"We've arrived, my lady!"
The coachman pulled to a stop with the horses and carriage kicking up dust around them from the natural trail, whinnying after being given a break from the long trek. Before them was the large gate and fence housing the mystic meadows, so rusted and hardly disturbed, it was strange to think the enchanting retirement home was here of all places.
How much longer the trip felt to sofia without the endless excited chatter and giggles erupting from a wagon full of buttercups going on about badges. But she wasn't alone now at all, it only felt like that because her carriage-mates were so quiet she forgot they were with her in between sightseeing and dozing off.
Cedric sat at his own window, never really taking his eyes off it except to look back at her to make sure she was still in her seat. he was never chatty during rides, but the whole ride here he felt cut off from her, and in his own head. But not in a bad way for once. Her friend looked comfortable- though seeing as he doesn't have to share his lap with "annoyingly curious" twins this time around might have something to do with that, but still. He was almost smiling, and the lines in his face from constant stress and humdrum had nearly vanished, it brought a little joy to her to see him like this.
Outside the carriage, she could hear the coachman walking in the loose dirt and knock on the wooden frame.
"Did you hear me miss?" he called to her gently. "We've arrived at mystic meadows."
Sofia tucked her fingers under the window handle, and pulled it open to smile at the man.
"Thank you coachman, we'll be right out."
"Of course ma'am!" He smiled, and turned, walking to the back of the carriage where the trunk was as she watched him.
Back inside the ride, Sofia scooted closer to her mentor, and softly tugged at the sleeve of his robe, finally drawing his eyes and confused ones at that.
"Mr. Cedric were here!" she squealed, her excitement already pouring out.
"Well it's about bloody time!" called the gruff voice at her feet, startling her and Cedric, making her kick the carefully sculpted and carved bird cage lightly, but enough to annoy it's occupant."watch your feet! Hopefully you can remember that underneath the comical puff of your gowns, you still have legs!"
"Wormwood!" chided Cedric, snapped back to reality, quick to turn to Sofia.
"That's okay, Mr. Cedric," Sofia was quick to cut in, "I'm sure he didn't mean it. He's probably just aggravated from the long ride." she looked down and winked at the bird, who scoffed at her freebee, and chose to instead privately converse with the only intelligent passenger in the carriage.
"Wormwood, quit grumbling to yourself!" Cedric reprimanded, already annoyed, tossing open the door to the carriage without a second thought and stretching to get some feeling back in his limbs.
Wormwood humphed in his cage. Sofia looked right at him and hummed lightly with a smile. Annoying little thing, thought the old bird.
Done with his stretching, Cedric seemed to remember just where they were and took a small gulp and a breath, turning back to the open carriage door.
"Get your bag my dear, I'll carry it. the coachman will handle the rest of our things." Cedric called, resisting the urge to look at the looming gate behind him.
Sofia grabbed her bag from under her seat and handed it to Cedric outside, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly at him with a big smile to show no malice in it.
"You mean all your things, Mr. Cedric," she giggled, "I don't remember packing three luggages of spellbooks and wands."
"Shh," her mentor urged with a grin, "If he knows it's all mine, he might make me help!"
"What was that, sir?" called the coachman, curious head poking around the carriage, stuffed case in his wobbling arms.
"Oh, nothing!" called the wizard, grabbing the cage from inside the coach, a mumble of finally, leaving the raven's beak. "Just be careful with the princess's things!"
"Of course!" replied the coachman in a squeak, a bigger box of magical contraptions taking the wind and strength out of him.
"Good man!" exclaimed the sorcerer, the raven, now free and perched comfortably on his shoulder, giving an amused caaaw at the lad's misfortune.
Just as she was about to step out, Cedric offered his hand to the princess, earning a flattered giggle from her, but acceptance still as she let him lead her off the steps, and to the gate, not letting go of her hand. She could feel his anxiety on the grip on her palm, shaking up her arm and pricking her heart. So she squeezed back reassuringly.
Frankly the coachman was grateful. If the princess was here to be the emotional anchor, it meant he didn't have to be like the past trips to the retirement home. And he would not get pressed into hand holding a fourth time.
He's walking slower, thought Sofia, and from the exasperated sigh coming from the raven she was right. But she didn't press. Issues between Cedric and his father had been mended, it's true. But years of spine stabbing nerves when it came to visits full of criticism and arguing don't vanish in two, three, or four visits, so she slowed down with him.
And it was nice. The aged sorcerers on benches, boats, and pool chairs waved eagerly at the presence of their princess, at the young girl who lightened their time at the meadow, who's troop regularly visits for riddles, flycakes and dances.
The lake was beautiful, crystal like water, with fish who seemed to look right at her and pool together in groups to get a better look at the girl who doesn't look like any of the wrinkly men and women of the meadow, who didn't shy away from her reaching in to touch them with small ticklish hands, or swim away from her laughter.
The bridges connecting each piece of land where the streams separate them were Sofia's favorite. So simple, yet so unique. Hard stone, carved flat and cool to the touch, with lined wooden beams, old but still incredibly soft, overgrown with morning glories and sweet smells even through the day.
Magic, Sofia thought, obviously. But what a marvelously simple thing to magically enchant. Mystic meadows was a wondrous place, so much so that sofia felt she would forget why she was here to begin with, Mr. Cedric, she focused on, you're here for him. Every time she stopped to admire another aspect of the retirement home, she would look back to see Mr. Cedric looks so...sad. Every time she pulled away to get back to what they were supposed to be doing, he looked anxious as well as hurt still.
Sometimes she'd peak back quickly to see Wormwood whispering to his master, her friend, but nothing she could hear. Was it his parents? was it her? was it… Wormwood? No, he wouldn't do something like that, not anymore. It was confusing, but she wouldn't ask him now. Later, she decided, when he's feeling better and relaxed. Later. So instead, she held his hand all the way to the cottage they were here for.
Once again she felt his nerves in her hand, but before she could squeeze back, he let go, and rubbed his palms together, running them over his eyes and sighing. Whatever was going on inside was noisy, and overwhelming for Cedric's already shot nerves.
Sofia didn't push him, didn't knock for him. He needed a moment and that's what he'll get. even snippy Wormwood knew to keep quiet.
Cedric opened his eyes, and brought up a fist but faltered before he touched the door. Nerves.
"Mr. Cedric," Sofia whispered so that whoever was causing the racket inside wouldn't hear her, "if you want to go look around some more, that's fine." she offered him more time, but he didn't want it.
"No!" Cedric managed, voice a bit strung, and wormwood quirked a brow at him, listening intently, and Sofia noticed. "No, we should just…" still wavering. He coughed, and straightened himself out. "We should just go in." perfect.
"Then knock already," Wormwood whispered to him, but right by Cedric's ear it was shrill, "they're your parents, not half starved ogres!"
"This isn't exactly easy, you know!" the sorcerer shot back.
"Oh of course it isn't, my mistake, I should remember all the times I struggled to open a door as a fledgling!"
Sofia watched them bicker, concern marking up her face till Cedric near shouted back to the raven "fine! You want me to knock!?, I'll knock for crying out loud!"
and he did. Three heavy knocks were thrown on the door, and the sorcerer looked back at his shoulder companion with an air of clueless smug that irritated the bird. Wormwood rolled his eyes before grinning viciously in victory as Winifred's voice rang out to them, draining Cedric's color.
"Give me a moment, I'll be right there," all three heard.
And then Sofia understood. Cedric flew into a panic on the spot, biting his nails, not moving like he was stuck to the stone. Wormwood only guffawed in mockery, loud and obnoxious. He slid his eyes over to Sofia when he felt her dumbfounded stare that was slowly spreading into something he didn't like at all. The raven tried to steer her away with the same self righteous grin he used on others, and an air of cruel joy derived specifically from Cedric. But to his continued annoyance, all he received in return was a very genuine, very sappy smile that looked ridiculous on her, and was meant for the sole purpose of mocking him, whether she realized it or not.
It was his turn to sputter uncontrollably in a defenseless situation, with no other option but to look away in pitiful defiance.
the worst part was how condescendingly she dared to leave alone that last smidgen of pride he clung to by reaching over and taking Cedric's hand, pretending to offer comfort to the man who might just melt on the spot, letting him "believe" she didn't clearly just see the raven press closer to Cedric's hair to do the same.
how irritatingly merciful.
authors note:
the first chapter is done and feel free to let me know what you guys think.
this story might be a little lengthy in the long run because I'm trying to go for at least 1000 words a chapter.
I'm usually a pretty quick writer so I'll try not to have really large gaps between updates if i can help it.