Knights of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Post-Apocalyptic Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

spread across plywood tables while the dealers huddled
against a wall to get out of the wind. Erica was used to traders hovering over
their merchandise with a bargain to be had in one hand and a gun in the other.
    The king’s guard
oversaw the relaxed atmosphere. Men bearing the ram’s skull wandered the crowd
and watched from elevated positions around the marketplace. Each carried a
menacing sword at their side. They didn’t mingle. They didn’t shop. They only
watched. Their focus was the kingdom.
    “It’s been forever
since I’ve seen this many people in one place,” Erica said.  
    “I know,” Jerry
replied. “Watch your wallet.”
    Drowsy vendors jumped
to their feet as the two potential customers passed their booth.
    A man behind a table
full of rusted tools smiled and opened his arms wide to highlight his stock.
“Tools. I’ve got tools here. I’ve got everything you need. I don’t even know
what half this stuff does. But you probably do and you probably need it.”
    Erica and Jerry
passed by without a glance.
    The vendor grabbed a
hammer and waved it in their direction. “Look at this. This is a good hammer.
You could really fix the crap out of something with this.”
    Various blunt objects
and spiked sticks filled the next booth. A sheet a plywood leaning against the
table declared them to be “handcrafted weapons of extreme excellence.”
    “You need a stick?
I’ve got sticks. I’ve got a stick with a spike on the end. You need a chain?
I’ve got chains. I’ve even got a chain with a spike on the end.”
    Again the couple
moved by without giving the vendor their attention.
    The vendor grabbed
one of the sticks from the table. “Look at this. This is a good stick. You
could really kill the crap out of something with this.”
    An elderly woman
stood in the back of the next booth behind a table that stocked the inventory
of the town’s souvenir shops. “Tiny spoons. Let everyone know you’ve been here
with a tiny spoon. No? How about a koozie? I’ve got koozies. Postcards? Day-Glo
T-shirt? Wooden train whistles? Fridge magnet? Dammit, this stuff sucks.”
    They passed several
booths selling clothes that appeared to be in decent shape. Few things took
their toll on a wardrobe like an apocalypse, and Erica cast a glance too long
at one of the tables. The vendor stood from his chair and leaned over the
table. “Hey, man. Your lady needs new clothes. You can’t dress a pretty lady
like that.”
    Erica shook her head.
“Thanks, but I’m fine.”
    “You are that. Maybe
you need a fine dress, too? I’ve got some nice tight shirts that would fit you
just fine.”
    “We’re not
interested,” Jerry said.
      “Hey, man. I know what you want. I got
some sluttier stuff in the back. Some costume stuff, too. If
you’re into that kind of thing. I’ve got a Little Bo Peep. Only worn
once.”
    “Oh, did it not help
you get closer to the sheep?” Erica asked.  
    The vendor snapped
back and tried to think of a response.
    Jerry and Erica
walked on before he could reply.
    “I told you that you
were too pretty.”
    Erica smiled and
shrugged.
    The booth they were
looking for wasn’t covered in merchandise. It simply contained a sign that said
“car parts” and the only thing on the table was a pair of cowboy boots that
belonged to the vendor. The man was sleeping, maybe. His face was hidden
beneath the wide brim of a hat.
    Erica cleared her
throat and there was no response from the hat and boots. She cleared her throat
and spoke. “Excuse me.”
    The man didn’t stir
but mumbled back, “What do you want?”
    “We’re looking for a
car part,” she said.
    The vendor didn’t
move. “Lady, if you don’t have any money, you’d better have nice jugs, because
I don’t open my eyes for browsers.”
    “We have items for
trade,” she said.
    The man chuckled.
“Then let’s hope you’ve got nice jugs.” He tipped the hat back and examined the
couple. He examined Erica twice. “You’re