Soaring on Wings
Chapter 2: In which lives become worth more value
By: RobinNAmon
Author's Note, Beginning: Hey everyone! Sorry for taking sooo long to update. I realize that this chapter is short, but I tried to include some things you all reviewed up. Have fun reading! ;)
Disclaimer: The book, Howl's Moving Castle, is written by Diana Wynne Jones (a simply marvelous writer, if I do say so myself!). The movie, Howl's Moving Castle directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is based off of Mrs. Jones' book, but the two aren't one in the same. All of the characters from the book (and movie) are copyrighted to their respective authors/creators. (What imagination those people have, you know ;)!) Any new character names I create for my story belong to me, Becky, aka RobinNAmon. Please keep these copyrights in mind :D!
xXx
Dinner was a small affair, consisting of turkey, bread, and juice. The four people at the table finished quickly, all going about their own ways. Howl and Markl walked over to the workbench, seemingly working on the spell Howl left for him, unable to figure it out. The elderly woman got a glass of milk and headed upstairs, followed by a constantly wheezing Heen. With only Calcifer left to speak to, Sophie did as such and sat down next to the blazing fire demon.
"Calcifer, I realize this isn't the best time to ask you this, but the thought has been on my mind since we left Market Chipping; what happened to the town following the war? What about the war itself; are the peace treaties all right, or are the neighboring countries trying to continuously interfere?" Sophie spoke.
The demon sighed, "I knew you would ask eventually. Howl has been surveying Market Chipping; he has been going through the dark portal frequently. Market Chipping has disappeared. I'm so sorry…." Calcifer trailed off, feeling a pang of guilt.
The young brunette woman looked at him, eyes wide open, mouth agape; she was in complete shock.
xXx
"… so then I have the ingredients completely wrong?" Markl wondered.
"Yes, Markl, what you need are not sea shells, the Latude potion, and dirt, but rather brick, dust, and the Nore potion in my cabinet. This spell requires stronger items like those." Howl explained to his pupil.
"Okay, Howl, then let me go get them. Be right back!" The ginger-haired boy exclaimed excitedly.
"No, Markl, it's all right. We'll continue work on this spell tomorrow. For now, it's time to get some sleep. It's getting late."
Markl nodded, but before heading upstairs, he turned to Howl and embraced him,
"Goodnight, Howl." He said affectionately. After the wizard returned his embrace, the boy headed upstairs to get ready for bed.
xXx
"But... Calcifer... what about my family? Are they doing all right?" Sophie exclaimed with concern written all over her face.
Before Calcifer could reply to the brunette's question, Howl walked up,
"What are you talking about? There's a concerned look on Sophie's face, you know." Howl said.
"Oh, am I that obvious, Horrible Howl?" The young woman proclaimed, come backing his statement, rewarding her a snicker from him.
"Howl… I told Sophie… about Market Chipping." Calcifer spoke up, sinking back down into the fire, knowing what would come next.
The wizard's facial features changed from friendly to grave in a matter of seconds.
"Calcifer, that was suppose to be kept secret!"
"I know, Howl, I know! But Sophie asked me for the answer! What else am I suppose to do, ignore her question like you do?"
The two raged back and forth in a meaningless fight until Sophie spoke up, angry herself,
"Howl Jenkins! You're saying you deliberately told Calcifer to not tell me? How inconsiderate! That's my hometown, my birthplace! Did you ever consider my feelings before yours? Ever?!" Sophie shouted back at the pair, stomping upstairs and into her room, leaving the two to gaze in shock.
"Well… that didn't go over too well, now did it?" Calcifer said sarcastically.
"Pipe down, Calcifer. I'll be up there. Goodnight and don't forget about my hot water in the morning." Howl shouted as he made his way up the creaky wooden stairs into the hallway.
xXx
The hallway was painted with an ivory color, white ceilings, and wooden floors. It was fairly clean, mostly due to Sophie's hard work at keeping it tidy. Six doors were contained here; Howl, Sophie, Granny Witch, and Markl's bedrooms, plus two bathrooms. One was for Howl, the other for no one in particular, considering everyone had a bathroom that was reached from their own rooms.
Howl reached Sophie's bedroom door and knocked, calling out her name. Sophie denied him passage though,
"No, Howl, I've had enough. Please do not come in." But despite her pleas, Howl turned the knob and walked on into her room anyway, making her even more furious.
"Howl, please…" She begged, but he insisted on staying. Sighing in defeat, Sophie laid her head on the pillow on her bed and looked at the raven-haired wizard, waiting for him to speak. But the man never did. Instead, he went over and laid down right next to Sophie on her bed; never speaking to her, but giving her space. Sophie tried to resist, but Howl simply fell asleep, leaving the woman to do the same.
The next morning Sophie woke up to find Howl was not there, and when she went downstairs, she found he had left through the portal again, causing her to frown in disapproval.
xXx
"Wizard Suliman, you have a visitor." A small, blonde-haired guardsman announced to the Royal Wizard.
"You may step forward." The Royal Wizard said to the unknown person.
Out of the shadows, walked a raven-haired man with a muscular frame and smooth facial features, containing a confident look on his face.
"Howl, how nice to see you again."
xXx
Author's Note, End: I know I was hoping for a longer chapter, but I've been sidetracked with school lately. And yes, I know it's been FOREVER since I've updated! I've recently gotten back into writing, so I hope to write more. Please feel free to R&R. It is and always will be greatly appreciated!
Stay Tuned!