(no subject)
Sophie and Howl are far from the only ones taking an audience with the king this morning. There's a whole room full of advisers, hangers-on, Royal this-and-thats, Very Important People, the Mayor of Kingsbury, and so on. Wizard Suliman is there, and that fills someone with hope that he'll be released from his obligations as Royal Wizard.
But they'll have to wait and see. As the king enters the room everyone who's not already standing does so. And when the king sits and nods and his... whomever they are make the motion for everyone to sit, Howl takes his place behind Sophie's chair, resting his hands on her shoulders. Whether or not it's mentioned, he knows that it was the two of them as much as the king who are responsible for things going the way they've gone.
Without preamble, the king begins.
"Today, I am here to discuss the details of Strangia's surrender and to talk about what happens next. First, I'd like to let everyone know that none of this could have happened without the help a few key people."
(Howl's hands tighten on Sophie's shoulders.)
"But for the sake of brevity, I won't single anybody out. We have some rather important developments to discuss..."
Whatever the king says next goes right over his head. He hasn't done any of this for the glory and notoriety; heaven knows he's got enough of the latter regardless. He and Sophie will always know what they've done, and it's something they can be proud of forever. As the king rambles on in a dull, dry way, a smile starts on Howl's lips. As the king continues, the smile grows. And by the time he's done with his introductory speech, he's positively beaming. He's just realized something, and time will prove him either right or wrong.
It's probably a very good thing Sophie can't see his face right now.
But they'll have to wait and see. As the king enters the room everyone who's not already standing does so. And when the king sits and nods and his... whomever they are make the motion for everyone to sit, Howl takes his place behind Sophie's chair, resting his hands on her shoulders. Whether or not it's mentioned, he knows that it was the two of them as much as the king who are responsible for things going the way they've gone.
Without preamble, the king begins.
"Today, I am here to discuss the details of Strangia's surrender and to talk about what happens next. First, I'd like to let everyone know that none of this could have happened without the help a few key people."
(Howl's hands tighten on Sophie's shoulders.)
"But for the sake of brevity, I won't single anybody out. We have some rather important developments to discuss..."
Whatever the king says next goes right over his head. He hasn't done any of this for the glory and notoriety; heaven knows he's got enough of the latter regardless. He and Sophie will always know what they've done, and it's something they can be proud of forever. As the king rambles on in a dull, dry way, a smile starts on Howl's lips. As the king continues, the smile grows. And by the time he's done with his introductory speech, he's positively beaming. He's just realized something, and time will prove him either right or wrong.
It's probably a very good thing Sophie can't see his face right now.