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wizard_howell) wrote2008-07-18 09:23 pm
wizard_howell) wrote2008-07-18 09:23 pm
Kingsbury
By the time Sophie and Angela get back not only is the wagon spell completed, but he's had time for a bath.
With powders.
And lotions.
And potions. In fact, he's been playing with his hair. Ever since Sophie described his natural hair to him as mud brown, he's been determined never to let it show that color again and now... now it's a lovely flaxen blond; the ends nestle on his shoulders in soft curls.
He's also dressed in a dark maroon suit that shows off both the yellow curls and the green of his eyes. It's rather stately and befitting the Royal Wizard, if he does say so... and he does. As Sophie and Angela make their way in, arms full of boxes and bundles -- one of which appears to be the coveted Cesari's cake -- he bows deeply. "Practicing for the King," he tells them with a long-suffering air to the words. "It seems to me that Wizard Suliman is milking things for all he can get. Taking his time getting back to work, leaving us with all the trouble of managing a war." Despite the tiredness of the words themselves there's a sparkle in his eyes that reveals the hidden truth: he wouldn't have it any other way. With a nod of amused indignation he takes the cake and sets it safely in the pantry for later.
"Ladies first." The head coachman the King's sent is one with whom Howl has a small rivalry. Yes, he could get to Kingsbury on his own; no, they don't need the carriage. However, it's a point of pride to ask for it, and mostly because it's owed to him and Sophie after all the work they've done. But the coachman -- a fellow named Davis, if Howl recalls correctly (although really, he can't be expected to remember the names of all the king's people, now can he?) drops the usual sneer on his face and bows deeply as Angela is introduced. "Miss Pendragon. Mrs. Pendragon. Wizard Pendragon." Once they're all inside the carriage -- a beautiful vehicle -- and the wagon spell firmly tied down to the top of the thing, Howl reaches over and taps the window.
He sits back, then, and takes Sophie's hand in his. While he's perfectly capable of getting by on his own and has been for years, it's his great pleasure to have Sophie for his wife. Simply put, he loves her and has no reason to hide it. On the ride he hears about their adventures in Market Chipping and the way Angela so readily fell into the role of his cousin. He reminds her (just in case Sophie didn't) that the name Pendragon carries with it a great deal of respect and that she ought not to worry when everyone assumes that she, too, is a witch. "It will give your visit more power."
That's something he knows all about. Davis (if that is, in fact, his name) does a passably better job at making the ride smooth this time, considering the company, and their arrival in Kingsbury is without incident. And that is something Howl never takes for granted... particularly in a time of war.
"The Royal Wizard, Mrs. Pendragon, and Miss Pendragon to see the King!" The words echo through the gilded hallways of the castle; the three of them get handed off from person to person to person all the way up the stairs, through the wooden-doored drawing room, and into the King's receiving chamber. Without looking up from his chair -- the desk here is simply covered with scrolls and maps, as are the walls -- the king begins to speak. "It's about time you arrived, Howl. We need more. This battle is sapping our resources. Isn't there anything else you and Mrs...." It's then that he looks up, stops, and tilts his head. "Is this the cousin the whole town's talking about? What a lovely young lady: I can see the family resemblance, particularly in the... er... hair. Please, sit. It's a shame we have to discuss business on your first visit to Kingsbury." The king gestures to the seats, then slams his hand down on the desk. "Wizard Pendragon. Why have you not brought your cousin to see us before?"
"Who wants to go dragging pretty girls about in the middle of a war." Howl waves his hand dismissively and doesn't sit. "His Majesty, the King of Ingary. Your Highness, my cousin, Miss Angela Pendragon, visiting with us for a short few... days."
Turning back he aims a dazzling smile at Angela and a slightly more mischievous one at Sophie. It's one that says I do believe you frighten the King far more than I do, cariad. It's your turn: have fun.
With powders.
And lotions.
And potions. In fact, he's been playing with his hair. Ever since Sophie described his natural hair to him as mud brown, he's been determined never to let it show that color again and now... now it's a lovely flaxen blond; the ends nestle on his shoulders in soft curls.
He's also dressed in a dark maroon suit that shows off both the yellow curls and the green of his eyes. It's rather stately and befitting the Royal Wizard, if he does say so... and he does. As Sophie and Angela make their way in, arms full of boxes and bundles -- one of which appears to be the coveted Cesari's cake -- he bows deeply. "Practicing for the King," he tells them with a long-suffering air to the words. "It seems to me that Wizard Suliman is milking things for all he can get. Taking his time getting back to work, leaving us with all the trouble of managing a war." Despite the tiredness of the words themselves there's a sparkle in his eyes that reveals the hidden truth: he wouldn't have it any other way. With a nod of amused indignation he takes the cake and sets it safely in the pantry for later.
"Ladies first." The head coachman the King's sent is one with whom Howl has a small rivalry. Yes, he could get to Kingsbury on his own; no, they don't need the carriage. However, it's a point of pride to ask for it, and mostly because it's owed to him and Sophie after all the work they've done. But the coachman -- a fellow named Davis, if Howl recalls correctly (although really, he can't be expected to remember the names of all the king's people, now can he?) drops the usual sneer on his face and bows deeply as Angela is introduced. "Miss Pendragon. Mrs. Pendragon. Wizard Pendragon." Once they're all inside the carriage -- a beautiful vehicle -- and the wagon spell firmly tied down to the top of the thing, Howl reaches over and taps the window.
He sits back, then, and takes Sophie's hand in his. While he's perfectly capable of getting by on his own and has been for years, it's his great pleasure to have Sophie for his wife. Simply put, he loves her and has no reason to hide it. On the ride he hears about their adventures in Market Chipping and the way Angela so readily fell into the role of his cousin. He reminds her (just in case Sophie didn't) that the name Pendragon carries with it a great deal of respect and that she ought not to worry when everyone assumes that she, too, is a witch. "It will give your visit more power."
That's something he knows all about. Davis (if that is, in fact, his name) does a passably better job at making the ride smooth this time, considering the company, and their arrival in Kingsbury is without incident. And that is something Howl never takes for granted... particularly in a time of war.
"The Royal Wizard, Mrs. Pendragon, and Miss Pendragon to see the King!" The words echo through the gilded hallways of the castle; the three of them get handed off from person to person to person all the way up the stairs, through the wooden-doored drawing room, and into the King's receiving chamber. Without looking up from his chair -- the desk here is simply covered with scrolls and maps, as are the walls -- the king begins to speak. "It's about time you arrived, Howl. We need more. This battle is sapping our resources. Isn't there anything else you and Mrs...." It's then that he looks up, stops, and tilts his head. "Is this the cousin the whole town's talking about? What a lovely young lady: I can see the family resemblance, particularly in the... er... hair. Please, sit. It's a shame we have to discuss business on your first visit to Kingsbury." The king gestures to the seats, then slams his hand down on the desk. "Wizard Pendragon. Why have you not brought your cousin to see us before?"
"Who wants to go dragging pretty girls about in the middle of a war." Howl waves his hand dismissively and doesn't sit. "His Majesty, the King of Ingary. Your Highness, my cousin, Miss Angela Pendragon, visiting with us for a short few... days."
Turning back he aims a dazzling smile at Angela and a slightly more mischievous one at Sophie. It's one that says I do believe you frighten the King far more than I do, cariad. It's your turn: have fun.