Disclaimer- I own nothing.
"Please calm down Sophie, I will protect you don't you worry your pretty head over that it will all be over soon and we can get to know each other better wont that be nice?"
This didn't comfort Sophie at all and she was not overly enamoured with the idea of being Justin's pet after his mistress was finished.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Meanwhile Howl was pacing inside the castle with Calcifer in front of him.
"We have to go after them, what could they possibly want with her? Calcifer what could they want with her?"
"I have no idea but I think we should get her back to, but we need a plan we cant just rush in there all guns blazing. The witch of the waste wants your heart and that means we have to stay apart encase she pick up on the connection. It will also be safer for Sophie if we have a plan, but this all rests on just how much you want her back. Are you willing to risk your life for a girl you have only just met?"
"I..Uh….yes I think I am Calcifer I really am."
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Howl blew on his hand and allowed some of his magic to flow onto the floor, before his eyes a small egg started to grow. The egg grew bigger and bigger until it was up to the height of Howls knee, it was a blue and purpled colour with strange black markings on the shell. The egg began to crack when it reached the height of Howl's thigh and a scaly head started to peak its way through the hole.
"Master Howl do you really think a tracker dragon is the way to go? It's not really all that inconspicuous is it?"
"Calcifer you underestimate my talent I will not be sending it in with it in full view. I have cast a cloaking spell over it so that no-one but I will be able to detect it before it's too late. I intend to send him in a steal Sophie back away from The Witch of the Waste."
The dragon had now hatched and was stretching out its limbs and testing its fire breathing ability. It was a dark sapphire colour with dark green eyes and huge nostrils which were now just smoking slightly.
"Now my handsome chap I have a very important mission for you, if you fail there will be dire consequences do you understand me?"
"The dragon gave a nod of its head, indicating that it understood Howl."
"You will use this sent and image to return what has been stolen from me! Do you understand?"
"Again the dragon gave a nod indicating it understood."
"Once you have located the target you are to retrieve it as quick as possible and bring it back here unharmed, once again do you understand?"
"For the final time the dragon nodded."
"Now fly and don't fail me."
The dragon flew out the door spreading its great wings out and flying high into the sky, only now was it not visible to anyone's eyes but Howls.
Howl in the meantime collapsed into a chair and waited anxiously for the return of his messenger, hopefully with Sophie in tow.
"Master Howl do you not think that it would be prudent for you to get some rest, so that you are ready for Sophie's return or a fight with The Witch of The Waste and her assistant."
"Maybe you are right, Calcifer I want you to keep the castle safe and you to keep me updated on any and I mean any changes. Is that clear?"
"Yes master Howl now get yourself to bed and send down your assistant he should be here helping me."
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Sophie meanwhile had been cleaned up and was now being forced down a narrow passage which ended in a huge set of double doors. These doors opened with some coaxing from Justin revealing a grand room with expensive looking furniture which could probably rival something found in a royal palace. In the centre of the room sat what looked like a beached whale, clothed in fine silks and jewels. The fine clothes and jewellery however did not make up for the fact that this woman (or what must be a woman from the clothes worn) was ugly and was so overweight that it was a wonder that she could move at all.
"Mistress I have brought you Sophie, what do you want me to do with her."
"So this is the tacky waif which has stolen Howl's heart, she's not much to look at is she? Come forward so I can have a proper look at you!"
Sophie was pulled forward against her will.
"You my dear are going to be my ticket to success, you will follow my commands from now on do you hear me?"
Sophie just lifted her nose indicating disdain for the woman in front of her and her resistance to the demands placed upon her.
"You WILL ANSWER ME!!!!"
Sophie just kept her mouth closed and head upturned.
"Fine have it your way."
Sophie in the space of 2 seconds ended on the ground riving in pain. Justin watched on in discomfort as he know the pain his mistress could inflict on a victim if she wanted.
"Mistress don't you think that she has learned her lesson?"
"I will be the judge of that you whelp, do not question me! I want you to leave us, I need to spend some time with Sophie alone."
Justin hesitated as he didn't want to get hurt but he was worried for Sophie's safety.
"I SAID LEAVE, or do you want to suffer the same fate?"
With this Justin hastily left Sophie to his mistress. As the doors closed he was filled with a sense of forbearing and worry for the girl that he was strangely becoming attached to.
"Hello my faithful reviewer's thanks you for all your wonderful reviews. I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to get a chapter up I have been incredibly busy trying to sort a job. Hopefully you will like the latest update. Please leave your reviews.