Emerita Boxing Day, page 39
“Might be why he has five wives,” Hammerson chuckled.
Both reporters laughed as they made notes.
“Let’s not get too carried away from the match,” Doc said.
“Did you expect the fight would be so close?” Welter asked. “You knocked him down, he returned it, and might’ve gone on to win if not for the bell. Then, you floored him at the start of the seventh. He was out for well over the count. It was almost like you knew he’d give you the opening.”
“He was getting upset that I wouldn’t stand toe-to-toe with him. Honestly, only a fool would. My ribs are bruised to hell and back. I’ll be getting them seen to before I get dressed. I had to play to my strengths; moving and tapping in what I could. When he finally gave me a clean shot to his chin, I put everything I had into it. If he’d shrugged that off…” Doc winced. “If he’d shrugged it off, I’d have been wise to throw the towel in.”
“‘Throw the towel in’?” Douglas asked.
“Quit the match.”
“Hammerson, Quintas, what are your thoughts on the fight?”
The two fighters gave clinical opinions, talking about the strengths and weaknesses of both men. Both agreed that if they’d use paper scoring, they’d have favored Doc for being the more active fighter.
“The little girl you had in your arms when the bout was over,” Douglas pressed on, “your daughter?”
“She is, just not mine by birth,” Doc chuckled. “Her mother’s in Deep Gulch. Posy is a ward of mine. She took care of me when I was sick earlier in the year, back before I struck it rich. Ever since then, I’ve been making sure to pay back that kindness.”
“What are your plans now that the duel is decided in your favor?”
“Wait for Strongarm to do what he should: give a public apology to those he insulted during the concert. I’m sure he’ll manage it, as not doing so would tarnish his name.”
“He also lost in court to the city and state,” Welter jumped in. “Those cases were because of his move to evict the bestials, which came about because you started Aurora, giving the less fortunate housing that isn’t just a shack in a gutter. It could be said that he’s lost to you time and again. Will you try to bury the hatchet with him now?”
“I never wanted to be against him. His views on bestials and mine are almost completely opposed, though. Even then, if he came to me with an open hand to set aside our differences, I’d be willing to do so. I don’t want to see strife. My whole purpose in life is to raise others up, not tear people down.”
Both reporters scribbled furiously to make sure they got the quote right.
“I notice the third paper isn’t here,” Hammerson snorted. “Guess it’s true that Strongarm owns it.”
“He does,” Welter chuckled. “Anyone with two bits of brain can see it from how the duel was reported on.”
“I thought he’d have a bigger base to support him today,” Doc said.
“You haven’t kept up on the news, have you?” Douglas chuckled. “The last week was all about today. Every paper broke down what each side had done since the duel was issued. Our papers showed the vast disparity. Strongarm’s… not so much.”
“The only people cheering were the people who’d rather kick someone they think of as beneath them,” Welter shrugged. “Can you tell us how Aurora is coming along?”
“Ginger Lopert could answer that better than me,” Doc said. “She’s the assistant to the manager of the community. I can tell you that the school is almost done being built. It was thought having it go up now would be for the best. This way, those with kids already living there can have their children closer to home. I know a market was done, too. They were already selling produce to the residents.”
Both reporters took their notes.
“Gentlemen, I’m going to go get dressed. It’s a bit chilly out here, and I’ve been rapidly cooling off.”
“But it’s not like you’d get sick, is it?” Welter asked. “You’re a faith healer, after all.”
“I can’t, but it doesn’t make this pleasant, either,” Doc chuckled.
“Ginger Lopert is the one marrying your bodyguard tomorrow, isn’t she?” Douglas asked.
“She is,” Harrid said. “We’d originally planned on a small wedding, but Doc’s wives expanded things and Ginger was quick to side with them. That’s why you know about it, and the fact that it’ll be a big event out at Aurora.”
“We’ll be there,” Welter said. “The free food is a draw for us struggling reporters.”
Douglas laughed. “Speaking of, we should go get the lunch offering before it’s all gone.”
The two men said goodbye, heading off to the feeding area. Doc let them go before he climbed out of the ring. He’d only gone a couple of feet when Jack fell into step beside him.
“Any chance I could get you to give me a week of your time?” Jack asked hopefully.
“In a few days,” Doc said. “I have a wedding to attend tomorrow. After that, I’m going to spend a day with my wives. I’ve missed spending time with them.”
“Understandable,” Jack said quickly. “I’m at the Palace Hotel. Just let me know.”
“Will do,” Doc said, shaking the bestial’s hand.
Harrid and Doc made it to the tent where Doc’s clothes were waiting. It didn’t take him long to change— he was still feeling cold when he’d finished. Harrid put the boxing gear into a bag, leaving it in the tent to take with them later.
“Do you think the wedding will be okay tomorrow, Doc?” Harrid asked slowly.
“I do,” Doc said. “The clan will be out in force.”
“I just worry for Ginger and our child.”
“Valid concerns,” Doc said softly. “We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure it’s a wonderful day full of joy.”
Harrid exhaled slowly. “I trust in you and Luck, Doc.”
“Excuse me?” a dwarven voice from outside the tent called. “Holyday, can I have a moment?”
Doc stepped out behind Harrid to find Molteneyes, her relative, and Ernst Bronzehammer, the one who had called out to him, standing there. “Bronzehammer, Molteneyes, a pleasure to see you both again. I had no idea you were in the city.”
“We arrived last night,” Svetlana smiled. “The Ironbeard elders told us of the duel, and we had to come see it.”
“Same with me,” Ernst chuckled. “You did well.”
“What can I do for your two clans?” Doc asked.
“We wish to recognize you as shaman,” the elder Molteneyes said simply.
“Same with my clan,” Ernst said. “Dad is ill. I was going to ask you to see him on the way back to the city tonight.”
“I’ll be glad to stop by,” Doc said.
“Excellent,” Ernst smiled. “We were also hoping to ask if you’d be willing to help fund a rail line from our town to Furden.”
“Talk to Ayla and Sophia,” Doc told the muscular dwarf. “They handle the business.”
“Very well.” He quickly left, eager to get an agreement.
“You obviously know me, sir,” Doc said, addressing the elder Molteneyes. “Might I have your name?”
“Elder Petrov Molteneyes, cousin to the Tsar and one of the elders for the clan here in the country. My cousin, Svetlana, spoke highly of you. Our letters with the Oresmelter and Ironbeard elders solidified our desire to see you.”
“Follow me,” Doc said, leading them into the tent. “Harrid, if you can secure the perimeter?”
“Of course,” Harrid said. “I’ll make sure no one comes close.”
There was only one seat inside the tent, so Doc motioned Svetlana to it. He leaned against the table in the tent while Petrov stood stoically beside Svetlana.
“Did you need me to answer questions for you?” Doc asked.
“No. We are certain that your goddess is the one we should follow,” Petrov said. “Did you have questions for us, Shaman?”
“Just one,” Doc smiled, silently thanking Luck for making this easier for him. “Svetlana, would you take up the mantle of cleric to Luck?”
Both dwarves froze, barely even blinking as they stared at Doc in shock.
“You’d get three gifts from her to prove yourself to your family and country. I would ask you to return to Tsarrus to spread her name to your countrymen. Let them know that Luck is here and doing her best to bring the light back. I hope to avoid an armed conflict, but would welcome their faith in Luck.”
“I…! Y-you…? But…!” Svetlana stammered.
“If you accept, my dryad will tell Mother. Another dryad will come to you to be collared so you can have more aid in doing Luck’s work. You will treat her as a trusted friend, and together, you will help me.”
“I never…” Svetlana slipped from the chair to her knees. “Shaman, I am not worthy.”
“You wish to bring the light back and banish the Darkness, don’t you?” Doc asked softly.
“Yes!” Svetlana looked up with wide eyes. “More than anything! I came to try marrying your bodyguard to solidify our relationship, yet now, you are offering me this?”
“I was going to talk to you when I went west and offer it to you. You’re tied to the head of the clan, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Svetlana said.
“That’s why. I need someone who can speak to them and show them the truth,” Doc said. “Am I choosing badly?”
Svetlana swallowed, bowing her head. “Yes. I do not deserve it.”
“Why?”
“Because I would rise in my clan. I would become an advisor to the Tsar. You offer me power most would kill for.”
“With purpose. Do you think Luck would look kindly on you if you twisted her wish?”
Svetlana shivered. “No.”
“You know who would watch over you. It would be in her name that you spread word. Raise up the weak. Don’t let a bully back you down, but be kind. Can you do as I would if it was me going?”
“Yes…” The word was a whisper.
“Then accept Luck’s blessing. In time, I will come to your homeland. I will speak to the Tsar, and I hope to hear of the good you have done in Luck’s name when I do.” Doc triggered his screens, naming her a cleric and giving her gifts. “You can heal, cleanse minor afflictions, and for a few seconds, become immune to harm. You can feel the gifts in your mind.”
Svetlana shook, crying softly. Petrov knelt beside her and held her, his eyes saucers of awe.
“Prepare for a dryad to come to you. Make sure the paperwork is in order, and find a man or men who can sustain her, men she agrees with. Harming her will anger me, Svetlana, so make sure you two are in agreement.”
“Yes, Shaman. I will do as you say. I will go home at once and spread Luck’s name to Tsarrus. When I go before the Tsar, he will know it was you and Luck that have given us this gift to drive the Darkness back.”
Doc stepped forward, touching her head. “Just do as our goddess would have us do. Another has been sent to Qin to do what you are. If they come to speak with you, work with them. We need to be united.”
“Yes, Shaman,” Svetlana sniffled.
“Go with Luck,” Doc said as he left the tent.
Harrid fell into step with Doc. “She was shaken, Doc.”
“To her core. Never did hear if you’re going to be with just Ginger.”
“Yes. Ginger will be my only wife. Fiala asked if she’d like to move into the manor when we leave, so our children can be raised together.”
Doc smiled at the thought of his child and Harrid’s growing up together. “That sounds good to me.”
“I thought so, too,” Harrid smiled.
Chapter Fifty-five
Doc sat Fiala before taking his own seat. “Good morning to all of you. It’ll be a busy day after breakfast.”
“Very busy,” Sonya smiled brightly. “We’ll be heading over after we eat to get Ginger ready for the wedding. Posy will be here with you until it’s time.”
“I get to be the flower girl again!” Posy beamed.
“Yes, you do,” Lia smiled at the happiness in Posy’s voice. “Doc will bring you to the venue.”
“The ceremony is at noon, and the reception is after that. The judge agreed to come out and hold the ceremony there for us,” Sophia said. “It’s the same judge who married us; Judge Verum.”
“He seemed like a good guy,” Doc said.
“He’s also the one who sided with us against Strongarm,” Ayla added.
“Strongarm’s brother-in-law was fired from the county office last week,” Sophia cut in. “He was passing information about the county and our holdings to Strongarm. When he was caught, he was let go with no charges pressed.”
“Why let him off?” Doc asked.
“So he wouldn’t fight the dismissal,” Sophia said. “That was Dodd’s offer.”
“Hmm… okay. That’s all background noise today.”
“Today’s about Harrid and Ginger,” Fiala agreed. “Doc, you get to make sure Harrid’s presentable and on time.”
“We’ll be there, with Posy,” Doc said.
“We’ll have Masha with us,” Sonya said.
Doc glanced at Posy’s guard, who looked away. “Nothing wrong with wanting to help.”
“She wants to see what it might be like if she gets married later,” Posy giggled.
“She’d need to find someone who can deal with her sharp tongue,” Melvin muttered, grunting when Masha’s elbow hit him. “And elbows.”
“Be nice,” Posy said disapprovingly to Melvin. “Masha will find a nice man, one who knows she’s strong and protects me.”
“Sorry…” Melvin said, looking away from Posy. “Sorry, sister.”
“You’ll have similar troubles,” Masha said. “We should do what Harrid is doing, looking beyond just dwarves. I’ve decided that I will.”
“Ginger helped open my eyes,” Harrid said softly. “You might find someone like I did in time.”
“Svetlana would’ve snatched you up otherwise,” Doc chuckled.
That got everyone’s attention. Doc frowned, realizing that he’d not told them about why Svetlana had shown up. He’d told them about making her a cleric and sending her off, but not her comment about marrying Harrid.
“Ahh, right… missed a bit about that talk,” Doc coughed.
The door opened to reveal Charles and Olka. “Breakfast,” the chef announced.
“I’ll explain while we eat,” Doc said.
~*~*~
Harrid wanted some time to himself, leaving Doc with a few hours to kill. Since he had time, he studied with Posy, then played games with her. Ambrose and Rosa stayed beside their respective owners, exchanging glances as they watched the two, both smiling the entire time.
Bernard came to get Doc when it was time to get ready. “Sir, if you wish to have time to not rush, it would be good to begin preparations now.”
Doc had just gotten a checkmate on Posy, so he stood up. “Thank you, Bernard.”
“I do not want you to run into trouble with the mistresses, sir.”
“Much appreciated,” Doc chuckled. “Time to get dressed, Posy.”
“Yeah!” Posy grinned as she hurried out of the room, Ambrose right behind her.
“She is a very vibrant little girl,” Bernard said, as he had stepped aside for Posy.
“That she is,” Doc agreed. “Did you already tell Harrid?”
“I have, sir.”
“Thank you. I’ll go get the appropriate suit on. Fiala set it out for me earlier.”
When Doc made it back downstairs, he found Harrid and Melvin both waiting. Melvin was in his armor, but only had a pistol on his hip, and Harrid had on a brand new, classic black and white suit. It fit him perfectly, as he’d been to the tailors a few times to get it fitted.
“Nervous?” Doc asked, watching Harrid smooth out his jacket again.
“Incredibly. How did you always seem so calm?”
“I wasn’t, but I hid it well,” Doc grinned, then grew serious. “Harrid, she’s agreed. She only waited this long to make things more impactful. Take a deep breath— everything will work out today.”
“I’m trying,” Harrid said before taking a deep breath.
“I’m ready!” Posy said, coming into the room. She had on a green dress with lace frills on the edges. Ambrose behind her was wearing a plain green dress in the same shade of green.
