“Indeed!” Otto grinned.
Becker cleared her throat. “Back to the matter at hand, please? Doc, what is your relationship with the dryad who lives in this area?”
“Mutual beneficence,” Doc said.
After a moment, Becker sighed, “Can you explain more?”
“She’s helping me with things she is uniquely suited for, and we have a deal that she will leave the people who are helping me alone. In return, I make sure that she’s cared for.”
“Cared for?” Koch asked.
Doc looked at Becker and shrugged. “I sleep with her and give her blood.”
“You’ve done this? And survived?” Koch asked incredulously.
“Why is that surprising, considering the rite I just passed?”
“Because even some of our strongest die when caught by a dryad,” Becker said tightly.
“They aren’t blessed by a god, nor do they have healing magic,” Doc replied.
“That’s true… it’s said shamans could sate them,” Becker nodded slowly. “It gives greater credence that you are indeed a shaman.”
“Would you marry into the clan to take up the mantle of shaman?” Koch asked bluntly.
“If I find someone agreeable who would willingly go with me when the time comes and coexist with my other lovers, I would consider it,” Doc replied.
“Do you not get along with Sonya Redblade?” Becker asked.
“I get along with her fine,” Doc said. “She and my lover are speaking to see if things will work. How does the clan feel about me having multiple partners?”
Koch looked away. “Some of us aren’t completely behind it.”
“Some hate the very thought,” Becker said, looking at the empty chair. “However, those of us who’ve delved into our history know that it wasn’t out of the ordinary before Apoc. For the shamans specifically, it was a common practice, as a shaman can pass their power onto their children.”
“And multiple wives makes that more likely,” Doc nodded. “Now, I have a question that’s going to be indelicate, so pardon me, please? How often do dwarves have kids?”
Becker snorted. “Not often enough. Like the elves, we do not have children every year like the humans, nor do we have litters every few years like the bestials. It’s one of the reasons humanity has been able to push us back. We don’t have the numbers to stand up to it.”
“The other clans, the ones who haven’t joined the church... they know of shamans and multiple wives?”
“Of course,” Becker said.
“And having a dwarf beside me would help them accept it more easily?” Doc continued.
“Yes,” Koch nodded.
“I can’t promise that I will marry, but will that stop me from being a shaman for the clan?”
Becker and Koch exchanged a look. “That’s a tough question,” Koch said slowly. “We’ve gone over our histories and can find no reference of a shaman who wasn’t a clan member to one clan or another, or even multiple clans.”
“That doesn’t mean it isn’t possible, but it will cause many issues that could be easily bypassed if you married into the clan,” Becker added.
“Otto? I gave you Sonya’s life debt and you were grateful for it,” Doc said, turning to the barber. “Do you have nothing to say?”
“I’d be honored if you accepted my daughter, Doc,” Otto said with all sincerity. “If I had known then what I do now, I would’ve rejected your offer and pressed you to marry her then.”
Doc exhaled. “Of course Sonya is already on board, but what about Greta?”
“She knew that Sonya wouldn’t stop chasing you. Neither of us expected her to be your guide during the rite.” Otto glared at Koch briefly. “She managed to convince one of the elders to let her be that guide and now, she’s tarnished for what she did. The only way for her reputation to be restored is to marry you, as you were the man she was alone with for over a day.”
“Well, she still has to convince Fiala,” Doc said. “If they come to an agreement, I’ve already told Sonya I will welcome her into my family.”
“Fiala?” Koch asked. “That is the bestial you were sleeping with at the Lily?”
Doc exhaled slowly and bit back his first reply. “Fiala is the one who accepted me first here, and she holds my heart. Yes, we were just sleeping together at first, but it’s gone far beyond that now. Is that a problem, Elder?”
Koch sat back slowly, as Doc’s eyes had gone hard. “I meant no disrespect. I just wish to understand how she has a say. You aren’t married to her, after all, so why should she be the one who says that Sonya can marry you?”
Doc nodded slowly. “That’s a fair point. I will address it once I leave here. Is there anything else I can do for you, Elders?”
“The clan would like to buy into Luck’s Holdings,” Becker said.
“I’ll have Ayla speak with you once we finish looking over options,” Doc said. “You and Lia are the ones who’ve asked, and we won’t let many people have percentages.”
“Very well,” Becker said. “We thank you for coming to speak with us. Once you have an answer on the marriage to Sonya Redblade, please inform us. We would like to announce you as shaman to the clan as soon after that as we can.”
Doc wondered at how eager she was, but just nodded. “Of course.”
“Have a good day, Doc, and I do apologize for some of the questions. We’re just doing our best to protect the clan,” Koch said.
“Which is your duty,” Doc replied. “I take no offense.”
“I’ll show him out,” Otto said. “Good day, Elders.”
As they left the elder’s hall, the guard gave Doc a nod. “Good day, sir.”
“Good day,” Doc replied out of reflex.
Otto’s eyebrows went up, but he didn’t say anything as they walked away. Once they were away from the guard, he spoke, “Never seen Harrid be friendly to anyone not revered by the elders. He’s like granite normally— have to chisel at him a long while to even make a dent.”
“Guess that means the elders like me,” Doc said.
“If there had been any doubt, it’s gone now,” Otto replied. “I meant what I said, though, Doc,” Otto said after a small pause. “Take care of her, for us, please?”
“I’ll always take care of the people I care for,” Doc said softly. “And I do care for her, now that I’ve had a chance to speak with her. Reminds me of myself, in a few ways.”
“Luck bless you,” Otto said as they left the clan hall behind.
Chapter Fifteen
On the way back to the Lily, Doc spotted the deputy trailing him and gave the man a small nod. He gave him a small head bob and shrugged in return.
Fucking Grange, Doc thought as he kept walking. Has them trailing me to try tripping me up? As if I’ll give him anything to work with.
He had a stop to make if he wanted to do what he’d planned after talking with the elders. It didn’t take him long to get the item he wanted, and he was soon back on the street. Time to get back to the Lily, but maybe I should see Sigmund first?
Doc paused outside of the milliner’s shop. Can’t heal him here... not anymore. Have to see if he’ll come back to the Lily. Shaking his head, Doc entered the shop.
Sigmund was helping an older woman with a bonnet, so Doc looked over the various hats on display while he helped her. It took a few minutes, but the lady was leaving with her new hat before Doc walked up to the counter.
“Morning, Sigmund. How’re you today?”
“Good, good, but not best,” Sigmund replied. “Come to help more?”
“I want to, but I can’t help you here anymore. The laws say I can only heal at the house of worship, which is the Lily. If Grange found out what’d been happening before... well, he wants to throw me in jail, at the very least.”
Sigmund nodded. “Lily for healing. Flowers to nurture the flesh and the soul.”
Doc snorted. “The Lily isn’t a house of the flesh anymore, Sigmund. It’s a gambling
hall now. It’s dedicated to Lady Luck.”
“Sense, that is,” Sigmund smiled. “Close shop. Five minutes.”
“I’ll head back. See you there.”
“Yes, yes!”
Doc only made it a dozen paces away from the shop when the deputy fell into step beside him. “Morning, uhh…? Shit. I’m not sure which one you are.”
The deputy grinned, teeth briefly visible. “Fido. We’re identical, so it’s not surprising you can’t tell us apart. Grange can’t, either.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Fido?”
“Fairness. If you do something illegal, we are to bring you in. One of us will be nearby all the time unless something calls us away. I think you know that, but we decided it was only fair to tell you.”
“I appreciate it, but yeah, I figured. He’s got a hard-on for me and won’t rest until he finds a way to fuck me.”
Fido barked a laugh before hurrying away.
Doc wondered why, but he realized that the laugh drew a number of eyes his way. He gave the onlookers a level gaze back, getting most of them to look away.
Back at the Lily, Doc gave Fiala a wink and made his way over to the bar where Jasmine was working. “How’s the bartending life?”
Jasmine gave him a smile. “It’s less stressful than the tables.”
“Not ready to get behind one again?” Doc asked.
“I will for the tournaments, but only as the breaker,” Jasmine said softly. “I’ve had nightmares,” she added in a whisper.
“Traumatic events can do that,” Doc replied. “It’ll get better with time.”
Jasmine licked her lips, her forked tongue lingering on them a bit longer than necessary. She looked over at Fiala. “She’s lucky to have you.”
“I feel that we’re both lucky to have each other,” Doc said.
“Thank you again for saving me, Doc.”
“No thanks needed,” Doc gave her a smile. “I couldn’t not react to you being in danger.”
Jasmine’s cheeks heated and a smile touched her lips. “Will you play with Heather tonight?”
“I’m not sure, but Heather can play that song for you.”
“She can,” Jasmine admitted, looking down the bar when a patron called for her. “I like dancing with you in control, though.”
Doc’s eyebrow went up, but he didn’t get the chance to reply, as she went over to help the customer. Lady, is this your doing? Doc asked silently, though no reply came.
“Here I be,” Sigmund said, snapping Doc out of his thoughts. “Lots of tables to play, I see.”
“All of them poker,” Doc replied. “The game is something I brought with me. We use it for the tournaments, too.”
“Games of chance? Not as fun as hats.”
Chuckling, Doc motioned to the door into the back hall. “Through there, Sigmund. The private dining room can be used for this.”
“Door,” Sigmund grinned and went toward it.
Just before he could reach it, the door opened and Posy came into the main room. The little girl and the gnome stopped in their tracks, staring at each other. Sigmund took a step back, his head canted to the side in confusion.
Posy blinked and took a step forward. “Who are you?”
“Hats!” Sigmund said a little loudly and stepped back a few more paces.
Posy giggled. “Hats are nice.”
Sigmund stopped retreating. “Yes. Hats for all kinds.”
“But hats are for outside, not in,” Posy giggled as she bounced on her toes.
Sigmund looked troubled for a moment, but then his face lit up. “Hats for inside are hard to be sure, but wait here by the door!” Without further warning, he ran for the front door.
Doc bit back his laughter, but some still slipped out as he watched the gnome run. His run was even odder than his jig-step walk. Shaking his head, he looked down to find Posy frowning at him. “What?”
“He’s nice. Don’t laugh at him,” Posy chided him, looking upset.
“Hang on,” Doc said, “I wasn’t laughing at him. I find him fun because his love of hats is all-consuming. Right now, he’s rushing off to get you an inside hat.”
Posy’s frown faded. “He is? But I can’t accept gifts from strangers.”
“True, you shouldn’t do that, normally. Sigmund is the milliner in town,” Doc began to explain, but Posy looked blank at the word. “The hatter?” Seeing her suddenly understand, he continued, “He’s also a friend of mine. I’m helping him, like I helped your mom. It’s okay to accept his gift. This time, at least.”
Posy shifted side to side, looking uncertain. “I should still ask Momma.”
“I’ll go ask her,” Doc said. “If you leave and aren’t here when he comes back, he’ll be hurt.”
Posy bit her lip, then nodded. “Okay.”
Doc ruffled the hair on her head as he went past her. “I’ll be right back.”
~*~*~
Doc came back a minute later. “Daf said it’s okay, since I approve of him.”
Posy beamed. “Okay.”
Sigmund came running back into the Lily, drawing a lot of attention to the scene. In his hand was a small cap that he held carefully. “Hat!”
Posy blinked, her eyes darting to the crowd watching them, then back to Sigmund. “Is it a nice hat?”
“Perfect hat for you!” Sigmund beamed as he held it out to her.
Doc smiled at the small cap. The pink color was perfect for Posy, and the ribbons attached to it were colorful. “Did you know her size?”
Sigmund looked down. “No. I had to guess.”
Posy held out her hands. “Can I try it?”
“Yes,” Sigmund said, extending it tentatively. “Doc will help? Ear slit.”
“Of course,” Doc said. “Posy, there should be a spot for your ear.”
Posy took the hat and looked inside it. “Yes. Just one?”
Doc nodded and reached up for his hat, tipping it to one side. “It’ll sit like this.”
Posy looked at him and giggled. “That looks funny.”
“A bowler would, at that angle,” Doc said. “That hat will look good, though.”
Posy put the hat on, being careful as it went over her ear. Once it was fully on, she looked at Doc with a hopeful expression. “Does it look good?”
“It looks beautiful, like you,” Doc replied as he took off his hat and bowed to her.
Posy beamed. “Really?”
“Yes. Hat for you. Good,” Sigmund said, shuffling in place with a broad smile.
“Here,” Jasmine said, having come over, holding out a hand mirror to show Posy her reflection.
Posy looked into the mirror and tilted her head a few ways, her smile growing. “I love it.”
“Hats are best,” Sigmund said. “Gift for you…” Smile slipping, he looked up at Doc. “Okay?”
“I talked with her mom. It’s okay this time.”
Sigmund’s smile grew wide and he did a small dance in place. “Hat has a home!”
Posy giggled and bounced up and down on her toes. “Hat has a home. I will treasure it. Thank you.”
“Posy, did you have tasks to complete?” Lia asked as she came out of the back.
Posy’s eyes went wide and she ran for the stairs. “Yes. Sorry!”
“It’s okay, this once,” Lia said in her normal voice, knowing Posy would hear her. “Gentlemen, if you’re done spoiling her?”
Doc chuckled. “She deserves a little bit of spoiling, but yes, we’re done.”
Sigmund looked up at Lia, his face serious. Taking his hat off, he bowed at the waist to her. “Lilliana,” his voice was higher and musical as he spoke, “it is an honor to see you again.”
Lia’s smile was soft as she gave the gnome a small curtsy. “Sigmund. It’s been some time.” Her voice was also musical as she spoke, and Doc knew it was Elvish. “Is Doc assisting your madness?”
“He leeches the poisons from my blood. I won’t be as I was decades past, but I am gr
owing stable again.”
“I am glad, old friend. Should I visit?”
Sigmund’s face lit up and he nodded. “Please. If you have any of the old wine left, please bring it and I will supply the cheese.”
“Soon,” Lia agreed. “Call me Lia, though, please. I set aside the name of Lilliana when the tribe fell, and I set aside my old ways.”
Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2) Page 12
