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    Hilda: The Order of Nun-ja
    Hilda: The Order of Nun-ja
    Hilda: The Order of Nun-ja
    Ebook232 pages3 hours

    Hilda: The Order of Nun-ja

    By Paul Kater

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    About this ebook

    An influx of thieves and robbers make Hilda and her family wonder what's going on.

    An influx of (initially) barely visible nuns makes things even more special.

    And the new guests of the king... what kind of people are they? Don't they behave a bit off?

    Follow the adventures of Hilda, don't miss the moment where things go 'crack', and find out what's all this about the Order of Nun-ja.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPaul Kater
    Release dateJan 3, 2021
    ISBN9781005800253
    Hilda: The Order of Nun-ja
    Author

    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.

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      Book preview

      Hilda - Paul Kater

      Hilda - The Order of Nun-ja

      Book 24 in the Hilda the Wicked Witch series.

      by

      Paul Kater

      Hilda - The Order of Nun-ja — © Copyright 2021, Paul Kater

      Editing by Miss C. Edwards.

      With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from author.

      Warning: The unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorised electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

      This is a work of fiction, and as a work of fiction, any resemblance to people, places or things is entirely accidental. The creation of certain buildings and locations is entirely the work of the author to avoid conflict and comparison with existing structures

      License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the site where it was purchased and buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      1. A not too extraordinary day in Sunrise

      It was one of those days in the friendly little village of Sunrise during which nothing out of the ordinary happened. Perhaps it is wise to say that nothing out of the very extraordinary had happened. Yet. Because with the amount of concentrated witchcraft around, nothing deemed ordinary lasted long here.

      The market, popular as ever, went on as usual. Nothing was upsetting the unsuspecting buyers and sellers. Also, there hadn’t been flocks of Nobbleback dragons sighted for some time, which was a good thing for citizens anywhere. Nobblebacks could cause a lot of damage without putting in any effort and they didn’t restrict this skill to Sunrise.

      As the people at the market were busy buying, selling or stealing, depending on why they were there, a group of four men walked along the main street that ran along the square. The four looked as if they didn’t lead an organised life. Their lifestyle was merely the reflection of their trade: they were into unorganised crime.

      I still think we should go back and try again, one of the men muttered.

      Suit yourself. I’m not going back there. Being slapped by people is bad enough. Being attacked by a carpet… It was clear that this man had taken a psychological beating from that physical beating.

      But imagine how much gold such a carpet would bring! The third man to speak did so quite loudly. His words made several shoppers’ heads turn.

      Don’t shout like that, the first man said. He was the main robber and thought himself in charge.

      Don’t give me that. This is the only way I know how to shout, the loud-voiced man argued, but he decided to keep his mouth shut.

      He means you shouldn’t shout, one of the others commented.

      He should say that then instead of playing word-games. I’m bad with word-games. I’m better at stealing carpets.

      Not that one, the leader of the pack said as the group came closer to the end of the street. That carpet is one mean, ehm, carpet. The people in the market square looked at each other, wondering what they had just witnessed. The conversation disappeared around a corner, accompanied by the robber-like people who were carrying it on.

      Do you think someone tried to do something to the teacher? a vegetable saleswoman asked.

      I hope not. For their sake. Everyone within earshot nodded. After that, everyone resumed their talking, selling and buying. And, of course, stealing.

      Is it me or does it feel like we missed something important happening here? Hilda, William and the flight-worthy children were on a trip to the village and were about to land near the market square. The wicked witch sensed unfamiliar energy going around there.

      I sense nothing strange, Hilda, William said as he looked down over the crowd of people. It was the hustle and bustle of any ordinary market day. Let’s go down and see if we can find out what is making you itch.

      I don’t have an itch, Hilda commented on that and guided her broom down, keeping an eye on Rune and Oona, who were under strict orders to stay close to her. William was in charge of Isla, who had demanded her own broom and was actually flying it already. She did need a bit of help from William but so far she did great. William had taken much delight in making the little broom and painting it yellow as Isla had asked. Hilda still thought it was an offensive colour but if Isla liked it… Isla also liked Aunt Charisma, which explained a lot and made Hilda worry about the girl.

      The family gathered on the other side of the street and watched the busy people tend to their busy-ness.

      Oona. Look. Rune pointed. See?

      Yes. He’s doing it wrong.

      Who is doing what wrong? Whenever the children engaged in something cryptic like that, Hilda’s senses went to red alert.

      A boy. He stole an apple the wrong way, mama. We could see it from here. Rune beamed at his observational skills.

      Is that so? William knelt down. And how should he do it? Do you know the right way to steal an apple?

      Of course. Rune ran across the street and disappeared among the people. Moments later he appeared again and strolled back to his parents, proudly carrying an apple. William wondered how he’d done that. He hadn’t seen the boy anywhere near the fruit and vegetable stand. This one’s for you, papa. William took the apple and asked how Rune had done that. Mama taught us.

      William got up. Ehm… Hilda?

      Ehm, I think we should go across the street and see if there is anything interesting, Hilda evaded the answer to this particular question and started walking, holding Oona and Rune by the hand. William understood there was not going to be an answer to his question so he took Isla on an arm and made all the brooms float behind him.

      Mama is funny, Isla whispered in his ear.

      What makes you say that?

      Mama knows how to steal things. Isla giggled and wrapped her arms around William’s neck as if she wanted to strangle him. As they got to the market square, William just caught someone telling Hilda how a few rather scruffy-looking people had walked through the street, shouting as quietly as possible.

      Scruffy-looking like…? Hilda was interested in odd-looking people.

      Like thieves, bandits, robbers, thugs, brothers of the hood without a hood, a used-words salesman helpfully offered. He was carefully arranging his word-blocks in such an order that they didn’t form offensive sentences. They had the quality of bad people around them and they also talked about the teacher’s house.

      Johanna? What would they want with that? William knew that the teacher-witch’s house could protect itself quite adequately.

      We didn’t ask, a bystander said. The scruffies looked a bit too dangerous. But they talked about a carpet.

      And a beating. And they were in a hurry, another person added. They were, very much so.

      Hilda had by then figured out that the scruffies weren’t regular visitors to Sunrise. She knew the kind and more importantly: the kind knew her. She had made it clear to many of them that they shouldn’t mess with the village or its inhabitants. Otherwise, the witch would mess with them.

      It’s strange that they came through here, she commented to William once they were walking along. I haven’t heard about that for the longest time. She tried to recall when her last encounter with such folks had been. Before she had pinpointed the exact year, there was a rumour going through the ordinary population surrounding them. All heads turned towards the street. Crappedy crap… Hilda took her broom from the float that still followed William and rose up. She wanted to see what this was all about.

      On the other side of the street, three people walked along. Hurriedly. They looked like the ones the villagers had already described. Scruffy. Could they belong to the first group? Hilda dismissed that thought. Those people travelled in packs, like wolves.

      The wicked witch rose up a bit higher and flew over to the hasty travellers. Hey. What are you doing here?

      Bugger-all, it’s a witch, one of the scruffies observantly said.

      Nothing, nothing, just passing through, another one said. You can check we did nothing and we’re going to do nothing. Not here. Trust us. The last words were a challenge to anyone’s imagination; the scruffies didn’t look particularly trustworthy. It was inherent to their style and occupation. Still, there was something about them that made Hilda believe them.

      And why are you just passing through? she asked, floating along with the trio.

      We, ehm, have our reasons.

      And where are you going? Hilda was very curious.

      That’s none of your witchy business. These people were villains, after all. Politeness didn’t take root in them. Hilda understood that and went into the same mode by flying off and then charging at them from behind, yelling they should run to avoid a collision. She enjoyed chasing the three for a while. Only after escorting them to the village limit did she stop and return to the market square. The screams and curses of the three were like music to her ears and she had a big smile on her face when she rejoined her family.

      What did you do to them? William asked.

      Good things, Hilda said. There is just one thing I don’t understand. Why were they here? Robbers belong in the forests, not in villages. And the other ones were the same, which is even stranger. Why would two groups of robbers leave the forest?

      And come through Sunrise? a shopper added.

      Good question. I wonder where they are going… Hilda looked at her partner in magic and other stuff. Should we go and find out?

      We have the kids with us, Hilda…

      Even better. They can share in the fun. Are you up for some fun, children? The children exclaimed being ready for any kind of fun Mama Hilda could supply, and Mama Hilda was always good at cooking up something interesting. Wonderful, Hilda said. That settles it. Everyone on their brooms!

      William wanted to object one more time because Isla was with them and she wasn’t very good at flying yet, but his witch was not in the mood to listen to his reservations. He decided to follow the others slowly while taking care of the little one. Remember we have to be back home in time for Mick, was all he said. It was also all the time he had to say something. Moments later, Hilda, Rune and Oona were gone. Let’s go after them, kiddo.

      Isla smiled at him after he had lifted her onto her broom. Yes, kiddo, she replied. Moments later, the two went in not so hot pursuit of Hilda and the bigger kiddos.

      -=-=-

      Hilda, Oona and Rune had by then caught up with the gang of three and they had stopped them. Where are you going? she repeated her question.

      None of your business. I thought I had said so, said the ruffian who had uttered those words before.

      Are you sure? Remember, I’m the local witch. Anything here is my business unless I say it’s not.

      The ruffian looked at his comrades. His face betrayed that his resolve was crumbling. "Well, I think it’s none of your business. We just passed through here and we want to keep passing some more places. For… for…" He looked at his mates for help.

      A change in scenery, said one of them. That’s it. We need a different place to live and be merry. Ain’t that so, Robin?

      The third one, clearly Robin, rubbed his chin. It sounded in need of a shave. I guess.

      You don’t look like a robin to me, Rune said from the safety of his broom. You’re too big to be a small bird.

      Maybe he’s a sorcerer-robin who changed himself into a robber, Oona added her insights from her own broom.

      I am none of those, Robin who wasn’t a robin said, not as loud as he would have wanted - but there was a witch present. We come from there, he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, and we’re going there. He pointed forward, also with his thumb, which made him look rather silly. And as long as there is no law that says we can’t go from there - (back-jab) - to there - (forward jab) - we’re going.

      There, Rune said, pointing helpfully using his index finger.

      Damn right, the original ruffian said, and we’re going now.

      Stop, stop, Hilda said, who saw William and Isla approach. Since you are talking about the law… what do you know about laws?

      Robin rubbed his chin again and looked at the one who had brought up the change in scenery. Tell her.

      The scenery-man nodded. We are actually quite up to date on local laws, Mrs Witch. It comes with the trade, I always say. We’re in the business of breaking the law so we need to know the law. Otherwise, we don’t know if we’re breaking as many of them as we possibly can. You do it well or you don’t do it at all, is what I always say.

      He does, said the ruffian. Sometimes we have to hit him because he keeps saying things. It can get hard on the ears.

      Hilda understood she wasn’t going to get more out of the three so she agreed to let them walk on. But remember to stick to the law when you get back here. I’m around to see that things don’t get out of hand. With that, she meant out of other’s hands, not hers or the hands of her family or magical friends. Magicals had more liberties.

      The robbing tribe actually thanked Hilda for allowing them to go on.

      Go! Isla said, surprising the trio and urging them to walk on quickly.

      That was strange, William remarked, seeing the last of the three vanish over the path among the trees. Why would two groups of people in that questionable trade suddenly want to move along?

      I don’t know. I think it pays to keep our eyes open if there are more of them. Hilda didn’t mind the occasional bad person to disappear, but keeping order among them was one of the things she liked a lot. If all thieves and muggers ran off, that would rob her of a great pastime.

      Can we chase them? Oona looked expectantly at the two adults. That is so much fun.

      Maybe next time, little one, Hilda said. I think we should go back and talk with Johanna about this. She’s in Sunrise more than we are. Maybe she can keep an eye on gangs passing through and let us know about that.

      The family rose up over the trees and headed back to the village where they landed their brooms next to the small, two-towered house.

      Hey, teacher. Are you in there? Hilda asked.

      I am, Johanna’s voice sounded as the tiny door opened. Come in. The family walked up to the door that grew as they came closer. Oh, almost all of you, the teacher-witch said. The House is babysitting?

      The House is, indeed, Johanna’s house responded for her, and it tells me that the little boy is sleeping like a baby. Which is good since he is a baby.

      Hilda and Johanna still had to get used to the idea that their houses were able to communicate. The Squeamish’s sentient wood had properties that the growers of said wood might not even be aware of.

      Please, sit down if you want, Johanna said. Tea for everyone?

      Close, said Hilda who appreciated the central table spitting out enough chairs for each of them to sit. Nice trick, Johanna.

      Thank you. I like it too, although sometimes it doesn’t work well. As if the table is a bit too happy to make chairs. At one point I had almost fifty of them in the room and it took half the day to push them back into the table.

      That’s… inconvenient, William agreed. As long as it doesn’t take back chairs that are in use, we’re fine. Johanna assured him that such a thing had never happened but warned the table not to try funny stuff like that.

      Hilda looked at her wizard. And I thought my house had special traits…

      Your kitchen is more of a challenge, Johanna reminded the wicked witch, while making the kettle dive into the water barrel and float to the stove to heat up.

      Hilda and William told Johanna about the robbers’ movements through Sunrise. Have you noticed anything like that already?

      No, I haven’t. School’s been busy so that took up a lot of time. And Walt. The way Johanna managed to emphasise the king’s name spoke volumes. I should teach someone how to write and send that person over to the castle as a backup-scribe. Preferably someone who isn’t afraid to tell Walt he’s uttering gibberish again. She brought the tea to the table. (Magical kettles boil water very quickly.)

      Not many of those around, William said. Good luck with that. He turned Hilda’s tea into coffee and handed over the mug.

      Hilda took a sip and looked surprised. This coffee tastes different. Did you get a special kind of tea?

      I did. Some days ago I was at the market and someone from somewhere had some tea so I bought some.

      "Well,

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