Page 66 of The Knucker King

“Lord! Mind your horns!”

He ducked just before he caught himself in the tangle of dried plants hanging from the ceiling. He fixed his gaze to his feet. His lip curled in disgust as he wriggled his clawed toes against the suffocating fabric.

Growling softly, he stooped to yank them off.

“Better,” he sighed, tossing them aside.

“Uh, Lord?”

“Yes?”

“I would suggest tying something around your waist.”

If Wisps could blush, Ashling would.

The torn mantle and cloak that Avice had tied around him when they first travelled to the cottage must have come loose as he slept. Trewoofe flushed and bent to retrieve the fabric, tying it tightly around his slender hips.

“I am sorry,” he blurted. “I am not usually so exposed. In my Knucker body I have a seam and—”

He snapped his mouth shut when he noticed the Wisp had stilled.

“Would you like something to eat?” Ashling darted around the copper cauldron bubbling over the hearth.

Trewoofe sniffed appreciatively at the meaty scent that wafted from the broth. “How do I…?”

Ashling flitted past, landing on the table at the opposite side of the cottage. “Come and fetch a bowl, dip it in, and then you can drink it up.”

Trewoofe ducked his head and moved carefully through the cottage. He grabbed the bowl and returned to the hearth, following the Wisp’s sparking trail through the air. His appetite had returned with a vengeance, and his stomach was roaring by the time he had collected a brimming serving of the hearty broth. He blew on the steam and took a sip. Trewoofe let out a moan, closing his eyes at the taste. It was thick, salted, and well flavoured with herbs.

“Nature’s blessing! Avice can cook.”

He helped himself to a second and third helping, gulping it back with gusto. As he was about to finish his fourth, Ashling flitted in front of his face.

“Lord, there are three things I would like to say.”

Trewoofe paused with the bowl pressed to his lips.

The Wisp floated over to the plate of ash cakes by the pallet side. “Eat some of these, if there is any iron left in your belly, it will help absorb it.”

Trewoofe padded over to where Ashling hovered, he stooped and grabbed two of the cakes. He sniffed at them, wrinkling his nose at the blandness of their smell.

“You can dip it in the broth. The second thing I would like to say is, please leave some for Avice. She will be starving by the time she returns from the village.”

Trewoofe blushed at the gentle admonishment. In his hunger, he had not even thought of leaving some for her. He dashed to the hearth, mindful of his horns, and was relieved to see the cauldron was still half full.

“Now the third.” Ashling flitted around his fingers. “Over here.”

The Wisp flew over to the wooden shelves nailed into the wall. He landed on a jar and bounced on it several times as Trewoofe made his way over.

“Put some of this into it.”

Trewoofe cocked his head. “What is it?”

“Willow bark powder; it will help with any pain.”

He scrunched his nose. “I do not feel too bad at the moment.”

Ashling flared. “Avice has always said it is better to treat pain before it gets too severe. The worse the ache, the harder it is to regulate.”