"There, there," Howl immediately says with a good-natured laugh. "No need to be embarrassed for me. Embarrassed for yourself, well... that's your authority."

His eyes sweep around the dark cavern, composed of dirt floor, dirt walls, and dirt ceiling, with gnarled roots as thick as a man's arm weaving in and out of the soil. Frowning, he can't help but think how easy it would be to get out of here if his magic were working, but... it isn't.

"I suppose we don't have much of a choice but to start walking in one direction, do we? Come. And," he adds, "my name is Howl. Wizard Howl. At your service."