Ходячий замок
Chapter 1
Thereweretoomanypeoplerushingpast,laughingandshouting,fartoomuchnoiseandjostling.Sophiefeltasifthepastmonthsofsittingandsewinghadturnedherintoanoldwomanorasemi-invalid.Shegatheredhershawlaroundherandcreptalongclosetothehouses,tryingtoavoidbeingtroddenonmypeople’sbestshoesorbeingjabbedbyelbowsintrailingsilksleeves.Whentherecameasuddenvolleyofbangsfromoverheadsomewhere,Sophiethoughtshewasgoingtofaint.ShelookedupandsawWizardHowl’scastlerightdownonthehillsideabovethetown,sonearitseemedtobesittingonthechimneys.Blueflameswereshootingoutofallfourofthecastle’sturrets,bringingballsofbluefirewiththemthatexplodedhighinthesky,quitehorrendously.WizardHowlseemedtobeoffendedbyMayDay.Ormaybehewastryingtojoinin,inhisownfashion.Sophiewastooterrifiedtocare.Shewouldhavegonehome,exceptthatshewashalfwaytoCesari’sbythen.Sosheran.
“WhatmademethinkIwantedlifetobeinteresting?”sheaskedassheran.“I’dbefartooscared.Itcomesofbeingtheeldestofthree.”
WhenshereachedMarketSquare,itwasworse,ifpossible.MostoftheinnswereintheSquare.Crowdsofyoungmenswaggeredbeerilytoandfro,trailingcloaksandlongsleevesandstampingbuckledbootstheywouldneverhavedreamedofwearingonaworkingday,callingloudremarksandaccostinggirls.Thegirlsstrolledinfinepairs,readytobeaccosted.ItwasperfectlynormalforMayDay,butSophiewasscaredofthattoo.
