Another chapter of the tale of mystery.

FAMILY SECRETS

A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC

Chapter 10

Howl didn't say much to me when I got back to our room. Clearly, he was still mad at me. I tried to apologize but he was not interested. So, instead I focused on putting our son to bed. It was conveniently past his bedtime. So, I could ignore Howl for a while. It was annoying to feel him glaring at me, but I ignored it. I had a job to do. It was time for Arthur to go to bed. A crib was placed in our room. Which would make caring for Arthur so much easier. The crib was a little girly so I guessed that it had previously belonged to Princess Valeria. It was odd to put a little boy in such a crib, but it was only for tonight. It wasn't like the King was expecting us or anything. I was just glad to have a place to him to let him sleep.

After Arthur was asleep I tried again to talk to my husband. Again Howl was not interested in speaking to me. Apparently, I had offended him. I wanted to argue, but then Arthur might have woken up. In the end, I ended up going out into the hallway to escape. Howl was throwing one of his tantrums again. At least he wasn't covered in goo. That was something. This was not turning out how I thought that this trip would go. I already wanted to go home and we hadn't done anything yet! "Seriously, Howl! How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?" I grumbled as I started to walk about the castle.

Slowly, I became aware of someone watching me. At first I ignored it since I thought that it was Howl. Then I realized that it wasn't him. It was someone else entirely. I thought that it was one of the guards for a moment then I discarded the idea. This person wanted to kill me! Why I did not know. All I knew that I was in danger! I tried to lose him in the series of corridors and tunnels. However, he kept up with me with every-turn. Soon he would overtake me!

I used the last trump card that I had left. I used the telepathy spell that Howl had taught me. He taught me this spell so that if I ever needed him, he would be there. I couldn't reach far, but Howl shouldn't be too far away. He should be able to hear me. At least I hoped. I had never really tested it out in a area this big. It might not reach him. If so then I was on my own.

Howl, I cried out, Help! Someone's chasing me!

Several long moments passed and I heard no response. Nor did I notice his approach. Then, suddenly, I could barely see myself. I panicked for a second then I realized that I was invisible! I looked around but couldn't find him. I knew that he was nearby. The spell was proof. I couldn't cast invisibility spells! Howl could. Where was he? I felt a hand on my shoulder. I panicked again until I heard his voice whisper. "Sophie, relax. It's only me."

"Howl!" I cried out softly. "You heard me!"

He chuckled, "How could I not? I would have heard you two kingdoms away! Maybe you can scream a little softer next time? I like my brains the way are, thank you very much."

Somehow that managed to calm me down. His bravado made me feel like things were under control. He was on guard. Only my pursuers did not appear. They must have realized that Howl had shown up. They were long gone by now. Leaving us with few answers.

That night the palace was on full alert. Several patrols watched the area where we staying. The palace guards kept demanding that we repeat our story over and over again. It got tiring. I told them what I could. It wasn't a lot. I couldn't tell them more! Eventually, both Suliman and Lettie turned up and shooed them away. Leaving us to talk in peace. A huge relief indeed.

I tried to relay to them what happened. Sadly, I could not describe of the one who followed me. They kept themselves well hidden. I wanted to tell them more but I couldn't. I just didn't know much. A part of me was afraid that my mind made it up. Howl didn't accept that explantation, "That didn't happen Sophie and you know were afraid. That was very real. I could feel it. Someone was after you. They tried to hurt you tonight. They just didn't get a chance to do it"

"Do you think that it has something to do with the letter?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "I don't know, Sophie. I don't know. It's highly likely. That letter of yours is proving to be quite a problem." To Suliman he asked, "Do you know how he got in?"

He shook his head, "No, none of my wards were breached. I don't know how they did it. I'm afraid you are not safe here anymore."

"Then we have no choice. We can't try the soul walk here. We would be too vulnerable. I recommend that we move to my castle. Calcifer should be able to keep us safe. We should try it there."

Suliman shook his head. "I can't leave the castle whenever I please! Especially after we just had an intruder such as this. I have to sure up the defenses. I would be negligent in my duty if I did!"

Howl shook his head. "They're after Sophie, not the castle. They'll leave once we go. The castle will be fine. However, we still need your help. She can't attempt this alone."

"Please, Suliman, help my sister." Lettie pleaded.

Suliman looked at her then gave in. "I'll see what I can do."

Next Chapter coming up!