Page 124 of The Knucker King

“Does every Good Neighbour above and below know about that night?” he muttered, eyeing the closest purple crystal embedded into the wall. He shifted over and pressed his paw onto it, holding the sweet image of his little witch and her pendant in his mind. “Avice, are you there?”

46

Chapter 46

Avice

Avice strapped on her satchel and shoved on her straw hat, her head now injury free. The combination of healing waters and singing crystals had healed her the previous night. She scratched Bramble’s ear and turned to Ashling, who hovered by the door.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I have improved, but I am still tired,” he replied, his flames a little duller than usual.

Avice scrunched her face. “I am so sorry the ritual drained you so much.”

And I am sorry that I could not help, Bramble whined, tucking his tail between his legs.

“I have no regrets. It was the right thing to do.” He dipped in the direction of the hearth. “My fire will not be as warm for the next day or so.”

The midwife offered her hand, and he landed neatly in her palm. “I can light the hearth when I return, you can just rest.”

Ashling flared indignantly. “Avice, leave me some dignity.”

She giggled at that. “Alright, alright.” She nuzzled him. “We must be off. The sooner we get going, the sooner we return.”

And the sooner you see the Well King tomorrow, her familiar sniped.

“Yes, thank you, Bramble.”

Ashling floated over to the hearth and settled into the glowing coals. She waved at him as he tucked himself in amongst the ashes. Together, Avice and Bramble exited the cottage. Avice drew the key from beneath her bodice, hearing it clang pleasantly against her pendant before she locked up. The peal reminded her that she had not yet heard from Trewoofe about the children.

Avice sighed as they stepped out from under the eaves and into the bright Sunshine. She squinted beneath her hat, the colours and smells of her garden almost overwhelming her senses. She sighed again. She missed her sweet Knucker, despite seeing him only yesterday.

What is it? Bramble asked. I can tell something is bothering you, and it is not just because you are a lovesick pup these days.

She ignored his teasing. “I had hoped I would have heard from Trewoofe about Hope and Boarden by now. I was planning on cutting through the woods to the sheep fields to see Goodwife Joan first.” They started down the garden path. “I believe she would have had a difficult time recently, and good news of her daughter would bring her some comfort.”

Because her husband is awful, Bramble observed.

“Well, yes.” Avice’s stomach turned at the thought of being married to someone like the shepherd. “She deserves better.”

You may hear from him yet. The walk there takes a little while, and time moves differently in the Underneath, her familiar responded.

A flurry of orange winged butterflies burst from the flowers. Then came the Pillywiggins, darting after them in a chaotic swarm. Lipless mouths crunched the butterflies down. The Queen paused mid-flight, her wings beating the air to keep her in place. She cawed and bobbed her head at the pair.

Avice touched the edge of her hat and dipped her chin in acknowledgement. “Good morning, my Lady.”

She squawked and continued her hunting path with the rest of her flock. Avice paused for a moment to pluck a handful of Trewoofe’s blooms, stuffing them into her satchel, hoping that they might brighten her patients’ day.

Together they stepped out of the humming ward and into the woods beyond the boundary. Spring had truly sprung, even compared to the day before. The greens were deeper, flowers more vivid, and the voices of ardent woodland animals competed in their quests to find a mate.

Avice found the path – carpeted with springy moss – that led to the sheep fields. They set off through the trees at a steady pace. She delighted at every woodland animal she saw and heard. She did not realise how much she had missed their presence until they returned.

“Time moves differently in the Underneath,” she mumbled.

Bramble, a stride ahead of her, looked back and cocked his head. What was that?

“How do you know how time passes differently above and below?” she asked.