Doc didn’t argue when the smell of chicken soup hit his nose, making his stomach grumble again. Sitting up, he gave her an apologetic shrug and took the bowl.
~*~*~
Doc still felt tired, but he wasn’t suffering any more detrimental effects from the sauna. Greta and Otto walked with him down the hall toward the elders’ room. Otto had been silent from the moment he’d come to tell them that the elders were waiting. Doc wondered if Otto was angry with him or Sonya.
“Otto, I didn’t know she’d be there,” Doc finally said to break the tense silence.
“How could you? Even I didn’t know.” Otto exhaled deeply. “Stubborn child... I know you didn’t do anything to her inside the room— she told me that much, at least— but the doubt will hang over her for everyone else.”
“I’m going to give her a chance at what she wants,” Doc said. “She has to meet Fiala first, but as long as they get along, I’m going to try.”
Otto’s nose wrinkled. “Polygamy?”
“Sonya said it was normal in your past.”
“Yes…” Otto said slowly. “Generations ago, before Apoc became the only religion, and we had shamans to guide us, it was a practice.”
Greta’s breath caught. “Oh…”
Doc felt like he was missing something, but had no idea. Since they were closing on the elders’ door, he tabled his question.
The guard watched them come, knocking when they arrived before opening the doors for them in silence. Doc stepped past the guard and wondered if he was like one of the British guards outside Buckingham Palace.
When the doors shut behind them, Doc bowed his head to the elders. “Elders, it’s good to speak with you again.”
“It is good for us, as well, Mr. Holyday,” the female elder smiled. “We feared that the rite would be the death of you, and that all the good you’d done for us would be tarnished by our allowing you to do it.”
“It was close near the end,” Doc admitted. “Even with what my goddess has granted me, it was barely enough. I don’t know how anyone manages that without divine aid.”
“It’s been a long time since any has survived, so we can’t begin to speculate,” the elder replied. “You are now a member of the clan, and we welcome you.”
“Partial clan member, I was given to understand,” Doc said.
The elder paused a moment before nodding. “Your guide was correct. To fully join the clan, you’d need to marry into it. Being a partial member still allows the clan to treat you like one of us. The debts incurred by members of the clan can be absorbed by the clan itself. The deed debt for your friends is already accepted by us, along with all the good you’ve done for us. Our debt as a clan to you is steep, but we will manage, as you are one of us.”
“‘Debts between clan members have a long life for paying back,’” Doc repeated what Sonya had told him, “‘including my children if, or when, I have them. The clan will do their best to make sure the debt is paid back.’”
“Yes. You don’t seem interested in monetary payment, so we will repay you however we can in other ways. Do you have any ideas as to how we can do so?”
“Goodwill with other clans,” Doc said. “I’ll leave this town eventually, and being able to have contacts and goodwill would go a long way to helping.”
The elders exchanged a look and nodded. “We can arrange for word of your good deeds and debt to pass from clan to clan.”
“Thank you, elders. There is one more thing that I must tell you— this is something that I’m telling only to those deeply invested with me, as trust must be given for us to work smoothly together. You believe me human?”
“Yes,” one of the male elders answered.
“I’m not human. I’m half-elf and half-dwarf.”
All three elders looked shocked, and Doc took a seat on the floor across from them. “The story about that is a bit longer, as I didn’t have parents in this world. Let me explain who I am, where I came from, and then why I’m here.”
~*~*~
“That is the full story, honored elders,” Doc finished. “I would ask that information not pass beyond the clans.”
All the elders stared at him with a range of emotions; hope on the elder female, curiosity on the first male, and disdain on the last elder.
“Half-breed with an elf?” the disdainful elder asked. “Even a god should know better than to allow that.”
“Idiot!” the elder female snapped at him. “Don’t you know what this means?”
“That we should sever ties!” he spat back.
“No,” the other male elder said calmly. “That we can have a shaman again.”
“Yes,” the female said. “None of the other clans have one. If he agrees, we would gain prestige and influence.”
“None of them will accept a half-breed,” the disdainful elder sneered.
“And this is why I pass as human,” Doc shrugged. “Elders, I don’t want to cause dissent. I’ll come back when you need me, but I have other business to see to.”
“Why would we ever have need of you?” the one elder snapped at him.
“We appreciate your offer, Mr. Holyday,” the female said while staring at the one being rude. “We will surely ask to speak with you again.”
“Indeed, after we handle some business of our own,” the other male elder said.
“You can call me Doc. I’m a rather informal person. Good day to you all. Even you, sir,” Doc added with a nod to the elder staring at him with hatred.
Otto and Greta followed Doc out of the room, both quiet as they processed what they’d heard. The guards watched them go. Three angry voices started arguing in Dwarvish before the door closing cut them off.
“Elder Creager is stuck in some old hatreds,” Greta said as they walked down the hall.
“That’s the one who wanted to see me flayed?” Doc asked.
“Yes,” Greta replied, “but Elders Koch and Becker are both more forward-thinking.”
“Which was which?” Doc asked.
“Becker was the female,” Otto said. “She has the right of it, too.”
“You mean me being a shaman?” Doc asked. “What does that mean?”
“Shamans were the ones who helped us stay true to the ways of the gods. They were also often the sole leader of a clan, though there used to be wandering shamans who would visit clans and help them when they had no shaman of their own.”
“A little simplistic,” Greta said, “but not wrong. Shamans were, to us, the spiritual advisors that we looked to. During our conflict with the elves, our shamans and theirs would meet to try to find peaceful solutions, or when that failed, would fight single combats to spare the tribe and clan the loss of the young.”
“What became of the shamans?” Doc asked.
“The church,” Otto said. “They cast doubt into the mind and hearts of the clans, and when people began to question them, the church would send one of their preachers to discredit the shaman further. Those few shamans who could prove stronger, those rare few, wound up dying at the hands of zealots. Those who stayed safe inside the clan’s strongholds eventually passed on, and the role of shaman faded.”
“So being the shaman of the clan would be painting a big target on my back for the church,” Doc said.
“It would,” Greta sighed. “The elders will surely think of that once they calm down.”
“Shamans can practice healing without the need of a house of worship,” Doc said slowly, “and I’m assuming the other clans would welcome a shaman who visited them?”
Otto looked uncomfortable. “Some might, others… well, some clans have divorced themselves from the old ways entirely. They will denounce you and try to hand you to the church.”
“Knowing which clans would welcome me would be good to know,” Doc said.
“Doc,” Greta said softly, “please be kind to Sonya. She’s young and headstrong, but she’s already devoted herself to you. I fear what might come if you turn her away now.”
“Luck,” Otto murmured under his breath, but Doc heard the word clearly.
Chapter Eleven
The sun had risen to past midday by the time Doc returned to the Lily. Most of the tables had games running and nearly full seats. Heather was playing an upbeat number and Jasmine was dancing on the stage.
Fiala spotted him, the worry that had been on her face melting away. Doc’s heart tightened when he saw her concern. Crossing the room, Doc gave her an apologetic smile, then a hug when he got to her.
“I’m sorry, Fiala. I would’ve been back sooner, but the rite was a little more difficult than I’d anticipated,” he murmured as he held her.
“I was so worried...” Fiala sniffled. “I was debating going to the dwarves and asking about you.”
“That would’ve been interesting,” Doc said. “Let me get some clothes for a bath.”
“Yes, you could use one,” Fiala agreed, having gotten a good whiff of him. “You go get the water ready, and I’ll bring you a clean set of clothes.”
“Deal,” Doc said, kissing her cheek as they separated.
Stepping into the back, Doc wasn’t expecting the excited voice, nor the attack from behind. “Doc!” Posy exclaimed as she grabbed onto him.
“Easy,” Doc said when he nearly fell over. “I’m back. I was only gone for a day.”
“But Fiala and Lotus were worried, and even Lia looked concerned!” Posy babbled as she squeezed his waist.
“I didn’t mean to worry all of you,” Doc said, patting her head awkwardly, as she still hadn’t let go of him. “If you let me turn around, I can give you a hug.”
Posy let go and stepped back, her cheeks flushed red as she looked down. “Sorry.”
“No sorry needed,” Doc said as he scooped her off the ground and hugged her. “There. A big hug for a big girl.”
Posy let out a little squeal as she hugged him back. “You’re okay, right?” she asked after a moment.
Doc set her down gently. “I’m okay now. I did what I needed to.”
“She isn’t bothering you, I hope, Doc?” Daf asked from the kitchen doorway, drawn by Posy’s voice.
“No. Can I get something for an uneasy stomach to eat in about an hour?”
Daf gave him a concerned look, then nodded. “I’ll make you something light.”
“You smell,” Posy said as she stepped back, her nose wrinkled up.
“Posy!” Daf gasped, aghast at her daughter.
“No, it’s fine. She’s right— I do stink,” Doc said. “Fiala is getting me some clothes, and I’m going to go bathe. I’ll have clothes for cleaning in a few.”
“Okay,” Posy said.
Doc gave her a smile and headed for the bathroom. Stripping down once he was inside, Doc got the tub filled with lukewarm water, as he didn’t want any more heat today. He was just sinking into it when the door opened, admitting Fiala.
“I heard Posy said hi,” Fiala smiled tightly.
“Told me how worried everyone was,” Doc said. “Didn’t mean to worry you all.”
“What happened?” Fiala asked as she set his clothing on the table. “I know you’d be gone a day, but we expected you back earlier.”
“Well, it’s a long story.”
“You can tell me while I wash you,” Fiala said as she stripped her own clothes off.
“Well, I had to survive a sauna for a full day,” Doc said. “I managed it, but it was tougher than I’d anticipated.”
“That should’ve killed you,” Fiala said, stopping for a moment.
“Honestly, it almost did,” Doc said. “A lot closer than I hoped.”
Fiala swallowed. “Doc, please be careful. If you die…”
“I know, but it had to be done, and I did everything I could. Luckily, I won’t have to do that again, but another complication came up.”
“What?” Fiala asked, setting her clothing aside and picking up some soap.
“Sonya.”
“What’d she do?” Fiala asked, sitting on the stool next to the tub. “Goodness! Why is the water so cold?”
“Because I’ve had enough heat for today,” Doc said wryly.
Fiala took a deep breath. “Okay. Tell me, please?”
~*~*~
Doc’s explanation of the rite and what happened with the elders afterward took longer than he thought it would. He had been talking so long that he was washing Fiala in warm water by the time he finished.
“I see,” Fiala said softly. “Sonya would be helpful to you?”
“I’m not sure, but she’s earnest and honest in her wish. Damned determined, too. It’s possible that she could help a great deal when we have to deal with different clans, but that doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is if you are okay with her.”
Fiala turned in the tub to face him. “Do you find her attractive?”
The image of Sonya sitting nearly nude in the sauna with him came to his mind unbidden. “I do. She’s completely different from you or Rosa.”
Fiala nodded and stood up, but before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door.
“Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes,” Posy announced through the door.
“Time for dinner,” Doc said as he stood up and went to get Fiala a towel. Looking back over his shoulder, he gave her a wink. “And after that, some dessert.”
Fiala smiled warmly. “I do enjoy dessert.”
~*~*~
Doc seated Fiala and was just about to take his own seat when Lia entered the dining room. “Lia, it’s good to see you.”
“Do you mind if I join you both?” Lia asked.
“Not at all,” Fiala smiled.
Lia nodded and took a seat. “I didn’t know if you were having a private dinner. It would be rude of me to interrupt that.”
“Dinner is fine,” Doc said. “Dessert would be a different matter.”
“I don’t know about that,” Fiala giggled.
Lia shook her head with an amused smile. “I’ll pass. For now, at least. I wanted to hear what happened with your meeting, and wanted to tell you that the Beavertons have started working.”
“What’re they starting with?”
“The old saloon,” Lia replied as Posy and Daf brought dinner in. “They want to get it as done as possible before joining the two and remodeling in here, so we can continue business with minimal interruptions.”
“Makes sense.” Looking at Daf and Posy, Doc smiled. “Thank you both.”
“You’re very welcome, Doc,” Daf said. “I hope it’s light enough on your stomach.”
They had brought out a salad with diced chicken, cheese, and a single sliced egg. They also served tea to accompany it.
“Looks like it’ll be perfect,” Doc said. “I should be back to normal tomorrow. Thank you for giving me this special meal tonight.”
“I’ll make whatever you need,” Daf said.
“She will,” Lia said. “You don’t need to have what she makes for everyone else unless you want to.”
“I’m normally fine with whatever she has ready, but tonight, I’m going easy.”
“So, what happened during your time away?” Lia asked as she sipped at her tea.
“Well,” Doc sighed as he began mixing his salad up more, “it wasn’t a fun day.”
~*~*~
They had all finished eating dinner by the time Doc finished this retelling of his ordeal.
“Interesting,” Lia said, looking thoughtful. “And you’ll be okay with this?” She directed the question to Fiala.
“That was what we agreed on,” Fiala said. “As long as I agree and approve of them, it’s fine. The dryad I’ve already agreed to. As for Sonya... I’m unsure. I’ve only spoken to her in passing when she was trying to find out more about Doc.”
“Hmm...” Lia sipped the last of her tea. “And those who are approved would be going with you?”
“I don’t know about that,” Doc said. “We haven’t gotten to that point yet. I also wouldn’t expect everyone to just pick up and come with. They might want to stay close to family, and I wouldn’t stop them. Going with me will increase the danger.”
“Yes, it would,” Lia agreed. “You’ll need someone beside you who can help keep you all safe. I’m also assuming that Ayla will be going, as someone needs to help you keep track of the businesses.”
Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2) Page 9