” the runner said. “Radio reports from an outpost in Pennsylvania say that a large force of, ah … well,

people

just passed an observation point on Interstate Eighty. About two hundred and fifty strong.”

“Children with them?”

“No, sir. At least none were spotted.”

“Why did you place such emphasis on “p”’?”

“Well, sir …” The runner shook his head.

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