Chapter 1

Sophie rolled to her side to ease the pain. She was somehow having trouble breathing. Ignoring the pain she smiled and thrust her curtains open. The dust made Sophie crinkle her nose. Behind her the door creaked, making her jump. It was only Howl, jumping into her room with a light step. "Sophie!" He sang. "It's time for breakfast and I don't see any..."

"Howl I haven't even dressed yet let alone started breakfast. Just hold your horses. Sometimes, Howl, you sound just like Markl!" Sophie joked making Howl laugh too.

"Well you better start soon." Howl smiled. "Markl is getting hungry."

"Alright, alright. Just let me get dressed and I'll be out in a minute." Sophie assured him. Howl had made Sophie a new dress the day before and she couldn't wait to try it on. "Oh what a handsome dress you are. Now don't make me struggle!" Sophie said to the dress. It had a simple bow below her chest and a blossom pinned to its side. The dress boasted many ribbons and decorations near the bottom making the day dress simple yet elegant. "I told you not to make a scene!" Sophie yelled under her breath as she tried again and again to shove her hand into the sleeve. Suddenly, like magic, the dress let her arm pass through the sleeve. "Thank you." Sophie politely said to it. She had discovered something weird about the way she talked to objects. It seemed almost to listen to her command. She shook the thought again and joined the others in the front room to make and eat breakfast. "Good morning Markl." Sophie greeted him.

"Hey Sophie!" Markl said with his usual enthusiasm. "You sure did sleep in!" Markl glided across the floor to hug her. Markl had gotten much older but still gave Sophie the regular morning hug.

"Good Morning I hope Calcifer?" Sophie turned to the fire.

"Good Morning? Good Morning? Sophie... save me! Howl has been driving me to the bone! And you say it's been a good morning? You get it easy! Howl waits on you hand and foot while I have to wait on him hand and foot! I don't even love him!" Calcifer ranted. As he continued to rant about, Howl skipped up the entrance stairs obviously happy about something that just happened. And with Howl it could be anything.

"I'm glad to see you've dressed in the new outfit I made. It looks beautiful on you!"

"Thank you Howl." Sophie replied blushing.

"Look what I have Sophie!" Howl sang again and waved a white envelope high in the air.

"Who's that from?" Markl asked loudly jumping up and down to get it from its high perch in Howl's hands.

"Ah, ah, ah" Howl scolded Markl, shaking his index finger right in his face. "Nothing for you I can say. Sophie..." Howl lowered his arm and stuck the letter out to Sophie. "Lettie" Was all Howl said.

Sophie snatched the letter from Howl and rapidly ripped the seal. Sophie unfolded the paper, scanned its contents and ran to her room. "Lettie... Oh Lettie."