A/N-Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter-prettyinpinkgal, BrokenArrow93, Kinetic Asparagus, Link Fangirl01, moongirlSelene99, JenKM1216, puppy444219, Miyurii, Alatus, Hatake Sienna, SnowCharms, Icyfyre, SilverWinter18, Catbuddy, HoodiesRsoft and MangaFanatic. Read and review this chappie!!! And to all who voted...GaaraSakura came out on top, and I shall commence writing tomorrow. Enjoy!
Disclaimer-I don't own Howl's Moving Castle
Chapter 8
Circe sits at her writing desk, a long feathery quill grasped between her long white fingers. Spread before her is a piece of creamy parchment, with the sun emblazoned on the top –the personal stationary of any descendant of Helios. She opens the inkwell at the top of the desk and, after dipping the quill into the indigo ink, begins to pen a letter.
After the common courtesies that an aunt would normally write to a niece, Circe explains the situation on hand, holding nothing back, detailing what she had done to the young woman from Market Chipping. She then explains that she suspects Sophie of having the other notebook and asks Medea to please, send the companion journal to Justin's castle.
After signing with her title –Circe, Royal Magician to Prince Justin, Daughter of Helios- she seals the parchment into an envelope, writes Medea's name on the envelope turns to a servant standing right behind her. "This goes to the fastest messenger in the court. If he's delivering another message, tell him that Circe sent you. And this is confidential, just like every other thing you hear me say, you know that right?"
"Yes Lady Circe."
"Good girl Naomi." The girl leaves the room.
"Soon Sophie…I'll know, if you know." The willowy woman leaves her study, a smirk on her face.
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It's the morning after I remembered Calcifer. Because it's still relatively early, the haze of sleep hasn't quite left me yet and the weight of the duvet cover coupled with the silk sheets is relaxing.
Last night, while I slept, I dreamt. But the dreams I had were all of Calcifer, and nothing new. Calcifer talking to me as I sagged in a rickety wooden chair, Calcifer swelling after eating my braid (so that's where my hair went). Also, the dreams were pain free; I woke up with a head as clear as the one I went to sleep with last night.
My favorite is the one where I'm old (for whatever reason) and am forcing Calcifer back so that I can cook on him. When I did that, it gave me quite the sense of empowerment.
But also, despite having regained many memories, there are still holes. Certain times, Calcifer goes to say a name –we're discussing someone under a curse but every time either of us goes to say the name the entire scene goes silent and I can't hear anything else, like something is in my ears. I would read Calcifer's lips, save for the fact that the flames obstruct his mouth partially.
A soft knock comes at the door, startling me out of last night's dreams. It's an unbalanced knock that indicates the person comes bearing something, probably Ruth with my breakfast. In the past, when I have been unwell with my headaches in the morning…well, let's just say that for me to be seen at breakfast is a rare thing. After pulling myself up from the comfortable warmth of the bed sheets and arranging the pillows, I admit her into my room. "Come in Ruth," I call loud enough for her to hear.
The gold guilt door opens with a slight creak and a tray precedes Ruth into the room. Balancing the tray on her hand, she turns around and closes the door. I smile at her and inquire as to how her night was.
Because she's always so close to me, I've gotten to know her personality, and I must say, she's normally quite calm. She seems to exude an aura of servility, while being dignified at the same time. Reverent of the fact that I am engaged to Prince Justin, she shows me the proper deference but still…I believe that she is the closest thing I have to a friend in this entire castle.
Today, however, she seems…different. Her eyes avoid mine and she focuses on picking her way across the floor, while answering my question. "It was fine milady," she responds quietly as she sets up the tray over my lap so that I can eat without straining or worrying about spills. As soon as she's done this she sets about cleaning up the dress that still lies where I abandoned it last night.
I pick at my food for several moments –a poached egg and lightly buttered toast with hot chocolate- before finally saying something. Normally, our mornings are flavored with light conversation wherein she informs me of the goings on in the court so far that day. This is how I know something is wrong.
"Ruth…" she looks up startled, the dress almost slipping from her hands.
"Wh-what is it milady?" She's nervous. Her eyes are darting all over the room, except my face.
"What's wrong? You're acting so nervous."
Her entire body –even her roving eyes- seem to lock up. "I don't understand what you mean milady."
"Don't be like that Ruth. I know that something's wrong, you're acting so jumpy."
"Miss, I don't know if I can say. I don't know that it's any of my business…"
This concerns me. Normally Ruth doesn't hesitate to say anything to me, about anyone. This means, it must be about me in one way or another. "Ruth. If it's about me, please tell me, I have a right to know." She fidgeted for another minute before opening up.
"Circe has my sister, Naomi enlisted as her own personal servant," she blurted out. "She's in a position to overhear things, conversations. She heard something…and she told me… " her voice drops to a whisper. "Lady Sophie I think Circe's onto your journals."
An acquiescent feeling takes over my body. I had suspected this, and to hear it said brings no fear, just resignation. "I had thought as much. However, Ruth, her suspicions warrant no merit if they are just that –suspicions. Unless something changes I doubt it will be an issue. I'm very careful to hide them." My face turns into a mischievous smile. "Come to think of it, how did you know about the journals Ruth?"
She blanches and drops the dress completely. I struggle to contain a laugh –she clearly can't tell that I'm teasing. "M-m-miss… I-I would never…I found the key compartment several days ago while cleaning and I…I was curious…"
"That's okay Ruth. I was joking. I don't mind if you know about the journals, it's actually nice to have someone else who knows."
Ruth immediately relaxes at my smile. "Oh, and before I forget milady, his highness said that he would stop by once you were done your breakfast to-" a knock at the door cut her off.
"Come in," I call, waving Ruth away while trying to convene that she shouldn't act too friendly with Justin in the room. I think I succeed because she backs off and stands a respectful distance away, dress folded over her arm.
Justin sweeps into the room; accompanied by the fewest people I've ever seen with him –he merely has a butler, a manservant, a maid, the ever present tailor (in case of a seam split) and Circe with him, bearing a goblet which I suspect is filled with more of that potion.
"Sophie my dear, how are you faring this morning?" Concern written all over his face. I smile back and inwardly roll my eyes. Here we go again.
"I've quite recovered Justin, thank you."
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"It's the Market Chipping door." Another log falls victim to the fire.
The boy, Markle, gets up from his bench and reaches for his costume cloak. Performing the simple spell, he is soon under the guise of an older bearded man. "Stand by."
He turns the knob and opens the door to a surprise. Standing just outside the doorframe is a stunningly beautiful woman. Her skin is a light tan and her hair is pitch black and falls to her waist. Her attire is a loose fitting shirt, one that reminds Markle of a blouse and a elegant skirt that compliments her figures perfectly. But none of this is why Calcifer suddenly panics.
"Markle, get away from her. HOWL!!!!!" At the fire demon's cry, Howl races down the stairs and immediately knows what set his fire demon off.
"How can I help you?" he asks in an icy voice, gesturing for Markle to back off. The apprentice does so.
"Howl Jenkins?" The black haired man jerks his head once as a nod. Her tense golden tinged eyes relax in relief.
"Can I help you?" he repeats in a chilly voice. "I don't know how close you are to Circe but this household doesn't exactly feel very charitable towards anyone related to Helios right now."
Her golden eyes tense back up. "I am aware of what Circe has done to one Sophie Hatter."
"Well then, there is no need for you to stay here." Howl deliberately steps forward and places his hand on the doorknob to close it.
"Howl Jenkins of you close that door you loose the chance to hear what I have to tell you. And believe me, it's important."
This intrigues the wizard marginally and he pauses in the process of closing the door.
"Who are you and why are you here? And how are you related to Circe, because I know…that golden glint identifies you as a descendant of Helios. You have to be related to her somehow. And if you are related to her, why are you here?"
"I'll answer your questions. I'm related to Circe through my father –he's a son of Helios. Circe is his sister, my aunt." She took another breath and continued.
"My name is Medea and I come with a warning that you might want to hear."
A/N-Read and review!!!!
