Read Online Hilda - The Challenge by Paul Kater - Free Book Online Page B

it?", William asked, ignorant on
the subject of wands.
    "Fix it. A wand. I don't think so. Here." She
pushed the two pieces in his hand. "Give it a try if you feel like
it, and do let me know if you succeed." The wicked witch looked
around the hut one more time. "I guess that's it then. This place
is ravaged. Lost for witchdom too, all the magic's been taken from
it. This sucks..."
    Dragging her feet, she walked outside,
leaving William behind in the devastation that had been the home of
a witch called Gerdundula.
    He watched her go and felt sorry for her.
There was very much that she got on her shoulders all of a sudden.
The challenge of this sorcerer, Lamador. His own appearance in this
bizarre world. The fact that now Lamador had begun harvesting
witches, to shake Hilda up.
    William walked outside as he stuck the two
pieces of wood in a pocket he had discovered in his blue robe, and
closed the door of the hut behind him. Hilda was sitting on the
large stone again, staring at something only she could see. The
book salesman remained silent, giving her some space to cope with
this all.
    Hilda worried. She worried like she had never
worried before. Lamador had taken Gerdundula, and it was obvious
that he would extract all her magic from her and use that to build
up his own. She dreaded to think what that would do to Gerdundula,
beyond the fact that she would have lost all her magical abilities.
A cold shudder ran down her spine. It was so very present that she
physically had to shake it off.
    Hilda looked at William, who had kneeled down
to look at a plant that had attracted his attention. "No touching,"
she said. "It is dangerous. Best not to touch anything here." Hilda
did not add what she suspected. Lamador was someone who would have
left quite a bundle of nasty surprises here and there.
    William rose and nodded. "Thank you for
warning me." He walked over to Hilda and held out his hand.
    Puzzled she looked at it and then at his
face. "I have nothing for you."
    William smiled briefly and then kneeled down
before her, looking her in the eye. "You really don't get it, do
you, Grimhilda? I just offer my hand to help you up. To show you
that I want to do what little I can to help you, support you. You
are apparently not used to that, which is fine. Maybe you'll get
the hang of it."
    Hilda's amazement grew with each word he
said. "You are such an incomprehensive creature, William
Connoley!", she exclaimed as she got up from the stone and looked
down at him. "I can stand up when I want. I don't need support from
you for that. This is my land, my world, I know what goes on here,
and I say that we get out of here now. Okay? Now get up from the
dirt, that is not a way to behave for someone in a wizard's dress.
Act to your appearance, man."
    William was overbluffed for a few moments,
her change being so drastic, from helpless to appearing fully in
control. He was even more surprised as she held out her hand to
him, her face calm and unmoving. With a smile he took her hand and
got up.
    The witch felt his hand in hers. The strong
hand. She saw his friendly face, the smile. A soft sigh fought its
way from her lips and for a moment she felt- and then the moment
was gone.
    Her hand slipped from his and she turned.
"Come. Time to go home and get something to eat. And this time I'm
making it."
    Women here were as incomprehensible here as
they had been at home, William thought. He shook his head,
suppressed his laughter about the realisation and walked after
Hilda who was striding along with large steps.
    They came to the illusionary metal wall. It
was different, less solid. They both noticed it.
    "See, the magic is already dissipating. In a
day there will be nothing of it left." Hilda stepped through it,
and William could see a faint shadow of her on the other side as
she walked to where the brooms were waiting. Quickly he followed
her, and moments later they were airborn, heading back to Hilda's
house.

    They were coming close to the house