Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “I’m sorry, I can’t. I can’t hear that and not hate it,” Fiala said.

  “Okay,” Doc said, leaning in to kiss her nose. “I won’t say it again.”

  Fiala leaned her head against his chest and sighed. “Thank you.”

  Doc held her and stroked her hair for a few minutes, content to hold her. He knew that they’d just had their first disagreement, and it was okay. He’d had such small problems cause huge rifts and break old relationships, so he’d been worried.

  “Water,” Posy called from the hallway with a knock on the door.

  Doc sighed and gave Fiala a squeeze. “I need to get going.”

  “Yes, for your meeting with the dwarves. You won’t be back until tomorrow morning?”

  “An entire day is what I was told.”

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

  “Pretty sure. It’s just a sweat lodge, and people on my world— a world without magic— could pull it off. With the magic and my mixed blood, I’m confident.”

  “Okay. I’ll get the water,” Fiala said as she let go of him.

  Doc held her close for a few seconds longer before letting her get up. “Sorry, just wanted a little more of you next to me.”

  Fiala smiled softly as she looked over her shoulder at him. “I didn’t mind. I was a little nervous that you’d want to press the issue of calling me… that.”

  “I don’t want you to feel unloved,” Doc said.

  “I know, and that makes me smile all day.”

  ~*~*~

  Waving to Jasmine, who was behind the bar, Doc gave her a grin when she wished him a good day. Three tables were in play, but one of them was only half full. Doc figured it was a higher limit table.

  Doc thought about visiting Sigmund or Henrick, but decided against it. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to have to endure, and felt that he needed his energy. Halfway to Otto’s shop, Doc came to an abrupt stop as Grange stepped out in front of him.

  “Sheriff,” Doc said, moving to go around him.

  “Holyday. You’ve been a busy man.”

  “Just doing what I can,” Doc said, passing the big man.

  Grange slapped a hand onto Doc’s shoulder, stopping him. “A lot of trouble has followed you. It might be time for you to move along.”

  Doc looked at the hand on his shoulder, then Grange. “Sheriff, I’m not leaving any time soon. I’m still setting up my mine and other business ventures. I’m sorry that people keep causing trouble around me, but I haven’t started any of that. I even put myself in harm’s way once to assist you and the marshal.”

  Grange’s face shifted through a couple of emotions before he removed his hand. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Holyday. One day, you’ll mess up, and I’ll be there to make sure you’re brought in.”

  “While men who kill innocent people, if on accident, are not even taken in for the night,” Doc snorted. “Have a good day, Sheriff.”

  Doc could feel Grange’s eyes on his back as he walked down the street. Are you bought and paid for, Grange, or are you just a pawn of the Darkness? With that thought running through his head, Doc was still thinking about it when he reached Otto’s.

  The sign said closed, and Doc got a long look from a passerby when he knocked. Otto opened the door a moment later, giving Doc a nod as he stepped aside.

  “Morning, Otto,” Doc greeted the dwarf.

  “Come on in. The wife is still getting ready to leave.”

  Doc stepped into the shop. “What about your daughter?”

  Otto shook his head. “She isn’t home.”

  “Is she doing okay?” Doc asked. “I know I upset her a lot last time.”

  “She can be a handful, but my wife was able to calm her down. She’s been quiet the last few days.”

  “That’s good,” Doc exhaled. “I didn’t mean to anger her that much.”

  “I know. I’m still grateful to you for what you did,” Otto said.

  “He’s here already? Good,” Greta said, coming into the room. “We’re ready to go.”

  “You look lovely today,” Doc greeted her.

  Greta gave him a smile. “This is as dressed up as I care to get normally,” she said, brushing at her green dress, “but thank you for the compliment.”

  “He’s right, dear,” Otto said, “though you look lovely every day.”

  Greta smiled at her husband. “Thank you, dear.”

  ~*~*~

  The walk across town didn’t take long, but Doc noticed the looks they were getting as they walked. When they approached one of the few stone buildings in town, Doc realized that he’d only seen dwarves in the last street.

  “Is this part of town exclusively dwarven?”

  “No. There are a few bestials who live down here,” Otto said. “We do tend to group together, though.”

  “For safety?” Doc asked.

  “Mostly, but it’s also comforting to know that the clan is nearby to help.”

  “But your shop is on the main street,” Doc said.

  “Had to,” Otto replied. “Needed to be highly visible. Luckily, I’m still the only barber in town. I’ve been worried that Goodman or Suez would bring in a hum— er, person— to compete against me.”

  “And you think bigotry would cost you business,” Doc nodded. “It’s unfortunate, but you’re not wrong. Whittaker and his ilk would do just that... doesn’t matter if you’re better with the razorblade, either.”

  “Exactly,” Otto nodded. “You understand what I worry about.”

  “Business is close enough as it is some months,” Greta said.

  “The bank holds the deed for this place, if I recall,” Doc said as they closed on the building.

  “It does. A debt we incurred to buy more property for the clan,” Otto said. “A topic of heated debate, since the elders did it.”

  “Dear...” Greta said in a warning tone.

  Otto coughed. “Right. Sorry.”

  “Don’t discuss clan politics with someone from outside the clan?” Doc asked.

  “Indeed,” Greta said, “though that won’t be an issue soon.”

  Entering the building, Doc took in the intricate carvings in the stone. He was taken down a hall to a set of double doors. A dwarf stood in front of them, shotgun in hand and clearly on guard.

  “We’ve brought the one who seeks to complete the Rite of Heriz,” Otto announced.

  The guard gave Doc a long look before he knocked twice on the door. After a few seconds, he pushed it open and stepped aside.

  Doc gave the guard a nod when he went by. Following Otto, Doc took stock of who was waiting for them. Three dwarves sat in stone-carved seats. Two of them had long, gray beards that were intricately braided and decorated with precious gems and metals. The third had long braids that trailed down in front of her ears, just as richly decorated as the men’s beards.

  “Elders, I bring before you Doc Holyday,” Otto said, his tone one of deference. “He seeks to pass the Rite of Heriz.”

  All three elders looked at Doc, who had taken his hat off when they’d entered the building. Doc bowed his head to the trio. “Elders, it’s an honor.”

  “Why do you seek the Rite of Heriz?” the woman asked, her voice still strong, belying the wrinkles and grey hair.

  “To strengthen my bond with the clan,” Doc said, not sure what else to say. “I was told that all I’ve done for the clan is near the breaking point. I don’t wish to harm you, but to enrich all of us.”

  “You’ve healed nearly a dozen of us, hired Rangvald on as a mine foreman, given dozens of the clan jobs as miners, befriended respected clan members, and handed the blood debt of a young maiden over to her family to spare her,” one of the men said. “The clan is deeply indebted.”

  “We were surprised that you wanted to undertake the rite,” the last elder said. “This would make you a member of the clan. Is that what you seek?”

  Doc took a moment before he answered, “Elders, I would be honored to be p
art of the clan.”

  “Do you understand the risks?” the female elder asked.

  “All I know is that I have to survive a steam room for a full day,” Doc admitted. “I’ve been warned that few manage it.”

  “Deadly to most,” she nodded. “Only a handful of humans have survived the ordeal. Do you still wish this?”

  “I do, honored elder.”

  “Very well,” she said. “The room is prepared. Once you enter, you will be locked inside until the allotted time has passed. We wish you luck, Mr. Holyday, and we hope to see you after the rite.”

  “I would like to speak with you again, as well,” Doc said. “Is there a place where I can leave some items while I’m inside?”

  “There is a waiting area with baskets,” the elder replied. “Otto will take you. May Luck watch over you.”

  “Thank you, Elder. May Luck smile on you,” Doc replied.

  ~*~*~

  The trip from the elders’ room to the steam room was a bit convoluted, and took them down two flights of stairs. The few dwarves they passed stepped aside and watched Doc worriedly.

  They reached a room where small cubbies had been built into the stone, and each cubby held a basket. Otto stopped by the doorway with Greta beside him. “This is the room,” Otto said with reverence. “You may place anything you want in the baskets and they’ll be safe, waiting for your return or for us to hand them over to your estate.”

  Doc looked at Greta. “Anything else I should know before I go inside?”

  “Nothing. We’ll be praying for you,” Greta said solemnly before stepping out of the room.

  “Good luck, Doc,” Otto said. “I have to wait for you to enter the room before I can leave.”

  Doc nodded and picked a basket, stripping down to his undergarments and placing everything into the one basket. Once he was ready, he turned to the metal door that was clearly the one he had to enter. With a deep breath, he opened it and wet heat rolled over him. Taking one more deep breath, he entered and shut the door.

  A deep thrum sounded when the door shut, and Doc looked back to find a red glowing rune on the metal. A round circle with twenty-four distinct marks was clearly visible, and Doc nodded.

  “A full day, it is,” Doc said. “I can do this.”

  “That is my second deepest wish,” said a soft voice from behind him.

  Chapter Nine

  Doc spun and saw Sonya wearing very little, seated on a stone bench beside a pot. “Sonya!? What’re you doing here?” His eyes shifted away from the fit, young woman’s body, but not before he’d seen that her only attire was a chest band and underwear.

  Sonya’s lips creased briefly into a smile before settling back to neutral. “I’m your companion during the rite. I’m here to ensure that you’re not cheating, as well as answer any questions you might have.”

  “Let me try that again,” Doc said. “Why you?”

  “Because I asked to be the one. You hurt me when you gave my blood oath to my father so casually.”

  Doc exhaled and went to take a seat across the sunken fire pit from her. “I was trying to spare you.”

  Sonya snorted. “You sound like my father.”

  “Your father is a good man,” Doc said.

  “Do you hate me?” Sonya asked.

  “Hate’s a strong word,” Doc replied. “I don’t hate you. Hell, I don’t even dislike you.”

  “Yet you’re clearly avoiding looking at me, and gave away my life as if it were worth less than dirt!”

  Doc exhaled softly. The hurt in her voice tugged at him. Taking a deep breath, he looked across the firepit to her. “I’m not looking at you because you’re nearly naked.”

  “You sleep in a place where the women are in a similar state most of the time. Why am I so different? Is it because of my heritage?”

  “No,” Doc said firmly. “It’s because you’re young and beautiful, and as such, should only be seen in such a state by someone who deserves it.”

  “Then why wouldn’t you deserve it? You saved me from death! We both know that Whittaker would never have made it to see me. My life was yours. I was… I was yours…” Sonya swallowed as tears began to trickle from her eyes. “Why did you spurn me so harshly? What did I do to deserve being treated like mud?”

  Doc grimaced. “Nothing. Truly, Sonya, not a thing. I turned you away because you have no clue who I am, what I’m going to face, or the challenges arrayed before me. I saved your life because your parents love you deeply. That’s why I gave your blood debt to your parents, because I knew they would care for you better than I could.”

  “But you’re a good man. You’ve healed dozens of the clan. Your mine is the biggest boon the clan has had in decades. You’ve risked your life to save the sheriff and marshal. All of that proves who you are as a person.”

  “Okay, I do help people, but people do that all the time.”

  “No,” Sonya said, wiping at her eyes. “Humans rarely go out of their way to help people with other heritages.” Her tone shifted, sounding like someone lecturing, “‘The bestials are unclean animals, elves wild folk who need to be brought to heel, and dwarves are slow and stupid in their thinking. All of these need the guidance of Apoc to help them know their place and to redeem them.’”

  “Religion is religion everywhere,” Doc sighed. “The church and I are going to disagree on many points. I’m going to end up in conflicts with powerful people and organizations for my entire life. I’d hate to drag an innocent into it.”

  “But you don’t mind dragging the Lily and your lovers into it?”

  Doc swallowed and wiped at his sweating brow. “That’s a fair point... they knew what they were getting into, though.”

  “And now I do, too,” Sonya said with a victorious smile.

  Doc grimaced, seeing the neatly placed logic trap she just used to maneuver him. “You’re smart, Sonya. Why me? And don’t say because I healed you.”

  Opening the clay jar next to her, Sonya used a ladle to bring out some water. Taking a sip, she tossed the rest into the pit and a cloud of steam washed up with a hiss. “That’s not an easy question to answer. Initially, it might’ve been a little bit of a crush because you saved my life. A tall, handsome, stranger comes in to rescue me? It has a lot going for it. I wasn’t stupid, though. I went to find out about you, even if it did mean breaking a few mores of the clan.”

  “A bit brash.”

  “I wanted to know about you, and you were staying there. Where else could I have gone for information about you?”

  “Fair,” Doc said, wiping more sweat from his head.

  “Do you know what I learned?”

  “No.”

  “You were kind to the child. It didn’t matter that she was bestial to you. That was the first thing. The new poker being played there was something you introduced. You’d been with two of the women of the establishment, both of whom were bestial. The marshal and sheriff were saved from an ambush because of your intervention. No man I know of, no matter their heritage, was as kind and caring to everyone around him as you have been.”

  “You’ve put me on a pedestal, Sonya. That’s not good— I’m just a person. I have my flaws, as well.”

  “The only one I’ve seen is that you give everything you have to help the people around you,” Sonya said. “What did I learn after you got back from your first trip out? You wanted dwarves to work your mine, but not just work. No, you wanted Rangvald to be your foreman, my father’s step-brother.”

  Doc grunted as he sweated.

  “Then you came to speak with me, and I was sure I could reach you,” Sonya said softly, her eyes misting again, “but you took my intention and tossed it at my father’s feet, pressing the pieces into the mud. I was distraught over that.”

  “I never meant to hurt you.”

  “I was going to find a way to make you pay for casting me aside so casually. I was sure it was because I was a dwarf, but you’re not the kind to hate someone based on their blood
. What did you do over the next week? You healed more of the clan, and then left town again.

  “I spoke again with Posy,” she continued, “who could say nothing bad of you, and I began to wonder why you would’ve spurned me so harshly. Could it be you hated me for some reason, or was it something more?”

  “I don’t hate you, Sonya.”

  “You came back from taking the miners out with letters to the clan from Rangvald. Letters that spoke of your generosity, humbleness, and willingness to work with everyone, including a dryad. But that wasn’t enough— you bought the deed to our home and tried to give it to Father. I was so confused and had no idea how I’d ever be able to try to explain my feelings to you, but then my mother gave me a way, and here we are.”