Calcifer gulped as the three suited men motioned him over to a red carriage. He patted down his dusty clothes before stepping in. The back of his neck broke out in a nervous sweat, his throat dry.
The first official sat across from him, never taking off his glasses. The other two sat uncomfortably close on either side of Calcifer. The official leaned forward as the carriage began to lurch forward towards the Capital. The official cleared his throat.
"The state of the kingdom is very fragile now with the disappearance of Madame Suliman. This represents a breach in security and a very regrettable loss in our national defense. You knew her well, as her brightest and most talented student. The King mentioned you first over all the magicians, despite your…." Here the official's hands waved around, as if trying to grasp the right words—"despite your reluctance to participate in the previous war effort."
The official paused, expecting a response from Calcifer, whose face was blank. What do I say? Where is he going with this? Howl would be confident with this kinda thing. Or at least fake it.
Calcifer drew a long breath and adjusted his posture, puffing up his chest. "Yes, I see."
"I am unsure if you actually see what I am saying. You are on thin ice. The King will be demanding of you. You will perform."
Where is this going? I am starting to really freak out. "I am devoted to my kingdom," Calcifer said simply.
The official leaned back with a small smirk. "Good." The carriage stopped. "And we are here."
The burly driver with a bushel of hair for a mustache opened the door. Calcifer was blinded by the light reflecting off tall white steps leading to the grand doors of the Capital. As he walked, his shoes knocked against the cobblestones and the sound reverberated across the empty courtyard. A spray of water from the fountain grazed his face. His pulse quickened as he came closer to the immense building. Nobody is here; those merchant stalls are even empty. Everyone is in fear, and the King himself called me in. I don't know what Howl did, or if he is responsible. He needs to come back soon! My skin over my neck is pulsing quickly….How could I fix this? Howl will get it, I swear he will!
"This way." The official stated, grabbing Calcifer's elbow and steering him away from the grand marble staircase towards a large wooden door on the East side of the staircase. He raised a hand over the wood; it briefly glowed an iridescent green before opening forward forcibly.
Calcifer stepped nervously forward into the dim chamber, lit only by sconces along the arched walls. Each torch went ablaze as they walked forward, and snuffed out as soon as they walked past it. There are multiple passageways. I am walking deeper underground. Where are they really taking me?
As if the official sensed Calcifer's concern, he said, "This is the passage way we take for those who will see the King. He is in a secret location underground. You won't remember how to get here on your own."
As soon as he said that, they approached an ornate door encrusted with rubies. The official raised a hand and traced a pattern on the door; this swung forward gently.
Calcifer's eyes squinted as the chamber was really bright. He stepped tentatively forward, trying to let his eyes adjust. He paused momentarily, looking down. The ground is…squishy? And brown. In my nose, I sense something. What did Howl call it? …Ah, a 'smell.' This must be soil. And it is really steamy in here. If I were a flame again, I would hate to stay here. How suffocating it would be.
He looked up, noticing now he was in a lush garden. Insects with large mosaic wings fluttered about blue and yellow flowers. He arched his back up towards the ceiling. There was the sky, as blue and boundless as he recalled when falling from it as a small sprite. Some large tree's branches sprawled out, clutching piles of smaller twigs that housed eggs. But these were much smaller than the ones Sophie cooks.
Calcifer turned around, a question on his lips. How is this possible? I thought we were underground?
The officials were gone. Nobody seemed to be around. There was no chamber door, only more garden landscape.
"Hello?" Calcifer said aloud.
No response. A small breeze rustled the tree leaves, caressing Calcifer's face.
"HELLO?" he yelled this time, looking around. No one is here right now. Why in the heck did they bring me to a place with no King? …I guess I will just look around for now. This place is huge though. I can't see any end, and the door isn't here anymore. Ah, is that a path of some sort?
He walked toward some flat stones behind the tree, arranged in a strange fractal pattern a few yards in width. Calcifer continued walking, looking around as the path curved. The landscape did not change. In fact, it seemed to repeat itself. I think that is the same tree…? What is this place? I don't remember those red flowers being there though. Maybe I'll go check those out.
Soon Calcifer found himself surrounded by hundreds of bushes of red flowers in a clearing, unlike any he has seen before. He looked behind himself, only to find out that the path and tree with eggs had disappeared. Some of the bushes were taller than others. Some of the flowers were larger and others smaller. The deep hues of red contrasted sharply against the soil, which is very black compared to the earthy soil near the trees earlier.
At the center of the clearing was a stone structure shaped like a table, as long and wide as a person would be. Strange runes were carved along the side, surrounded by circles and triangles. It was reminiscent of what Howl would draw when performing magic. This did not attract a moment of Calcifer's attention, however.
These flowers! So unusual. He approached a full round flower, as deep red as the ruby encrusted door of the chamber. The petals were nestled into each other in a circular shape. I can't pull my eyes away. His hand, shaking slightly, reached towards the stem that was shrouded by dark green serrated leaves.
"Ah, you are enjoying the roses, I see," said a deep honeyed voice. "You must be careful. You, as the others, can't seem to pull away from them. I don't recommend touching them at all, however."
Calcifer whirled around, heart jumping to his chest. It was beating wildly. The man that stood before him was middle aged and tall, with a wide strong chest and arms. Voluminous sleek black locks of hair fell about his shoulders and thick neck. A square jaw was clenched and bushy eyebrows knitted together gave an expression of guarded concern. The man was barefoot and dressed casually, with a white cotton shirt and woven pants. He still exuded a power and silent authority about him that commanded Calcifer's attention away from the flowers.
"I apologize. This place…and these flowers! They are so beautiful," said Calcifer, nearly breathless.
The man's lips tugged upwards slightly. If it were a smile, it resembled more of a smirk.
He didn't say anything, only eyed Calcifer with the same steadfast expression. This is strange. I should say something. I don't know who this man is and I need to find the king.
"Are you the caretaker of this garden?" Calcifer said weakly.
The man nodded, stepping closer. "I come here all the time. Roses need a lot of care and attention. They are similar to women, you see. Their red color suggests passion, and their full body alludes to a certain…sensual quality. The softness of the petals is not unlike how skin should feel. Their scent is like a perfume a woman would wear. Once you are attracted, you cannot stop thinking about it. You want it. You are tormented by it. You grasp towards it, and suddenly, a thorn harms you. Or, several thorns harm you at once. If you are very lucky, there may be no thorns at all."
Calcifer looked on, a bewildered expression on his face. "I…I am just looking for the king."
The man was close enough for Calcifer to see his amber eyes narrow, and hands that were large and calloused to cross over his chest. "If you weren't the grand magician I know you to be, you would be my fool. A grand king's fool."
Calcifer's cheeks reddened. Crap! He IS the king! I am so dumb! Did I just ruin my cover? Howl would have known what he looks like!
Noticing Calcifer's horrified expression, the man chuckled deeply. "I don't really blame you, Howl. Well, I do, since you refused to see me during the war. You and I haven't met in person before."
Calcifer tried to conceal a sigh by giving a nervous laugh. "I imagined you in more fancy clothing, and maybe a bit older too."
The man chuckled once more. "I imagined you more poor looking and a bit more sage. But what can I say? These roses keep me young." He paused for a moment, glancing over to the roses. Without staring at Calcifer, he said, "My name is Ostanes. From this garden I rule, protect, and defend a kingdom. And to an extent, I also protect the sacred and profane."
The mystery of the words were not lost on Calcifer. Where is he going with this?
"I digress. I called you here to discuss the disappearance of Madame Suliman. It…this angers me. It is no doubt that trouble will be on the horizon. I have no more information than that which you learned from the news. I only want you to replace her position until she returns...if she returns...I need your knowledge and expertise. Suliman taught you nearly everything she knows."
I am going to become the next King's magician? I can't refuse this, and Howl made me promise not to use magic….Calcifer incredulously stared on, unsure of what to say.
"Well?" Ostanes said, turning towards Calcifer once again.
Calcifer tried to muster up a confident tone as he said, "My kingdom calls. I will be honored to share my knowledge and skill." His voice trembled slightly, betraying fear.
Ostanes smirked once more. "Good. I will let you go for now. When I give you an assignment, you'll know. It was a pleasure to finally meet you. Please use the door over there to make your way back home." He pointed a finger with a gold ring and red jewel. It directed Calcifer to look at the same wooden door that led him to this strange place. It had stood there as if it had been there all along.
"Oh, and let's keep this garden a secret, yes?"
"Of course. Thank you, my king," Calcifer said with a slight bow of the head. This is real shady….He turned and approached the door, which opened up to the city street. He was in front of the spells shop that Howl and Markl manages.
Wait, I thought I would be at the Capital? Turning around again Calcifer now faced a dilapidated building, whose flimsy door hung carelessly on rusted hinges. What a weird day.
Calcifer crossed the empty street and entered the shop, switching the dial to the castle's living room. A ding and pop later, he was back home.
"Howl! Is that you?" Sophie called, running downstairs. "Where did you go? I was so worried! Wait, why are there no bags? You were gone all day and didn't even get food?" she stated breathlessly, eyebrows knitted together in annoyed anger.
"The king called me. You must have heard the bad news this morning...I am now the court magician. I am replacing Madame Suliman. I am afraid there are troubles now," Calcifer merely stated softly.
Sophie's hands flew to her face, covering her mouth that was open in surprise and fear. Tears welled in her eyes. "H-Howl, how could you? This puts us in danger. Couldn't you have refused as you had in the past? We are…We are supposed to be happy and peaceful! What are we to do?"
She is crying already? Howl wanted me to keep her happy. Suddenly being Howl isn't so simple. Calcifer worldlessly stepped towards Sophie on the staircase, and enclosed her in his arms. She shook slightly at first, and then quieted. Calcifer's heart fluttered. How did I know to do this, to comfort her? It feels good. He gripped her tighter, lifting a hand to caress her face.
Suddenly, Sophie gripped his hand mid-air and tore herself from his embrace.
Calcifer's heart seemed to fall to his stomach, hand stinging from her touch.
"No, not this. Not this again," Sophie stated under her breath, letting go of his hand, running back up the stairs.
Shocked, Calcifer stood on the stairs staring at his hand.
"You grasp towards it, and suddenly, a thorn harms you."
A loud slam of a door somewhere upstairs snapped Calcifer out of his trance, leaving him with a heavy sense of unease.
Howl, wherever you are, please come back soon.