Anika and the Techno Pirates

2

Anika and the Techno Pirates

by Julie Folkers

First published in New Zealand in 2007 by

National Pacific Press

Porirua, New Zealand

Ph 64 4 233 8204

E-mail books@npp.co.nz

Copyright ©2007 and 2011 by Julie Folkers

Ooky Spooky Publications

Cover Copyright© 2011 by Julie Folkers

Ooky Spooky Publications

All rights reserved.

The Author has asserted her moral and legal right to be recognized as the Author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the Author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations or persons is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the Author.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

Discover other titles by Julie Folkers, visit the Author’s webpage.

http://www.juliefolkers.com/

Books are also available as paper backs

Many thanks to Sam Nicholls, Graphic Designer who helped me with the covers.

Dedication

For my girls who I love and adore no matter what.

About The Author

Julie was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. She spent three years working in Bangkok, Thailand with the NZ Government in her early twenties. She also spent nine years on the West Coast of the South Island before returning home to live in Christchurch again, where she lives today with two daughters, her dogs.

Julie holds a Diploma in children’s writing and has been working steadily on her series of books. Julie is interested in swimming and bike riding and rowing and many other interests. She loved reading as a child and loved mystery tales.

1 Abby and the Hopplescotch Realm

2 Anika and the Techno Pirates

3 Magical Chaos at Beechhorn Cove

4 Time Bandits and the Fountain of Youth

Contents

1 - The Festival

2 - Lost But Found

3 - Who’s There?

4 - What’s Brewing?

5 - A Techno Wizard

6 - Icons And Trouble

7 - Spells And Witchery

8- Moonlit Valley Loonies

9 - More Than Meets The Eye

10 - The Tarot Lady

11- Listen and Learn

12- Signs and Knowledge

13 - Pirates!

14 - Techno Wizardry

15 - The Hologram

16 - The Headquarters

17 - What Now?

18 - Can You See What

Happened?

19 - So That’s That

Chapter One

The Festival

It was the beginning of the summer festival at Marbalo. This year Hopplescotch Realm was hosting the event. Each Realm would gather and show off their latest magical concoctions and wares. It was to prove an exceptional year for discoveries. Rumours abounded that someone had created a potion for mind control. This being totally illegal in the Realms, the rumour had attracted many a shady character to Marbalo. Muriel had arrived for the festival. The Mayor had wanted all Witcherene Supremes or as many as possible to be present in case there was trouble.

They are the most powerful witches throughout the seven Realms. Some could not attend, as guardians were needed for the gateways. The gateways are the only way to enter the Realms. With the rumours that were circulating, security was tighter than usual.

Some say that the Hogglenoggles had invented a potion for reversing the aging process. Others rubbished it and said the Griggles had a potion for reading one’s mind.

The rumours even went as far as to say that the Whozells were coming to the festival with their latest creation.

Now everyone knows that the Whozells are from the Seventh Realm and that there is no way they could possibly attend. The Seventh Realm is pure evil, and so are its inhabitants. But the rumours were circulating none the less. It seemed with every day that passed, they got more and more outrageous.

Luckily, the festival was due to begin tomorrow, so that would put an end to the rumours. All would be revealed in the coming days.

Muriel sat by an open window in the Loftbridge’s castle. The vantage point over the city was amazing and the best view of the Atrium from any castle, as that is where the festival was being held.

That is why the Mayor had made it the headquarters for security during the festival.

The Atrium was home to a bustling marketplace that already brimmed with wares from the Realms.

They had extended it for the event with makeshift tents and marquees to accommodate the extra exhibits.

By the eve of the festival, all accommodation had been taken. Not one more traveller could find a vacant bed. To the astonishment of the Mayor, a tent city had sprung up within

the last hour.

Evidently, gypsies from Hogglenoggle Realm had the foresight to purchase some land on the foothills and were renting spaces for astronomical prices.

‘Th... th... this will not do,’ stammered the Mayor. He glanced at Muriel for confirmation of his statement. He had barged into her chambers the moment the news had reached him about the tent city.

Muriel sat casually at the huge oak desk, peering through the window at the tents. ‘You can’t do anything about it. You viewed the purchase papers of the land. It’s theirs all legal and above board.

There is no ruling in Marbalo about tent cities, or perhaps I should say a ruling that forbids the ‘forming’ of a tent city.’

‘It will attract the derelicts of society. Be a haven for thieves, muggers and whatever other lowlife is to be found. Not to mention the fact that gypsies are running the show,’ he bellowed, his stomach wobbling as he shuffled with anxiety.

‘I think you’re exaggerating. Post more security around the tents, if that makes you feel better. I would suggest that at your next meeting of the city elders you pass a ruling forbidding formations of tent cities if they worry you that much,’ she stated.

A loud snorting noise shot forth from the Mayor as he turned tail and stormed out of the room, slamming the door

behind him in disgust. He hated being put in a position where he could not do anything about something. If only he had thought of banning them, he would not be in this mess.

Muriel turned her attention back to the pile of papers that were stacked up in front of her.

She glanced at her watch, wondering what had happened to Abby, Peter, Jinx, Henry and Amber – they had been due an hour ago. As a reward for saving the Realms from Agnes, Marbalo had extended the children an invitation to attend the festival.

Most children their age were not allowed to enter the Realms until they were considered mature enough to learn and understand magic. An exception had been made in their case. Needless to say, they were over the moon with excitement to be visiting Hopplescotch Realm. Muriel could not concentrate on the paperwork before her. She decided to zap down to the wishing well and see if the children had arrived. This was the only authorised gateway into Hopplescotch Realm.

Waving her hand in the air, she vanished and instantly reappeared there. The security guards were disguised so as not to draw attention to the high security that was being enforced while they monitored the droves of people and creatures that were arriving.

They juggled balls and entertained them all, whilst secretly scrutinising them. She waited for a break in their performance before approaching one to ask about the children.

‘Oh yes, I remember them, they had Mozac with them,’ replied the juggler with a bright red nose.

‘You can’t miss Mozac, can you? There’s no other Moon Rat quite like him.’ He was picturing him in his mind’s eye. The juggler smiled wistfully to himself as he whimsically imagined Mozac with a bright lemon and green waistcoat; it tickled his fancy compared to Mozac’s normal mundane choice of browns, white and black.

Muriel shot a sideways look at the juggler, not understanding what he was on about.

Noticing her odd look, he continued, ‘Well, he’s the only Moon Rat, I know that has a waistcoat. Others prefer tweed jackets. Surely you’ve noticed!’

He was astonished that Muriel had missed this vital detail. ‘It’s Mozac’s trademark, so to speak.’

‘Oh, right,’ said Muriel, bemused. I must pay more attention to detail. ‘Did you see which way they went?’

‘They got on the Underground.’ He pointed to the cobbled street corner by Pixie’s Potions and Lotions. To summon the Underground, people stood on a corner and stamped their feet. A barge normally appeared within seconds from the canals below.

‘Which way was the barge facing?’ she asked him.

‘Towards the Atrium, I think.’ He was not actually concentrating on Muriel; he was studying a new lot of arrivals. He suddenly pitched a ball in the direction of one of them. The ball spiralled towards him, then stopped dead, just centimetres from its target and hovered in mid-air. Then it came whistling back to the juggler at full speed, resembling a boomerang in its action. He caught it deftly and began juggling, making light of what he had done.

Annoyed, the Griggle the ball had nearly hit quickly disappeared into the crowd that had gathered to watch the show.

The juggler turned to Muriel. ‘Did you see that?’

She nodded. ‘What was that all about?’

‘He’s not a Griggle. He wanted us to think he is, but he’s not.’

Muriel looked impressed. ‘So what happens now?’

‘One of our people will follow and ascertain what his business is,’ he said smiling. ‘All I have to do is throw a ball in the direction of anyone suspicious and our people track them. Simple really.’

‘I take it you’re a Broggel.’

‘That I am. Can see through any disguise with these eyes,’ he laughed. ‘Not much gets past me. And to think that no one here realises I’m a Broggel is even better.’

‘Wow. You had me fooled. Whatever spells you’ve worked to cover yourself, it’s impressive!’

Muriel was astonished that she had not realised what he was. Broggels were normally huge creatures that lumbered along with an ungainly lope.

Looking similar to a rhino (with no horn), they walked on two feet. Except they always wore these hideous looking glasses. Perhaps because they needed to be so big that was the impression they gave. Having a rare eye disorder, it meant they could distinguish the real part of a creature from a part that might have been conjured up, or applied with make-up.

If a creature had changed their appearance totally, the Broggel would see their true form as well as the assumed identity.

‘I’ll leave you to it. You and your team obviously have security under control.’

Muriel strode off in the direction of Pixie’s Potions and Lotions. She stood momentarily on the corner, then waved her hand and disappeared. The children have Mozac with them, they should be fine.

I’ll look like a worrywart if I track them down and it will show very little faith in Mozac if I do that. He’s the most organised Moon Rat I know.

Reappearing at the castle, she sat down to attend to the paperwork that had piled up on her desk.

Visitors passes, dignitaries’ IDs, many things to do with the smooth running of the festival.

Minutes became hours, and before she knew it, the dinner gong sounded from below. She zapped down to the dining hall, eager to see the children and Mozac. Scouring each of the monstrous wooden tables that filled the massive hall, she could not spot them.

Huge chandeliers hung above each table. Each one contained over a hundred candles. At least a third of the security staff were already seated and beginning to enjoy their meals. Witches, wizards and other creatures from the Realms were talking, eating and laughing.

Some obviously had not seen one another in years, as greetings were yelled across tables, contributing to the din.

Finally, she gave in to the queasy feeling that had been growing in her stomach. She headed for the entrance hall in search of one of the security staff for the castle and asked about the kids whereabouts. The guard had not seen them! He walked off.

Another security guard who had been standing a few metres away suddenly tapped her on the shoulder.

‘Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear you. I think you’ll find the children and Mozac down in the basement.’

‘What on earth are they doing there?’ she looked at him puzzled.

‘It’s meant to be a surprise,’ said the guard with a wink.

‘Oh! Oh I see, no need to worry then,’ she whispered back to him, wandering what on earth was going on.

He nodded and headed briskly towards the centre staircase, leaving her to work out her next move.

Look for the kids or let matters reveal themselves in their own time. Oh, decisions!

Slightly relieved by this latest information, she finally decided after a couple of minutes to make her way back to the dining hall. Sitting herself between a wizard and another witch, she waited for the menu to appear in front of her. She slowly ran her finger down the list, tapped it on the one she wanted and instantly an entrée appeared behind the menu. She quickly selected her main course and dessert as well.

The moment she pushed the empty entrée plate forward her main dish appeared.