I am so sorry! Finals are around the corner and I haven't had any time to update this. Plus my Internet went down for a while. However, thank you to all my reviews! I pinky promise chapter 11 wont take so long. And now ladies and gents, chapter 10.

Chapter 10: A mysterious visitor

"Um, lady Sophie, are you okay?" Sophie could not help but stare. He seemed so familiar, even though she had never seen him before. Meanwhile, the youngest traveler had his mouth wide open. He didn't notice it until his companion said, "Close your mouth, you look like a idiot." However, the youngest wasn't listing. He was watching Leviman and Sophie so intently; he never noticed the hard blow his head got.

"Shall we eat?" Sorhab asked. He didn't like the fact that the newcomer was staring at Sophie so much; Sorhab came up with an idea.

"Would you like to stay until tomorrow night? That's the day Sophie and I get married!" Sorhab immediately noticed Leviman dropping Sophie's hands as if Sophie's hands had suddenly become vipers. What Sorhab didn't notice was the shadow that crossed Leviman's face.

"You're getting married. Congratulations." Leviman said. Throughout dinner, he said nothing. He apologized to Sorhab for missing the tour he was offered, because he was tiered. Soraya led him towards his room while Leviman's companions were going the opposite way with Sorhab.

Sophie was tired. More like stun really, but she wasn't going to admit that. First, the mysterious stranger and then Sorhab's sudden announcement left her mind spinning in many directions. She couldn't believe her luck. She was going to get married to someone she barely knew. She took off the first layer of her dress, the actural dress its self (a/n: you know how underneath there's petticoats and ECT.)

"Do you need help?" a voice said as it came from the darkness.

"Whose there?" Sophie asked. She didn't like people sneaking around her. She faintly remembered something bad had happened when someone did sneaked up on her.

"Oh, someone who went through a lot of trouble to find you, Sophie Hatter" As the person stood up and stepped out of the shadows, Sophie could clearly see his face. It almost seemed like a dream to Sophie. The man who was in her dreams was standing right in front of her!

"Get out before I call Sorhab!" she said with the little energy she had left.

"Go ahead and call him," Howl said as he stepped closer to Sophie.

He gently pulled Sophie closer to him, putting an arm on her back. "Sophie" he murmured before kissing her passionately. Sophie felt her heart pound crazily. Her love for him made him kiss him back. A little voice in the back of her mind woke up when Howl deepened his kiss. The little voice inside her head started going off, asking her why she was kissing this stranger. Suddenly, Howl pulled away from her. : Now do you remember who I am Sophie Hatter?" his eyes searching hers. Sophie tried to remember who he was. Then..

"You are the person who stole my memories! I think" Sophie said. As soon as she found Howl's finger under her chin, she forgot what she was going to say.

"And since when do you kiss someone who had 'stolen' your memories like that?" Howl asked, faintly amused.

"I don't care what you think! You're just a stranger! And after today, I'll marry Sorhab!" But she quickly saw how fast Howl's face looked when she said this.

"Do you really want to marry that idiot?" Howl asked. He couldn't help but worry. Just how many memories had Sophie lost of him?

"Fine" Howl suddenly left Sophie's side. He walked to the door, and was about to leave before he said

"May you have a happy life with Sorhab." As he said this, Sophie thought she saw a tear running down the left side of Howl's face, before he closed the door softly.

"Wait!" If the barrier around this castle prevents people with magic to enter, how did Howl and Calcifer enter?" Justin asked as he took off his boots. After an astounding tour, Sorhab showed Justin and Markl their room. But not before Sorhab bragged about his marriage to Sophie. What he didn't notice was the fact that Markl keep making metal notes, while a stun Justin just looked at things without actually seeing them.

"You looked really stupid, turnip head," Markl said as he climbed onto bed, ignoring Justin's question.

"Not as bad as you, who didn't notice his mouth was open for a long time after Sorhab announced the marriage. You didn't even feel when I hit you!"

"Oh, I thought it was Calcifer playing a prank on me" Markl said, rather confused.

"Speaking of Calcifer, where is he?" Justin said.

"Right here!" Markl said, pointing to a button. After a moment, the button opened its eyes and mouth and said "Yow!"

"The only way Howl and Calcifer could enter unnoticed, is to change their appearances. And because the barrier surrounding this place was made in a hurry, the "lord' didn't notice what a sloppy job he did. This allowed Calcifer to go unnoticed as a button. But then again, no one ever pays much attention to a button!" Markl said taking off his coat, which had the button, that Calcifer was in.

"Well, I would have been something else, except Howl.." Calcifer stopped. The sudden opening of a door made Markl and Justin look up.

"How is Sophie? Is she okay? I don't think she remembers us because…"

"She doesn't remember any of you, not even me," Howl said as he sat down on what would be his bed for the night. "Sorhab erased us from her memory, and then he's going to marry her tomorrow!" Howl said as he slammed his fist on the bed.

"Then we have to stop him!" Markl said, jumping up.

"We can't". What are you thinking Markl? We will try to convince her! It is pointless! She does not remember any of us! We leave in the morning, and that's final!" Howl said as he saw Justin open his mouth. "Good night to all of you!" he said before he laid down on the led, his back to the little trio.

'I wonder what happened between him and Sophie' Justin thought while looking at Howl. 'How much suffering did Sophie endure?' was Justin's last thought before he went to sleep.

"Why in a sudden hurry? Please just stay long enough for the ceremony! I expect many people will be blocking the road because…"

"I thank you for your kindness, but we are quite in a hurry to reach our destination" Howl said, while looking down at Markl. "And as a way of thanks….Ravi?" he said, elbowing Justin.

'Ravi? What a ridiculous name Howl thought of' Justin thought as he bowed to Sorhab.

"My companion Leviman wishes to give your lucky bride a gift" he said as he presented Sorhab a box.

"Thank you, and may you travel safely!" Sorhab said as he watched the travelers walk away.

Okay my readers tell me what you think. Thank you again for reading it, and being so patient!"

Lady moon dragon