Soaring on Wings
Chapter 5: In which conspiracies are exposed
By: RobinNAmon
Author's Note, Beginning: Hello! It has been a while! I'm updating this story. I hope everyone enjoys it! I'm going to try and make it longer. Wish me luck! Haha. Enjoy! Read and review. Thank you kindly!
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!
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It was one of those dreary flights inside the Twilight Gate. Such a dark and mysterious portal it was! Horrible Howl was ready to be back inside his castle, with his loving family, and embarking on the family vacation. However, Howl noticed something odd in the veil of flames and darkness below him. In addition to the normal burning homes, castles, and forests, he saw a few warships flying close to the ground. The area they were flying around had not quite been engulfed by flames, so there were people on the ground. Instead of continuing on his path back home, Howl decided to turn around and found out what exactly was taking place.
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"Frederick, look here is flying down here now," A slightly overweight man with royal clothes and a royal crown said to another man.
"Well, Wizard Howl seems to have taken the bait, dear brother. He'll soon realize what consequences result from meddling in Ingary's affairs," Frederick said. Frederick had black hair, a more muscular appearance than his brother, and he looked quite confident.
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Howl flew in the area until he found a safe place to land and walk around. He looked for any signs to tell him where he was. Although the Twilight Gate connects the entire world (with little gates inside connecting the sealed worlds), it's hard to say where one is without signs to identify the cities and areas. Lucky for Howl, he came across a broken sign on the ground. It said, "Welcome to Sait," Howl immediately recognized the city then as one of the unfortunate cities destroyed due to the war between Bapin and Cicern. Howl looked around until he noticed another sign, but unlike the first, it was graffitied on, saying, "Here lies Sait, and let the magic of Ingary curse Cicern."
Howl was rather shocked. How could Ingary's magic compare to Cicern? Also, why did the sign only mention Cicern and not Bapin? Howl first thought that possibly Cicern was edging closer to beating Bapin, but he couldn't confirm his suspicions until further research was done. As to Ingary's magic, there are so few wizards and witches in Ingary to beat Cicern. Why would anyone think Ingary was more magically-inclined than Cicern? Those were the questions that plagued Howl's mind. He decided to search the city further…
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"Ferdinand, come on, let's go find where Howl is in the city. Who knows what secrets here could stumble on. Such a stubborn and nosy wizard!" Frederick said to his brother King Ferdinand of Ingary.
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Howl looked around Sait a little bit longer. Inside, he knew there was so much more to be learned about the war. Is Ingary conspiring with Bapin? With Sait? With perhaps Sitre? Or, even more a sinister idea, does the Wizardry Department want to harness the powers of the demons beyond the Gate? Howl wasn't sure, but no matter what, he was hoping for some positive answers, not negative ones in the city.
"Horrible Howl, what brings you to Sait?"
"Ferdinand? What are you doing here?"
"Now Howl, you and I both know that the question is rather 'why are you here?', because I do believe Suliman told you to stop snooping around."
"I am not bound by some silly injunctions. The Gate is open to anyone who can access it, and I happen to found my way here. Ingary has a lot of explaining to do, Ferdinand!"
"Ingary has nothing to explain to you, Howl. Until, if ever, you are made a part of Ingarian government, you should not be snooping around!"
"As a civilian, I have a right to know what my country is doing! For my own sake!"
"Dear Howl, leave now. Stop looking. Wait until we tell you things or if we need you. Also, did Suliman inquire unto the ownership of sealing off the Demon Gates? If he has, let me make this clear with you: Your ancestors may have sealed off the gates for centuries, but it is time to give up ownership to us, Howl. Your one-man team is not working out, the demons get closer to breaking their seals everyday."
"King, do you even care about controlling the demons or harnessing their powers for your evil deeds?" Howl asked, sounding more furious than peaceful.
"Controlling the demons, of course. Why would we want their powers?" The King asked innocently.
"Perhaps Cicern is winning their war against Bapin? We both know whoever comes out victorious plans to attack Ingary next. With such low magic here, the idea of harnessing the powers sound promising, I'm sure. What is it, King?"
"I assure you, Howl, that is not the case. Just mind your own business. Do the things Suliman and I ask of you and you will be safe. Give up control of the sealings. If you fail at any of our commands, you will receive the consequences. Never forget, Ingary is a monarchy, not a democracy. The People will never guide our national and governmental interests and choices, and that includes people like you Howl.
Sait is gone. Rosa is next. The war is continuing across thousands of miles. Let them battle out their war, and us ours. Your help is not needed, Wizard. Continue in your wooing ways. Leave now. Goodbye." And the King left, leaving Howl to ponder. However, Howl soon decided it best to head home. Sophie was waiting…
Sophie! Oh no, I forgot! She is going to see her family today! Better hurry. Howl said, racing home to his castle and the impatient Sophie waiting inside.
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"Calcifer, I swear, if that man doesn't hurry up, he has a world of hurt coming on him." Sophie exclaimed.
"Sophie, calm down. He's through the Gate. Time goes by slow there, fast here. Remember?"
"I know, but this is ridiculous. He should have never left in the first place! Such an ignorant, stu-" And Sophie was cut off to the sound of the door opening and Howl walking through. He was covered in sweat, and he looked to be exhausted.
"Howl!" Sophie said.
"Sophie, are you okay?" Howl said, concerned. He always had that way of flirting with her in his little ways.
"Yes, of course, are you the one who is okay?" She said, a little alarmed by his demeanor and looks.
"I'm fine. Calcifer, heat up the water. I'm going to take a quick bath," And Howl was off upstairs.
"Fine, fine, you got it Howl," the fire said. Ha! A quick bath. I'd like to see that one day.
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Author's Note, End: Hello everyone! I hope you liked it! It's been awhile since my last chapter, so I doubt it's that good! I hope everyone has some suspense going! What could Ingary really be planning? Or are Suliman and Ferdinand really just the good guys? Only your continue reading will let you know! Review please! I would love some constructive criticism on this chapter! –Becky (02/22/09)