Chapter Seven

 

The first portion of the warrior testing events was the bow. Raindrop explained who each of the men and women competing were to Doc. The easy standing-target portion culled half the competitors. The next part was dangerous— five men carried marked shields the size of their bodies, running across the field for each warrior. The targets would slow, stop, or speed up as they wished, making the shots tougher. That drew the competitors down to three, one of which was Red Hawk. The next part had them on horseback, riding down the field while hitting smaller, partially-hidden targets. That knocked out one more, leaving it as just Red Hawk versus a warrior from the Red Throat tribe remaining. The last contest was the flying target. Scarves were wrapped around a stone, which was then slung up and away from the archer. They had to hit the scarf in the air with a single arrow. The female warrior matched Red Hawk three times, but missed the fourth, which he hit.

 

The cheering from the Curled Horn tribe was raucous that their warrior proved greater. The woman congratulated Red Hawk, who acted like it was a given. She left the field with a sour twist to her lips after he refused to return her praise to him.

 

“He should have praised her skill,” Lia said darkly. “She wasn’t using an enchanted bow.”

 

“He has gotten worse since he won the bow from Father,” Raindrop murmured. “I hope Bluewing doesn’t press her brother about it. Father and Sunshine shouldn’t have to deal with Red Hawk’s pride.”

 

“This pau-wau should bring tribes together, not pull them apart,” Lia agreed. “Excuse me. I know what comes next.”

 

“Mother bless you,” Raindrop said as Lia left.

 

“I’m glad Red Hawk isn’t going to compete. He wouldn’t take losing well,” Doc snorted.

 

“We’ve all heard of her by her old feared name,” Raindrop said. “I doubt any of the others expect to beat her. They will still compete to show their strength, though, as they should.” Licking her lips, she glanced at Doc. “You are sure I will be fertile enough for a child when I choose my husband?”

 

“The next man you sleep with who stays inside of you will give you a child. Maybe even a child or two after that one, too.”

 

Raindrop swallowed, then looked out at the testing grounds that were being reconfigured for the gun tests. “You can do this for all of us?”

 

“If given a couple of days to not drain myself, yes. If Yucca and Rosa helped me, I could help every woman here in two days. You should speak with your father. If you and Dancing Squirrel both tell him, I’m sure he would let me help him sooner.”

 

“I will speak to him later. He is busy with the competitions and the meeting, so it would be best to catch him tomorrow morning. That is if Dancing Squirrel hasn’t pushed him into it by herself.”

 

Doc looked across to where Gray Rabbit was seated. The elder was praising Red Hawk, who looked arrogantly proud of himself. When the warrior left, Dancing Squirrel leaned in to speak with Gray Rabbit, as she was seated beside him.

 

“You danced wonderfully last night,” Rosa said to Raindrop, pulling Doc’s attention back to his group. “I could feel the strength of your desire.”

 

“And Mother granted me that desire, if differently than I had thought she would,” Raindrop smiled at the dryad. “Do you wear the dress because of society?”

 

“Doc would get into trouble if I was naked beside him. The sundress makes me presentable. Doc would also be very distracted if I was nude all the time. His old-world views also make him possessive if other men were to see me naked.”

 

“I am who I am,” Doc shrugged. “It’s difficult enough with Yucca naked.”

 

A soft hand traced his shoulders. “Is that why you asked me to sit on your other side?” Yucca asked.

 

“Part of it, yes. I knew I would be looking to Raindrop a lot during the testing.”

 

“He finds you exquisitely beautiful,” Rosa said. “Your hair fascinates him, as my patterning does.”

 

“Wonderful,” Yucca said happily.

 

“Ladies, please stop,” Doc sighed, shifting in place slightly.

 

“Yes, Voice,” the dryads said together, earning another sigh from Doc and more giggles from them.

 

“Are they… teasing you?” Raindrop asked with wide eyes.

 

“Yes. As if they didn’t get en…” Doc trailed off, then coughed. “Yes.”

 

Raindrop’s face heated, as she understood what he didn’t finish. She’d heard the rumors of how the people near his teepee had been kept awake long into the night. The idea that anyone could sate a dryad— much less two— was shocking, yet he’d been personable, awake, and energetic all morning as if he hadn’t done the impossible the night before.

 

“Excuse me, sir?” a woman asked from behind him. “Might I sit with you?”

 

Doc looked over his shoulder to find Bluewing standing there, her eyes intent as she stared down at him. “Bluewing, you are invited to sit. It is a pleasure to have a warrior of your skill sit with me.”

 

Bluewing hesitated, then moved to sit on his left where Lia had been. “You are more gracious than some.”

 

“A low bar if you speak of who I think,” Doc chuckled. “You didn’t use the bow he had and you still matched him.”

 

A smile touched her features for a moment before falling away. “A treasure of his tribe. At least it is not wasted.”

 

“He has used it well,” Raindrop said, an edge of disapproval at Red Hawk in her tone. “He makes sure we all know.”

 

“What can I do for you, Bluewing?” Doc asked kindly. “I’m sure you wanted more than to chat about your testing.”

 

“I was speaking to my brother before the test,” Bluewing said. “Is it true your goddess blessed my sister-in-law to be fertile?”

 

“Raindrop, Dancing Squirrel, and Wildflower, too,” Doc nodded.

 

“Did you notice me last night?” Bluewing asked softly.

 

“She danced in the circle both times,” Rosa said for Doc’s benefit.

 

“I saw you during the first dance, but I will apologize for not having seen you for the second. My eyes were captured by others,” Doc said. He’d meant Rosa and Yucca, and he failed to see Raindrop’s pink face since he was looking Bluewing’s way.

 

“Ah… that is fine.” Bluewing frowned slightly, but it was gone almost instantly. “I, too, wished for Mother’s blessing. Do you think your goddess could assist me?”

 

Doc wondered at how eager the women of the tribes were to be fertile. Then again, the birth rate for new children among the tribes was even lower than it was for the dwarves. He would ask Lia about it later, but for right now, he held out a hand. “Lady, please grant your blessing of fertility to Bluewing. She is a gifted warrior, but will also be a wonderful mother.”

 

Bluewing’s breath caught when the green glow surrounded his hand, but she’d been told about it before she came over, so she took it without hesitation. The warmth that suffused her body made her exhale in wonder; it was like Mother had risen from the ground to hold her close, blessing her personally.

 

Doc silently patched up the defect in Bluewing’s heart while he increased her fertility. She could’ve died at any time, otherwise, and it would be a tragedy to see a vibrant life end so suddenly. He let his energy fade a moment later. “All done.”

 

Bluewing swallowed, wiping at her eyes to remove the few tears that had escaped. “Thank you, Shaman. Truly you walk with Mother’s blessing.”

 

“He walks with her blessing every day,” Yucca said with a hint of humor. “Doesn’t he, sister?”

 

“I am a small blessing, but yes,” Rosa smiled brightly.

 

“More than a small blessing,” Doc said.

 

“The testing is about to begin,” Raindrop said. She was sorry to interrupt, but didn’t want Doc to miss it.

 

They turned their attention to the grounds where Gray Rabbit stood. “We now begin the testing that has not even been with us for a full generation. The humans brought their guns to the shores of our land, but we have learned to adapt to them. We will now test our warriors, as hunting and war will both see their use.”

 

Two dozen people walked out onto the field. Lia was one of them, but what surprised Doc was that both Wildflower and Sunshine were both standing there, as well. All of the warriors had both pistols and rifles, so Doc now understood why Lia had brought Ayla’s rifle with them.

 

“We split this into two parts,” Gray Rabbit went on. “The rifle will be first, as it is used in both hunting and war. After we complete the rifle, we will go to pistols, which are for war. May Mother smile upon these warriors. Cheer for your tribe’s warriors, but remember to praise the others, as well. Together, we are one people, divided as we may be, but still all from the same blood.” Gray Rabbit walked slowly off the field while the competitors got ready for the distance shooting.

 

Doc cheered as Lia made it to the last four for the rifle. It wasn’t the gun she preferred, but she was still deadly accurate with it. She wound up against Wildflower to end the competition, which shocked Doc. The elder of the Spiny Crest tribe was steely-eyed as she kept advancing through targets. What proved to be the tipping point was Ayla’s gun; its lack of recoil let Lia keep going while Wildflower had to stop, as her shoulder couldn’t keep up.

 

The two women spoke on the field for a moment, with Lia handing over the rifle. Wildflower waved everyone back before she took aim and fired a single round. Shaking her head, she passed the rifle back, clearly conceding to Lia.

 

While the grounds were being set for the pistol portion, Lia brought Wildflower over to Doc. “Husband, can you heal her shoulder?”

 

“Gladly,” Doc said, standing up and extending a hand. “May Luck heal your wounds.”

 

When his hand began to glow green, Wildflower grasped it firmly, staring into his eyes. “She already blessed me today, Shaman. Thank you for your aid again.” The warmth that filled her, erasing the pain, reminded her of her father praising her for her first hunt.

 

Doc let the energy fade before she let go of his hand. “All better. Best wishes on the pistol.”

 

Wildflower laughed. “I am not in that test. I will sit and watch your wife again show her prowess.”

 

“Thank you, Doc,” Lia smiled.

 

“Always glad to make my wife smile,” Doc winked.

 

“How much can he do?” Raindrop’s question to Rosa got Doc’s attention as he sat again.

 

“More than many others. With me and Yucca to assist him… more than enough to heal the entire tribe.”

 

Doc stayed quiet, but he could feel many eyes on him. They were from those nearby, but also from all over. His use of healing had been noticed, so rumors were already flying; he was sure things were going to get complicated soon.