Chapter Eleven

DC: I don't own Howl…or anyone else.

Markl examined himself in the dark mirror. He wasn't really looking at his appearance; it was more of the dark aura that surrounded his small frame that he was concentrating on. The house he was in was boarded up and still hadn't been fixed since the fire that spread through Market Chipping. His new master had told him to stay here for the right moment, which he hoped was drawing soon. The thought of his mission made him smile. The little boy in the mirror frowned back.

He drew his magic black cape up over his head, entering the realm of darkness he had been in for the past few weeks. He now was used to the dark and could find his way anywhere. He walked on for a moment until he came to a dark throne. There sat his master, next to him a dark spirit with a wicked smile on its face.

"Lookit dark Markl Fisher. Nice. Nice. Soon time."

The one sitting on the throne patted the dark spirit's head, then drew a long, pale finger and motioned for Markl to come closer. Markl obeyed, kneeling at his master's feet. "Markl, it is soon time. There is a stretch in emotions in the Jenkins household. Howell isn't home, but is close enough to it. When he moves out farther it will be our turn to strike. You remember what to do with that Hatter woman?"

Markl nodded silently. He was prepared. His master could see it.

"Good." His white smile was odd against the glowing darkness. "Then you'll leave tonight."

--

"It's raining."

Sophie stared out the Market Chipping window. In Upper Folding, it was indeed raining, much to Calcifer's complaining. She turned the knob. There was a click and she was in Kingsbury. The usually bustling city too was raining. She sighed. It was just a gloomy sort of day all around Ingary.

It was an awkward time in the moving castle. Howl wasn't coming home as often as he would be, and he and Sophie still haven't talked normally to each other. There was the usual hello greetings and I'll be back in such and so day, hour, whenever. There were no normal conversations between the two. It has been a week and a half, and Sophie was missing the time they shared together.

Sensing the sad mood, Calcifer cleared his fiery throat. "Sophie, come here."

Sophie made her way around to the hearth where Calcifer resided. "My, my—is that a belly you're getting?"

Sophie, taking notice of the light mood he was trying to set, smiled, and looked down. Her stomach was growing slightly, but there was nothing out of the ordinary, yet. "I don't think so Calcifer. I'm only at the end of my first trimester."

"How many trimesters are there? And that isn't how big you're going to get?" Calcifer looked almost innocent enough. Sophie smiled.

"You've never met a pregnant woman before, have you? And note, trimester, tri meaning three. I know you know that." Calcifer stuck out his fiery tongue, mumbling something about how he knew that. Sophie took her hand and moved it three feet away from her body. "By almost the end of the winter season, the end of my third trimester, I'll be out to here."

Calcifer looked shocked. Sophie wasn't sure if it was mockingly shocked or not. "You mean you're going to get that big?"

"Of course Calcifer!" Sophie had her hands on her hips, mock hurt coming to her face from the emphasis of his words. "You'll see soon enough. My, what an innocent fire demon you are."

Calcifer stuck his tongue out and wagged it at her again. Sophie laughed. She heard a click and the portal door switched colors. In from Porthaven stepped Howl. His dark hair was ruffled and wet, and he looked tired and sad, but those things didn't slow him down any. He stepped in, went into his study area to grab some magic and began to leave again.

"Howl wait." Sophie grabbed his jacket. He stopped, but didn't turn around. She had to get everything cleared between the two of them; however awkward it may end up being.

Calcifer, sensing a moment, disappeared into the grate, leaving the couple alone.

"Please." Sophie put as much emotion as she could into her voice. Howl turned around and looked down, unable to resist her small voice. "I'm sorry for what I said. It's my fault for getting angry—"

"Don't blame yourself." Howl's voice matched her soft one. He took her hand and wrapped her into a warm hug. Despite the cold, wet clothes he was wearing, Sophie wrapped her arms around him and buried herself into him. "Sophie, I have to go."

Sophie looked up; her eyes were brimming with tears. The moment they had was gone, but she still felt that they had a lot to talk about. "There is some trouble brewing in Vale End."

"That's so far away," Sophie whispered.

Howl sighed. He placed a hand on her cheek, rubbing off stay tears with his thumb. "Madame Suliman thinks that this could be the source of the trouble in Ingary. She says there are some dark spirits prowling about and she could use all the help she can get." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back by morning. Hopefully by then everything can be settled and we can start our overdue search for Markl."

He pulled her into one more hug and kissed her lovingly on the lips. They said their goodbyes, and Howl left through the door. Sophie stared at the door for a second, feeling a sudden dread hit her body. She coughed into her hands, then quickly went away to wash them. The black curse sucked the breath from her. She shakily went into her bedroom, going to find the medicine Matilda gave her, and noticed she didn't have any left. This past week drained her of her medicine with all the worry that floated through her mind.

She took a few deep breaths, and made her way downstairs. She would have to get some more medicine before her coughing overtook her. She found her rain jacket and an umbrella. She threw in some more wood for Calcifer.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I need some more medicine." Sophie readied her umbrella under her arm.

"Well, just be careful. It's wet outside."

"I'll try not to slip." That put a frown on Calcifer's face. Sophie laughed. "I promise not to slip. I'll be back before you know it." She walked towards the door and added, "I need a good walk outside anyway."

She opened the portal door and stepped out into the rain. It was quiet in Upper Folding on this rainy day. She stepped out onto the streets and began her walk. Trolleys moved on past, though she didn't get on any. She made her way around allies and walkways. People, getting fewer and fewer as she made her way down deeper and deeper, said their hello's and kept on walking. Sophie wrapped her rain jacket closer around herself. It was starting to get colder, oddly enough, even though it was almost summertime.

By the time she reached the door of the witch doctor's place, there were no people around at all. She held up her hand to the door, but the door opened before she could knock. There stood the wiry woman, her red-orange hair, though this time, was in a neat bun. "Mrs. Jenkins, do come in."

Sophie stepped through the door. It was different this time. She had actually walked into a little living area. On the coffee table sat two cups of tea and some thin cookies. A coat hanger stepped up and bowed to Sophie. She took off her jacket and hung it there along with her umbrella. It bounced back into a corner and stood still. Matilda had Sophie sit down and handed her a cup of tea. "It warms up the spirits," she said to her.

"You see, it's all part of the magic," Matilda started to explain. "Much like Howl's place, his moving castle, is it? Well, this turns into my house, study, and my doctor's office. When you were here the last time I was in my study, which is a horrid mess, I know." She offered Sophie a cookie. She took it and nibbled the edges. "Now you're here for some medicine?"

"Yes, it would seem that…" Sophie sighed. "Well, I've had a rough sort of week. I didn't expect to use it all, but I did."

"No troubles, no troubles, though this time do try to reserve yourself." Matilda clapped her hands together and a little bag floated to her. "Now here you go, but finish your tea before you leave. It will calm and warm you up."

Sophie finished her tea and had a few more cookies. She spent an extra half hour to just talk to the woman before she made her way home. She shut the door, and pulled out her umbrella. She felt warmer and a little sleepier, but she felt a lot better than she had when she came. The tea seemed to have suppressed the tightening in her chest some too. She hummed a happy tune to the empty sidewalks around her.

Her humming stopped abruptly when she saw a little figure dressed in black appear before her. She peered at him, her heart jumping out of her chest. "Could it be?" she whispered to herself. She stared and kept on staring. The boy didn't move but kept his stare. "Could it be?" she said a little louder.

"Sophie," the sad voice came to her.

She took a step forward, but he took a step back. He looked frightened. Sophie held out her hand. "Markl?"

"Sophie," he said again.

She walked toward him without stopping. He turned and ran down the street. Sophie could feel her legs automatically start to try to match his pace. She couldn't seem to catch up, though. He was always just within sight.

He disappeared into an old building that was boarded up. Sophie remembered coming through this way with Howl once. She looked at the old building, thinking of the odd behavior Markl seemed to have. Was it safe to go inside? She had to wonder.

"If I just peek through, I'm sure it'll be okay." Sophie took a step forward and stuck her head into the gap of boards.

It felt like she was getting sucked in. The darkness overwhelmed her senses, and she couldn't see or breathe right. Soon her whole body got sucked into the building. Darkness made her unable to see anymore.

--

Lala Rue here, and again it's been a while.

Updates are getting fewer and fewer, but my life has been picking up some. Getting ready for college is a very long process and it's taking up most of my time. (Then there is Prom and Graduation also taking up what is left of my exsistance.)

But this story is coming to a close soon. I'd say another three or so more chapters and then it's over!

Random question! Has anyone read Castle in the Air? It is the sequel to this book. It's good, though different, and this story follows none of it. Just so you know. (And there is a third Howl coming out. I'm excited.)

Love to all!

Love, Lala Rue!