The next morning, a young 10-year-old boy came out and noticed both newcomers. "Hey, who's the lady and the girl?" He asked.

"Porthaven door!" Calcifer merely replied.

"How'd she get in here?" The boy wondered, but put on a disguise and went to answer the door. "Stand by," He told Calcifer before opening the door. "Mr. Mayor, good day." He greeted the man at the door.

"Good afternoon, sir," The Mayor greeted. "Would the great wizard, Jenkins, be at home?" He then asked.

Sophie's eyes opened and she tried to sit up, groaning a bit from her now brittle bones.

"I'm afraid that my master is out at the moment," The 'man' said. "I speak for him in his absence."

Gwen also slowly woke up.

"An invitation from His Majesty, The King," The Mayor told the 'man', handing him a sealed envelope. "The time for war's upon us. His Majesty requires that every witch and wizard aid our homeland. Wizard Jenkins must report to the palace immediately! That is all."

Sophie soon stood up and added more logs to the fireplace.

"I can't believe it's come to this." Calcifer said.

"And what do you think you're doing here with the little girl, Grandma?" The 'man' asked.

Gwen yawned and stretched then crawled out from the blanket and hugged Sophie.

"Calcfier said we could come here." Sophie replied.

"I did not, they just wandered in here from the Wastes." Calcifer huffed.

"They're from the Wastes?" The boy asked. "How do we know that they're not witches?"

"Do you really think I'd let a witch in here, let alone two?" Calcifer asked. "Porthaven door again." He said.

The boy put his disguise on again. "Must be a customer. Stand by," He said and opened the door. "Yes, my dear child?" He asked.

Gwen hugged Sophie tightly, nervously. Sophie chuckled in amusement to the boy and the flame before looking over.

"My mom sent me to pick up a spell." A little girl told the boy.

"Ah, yes, do come in." the 'man' said and let the girl inside.

Gwen looked over.

"Okay~" The girl said, following him.

Sophie looked to the small girl before standing up with her new cane.

"Just keep quiet and don't cause any trouble, Grandma," The 'man' whispered as he went to find the spell. "It's not the Wastes."

Gwen went to the door to peek out. Sophie came to the window and looked out to what was a peaceful and sunny day.

"Excuse me, are you two witches too?" The little girl asked.

"That's right, I'm the scariest witch of them all!" Sophie grinned playfully.

"Nuh-uh." Gwen shook her head as she walked back up over to Sophie.

"Dust your ship with this powder and the winds will favor it." The 'man' told the little girl.

"Thanks." The little girl nodded and paid him, taking the bag before leaving.

Sophie giggled as she joined Gwen's side as the little girl left down the stairs.

"Farewell, child," The 'man' said to the girl and shut the door. "Quit telling lies to our customers." The boy glared.

"What about you?" Sophie replied. "You're wearing a disguise."

"I have to. I'm practicing my magic." He said.

"It's the Kingsbury door." Calcifer told him.

"Stand by." The boy said, changing the door color wheel, then opened the door as the old man.

"Good day, would this be the residence of the great wizard, Pendragon?" The man at the door asked with a whimsical smile.

Sophie looked down to the door curiously.

"It is." The 'man' said.

"I bear an invitation from His Majesty, the King," The guest informed the 'man'. "Please inform Mister Pendragon, that all witches and wizards are required to report for duty at the palace."

Sophie slowly came down the stairs to the door.

"I will inform him right away." The man said.

Gwen went and started to wash the dishes. The guest bowed his head and then took his leave into his vehicle with his colleague who drove them down the street.

"This is the royal city, isn't it?" Sophie asked as she observed the outside world.

Gwen continued to clean the dishes.

"Move it, Grandma, or you'll lose your nose," The boy told her after shutting the door. "And stop wandering around."

Sophie smiled as she soon turned the color wheel by the door, changing it from red to green and opened the door, but the scenery changed the outside as it looked cold, bleak, and lonesome.

"Leave it alone, Grandma, I'm getting angry." The boy told her.

Gwen might have been a child right now, but she was quick and so managed to clean the dishes in plenty of time. The background outside seemed to change depending on color.

"This is a magic house, isn't it?" Sophie smiled to the boy.

"Grr..." The boy growled.

"So tell me, where does the black one lead?" Sophie asked.

"Only Master Howl knows that," The boy said, then started to cut some bread. "I need some breakfast, I'm starved."

Sophie came to the counter where some meat was as that seemed more delicious than bread and cheese. "Don't you want to have some bacon and eggs?" she then suggested to the little boy.

"Yeah, but we can't use the fire," The boy told Sophie. "Master Howl's not here."

Gwen handed Sophie a frying pan.

"Don't worry, I can cook," Sophie smiled as she accepted the frying pan. "Thank you, Gwen."

Gwen smiled.

"It doesn't matter if you can cook," The boy said. "Calcifer only obeys Master Howl."

"That's right lady, I'm not taking any orders from you." Calcifer told her.

"Oh, there's my hat..." Sophie said after setting the basket down and found her hat, placing it on the chair with her cane. "That's better... All right, Calcfier, let's get cooking." She then said once she faced the fire, now ready to cook.

"I don't cook! I'm a scary and powerful fire demon." Calcifer exclaimed.

Gwen giggled.

"How would you like a bucket of cold water in your face?" Sophie smirked to Calcifer. "Or maybe I should tell Howl about our bargain?"

"Uh! Stupid me, I never should have let them in here!" Calcifer yelled.

Gwen looked to Sophie.

"So, what'll it be?" Sophie asked as she moved the pan out onto Calcifer to start cooking.

Calcifer grumbled but had to give in.

"That's right... That's a good fire..." Sophie smiled before taking a piece of the bacon and sizzling it on the frying pan.

"Here's another curse for ya... May all your bacon burn." Calcifer huffed.

"Calcifer is doing what she says..." the boy gasped.

"I think I'd like some tea too, how about you, Gwen?" Sophie asked her sister.

"Yes, please, Sophie," Gwen smiled. "Do you have a kettle?" She asked the boy.

"Sure." The boy said, running off to get the kettle, filling it with water.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Don't get the kettle. Whose side are you on anyway? Ma-Markl? Markl? What are you doing?" Calcifer complained.

The color wheel shifted to black and a certain blonde man came in through the front door. Sophie turned over in surprise, but returned her focus to cooking as he came into the home and the color turned back to blue.

"Master Howl, the Kings messengers were here," The boy, now known to be Markl, told Howl. "They said you have to report to the palace. As both Pendragon and Jenkins."

Gwen saw Howl, and remembering the other day, gasped and couldn't resist running to him and hugging him.

"Calcifer, you're being so obedient..." Howl chuckled before he bent down to properly hug Gwen. "Ah, hello there, lost kitty cat~"

Sophie looked over while she cooked on the living fire.

"Not on purpose, she bullied me." Calcifer replied.

Gwen giggled quietly as she hugged him. She even gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Not just anybody can do that~" Howl smirked. "And... You are who?"

"Uh, you can just call me Grandma Sophie," Sophie smiled nervously to the blonde man as she brought out a wooden spoon. "I'm your new cleaning lady, I just started work today."

"I see... And who is this?" Howl asked as he looked down to Gwendolyn.

"I'm Gwendolyn!" Gwen smiled sweetly.

"Pleased to meet you both," Howl smiled back before coming closer towards Sophie to take over the cooking. "Give that to me. Hand me two more slices of that bacon and six more of those eggs."

Sophie flinched slightly before she soon helped Howl the best that she could.

"Yummy." Calcifer murmured as he ate the eggs shells.

Gwen smiled and fetched a couple more logs for Calcifer and the mugs for the tea.

"So then, who hired you to clean?" Howl asked as he gave Calcifer the egg shells while cooking the whites and yolks.

"Uh, Calcifer did," Sophie smiled while helping him. "He was disgusted by how dirty it is in here."

"Hm..." Howl hummed before turning around and going that way. "Markl, get the plates!"

"Wait a second, you're all gonna eat while I do all the work?" Calcifer complained.

Markl looked surprised at all the clean cutlery and then got the plates and forks.

Gwen gave Calcifer the logs first. "I'll save you some." she promised the fire sweetly, then joined them at the table.

"How sweet of you, I'm also expecting some company later on, I hope that's all right." Howl told the others.

Sophie smiled at the eggs and bacon. Markl looked to Howl.

Gwen looked to him too. "Comp-Co... Other people?" She asked.

"Yes, she's a distant relative of mine, she should be here soon, if she isn't too busy with her new job." Howl chuckled.

Gwen smiled.

Markl handed out the cutlery. Sophie soon sat down with Gwen to eat some breakfast.

"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me." Sophie said to her sister, taking a spoon from Markl when offered silverware.

"Bread, Markl?" Howl asked after slicing a piece.

"Thanks." Markl grinned.

Gwen sat neatly.

"Sophie?" Howl asked as he held out another piece.

"Yes, thank you." Sophie accepted.

"And how about you?" Howl smiled to Gwen.

"Yes, please." Gwen smiled back to Howl.

Howl smiled back, giving her the bread. "So friends, enjoy... Bon appetite~" he told them once the food was laid out.

"Bon Appa-Appe... Enjoy~" Gwen giggled.

"I can't remember the last time we had a real breakfast." Markl commented, eating messily.

"Even the manners are a mess in this house." Sophie mumbled about Markl's eating habits.

"So, what do you have hidden in your pocket, Gwen?" Howl smiled.

"Huh? What is this?" Gwen asked, pulling out some sort of paper. Her face was one of confusion.

"Give it to me." Howl gently told her.

Gwen started to hand it over only to yelp as it burnt her hand a bit causing her to drop it.

"Scorch marks. Howl, can you read them?" Markl stated then asked.

Sophie looked over with the others.'

"That is ancient sorcery," Howl said as his blonde locks danced in the air. "And quite powerful too."

"It's from the Witch of the Waste?" Markl asked.

Gwen had tears in her eyes as she stuck her burnt fingers in her mouth.

"'You who swallowed a falling star, oh heartless man'," Howl began to read aloud. "'Your heart shall soon belong to me'..." he then had a small smirk, putting his palm over the mark, even touching the flames without injury. "That can't be good for the table."

Sophie frowned, feeling bad for Gwen, and tried to comfort her.

"Wow, it's gone!" Markl grinned.

Gwen hugged up to Sophie, sniffling. She then went and hugged Howl too. "I'm sowwy, I didn' know it was there!" She almost wailed, quietly though.

"The mark may be gone, but the spell is still there," Howl said before turning to Gwen and Sophie, but mostly to Gwen. "Lend me your hand."

"Oh, it's okay, it's not so bad~" Sophie comforted her sister.

Gwen held out her hand to him. Howl carefully took Gwen's hand and stroked his fingertips on the palm to cure the burning and singes as she was in pain, he found himself unable to bear seeing her in such a state, but he kept looking into her eyes as he did. Gwen's tears soon disappeared as her eyes widened in amazement. Her little cheeks blushed a pretty pink.

"Is that better?" Howl asked, though he was sure it was and gave a small smile to her.

Gwen nodded. "Thank you." she said softly.

"You are most welcome," Howl smiled before he soon stood up, giving the fire his leftovers as he stood up with his plate. "Excuse me, my friends, please continue your meal. Calcifer, move the castle 60 miles to the west. And while you're at it, make hot water for my bath."

"Fine, like moving the castle wasn't hard enough." Calcifer muttered.

"You're not working for the Witch of the Waste, are you?" Markl asked Sophie and Gwen.

Gwen ate a little more food then gave the rest to Calcifer.

"Thanks, kiddo." was the grateful reply.

Sophie's eyes widened before she glared. "I WOULD NEVER WORK WITH THAT WITCH! She's the one who-" She then grumbled and muffled as her mouth seemed to prevent her from telling what had happened to her and Gwen truthfully, no doubt a side effect from the spell. She even stood up and slammed her fists on the table, nearly knocking things over.

Markl jumped.

"You should wing her neck, Sophie." Gwen giggled.

"Ooh, if I get my hands on her, I'll wring that fat neck!" Sophie agreed firmly before shoveling her breakfast into her mouth. "Finish your breakfast!"

Markl sat and ate. However, after he was done, he sat outside in his old man disguise. Gwen headed upstairs, and headed to see if Howl wanted a cup of tea. She knocked on the bathroom door. Sophie was soon dressed to clean up the house like a maid, shooing away the disgusting insects and junk all around.

"Who's there?" Howl's voice asked.

Markl was kind of scared which was why he was out of the way.

"It's Gwen, do you want some tea?" Gwen called through the door.

Sophie continued to clean and do what she could, even as that included cleaning up around the fireplace, though Calcifer didn't seem to like it.

"Sophie, please. Sophie, please help me, I'm going out. Please, get me some firewood quick. Quick, come on. Hey, please help me." Calcifer was pleading.

Sophie looked to him and soon helped him out alright, putting him into a small pot.

"Hey, wh-what are you doing? No, don't, don't, I'll fall! You crazy lady with tongs!" Calcifer complained. He struggled to stay up. "I'll fall! Help!"

Sophie began to scoop out the ash and soot from the fireplace, ignoring Calcifer's cries.

"Oh, yes, tea sounds lovely, thank you." Howl approved.

Gwen rushed and fetched him a cup of tea. She then returned, ready to give it him.

Howl looked over and smiled to Gwen. "You are quite helpful as you are adorable." He then lightly chuckled.

Gwen smiled sweetly and handed him the cup.

"Thank you so much." Howl approved.

Gwen blushed softly with a giggle.

"So, Gwendolyn, is it?" Howl asked.

Gwen nodded. "Uh-huh." she agreed, then followed him downstairs.

"That's a perfect and lovely name for someone as perfect and lovely as you," Howl smiled as he soon walked over to take care of Calcifer before he would 'die', lifting up the pot and setting his cup down for right now. "Can you lift those logs?" he then asked her just to make sure.

Gwendolyn nodded and helped set up a nice small pile of logs for Calcifer.

"That's a good girl..." Howl smiled before slipping Calcifer out of the pot into the palm of his hand and he blew on him, creating a blue flame and went to set him onto the logs.

Sophie soon came back inside and saw Howl work his magic. Gwendolyn smiled with a small blush.

Howl soon looked up and turned to face Sophie with a small smile. "I'd appreciate it, if you didn't torment my friend."

Sophie looked up at him as he came that way just as Markl came back inside.

"Master Howl, are you going out now?" Markl asked him.

"Markl, make sure the cleaning lady doesn't get carried away while I'm gone." Howl instructed as he shut the door before leaving it, making the color wheel turn from blue to black.

"Sophie, what did you do now?" Markl frowned.

"She almost smothered me," Calcifer said. "If I die, Howl dies too, I hope you know."

Gwen looked horrified.

"Argh, be quiet, you're alright," Sophie groaned to the fire before leaving to go upstairs. "Now quit bothering me, I've got a job to do."

Howl leaped out the door and seemed to fly and the door shut once he went out.

"Wait, you can't come up here!" Markl complained.

Gwen then had an idea. She started to put a neat pile of logs out in Calcifer's reach so he could help himself when he needed logs.

"Whatever you don't want me to clean, hide it now." Sophie smirked.

"Save my room for last, okay?" Markl then exclaimed and rushed into his room.

"These little outbursts seem to be giving me some energy," Sophie chuckled. "Gwendolyn, are you going to help?" she then asked her sister.

"I'm just sorting out Calcifer some logs." Gwendolyn replied.

"All right, I'll be going up then." Sophie told her sister before doing so.

"Okay, Sophie." Gwendolyn nodded.

Sophie nodded back and soon came up the stairs. "What a mess!" she commented before going into the bathroom.

There came a knock at the door.

"Oh." Gwen gasped before opening the door, after being told which one by Calcifer.

"Howl, I am here~" A young feminine voice called and soon, there came an old familiar face: it was Yasha!