Life on Hevda
Located in the middle of an overcast blustery island, stood a crystal white wooden hut; it was surprisingly immaculately kept, not one scratch or flake of pain speckled its surface. Fierce gales of wind whipped around it; howling angrily at it. The wind wasoutraged at the small hut, it should be trembling in fear, but yet it did not move an inch. Even though it was blindingly obvious as it sat a top of a hill, the inhabitants of the island had grown accustomed to it. No one questioned why it was there, or why the paint never seemed to fade. Very rarely would a twinkling light be seen through the windows; dwellers were only witnessed every now and then, maybe for two or three weeks every two months, it was occupied.
Bizarre happenings were not uncommon to the residence of Hevda. Locals were always picking up and leaving unexpectedly for no apparent reason. Leaving without any apparent excuse. The weather also seemed just as unpredictable and unusual; it could change from a warm sunny day, then to a blustering full force gale, then to a dull grey with snow or hail within minutes. Some inhabitant wondered what ever made their ancestors choose such a place to settle.
Even with all of the unpredictability of Hevda everything else was pretty much normal. Families mingled freely together, meeting up for religious purposes, family purposes and for entertainment. A gathering would often arise in the local hall for a dance or concert of some sort. Groups of children would explore the beaches and caves along the islands shores. Often they would challenge each one to swimming matches or see how many fish they could catch.
Life for children on Hevda was carefree and easy. There was no violence and no apparent danger. They knew to stay away from the strange hut and away from the perilous cliffs that donned the steep islands coast.
One group in particular were extremely adventurous and curious, regularly finding themselves in trouble from their parents.
The said group sat huddled together muttering secretively to one another, a few excited giggles escaped every now and then. The Kaleel children were having a sleep over, Balin and Halia had asked their friends over for the night. Having finished their meal they had decided to sit next to the hearth and plan their next quest. Balin's parents were seeing to their youngest child, Vanya, who was four years of age.
"No, that wouldn't work," Delany announced. She was the second eldest of the group. "What about telling them that there is a pound full of fish to catch up there."
Halia and Balin shared a sceptical glance. "Zeb would be on to us the minute we said that." Halia shook her head as she spoke. "His dad knows all the good fish ponds this side of Hevda," she continued to whisper to the group.
Having her idea squashed, Delany frowned and fiddled crabbily with a loose thread on her shift. She was rather headstrong. 'But that isn't her fault,' Halia's father, Neven, would often say to her. Delany was an only child, which was not common to Hevda families. So whatever Delany wanted, Delany got. The young girl had the loveliest dresses from some exotic materials; she had rare porcelain dolls and countless bejewelled necklaces, hairclips, and brooches.
Halia had never been the jealous type and had been Delany's first close friend. Picking up the wicket basket from the corner, Halia opened it and handed out a few nuts and skewers to each individual. She shoved the nut onto the end of her skewer and held it over the open fire. It was the perfect night to have fresh roasted nuts.
She gave a fleeting look out the small window, the sky had gone a deep dark purple and rain lightly speckled the window pain. The sun had completely sunk; it was now almost completely dark outside. The occupants in the Kaleel home were glad for the warmth of the fireplace in the living room.
Caylah burst silently through the living room doors, her long dark blonde hair flowing behind her. Even though she was, Balin's twin sister the two of them didn't get on too well. They looked alike but their personalities clashed, Caylah was studious, mature, responsible and cautious. She was always seen with either a book in her hand or helping her parents with her siblings or the housework. Balin was excitable, adventurous, a daydreamer, and brave. He always had an adventure planed in his head and a few tricks up his sleeves.
Halia was the only Kaleel child that shared personality traits with her mother. She was naturally smart, joyful, full of life and courageous. Not one to insult or hurt anyone's feelings, she wouldn't speak out of turn to anyone. There was a difference from being nasty and malicious to someone, and being able to pull a prank or two on someone (if they can take it). Halia knew the line and didn't like to cross it. When she thought Balin was taking things too far she'd attempt to rein him in a little. If that didn't work, she would tell their parents of his plans. She'd rather have them hear about it from them then someone out of the family.
"Maybe we should wait for tomorrow," suggested Balin as he turned his nut in the fire. "We might have come up with something better by then."
"Although I'd love to give Zeb his comeuppance right now," Halia spoke softly before blowing softly on to her roasted nut and popping it into her mouth. "I think we should give it a few days. Let the dust settle, first. I'd expect he's assuming we're planning something. He'll be very wary of us."
"The quicker we come up with something the better off we'll be." Balin brushed her suggestion away with the wave of his hand. "If we leave it too long Zeb will have tried to trick us again."
Rolling her eyes slightly, Halia just shrugged. "If that's what our fate is, then all I say is let it happen." Licking her lips, she hesitated a moment, "I think that the perfect opportunity to trick Zeb will turn up when we least expect it to."
A muffled huffing sound came from Delany her face still bore her frown from before; still obvious that she wasn't appreciating being ignored. Her arms were rigidly folded across her chest; her lip was twitching slightly indicating that she was chewing the inside of her mouth. Halia, Balin and Gowan braced themselves they knew what was coming. These little signs where tale-tail warnings that she was going to fly off the handle; it was never a pretty sight.
Relief washed over the siblings as Neven and Elvira wandered into the living room. Delany wouldn't dare criticize any of them before their parents. Vanya must have gone off to sleep.
The parent's eyes glanced over the group sitting on the hearth vigilantly, checking for any suspicious behaviour. Once they were confident that there was nothing untoward going on they both sat down on their seats. Neven reached over and ruffled Balin's dark blonde hair. In defence, Balin attempted to duck and wave his hands above his head.
"Father!" exclaimed Balin.
"I believe that you should all go to bed and rest," said Neven taking on a more serious note, "you all have lessons in the morning."
"I have prepared your beds Gowan, Delany." Elvira smiled fondly at the children as they moaned and grumbled faintly while they stood up and made their way out of the living room.
"Much appreciation, Goodwoman Kaleel," said Gowan politely bowing his head, "I wish peaceable slumber to you Master Kaleel."
Caylah had her book tucked snugly in her arms as she set off. Halia placed the wicket basket back in its rightful place whilst Gowan and Balin rearranged the fur rug next to the fireside. After everyone bid each one goodnight, the children climbed the stairs towards their bedrooms.
Elvira and Neven sat down; this was their time. After the children went to bed, they got their chance to have peace. Elvira continued to spin the wool for her next knitted garment. Neven was accounting for their stock and crops. They both heard a low whine come from the door. Getting up Neven unbolted the door and let their house pet in.
A saturated wolf like creature sulked in with its tail held between its legs before curling itself next to Neven's wooden chair and placing his head in its paws. Elvira gave the beast a curious glance. It was usually a happy little pup. Maybe the rumbling from the skies gave the creature a fright.
Not getting a chance to settle back in his seat their door was enthusiastically knocked; Neven shared a look with her before he rose again to answer the door. Unbolting it and opening the door, he saw two people standing in the heavy rain. One of the people was a tall happy man with unusual attire; a peculiar long brown jacket. The other was an earth coloured women, with strange clothing; a red shining coat.
"Greetings, to you," Neven said calmly, "What has brought you here so late?"
"Oh, we were just passing by," the bizarre man said casually, "and just happened to scare your pet," he tipped his head to his fellow traveller, "Martha and I felt we should apologise. Didn't we, Martha?"
"Oh yes," the women glanced at the man a moment. "Em, sorry about that."
Neven and Elvira shared a bewildered glance. Both speechless they had never seen nor met anyone like these pair before in their lives. They seemed carefree, a little reckless and full of life. They were curious creatures, and Elvira found herself very intrigued with them. She wanted to know more about them.
"Introductions," the unusual man spoke again, his eyes dancing and a warm smile on his face. "I'm the Doctor and this is Miss Martha Jones."