Ходячий замок
Chapter 10
“WhatshallIdo?”shewhispered.
“Yellowpowder,fourthjaralongonthesecondshelf,”Calciferwhisperedback.“Thosespellsaremostlybelief.Don’tlookuncertainwhenyougiveittohim.”
SoSophiepouredyellowpowderintoasquareofpaperasshehadseenMichaeldo,twisteditsmartly,andhobbledtothedoorwithit.“Thereyouare,myboy,”shesaid.“That’llsticktheshoesonharderthananyhundrednails.Doyouhearme,horse?Youwon’tneedasmithforthenextyear.That’llbeapenny,thankyou.”
Itwasquiteabusyday.Sophiehadtoputdownhersewingandsell,withCalcifer’shelp,aspelltounblockdrains,anothertofetchgoats,andsomethingtomakegoodbeer.TheonlyonethatgaveheranytroublewasthecustomerwhopoundedonthedoorinKingsbury.Sophieopeneditred-downtofindarichlydressedboynotmucholderthanMichael,white-facedandsweating,wringinghishandsonthedoorstep.
“MadamSorceress,forpity’ssake!”hesaid.“Ihavetofightaduelatdawntomorrow.GivemesomethingtomakesureIwin.I’llpayanysumyouask!”
SophielookedoverhershoulderatCalcifer,andCalcifermadefacesback,meaningthattherewasnosuchthingready-made.“Thatwouldn’tberightatall,”Sophietoldtheboyseverely.“Besides,duelingiswrong.”
“Thenjustgivemesomethingthatletsmehaveafairchance!”theladsaiddesperately.
Sophielookedathim.Hewasveryundersizedandclearlyinagreatstateoffear.Hehadthathopelesslookapersonhaswhoalwayslosesateverything.“I’llseewhatIcando,”Sophiesaid.
