CHAPTER 4
Town
The next day, before Howl woke up, Sophie sat knitting in her room.
"This should make a nice sweater for Heen...Oh, and this would be a lovely quilt for Markl...Oh, and these mittens would suit the Witch just fine! And this scarf will be lovely for Howl...Wherever he goes, it must be cold, judging by the way he looks when he comes home, usually—'' Sophie was cut off.
"Calcifer, 138.5 miles northwest. These ships will clobber us if we don't run. Let's get going!" Howl shouted, bounding downstairs in his pajamas.
Sophie giggled, but not at the situation, just that the side of his gown was much too short, but she had not the heart to tell him at the moment.
"Markl, get inside here! Bring Heen, too! Try not to wake up the Witch!" Howl called to little Markl, who was outside gaping at the gigantic war ships that hovered near them.
A huge voice came from outside from a megaphone: Great Wizard Howl! You are surrounded! Fighting is useless! You are being put under arrest! Hand over the lady at once!
Sophie gasped and clutched Howl's arm.
"Arrested? Why?" Sophie asked, curiosity, fear and worry all clouding her young face.
"Only because they want me out of the picture so they can steal you without problems." Howl said, not removing his concentration from Calcifer.
Then Howl looked at Sophie and smiled, grabbing her hands and holding them in his.
"Don't even worry. You'll be fine. Everything will be fine. You'll be FINE. I won't let ANYONE touch you. I couldn't. I won't. You'll be safe." Howl said, sounding if he were just saying that to hear it, not being totally sure of his own words.
"Well, if you say so, then I believe you." Sophie said smiling. Then she kissed Howl on the lips, and they just stood there for a moment, just looking into each other's eyes.
"Gross!" Calcifer and Markl said in unison. Heen just wheezed happily, hopping up and down.
"What's all the commotion out here?" The Witch said, wobbling out of her room. She stopped when she could see Howl and Sophie staring in love. "Ah, I see..." The Witch said, smiling, then sitting on the couch lighting a cigar.
Sophie coughed along with Markl, and Heen wheezed with distaste.
"Can't you go just one day without smoking one of those wretched things?" Sophie asked¸ sounding as if she were pleading other than questioning.
"No." The Witch answered shortly, still absorbed in her cigar. "It calms me in this huge mess."
"As you wish..." Sophie sighed, turning back to Howl, smiling a wide smile he'd never seen before.
"What?" Howl asked, totally and utterly confused by Sophie's odd body language.
"I just wanted you to know that I wish you the best, and I hope that you and Calcifer will do well in this mess." Sophie said, still grinning.
"Why are you saying this...Now?" Howl asked, still puzzled by the look on her face.
"Because I won't be around to see it. Right now, at least. I will be in town, buying a present. You will see." Sophie said, heading towards the door, turning the knob green to the flower shop in the town.
"Why are you leaving?" Markl asked, not hearing the conversation between Howl and Sophie.
"Because," answered Sophie. "I'm getting something that will lift everyone's spirits from the town. I'll be back in about an hour." Sophie finished, smiling at everyone, then grinning wider when Howl's eyes met hers.
"Bye bye, dear. And be safe. I fear that the town will be under attack as well." The Witch said, waving her pudgy hand.
With that, Sophie stepped out of the house and into the army ridden town.
After notes: Sorry, I haven't been able to write something after each chapter. I'm incredibly lazy, and it is a lot to type this much. Many thanks to all the people that have read! You are my inspiration, as well as the story itself. I'll try to get another chapter up tonight or tomorrow early morning. You all rock!