A Heart in Flames #2 (Howl's Moving Castle fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Safe House

The castle had been strangely quiet since their impromptu arrival. Aside from the crackling fire and creaking stairs, the exterior of Howl's castle appeared as abandoned as it was before. After nearly a month in hiding, somehow they found normalcy.

Calcifer rested his arms against the deteriorating wood. He stared blankly at the room, watching the typical routine in action. Howl and Markl trained at least twice a day. It was mostly all they could do during this time. Howl didn't have to work at the farm day in and day out, so he spent his time training Markl again.

Calcifer couldn't remember the last time the boy used his magic to play a joke or mess around. The only time he even used his magic was when Howl or Kenta trained him.

"All right, Markl." Howl said. He lifted his palms facing the boy, waiting for Markl to mimic his movements. "Repeat after me. Salfod kiphe esto..."

Calcifer had seen long hours of training, since the living room was the main area of practice. They had just begun the mage's spells, and Markl was learning much faster since he started taking magic more seriously. Howl seemed proud of his achievements, and Markl didn't want to let him down. Kenta would teach him a few things here and there, but only when Howl focused his time on Sophie's magic. As the days went by, however, Sophie became less and less interested in her training.

The stairs creaked as Sophie walked down. She held tightly onto the railing with one hand while the other held her back straight. Her steps were gradual and cautious. Calcifer couldn't track Sophie's afternoon naps, since they were so irregular and infrequent. Sometimes she would lie down for a half hour or so, but lately she had begun sleeping for two to three hours, largely cutting into her training period.

Howl told Markl to continue with the spell as he went to the bottom of the staircase, his hand waiting for Sophie. Her stomach had grown larger by a couple of inches and her dresses from before were not fitting her properly at this point. She tried stretching them out, but had torn a couple. Her nightgown was nearly all she had left.

"How was your nap?" Howl asked as she grasped his hand.

"Fine." She replied. "I'm sorry I missed training again."

Howl shook his head. "We can train later tonight." He led Sophie to the couch. She eased into a sitting position, though she did not sit still. She continually adjusted herself, but nothing seemed to satisfy her.

Howl sighed and returned to Markl's training. He had done everything he could to accommodate Sophie's increasing discomfort, but with few resources it was difficult to soothe her. He remembered when she was so lively and energetic. Now, he could barely get her out of bed. He just wanted this pregnancy to end.

The Witch of the Wastes usually kept to the same routine. Without the books she loved to read, she spent her days mostly sitting and thinking. Sometimes she'd whisper things to herself, though if someone asked what she had said she wouldn't tell. Calcifer was unsure if she was senile or just clever.

"Here you are." Martha walked in from the kitchen, a cup of hot tea in her hand. Calcifer had preferred not to heat water yet again. With so many people in the house, he heated water more times a day than he could wrap his mind around. His only relaxing moments were typically at night when he and Gwenda spent hours talking before sleep prevailed.

Martha was considerate of his wishes and used her magic to heat the water. She walked carefully over to the Witch and placed the cup on the coffee table.

"Oh, thank you dear." The Witch's eyes lit up and her frail hands reached for the cup.

"Sophie, you're awake," Martha said. "I can make you a cup if you'd like."