Emerita Boxing Day, page 24
The three men waved to the crowd after the loud applause made Doc pause.
When the noise died down, Doc went on, “My wives, Ayla and Sophia, were the ones who worked day and night to pull everything together.” He looked at his two smiling wives, who also waved. “It was them who spearheaded everything.”
A lighter applause went through the crowd, as they were still waiting to hear just what they should be thankful for.
“From the first day of hearing about the mass eviction from the shanty town, I knew something had to be done. My wives and I went to work to find ways to give you all peace of mind. Fall is here and winter’s coming fast. The thought of all of you out on the streets was not something we could stomach.” Doc locked eyes with Strongarm, who was staring back at him. “Unlike the man who threw you out without compassion, those here on stage with me have devised a way to help you.”
Pausing, Doc looked away from Strongarm to the crowd again.
“Starting tomorrow, anyone who is being evicted can speak to the manager of this project. She’ll help place you in a temporary residence. It might be an apartment or it might be a barracks. We’ll do our best to make sure families have private spaces. We’ll also be separating the single men and women in multi-person residences. This way, there isn’t a problem with harassment.”
A low murmur went through the crowd, but Doc pushed on.
“Some of you are likely wondering at the cost of these rooms,” Doc said, getting everyone’s attention. “I’m sorry to say that there will be rent required. The good news is that it’ll likely be less than you’re paying now. The better news is that everyone who signs up for this program will be on the shortlist for the new houses being built just outside the city. For those who’ve heard those rumors, they’re true. Brand new homes, with as small an interest as possible; they’ll be far cheaper than even most places for rent in the city.”
“Why?” a single voice called out.
“Because I believe in people being given a chance,” Doc said, staring at the man. “Life has been tough for most of you, and this is your chance to find some happiness. Now, when you go to apply, you should know who you’ll be speaking to… Ginger?”
Ginger was helped onto the stage, going to Doc’s side. Swallowing, she stared at the shocked faces below. “I feel about the same,” she said with an awkward laugh, earning return laughter from the crowd. “When Mr. Holyday approached me about handling placement, I was shocked, much as you are now… but I knew this was a way I could help my friends and neighbors. We’re all on edge, but we don’t need to be anymore. I’m moving tonight into my new residence so I can be there to help you all sign up tomorrow. The moment the contracts are signed, you can move in. There will almost certainly be a line, so make sure to come prepared to wait.”
Everyone talked excitedly, and Doc smiled as he looked back at Strongarm, who was glaring at him. Whistling loudly, he held up a hand, which got the crowd to cut off.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and children, I hope you find some joy in the coming months. No longer will you have a landlord who denigrates you, taking your money to keep you in squalor. If you wish to say goodbye to him,” Doc motioned to Strongarm’s carriage, “he’s right there. The man who would have you stay in poverty, do nothing about your homes flooding, or even worse now: let you freeze during the winter.”
Everyone turned to look, finding Strongarm staring back at them before he dropped the curtain on the window. A moment later, the carriage tried to drive away. Insults were yelled at him and a few ran after the vehicle before they were called back by friends or family, not wanting them to get in trouble.
A few people turned back, seeing Doc and the others filing off the stage. Whistles and applause started up, becoming thunderous as relief and joy washed through the crowd. For those who were uncertain, those who had faith in Doc were quick to explain that they’d be going out to sign up.
“Good job, Ginger,” Doc chuckled. “How was your last day as a weapons checker?”
“Short, but good,” Ginger smiled brightly. “Thank you for this, Doc. Ayla, Sophia, thank you for helping me understand what I’ll be doing.”
“We wish you the best. This will help you when you go to Heartwood’s Tears,” Ayla said.
“You proved to us that you could do it over the last few weeks,” Sophia smiled. “Now’s your time to shine.”
“Harrid, you’re off duty until tomorrow,” Doc said when they got back to the carriage. “We’ll drop you two off at Ginger’s new place on the way home.”
“You’ll be staying home for the rest of today?” Harrid asked pointedly as Doc helped people into a carriage.
“Yes.”
“Very well.”
When it was finally his turn to climb into the carriage, he was surprised that Lia, Fiala, Rosa, and Ambrose were the only ones in the carriage with him.
“Where’s Posy?” Doc asked, suddenly worried.
“In the other carriage with Sonya, Sophia, Ayla, and Ginger,” Fiala smiled. “We had a topic to talk about without her around.”
Relaxing at her words, Doc nodded. His gaze went back to the white-haired Ambrose. “Uhh…”
Rosa smiled at him, her core warm at his hesitation. “Doc, I will be your only dryad; you’ve said that. Ambrose could use your help today, and we’ve all agreed to it. She has asked to be with you once before Posy goes back to Deep Gulch, and today is a good day for that.”
“More than that,” Lia said, “Rosa suggested having some of her sisters come to the manor. They’ve agreed to be collared to your helpers when you gain the gift to have more like Posy. Well, the new three, and one for David, who has agreed that he could use one for later. One of his gifts takes energy, and would be a bottleneck for him otherwise. Each of them has asked for the same as Ambrose. They all want to thank the first Voice who has helped Mother.”
Doc sat back, his mind reeling. He wasn’t opposed to sex with beautiful women, but to sleep with other dryads felt like he’d diminish Rosa.
“No, Doc,” Rosa said softly, sliding to kneel in front of him. “Because it will be only once for each of them while you will have me beside you forever.”
“Just as you becoming a shaman to other tribes won’t diminish me or our wives,” Lia said firmly. “I thought you might hesitate after our talk about the women of the Den. Every tribe will need you to complete the ritual to become their shaman. You will sleep with a tribal elder under dryad essence to seal your place to them. Citrine will do that for some tribes on her way north. You must either complete the rite or be blood-related to the elder to be accepted as shaman.”
“I… never thought about it,” Doc said slowly. “I should have, with our time together, and then our first time with Jesamin.”
“We know, Doc,” Fiala said, rubbing his knee. “All of us know, and we all agree.”
Doc glanced down at the ring on his hand where parts of their souls resided; their jealousy had been snipped away from them to keep him healed.
“No, Doc…” Rosa whispered. “They agreed before that day about the tribes. All of us have accepted what is, but the final choice is yours.”
Shaking his head slowly, Doc met Rosa’s eyes, then looked at Fiala, Lia, and finally, Ambrose. “It’s just… more… than I thought I’d do. I don’t want other women. I’m perfectly happy with my wives and Weed. I should’ve understood what becoming a shaman for a tribe meant. Funny… I’m fine with the idea of the church eventually coming for me, but I still worry over extra women.”
Rosa laid her head on the knee that Fiala wasn’t rubbing. “Because you love us so much. The idea of hurting us is an emotional knife to you.”
“Which is gratifying,” Lia murmured, “but not needed for this. The dryads and tribes are acceptable to us. Are they to you?”
Doc took a slow, deep breath, then nodded. “I’ll agree.”
“Wonderful,” Rosa murmured. “Ambrose, come join me. We’ll be busy for the ride home. You will get everything he has until then.”
Ambrose kneeled beside Rosa, looking up at Doc with bright eyes. “Thank you, Voice. Might… might I have a kiss before we start?”
Doc hesitated, but bent to accept a kiss from her. Snow and rose petals was the taste he got from their kiss; it made sense, considering her plant type and how depleted she was.
Chapter Thirty-four
The next week turned out to be busier than Doc had expected. Attacks on the bestials increased as they moved out of the slums. The second day after the speech, they started getting harassed when they went out to the property. Doc didn’t even ask, but the Ironbeard clan mobilized; armed dwarves ended up along select streets, protecting them from being injured.
Donadin got a little testy about the dwarves doing so, but Doc pointed out that they were only helping fellow citizens. They never started any confrontation, only stepping in to help. In the end, Doc just paid the sheriff off to ignore the dwarves technically doing his job.
By the end of the month, every bestial was out of Strongarm’s slum and in new rooms, waiting on permanent housing. The dwarves didn’t completely retreat, either. They had a guard or two on every building that Doc and David had purchased to keep down any “problems” that might arise. Things seemed to be settling down again, making Doc wonder where the next problem would spring up.
Everything Doc was doing was noticed by the bestials— Luck’s name became a common thing to hear from them in thanks. His faith surged up as almost every bestial gave praise to Doc and his goddess. He reached the number of points needed to be able to make more clerics, but he held off taking it until he could talk to Onyx.
Another dryad came to Doc’s manor, and Rosa brought her to him. She called herself Rema, named after a red maple tree, and asked Doc to let David know she’d be waiting for him. David had to get the collar and paperwork in order first, so it took a couple of days for him to arrive to accept Rema as his companion. Doc was just glad to see how respectful David was to the sweet dryad.
Rosa also told Doc that the other dryads would be arriving soon. Ayla and Sophia had collected the collars and paperwork already, so they would be available for his clerics when they were chosen.
~*~*~
Doc was still vaguely amused that he was once again letting Posy come with him to the Iniquitous Den. They’d seen a couple of people earlier at the Silver Lily, but the crush of bestials had finally ebbed, as they were no longer in an easy place to be found by Strongarm’s goons.
“I’m staying until the solstice is over,” Posy said happily. “I’m glad we sent Momma a message, though… she might’ve been worried.”
“With Heather and Oliver staying in Furden, there’s no need to send you off right away,” Doc said. “We love having you here, but you will have to go back after the solstice.”
“I know…” Posy said with a small pout. “I don’t want to make Momma sad, but I like being here with you, too.”
Doc smiled, rubbing her back. “You’re a good girl, Posy. We know you want to be with us and Daf. That’s why we agreed with you staying until after the solstice with us.”
Posy smiled as she leaned against his side. “I have the best family.”
Doc smiled at her as the carriage slowed. There was the sound of a commotion outside. Frowning, he twitched the curtain to the side to look out.
A group of forty men and women were standing outside the front entrance of the Den. A couple had signs, declaring the building an abomination against Apoc. Others who were passing nearby were rubbernecking to watch the protestors.
Lips thinning, Doc was sure he knew what Strongarm was doing as his next move. Causing trouble for people he cared about would needle Doc, and Strongarm might’ve realized that.
“What is it?” Posy asked.
“Idiots being idiots,” Doc sighed, letting the curtain fall back in place. “Pawns who’ve been placed to cause trouble.”
“Strongarm?” Posy asked.
“I’m sure he’s behind it, but this is something Zu will have to deal with.”
Clyde drove the carriage around the corner to reach the rear entrance. Whistling softly, Clyde gave the elephant bestial standing guard a nod as he eased the vehicle into the yard. Harrid jumped down, opening the door for Doc and the others.
“A guard on the backyard,” Harrid told Doc.
“It’s been a month since we were here last,” Doc said. “We’ll have to find out what’s happened since then.”
Getting out, Doc helped Posy, Ambrose, and Rosa down. “Posy, you’ll be in the private lounge again, okay?”
“That’s fine,” Posy beamed. “I’ll talk to my friends.”
Hand-in-hand, Doc led her to the door and knocked on it, his golden heart charm already out. The door was opened almost immediately after the person inside saw his charm. Ruby smiled brightly as she stepped aside for him, greeting them and making sure to compliment Posy on her dress.
“Thank you!” Posy giggled.
“We’ll be here for a little while. I need to speak with the madam,” Doc told Ruby. “Harrid left half of his weapons with Clyde, so he can stay with Posy in the lounge.”
“That’ll be fine,” Ruby said with a pout on her lips. “I’m on the door today, so unless you request me specifically, I have to stay here.”
“Not going to be seeing anyone like that today,” Doc chuckled. “No wife with me.”
Ruby’s eyes flickered to Rosa and Ambrose. “If you were going to do more, some of us would be quite happy to just entertain the dryads.”
The glow radiating from both sets of eyes had Doc shake his head. “It’s just a quick visit to clarify a few things with Zu.”
“Pity…” Ruby sighed as she opened the door to the private lounge. “Enjoy your stay.”
Heliodor and Onyx looked toward the door, both brightening up when they saw who was entering the room. Onyx turned to start pouring Doc’s favorite drink and some juice for Posy. Heliodor crossed the room toward them, a wide smile on her face as her tail wagged happily behind her.
“Doc, welcome back!” Heliodor greeted him before looking to his side. “Posy, it’s good to see you again. Would you like to chat with me?”
“Yeah,” Posy said as she let go of Doc’s hand. “Can we get the others to chat, too?”
“I’ll call them down,” Onyx said from the bar. “I have some juice for you, Posy. Doc, your usual.”
Doc gave the panda bestial a soft smile, as the bright hope in her face was easy to see. “Onyx, thank you. I need to speak to the madam.”
“She said you can go up to her office whenever you need to speak with her,” Onyx said. “There’s no need to call the maid.” She bit her lip for a second. “You’re only here to speak with her?”
Something about the affectionate woman always made him want to cuddle her. “Today, yes. You’ll likely be asked to come up to the office in a few minutes. You might want to let Snowflake know.”
Onyx’s eyes grew wide as her mind raced with all the reasons why Doc might want her called up to the madam’s office. She was sure she was wrong on all of them, but a few of them had her heart bursting with hope. “Yes! Right away!”
Doc paused at the bar to pick up the drink she’d poured. “Onyx, it’s probably nothing you’re imagining… the good or the bad. Please temper your expectations? I don’t want you to feel hurt.”
Exhaling, Onyx slumped slightly. “Yes, of course… Sorry.”
He touched her head gently. “That right there is what I want to avoid. Causing you pain is never something I want to do.”
Glancing up through her eyelashes, she smiled softly. “Thank you, Doc. Please go talk with the madam. I’ll have Snowflake come down to replace me so I can attend when called.”
“Let Citrine know, too,” Doc said.
“Yes, sir.”
Doc patted her hand before he left the lounge behind. He glanced back at Posy chatting with Heliodor, who was laughing at whatever story Posy was telling her. Shaking his head, he went up the stairs.
“They all like Posy, Doc. It isn’t an act,” Rosa whispered as they walked down the hall.
“Thank you, Rosa,” Doc murmured. “You always help ease any fears I have.”
“Everything I can do to help, Voice.”
Doc knocked on Zu’s door. When he heard her tell him to enter, he did so. “Zu, might I have a few minutes of your time?”
“Please come in, Holyday,” Zu said. “I hope you bring good news. I could use some.”
