Chapter Thirty-six

 

Doc watched the scenery go by; it was relaxing to see the nearly untouched countryside. He had the river to look at on his side of the train, and the telegraph poles were on the far side. Posy sat across from him, and both Rosa and Ambrose kneeled between them, also watching out the window. Daf and Lia were the last two in the private room with them, the pair talking softly.

 

Ayla, Sophia, Otto, and Greta had another room to share while Posy’s two bodyguards, Melvin and Masha, had a third room. There was no one else on the train because it was hauling mostly construction materials to Heartwood’s Tears and some goods down to Deep Gulch. Ayla had brought up adding passenger cars to it, hoping to deal with the increased travel she expected to happen.

 

The hours passed in peace with Doc chatting with Posy about the animals they saw. Ambrose and Rosa joined in to explain things. It was nearly three hours later when the train began to slow, and Doc’s lips pursed. He was hopeful for what he was going to see soon.

 

Coming out of one of the many small tunnels that’d been made for the train, Heartwood’s Tears came into view on the other side of the river. As they got closer, Doc saw the small tent city that’d been set up. All kinds of people milled in the area, but a majority of them were bestials and dwarves.

 

“We’ll be stopping for a couple of hours for them to offload,” Lia said. “I asked the conductor earlier.”

 

“That’s fine. I want to see how things are,” Doc said.

 

When the train finally stopped, the entire group disembarked. The train depot was nearly done, as it’d been the first structure being built since the track had arrived. It was going to be a match in size to the one in Furden. That meant it was overbuilding for now, but it would be well worth it later.

 

Leaving the depot, Doc was puzzled by the bridge Rosa had made before, as it was different. “Who changed the bridge?”

 

“Stonebeard, the elemental you gave to the Ironbeard clan,” Rosa said. “With the rail line pushing on to tie into the Grandeur line, it needed to be.”

 

“Makes sense to extend the bridge and lift it so the train can pass underneath. I just didn’t expect it.”

 

“The Molteneyes clan is paying for the expansion to connect Grandeur and Deep Gulch,” Ayla said.

 

“The contract was signed off. They bought the right of way, are paying for the lines to be laid, and have sold it to the company at cost. It was well worth it, as it’ll help tie things together further. That’ll give Grandeur options as a hub between the territories. We’ll need to visit Salton to make sure the contract with Uta territory is as solid as the others we have,” Sophia explained.

 

“It should be easy enough to manage. I wanted to stop in to see them, as it is. They’ll get a shaman and elemental to help them,” Doc said.

 

“That bridge is impressive,” Greta said. “I marveled when we came through to Furden, but now that we’re taking the time to cross it, it’s even more amazing.”

 

“Dryads and elementals can do amazing things,” Otto murmured.

 

“Like Doc,” Posy said. “Are you going to make the springs holy, like you did with the manor?”

 

Doc smiled down at her as she walked hand-in-hand with him and Daf. “It’s a square mile, which is why we’re crossing over. I’ll get the train depot, the bridge, and where the hotel should be all in a single blessing that way.”

 

People took note of the group crossing the bridge, as there wasn’t a lot of travel through the area yet. The fact that it appeared that they’d come from the train caused an even bigger stir. A crowd began to gather as Doc led his contingent down the far side of the bridge. When they got to the end, a couple of faces he recognized were waiting for him.

 

“Shaman, it is a pleasure to see you again,” Kitanashan Heartwood, the last blood tie to the Heartwood tribe, greeted him.

 

“We weren’t expecting you, Doc, but I can show you around,” Orville Simpson, the bull bestial builder, greeted him.

 

Doc gave them a smile. “Kitanashan, it’s good to see you. I want to hear how you and the others have been doing. Simpson, show me around while she does, please? We’re here until the train unloads, and then we’re going with it.”

 

Simpson turned to do that, but the crowd was thick. “Ahhh…”

 

Doc stepped forward. “Ladies and gentlemen, is there something I can do for you?”

 

“A few of us are injured,” someone in the crowd said.

 

“I just wanted to see you, sir,” another said.

 

“Not often do we get to see someone who’s doing so much for us,” another added.

 

“We can help the injured,” Doc said. “Two orderly lines, please, for me and Posy. If you need healing in the future, there will be a healer coming this way. She’ll heal anyone at reasonable prices.”

 

“Jessica Welton,” Ayla said, stepping up next to Doc. “She was a healer in Furden, but signed a contract with us. As soon as her home and business are built, she’ll move down.”

 

“It’s one of the fast-tracked projects,” Simpson said. “We could all use a healer nearby.”

 

Kitanashan spoke up, raising her voice, “If you need help, stay. Otherwise, disperse. You can see him as we show him around. His time here is limited.”

 

That got the crowd to start breaking up, with two lines forming.

 

~*~*~

 

It took some time for Posy and Doc to heal the major injuries all the way through the minor ones. A few of those who’d been healed offered blood to the dryads in thanks. Doc smiled, thanking those who did, as it would help Ambrose, especially.

 

The hotel that Doc had envisioned was in the process of being built; it was further along than any other project other than the depot. The others were key buildings, like Welton’s home, which would also be her business.

 

The full contingent of half-elves that Doc had healed were camped just downriver. They all came up to thank him again for helping them and giving them this chance to build a community. They were excited to build the place up— most of them were on the work crews, and they’d be getting started once things were unloaded.

 

At the end of the tour, they were back by the hot springs. There were a few people in the springs currently, which Doc didn’t expect with the heat of the day. He really didn’t think there would be children in the encampment.

 

“Be careful of the heat!” Doc called out to the people relaxing.

 

“We are, sir. We only spend a few minutes in here before we go back to the river.”

 

“Is the river safe?” Doc asked Rosa.

 

“Stonebeard made a few slow channels so people can use it without being swept away. I asked for them for this exact reason,” Kitanashan answered him, instead.

 

“Smart.”

 

“There’s nothing dangerous in the river itself. The current would be the real danger,” Rosa added. “The channel that was made makes it entirely safe for anyone who can wade.”

 

“It’s been a real plus with the summer being in full swing,” Simpson said. “We all cool off after work, use the springs to soothe our muscles, then cool off again. This has been a great place to work. Thanks again, Doc.”

 

“I noticed a Beaverton helping at the depot. Did they come up from Deep Gulch?”

 

“Yeah. Ursula, sent Binula up to help. Binula said her brothers were coming in from Uta.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

“More than good. She’s really help speed things up.”

 

“Simpson has been courting her,” Kitanashan said sotto voce. “It’s been interesting to watch.”

 

Simpson flushed. “The downside to working out here is that everyone knows everything.”

 

Doc slapped the bull bestial on the back. “Small towns are like that, and this is the smallest town, as it’s still being built.”

 

“Still better than Furden was…” Simpson muttered. “Well, before you showed up.”

 

“I’m glad you two are getting along so well. This town has a real chance with the unity that’s here.”

 

“We’ll make it a wonderful destination,” Kitanashan said. “The Heartwood tribe will continue to live on in name.”

 

“That’s my hope,” Doc said. The train whistle blew, and Doc sighed. “Well, looks like it’s time. I’ll stop by again. It’ll probably be a few years, but I’ll be back.”

 

“We’ll have things built up by then,” Kitanashan smiled.

 

“And expanding,” Simpson chuckled.

 

Doc shook their hands before he led his group back over the bridge. The next step of the trip to Deep Gulch was coming up. In a few hours, he’d be back to where it had all begun.