Disclaimer: I do not own Howl's Moving Castle

Chapter One

A few months later...

For Ponyo is awesome

The carriage rocked from side to side, as it rode along the pebbled streets. Daniella had been on long distance journeys before and she never had a problem. Although now she was beginning to feel like she was getting something which seemed like motion sickness. She had never rode on such unstable ground before she was beginning to wonder what all the tax was actually going into. The pockets of the governors or improvement of the city's state. Although that was the least of her problems at the moment. Daniella couldn't imagine anything she could dread more than being stuck inside a carriage with Nelai and Lady Belladonna. She had been stuck in a house with her for the past few years and she was finally getting away, to Lady Belladonna's dismay. If she had her own way she would keep her under her supervision and train her herself. But for the sake of social conventions she sent her to the Academy which all young sorcerers and sorceresses were sent. Every now and then, they both offered pieces of advice and words of encouragement. Nelai probably wasn't aware but Lady Belladonna must have been aware that her words fell on deaf ears. However she knew that their words lacked any meaning or truth. She knew that from looking into Lady Belladonna's eyes as she spoke that what she was truly saying to her was far from the soothing, kind words coming out of her mouth.

She was just glad she was no longer going to be under the same roof, let alone be in the same room together. She was literally counting the minutes it would take until they would arrive and she would no longer be obliged to submit to her rules. She was never allowed out of the house unless she had her permission. She was not allowed to have visitors unless they were approved by Lady Belladonna. She was not allowed this. She was not allowed that. But Lady Belladonna was allowed to physically, verbally and psychologically abuse anyone she wished. She didn't need to with Nelai since she would do whatever she wanted without question. She didn't need to resort to the worst method of making her do what she willed her to do for her. Daniella on the other hand...She was relieved when Lady Belladonna told her a month earlier that she had been given a place at the Academy. She didn't have to endure being within a mile radius any longer. It was a prestigious school for young sorcerers and sorceresses with great potential to expand their powers. Being able to do more than those her own age, Daniella was accepted immediately. However it took a high ranking sorcerer or sorceress to have her elected for a place. Daniella had a feeling Lady Belladonna knew who that was but refused to name them.

She could see in her eyes that she would never be able to live it down, to know that there was someone out there which had more control over her own more ward than she did and if Daniella knew who that was she would be able to know how that was and Lady Belladonna would never be able to live that down. Daniella didn't really care. It was enough of an honour for the suggestion to have been passed, especially at the age of 14, which was much younger than the usual age for a first year. Although she would like to not only shake the hand but also embrace the person who was responsible for her to finally be able to get away from that dried up old witch she almost had to refer to as a mother. Thank goodness she wasn't her mother. She looked down at herself to check one last time (even though it was a bit too late for this) to check if she was dressed properly. If there was a right way to be dressed for this kind of thing. She was dressed in a tight fitting, velvet midnight blue coat which reached over the white skirts she wore beneath and wore a black, lace Alice band in her hair. Her attire was how she liked it. Simple and sensible, with only a few intricate details to make it look less boring. Anything too extravagant was just ridiculous in Daniella's eyes.

She looked out the window and felt her heart sink as she watched the poverty-striken scene pass her by. She remembered the days when she was one of those children who didn't have a home. She remembered how lucky she was when she was found by Ella...Her brother didn't even want her but she fought nails and teeth for her to be part of their little family. It wasn't a conventional family and there was no proper house but...it was something. It was better than this. She tried to imagine what she would be doing if she hadn't been found by Lady Belladonna. If they hadn't...She took in a deep breath once again and shook the thought away. Just shake them away. Don't think about it. It's not important anymore. It saddened her when she saw the suffering, starvation and disease with seemed be littered everywhere she went. She didn't know why no one had done anything about it yet. It also sickened her how people simply ignored it or worst of all avoided the whole issue completely. She clenched her fist and funnelled all her frustration into this action. She could feel her nails biting in her palm, unafraid that it may even cause her to bleed. Such a thing required blood along with other things in order for it to be fought. As soon as she was a trained sorceress she would focus all her efforts on helping the poor and fighting the poverty which plagued humanity worldwide.

Lady Belladonna watched her intently and followed her gaze. She saw all those pathetic street rats scuttling about below them. Snatching food off one another. Dragging each other into dark alleyways to do goodness knows what. She didn't know why Daniella couldn't be at least a little bit grateful for taking her away from that life. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face and her eyes wandered back to Daniella. She could use this against her one day. Or now. She needed to stamp out whatever idea had gotten into her head. Something had happened. It was ever since that ball that they went to. She never took her to another one due to her behaviour afterwards. She thought this would be a good way to discipline her but it had the opposite effect on her. She wasn't even bothered by it. She knew who it was though, which made her behave like this. Kain. She found it intriguing how the fragments of her former life had still found themselves to remain in Daniella's memory. She supposed reminders of her early childhood were unavoidable, poverty was everywhere you went nowadays. However she noticed of late that it had become an obsession for Daniella. She had dedicated herself to a study of battling something that was so pointless. It was naturally good of her but a waste of her talents.

Even Nelai her current apprentice would never amount to as much. She could never understand why Daniella couldn't focus towards a more rewarding goal.

"That time is far behind you, Daniella."

She peered at her, Daniella continued to stare out at the view as if she had never heard her. An angered expression masking her face.

"You do realise that don't you?"

Nelai looked up confused, exchanging looks between Daniella and Lady Belladonna. Despite always siding with Lady Belladonna she still wanted to know what they were discussing. She peered outside, wrinkling her nose at the scene understanding now what they were talking about.

"She's right, Daniella. You're lucky even to have escaped that world."

Lady Belladonna smirked cruelly at Nelai's blind obedience and her own self-righteousness. "You see Daniella, even Nelai agrees."

"That still doesn't mean it doesn't haunt me." She replied quietly.

She was also tempted to add that Nelai always agreed with everything Lady Belladonna said, but decided to keep that to herself.

"And why there isn't a better person to fight it. I know its effects all too well, so I know what is at stake. I know what I'm fighting for."

"No you don't. You have many more years to mature and learn." Lady Belladonna interjected. "You can't possibly know your true calling yet. You're too young."

Daniella did all she could not to turn and glare at Lady Belladonna. She didn't see the point. If she did that she would just be giving her the satisfaction of her being able to get to her and she wasn't going to do that. Not ever. She was going to make sure that she stayed as frustrated as Daniella was with her. With everything she knew Lady Belladonna was keeping from her. It seemed rather strange that she was looking for a child on the streets. Or just happened to be. Especially after the moment she lost her family to the riots. It wasn't that most people were on the lookout for children who happened to have the gift of magic. It was just what she said to her when they first met. I've been looking for you for a long time. That only implied that she knew something of her origins. She must have heard that a sorcerer or sorceress had a child and something had happened to them. She remembered his words echo in her mind...be on your guard...Don't trust her...please...It was as if he knew her all too well. Her darkest secrets and agendas. Was there something in Lady Belladonna's past that inferred Daniella's suspicions? She sighed and leaned against the cushioned seat.

"Did you hear that Kain Nightstar is to be teaching at the Academy next year?"

Daniella gasped, she had to restrain herself from jumping out of her seat and shaking more answers out of Nelai. Lady Belladonna only rolled her eyes.

"Well lets hope he doesn't influence the young magicians too much with his controversial views and discoveries. You would do well to avoid him Daniella."

"Why?" She questioned. Lady Belladonna looked taken back by this question but was able to regain her composure.

"He's rumoured to have practised...unsavoury arts. Some which is curious and not in a good way. He keeps himself to himself, he's almost like a hermit. Something which is all too strange also."

"I thought you paid no mind to rumours."

Lady Belladonna had become quite agitated with this talk. She was mostly afraid of what she might pick up. After all, she was a smart girl. Smarter than Nelai that for sure. She would be able to connect the dots and who knows what would happen...

"Now that is quite enough back talk, Daniella."

Daniella, now decided to glare back in defiance. She was getting tired of all these mind games and taunts that she resorted in order to assert the 'power' she had over her. She thought that if she was able to beat her down enough she would be able to maintain control over her emotions and desires. All she was doing was pushing her away even more. She was pushing her away from trusting her anymore. Soon she was probably never going to trust her again. If anything she was probably going to find Kain again and try and help him with whatever he was doing. She was showing Lady Belladonna that she didn't care what the consequences were of her 'back-talk'. She wanted to be able to do what she wanted. She wanted to be able to say what she wanted to say. Didn't she know that the worst thing for her to do if she wanted her to do if she wanted her to do what she wanted was the forbid her to do some certain things? This caused Nelai's bright brown eyes to widen in shock and horror and Lady Belladonna's strain in anger. Daniella knew what would come next. He was right to presume Lady Belladonna couldn't be trusted but she wondered if he had ever experienced her immense anger. Daniella wasn't strong enough yet to defend herself against Lady Belladonna's powers that were about to invade her mind.

-I have had about enough of your rebellions, Daniella. I only hope that the discipline of the Academy will cool your passions.

-I speak only truths, you wish to ignore and disagree with.

-I only look out for your interests, child.

-You know nothing of my interests. What you believe them to be are simply your own ways of manipulating and controlling me. Nothing more.

Daniella felt a tight hold on her neck and stared in horror at the cool, yet sinister stillness in Lady Belladonna's eyes. She cried out for him. Not his name. She would not say his name otherwise she would know. Everything would then fall apart. She had to remember to be careful. That was what he told her before they separated. It was almost as if they already knew one another. From another time and another place. Maybe they did. Maybe that was how he knew. If so why didn't he tell her then and there? Then she supposed in his own way, that he did. She glanced at Nelai, who was oblivious to everything continued to look out the window, indulging in the cheap fancies of the main high street. Her stupidity and weak nature had never angered Daniella more than that precise moment. She clenched her fists so tightly that she felt her nails dig into the palms of her hand with such a painful intensity.

-Don't force me to hurt you, Daniella.

-I don't have to.

She felt an concentrated sting sweep across her left cheek and the relief of Lady Belladonna's hold began to fade away. She clung to the seat of the carriage, desperately trying to regain the air that she had lost. Nelai turned to her, with an aggravated expression on her face.

"Honestly Daniella, you're making such a fuss."

Lady Belladonna chuckled and patted her hand. "She's just nervous and she's leaving home for the first time, Nelai. You know that feeling all too well, I suppose."

Nelai's features softened. "Oh, Daniella don't worry. I know its hard leaving home but you'll soon make plenty of friends and just think of all you're going to learn. You've always enjoyed lessons."

Daniella tried her best to ignore Nelai. Ever since the day that they first met she first thought that she could be an older sister to her. Like Ella once was...Or maybe not as she turned out. No one could replace Ella and Nelai would have to have a huge improvement upon her personality for her to be anywhere close to being like Ella. She was too superficial and thought too much of finding a husband opposed to putting her powers to use. More sorceresses than she would have thought resorted to being such. She would have thought that these gifts or curse, however you wanted to see it would be a way to escape from societies conventions. Especially if you were a woman. She knew then and there that she had to be better than Lady Belladonna. More intelligent, sharper, powerful. If she was to escape this imprisonment she would have to exceed her expectations and capabilities herself. In order to be truly free she would have to defeat her at her own game. It certainly wasn't going to be an easy task, but she had never felt so much determination and resolve build up inside her. She knew she was capable, otherwise she wouldn't be here and she wouldn't be on her way to the Academy at this precise moment in her life. She had the will power but no guidance. No one she could count on...

"Madame," The driver called. "We're here."

"Hm, finally." Lady Belladonna muttered.

Daniella felt a pang of relief, dread, excitement and fear all at once. She wanted to jump out of the carriage but at the same time she wanted to stay in her seat and will herself back to her room at home. Or whatever she wanted to refer to Lady Belladonna's house as being. She certainly couldn't think of it as a home in the conventional way. Perhaps for lack of a better term other than prison but sounded like she was whinning about it too much. Or too much as it is. She had finally come to destiny's door. It was here. The first step on that rocky road was in front of her in the image of a grand, white stone Academy. She hated using that metaphor it was incredibly clichéd and she was hearing plenty of other people using it as well when it was mentioned she was coming this year. People who had no idea what they were talking about. She stepped out after Lady Belladonna and Nelai. The sensation of her feet meeting ground seemed to have gone without notice, she felt like she was floating. The Academy rose in front of her like a mountain, waiting to be climbed by anyone who dared. It had a neo-gothic style with gargoyles looping over its structure and vast stain glass windows dotted around the building.

"Miss Daniella Lockhart?"

Daniella slowly turned her head to a woman in her early twenties. She was quite take back by her the first moment she laid eyes on her. It felt as if she was meeting a relative that she had heard of but never met for the first time. She had that sort of welcoming smile on her face which reassured her that everything was going to be alright. She had raven black ringlets that were tied into a loose bun with a few free strands dancing in the breeze. She stood half a foot taller than Daniella, which made her seem like a giant to Daniella, who wasn't so small herself. Still, as imposing as she seemed there seemed to be something almost maternal and warm about her. She was the sort of person who would welcome anymore into her home, even if a wolf had knocked at the door she would let them in. Suddenly she realised that she must be a teacher and rushed into a curtsey and apologised.

"Sorry, ma'am. Yes, I am Miss Lockhart."

The woman didn't seem to mind and smiled. "I thought so, its a pleasure to meet you, Daniella.'

Daniella felt a maternal laugh in the woman's voice. Strangely enough her heart began to warm towards this woman and she smiled sweetly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too ma'am."

"My name's Miss Callie Pendragon, I'm a teacher although not for very long."

Daniella felt disappointed and hoped that there would be more teachers like Miss Pendragon here at the Academy.

"Soon to be Mrs Markel Silverwing."

Miss Pendragon and Daniella turned towards a spirited girl who had leapt onto her back. Her mahogany brown hair trailed after her in the summer winds and her bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunshine.

"Ah, yes I heard you were to be married to Markel Silverwing, Miss Pendragon. May I offer my congratulations?" Lady Belladonna gracefully replied. Miss Pendragon gave her a cool smile.

"Thankful Lady Belladonna, my fiancé and I will consider it an honour to receive a congratulations from you."

Lady Belladonna chuckled. "Not at all, my dear." She replied charmingly. "It's nice to know such a capable woman will be looking after our Daniella."

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She turned round to Lady Belladonna with a defensive look on her face.

"Why thank you, Lady Belladonna, I always make it a priority to take care of my students."

"Dedication is something I approve of, but it must be maintained. Sometimes people so young and inexperienced can make the simplest of mistakes."

Daniella's head snapped towards Miss Pendragon, dreading a look of anxiety. Both Daniella and everyone else there knew this was an attack upon choosing marriage over her position. However to her surprise she still retained the calm expression on her face.

"I've found that it occurs more often amongst the older generation than the young. Sometimes they can forget the most silliest of things. Age must slowly erase the memory, I suppose?"

Daniella restrained herself from applauding Miss Pendragon. Although dared to look at Lady Belladonna whose expression was one of restrained anger. "Well, I suppose I should let you settle in, Daniella. Are you going to be alright?"

Daniella could sense that she was patronising her and she gave her a tight smile. "Yes, Lady Belladonna." She replied coldly. Lady Belladonna raised an eyebrow and reached out to embrace her. Daniella stood there stiffly and patted Lady Belladonna's arm. "Don't you dare think of defying me." She hissed before letting her go.

Nelai just nodded towards her before rejoining Lady Belladonna in the carriage. She smirked spitefully after them. She would do more than defy her, she would throw her plans of vengeance upon her and finally be released from her grip.

"Must you announce my engagement to every new acquaintance, Ellie?" She heard Miss Pendragon whisper to the other girl.

"Well who else is going to tell them, sis? Certainly not you."

Ellie' hugged her sisters face to her own and wrapped her arms around her neck. This younger sister wasn't that must shorter than Miss Pendragon but had the appearance of a student. Ellie then remembered Daniella and grasped her hand and kissed her on both cheeks.

"It's so nice to meet you. We've all heard so much about you. I'm Elara Pendragon, Callie's younger sister, but you can call me Ellie."

"It's lovely to meet you." Daniella replied sheepishly.

"Elara had agreed to be you peer guardian. Last years tend to be paired with first years to make sure they settle in well. I'm to be your senior tutor for a short time before I leave."

Daniella nodded and gave her a reluctant smile. "Well, let's get you settled in."