Page 18 of The Knucker King

Knucker males would present their females with trinkets to decorate their nests. Though she was not his, Trewoofe wanted to give her something: a gift, a token, perhaps even a gem.

She would appreciate a useful item.

Still spent, he cast his gaze around his nest chamber, looking for what he could give her. He flushed with pride as he studied the space. He had many, many, turns of seasons ago dug out the area, revealing the huge, singing crystals that glinted in a rainbow of shades. The ceiling of his cavern was tall, so he could stand to his full height on his hind paws. The subterranean river – running through his little paradise – shimmered and glowed as it meandered past, illuminating the space with a gentle light.

He lashed his tail in excitement as his eyes landed on his nest made from bone, branches, and moss. He had added to it over his long lifespan and now it resembled a chaotic crown that would be worn by Nature herself. He had built it around a huge purple crystal that hummed in a soothing resonance.

His length finally retreated behind his seam, and he shifted off the sticky pool he had created. Never taking his eyes from the shimmering geode, he slipped into the river, soaking himself clean. He studied the gouges he had left in it from many sessions of sharpening his talons.

I will make her a necklace!

He rumbled in satisfaction at the thought of her wearing a colour that matched the arousal colours of his flared crest. Trewoofe pulled himself up from the warm water. He sent a roll down his coils and shook loose the clinging droplets. Feeling satiated and spent, he climbed back into his nest, intent on his quest to make a gift for Avice.

It could be… a courtship gift. Trewoofe abruptly shook the thought from his head. “Nonsense, it will be a gift between friends,” he puffed. “She is a human, you are Knucker.” He looked down at his lengthy body. “You are too big, too strong. Even if she did feel that way back…” His memory flashed to the moments before when he pleasured himself, how large and long he was. “We would not fit together.”

The Knucker huffed and turned his attention back to the geode. He raised his paw and struck. Trewoofe’s ears flicked at the echoing chime that penetrated them, rolling around in his head with a pleasant hum. With his talons, he managed to gouge out a large hunk of crystal. He flicked his tongue out, testing the edges. With a singular talon, he carved out a section that was particularly attractive to the eye.

Trewoofe cut the piece repeatedly, until it was diminutive compared to his paw. He imagined the space it would rest, just between the soft dip of her throat and the tease at the top of her cleavage. He purred in approval at how it would look there, close to her heart, and other things. The Knucker inspected the shape he had made, a flat circle with a hole cut through, ready for a strip of material to hold it in place with.

A witch’s stone, he mused, now to test it.

The Knucker tapped the pendant with the flat edge of a talon and lowered his ear to it. Satisfaction fluttered up his coils as it exactly matched the musical tone that released from the geode beside him.

With a contented flick of his tail, Trewoofe went to root around his nest. He searched and dug through, remembering a deer pelt he had discarded from a hunt not long ago. Finally, prying it from between a stack of smooth bones, he set to cutting a progressively smaller strip from the hide. Finally, he had a singular length, and using the very tips of his talons he deftly threaded it through one of the holes of the pendant he had created.

Trewoofe chuffed as he examined the jewellery. “I hope she likes it.”

“Lord… Lord… Lord…”

To his delight, Avice’s sweet voice echoed through the Underneath. She was honey to his ears. Trewoofe had to fight down the flutter of his crest, even though he had already relieved himself to her image a short while ago.

His talons curled around the pendant, so happy he would be able to give it to her so soon. Purring, he slipped into the river and made his way to the doorway of his well.

Trewoofe galloped up to the surface to see Avice, scales humming excitedly. He was always delighted to see her, but now it was something… more. The Knucker emerged from the well, pleased to see the weak sunshine overhead, making it even warmer in the protection of his stone circle. A soft, floral breeze brought her aroma to him. His nostrils flared, drinking in honey and lavender.

As always, her head was lowered. Her long, black hair was out of a braid or bun. It cascaded over her face like a midnight waterfall. She wore a long, woollen cloak the colour of earth that was accented by a scarlet mantle. He found the contrast of red and brown pleasing, though he could not put a paw on why. Perhaps because it reminded him of Autumn. In the crook of her elbow, she carried a woven basket, and over each shoulder was strapped an empty water bag. Trewoofe flicked out his tongue, certain he could smell honey cakes and floral tea.

He longed to see her face. “Raise your head, little witch.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

The breath nearly left Trewoofe’s body as her expression met his gaze. Her smile was dazzling, and her plump cheeks had flushed red from her climb. The Knucker realised, she was also happy to see him. The bruised lump on her head did not escape his notice. Trewoofe resisted the urge to whip out his tongue and heal her at that very moment. He decided to wait to address the new injury.

Nerves fluttered his belly; he fought to find his voice. “I am delighted to see you so soon, Avice.”

The midwife shifted the basket from her elbow and wrung her gloved hands over the handle. “I am happy to see you, as well.” She glanced upwards. “It is a beautiful afternoon.”

Trewoofe pointed his snout towards the pale blue sky, enjoying the weak light on his face before looking back down at her. “Yes, it is.” He watched her carefully as she said nothing else. Is she nervous? I feel nervous. He flicked his tongue in the direction of the basket. “Have you brought me an offering?”

“Oh, yes!” she said quickly, holding it out.

Trewoofe hooked his talon under the handle, gently lifting it from her grasp. His heart hammered as he gently brushed against her soft, pink hands. His tail swished in excitement. It tossed pollen into the air around him, making him sneeze.

“Bless you,” Avice giggled.

Trewoofe looked down at his front paws, both now occupied, one holding the basket and the other clutching the gift he had made for her. He did not want her to leave just yet, so he took the leap.

“Shall we have this together?” he asked, apprehension twitching his nose. “Your familiar…” He looked left and right. “…is welcome to join us too.”