Hello readers! I am going to post a new chapter soon, but will be editing some of these older chapters in the mean time. I hope that all of you are doing well! See you soon with something new.
If there was one thing in which she could be entirely certain, Sophie Hatter was thoroughly sick of the rain. Market Chipping had been a sodden mess now for several days and she was growing a bit stir crazy in the confines of Madam Fairfax's home. Pulling a brush through her hair, she walked over to the window and gazed upon the gardens below. Sighing deeply, and rather dramatically, she then walked over to the mirror on the bureau and looked into it. Rich golden curls cascaded down her chest in tidy coils. Her deep green eyes were quieted into soft, milky jade in their futile attempt to match her the silvers and blues of her gown. It was an elegant and highly fashionable piece of clothing designed to look like a robe of distant, foreign luxury with silver embroidery on the sleeves and the wide band that firmly hugged her thin waist. She added a final touch to her appearance by pinning her hair up with a silver charm and pulling on the silk gloves that Howl had given to her for her visit with the king. The woman wearing this finery seemed to be as foreign, as the people of the distant land from which it came, but nonetheless, a confident individual. A confident individual. She noted this fact aloud punctuating it with a raise of the chin and listening to how it sounded when it filled the silence of her room.
When she decided that she had stared at her image long enough, she descended the stairs toward the front door pulling her gray lace shawl over her head before stepping out into the rain. It was still quite early and Mrs. Fairfax was surely asleep. Witches and Wizards certainly seemed to be very tired creatures, sleeping as much and as often as common decency would allow. Sophie was and always would be a morning person, especially on days like today, which would hopefully yield new some independence in a world that required proof of one's readiness for opportunity and new beginnings.
The day had finally come when Sophie would see about acquiring a new location for the family business with the money that Fanny had returned upon Sophie's polite but firm request.
After spending half of the morning tidying her finances with the bank and settling some old debts that Fanny had accrued, Sophie decided to return to the Fairfax home feeling utterly exhausted from the venture. Perhaps she would have some tea and then stop by Cesari's to grab a bite, hopefully bringing Martha in tow for the tour later in the afternoon. By the time she had returned, the sun had begun to shine and clouds receded behind the mountains.
Mrs. Fairfax was having what appeared to be her breakfast tea in the garden. While taking a sip she gestured wildly for Sophie to join her. Sophie smiled and sat down.
"My, you were up early this morning child! I heard you leave quite early. What on earth could possess you to be out and about at such an hour?"
"Well, I cannot rely on your hospitality indefinitely." Sophie replied pulling off her gloves. "I have been out in the attempt to find a new home since my old one is currently occupied."
"Oh nonsense my dear!" She said while shooing a bee off of the table cloth. "I rather enjoy having you around, especially since Lettie has gone off with the other Royal Wizard."
"Well I am truly grateful and I will pay you, of course." Sophie said as she poured herself some tea.
Mrs. Fairfax looked thoughtful. "My dear," She said while reaching across the table and taking Sophie's hand. "The best way to repay me is to go on and use that remarkable magic gift that you have. Do something wonderful. That would make me immensely happy."
"I guess that I haven't really given witchcraft much thought lately." Sophie stated with a shrug. This was not entirely true however, because she had actually been thinking about it since she had pushed Howl's weary heart back into his chest a few short weeks before.
"You could be as grand and powerful as the best of them. Your magic is…different Sophie. It heals some things and gives life to others. They say that the purest magic is the kind that whose strength relies upon the character and integrity of the witch or wizard. Your magic is the purest of its kind and it would be a shame to keep it to yourself."
"I will certainly consider it Annabel." Sophie replied while taking a sip of her tea.
"Your gift is unfortunately, beyond me, but I can think of a certain wizard that will probably be in need of a new apprentice soon." Mrs. Fairfax winked at Sophie as she drizzled more honey into her cup.
"Howl can barely sort out his own affairs, let alone take on another apprentice." Sophie replied as she began to massage her temples.
"Howl is an extraordinary wizard. He may have a great deal of personal faults, but he seems to take a liking to you and well, he could help you develop your gift more than perhaps anyone else." Mrs. Fairfax looked serious now.
"We'll see." Sophie said attempting to look disinterested in continuing the conversation any further.
"Oh, and speaking of which, Howl came by just this morning to see you." The tone in Mrs. Fairfax's voice changed to a playful one.
"Is that so?" Sophie asked resting her head on her gloved chin and staring off toward the flowery groves. She refused to give any sign that this pleased her, even though it did immensely.