Ходячий замок
Chapter 7
“I’veheardCesari’sisbetterthatanyofthecakeshopsinKingsbury.Stupidofmenevertohavebeenintheplace.AndisthatapieIseeonthebench?”Hewentovertolook.“Pieinabedofrawonions.Humanskulllookingput-upon.”Hepickeduptheskullandknockedanonionringoutofitseyesocket.“IseeSophiehasbeenbusyagain.Couldn’tyouhaverestrainedher,myfriend?”
Theskullyattereditsteethathim.Howllookedstartledandputitdownhastily.
“Issomethingthematter?”Michaelasked.Heseemedtoknowthesigns.
“Thereis,”saidHowl.“IshallhavetofindsomeonetoblackenmynametotheKing.”
“Wastheresomethingwrongwiththewagonspell?”saidMichael.
“No.Itworkedperfectly.That’sthetrouble,”Howlsaid,restlesslytwiddlinganonionringononefinger.“TheKing’stryingtopinmedowntodosomethingelsenow.Calcifer,ifwe’renotverycareful,he’sgoingtoappointmeRoyalMagician.”Calciferdidnotanswer.HowlrovedbacktothefiresideandrealizedCalciferwasasleep.“Wakehimup,Michael,”hesaid.“Ineedtoconsulthim.”
MichaelthrewtwologsonCalciferandcalledhim.Nothinghappened,apartfromathinspireofsmoke.
“Calcifer!”Howlshouted.Thatdidnogoodeither.HowlgaveMichaelamystifiedlookandpickedupthepoker,whichwassomethingSophiehadneverseenhimdobefore.“Sorry,Calcifer,”hesaid,jabbingundertheunburnedlogs.“Wakeup!”
Onethickblackcloudofsmokerolledup,andstopped.“Goaway,”Calcifergrunted.“I’mtired.
