Chapter Eight

DC: I don't own Howl's Moving Castle

"You can't do that! Here let me help you! Rest yourself."

"I wanna know how you do it, Sophie."

Sophie grudgingly sat down in the chair next to the fire Calcifer. They watched as Howl moved about, cleaning this and that, and fussing that Sophie shouldn't be on her feet. It was only a day after Sophie confessed to everyone about her pregnancy, and it seems that Howl was the only one who changed drastically.

"I wish I didn't know how I do it. I want to clean. There is no harm in doing so!" The last sentence she said a little loudly for Howl to hear. He ignored her, though, and kept up his pace around them. She shook her head. "He could be worrying about the more important matter."

There was a knock on the door. "Kingsbury door," Calcifer called out. Sophie took the moment to get out of her seat and twist the knob to the right door portal. There was a clatter of something dropping and Howl stood behind her, a firm hand on her shoulder. She sighed and shook her head before turning the doorknob.

Outside the door stood a guard. He saluted to Howl and nodded to Sophie, then held up a piece of paper with writing on it. "The King summons all wizards and witches to a council meeting. If you could, come to the castle immediately, Master Pendragon."

They took the paper, and shut the door. Howl read the summons as he walked up the steps. Just as Sophie got to the middle, the door was being knocked on again. Sophie turned around as Calcifer said, "Port Haven door."

Another guard, though this time they were looking for the Wizard Jenkins, stood with another summons paper. Sophie took the summons and closed the door. She set it on the table Howl was sitting at, and picked up the broom. While he was distracted with the papers, she would clean.

There was a period before Howl even moved from his seat. When he did, there was a rush of wind as he got out of his chair and flew up the steps. Sophie turned to Calcifer, who just shrugged his fiery shoulders.

He came back down, a little clean and with his jacket thrown haphazardly on his shoulders. He kissed Sophie's forehead and went down the steps. "Mind the castle Calcifer. I'll be back."

He turned the knob to reach Kingsbury, and was out into the sunny afternoon.

Sophie sighed and began her sweep again. Soon she had everything swept and clean. She took a break, making herself some tea. She looked into the dark tea water and wondered when the dark circles began to form around her eyes.

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Markl tossed and turned. Sweat clung to his hair and fell freely from his face. There seemed to be a panging pain that beat inside him. Was he dying? Why did he feel so rotten inside? He wiped his forehead and sat up in the darkness. How long has it been since he saw the light? What day was it?

"Poor Markl. Young Master Fisher, what makes you tick? What gets you angry? Is it that Howell hasn't come to your rescue? Is it that his greed keeps you away from the family you formed?"

"Shut up," Markl whimpered, holding his stomach. The voice had been bothering him for a long time. It was the smarter of the two he kept hearing, the sleek, cool like one. He hated it, but it seemed to talk to his soul. He began wondering why no one has been trying to search for him, or why he hasn't found Howl yet. He almost believed that no one was coming. Though hope still clung to him just like he held his stomach now. There would be a way out of this. Either Howl comes, he gets out on his own, or maybe he'll agree with the voice.

"Is anyone coming?" Markl yelled into the black. He listened for a few moments before closing his eyes, holding back tears. "Is anyone coming?" he repeated quietly.

Lost in the sounds of his sobs was a wicked, quiet chuckle.

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Sophie helped the old witch to her seat at the table, before going back to Calcifer to stir the contents in the pot. It was dinner time. Howl had been gone all day. She smelled the soup, her stomach growling, thinking to herself that turnips should be put into everything she made. She hefted the pot off of the fire and took it to the table. It was lonely for just two eating. The witch stared at the pot Sophie had set down. She looked happily oblivious. Sophie looked sadly melancholic.

"Oh, turnips. Seems to be good for everyone now-a-days." The witch shakily put the spoon of soup to her lips. She slurped loudly.

Sophie stirred around the carrots and potatoes. Where could Howl be? She sighed and took a bite of the creamy soup. It was a moment or two after when the door opened up with a creak, and in came a tired looking Howl. He pulled off his coat and set it on an unoccupied chair. Without a word her grabbed a bowl of soup, and dragged himself up the steps, bowl and all.

"What's with him?" Calcifer asked, watching him go up the steps.

Sophie excused herself from the table, unable to stomach another bite with Howl up there all alone, and rushed up the steps after him. He was in their room looking over some papers, his soup a little less than halfway gone. "Howl?"

"Sophie, you should eat," came Howl's sad sounding reply.

Sophie stood at the doorway, tottering in her mind whether or not she should bother him. She took a step in, sealing her decision. "Howl?" she said again.

He looked up. His eyes looked a little lost and hazy. "There is another war brewing. One of the reasons why the King wanted us wizards was to pick out those who are on the bad side."

"Is that why it took you so long?"

"I was the last to be checked out of them all." Howl looked as if a sudden icy breeze came through the closed window. He rubbed his forearms. "I hate the tests they do to check your magic."

"Is there a bad wizard out there, then?" Sophie asked, stepping closer to him.

"It's worse than that," Howl said. He sighed and sat back in his seat. "The King told us of a breakout at one of the prisons where they keep awry wizards. The ex-prisoner seems to have joined up with a crazy old fellow, and they're on the loose in the Waste's. Or somewhere around there. No one is sure."

"What do they plan to do?"

"We think they plan to take over Kingsbury and Port Haven." Howl rubbed his eyes. The magic inspection seemed to take a lot from him. Sophie pushed his bowl closer to him, hoping he'd eat the rest for energy, but he just handed it back to her. "You didn't eat. I can tell. I don't need it as much as you do."

"I'll eat it if you tell me why they want Port Haven." Sophie sat, stubbornly, on the bed behind him with the bowl. She watched just to make sure he nodded in agreement before taking a bite.

"Port Haven is the main point of connection between all cities. It has the biggest port to do exports and imports. If they take over that, virtually all cities will lose all ties to food and other things people need." He paused to make sure Sophie was following. She nodded. He continued, "They will, if they can manage to take over Port Haven, take over the biggest military rendezvous point. It's the very foundation to guarding Kingsbury and its citizens. Without that, then the King and royal family could possibly be in danger."

Sophie swallowed hard. She had a sudden feeling in her chest that wasn't especially pleasant. It was like little needles stabbing her lungs. She set the bowl down on the bed, quickly, and began to cough. She held her hands to her mouth as the coughing and pain became a little more violent. Howl moved from his seat to the bed and began to rub her back. "Are you okay? Did I make you choke?"

Sophie shook her head. She coughed a little more before the pain subsided and left her wiping away the tears that came to her eyes. "I…don't know what that was. It's okay--I'm okay, Howl."

Howl stopped patting her back, giving her a concerned look. She shook her head, wanting to change the subject back to the current situation. "What are you and the other witches and wizards going to do?" she asked, balling up her hands and resting them in her lap.

"We've been told to look out for signs of dark magic," Howl said. He got onto his feet and started to pace. His mind was momentarily off of Sophie. "We are to watch out in our part of the land--mine being two towns, I suppose."

He stopped and stared at the wall. He then turned to Sophie again, and bent to her level on the bed. His eyes no longer looked misty and tired. They were bright and full of concern. Sophie blinked at the sudden switch. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. He held out his hands, palm side up. "Let me see your hands."

"I'm okay Howl." Sophie released her fists and rested her hands in his. He flipped them over, and they both gasped. There were black marks all over them. Howl stared at the hands then back up at Sophie. He looked into her eyes, then checked her face all over, before going back to her hands. After a few more examinations, he got up and quickly left the room.

He came back with a few bottles of something or another, and a wash rag. He pored some vile smelling orange liquid in her hands and let them sit for a moment. Then he poured a nice smelling purple potion on them next, and scrubbed away furiously at her hands. The marks were soon washed away.

"What was that Howl?" Sophie's voice came out scared and quick.

"I'm not sure, but I do know it came out of you when you coughed." Howl's voice was very serious, yet there was a hint of worry in it. "It wasn't the soup, either. I would have been able to tell if there was magic or poison in it… You need to go see someone about this. We need to make it quick."

Howl bent back over the papers on his desk, searching for something, while Sophie snuck out of the room to check on everyone downstairs. Heen lay by the hearth, snoring soundly and getting warm. Calcifer was concentrating on the castle, while the witch sat with her tea at the table. "Do you mind getting me another cup?"

Sophie, glad to be busying herself, reached for the tea cup. She still felt a little shaky, but she balanced herself very well. She was able to reach the table without spilling a drop. "Here you go."

"Thank you much." The witch took it and began to slurp out of it.

Sophie sat down. She looked back down at the other bowl of soup, and realized that she was still hungry. She picked the spoon back up and finished the last of the turnips and carrots that lay bottom of the bowl. She then cleaned the dinner dishes and set the rest of the leftover soup in the ice box.

Howl came back down, holding a paper in his hand. "I'm going to go patrol a little. I also am going to make an appointment for a specialist to come look at you Sophie."

Howl turned the portal knob, and left into the evening lights of Kingsbury. Calcifer looked up at Sophie. She sighed. "I'll tell you later."

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Lala Rue here, and OH MY GOLLY!!! I'M BACK!!!

I'm sorry its been forever and ever. I lost the chapters to this, so I felt...ehh...about typing. Then, last night, I watched Howl's Moving Castle and got inspiration. Hopefully it lasts. I would love it too.

Thank you for waiting patiently. I'm scared to see how long it has been since I updated last...

I'll try to update soon!

Love, Lala Rue!