Chapter 20: My Lord Death

Nate and his men marched through the land for days until they finally came to a small mountain village, or the start of one. They had maybe 4000 people, 500 of them being guards of this makeshift village. Nate and his men stop at the entrance of the village.

Nate walked out of the crowd of his army to find men pointing bows and arrows at him.

“Lay down your weapons. I’m not here for a fight,” said Nate.

“Then why bring an army to our doorstep?” asked an older man standing by the bowmen.

“To give you proof that we are not bad people.”

“And how is this proof?”

“Because my army could destroy this place, but instead we’re here talking, not fighting.”

“How do you know you would win?”

“I hope your age and wisdom will answer that for you.”

“You’re right, but then why come here? You won the battle, you could have left all of us alone.”

“Because from what your men have told me, you’re not well off. You can’t afford to feed all your people. I want you to join us. Come home with me and your men who have joined.”

“You want us? All of us?”

“Yes, but not for free, your people must work. We have lots of jobs, and food for everyone.”

“I think it’s time you come in and have lunch,” said the old man.

“That sounds great, and my men, do you have somewhere to take them?”

“Probably not, you look like you would take up the whole town.”

“It’s ok, they can stay here.”

Nate followed the old man into town. He looked around at the place. It was not as nice as his, and was way too small for the amount of people that live in it. You could tell the people were scared of him as he walked through the town.

“Don’t worry. Because you’re here they know you killed the men who keep us here. They know you’re very powerful.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll find a way to gain their trust.”

“You have gained their trust, you killed their captors. They just don’t know they’re free yet.”

They stop at the best looking house in the area.

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“I bet before this, you had a better house,” said Nate.

“Oh yes, my wife and I had land. But let’s not talk about the past yet, I’m not drunk enough for that, young man.”

“Yes sir.”

They sit down at a table. The man pours soup into a bowl and hands it to Nate.

He can taste mushrooms with salt, pepper, thyme, and soy sauce.

“Wow, that's the best thing I’ve had in months,” said Nate.

“I used to be a chef.”

“How did you get all the ingredients to make this?” asked Nate.

“Now that is a secret I can’t tell.”

“Ok, well if you do choose to join me and my people, I know exactly what job you must have.”

“Is this so, young man?”

“You can call me Nate.”

“Oh, well then you can call me Rick.”

“Well Rick, let’s not beat around the bush. I’m here for you and your people to join my village.”

“And why do you want my people?”

“Well, I need everyone if I’m being honest.”

Nate goes into detail, explaining everything he has learned since he awoke on the floor at the funeral home. He told him everything in a matter of 2 hours, drinking tea in the first hour and then crude beer made by Rick in the next.

“So you're telling me you’re trying to become the emperor of earth and fight in a war in space?” said Rick.

“Yeah, when you say it out loud I can see the craziness of everything I just said.”

“But I must ask, your Westcut guy, can he cook better than me?”

“God no, I love him, but no. He doesn’t know much but meat, and only red meat. I would love to have some chicken.”

“You haven’t eaten chicken in months?”

“He’s scared to cook it and my wife doesn’t like it, so I’m in need of a good chef.”

“Well Nate, you got me sold on this idea. I’ll join you in becoming your chef, and I’ll try to convince my people to join you as well. Tell them what I know and I’m sure they’ll join too.”

“Do you think so?” said a worried Nate.

“Why are you worried, Nate?” asked Rick.

“Well, I know at a certain point in time I won’t be able to ask for people to join and I don’t like the thought of that.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“To become an emperor I will have to conquer, and to conquer is to fight. Not just a fight, but a war that I know will be the worst thing this world may ever see”

“Well Nate, I fought for the U.S. I understand that sometimes things get bloody before they become nice. I think you know that if you become a monster, you'll have to learn to control that monster. Point it at the right people, not the wrong people, do you understand?”

“I think I do.”

“Good. Now let’s drink until we can’t feel our faces.”

And so they did. They drank until the sun came up. Nate looks out at the world before him. The sun was rising, a beautiful light yellow and pink clear sky. A damp, earthy smell lingered in the air. He took the time to take it all in before he couldn’t anymore.

“This world will be mine, but at what cost? What will it take?”

Nate took a moment before speaking again.

“Do not act like you’re not there.”

“Nate, it may cost you everything, but are you ready to give everything you can?” said Death.

“I am. I’m ready, my Lord Death.”