The Ultimate Task
Chapter 1: What's Left Behind
"Wait for me, " Sofia called to her friend who was walking towards the throne room with Baileywick. When the two servants heard the princess' call they stopped in their tracks as she caught up with them.
"What ever you need from Cedric will have to wait Sofia, your father has summoned him for an emergency meeting." The steward told the girl as he took out his pocket watch to look at the time. "There is quite a bit to do today."
Hearing that their was an emergency meeting alarmed her a bit. What kind of situation was the kingdom in now? Feeling obligated that she should take part in this she ran up up to the two again once she realized that they were walking again. "Well, I'm here to help, whatever is Mr. Cedric, you and I will take care of it together."
Cedric looked at his apprentice from the corner of his eye. "You're helping?" he asked her with a raised eyebrow which made the steward not too happy that he had pressed her on the subject remembering King Roland's words of not wanting his daughter to be involved in the dangerous situation.
"Of course, I am." Sofia stated as they entered the throne room. " No matter what the situation is.
King Roland frowned when he heard that bold statement from his daughter. While he did know how close the two were and how they worked together on a lot of things Roland didn't want her to be facing the person that was causing the trouble. "That is very kind of you,Sofia but I'm afraid this a job only the royal sorcerer can accomplish."
"But dad I-" Sofia tried to explain but was caught off from her father.
"You can however listen." Roland said giving his daughter a stern look for a moment then turned to Constable Miles. "Miles , please go over your report again so we all can be on the same page of the situation."
However, before the constable could retell the report a guard interrupted the meeting. "Excuse the interruption, Your Majesties but the Protectors of the Mystic Isles has come with some troubling news.
Sofia broke out of her unhappy mood and turned to the three protectors that walked inside. What were they doing here?"
"I apologize for interrupting your meeting, King Roland but I'm afraid I must tell you some troubling news that concerns the ever realm." Orion answered as her bowed with Vega and Crysta.
"What seems to be the trouble?" Miranda asked in concern.
"A few months ago a thief portraying themselves as Sofia tried to steal the Magical items of all of the Mystic Isles, while Cedric recovered all of them one was missing..."He trailed off.
"The glow of the Isle of Wishes." Cedric confirmed for them.
All of the protectors nodded. "We tried to see if we could temporarily replace the item until the glow's return but we could not find a way." Vega stated.
"So until it's return we are afraid that wish granting magic wielders will not be able to performing any of their magic. Chrysta added.
"Such as...?" Sofia drawled out.
"Genies,wishing wells...any wish granting magic." Orion stated. "We want you to send word to the other kingdomss to warn them of this," Orion explained.
Of course, we will take care of it." Roland stated as he looked toward Baileywick who nodded and wrote down another task on the king's 'To Do' list.
"Is there anything I can do. You know, like maybe search for the thief?" Sofia asked.
"Sorry,Sofia but until we hear about the thief's whereabouts we won't be searching for them. It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack." Crysta stated giving her trainee an apologetic look.
"Hm, if the magical item was stolen it may be a connection to our case."Constable Miles stated as he placed his hand on his chin and reclaimed everyone's attention. "Recently, there have been attacks throughout the Echancian forests and the targets have been magical creatures. They've been either wounded badly, put into unconsciousness or have disappeared never to be seen again."
There was dead silence for a moment until Cedric broke it. "So the attacker must be after magic."
Miles nodded. "We asked the victims of what had happened and they all said a cloak figure had attacked them and sucked out all of their magical abilities."
"The two incidents could be connected considering they are after magic." said Orion then gave a confident look to the others "That's what our thief was wearing."
"After Miles told me this we both agreed that Cedric should take on the case to look for the missing victims and catch the criminal. If it turns out that the criminal is your thief we'll return the magical item and you can deal with them as you please."
"Thank-you, Your Majesty."
Roland then turned to Cedric. "I wish to have this predicament taken care of quickly and quietly as possible. We don't want to cause a panic in the kingdom."
"Right," Cedric answered with a nodded. "I shall pack a bag. I'm afraid since father has to stay at Mystic Meadows due to some...new arrivals I guess I'll have to summon Cordelia to be..." He gulped. "My replacement."
"Surely she's not that bad, Cedric ." Miranda stated.
"While our relationship is a lot better I worry she'll girlify the workshop."
"Oh come now, dear brother, I am not that bad." A voice said surprising the group of her unsuspecting arrival as Cordelia walked inside and hugged her brother.
"What are you doing here?" Cedric asked a bit annoyed as he pushed his sister's arms off from around his neck. It wasn't that he still hated his sister, no. He loved her very much. He just hated her suspecting arrivals.
"I came to see Calista. I miss her so much. I feel like our castle is empty now that she's gone to live with her uncle Cedy."
"Yes, well,it looks like you'll get to spend more time with her after all now that King Roland is sending me off to catch some magical criminal."
"Oh goody," Cordelia cooed making Cedric's eye twitch for a moment. "Don'y worry Cedy, I'll take care of everything!"
"As long as you leave the my workshop the way it is , don't touch my personal stuff and go by the lessons I leave behind for Calista." Cedric said as he numbered off the list with his gloved fingers. " I don't want to make Sofia check to make sure you're following my rules."
The woman huffed, Crossed her arms, turned her head away from him making her long hair hit his face. "Well, if you're going to treat me that way-"
"Just do it Cordy." Cedric interrupted glaring at her for a moment then turned back to the onlookers. "Now, if Your Majesties will excuse me I'm off to pack.
Once he he had packed some belongings in a small bag,wrote down a 'To Do' list do for his sister, he began giving his goodbyes to Calista , Cordelia and Sofia at the entrance of the castle.
"I'm going with you." Sofia stated as she hugged her mentor close and showed him the bag she had packed.
Cedric shook his head in amusement at his apprentice's determination and magically sent sent the bag back to her room which made the teen glare at his action "I don't think so. Besides didn't your father give you orders to stay here?" He asked still hugging her close with his chin on the top of her head.
"He's being overprotective is all but I'm not going to let that one order keep me from helping. Besides I'm the protector of the ever realm, he should have given this job to the both of us." She stated sternly.
Sighing, Cedric placed his hands on both her shoulders and put some some distance between them so they could look at each other. "Sofia, this criminal has been sucking magic out of magical creatures..."
"So?" Sofia asked as she placed both of her hands on her hips.
"Some even have disappeared," The sorcerer added." I agree with your father you should stay here.
"I'm not weak you know!" She yelled at him.
"I didn't say you were!" He yelled back then calmed himself"but...this criminal seems to know what he's doing and he'll probably go after any magic that come his way. How would you feel if he sucked out all of the magic from your amulet?"
"So why are you going, you are magical too you know." She stated still angered that he was arguing with her.
"I'm a professional at magic. It's my job to protect this kingdom. You-"
"If you say I'm only a beginner-"
"Far from it," He interrupted. "I've been training you for years now. You practically know just about everything that's magic. We might have to..." Fearing at what he was about to say he gathered up all his courage,grabbed both of her arms and replaced his unfinished statement with another. "I'm afraid we are at the end with your lessons."
"Surely, you don't mean that..." Sofia asked as she clutched his robe.
"When I get back I'll make it official with your father." He stated. "Just...stay here and let me take care of this for you."
Before she could protest anymore Cedric pulled her in for a hug which she returned and placed her head on his shoulder. "Stay safe and come back to me." She whispered as a few tears slid down her face.
"Always," Cedric whispered back and wiped her tears. "I'll always come back to you."
At the end of the hallway Roland and Miranda stood and watched the two friend's long hug goodbye. While this display of the friends had touched the queen, Roland had his arms crossed and was frowning upon the sight.
"Why are they hugging like that, Miranda?" He asked his wife.
Miranda's smile faded as she turned to the man next to her. "Because they are really good friends, Rollie." Miranda answered him. "Now come on, we better get to making those letters we promised the protectors we would write." She said walking off hoping he would follow her but the man stayed where he was for a minute glaring at the sight then left following his his queen before he could be discovered by the magical group at the other end of the hallway.
With the goodbyes over and Sofia calmed down for now the sorcerer picked up his bag and walked out the double doors having the guards close it behind him.
A/N: Hope you like the start of this chapter that had so much Cedric and Sofia. Please review and wish AquaTurqoise a happy birthday! If you are wondering what is wrong with Roland lets just say his fatherly protective instincts are kicking in and you could say that he is a bit jealous that Cedric gets that much adoration from Sofia since she spends a lot of time with him. Of course, this will also be a foreshadowing of what's to come from Roland. Please review!