Hilda: Duendes and Anjanas

By Paul Kater

When a certain señor arrives in Sunrise, looking for Johanna, all signs point to a new adventure.

The man asks Johanna to travel to the Strong Wind Islands with him, because there is a big problem: the local fairies are going missing, and no one knows where they go, or what causes them to disappear.

Hilda and family can't let Johanna travel alone, so they all join. The journey is interesting, to say the least, and Hilda's encounter with Johanna's homeland, its people and food, and also the clothing is not what she could have expected.

Isla makes a few changes, and Oona and Hilda come up with a bit of very creative 'body work'.

Enjoy your trip to the Strong Wind Islands, and find out what's going on with Duendes and Anjanas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Kater
• Release date: Aug 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005283377

Paul Kater

Paul Kater was born in the Netherlands in 1960. He quickly developed a feel for books and languages but ended up in the IT business despite that. Books and languages never ceased to fascinate him, so since 2003 he's been actively writing, encouraged by friends on the internet. The internet is the reason why most of his work is in English. A friend asking for writing help is why some of his writing is now also in Dutch. Paul currently lives in Cuijk, the Netherlands, with his books, possibly with cats, and the many characters he's developed in the past years, who claim he is a figment of their imagination.

Book preview

1. Sunrise over Sunrise

Imagine Sunrise, the nice and usually quiet town in the vicinity of Hilda's and William's residence. Now imagine the sun rising over Sunrise, witnessed by two shapes hovering over the forest near the village. Hold that image.

One shape said, That's pretty, isn't it?

Yes. It is. But I feel it lacks something, the other shape responded.

Like what?

The second one shrugged. I don't know. After a glance downwards, the shape added, Maybe I do know something. Let's see if this works…

A broom went down. A magic wand appeared. A spell was whispered. Moments later the noise was deafening, and Sunrise was no longer quiet.

Maybe we should leave, Rune yelled over the near painful sound.

No! I want to see this, Oona replied as she put her wand back in her sleeve.

As quickly as the noise had started, it ended. Johanna rushed outside and looked up. Of course! You two! Which one of you decided to turn the towers of my house into musical horns?

Oona looked at Rune. You were right. We should have left. Then she floated her broom down and said, That was me.

I'm not surprised. Get off your broom, young lady, and we'll see how we deal with this. Johanna was surprised that Oona didn't just take off. The little witch had pulled many pranks on the village already and running off with her brother was her default exit strategy.

Are you going to tell mama? Oona suddenly looked like a little girl. Johanna couldn't decide if she really was now, or if she just played the role very well.

"No. You are going to do that, and I'm coming with you to see that you do. Johanna clapped her hands. Her carpet came flying. House, keep everyone out until I'm back."

With pleasure, Jo-Jo. The door closed.

Jo-Jo? Rune grinned. Can we call you Jo-Jo too?

Absolutely not. You will call me Johanna. She unfolded the carpet, made it hover and hopped on. Come with me, you rascals.

What's a rascals? Rune asked as he made his carpet hover next to Johanna's. See, almost the same colour!

I bet that's magicals who make towers sound like trumpets, Oona said, who pointed at the house. Johanna was faster. The towers remained silent. That's not nice, the girl witch muttered.

We're leaving, Johanna decreed, and enjoyed the power she had over the children's flying utensils. Hilda and William had made sure she could handle them, overriding child-magic. She didn't need that often, but at times (like this one) it came in very handy.

-=-=-

You found our children! Hilda was outside the house, looking for the missing two, when Johanna and the magical troublemakers arrived.

That was not difficult… Johanna explained what the two had done. Her words made things very hard for Hilda. On one hand she knew she should be cross with the two for pulling off something like that with her close friend. On the other hand she wanted to roll in the grass with laughter because it was such a creative stunt.

William will take care of them, Hilda said. Why don't you come in and have some tea while you're here? She noticed the faces of the two troublemakers brighten up. William was usually very lenient with his punishments. Often those things ended up in loads of fun for the family.

Mama, mama! Isla came running outside, having heard the sound of voices. Can I take care of them?

Hilda caught the girl. I don't think so, little one. If I allow that, they will take care of you instead.

We wouldn't! Rune pretended to be offended by Hilda's words.

Speak for yourself, Oona commented.

I heard that, Isla said.

I don't care, Oona said as she shrugged. Where is papa?

Johanna quietly listened to the exchange. She had gotten used to them by now but she was always curious to find out what twists this conversation would take. It was always entertaining and most of the time also surprising.

Your papa is putting Mick back into bed. This morning he took Mick out to visit the king, Hilda explained.

Oona raised her eyebrows as she looked up at Hilda. But the king doesn't like that. Because he has no son. And his daughter has several.

That's why, Hilda said. She grinned. The king has to keep his decency and say nice things about the wizard's son. And the queen loves those visits.

I think she would steal Mick from you if she could get away with it. Johanna had spoken with the queen plenty of times and knew how much Velma would love to have a son like Mick.

I know. Isn't that shiny?

Johanna frowned at Hilda's glee for a moment, then she too laughed. Hilda and William were taking wicked to new levels all the time, and the royals of this kingdom never complained about being the target of a prank in one way or the other. I would use a slightly different word, Hilda.

Of course. You're from somewhere else, the wicked witch said. You often use different words. So, how about that tea?

Do I hear tea? William came outside. Mission accomplished. Boy's nappies changed and he's asleep now. Hey teacher-witch.

Hello, William. Did you and Mick have fun at the castle?

Before the wizard could respond to that, Rune said, I can show you my latest carpet-flying trick. He had clearly forgotten that some form of punishment was waiting for him.

"You will not do that in the house again, Hilda said. If you want to do it, you will show off here."

I will… I will… Rune looked up at Johanna. Do you want to see it?

The teacher-witch smiled. He was clearly not going to let her leave without having seen it so she said she would like to.

See? She wants to see! Rune snipped his fingers, making his carpet float. He hopped on and started flying in circles. Now watch! He flipped the carpet over and kept flying.

What… Johanna stared at the boy who flew his carpet upside down. How…

It's so much easier with a broom, Oona said. Her brow wrinkled when no one paid attention to her. She wasn't used to that. The girl took her wand and…

Oh no, you won't. Hilda held the wand out of Oona's reach. Not like last time. Johanna asked what had happened last time. She made the carpet go slower which caused Rune to fall down.

That wasn't nice of you, Oona. Johanna shook her head.

I don't care, the young witch said. He's just showing off. It's stupid. And I felt like doing it.

And hop… Rune was upright again. Thank you, mama. He flew close to the wicked witch and tried to grab Oona's wand from Hilda's hand but she had already anticipated that. Instead of the wand, he grabbed her hair for a moment. Oops.

Come down here, young man. You had your moment of glory. Now you and Oona go inside and… and… Hilda wondered what the two could do while waiting for William's return. And make tea.

Oona huffed as Rune got off his carpet. See? That's your fault. Now we have to make stupid tea in that stupid kitchen.

And I will supervise what you are doing, the wizard said as he put his hands on their heads, directing them towards the house.

What's wrong with her? Johanna asked as the three walked off into the house. Oona and Rune were dragging their flight-tools after them.

I don't know. I never went through anything like that, Hilda said.

To be more accurate, Hilda at one point did go through something like that and, being Hilda, managed to come out of it sideways, which probably accounts for her quirkiness.

And now come in. Hilda linked arms with Johanna, making it impossible for the teacher-witch to leave, even if she had wanted to. Hilda's grip was very convincing.

Plok.

That was close, the house said.

Close? Johanna frowned as Hilda changed course and walked her to the arrow-message pole.

We have mail, the wicked one said as she took the arrow. Now let's wait for that tea, and meanwhile we'll read the message.

Inside the house was quite the pandemonium going on. Oona and Rune were running around in the kitchen, trying to catch the kettle they needed to make hot water. William leaned against the wall, smiling as he directed the kettle, making sure it would stay out of reach of the grabbing hands. Only when he heard Hilda come in, did he make the kettle slow down. Oona jumped up and grabbed it.

Got it! she cried triumphantly. Now you're gonna burn, sucker.

On the pyre with it! Rune added, grabbing his wand and making the wood in the stove burn fiercely. Oona filled the kettle and made it hover over the fire.

She grinned at William. That was a fun punishment, papa.

William! Mail from the castle!

You kids make tea. I can trust you, okay? William winked.

Oona and Rune winked back and both whispered, Okay, papa. They were well-trained in avoiding that word with Hilda present but they loved using it.

William went into the living room where he saw Hilda already unrolling the message she'd peeled from the arrow. What news does the king have for us, sweetwitch?

I haven't read it yet, wizard. No hurrying the witch, said the witch as she hurried to unfold the note. She was curious too. Hmm… Oh… What? That was all Hilda divulged about the note she was reading. Well, that is odd.

What is? William sat down. He knew better than to try and take the note from Hilda's fingers.

That name.

Which name?

On the note. Hilda put the paper on the table. "Does anyone here know someone called Sinyor Malnombre?"

Sin-what-now? William's eyebrows moved up almost an inch. Are you sure that's a name?

According to this note it is, Hilda said, tapping a finger on the paper. There is an esteemed visitor at the castle whose name is Sinyor Malnombre.

Must be something the queen said. For her, all visitors are esteemed, William said. Then they noticed that Johanna hadn't made a comment about the name yet. Instead she sat there, staring at the paper as if it was about to eat her. (Among ordinaries that would be very strange, since papers didn't usually have an appetite for humans, but this was Hilda's residence.)

Johanna? Hello? Are you still in there? Hilda waved her hand in front of her friend's eyes.

What?

Here's the tea, Rune announced as Oona made the mugs and the pot float to the table.

I want tea! Isla clapped her hands. And Mick wants tea too!

No. Mick is too small for tea, Rune said.

Not any more, Isla said. Go look.

Mama!

Hilda sat up and froze at the sound.

Maamaaaaaa! The shouting party wasn't in the living room with them. The owner of the voice was upstairs.

This isn't possible, Hilda mumbled, even though she knew better. She looked at Isla. Did you know? How did you know?

Mamamamamamamaaaa!

William got up and paced off to the stairs, going up two steps at a time. Holy Bejeebus! That wasn't what Hilda had hoped to hear. She sensed William's tremendous surprise through their bond and only with difficulty did she remain seated.

Mick wants tea too, Isla repeated, looking very satisfied with herself.

Oona and Rune exchanged looks, quickly put the tea-utensils on the table and ran off, racing up the stairs. Isla just smiled.

Am I missing something crucial? Johanna asked.

Only the part where magical children at some point decide for themselves how quickly they want to grow up, Hilda replied, her eyes trained on the staircase. The bond with William told her he was still pretty much in shock with what he had found, and also busy going through Rune's clothes.

Mick had skipped a few years.

-=-=-

Hilda. We're coming down. We'll also need a larger bed for someone. Most of William's words weren't necessary. Rune and Oona were making a lot of noise and came stumbling down the stairs already. To Hilda's surprise they didn't talk, scream or shout. They just had tremendous grins on their faces.

William appeared, carrying a boy of roughly Rune's age, wearing some of Rune's clothes. He put the boy on his own feet and held him by the hand as they walked to the table. Hilda as well as Johanna stared at the scene until the boy, who had to be Mick, stood next to Hilda. He beamed at her. Hello, mama. Then he held up his arms.

Hilda picked him up and held him close. Mick?

Yes, mama. I've been in bed long enough. I want to play with Oona and Rune and Isla. Hello, Isla! Despite Hilda's hold on him, Mick managed to wave at his little sister.

Johanna looked at William, then back at the mother and her child. Is there anything stronger in the house than tea? she asked. I think I need that now. Did that really happen just now?

I guess so, William said. This morning he was still small and sleeping. Now he's big and no longer sleeping. The wizard watched Hilda and Mick and felt proud, confused and happy. He also felt Oona and Rune pulling his sleeve to hurry up with the tea they had so quickly made. He reached out and increased the strength of the tea by a few points before pouring it. All that time he didn't take his eyes off Hilda, who was actually crying happy tears now. During all those years together, William hadn't seen that often. Hilda wasn't the crying kind.

Isla jumped down from her chair and walked off to the kitchen. She returned with another mug and handed that to William.

What's this, girl? he asked.

That is for Mick, papa, she said and smiled at him. I told you that Mick wants tea too.

Oh. He wondered how he could have already forgotten that. It had to do with Mick's sudden growing up. Maybe he should make the tea less strong again now. Thank you. William put the mug on the table and looked at his sweetwitch and their son again.

Johanna took the teapot and poured tea for everyone. Here, everyone. Let's drink to Mick.

Uh-huh… William waved a hand to make sure Hilda had her coffee.

Tea! Mick looked at the table. I want my tea!

Of course, boy, Hilda said as she made him sit in her lap. She knew he was big enough for a chair now, but she didn't want to give up this habit just yet.

No, Oona said, who made Mick's mug move away from his reaching hand. You haven't said the magic word.

Mick looked baffled. It's tea. Not magic.

"You didn't say please."

"I'm not saying please to you, Oona."

Then you won't… hmmff…

Johanna held her hand over Oona's lips. "You are not in a position to make someone say please, little miss witch, she said. Unless you want to say please for your tea as well."

Hmmhmmf! Oona's eyes were big as she shook her head. Hmmfffeefff.

William handed the mug over to Mick, who grabbed it and drank as if he hadn't had anything to drink for days. Why are you so thirsty, boy? He was still coming to grips with Mick suddenly being Rune's age.

I don't know, Mick said between sips. But I like it!

Rune took his mug and held it up. To your health, brother.

Hilda and William laughed as they saw that. A few seconds later two broken mugs spilled their contents on the table.

Oh…

No problem, Hilda said as she waved over the table, reassembling the mugs and removing the spilled tea in one move. Just don't do that again.

After getting over this Mick-shaped surprise, the family went back to the note they had gotten from the castle. It was time to select a moment to go there and figure out who Sinyor Malnombre was and what he wanted.

Hilda noticed a slight frown on Johanna's face as that name went over the table again.

2. Sinyor Malnombre

Because there was no time like the current moment, the magicals mounted their flight-materials and set course towards the castle. Mick rode with William because he had no experience with flying at all.

Can anyone explain to me why new people always end up at the castle? Johanna was still trying to decide how that happened.

It's easy, Hilda said. The first stop is always Sunrise. If someone's kind of normal, he or she will be able to stay there without a problem. The Sunrisians aren't very good with weird people. Johanna glanced at Hilda but kept her own ideas about that to herself. And so, the wicked witch continued as she kept looking at Mick and William, "the odd ones are advised to move on and pointed towards one of two roads. One goes on to the next