Chapter Forty-eight

 

They did what they could to stifle the sounds coming from the room. They mostly covered their mouths, got their faces pushed into pillows, or otherwise muffled the noises, but it was far from perfect. Doc was just glad that no one had come to complain.

 

With the first light of day coming through the cabin window, Doc stirred. He felt a warm body next to his, so he carefully eased his way into a sitting position. Lia was just putting her boots on; she gave him a wink, but put a finger to her lips. Doc nodded as he slid out of bed to get dressed. Rosa gave him a bright smile, staying between the beds.

 

The sounds of people moving about in the hall were starting to pick up, so Doc knew that the officers were awake, at least. Just as he was getting his boots on, Ayla and Sophia stirred. He didn’t blame them for sleeping a bit longer; they’d both been a favorite target of his and Lia’s last night.

 

“Morning, hmm? I slept well,” Ayla murmured, sitting up, and tossing the blanket off as she did.

 

“Me, too,” Sophia yawned. She did the same, but then stretched.

 

“Makes me want to go back to bed,” Doc chuckled. “Good morning, ladies.”

 

They gave him bright smiles as they got out of bed. Doc kissed them before taking a seat and pulling Lia down with him, giving her a kiss, too.

 

“Not a lot of room for all of us to be upright while we get dressed,” Doc murmured.

 

“Doc, the gift that makes our clothing always perfect? Thank you,” Ayla said as she pulled out another outfit. “Makes laundry unneeded, which is amazingly helpful. I’m not sure I’d want my undergarments washed by someone here on the ship.”

 

“I hadn’t considered that,” Sophia said. “That’s a good point, though they’d be safe with Ludwig. He’s a sweet boy.”

 

“We’ll be heading north today, with or without the boat,” Lia reminded them.

 

“I’m sure the captain will have something to say at breakfast,” Doc said. He held Lia while watching the other two get dressed. Reaching out absently, he stroked Rosa’s hair, as she’d come to rest her head against his thigh when he’d sat down. “We’ll also possibly get the inquisitors here before we leave. I have no idea if they’ll take a boat out to us or just demand that we return to shore. Today has a lot of variables in play.”

 

Sophia turned her back to them, stepping back far enough for Lia to help with her buttons. “I hope they don’t come out to the ship.”

 

“They won’t make it back to shore if they do,” Lia said softly. “They’ll try to kill Doc themselves this time. That I will not allow to happen.”

 

“No. It cannot be allowed…” Rosa murmured.

 

“None of us want to kill people,” Ayla said, “but if they mean to harm us, we have to defend ourselves and those we love.”

 

Sophia nodded. “I know… but it’s easier for me if we act in self-defense.”

 

“It is for all of us,” Doc said gently. “I’m not saying shoot them on the way to the ship, but our lives are worth more to me than theirs. I don’t trust them to not outright attack us.”

 

A knock came on the door. “Holydays, the captain asks you to join him in his cabin for breakfast,” Ludwig’s muffled voice came through the door.

 

Ayla and Sophia were dressed, so Ayla opened the door. “We’ll be with him shortly. Thank you.”

 

“Yes, ma’am,” Ludwig said. He hurried toward the captain’s quarters, a faint blush on his face.

 

“We made too much noise…” Sophia whispered.

 

“Maybe,” Lia chuckled, “but we did our best, and after last night, no one will begrudge us that.”

 

Everyone got up to go, and it was then that Doc laughed. “Put a sundress on, Weed. No wonder the boy was blushing.”

 

Everyone looked her way to see a very naked Rosa. She giggled as she picked up the sundress that she wore most days. “I was hidden behind you, Doc. He only saw my head resting on your knee.”

 

“That’d be enough,” Doc snorted. “A woman’s head that close to a man’s lap? Scandalous,” he chuckled.

 

“She’s just who she is,” Ayla smirked.

 

“She’s dressed, so we can go,” Doc said. “Ayla, you’re in the lead.”

 

The captain stood when they entered. He waited to sit until all the women were seated, or kneeling, in Rosa’s case. Taking his seat at the table when Doc did, Damir exhaled. “We’ll hold business until after we eat, if that’s okay?”

 

“Fine with us,” Doc said.

 

“Serve, Ludwig,” Damir said.

 

When breakfast was finished, Damir sighed. “Thank you for joining me. I had some questions that I was hoping to get answers to. Your throat was slit wide open, and your wives were visibly injured. I know you can heal, but to heal that kind of injury to yourself, and your wives not bleeding out, either… is that normal for you?”

 

“It took a lot out of me,” Doc said. “I have gifts that help me. As for my wives, I made sure they all have enchantments to help them with healing.”

 

“They work, but not as fast as I’d hoped,” Ayla said. “I think it was the caustic ammunition that was the problem.”

 

“I see,” Damir nodded. “If things go badly with the inquisitors, will you be able to help the crew?”

 

“As much as Rosa and I can,” Doc said.

 

“I had a question to that end myself, Captain,” Lia said. “Crew normally aren’t armed; most weapons are under lock and key of the boatswain. How did they come by the knives and gun to attempt the attack?”

 

“Smuggled them onboard when their friend stayed behind,” Damir spat. “None of the weapons were ours. They’re yours now; their wealth falls to you in payment for their crime.”

 

“Take them in partial payment for the trouble we’re bringing you,” Doc said. “Captain, I’m going to ask you to gather all the men on the deck. That’ll let us take stock of them. If any other zealots are in your crew, we’ll find them.” Doc didn’t say how, but Rosa understood.

 

“Very well. I’ll have them all up and on deck after this talk.” Damir paused before clearing his throat. “The crew knew you were waiting on a boat and the general destination we’re heading for. If the one mutineer is waiting for them, he’ll tell them when they arrive. Are you sure you still want to do what you’d planned?”

 

“Yes. With the riverboat, we’ll make it to where we’re going long before they will. If they send for another inquisitor close to Pale River, then the tribes there will have to handle them until we arrive. I’m sure they will, with prejudice.”

 

“Very well. If the riverboat isn’t here by evening, we should depart, anyway. I know you paid for it, but if you want to avoid trouble, it’d be for the best. There are a couple of ports in Kanata that might have something similar that could work for you.”

 

“We’ll revisit that if the boat doesn’t arrive,” Doc said. “I’m sure that Floating Safely is going to have trouble because they arranged the riverboat and are building a ship for me. I hope Jamie can manage it.”

 

“Very well. I’ll go arrange the crew. See you topside.”

 

The family thanked him for the meal, then returned to their cabin. About ten minutes later, Ludwig informed them that the captain was ready.

 

Coming out on the deck with his wives and Rosa, Doc looked at the gathering of sailors. Most of them had some dwarven or bestial blood— that made sense, considering the ship’s home port. The majority of the bestials were aquatic mammals, which Doc hadn’t realized until then, but it also made sense. What he hadn’t really known was how many people there were on the ship, but he got to see them all now.

 

“Holyday.” Captain Damir waved him to stand beside him.

 

Doc and his wives did so, joining the officer core on the aftercastle to look down over the entire two-hundred-man complement. It was then that he noted a handful of women among the crew. He hadn’t expected it, but he was glad to see they looked every bit the crew as the rest.

 

“Crew, these are our guests. They’ve paid for us to take them to their destination. A quarter of the cargo we carry is theirs,” Damir addressed them. “Doc Holyday is known as the Voice of Luck. Those with ties to the Motherland know what this means.”

 

The majority of the crew stared at him with wide eyes. Even those he’d helped had only known him as a faith healer, so to hear that he was actually the one who gave the clans a shaman again was awe-inspiring.

 

“Because of who he is, we had an incident last night. Mutineers who sided with the church instead of the ship attacked our guests but, as you can see, they failed. Today, we’ll likely have more trouble. We’ve been told inquisitors are coming to stop him. I’m giving all of you this chance to disembark via rowboat. You will be paid with no ill will, but sent to shore. It’s likely that the Anastacia will not be trading with Emerita for the next year, so consider that. Holyday, you wanted to speak?”

 

Doc stepped up to stand beside the captain. He cast holy ground silently, watching the entire crew as he did. A single man began to shift uncomfortably, his eyes darting around, looking for what he was feeling. Rosa coughed once, nodding when Doc looked her way.

 

“Captain, there’s one person who has been touched by the Darkness still aboard this ship,” Doc said, not keeping his voice down. “Sir,” he pointed to the man, “are you with the others who attacked before?”

 

The man bolted for the rail, diving overboard before anyone could stop him. Those who’d been near the traitor looked warily at everyone else around them.

 

“That was it for people who would rather see the world plunged into the cold, dark night,” Doc said softly. “Don’t fear the others around you. Anyone touched by Darkness will find the ship uncomfortable— it has been blessed by Lady Luck and Mother.”

 

There was a scream from off the side of the ship, and everyone looked to see the man who’d jumped over the side suddenly get yanked underwater in a bloom of red.

 

“Shark. What an unlucky fool,” Alexi snorted.

 

Rosa’s face was impassive, but inside, she giggled. She’d pulled a few sharks to the ship earlier, and when the man had bolted, she’d sent a thought to the predators of the deep. She would not abide anyone threatening her Voice.

 

“As I was saying…” Doc coughed, a little disturbed that a shark just happened to snag the man, “you have no need to fear your fellow crew, officers, or us. If any of you are injured, I’ll do my best to assist you. As we will be aboard for a week or longer, I should be able to help all of you. Some of you, I’ve already assisted. There’s no payment required to receive Luck’s help. It’s the least I can do for the trouble that’s following me. Thank you for your help. Because of people like you, Mother thrives, the light returns, and the Darkness is being pushed back.”

 

Doc stepped back, and Damir started to applaud, the officers and crew swiftly following. Doc gave an awkward smile, waving until the boatswain dismissed the crew to their duties and rest.

 

“What an unlucky idiot,” Witter, the half-dwarven quartermaster snorted. “Goes to swim for it and dies to a shark? Serves him right. We’re taking a small loss right now on this trip, but the captain assures me that Tsarrus will gladly reimburse us.”

 

“In a year or two, you could be one of the ships to help cart the product of my trip,” Doc chuckled. “That’ll make you much more.”

 

“I’ll be looking forward to the opportunities, then,” Witter laughed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure one or more of the crew will ask to be put ashore.”

 

Damir grunted. “As long as we keep half, we can make do.”

 

“We’ll keep more than that,” Alexi snorted. “Trust me.”

 

“We’ll retire to our cabin again,” Doc said.

 

“About that,” Damir coughed. “Please… temper yourselves? Last night was understandable, but… it can be uncomfortable for the crew, even us officers.”

 

Doc looked away. “Yeah… sorry. We’ll do better.”

 

A soft whine from Rosa prompted laughter from Doc’s wives.

 

“Don’t mind her. She’s just a needy one,” Lia said with a smirk. “The noise level will not be as loud in the future.”

 

“Thank you. Never thought I’d have the famed and feared Death Flower aboard my ship, much less on amicable terms,” Damir said.

 

“I set that name down years ago,” Lia said. “I’m Lia Holyday now. My old ways will only come out in defense of family.”

 

“Then we will all be safe,” Damir said. “I will let you know the moment the boat comes in.”

 

“Thank you,” Doc said before leading his family back to their cabin. As they walked to their room, he noticed the bullet holes and caustic burns that littered the hallway. That brought some questions to mind for him. Once they were in the room, he asked, “Ladies, I was curious: how did you get injured during the ambush?”

 

“When we heard you cry out, we turned to see what the problem was,” Ayla said. “That second or two of hesitation let the first couple of rounds hit us. We used our gifts at that point.”

 

“Same with me,” Sophia admitted.

 

“I used it right away, which is the only reason they got hit at all and not me,” Lia said.

 

“I used it right away, too,” Rosa said. “It was interesting to use a gift bestowed by a goddess, but I’d rather never have to use it if it means them or you are getting shot again, Voice.”

 

“Good to know,” Doc exhaled. “It just struck me when I saw all the gunshots in the walls.”

 

“Because by then, they all passed through us after those first two,” Lia said.

 

“Group hug,” Doc said, taking a seat on the bed.

 

They piled around him, holding him and each other. Today would have other problems to deal with, but for this moment, they could just embrace their love.