Chapter 5

"Howl. Howl, I'm coming in," Sophie's voice called quietly. She walked into his room quiet as a mouse. Howl didn't even open his eyes. He was worn out from everything that had taken place.

"Would you like your milk?" she asked. Howl shook his head. He didn't want anything but to hear her voice right now. Howl heard her set the glass down and start to head out of the room. He needed to say or do something to keep her there. He wanted to talk to her. To have something to take his mind off of everything.

Howl's mind was reeling with how he was going to pull off going to see Madame Suliman. If he went, Madame Suliman would do something to try and keep him there under her power. If he didn't go, she would send her henchmen after him as would the king and the Witch of the Waste. In the midst of trying to find him they would find Sophie.

"Sophie," he said. It came out as barely more than a mumble. She shut the door and he heard her come sit down in the chair next to his bed.

"Do you want your milk," she asked persistently. Once again he shook his head. He thought about how he could say what he did want. He felt the soft tug of magic at the edge of his mind. The Witch was searching again. "The Witch of the Waste is looking for my castle." She didn't say anything, so he stated the obvious. "I have to report to the king." It was as simple as that.

"Why do you have to go?" she asked, emphasizing the "you". You could just tell the king you don't want to get into this idiotic war." The fact that she could say it as if that was all it would take almost made him smile. Almost.

Pointing, he said, "See that sign. It's an oath I took to always go to the king when summoned." He sighed unsure of what else he could do but show up. Most suddenly, an idea struck Howl to the core. An idea so great, he popped up out of his bed just by thinking about it.

"You could go for me!" he exclaimed. Sophie looked back at him with shocked eyes. Howl just nodded and continued. "You could go as my mother and tell the king that your son is such a cowardly wizard that he couldn't even come see him face to face."

"I-I guess I could. I'm not really sure what to say but it will be easy enough to call you a coward without feeling bad for lieing," she sighed. Howl felt a tug of his heart. He knew he was a coward but he had tried to be brave for her.

"Hmmmm. Your dress. I could brighten it up a bit to make it look a little more attractive than it is," he said to get his mind off of what Sophie had said. She looked down at her teal dress, then gave him a look that would have scared a lion. As if to say, 'I don't need any magic thank you very much.' But she didn't.

"Alright then. Take my hand and we'll go to the door." Howl stood up and wrapped his blanket around him and huddled underneath it and took Sophie's hand. Even though it was wrinkled and cold, Howl could feel the warmth of her younger hand. Slipping his ring on her finger, he said, "Here. This will insure your safe return." Sophie became stiff and brisk at his touch. Her heart pounded loud enough for him to hear. He couldn't help but smile at the sound. Just his touch made her heart race. But that was just because Howl was Howl. No girl could resist him.

As Howl pushed Sophie out of the door, he whispered, "I'll follow close behind." Then he shut the door on her back. Now to think of a disguise. Howl's stomach rolled uneasily at the thought of having to come face to face with Madame Suliman. But he couldn't just leave Sophie there alone. Madame Suliman would figure out quickly enough who Sophie really was, and there was no telling what she would do then.

"What are you going to do Master Howl?" Markel asked tentavily. Howl jumped at the sound of his voice, forgetting for a moment that Markel even existed.

"I'm going to go in disguise Markel. An authority figure. Someone who Madame Suliman will not be expecting." As Howl finished, he turned to Calcifer.

Calcifer raised an flaming eyebrow. "She's going to know it's you no matter what or who you become. Personally I say you go as the king."

Howl thought it over for a moment. "No. Maybe a bird, or one of those over confident men with no looks whatsoever. Of course I would be more beautiful. Or maybe even a dog?" Howl tried the idea on Calcifer. He didn't seem to impressed.

"Oh fine. If you must be so impossible, I'll go as the king." Calcifer nodded his consent as Howl headed up the stairs to the bathroom.

"Howl, we need to discuss this." This was not what he wanted to hear, but he slowly trudged back down the stairs. Finally falling into the chair.

Markel looked between Howl's sad face and Calcifer's serious, worrying one before deciding to go to his room. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"Look Calcifer, there's nothing going on. I could have an girl I wanted, so why would I choose just one?" Howl tried a flippant note. Calcifer wasn't buying it.

"You can't lie to me. Every time you even get in the same room as her, your heart jumps. You have feelings for her. Actual feelings. And don't forget, I can read your thoughts as well. We do have a contract you know. And truthfully, she's more perfect than any of those other girls you've chased after over the years. Not to mention she actually puts us in our place." Howl averted his eyes from Calcifer. "Don't you dare tell me you don't care about her. That ring you gave her lets you hear what she's saying. Lets you know that she's safe."

"Sophie's just another girl," Howl replied too quickly. It sounded more as if he was trying to assure himself of that than Calcifer. Calcifer obviously heard it too.

She's too stubborn for someone like me as well. It would never work out.

Maybe that's not the worst thing for you. Calcifer was not happy.

"Let's just work on your disguise. I'm getting tired of this but that's part of the contract. The contract I want out of." Howl nodded. As he stood his clothes started to change. The royal green suit the king was known for melted from his normal clothes. With a grimace, he also allowed his face to start changing. First becoming more sharp and losing his boyish roundness. Lastly growing the awful mustache with the handlebars the king had worn for years. Howl's chest expanded and became even more well built. In a matter of seconds, the king stood in the middle of Howl's moving castle.

"Must be off," Howl tipped his hat as he tried out his new voice. Rough and gravely. Definitely not a voice he would ever allow himself to have.

Once in the town square, Howl was able to grab a plane easily. "Just out for an evening stroll." The men nodded vigorously.

Then thoughts started to creep around his mind. Why in the name of God am I doing this? I've lost my mind. This is what she does to me, drives me to insanity.

Don't even try slithering out of this one Howl. You did this, not Sophie. She just gave you the courage you've been needing.

I hope she can break this contract. I hate you reading my mind.