Chapter 2

The rain had been pouring down for days. It rattled against the roof, hard drops sounding more like bullets rather than the usual soft sizzling. This was pretty common for the Wastes but oddly enough, it was raining just as hard in every other town connected to the enchanted castle.

The Howl household was bored beyond boredom. All interesting books had been read, all games had been played and thankfully (for the Witch, Markl, Heen and Calcifer) even arguing and tossing things became dull after a while.

They were all gathered in the living room, slouched down in sofas and chairs. Sophie was trying to read her favorite book again, Howl lazily drew up different small spells which he sneakily (making sure Sophie wasn't watching) sent away towards Heen and grinned with pleasure every time the dog winched and glared at him, the Witch was knitting, Markl was eating, Heen was trying to sleep but without success thanks to Howl, and Calcifer was singing.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing," Calcifer sang, watching the rain trickling down the window in a steady stream.

Don't ask me why he was singing one of the songs from Winnie the Pooh. Perhaps he just liked that episode with the great flood. It was certainly quite appropriate right now. Although, there was no pig in the room sailing around on a chair while bailing, of course.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing," Calcifer continued, not remembering the rest of the song so just settling for singing the same part over and over again. "And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing. And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was…"

"Calcifer, for crying out loud!" Howl roared at last.

"…sailing," Calcifer finished.

Howl glared at him, warning him without words that it would be in his best interest not to continue. Well, who ever heard of a fire demon able to take a hint?

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing…"

"That's it!" Howl said and got to his feet, marching towards Calcifer. "You're a dead fire demon!"

Calcifer crackled evilly, delighted someone wanted to play with him at last.

"You have to catch me first!"

And just as Howl was about to grab him in the hearth, Calcifer disappeared. Howl stared in confusion for a few seconds until he heard that unmistakable and very annoying song drifting down the stairs from the second floor.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing! Come and get me, Howl! I'm in the master bedroom!"

Howl stalked up the stairs, finding the fire demon waiting for him in the hearth in his and Sophie's bedroom. He lunged for the evil little fire but once again he was a second too late.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing! I'm in the bathroom now, Howl!"

Howl screamed with anger and ran down the corridor to the bathroom, but was yet again tricked by Calcifer.

"Haha, you won't ever catch me! And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing!"


Downstairs, Sophie put down her book with an aggravated sigh. It was impossible to read in all this noise!

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing! Try Markl's room!"

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing! No, sorry, missed me! Check the kitchen!"

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Click. Click. Click, down the stairs.

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started bailing. He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing! You're too slow! I'm already in the Witch's room!"

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down so Piglet started…"

"I give up!" Howl screamed, stomped back to the living room, face dark with anger, and threw himself down beside Sophie on the sofa. "Tell me again why it was such a good idea to connect all the hearths in the castle to one another?"

"Because," Sophie said with an affectionate smile and kissed him lightly on the cheek, "it keeps every room in the castle warm all year and not just the kitchen where Calcifer used to reside before."

"Oh right."

Forgetting all about the irritating, soon-to-be-dead fire demon, Howl pulled his wife close and kissed her on the lips. She smiled and returned the kiss, both of them soon caught up in the moment. A faint pop told of Calcifer's return to the living room hearth.

"And there they go again! Just when things start to get interesting, they start kissing! I mean, what's so fun about it anyway? Exchanging saliva sounds pretty gross to me. If that was me, I would've…"

"Calcifer?" Sophie mumbled, interrupting his rant. "Shut up for once in your life, will you?"


It began with a few dark clouds, gathering above the little house, flashing with lighting and rumbling with thunder. Then it was the rain. For a few days, the rain seemed to be concentrated over a single patch in the Wastes, which so happened to be the patch on which that little house stood. And lastly it was the darkness. Morning never came to that house, daylight couldn't penetrate the clouds. It was always dark, always night and should you have been close to the house, you would have noticed the uneasy feeling that hung thick in the air. It wasn't natural. Evil itself appeared to have taken possession over the house.

Within a week, the everlasting rain had spread across the entire Wastes and, another week later, over the entire country. Rainy season, people called it. It was autumn after all. Why shouldn't it be raining? But had it ever rained like this, they wondered. Had it ever rained for days and days without end or dry? Not that anyone could remember, but surely there was some perfectly simple explanation. Perhaps it was getting colder over the years?

The inhabitants in the country didn't see any reason to panic just yet. That is to say, the inhabitants without magical gifts. Every wizard, witch or charmer were ever on the edge, ready to strike back should anything happen. They were worried, far more worried than they had been during the war two years ago. At that time, they had been able to see their enemy and to strike back. Everyone knew the reason for that war, even if the major part of the population had nothing to do with the disappearance of the prince from the neighbor country. But here they could find no source and no reason, and to battle what you cannot see is frightening indeed.

Something was happening. Something was on the verge of going completely wrong and without a clue of what it was or who it was that was doing it; the magicians could do nothing but wait.


It wasn't often that the King of Ingary allowed an audience this late at night. He would usually be in his private quarters, having a quiet dinner with his beautiful wife and play a little with their six months old baby daughter. But the young man outside the palace doors had been quite persistent and in the end, the King had relented.

Now here they were, alone in the King's study, facing each other across the King's heavy mahogany desk. The young man was handsome, well clad and full of confidence. That much was obvious from the smug smile grazing his lips.

"So, how can I be of service?" The King asked at last, a bit nervous by the man's smile and silence.

"These wizards and magicians; quite dangerous aren't they?" The young man said, still smiling.

The King was confused. Had he come here only to have a little friendly chat? He decided to take the stranger's words serious and play along for now.

"I suppose they are, yes, should they ever be allowed to roam free without having to obey my orders," the King agreed.

"Aren't you afraid they will break free of you one day? With all those endless powers and skills, what stops them from overthrowing you and rule Ingary themselves?"

The King gave a hearty laugh.

"They wouldn't dare!" He chuckled. "Whatever powers or skills they possess, they are still far lesser in numbers than the rest of Ingary's population. The people would object and rise up to fight them back!"

"Would they?" The young man whispered softly. "People are easily persuaded. The wizards would only have to promise them riches, power and all else men crave and soon no one would have anything to object about. People are selfish, your majesty. They do not risk their lives for any monarchy. Surely you are not naïve enough to believe they do? They fight for themselves, for their hopes and dreams. Should their own self-interest not be served, they accomplish nothing. Deep down, they all wish they could get what they wanted and give nothing in return. That's the simple truth and that is also common knowledge. Should the wizards ever think of using that to their advantage, your monarchy will fall."

"Why do you tell me this?" The King asked, eyes narrowing. "Are you one of those wizards you talk about, planning to use my own people against me in the fashion you described?"

The young man's smile widened.

"Most definitely not, your majesty. Should that be my intention, I would have never warned you beforehand. No, I am not a mere wizard. I am much more than that and that is why I'm here. I want to offer you my service in taking care of the wizards once and for all."

"Taking care of? As in kill them?"

"That is correct."

The King rose to his feet, face red with anger.

"This is outrageous! You wish to kill them all, ridding Ingary of their magical powers for good? What do you think our economy is based on? Magic is what sell most; seven-league boots and potions that can turn a fisherman's wind in his favor is what the people wants! Should I be stupid enough to take away what makes me rich? No! I insist that you leave my palace at once!"

The young man stood up, an evil glint in his eyes. He mumbled something under his breath and the King froze, unable to move or even talk. All he could do was watch with terror filled eyes as the man stepped closer to him, all the while smiling that uneasy smile.

"I knew you would say that," the man confessed. "But nonetheless, the wizards are in my way and I want them dead. You're going to help me with that, whether you want to or not."

A blinding light surrounded the man for a moment and when it subsided, suddenly two Kings stood in the room, with no possibility to tell them apart.

"You see, your Madam Sullivan might be able to tell another wizard's disguise apart from a real person, like you for example, but there is no way she will be able to see I'm not the real King."

He grinned evilly.

"I'm going to take over your entire life. I'll be the one coming home to your wife and daughter tonight. I'll be the one having dinner with them, playing with your precious little doll until it's time for her to go to bed. And first thing tomorrow morning, I'm going to kill Madam Sullivan and every other wizard stupid enough to challenge me. Ingary is now in my hands to do with as I please, and you my good sir will disappear forever."


A/N: I know, I know! I've been totally hopeless in updating my stories! I had this major writers block all through summer and whenever I tried to write anything it just sounded corny and useless. Quite typical that the block should vanish now that school's started again, huh? Just my luck. But here I am, writing again! I'm trying to update my other stories too but it doesn't go so well. This one was easier. I just have to say, I probably wouldn't have continued this story if it wasn't for the reviews you guys wrote. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you all so much you can't even begin imagine it!

Thanks to: stupidxlovesong, Water Fairy a.k.a. Mizu and poison blossom! You guys are the best! Love you all!