Chapter 3:
Maggie closed the door gently behind her, leaning heavily against it with a sigh. She silently thanked Calcifer as she explored the room she'd be borrowing for the evening. The rain hit heavily against the long row of windows to her left. The lamp was lit, and Maggie made her way over to the dresser drawers. She kicked out of her soaked boots, spread the laces apart and pulled the tongue forward. Best let them dry out tonight so they aren't completely useless in the morning, Maggie thought. She proceeded to remove her stockings and bloomers, hanging her clothes on the bed posts, chairs, and whatever else she could find.
As she pulled open the drawers and found a ridiculous amount of long white shirts. At first, she thought they were nightgowns. Upon further inspection, she found they were simply men's shirts. Panic set in as she held one of the shirts numbly in front of her. This isn't Howl's room, is it? Did Calcifer let me in so he could feed me up to Howl?! 'Here master, caught a little thing out in the Waste, sorry there's not much meat on her but her heart will do, right?' Oh damn it all!
Maggie swallowed hard. Look, not much you can do now, Mags. You entered the home of Horrible Howl to escape the storm, cowboy up and go to bed!
Her mental pep-talk was interrupted by a fit on sneezing. She peeled off the outer layer of her dress, followed by the under-dress and petticoat beneath. The white fabric of her under-layers nearly translucent from rain. She pulled the white shirt overhead to find herself swimming in an excess of fabric. The shirt fell to just above her knees, and she focused her still numb fingers on fastening two of the three buttons at the neck of her shirt. She took a deep breath, and caught a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror on the other side of the room.
Oh no, Maggie giggled to herself. River-rat was a compliment, Calcifer, I look absolutely ridiculous.
Her hair was a dark, reddish nest of ridiculous, weather-forced curls and tangles. Maggie pulled up the bottom of the shirt to examine the damage from her fall. Light abrasions covered her hands and bruises were blossoming on her legs. Walking closer to the mirror to inspect her rib, she groaned at the sight of the dark purple and blue bruise glaring back at her in the mirror. She lowered the shirt, ran her hands through her hair and shook out the excess water the best she could. Maggie pulled back the down comforter and sheets on the bed. She crawled into the warmth of the mattress and blankets. What am I going to do now? She thought as she pulled the blankets up to her shoulders. Sleep overtook her as soon as her head touched the pillow, leaving very little time for contemplation or planning.
Calcifer grabbed another log and dragged it into the hearth. The storm was clearing up out in the Waste, the dark ominous clouds gaining a lighter hue with touches of pink and orange in the horizon. Some early morning light filtered through the windows of the castle, bringing a sort of ethereal stillness about the room. Calcifer nestled himself between the logs in a moment of silent reflection. Magnolia, what have you gotten yourself into? Calcifer thought, More importantly, what have you gotten me into?
The moment of peace was brief, as Calcifer heard the footsteps of his master passing overhead and towards the stairs. Howl was awake, and descended the stairs to start his day. Howl stopped at the bottom of the stairs, staring intently at the door. His icy eyes narrowed, as he shifted his gaze towards her room. The lamp was lit – he saw the faint golden glow through the bottom of the door. He didn't need to be a powerful wizard to know something was amiss in the house.
"Calcifer," Howl's voice carried with an undoubtable sternness, nearly a growl that didn't rise above a whisper. "Who did you let into our house this evening?"
Calcifer breathed in deeply, winding up his pitch, "A weary and injured traveler, Howl, from the Waste. She –"
"We agreed that there would be no more strays welcome in this house, Calcifer, or have you forgotten?" Interrupted Howl, with a coolness that could have put out Calcifer's flame.
"Howl, you don't have to treat her like an animal," Calcifer chastised. "She was hurt, she was cold, and I let her in. She's kind, Howl, and appreciative. It wouldn't hurt if more people around here would say thank you occasionally…"
Howl merely turned away with a swish of his blond-again hair and glided elegantly towards her room. Calcifer whispered protests and pleaded with him to leave the girl be, which he adamantly ignored. He slowly turned the knob, and guided the door open with absolute silence. Howl entered the room and stood near the bed of the young girl snuggled up in the quilted blankets. Her hair was spread around the pillow and across her face. Howl reached forward and gently moved her hair away from her face.
What were you thinking, Calcifer, Howl thought to himself. Letting a young, untrained witch into our house?
Howl walked towards the lamp, and carefully lowered the wick and smothered the flame. He pulled the curtains shut, keeping the sun's early morning rays from waking the sleeping traveler. Continuing with his silent trend, Howl exited the room, closing the door with a quite click behind him.
The tall, blonde wizard donned his flamboyant, pink coat and moved more logs to Calcifer's hearth. He walked over to the cupboards of magical supplies and began putting together a concoction as he spoke.
"You will tell our guest she has to earn her keep if she is going to stay with us," Howl stated, firmly. "She is responsible for the upkeep of her room. She will ensure Markl and the witch are fed, keep you aflame, and help Markl with our customers."
"So, she can stay?" Hope rang through Calcifer's voice.
Howl looked to his oldest friend, taking a deep breath, "Like I said, she has to earn her keep. And you, Calcifer, you alone will be responsible for any trauma she brings upon this family. Oh, and you have to explain this to Markl. I'm afraid he won't be pleased about your decision to add another apprentice to my schedule. He won't like to share."
Howl walked towards the door, turned the dial to the black quarter-piece, and left. "Calcifer, make sure the girl gets the salve I've made," He gestured nonchalantly towards the table. "It will help with those ridiculous bruises." He left and the door shut tightly behind him. The dial returned from black to green.
Calcifer let out a large, heavy sigh that sent soot and ash off the hearth and onto the floor. There was still a few hours before Markl would wake, and at least two more until the Witch of the Waste started demanding breakfast. How many hours until Maggie woke up? Caclifer wondered. How long does she dare to sleep in a stranger's home? Considering the state she arrived in, I doubt she has much volitional control over how much sleep she will get. Calcifer bemused.
Well, Calcifer reclined into the oak logs, Now what?
Happy Memorial Day! Here's Chapter three for you :) Let me know how you feel/what ya think!
Best,
JMaine
