PRUE


I pushed my way through the busy market place with a basket in one hand and Markl's hand in the other. I had recently finished cleaning the main living room and wanted to restock the now dust-free food cupboards. There were a few eggs and a loaf of bread which Markl said would be tonight's dinner. I thought he was joking.

"Is this all you have?" I asked, shocked. Markl shook his head.

"Master Howl doesn't have much time to go shopping. He might go today," he said thoughtfully, toying with one of three eggs on the sparkling dining table. I took another look around the room again. I'd barely just finished it and I was so tired from it. The walls looked a bit grubby so I put some whitewash on the list in my hand, which already had written on it a variety of food from fish to carrots. Markl jumped off his chair and looked at the list.

"That's quite a long list you got there," he grinned. I smiled back at him and turned over to Calcifer.

"Is there anything you want, Cal?" His fiery face recoiled in the grate.

"Pardon?" He looked quite taken aback.

"I there anything you want?" I repeated. Markl answered for me.

"Calcifer doesn't eat food: he eats wood. But sometimes Master Howl gives him some scraps." Calcifer scowled at Markl.

"I'm not some whimpering dog! I'm a first class fire demon, who enjoys food as much as wood, if only some people understood!" He glared at us. I smirked at him, waiting for an answer to my question. He caught my eye and mumbled.

"A fish, please." I chuckled and added it to the list, my hair falling over my face as bent my head. I flicked it away, annoyed. I had just washed it out at star lake since I dared not go into Howl's bathroom after I took a peek in. There was barely room to move for all the bottles of whatnot on the walls and floor. I found a dress in the bottom of Markl's wardrobe when I was cleaning it out and washed that too. I was very simple and blue, even now I was still wondering where he had got it. I had Calcifer burn my other dress once I had changed. He thought it was a shame, but I never wanted to see that disgusting thing again. I put down the list and looked in the drawers on the cabinet. An assortment of books and bottles greeted me when I opened one. I took out a bottle that had a label attached to it with a piece of string. I unravelled the string from the neck and placed the bottle backing the drawer. I gathered up my hair and put it in a loose bun. That's better, I thought.

"We ready to go Markl?" he nodded, excited and went over to Calcifer's grate. I watched him, curious. He lifted up a loose stone and brought out a pouch and put it in my hand. Calcifer saw the question in my eyes.

"We hide most of the money Howl gets for his spells otherwise he just fritters it away on extravagant clothes." I weighed the pouch in my hand.

"There's quite a lot in here, I think it's more than enough." Markl went over to the basket of laundry and found my cloak. I smiled at him and picked up the basket from the table and grasped his hand tightly.

"We'll be back soon Calcifer. If Howl comes back before us, will you tell him where we are?" Calcifer nodded solemnly.

"I think you need to put your hood up," he stressed. I understood his meaning quite clearly, I didn't want to be spotted. "It's quite cold out there." I nodded at him, my eyes very serious to show I understood. I flicked my hood up and asked Markl to turn the dial to the sea-side marketplace.

The basket was achingly full and I was sure my arm would be seriously bruised once I put it down. I loved the busy atmosphere at the market. All the stall-people were very friendly and talkative. Markl and I broke through the bustle and found ourselves in the direction of the pier.

"Can we go sit on the bench at the end?" Markl asked, eagerly pulling on my hand. I stumbled and laughed with him, watching him run up to the end. I walked much more slowly, lugging the heavy basket with me. I noticed most of the benches were filled, apart from the one at the far end. They were a few old couples eating sandwiches and holding hands. I smiled at the simple but true affection between them all. One bench caught my eye. There was a lone stranger sat on his own. It was Howl. Next to him were a few boxes wrapped with silk ribbons. He sat facing the sea, his eyes closed, the wind playing with his black hair. He looked so peaceful. My breath caught in my throat as I realised how young he looked with his eyes closed. He looked no older than me but I knew for a fact he was at least twenty-five. Those blue eyes matured him a great deal, those all knowing blue eyes. Suddenly they shot open, his nose twitching. I stepped back anxiously, even though I was quite a few yards away. He turned towards me. His face frightened me, those familiar eyes were strangers to me, filled with something animal, they were black.

Again, thank you everyone who is giving so much support on this story. I plan to write at least three more chapters this week since it's the holidays ^^ Thank you thank you J