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

Chapter 19: Howl's Perfect Castle

This was it - his clean slate. Anything and everything he had done no longer existed, at least in the fragile mind of Howl Pendragon. Finally, he could put those terrible mistakes in the past and move forward. Though he constantly worried how long he had until he was caught, freedom had never been so irresistible.

Hours into the night, a muffled voice came from the small, steel box clipped to his belt. Howl pulled the box from its hold and opened the lid, a bright fire demon peering up from inside.

Calcifer inhaled the fresh oxygen. "We've been walking all night."

Howl nodded. "I know. The sun will be rising soon."

"So, where are we going then?"

Howl stared forward at the stone path that led into the next town. That was an excellent question. Kingsbury was miles away and Howl couldn't pinpoint exactly what direction he had chosen. He only thought about getting as far away from Suliman as possible. It seemed to be working for the most part.

Howl dropped his gaze to Calcifer. "Anywhere. As long as Suliman can't track us."

"The only way that will happen is if we go to the Wastes."

Howl stopped. "The Wastes?"

Calcifer nodded. "No one can control the shifting atmosphere of the Wastes, not even a sorceress as powerful as that woman."

Howl smiled with greed. The Wastes would be the perfect hideaway. They could roam the land and practice their magic on their own terms, free from that greedy sorceress' plot for war and destruction.

Maybe then, he could also be free from his own mistakes. He would only use his magic for himself from now on - he wouldn't let anyone control him nor make his decisions.

Calcifer held his breath. "Oh, what is that smell? It's rancid."

Howl looked farther up the road until he saw a wasteland filled to the brim with junky material. Calcifer was right about the stench, but the material still seemed to be in good shape. He assumed the only reason they were thrown here was because of the odor.

Howl stepped closer, much to Calcifer's distaste. "Howl, it reeks."

Howl smiled. "But it's perfect."

"Perfect for knocking me unconscious?"

Howl touched the metal frames and the sturdy wood planks. With a simple spell, he could make the foul smell vanish. They were the perfect framework for a spellbound home.

Howl felt as happy as a child. "We'll use this to build a home. And not just any home - a moving home, with legs to walk on and stay on the move."

Calcifer seemed optimistic. "Suliman would have a harder time tracking us down with a moving house."

Howl laughed. "This won't just be a house, though. I want a castle."

Calcifer rolled his eyes. "Of course you do, Your Royal Highness."

Howl waved his hand, the material spinning in a minuscule tornado. His fingers, his hands, and his mind all worked together in unison. A fragrance spell danced over the odor, easing Calcifer's disdain for the smell. The material latched on one by one and fitted together like a strange puzzle. The pieces all worked in unison, forming the exterior of an extremely distorted version of a house.

Calcifer peered over his steel box. "That's what you call a castle?"

Howl smiled wide. "It's the perfect castle."