Hello, dear readers of this story!
Once again, your overwhelming kindness is heartwarming! I apologize for not updating sooner, but the summer season is *very* short where I live, and unfortunately a lot of outdoor jobs have to be completed during the warm season.
As I stated in the previous chapter, this story will not be abandoned! I just can't give any promises regarding my update schedule, but if you want to know right away when a new chapter is posted, you can always subscribe to the author/story alert.
Hope you're having a wonderful summer!
Lots of love! /BoMD
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Sofie put down her teacup with a "clank" that almost broke the saucer. "Ex… excuse me?"
As the doctor repeated his statement, Sophie was at a total loss of words. The amount he'd been asking for was about three times as much as their monthly income, and at present, no matter if they were turning the castle upside down, there was no way they could scrape together even half the sum.
"You sound surprised, Mrs Jenkins." Doctor Parker was visibly annoyed. "And no, before you ask, I do not accept anything else but real money. I'm not interested in spells, enchanted items, and whatever you wizard lot will try to offer me in exchange. Do you think I get my medications for free? I have to earn my living the hard way."
"I'll… see what I can do, Doctor… but that's quite a lot of money… you must understand… please, wait a moment…" Panicking, Sophie went to the kitchen cabinet, sliding open the money drawer. Realizing there was very little left, even less than she remembered, she started counting the coins.
Suddenly Markl, who had been quietly observing them from his chair, walked up to her, and with a defiant and demonstrative look, he opened up his own wallet. She could hear him collecting the coins inside, and this time, she wasn't going to stop him.
"I'm afraid this is all I've got…" she started, and she was almost interrupted by an angry remark from the doctor, but continued. "…for now, that is… but… would it be possible for us to… pay about one third now, and the rest next month and the month after that?"
"But for Goodness sake, Mrs Jenkins!" the doctor sputtered. "Why is it that everyone around here seems to think that I should offer my services for free? Medical supplies are very expensive and hard to come by these days! Unlike you, we just don't wave our hand and pick anything we like out of thin air!"
Sophie no longer held back her anger, nearly screaming at the doctor. "I would not have asked for a doctor unless we really needed one! Isn't it clear to you–magic can't just cure anything! And I'm sorry, but this is all that we've got at the moment!"
The doctor gave an over dramatic sigh. "Very well. I guess there's nothing else we can do then. I will allow you to pay in installments. But mind you, there will be a twenty per cent interest rate per month, and should you fail to complete the last installment within three months, there will be another twenty per cent increase on the current interest. Understood?"
"Yes… I…" Sophie trailed off.
"Good." The doctor opened his bag anew, producing a piece of paper. "Sign here, please," he instructed, pointing to an empty line on the bottom.
Markl handed Sophie the quill pen and the ink bottle from the desk. It was obvious to her that the doctor had been prepared for this–everything regarding payment in installments and interest rates was there in writing. Reluctantly, Sophie signed her name on the dotted line.
"Very well." Doctor Parker folded the paper and put it back into his bag. "And Mrs Jenkins… I'm afraid there is nothing more I can do for your husband should he be taking a turn for the worse–with or without your money. But seeing that he has responded well to the treatment so far, he will most likely be out of danger as soon as he can keep some fluids down."
The doctor started walking toward the door as he spoke, and Sophie managed a quiet "thank you," too confused to even try to come up with something appropriate to say.
With a brief nod, the doctor opened the door, exited and closed it firmly behind him.
"I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for your husband until you show me the money," Calcifer's voice was dripping with sarcasm as he mimicked the doctor's voice.
Sophie sank down on a kitchen chair, hiding her face in her hands. "Oh Calcifer… Markl…" she sighed. "We're totally destitute…"
"And did it do any good, at all? How is he?" Calcifer demanded.
"Asleep, finally. And he is doing better. It will be worth it. But we must all prepare to work very hard during the next couple of months…" Sophie sighed anew.
The question was, of course, how long it would take until Howl was well enough to once again be able to offer his services as a magician to the people of Market Chipping… and what the alternatives would be. She could always make sure to have some fresh flowers and bouquets in stock at home, but since people still had to struggle to afford their daily food rations, few would be interested in flowers, or hats, for that matter. Besides, since Howl had been busy helping the other residents and Sophie's family restoring their homes and buildings of greater importance, the flower shop was still in need of dire repairs.
"I'll work night and day if I have to, until Master Howl's well," Markl announced, a solemn look on his face. "And if there's anything I can do…"
Sophie hugged him gently from behind and stroke his cheek. "Yes, Markl, in fact there is. We need more of that crushed ice." She turned to Calcifer. "Calcifer, can you please boil me a large pot of water, we have to make lots and lots of ginger tea."
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Sophie left Howl to sleep for about two more hours, and in the meantime, she forced herself to deal with the household chores, despite her exhaustion. She washed Howl's stained clothes from the day before and prepared an early lunch for Markl. She scrubbed the bathrooms and the hallway floor, as if to get rid of all remaining traces of sickness.
Thanks to Calcifer, one of their biggest kettles was placed on the hearth, filled to the brim with simmering water. Carefully, Sophie grabbed a smaller pot and filled it with hot water. Peeling and cutting up the ginger root into thin slices, she put the slices in the smaller pot. Calcifer took it from her outstretch hands even before she had to ask him.
"Thank you. I'll be right back–we're just gonna try some ice first."
Calcifer nodded, trying his best to outstretch his form and be able to provide heat for both kettles.
Grabbing some ice from the ice locker, wrapping it up inside a clean handkerchief, and crushing it with a few efficient strikes from a rolling pin, Sophie poured it into a bowl. Passing the utensils drawer, she grabbed a spoon on the run, heading for the stairs.
As she reached the bedroom, and slowly opened the door, she felt her heart beating fast, not too certain of what to expect. But to her relief, she found Howl sleeping peacefully, on his side, no lines of pain on his face. As she touched his forehead, it just felt a little warmer than usual, but not too much. He gave a small whimper in protest as she stroke his bangs out of his face. "I'm sorry dear, but you'd better try and wake up now…"
Slowly, Howl's eyes fluttered open. "What…" he murmured, his voice trailing off.
"There, that's better. How do you feel?"
"I… dunno, really… I… wanna sleep… but I'm… I am thirsty…"
"That's wonderful!" Sophie's heart leapt with relief. "I've got some ice for you… for starters, but if you can keep this down…"
"I'd better try, then…"
Sophie was surprised to see that Howl really made an attempt to try and sit up, and she immediately assisted him, placing a pillow behind his back. As she offered him a spoonful of the crushed ice, Howl obediently opened his mouth, letting it melt on his tongue before he swallowed. Sophie could have cheered as he didn't gag, and as soon as he had downed the first mouthful, he was asking for more.
"Ready for some ginger tea, then?"
Howl nodded. "Yes… I don't feel like I'm 'bout to be sick no more…"
Sophie flung her arms around his neck, trying not to hug him too tight. "I'm so relieved!"
Kissing his forehead, she headed for the door and down the stairs, and within short, she returned, carrying a pot of ginger tea and another cup with a spoon on a tray. She poured the steaming liquid into the cup, and stirred it with the spoon until it was cool enough. As she lifted the spoon and held it to Howl's chapped lips, he let it trickle into his mouth, swallowing cautiously. She waited a few moments, but as he gave a small nod, she offered him another spoon, and then another. Eventually, he made a gesture that he'd like to drink from the cup, and after another few, slow sips, Sophie felt her heart beating hard with excitement as he offered to hold the cup by himself. His hands were shaking a little, but he was still able to finish the cup without Sophie's help.
As he had finished the drink, Sophie removed the pillow from behind Howl's back so he was able to lie down once more. She had barely tucked him in before he fell into a heavy, but peaceful sleep. Rushing downstairs again, Sophie ran into the kitchen to tell Markl and Calcifer the news.
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As Sophie told him of Howl's recovery, Markl couldn't contain his joy, and with Heen in tow, he ran out into the garden, jumping, laughing and rolling on the grass.
Calcifer, however, was still a little suspicious. "He insisted on holding the cup by himself?"
Sophie felt a stab of annoyance at his words. Why did he always have to be so skeptic? But no, she was in no mood to argue. Howl was getting better now, she just knew it.
Indeed, the wizard seemed to be on his way to recovery. He was sleeping for the most part of the day, but felt no pain or nausea as Sophie woke him up every hour to make him drink some water and ginger tea. He was still very thirsty, and she never had to force him to take any liquids. Shortly after dinnertime, he woke up by himself, asking for a chamber pot, as he had an urgent need to pass water. Sophie could have sobbed with relief.
As it was approaching Markl's bedtime, Sophie realized that she herself would not be able to stay awake for much longer. Markl, still overjoyed, but sleepy, didn't object as she was tucking him in and saying goodnight. He was already asleep as she left the room.
Shortly afterwards, she quickly prepared herself for bed. As she got downstairs to say goodnight to Calcifer, she found that he still appeared a bit distant, as if his mind was wandering. "Howl's not dehydrated now… he's steadily improving!" she tried.
"Yes…" Calcifer replied, avoiding her eyes.
"Well, shouldn't you be relieved?" Sophie almost sputtered, regretting it as soon as the words left her mouth. She had not quite intended to sound that harsh.
"Of course I'm relieved, Sophie. But it's…" Calcifer paused for a moment. "It's just… he's not quite himself. And that worries me."
"Well, he is very tired. And really," she continued, feeling her level of annoyance rising anew, "a little support from you would be most welcome for once."
"Sophie," Calcifer sighed. "I'm a fire demon…"
"Yeah, whatever." Sophie rose from the table. "So, good night then." Not waiting for a response, she headed for the stairs again. Calcifer followed her with his eyes, sighing anew as she rounded the corner and got out of view.
As Sophie crept down beside her husband, she realized that a faint smell of sickness was still lingering in the bedroom. She had left the basin on Howl's bedside table and the chamber pot on the floor, and she really had to change the blankets and bedlinen, and of course remove the rubber sheets from the bed. But no… right now, she was too tired. She would deal with it first thing in the morning. Who knew, maybe by that time, Howl would be well enough to try a little broth… maybe even some formula, perhaps…
Curling up against him, she stroke Howl's back a couple of times. "I love you so much…" she whispered. But there was no response from Howl; the only sound that was heard was his peaceful breathing.
With a deep sigh of relief, Sophie closed her eyes. Tomorrow, she mused. He's going to be fine now. I just know it. Within a few moments, she was asleep.
To be continued