Hilda - Lycadea by Paul Kater

Author:Paul Kater
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: magic, humour, the wicked witch
Publisher: Paul Kater

23. The big picture

Maurizio got slapped.

"Why was that?!" he wondered.

"We thought you could read what's on that thing!" Rebel, the slapper, said.

Hilda slowly got up and stood before the captain. "You even had me think highly of you." She bent over, put the whistle to her lips and - phweeeeeep!! "Give me that book-thing. At least it will be in responsible hands that way." The witch disregarded the grin she heard behind her. She knew it was William's.

She pulled the tablet from Maurizio's hands and sat down with it. Looking at it, also sideways, the way the captain had done, didn't bring her anything.

Kerna, who was sitting next to the witch, leaned over. She studied the sides of the book-thing and frowned. "What would that be?" She pointed at what looked like a bit of decoration, a small row of balls.

"It's pretty," Hilda said, "look, there are some on the other side too." She poked at the tiny round balls that suddenly shifted under her fingers. "Oops..."

The display of the tablet blinked a few times, then it went dark.

"I think you found the off-switch, Hilda," William laughed as he got up. "Anyone for coffee, tea or something else?" He took the orders and was surprised Maurizio did not ask for anything.

"I think he's afraid of getting in Hilda's way again," Rebel said, taking the captain's hand. "It's okay, sweetie, the witch won't eat you. I'll make sure of that."

"You're going to beat me to it, are you?" Hilda casually remarked.

Rebel stared at the witch. "Uhm... I'll come and help you, William," she tried to get out of the situation.

"I'll manage," said the wizard, "you can stay there." With a broad smile he made his way over to the oatmeal generator and magicked up the coffees, teas and a triple espresso for Maurizio. The captain looked like he could do with one.

Kerna in that time examined the tablet further. "I think it is broken now. It won't react to the way I activated it before."

Rebel let go of Maurizio's hand and kneeled down next to Kerna. "How do you switch it on?"

Kerna started explaining, while Hilda looked at the two with obvious fascination.

"They seem to know what they are talking about," she remarked to Maurizio, who kept his eyes on William.

"Rebel knows something about that," the captain said, forcing himself to look at Hilda. He was relieved to see that she obviously did not hold a grudge against him.

"Duck, everyone. Incoming cups," William said as he walked back to the couch. The cups and mugs floated behind him and found their way to their respective recipients. "So, did you break it?" the wizard asked Kerna and Rebel.

"It's not broken," Rebel said, "it looks like something is stuck somewhere, but I can't get to it. The bloody thing's too small for my fingers, and I have no tools and stuff here."

"Hmmm. I may be able to help with that," said William. "Can I have that thing?"

Kerna handed him the tablet. William looked at the near microscopic balls.

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