Howl's Twisted Castle

13: A tall tale

I scrambled to cover my face with the free end of the scarf before Howl could recognize me. Even though it was purely a coincidence that I'd picked the same tavern, it felt as though I was intruding on his private affairs. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't stick my nose where it didn't belong, especially after Markel put me in my place back at his shop.

But at this moment, I was feeling nosy.

Howl was seated at a table near the back in the company of two gorgeous women. The clothes he was wearing were different than the suit I remembered seeing him in this morning. Instead of the black pinstriped jacket, he had on an alarmingly green satin dress shirt and white slacks. Perhaps he'd used magic to change his outfit, or he'd bought a new one but whatever the reason, I thought his new ensemble was strange. 

His easy smile told me that he was completely unaffected by the fight he'd had this morning with my sister, and for some reason, it bothered me more than the scene I was currently witnessing. Whatever it was Howl was talking about at this moment, it was enough to make the ladies squeal with delight. I shifted in my seat until I was hidden well enough from view, but that didn't stop me from listening.

"You've flown on the back of a dragon?" one of the ladies gasped, clutching her napkin to her lips. She tossed her long blonde locks over her shoulder, exposing her neck to fan it with her other hand.

"What a laugh, I refuse to believe you Howl! Dragons do not exist! If they did, I know I would have seen one by now," the other one admonished him, biting her lower lip with a pout.

The atmosphere they were creating was beginning to make the other patrons stare; some had even stopped their meal to gawk at the scene they were making. The way the women were acting was almost too much to watch.

"Seriously, I have! It was a great big brute of a beast with razor-sharp claws and a wingspan larger than a house!" He spread his arms wide, emphasizing his claim. 

The blonde one looked on in awe. "How could you possibly ride something that size?"

"With magic, love," he winked. "After a long fight with the dragon, I tamed the beast and flew it into battle just in time to save the King's army from the jaws of defeat. But of course, that was much before your time," he took up his glass and tipped the amber liquid to his lips, finishing it in one go.

"I've never heard of such a battle," the brunette argued, sitting back, "and I have most certainly never heard of a dragon sighting in Ingary. I think you're having a lark," she eyed him suspiciously.

He rested his arms on the backs of their chairs and chuckled. "You say I'm a liar and yet you're still here, listening to my ridiculous stories."

Was this really Howl I was seeing? This morning he looked so tired and worn out-- upset even, but he was proving me wrong on all accounts at the moment. How could Markel be able to look up to someone as arrogant as him? 

I squeezed my eyes shut, blocking out the view before me. Markel was insistent that Howl was a good person, so much so that he got angry with me when I suggested otherwise. It hurt my heart to see that Markel's trust was wrongly placed in him; I truly wanted Markel to be right about him, but he wasn't.

Instead, I was faced with the fact that the rumours surrounding Howl were all true. The business that was so urgent that he had to leave on such short notice, was just an excuse to chase women. I took a deep breath and fanned the warmth from my cheeks before I could walk over and say something I'd regret. 

I looked up and unexpectedly locked eyes with Howl. His eyes froze me on the spot and I couldn't look away. The brunette followed Howl's gaze and locked eyes with me as well. Her lips puckered sourly as she pulled Howl's shirt.