Another chapter of the tale of mystery.
FAMILY SECRETS
A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC
Chapter 57
Having the talisman with me was quite the useful thing. I had been able to bring my family back in time, seal away a madman, then transport us home without getting tired. It felt like I had barely used my own magic! One could get drunk on power like this. It was intoxicating! Which made this talisman so very dangerous. I could lose myself in its power. Which was something that I refused to do. I would not become someone like my Grandfather or William. I would let this power go as soon as possible. I would keep my word and return the talisman to Lativa. However, there was something that I wanted to do first. I silently asked it to stay with me a little longer. Hopefully, it heard me and agreed. Since I would need it's help shortly.
"I need to return this." I said holding the talisman. "But there is one trip that I need to go on first. Lettie, can you please fetch Martha?"
Lettie looked confused went along with it. I was completely serious. She could could see that. She knew that it was important to do as I said. I would not ask this of her if it was not. And I was serious. I intended to bring Martha along on this final journey. It was only right for her to be there. We were a family, after all.
While Lettie was gone, I told Seus. "I'm sorry, but I can't take you along." I thought about it for a second then added. "Come visit the shop tomorrow. I have a proposition for you!" Howl started to argue but I cut him off. "I can invite over who I want to. It's my home too, you know."
Sophie! He roared. What are you doing?
I turned to face my husband. Inviting a troubled young man over to our house. He's proven himself ready for change. I want to help him. What's so wrong with that? I demanded.
He sighed. Nothing. I just don't think that it is a good to invite him inside OUR house. What if he goes after you or Arthur?
"Then you'll deal with it. Won't you?" I shot back at him. He groaned in response. I smiled politely. It was best that Seus had no idea what we were arguing about. I have an idea, but we'll discuss it later. My sisters are arriving!
I greeted them then explained my other idea. "We now know who was attacking me and why. However, we don't know how father died. Howl, you said that he was cursed."
"Might have been cursed." He corrected me. I could see that he wanted to argue more about Seus, but I was not open to discussing that topic right now. So I ignored it.
"Fine then, he might have been cursed." I took a breath. "But we don't know if that true. We do know that father died unexpectedly. That Fanny and the doctors could do nothing."
Martha interrupted. "Where are you going with this, Sophie?"
"I want to go back in time and find out what really happened." I allowed that to hang for a moment before continuing. "I want to be there for father before he died." I gave them a brave smile. "It's only right that you get the chance to join me. We are family after all."
For a long moment no spoke or even moved. Finally, there was a flurry of questions peppered at me. I tried to answer as best I could: No, I wasn't crazy. Yes, I really was going to do this. No, I don't plan to tell Fanny. No, I don't plan to change history.
"I know that we can change history. We have the power." I looked to Howl. "That doesn't mean that we should. Our lives are the way they are because father died. Lettie, you wouldn't have Ben. Martha you wouldn't have had your bakery. And I . . . I . . . wouldn't have Howl or Arthur." I swallowed hard. "I'm grateful for all of that. I don't want to change that. I just need to know why father died." I started to tear up. "If it was my fault. I need to know."
Lettie shook her head. "Sophie, it wasn't your fault."
I gave her a brave smile. "I need to know that."
My sisters hugged me. When they pulled away Martha added. "Lettie is right: It's not your fault. Even if someone went after father because of you. That's not your fault. It's theirs."
I thanked them, but insisted that I go anyway. Finally, they realized that nothing was going to change my mind. I was going to back in time regardless of what they said. Their choice was whether to join me or not. I needed my family there, but I would go alone if I had to. Fortunately, I did not have to do that. Even Howl and Ben offered to come along. At first I didn't know why they wanted to come along. He wasn't their father. They had nothing to gain by being there. Then I realized: They were going for us. This was going to be very painful for all of us. They just wanted to support us. We were so very lucky to have them with us.
Thank you. I thought as bid farewell to Seus. He would not be coming along with us. I would hopefully see him tomorrow. Then I could start helping the boy. For now I needed to focus on my spell. It was time for one more trip with this talisman. It was time to go back right before father died. Then I would know for sure why father died. I just hoped that I could handle what I was about to see.
Next Chapter coming up!