Chapter Thirty-seven

 

Doc once again sat with Posy, watching the world go by through the window. Someone had explained how this railroad worked to him— it would head toward the mine, then split off to Deep Gulch. Running parallel to that line was a second that only ran between Deep Gulch and Lucky Strike. Since the mine sent all ore to Deep Gulch first, there was no need to connect it to the other rail line.

 

Doc never saw the mine, even though he’d been looking for it, which is why he was surprised when they arrived in town. Stonebeard had been hard at work creating the descent that led into the town. The depot had been set up where Suez’s manor used to be; no one wanted to build a house on the property, thinking it was cursed ground. When the depot went up, people waited to hear about any tragic accidents, but nothing happened. It was only just now being hesitantly accepted as not cursed.

 

Posy told him the story and rumors as the train slowed. When they came to a stop, Doc immediately cast holy ground. Posy giggled, happy that he wanted to make sure it was safe.

 

“Old saying, Posy,” Doc said as he led the group off the train. “‘Better safe than sorry.’”

 

“An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure,” Lia said.

 

“Another good saying.”

 

“I can tell everyone that it’s been made safe now,” Posy smiled. “They’ll accept that.”

 

Doc looked at the new homes that’d been built since he’d been there last. It’d been just over a year since he’d left the town on horseback. It’d grown, bringing a smile to his face.

 

“Where will we be staying, Doc?” Ayla asked.

 

“We might stay at the Springs or the Lily, but I want to see Jesamin first. She might let us take over the master bedroom for a few nights. It’ll be easier if we’re not as visible. I’m only here to see some friends. Tonight and tomorrow here, and then the day after that, we’re on the train back to Heartwood’s Tears. We’ll head over to Unaweep afterward.”

 

“The Elkhorn tribe will potentially meet with you this time,” Lia said. “The other tribes will have been spreading word of what you’ve done. They’re probably realizing what they did by turning you away.”

 

“That’s fine; I don’t blame them for being cautious. I’ll be happy to meet with them. I know they don’t like Grandeur being right at the edge of their lands, but we’ll need them to accept it. That town will grow as a junction to the rest of the territory.”

 

“When we stop there, we’ll see about locking up the railroad rights,” Ayla said.

 

“It shouldn’t be hard,” Sophia said. “The mayor of the town was an idiot, as I recall.”

 

“A drunkard. It’ll be signed and sealed in an hour or less.”

 

“Works for me,” Doc said.

 

The train had gotten the attention of some people, but no one was headed their way. Doc was glad about that— he wanted to minimize his notability while visiting friends. Greta and Otto promised to catch up to them, but they needed to see the clan as soon as possible. Doc asked Otto to let him know when the clan elders would be free tomorrow, getting an agreement that he would.

 

Their old house looked the same, minus the paint peeling just a little. Doc opened the picket fence gate to let the others go into the yard ahead of him. They’d barely advanced on the house when the front door opened and a mountain lion came rushing out.

 

Krisriit was quick to leap at Doc, earning some screams. He never made it, as both Ambrose and Rosa tackled the cat out of the air.

 

“Krisriit, no!” Jesamin shouted as she came out of the house. “Doc, I’m sorry. He was eager to say hello.”

 

Doc knelt to hug Posy, who’d clung to him in fright. “It’s okay, Posy. He wasn’t attacking. He just wanted to say hi.”

 

Ayla and Sophia were both pale and shaking. Lia gathered them into a hug to speak softly to them. Daf had passed out, so when Posy let go of him, she rushed to her mother.

 

“He is sorry, Doc,” Rosa said, standing up. “Krisriit just knows you made Jesamin very happy before you left.”

 

“He’ll behave now,” Ambrose added. “He’ll never leap like that at a friend again.”

 

“Thank you, Caretakers,” Jesamin said, hurrying over to the group.

 

“Let’s head inside,” Doc said softly. “I don’t want to get swamped by people.”

 

Doc helped get Daf on her feet and then inside, away from the few people taking an interest in what was happening. When they were all indoors, Jesamin hurried out of the room. Doc frowned until she came back with a baby in her arms, then smiled sadly.

 

“Doc, let me introduce our son, Courage,” Jesamin said. “Courage, this is Doc Holyday, your father.”

 

Courage was sleeping peacefully, his ears and eyes elven in shape. There was no sign that Courage’s father was anything but an elf. His hair was a match to Jesamin’s, further showing him to take after his mother.

 

“He has green eyes,” Jesamin said. “It’s the only hint that he is yours, Shaman.”

 

Doc held out his arms, and Jesamin placed Courage into them. Doc stared down at his son, the son he’d never be able to claim without putting him in danger. “Courage, I’m sorry I’ll never be the father I should be for you,” the words were thick with emotion. “I know how that can hurt… You’ll never remember this, but I’m happy you have this chance to grow. I’ll be doing my best to make the world a better place for you.”

 

Lia stood beside Jesamin. “You have not told others?”

 

“No. The only ones who know are those who also have a special one to care for. I remember that I must deny Doc his child, but here, with family, it is safe to be open.”

 

“It is,” Ayla said, moving closer to look down at Courage. “May I?”

 

“Of course. You are his wife,” Jesamin nodded.

 

Doc handed the baby off before taking a seat, wiping his face. “I knew it would be difficult…”

 

Sophia rubbed his shoulders. “But it’s good to see him, and it will be for the others, too. We’ll be here for you.”

 

Daf mostly kept her eyes on Krisriit, clearly not trusting the cougar. She did look at Doc, though, before she told him, “We’ll be doing our best to help with all the children. Posy is their big sister, as she says.”

 

“Of course, I am! I’ll help them know the wonders of Luck. I know not to tell them that Doc is their Poppa, but I can still be their big sister.”

 

“We were hoping to stay here for the few days we’re in town, Elder,” Lia said. “If that is okay?”

 

Jesamin’s eyes darted to Doc, then back to Lia. “As short or as long as you need, Lia. I welcome a daughter of the tribe and our shaman home.”

 

“We’ll be meeting with the clan and a couple of friends,” Doc said. “Posy, tomorrow morning, can you ask Jasmine and Lotus to come over here?”

 

“Yes,” Posy said. “Can I tell Cassia and Wenn tonight?”

 

“I’ll get dinner started,” Sophia said. “I’ll want you to ask my mother to come over tomorrow, too, but in the afternoon, please?”

 

“Okay!” Posy beamed.

 

“We should go home for now, Posy,” Daf said. “I’m sure Doc needs to speak with Jesamin without us here.”

 

Posy got a hug from everyone before she let Daf lead her out the back door.

 

Ayla brought Courage back over to Jesamin. “He’s going to be a handful.”

 

“I expect him to be a mighty hunter who can lead the tribe,” Jesamin smiled brightly. “Let me put him down again, and I’ll come back to talk.”

 

~*~*~

 

The talk with Jesamin had her shocked with how much Doc had done and how far belief in Luck had already reached. The fact that Doc could name people shamans and gift them powers— along with Mother allowing the tribes to have elementals— moved her to tears. Doc was single-handedly erasing what the Church of Apoc had done to the tribes, giving them a chance to rise again.

 

When Cassia and Wenn came over, Jesamin slipped out with Krisriit and Courage. She promised to return later, but wanted to give the family space to meet with their friends. She let Lia know that she would just be in the office at the Lily.

 

Doc answered the knock on the door. “Welcome! Come on in. It’s good to see you both.”

 

“It is good to see you, too,” Cassia said, giving him a hug before going to do the same with Lia.

 

“Doc, you son of a gun!” Wenn grinned broadly. “I’m glad to see you.”

 

“Where’s the baby?” Doc asked, shaking hands with the sheriff.

 

“We left him with Daf. Figured we’d be here for a while, and she was happy to help.”

 

“Dinner’s ready,” Sophia said from the kitchen where she was being helped by Ayla.

 

“How’s the town been?” Doc asked as he headed for the table.

 

“Good. The deputies came back to work for me. There’s no need for them to bodyguard Nicole anymore. We haven’t had any issues, and I could use the help. They’ve been delighted to be allowed to uphold the laws without the problems they had before.”

 

“The tournaments continue to be a big draw for the Lily, too,” Cassia said, taking her seat, “even with the Silver Lily in Furden getting some of the draw. We’ve agreed that they can hold a yearly tournament near the winter solstice to even things out. That way, the big games are far enough apart to not compete with each other. Our monthly tournaments are two weeks apart, too. With the railroad here, we should see a big boom in travel for the games.”

 

“Another reason I’m glad for the deputies,” Wenn grunted. “The ease of travel will bring in some rogue elements, but I can handle it better now. The depot going in on Suez property, that caused a stir.”

 

“Posy told me. The ground there is holy ground to Luck now. Speaking of,” Doc closed his eyes, triggering holy ground again. “There. A half mile in all directions from me is now hallowed ground.”

 

“What?” Wenn asked.

 

“I have a lot to tell you guys,” Doc chuckled, kissing Sophia’s cheek when she leaned in to set a platter down. “I can do that while we eat.”

 

~*~*~

 

It was getting late when Doc finished telling his tale.

 

Wenn looked troubled. “The church is going to have to hunt you down.”

 

“Which is why I’m only staying tonight and tomorrow, then leaving again. I’ll be here just long enough to see friends. The inquisitor will be through here eventually. As long as I’m not here, they should just move on.”

 

“I’ll make sure they mind themselves,” Wenn grunted, “as much as I can.”

 

“We’ll all do what we can, but I doubt they’ll exert themselves here, not when I’m elsewhere.”

 

Wenn stood up, helping Cassia to her feet. “Doc, you’re a good friend. I’ll keep my eye on the town and your… friends.” The last word was obviously a replacement for another. “My son will play with children his own age and be blessed for it.”

 

“We’ll make sure they have people around to help them,” Cassia added.

 

“Thank you,” Doc said softly, rising to his feet.

 

They shared farewells, and a few minutes later, Doc and his wives stood there. Ayla took Doc’s hand. “Let’s get cleaned up and go to bed.”

 

“Tomorrow, we’ll have more to do,” Sophia added, taking Doc’s other hand.

 

Lia led the way down the hall while Rosa trailed them. The dryad watched his back— she knew Doc hated the idea of leaving his children behind again, but he also wanted to see them. Tonight, she would help him relax and make sure he knew the love he deserved.