Ходячий замок

           Clapsofsoundrangroundthepotterypillars,echoafterecho,andeachechocarriedsomeofthecloudofmagicawaywithit.Itvanishedinwispsandswirledawayinmurkyeddies.Whenithadbecomethethinnestwhitehaze,thetallfigurewiththepigtailbegantototter.TheWitchseemedtofoldinonherself,thinnerandwhiterthanever.Finally,asthehazefadedcleanaway,shefellinaheapwithasmallclatter.Asthemillionsoftechoesdied,Howlandthescarecrowwereleftthoughtfullyfacingoneanotheracrossapileofbones.

           Good!thoughtSophie.Sheslashedherlegsfreeandwentacrosstotheheadlessfigureinthethrone.Itwasgettingonhernerves.

           “No,myfriend,”Howlsaidtothescarecrow.Thescarecrowhadhoppedrightamongthebonesandwaspushingthemthiswayandthatwithitsleg.“No,youwon’tfindherhearthere.Herfiredemonwillhavegotthat.Ithinkit’shadtheupperhandofherforalongtimenow.Sad,really.”AsSophietookoffhershawlandarrangeditdecentlyacrossPrinceJustin’sheadlessshoulders,Howlsaid,“Ithinktherestofwhatyouwerelookingforisoverhere.”Hewalkedtowardthethrone,withthescarecrowhoppingbesidehim.“Typical!”hesaidtoSophie.“Ibreakmynecktogethere,andIfindyoupeacefullytidyingup!”

           Sophielookedupathim.Asshehadfeared,thehardblack-and-whitedaylightcomingthroughthebrokenwallshowedherthatHowlhadnotbotheredtoshaveortidyhishair.Hiseyeswerestillred-rimmedandhisblacksleevesweretorninseveralplaces.TherewasnotmuchtochoosebetweenHowlandthescarecrow.