Page 118 of The Knucker King

“Yes, that is correct,” she agreed.

With that, Avice shoved the rest of her pie in her mouth and finished her tea. She looked to the opened shutters and saw that the shadows had lengthened; it was already early evening. While she knew she did not have to hurry to avoid the Nightly Neighbours, she wanted to get home and rest, as the activity of the past night and day began to wear heavy on her.

She stood, the wooden chair scraping across the floor. “I will take my leave.”

Matilda nodded, taking a final bite of her pastry. She wrapped the remaining small pies in cloth and handed them to Avice.

“It is the least we can do,” she said around her mouthful.

The midwife smiled up at the woman, the simple act of kindness warming her chest.

“Thank you.”

Avice stepped out of the Barley family’s cottage, and she nearly slammed into Matthew.

“Careful, Midwife!” he exclaimed, catching her by the elbows and placing her on her feet.

“Th-thank you,” she replied, adjusting her medical satchel over her shoulder.

Travis poked his head out from behind his father. “How is my Mamm?”

Avice smiled at the term of endearment for his mother. “She is sleeping now, but she is much improved.”

She side-stepped, moving out of the way so the boy could dart inside.

“Truly?” Matthew asked.

“Truly,” Matilda replied from behind her.

Avice tossed a grateful smile over her shoulder, which the woman returned. She knew it was unbelievable; never had she seen a patient recover so quickly from such an injury.

He performed the Signum Crucis – the sign of the cross – over his head and chest. “A miracle,” he murmured.

Avice dug in her heels. “Not a miracle,” she bit. “Magic, knowledge, and careful treatment.”

Matthew did not seem to even register her words, and instead entered the cottage, pushing past Matilda. The women smiled at each other, and Avice turned back to the lush kitchen garden, hearing the door shut quietly behind her.

“Bramble?”

The Grim emerged from the foliage. Petals had caught in his wiry coat and his ears pinned back as he loped towards her.

Nature’s blessing, Avice! he exclaimed. What happened to your head?

She touched the tender lump and let out a hiss. “The mother kicked me. It was an accident. She was more awake than I thought, and it was a reaction to the pain.”

Bramble tucked his tail between his legs. I promised the Well King that I would look after you, and you are hurt.”

He looked so dejected that Avice crouched to massage his ears. “Trewoofe will not be angry at you. It was an accident.”

Bramble whined and leant into her touch. Avice pulled him in for a hug, wrapping her arms around his broad, muscular shoulders. Her familiar sighed and thumped his tail against the ground, tossing up pollen. She sneezed, and that is when she saw it.

A flash of bone-white amongst the green.

The midwife straightened, her gaze narrowed in the twilight.

Bramble cocked his head at her. What is it?

She rubbed her sore eyes, trying to ignore the dull throb of her head.