Beyond the Indigo Veil: Part I of the Wallmaker Saga
Chapter 7: The Red Bird
Moments after the red wizard disappeared beneath the surface of Star Lake, Howl was there. He dived in after his apprentice brother and long second passed like minutes. Sophie could not drag her eyes from the spot where the two had disappeared. At last Howl burst from the lake, gasping in a great breath of air, a slack red form slung in his arms.
Howl dragged himself most of the way to the shore by pure will alone. Sophie scrambled out into the icy water when they drew near, taking up the other arm of the unconscious red man when Howl foundered. Barimus was trapped between his human and bird forms, his limbs were still feathered and clawed. Evil wounds oozed dark ochre on all parts of his body. His pale face was stricken, eyes closed.
Together, she and Howl managed to get him into the castle among screams from Granny Witch and clamorous calls from Markl and Calcifer.
"Hot water!" Was Howl's only answer.
They lost another door to the bathroom to their struggle, although by whose hand was unclear. The witch and wizard managed to get Barimus into the tub and Howl flashed Sophie a desperate look, unspoken words passing between them.
The witch turned and tore down the stairs, tumbling into the herb closet. Casting her eyes about in the dark, she reached up and ripped a bunch of Agrimony from the ceiling. Snatching a silver knife from the shelf she smashed a ceramic jar on the floor and fished a bone out of the fragments.
The ground flew beneath her feet and she was back in the bathroom. When she returned Howl had his friend's hand in his own, the feathers floating on the surface of the hot water heralded that a man had emerged from beneath the bird.
She handed Howl the agrimony, which burst into flame as soon as it touched the wizard's hand. He smeared the ashes over the prone man's face.
To ward the daemons from his soul and cleanse the poison from his blood.
Howl's calm voice sounded in her head, giving her instructions even now as their friend lay dying. Casting her eyes over the man, she could see the many evil mars were the threads of dark had burned and slashed the man. Without thinking Sophie gouged her finger with the knife and smeared the blood on the bone; it turned to silver instantaneously.
Howl took the bone and placed it on the surface of the water. It should not have floated, but it did. The black blood seeping from Barimus' wounds drew to the bone like iron to a magnet, leaving behind only the red of true blood.
Mirror!
Howl reached out his free hand, never letting go of his friend with the other, but Sophie had none. Turning, she was about to smash the bathroom mirror for a piece of the glass when Barimus let in a great gasp of air. His brown eyes flew open wide and he slapped the bone out of the water. The silver article landed in the sink with a clatter. Somehow he had managed to keep the Dark from his soul. He was lucky.
Barmius heaved in several breathes, his face white as a sheet beneath the corn silk hair that plastered to his head.
"Howl…" He rasped in a weak voice.
"It's alright, Barimus. You're with us now," Howl replied soothingly, gently squeezing his brother's hand. The red wizard nodded weakly, and his head lolled to the side.
"Barimus!" Howl called in dread, but Sophie could still see the life in the red clad man.
"He's alive, Howl. Help me get him out of the water."
They had him out and onto the bed in Sophie's room. She snatched the drying power from the bathroom and emptied the entire contents onto all three of them. Once dry, the silver-haired woman was able to really get a look at the wounds on the Royal Sorcerer. The fact that his clothes were scarlet did not help. After stripping him to the waist, things did not look good. Deep wound crisscrossed the sorcerer's arms and chest, oozing red blood that did not seem likely to stop. His skin was cold and clammy, but his head was hot and pale.
"Can you heal him?" Sophie's voice was tremulous.
"I'm not a healer, Sophie. My magic can only do so much," the wizard muttered bitterly.
Howl's eyes were lost beneath the bangs of his long black hair. Sitting beside the bed, he still held his brother's hand in his own. Sophie flew to the bureau and immediately began tearing up sheets for bandages. Her mind turning furiously. Martha! She and Mrs. Fairfax were renowned healers. If anyone could help Barimus it would be them.
"Use these to staunch the bleeding," Sophie dumped the torn sheets into Howl lap and the wizard stared at her blankly.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Howl, he's not dead yet!" She regretted speaking so harshly, seeing the pain plain on her husband's features. But her words seemed to jolt him out of his grief.
"Calcifer!" She shouted out the door and the little flame appeared above Markl who was already waiting in the hallway.
"We need to keep Barimus warm," She spoke quickly to the little flame, who nodded.
"Markl, go find as many clean sheets as you can. Rip them into strips like the ones in Howl's lap. Help him staunch the bleeding," the boy nodded and went to raid the linen closet.
"Where are you going?" Cal crackled timorously seeing Sophie snatch her shawl off the wall.
"I'm going to get Mrs. Fairfax."
"Are you crazy! You can't go out there! There might be more of those things!" The little flame wobbled anxiously in the air turning sickly shades of green and blue.
"If I don't go he might die!"
"Be careful," He pipped, cowed before her vehemence. Markl dashed back into the room with an armful of sheets as Sophie withdrew.
As she dashed down the stairs, the silver-haired witch cast a glance at Granny Witch, who stood anxiously by the hearth with Heen in her arms.
"Are you going, dear?" The old woman queried with worry.
"Yes, granny. Stay here and don't let anyone into the castle but me. I'll be back soon."
Sophie hurried down the front steps and slammed the door behind her. The mists enveloped her immediately and the young woman threw her hands out sprouting feathers the color of starlight. A great silver bird burst from the clouds into the night sky, stirring great zephyrs with its wings as it wheeled north toward Folding Valley.
The wastes blurred beneath her and she lost all sense of time, her keen eyes searched the sky for signs of trouble. Someone had sent those shades after Barimus, someone far more powerful than the Royal Wizard. The thought chilled her. Howl must have had a premonition. Something had prompted him to place the invisibility spell on the castle and take a piece of banishing glass from the silver box in her room.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, she caught sight of the familiar farm below. Warm yellow lights glowed in the windows and her heart gave a leap of relief. The horses in the field whinnied in fear as the great silver bird dropped from the sky and landed with an awkward tumble. A barking dog ran from her with whimpers of fear and she screeched at it impatiently. Sophie struggled to the house, still halfway between a bird and a woman, reaching with a clawed hand to hammer the silver ring that hung on Mrs. Fairfax's front door.
After what seemed like ages, Martha opened the door wearing a shawl and her nightdress. Although all the boys had always fawned over Lettie; Sophie secretly thought Martha was prettier. Her pale face was angular and her dark hair long and straight. It gave her a severe quality that made her look regale.
But at the moment Martha was red nosed and sleepy-eyed. The look of annoyance on her sister's face melted into horror as she caught sight of the creature at her door. She backed against the wall and grabbed a vase of lilies making ready to hurl it at Sophie when she recognized her sister's face amongst the feathers.
"Sophie! What has happened to you?"
"No time! Is Mrs. Fairfax home?" Sophie's voice was lyrical to her own ears, chiming softly with the magic that kept her between forms.
"She's gone! Went to the witches' solstice fair in Marda with Mr. Fairfax. She left me to mind the shop."
"You must come, we need a healer!"
"I'm just an apprentice. What can I do?"
"A friend is close to death!"
The urgency in her sister's voice seemed to galvanize the young hedge witch. She dashed into another room and returned with thick wool coat and a large basket full of multicolored bottles, pots of herbs, and other magical paraphernalia. Pulling on her coat, Martha dragged an ugly, shapeless pair of boots from a chest beside the front door. Sophie recognized the seven-league boots immediately.
"Where is your friend?" She asked pulling on the magic shoes.
"North shore of Star Lake."
"I'll meet you there," Martha replied as she stood with her heavy basket. Taking a step southward, the dark haired apprentice vanished in a whirl of color. Closing the door, Sophie sprang once more into the sky and speed after her.
xXx
Star Lake shone beneath her wings as Sophie wheeled downward. A small figure stood on the shores waving at her frantically, a pair of ugly boot clutched under her arm. Once again the silver-haired witch landed heavily and tumbled to her feet between bird and woman.
"Sophie, where is the castle?"
Martha cried anxiously, searching the empty shores. Sophie could not see the great shape of her home and took solace in the fact that no one could either.
Holding up her left hand, Sophie gazed at the red jewel on the enchanted ring Howl had given her. It glimmered and cast a thin red light into the mists. Sweeping an arm-like wing around her startled sister, Sophie ushered her through the mists. Reaching a hand out into the swirling clouds, her clawed hand found solid purchase on the front door. Feeling for the latch, she pushed the door open and glided inside.
At the top of the stairs Granny Witch held a broom menacingly with a growling Heen at her feet. The startled old woman fell back at the sight of Sophie, a look of wonder on her face. The silver-feathered witch swept her sister through the kitchen and up the stairs on a magic wind, their feet never touching the floor. The bedroom door burst open before her, startling Markl and Calcifer who were peering anxiously at the unconscious Barimus. Howl had not moved.
Martha bustled forward with a frown of concentration on her forehead, depositing her brimming basket on the side table. The young herbalist assessed the prone red wizard with a face that showed she meant business.
"You, bring me a basin of hot water," She commanded Markl, who gave a start and dashed past Sophie. Rummaging through her basket, she pulled out a squat green candle carved with blue runes.
"Light this," Martha barked at Calcifer, who crackled indignantly but spit a tiny ember at the wick, which bust into flame.
The room began to fill with earthy smelling smoke as the dark-haired girl began unloading bottles and bundles of gauze. Markl came back in being careful not to slosh the water out of the basin he carried. After setting it on the table, Martha turned and gave them all a level stare
"The rest you get out! That includes you, Wizard Howl."
Sophie took hold of her husband and pulled him to his feet. He gave her a surprised look, taking in her birdish form and was about to protest when Martha stamped her foot.
"Out!" She commanded, and they fled before her, turning to only have the door slammed in their face.
"I can see the family resemblance," Cal crackled mildly.
They retreated downstairs to the kitchen to wait, where Granny Witch peered at Sophie with wonder from her corner under the stairs.
"Oh, what a pretty bird!" She exclaimed peering out from behind her curtain.
"I like you in feathers," Howl smiled at her as she looked down at herself and turned beet red.
With a bit of painful wiggling, Sophie managed to shed her feathers and Markl climbed up into her lap on the couch where she and Howl sat. When the raven-haired wizard shivered and sniffed, Sophie wrapped her shawl around her husband, who leaned into her heavily. Cal peeked open an eye at the wizard from his grate and nonchalantly grabbed another chunk of wood, crackling a bit larger.
By the time Sophie had carried Markl off to bed, her husband was in the midst of a full blown cold brought on by the icy waters of Star Lake. He bundled up on the couch under a blanket Sophie brought him with his long legs propped up on the spare chair beside the hearth. Howl sniffled miserably as he rested his head in his wife's lap, shivering from time to time. Sophie knew it was useless to try and convince him to go to bed. The wizard would stay up all night waiting for word of Barimus.
Sophie sang softly as the hours of the night ticked by and Howl dozed fitfully, jolting awake everytime the castle ceiling creaked. The silver haired woman began to snooze lightly, but jerked awake at the sound of feet on the stairs.
Martha trudged over to the hearth wearily, a satisfied look on her pale face. Sophie and Howl wilted with relief and the raven-haired wizard snatched his feet off the spare chair. The herbalist's apprentice settled on it in front of the fireplace and warmed her hands appreciatively over Calcifer.
She cast a suspicious eye at Howl when she caught him sniffling. Fishing in her pocket with a dour frown, Martha thrust a lozenge wrapped in wax paper into the wizard's hand. The stern glower on her face made it clear that he had no choice, and Howl popped the tablet into his mouth expecting the worst.
Mrs. Fairfax was a dear old woman, round as an apple and twice as sweet. She was a notorious gossip and had more words for any subject than any person Sophie knew. Martha was a stark contrast to the sunny hedge witch. Although she was quite lovely, Martha had inherited the quiet severity of their father. She could say more in a look than a thousand words, which worked out quite well at the Fairfax's shop.
Sophie knew from Martha that the Mrs. Fairfax was easily flustered by argumentative patients. Apparently her young apprentice had made herself indispensable to the old witch, dealing with querulous children and cantankerous customers through a single glance. Martha always had an quiet aura of authority and could boss anyone around, even kings if she had to. During their childhood Martha had reigned over their family with her moods, although her power was second before her eldest sister.
However, Sophie knew that Martha's vinegar almost always predicated the sugar of her true intentions. Howl was surprised to find the pastille was mostly honey and lemon, and then settled back onto the couch smacking his lips softly. Martha rolled her eyes and slouched into her chair, her face softening in the firelight.
"Can I speak with him?" Howl queried suddenly, crunching the lozenge audibly.
Martha made a face without opening her eyes and she crossed her arms. Her body language making it clear that her patient was not to be disturbed. Calcifer snorted and blew a ring of smoke.
"She's worse than you, Sophie," the little fire daemon crackled impishly, then dwindled to a peeking ember as Martha opened an eye and glowered at him.
"Perhaps in the morning," The herbalist's apprentice spoke with authority that made it clear she was not to be questioned.
Sophie grinned to herself, quite sure that her younger sister was becoming an excellent healer. Morning is where they found themselves as Markl shook them awake.
"Wake up, Sophie! Wake up, Master Howl! Barimus is up and he won't listen to me!"
Howl had tried to stand, but Martha was already on her feet and halfway up the stairs to where the red wizard was weakly trying to descend. The dark-haired herbalist fit herself under his shoulder and helped him down the rest of the way. Sophie and Howl jumped up from the couch as the royal wizard sank weakly into the cushions.
Barimus still looked awful, but his color had returned with the self-effacing smile on his face. His bare chest was crisscrossed with white bandages, but no blood seeped through. Martha lay her hand on his forehead and seemed satisfied that he was not feverish. She then turned and peered at Howl intently, who made a started face. Seeing no lingering chill in him, she relieved him of his blanket and wrapped it around the red-wizard.
Barimus smiled at Martha tenderly, submitting wordlessly to her ministrations. Sophie noted the color that climbed into her frowning sister's cheeks as the dark haired girl stonily tolerated the full brunt of the royal wizard's attention. But the gentle look in Martha's eyes belied her softer feelings.
The silver-haired witch wondered what God had written into their family's fate that the Hatter daughters were destined to fall for wizards. Or was it vice versa? Sophie wasn't sure.
"Tea!" Martha commanded, shooting a look at Calcifer. The little fire daemon flared up indignantly and made horrible faces at the herbalist's back as she went for her basket. But the little spark reached out a thin hand to pull the kettle closer to his flames.
"I'm not a slave, lady! What's a daemon got to do to get some respect around here?" He called after her, snapping and crackling nastily he set to making the water boiling.
Howl sat beside his apprentice brother and at first both were silent. Sophie ushered Markl away from the wizards to give them privacy. She went to get Granny Witch out of bed with thoughts of breakfast on her mind.
"I'm a fool, Howl," Barimus began suddenly, a fierce look of self disgust on his face.
"Barimus," Howl spoke soothingly, placing a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder.
"No. I have failed you by falling prey to my own arrogance; my pride blinded me to the truth. I thought you a coward, Howl. But I understand now why you shunned the Wizards Council and broke with the academy," Barimus continued in agitation, clenching his fists as a look of anguish crossed his face. He continued in a quiet voice meant only for Howl.
"The Wizard's Council thinks so highly of their cause that they justify any means. He enticed a group of lesser wizards to come to the Reckoning with promises of greatness. But they were just bricks to be exploited in the mending of the Wall. He used them, Howl. He stripped them of their powers and used their magic to strengthen the Dull Wall.
"I objected and spoke out against the council openly when I realized what they were doing. Once Agyrus realized I would not be turned he saw no further use for me. He tried to consume my power as well. I escaped only to be pursued by threads of the very Darkness we are trying to combat.
"The Wall isn't broken, Howl. It's Agyrus. The Wall Maker has become the Wall Breaker. He had fallen prey to the very daemons we seek to keep from this world. With every brick he lays he fuels the Dark and allows more of the noxious magic to slip through the cracks into the mortal realm."
"What of the other sorcerers on the Council? Surely they can subdue him?" Howl's face was series, his dark eyes flickered the furious emotions within him.
"They are powerless before Agyrus. He rules them with fear."
"What of King Ferdinand?"
"He knows nothing," Barimus paused here and cast a bitter look at his brother, "I should have trusted your instincts; but pride kept me from you. How I hated you when you left us. Suliman grieved for a long time and I hated you because it proved she loved you best. It was wrong of me. I should have come to you, Howl. Perhaps she would still be a live if I had."
"You are not to blame for anything that has happened, Barimus," Howl spoke with gentle affection, tilting his head to catch the red-wizard's eyes, "Even wizards are weak before their daemons, including dear Suliman. The pain you have endured is penance enough for whatever guilt you feel. You are here with us now; together we will work together to make things right."
Barimus seemed spirited by his brother's words and they smiled warmly at one another, sadness gone.
Martha appeared at the hearthside with a mug full of lemony smelling herbs, deftly interjecting herself between the two wizards with her back to Howl. The young herbalist shot a look over her shoulder at the raven-haired man that promised she would box his ears if he upset her patient. Pouring hot water from kettle, Martha blew on the mug until it was cool enough to drink. She handed it to Barimus' and stood with crossed arms, wordlessly making it plain she was going to stand there until he drank it all.
The red-wizard obliged and handed the cup back to her with a sunny smile. Martha absorbed his charm stonily and left the blond wizard to stare after her with gentle eyes.
"Geez, what a bully!" Cal whispered conspiratorially to the wizards, making sure Martha was out of earshot. They chuckled to themselves and Barimus held his side with a wince of pain.
Although breakfast was a simple affair, Howl and Barimus made it a grand occasion with stories of their youthful antics. Sophie particularly enjoyed the story of how Howl had managed to tangle himself in a chandelier at the Royal Palace while learning to fly. Suliman apparently had left him there as a lesson for not studying hard enough. Not to be undone, Howl made it rain in the study for two whole hours, ruining the floor. Barimus was almost in stitch when he described how all the servants had to bustle about in slickers with umbrellas to save the rugs and furniture.
On numerous occasions Sophie caught Martha smiling at Barimus and Howl caught his wife catching her sister. The witch and wizard eyed each other knowingly but left that to the hands of fate.
"I really must be going," Martha said and stood with a reluctant finality.
"Permit me to show you out, Lady Martha," the red wizard smiled charmingly as he carefully rose to his feet. Earlier the dark-haired girl had borrowed one of Sophie's dresses, stating plainly that it wasn't proper to wander about in a nightdress.
"That's not necessary, Wizard Barimus. You should save you strength," she replied as she pulled on her coat and reached for her seven league boots.
"I insist, allow me," He replied sunnily turning on the full lamp of his charms as he took her basket. Taking her arm, he walked her down the steps to the front door. For once in her lifetime, Martha didn't argue.
"Honestly, you two must have gone to the same charm school," Sophie muttered as she politely ignored the exchange between her sister and the red wizard. Howl winked at her over his tea as the front door closed.
"Do you think she'll be safe?" Barimus asked no one in particular as he hovered at the top of the stairs.
"Quite safe, Barimus!" Howl beamed and ushered his reluctant brother back to the couch. At times it was hard to remember who was older than whom.
"I'll fetch you a shirt so you don't need to wear that blanket like an old lady," Howl disappeared off upstairs and Sophie clattered about the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast. Barimus settled back into the cushions with a sigh until he realized he was being watched. Peeking open one eye, he caught sight of Howl's apprentice Markl watching him with large brown eyes.
"Did you and master Howl really study together?"
"Yes. Wizard Suliman took him on as an apprentice about two years after she had accepted me as her pupil."
Markl frowned at him for a while, almost having trouble thinking of his master ever having been a student. Indeed, the red wizard had trouble thinking of his apprentice brother as a teacher.
"When did you begin your studies with Howl?" Barimus asked back in a distracted way once he realized the boy was just going to stare at him.
"About two years ago. I'm just turned seven in May," Markl puffed with pride.
"That makes you almost a man," Barimus replied in amusement before a red shirt dropped onto his head. Howl flopped down beside his apprentice brother and grinned at his young pupil.
"I see you're interrogating Wizard Barimus. Has he spilled his guts yet?"
Markl gave a small start and blushed furiously, "I think I'll go study, Master Howl."
The raven-haired wizard watched him attempt dragging a huge volume off one of the shelves in the kitchen. Sophie went over and helped him, between the two of them they managed to carry it to the table.
"You're teaching them both magic, I see." Barimus noted as his head emerged from the collar of Howl's shirt.
The blond wizard had difficult getting his injured arm into one of the sleeves but managed. His hair was a great deal shorter than Howl's and he smoothed it back carefully. The red wizard watched his brother gaze over his shoulder to where Sophie and Markl read together from the gigantic tome.
"I'm quite proud of my family," Howl replied sincerely.
"Married life suites you," Barimus replied cryptically.
"Could you stand a walk in the garden? Now that Martha's not hovering about I can get a word in edgewise."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Barimus frowned as he followed Howl out into the backyard.
xXx
The two wizards sat on the stone banister as the clouds enveloped them. Gazing back at the castle, Barimus peered at the great looming shape, his othersight picking out the invisibility magic due to the fact that he was within the boundaries of the spell.
"That's a strong piece of work you've cast over that hulking heap you call home."
"Manners, Barimus. One man's junk is another man's Castle," Howl replied.
"Still. You should probably move the castle. Those shades may have told Agyrus where I was headed."
"You weren't even sure where you were headed when you came here. You got lucky is all. Uncle won't find us here, not in the wastes. Besides, if we move the invisibility spell will break."
The two sat in silence for a while, listening to the distant whisper of the mists as they filtered past into the vast heavens above.
"What will we do, Howl?" Barimus spoke after a long pause.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that? You all seem to think I know what to do. Go ask Sophie! She's the only one that really does any thinking around here," Howl muttered angrily, his mood turning as quickly as the clouds overhead.
"You love her very much, don't you?" Barmius smiled at his sulking brother.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do! And I will thank you not to flirt with my wife, Barimus. Don't think I haven't forgotten your behavior on our wedding day."
The red wizard laughed sincerely, throwing Howl even more out of sorts.
"I'm sorry, Howl. I was being a rotten brat by trying to provoke you. I must admit that I'm very envious of you."
"Don't start with that again, Barimus."
Howl was about to continue but the jewels at his ears glimmered softly and he held up his hand. In the mists above a dark shape materialized and hovered for a moment then passed on. Both wizards watched it with a strained look on their faces. Wordlessly they stood and went back inside.
xXx
Markl and Sophie had gone around the castle and shut all of the windows. The grey weather outside thickened and gave no indication of lifting. For that the silver haired witch was glad. She had complete faith in her husband's magic, but the thick clouds were reassuring none the less. Their day was spent cheerily none the less.
Barmius had produced a deck of cards from one of his pockets, and they had spent the rest of the morning gambling for rice candy. Naturally, they let Markl win every hand. But that did not stop Howl from pilfering a few candies from his apprentice while Barimus distracted the young boy. Sophie gave them away several times because of her inability to contain her giggling.
"Great, that's just what this house needs. Two Howls," Calcifer crackled from the hearth, in a bad mood because of all the moisture in the air.
Sophie noted that Granny Witch had been restless all day. She kept wandering from her chair and peering out of various windows. Heen followed after her and wheezed apprehensively each time she stood.
"Is something bothering you, Granny?" Sophie asked after ushering the woman back to her chair for the fifth time in an hour.
"There's a young man out there that wants in, dearie. Can't you hear him?" She replied distantly, her eyes still glued to something outside.
"There's no one out there, Granny. You should rest now. Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, tea would be lovely," the old witch replied her eyes still glued to the window.
Given the dark shape Howl and Barimus had seen earlier, what former Witch of the Wastes just said disturbed Sophie. She kept an eye on the old woman as she pulled the kettle closer to Calcifer, who was sleeping in the grate.
"Cal, would you go see what the boys are up to?"
"Do I have to, Sophie?" The little fire spirit wasn't feeling well due to the mists outside. He always got cranky when the humidity went up.
"Please? Granny Witch is acting strangely. She keeps looking at something outside. She just told me someone is out there who wants in."
That seemed to rouse the little spark, who frowned and then shot off up the stairs. Going to the sink, Sophie almost dropped the cup in saucer in her hand as Heen began circling her legs, wheezing and jumping frantically. She did indeed drop them both when a gust of wind blew through the room from the front stairs. Casting her eye at Granny's chair she saw that the witch was gone.
"Granny Witch!" She screamed and shot out the front door after the old woman. The thick mists sprung up all around her and the young witch cast her eyes about madly.
"Over here, dearie!" The witched familiar voice called from the distance, and Sophie hurried towards it.
"Granny! We've got to get back inside right this minute," she cried, catching sight of a shape in the mists ahead of her.
A fey tickled shot across Sophie's skin the moment before the pale blue lines of a magic circle burst into life beneath her feet. The witch found herself rooted in place, paralyzed in both limb and voice. The clouds parted before her as though cleaved by a great knife and shadow fell over her heart. The Wizard Agyrus towered over her, his great cloak of midnight sky whipping about in the wind as his icy eyes bore into her soul. Granny Witch stood not far off, smiling up at the Wall Maker. With her othersight Sophie could now see the magic strings attached to the old witch, a puppet daemon hovered like a dark rain cloud over her head.
"I found him, dearie!" The old witch laughed merrily.
Agyrus moved closer, filling her vision with his arctic presence. The wizard held out his hand and a crystal cube appeared on his palm. Sophie saw her reflection mirrored in the object and experience the strangest feeling of falling.
xXx
Howl felt the magic barrier around the castle breech just as Calcifer shot into Markl's room. A moment later the ring on his finger gave a sorrowful thrill.
Sophie!
The bedroom window threw itself open as the raven haired wizard shot through it like an arrow of magic. A thunderclap shook the heavens above as the mists cleaved in two, revealing the castle and the two figures that stood before the front door. As Howl hovered an inch above the ground in front of the Wall Maker, his face was livid.
Great sparks of blue fire sprung around him as the otherwind buffeted the grass, sweeping back the trailing edges of his uncle's cloak. The raven-haired wizard flicked his hand to his side and the puppet daemon above the old witch expired with a shriek. The old woman sat down hard, whimpering fearfully as she cast her confused eyes at the scene before her.
"Where is my wife!" Howl snarled, clenching his fists which erupted into purple blue balls of flame.
Wordlessly, the Wall Maker held out the crystal cube. Within it a tiny figure with silver haired pressed her hands against the walls. Behind Howl, Barimus and Markl appeared with Calcifer hot on their heels. The red wizard swept up the young apprentice with his good arm and stepped into the air narrowly escaping the circle of magic flickered weakly beneath them. Calcifer burst into a huge purple-white flame and made forward towards the old wizard.
Agyrus' face was a perfect mask of ice as he clenched his fist around the crystal prison. Sophie's screech of pain echoed audibly through the walls of the prison. Everyone froze in place.
"Stop!" Howl screamed in desperation, the magic in his hands smothering, "I'll do whatever you want, just let her go!"
Agyrus stared impassively at his nephew, releasing his grip on the prism. The cries from within ceased, but the Wall Maker continued to hold it out meaningfully.
"Take care of them Barimus," Howl spoke hoarsely, "Tell Sophie I love her."
With that the raven-haired wizard sank to the ground, a circle of magic springing to life beneath his feet. There was a blinding flash and where the raven-haired wizard once stood lay Sophie's prone form. Within the Wall Maker's crystal prison Howl's tiny form could be seen. Agyrus' began to dissolve as he drew back into his cloak of sky.
"Master Howl!" Markl screamed, struggling within Barimus' grip. But the Wall Maker had gone, taking Howl with him.