Disclaimer: I do not own Howl's Moving Castle, but I would be ecstatic if I did!

Here's what I made up: Kyria, Loren, Naro


The next morning, Kyria awoke feeling much better. She stood up, got dressed in a simple grey tunic, and headed off to check on Sophie and Howl.

Before opening their door, the elf knocked and called out, "If you're doing something you don't want me to see, you might want to stop." She passed her hand over the doorknob, then entered.

Sophie was reading a book at the table and Howl was lying on the bed.

Kyria smiled at them, "Howl, come here." The wizard stood and walked over.

His captor tapped his chains, and they disappeared. He waved his arms about a bit, enjoying the freedom of movement.

"Just remember: they go back on tonight. I don't trust you just yet." Howl nodded.

Kyria turned to Sophie, "Do you want to take a walk outside? It's a beautiful day." The young woman nodded, and followed the elf out.

Howl sighed and settled back on the bed.


Kyria and Sophie walked through the tall grass. The elf offered her hand to the young woman, "Do you want to fly a bit?"

Sophie nodded, and took the proffered hand. Kyria allowed her wings to burst out of her shoulders, and began to run.

As they ran, Sophie felt herself getting lighter and lighter. The elf's wings caught the air and they shot up, riding a wind gust.

Kyria laughed in ecstasy, and her passenger smiled.

The feeling was incredible, the power and purpose behind the widespread wings amazing. Eventually, however, they had to come down.

Kyria flew to a window and helped Sophie get inside. The elf landed carefully on the windowsill and folded her wings. She got down from her precarious perch and led the way into the hall.

The pair was met by Loren, a streak of blood running down his muzzle. "The wizard has been taken! Madame Suliman and her goons came and took him. We could not stand up to their magic. Several of us were injured."

Kyria passed her hand over the wolf's muzzle. "You now have the power to heal anyone who was hurt. Go." Loren turned and ran off down the hallway.

The elf turned to Sophie, "I'm guessing that Madame Suliman is not Howl's friend." The young woman nodded.

Kyria turned and jumped up onto the windowsill.

Sophie caught her arm, "Wait, where are you going?"

The elf gave her an odd look, "To get Howl, of course! Even he doesn't deserve to be stripped of his power. Once you're a witch or wizard, the magic becomes a part of you. It is a horrible thing to lose."

Sophie nodded, "I'm coming, too."

Kyria hesitated, then nodded, "Give me your hand." The young woman obliged. Kyria threw herself over the sill, dragging Sophie along behind.

They plummeted, the elf as straight as an arrow. Just before they hit the ground, she spread her wings wide. The rushing air tossed them back up above the clouds.

Kyria released Sophie's hand, and the young woman gasped. She did not fall, however. Some invisible bond connected her to the elf that kept her from falling.

Kyria turned around, "Hang in there!" Her wings beat quickly, faster and faster and faster until they were almost hummingbird-like.

Sophie looked down and found that they were whizzing along faster than any airplane could ever fly.

There was an intense look of concentration on Kyria's face as she beat away the miles. Soon, the imperial palace came into view.

The elf alighted gently on the roof and drew Sophie down as well. "Now, listen to me carefully. If you want Howl to get out unharmed, then you must do exactly what I say, understand?" Sophie nodded, trying very hard not to look down.

Kyria smiled, "Good. Now, we are currently invisible, but if you touch any living thing, the spell will dissipate. Follow me, and keep quiet."

The pair slipped through a window, and the elf carefully settled on the floor. Her wings disappeared and Kyria crept down an open hallway. The elf's eyes were closed, but she turned corners sharply and with no sign of hesitation.

She was feeling for Howl's magical signature, and she had found it. They came to a door, and Kyria opened her eyes.

Now that just screams dungeon, she thought. The elf waved her hand over the doorknob and the door opened noiselessly. They snuck down a long, spiraling staircase, which opened into a big, bare room.

The only furniture inside was a chair, and in that chair sat Howl. He was bound with a glittering rope, which resisted even his most violent attempts to break free.

Kyria motioned for Sophie to stay where she was, and crept across the room, making no noise at all. The young woman watched as the elf bent down and whispered something in the wizard's ear. Howl nodded, but continued to struggle.

A moment later, Kyria and the wizard appeared next to Sophie. The young woman glanced back at the chair, where Howl appeared to still be sitting.

She heard Kyria's voice in her mind, An illusion. Though I doubt it will fool Madame Suliman for long. We need to get out NOW!

The trio turned and hurried back to the room where they had first entered. Kyria spread her wings wide and started to fly up, but was drawn back down by an unseen force.

Madame Suliman sat in her chair in the doorway, holding up one hand. "I would like it if you did not help Master Howl to escape. He has been running free far too long, and must be stripped of his power. A powerless wizard is better than a heartless one."

Sophie and Howl both heard Kyria's mental voice as Suliman spoke, Step together and hold hands. Howl, I need your help for this spell. I'm going to teleport you back to my keep.

As the Head Witch finished her speech, the pair disappeared. Kyria stood alone in the room.

The elf bowed to her old mistress, "Madame Suliman. It's good to see you again."

The witch shook her head, "I wish I could say the same for you. All the promising witches and wizards are going bad, forgoing their oaths to serve the kingdom."

Kyria smiled, "Ah, but I am serving the kingdom. Just not through the king and queen."

Madame Suliman smiled back, "Well then, if you are trying to help the kingdom, why did you help Howl escape?"

"He is no longer heartless. His heart is beating as strong as ever inside him." The elf spread her wings and disappeared in a whirl of feathers.