Chapter 62 #2
She nodded and ran her hand over the leather wrapping.
For Avice, this was a divine moment. Where she could access something long denied to her, kept from her because of who and what she was.
With a lump in her throat, she unwound the casing and fixed her gaze on the pale animal hide within.
Tiny, intricate marks were etched onto the skin.
Avice gently turned the first page, drinking it all in.
Trewoofe nudged her. “Avice?”
“…hmmm?”
“Elfa offered to teach you with the younglings,” he said.
She tore her eyes away from the page.
Avice realised there were children peeking out from behind the Wulver’s legs.
She looked from the young to Elfa and Trewoofe. “Are they the children we saved? How are they so big?”
The Knucker shrugged. “A combination of changing magic, and the way time moves differently in the Underneath.” He dipped his head at them.
“Hope, Boarden, and some Piskilings.” He grinned at the students, five in total.
“It looks like the Prince Consort of the Piskies made good on his promise that he would bring playmates for Boarden.”
Elfa wagged her tail. “He has brought them often for playing and lessons. The Piskies do not have writing like we do, but he is keen for their offspring to learn.”
Avice could not speak.
Boarden was up to Elfa’s hip and had fur peeking out his tunic and breeches.
He had a black wet nose, fluffy pointed ears, and small fangs poking his lower lip.
Hope took a step towards Trewoofe and wiggled her clawed fingers at him.
He grinned and waved back. The little girl was ethereal.
Her skin had taken on a light blue sheen, and her eyes were silver fractals.
She wore a lambskin dress and walked on bare, clawed feet.
Avice eyed the Piskilings next. All three were nearly identical, and wore lambskin wraps around their waists.
Their fingers were long and twiglike, and a pair of dragonfly wings flicked curiously at their backs.
Avice finally found her voice. “Would that be alright?” she asked. “If I came to learn reading and writing with you?”
The younglings looked at each other before Hope answered, her voice small and bell-like. “Of course, my Lady.”
“Thank you,” Avice said, unable to tear her eyes from the sweet younglings in front of her.
Elfa wagged her tail. “That is wonderful. We can send a Wulver to fetch you when we have lessons.” She nodded at the boar on the spit. “I will set my students up with some dinner, and then” – she looked down her muzzle at Bramble – “my lovely Grim, you will have to return to your soak.”
Bramble huffed at Elfa’s back as she trotted away after her students.
Ashling flitted down from Trewoofe’s horn and landed on his head. “Do not be grumpy with them. They are looking after you, and we know that the iron has caused a lot of damage.”
Bramble looked pleadingly to Avice. I do not want to soak. I do not want to leave your side. I do not want you to go back to the village. I want to stay here with you.
She scratched behind his tattered, healing ear. “My darling, I know, but it is important you follow the Wulver’s instructions. I love you so, and I need you.”
Bramble gave Trewoofe a pitiful look. Lord?
Avice giggled as her familiar attempted to get his way with him. The Grim looked up at the Knucker with big soulful eyes and let out a pitiful whine.
Trewoofe’s throat bobbed. “Well, perhaps he could—”
Avice nudged him. “No. Bramble, you need to do what the Wulver tell you. You are their patient.”
Her familiar looked away and let out a huff. Fine.
Olwilla and another Wulver came to collect Bramble. Avice and Trewoofe stood and followed them, to ensure that her Grim would do as he was told.
Bramble did indeed do as he was told. He limped to his spot by the central hearth and laid down. Avice layered him with calendula before the Wulver piled him with freshly soaked pelts. The tiny yellow flowers in his hair reminded her of constellations smattered across the night sky.
Olwilla snuffed at the flowers. “What are they?”
“It is called calendula. It is good for swelling and can help heal cuts and abrasions,” Avice explained as she stepped back to allow the Wulver room to cocoon Bramble. “The plants I use work well with the healing waters.”
The unintroduced Wulver’s ears pricked. “Is this something you could teach me, my Lady?”
Avice was not sure about this new title but smiled warmly at the Faerie. “Of course! I always like to teach others my skills. What is your name?”
She tapped her chest. “I am Hati.”
Avice regarded the friendly Wulver. She had grey-white fur and bright orange eyes. The midwife felt a small bloom of friendship unfurl in her chest. She had never connected quickly with humans before, yet with this Wulver, she felt at ease.
“I am—”
“Lady Avice,” Hati finished for her. “You are well known in the Underneath. The witch who saved the Knucker King’s life and stole his heart.”
Trewoofe let out a proud rumble and wrapped his arm around Avice’s shoulders. “We should say goodbye to Bramble and Ashling and return to our nest. Especially if you wish to go above soon.”
Avice had been so excited at meeting a potential apprentice that her plan to go above had almost slipped her mind. That made her think of Nell and John. She would be checking on them when they returned to the village.
She swooped down to Bramble, pecked the top of his head, and then nuzzled at Ashling. “Goodnight, my darlings.”
“We will see you after we go above,” Trewoofe promised.