Chapter Eight

 

Lia won the pistol portion of the testing, with no one even coming close to her. No one in attendance was surprised once they heard who she was. When she came back to join them, Bluewing took her leave, but had a quick whispered conversation with Lia first. Lia sat next to Raindrop, chatting about the Curled Horn tribe.

 

With a few hours before the elders reconvened, Doc pulled up his gift tab again— there were many gifts that could help in different ways. He took his time to check, cross-check, and then double-check how each option could help. He would close the tab at times to see who’d won another event, but then would go back to looking at gifts.

 

When Gray Rabbit finally announced an end to the tests, Doc had multiple plans in place depending on how the meeting with the elders went. He walked with Lia, Raindrop, Rosa, and Yucca toward the center of camp. Many eyes were on them, and Doc spotted many hopeful faces watching them.

 

The moment they were back at the circle, Doc kissed Lia softly. “I’ll see you for dinner.”

 

“Yes. We’ll be watching the dances again.”

 

Doc looked apprehensive. “Which dances?”

 

Lia smirked. “You’ll see.”

 

Sighing, Doc kissed her cheek. “Later.”

 

Lia took Raindrop’s hand as Doc left. “Why don’t we speak? Tomorrow, we will test each other, so tonight, we can get to know each other.”

 

“Y-yes. Thank you… Lia,” Raindrop almost said “Death Flower,” but switched names after a brief pause.

 

Gray Rabbit looked worn, but he gave Doc a smile when he opened the flap of the teepee for him. “The others are already inside.”

 

Doc bowed his head before ducking inside, the others greeting him as he took his seat. Rosa took her place beside him while Yucca took her far side. That left just Gray Rabbit, who shut the flap, then took his own seat.

 

“We convene the second day of our talks,” Gray Rabbit said. “Doc gave us much to think about yesterday. We should address questions and concerns brought by his story.”

 

“I have no concerns. He has proven himself to me,” Dancing Squirrel said.

 

“Mother moved through him earlier,” Wildflower said. “I know him to be a Voice and beloved by Mother.”

 

“My wife and sister both tell me they felt Mother’s love when Doc blessed them with fertility,” Sunshine said. “A wise man listens to the counsel of his family.”

 

Gray Rabbit’s lips pursed. “I see… this all happened while I was busy this morning?”

 

“As I told you,” Dancing Squirrel said, “I have no pains anymore. You should let him show his ability to be a shaman to you, too.”

 

“Our people might not be as accepting if it is known this man used magic— even healing magic— on us,” Gray Rabbit said.

 

“Only those who would question Mother would doubt him,” Yucca said sharply. “I have spoken for him. Is my word no longer listened to among the people of nature?”

 

Gray Rabbit flinched backward, then winced, one hand touching the small of his back. “No, Caretaker, that isn’t what I meant. We have been misled before… never by a Caretaker, but by others. We should be naturally cautious.”

 

“Peace,” Rosa said, laying her hand on Yucca’s leg. “Gray Rabbit, being skeptical is wise, especially when the tribes will worry over what Doc is going to ask of them. He will prove to all here that he is beloved by Mother. He will heal any who ask him. If a woman wishes to be given increased fertility, he will help them with that, too. The men who worry about their own ability on that front should see him. Doc helped the Ironbeard clan— they will have a boom of children in a month or two. The tribes can have that same blessing if they would but listen to Mother’s wisdom: to believe in Luck.”

 

“We would welcome him in my tribe,” Dancing Squirrel said. “I would even name him shaman if he would take the rite.”

 

“I would welcome him into my tribe, too,” Wildflower nodded. “As Dancing Squirrel said, if he is willing, we would welcome him as shaman.”

 

“My wife and sister spoke to me quite persistently,” Sunshine said. “Doc, the Red Throat tribe would welcome you to help us, and if you would accept my sister to stand in place of myself, we would have you take the rite of shaman, too.”

 

“He can only be a shaman to one tribe,” Gray Rabbit said. “No shaman has ever had multiple tribes.”

 

“He is already shaman to multiple dwarven clans, some of whom have shamans of their own, blessed by him,” Rosa said. “Doc, could you leave more blessed ones?”

 

“It is possible… I can take another gift from Luck that would let me name apprentices. They would only have the ability to heal, but yes,” Doc nodded. “It is one of the paths that is available. It would also mean I don’t need to undertake the rite myself.”

 

“To be an accepted apprentice, they must be named by the recognized shaman,” Wildflower said. “The tribes wouldn’t be able to accept it, otherwise.”

 

Doc sighed; he’d really hoped he’d be able to sidestep the rite. His wives had told him repeatedly it was okay, but it still felt wrong to him to sleep with other women if none of his wives were there.

 

Rosa touched his knee, meeting his eyes. “I will be there every time, and if we ask, I’m sure the others will accept Lia attending the rite, too.”

 

“If that is required for him, yes,” Wildflower said.

 

“My sister would agree to this,” Sunshine nodded.

 

Dancing Squirrel glanced at Gray Rabbit before looking back at Doc. “I would ask to undertake the rite last out of the tribes. There is another I must speak with before then.”

 

Gray Rabbit had seen the look his way. His gaze dropped to the floor. “Dancing Squirrel, I am not the man I was. You should—”

 

“No,” Dancing Squirrel cut him off firmly. “I have made up my mind on this. Your child is the one I wish to bear. Now let him heal you, and tonight, you will invite me into your teepee. This way, I carry our child before he undergoes the rite with me.”

 

“I’d prefer that, too,” Doc said. “My children with any of the tribe should look elven, but since I am half-dwarven, they might have features that make them look more half-elven. That is another point I wanted to make today— the tribes need to welcome their half-blood offspring as full members of the tribe. The Treeheart tribe is rebuilding with many of that heritage.”

 

“Those who want to can go speak to Jesamin in Deep Gulch,” Rosa added. “Lia wished the tribes to know that her tribe could use the willing to help them experience regrowth.”

 

Silence filled the dimly illuminated space for a few moments before Gray Rabbit sighed heavily. “Every tribe here recognizes Doc Holyday as blessed by Mother. I will concede this point to the Voice of Luck.” Holding out his hand to Doc, he went on, “If you can heal me, please do so.”

 

“Lady Luck, Gray Rabbit wishes his old hurts to fade. Please help this mighty warrior feel the vigor of youth again so he can continue to lead his people for decades to come,” Doc said, his hand glowing green by the time he’d finished. Taking the elder’s hand, he smiled. “Thank you for believing.”

 

Gray Rabbit’s breath caught in his throat as deep warmth suffused him. Memories came back to him as the warmth grew: his father praising him for his first hunt, his marriage to Spring Rain, their child Raindrop being born, the pride he felt when he became elder… All of the memories filled his mind until the warmth faded. Gasping when he felt the wetness on his cheeks, he brushed the tears away. That was when he realized the pains and aches that he’d known for so long were no longer there. Eyes going wide, he stretched, then stood up and stretched further. Wonder was etched on his features when he finished, looking down at Doc.

 

“All Luck wants is to be worshiped. Belief in her allows her to do more to save the world,” Doc said. “I’m merely her Voice, spreading her light.”

 

“Mother be praised,” Gray Rabbit said as he sat again. “No pains, no aches… I feel like I could best even our best warriors.”

 

“You can tomorrow. You were always a master of the spear,” Dancing Squirrel said brightly, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears of joy.

 

Gray Rabbit met her gaze, then bowed his head. “I bow to your wisdom. Please, visit me tonight so we might speak of old times together.”

 

She reached out, taking his hand in hers. “My friend would be happy that we have agreed. I was sad when our tribes separated, as it took me away from her and you, but we can bring our tribes back together again now. Just Shoni, no longer Curled Horn and Duckwater tribes.”

 

Squeezing her hand, he smiled. “We shall try to bridge the gap between our tribes.”

 

“Two tribes becoming one is always something noteworthy,” Sunshine grinned. “The pau-wau should celebrate that before the end.”

 

“Today, we should let our people meet the man who will be shaman,” Wildflower said. “Doc, would you heal those who come to you? Helping the women who ask to bear children, too?”

 

“I can and will. The cost is but a prayer to Luck, but also, if they are willing, a little blood for the dryads who assist me.”

 

“All will be happy to help the Caretakers stay strong.”

 

“Let us stop early just for that,” Gray Rabbit said. “It will be better for everyone if they are given more time to accept him before we speak of him undergoing the rites.”

 

Doc exhaled as he flexed his hands. Today was going to push him and the dryads beside him— he was sure many would want the fertility, but even more would ask to be healed. “I will do what I can, but it might take me a couple of days if everyone wants to be helped. My body can only channel so much power a day, even with Rosa and Yucca to help me.”

 

“But you are willing to help everyone?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then it will be fine.” Gray Rabbit stood up, chuckling at the ease of the act and the lack of pain. “Just seeing me will have many coming to you.”

 

“All of my group will come to you,” Wildflower said.

 

“As will mine,” Sunshine added.

 

“And mine,” Dancing Squirrel smiled. “Just those will make the Curled Horn tribe take note.”

 

“We will do all we can, Doc,” Yucca said.

 

“Even if we fade some, tonight, you can help refill us again,” Rosa added, her eyes shining brightly.

 

Doc snorted. Pulling Rosa to his side, he kissed her cheek. “Insatiable to the end. Behave while we help.”

 

“Yes, Voice.”