2.
In the morning she was pleased to hear that Demetri planned to move on. Sofia wrestled the magic book away from Cedric so she could flip through it while the men began to get things ready. Cedric left to run some errands, his eye-catching hair tucked carefully in a simple cap to avoid being recognized. Hours passed and Sofia began to grow bored. Cedric was still in town and the men were discussing plans with Demetri. The book was fairly common, but Cedric probably appreciated the reference of spells. He missed his massive collection back at the workshop. She wrapped herself in the heavy robe, despite the heat she felt safer with it on. One look at it and people would assume she was just another sorcerer, not a princess in disguise. She pulled her long hair back into a lazy pony tail and went in search of Cedric.
The streets were alive with activity, and people bustled around her. No one paid her too much attention. Even though she was a foreigner she was also dressed as a sorcerer and it wasn't uncommon to see them travelling around. She kept an eye out for Cedric, she checked the usual areas. Shops where he could find books or magical ingredients, but he wasn't in any of those.
Happy to be outside in the day light, she decided to leisurely stroll through the row of shops to look for him. She casually peeked in windows or scoped out the crowds around the outdoor stands. Finally she saw him. He was leaning against a counter with a small display. She smiled and walked over to him. When he saw her he jumped and rushed to meet her, forcibly turning her away from the small booth.
"Sofia? Is anything wrong?" he draped an arm around her and laughed nervously.
"Why do you always ask me that?" she said, taking a quick glance backwards.
"I-I don't know." He said. Now she was really curious. It had been awhile since he had stuttered when talking to her.
"What were you looking at?" she asked.
"Nothing in particular, just killing time while I wait for Demetri to need me." He spoke quickly and then changed the subject. "See anything interesting?" he asked. She opened her mouth to reply but movement caught her eye. It was the boy from the night before, and he was leading a man straight towards her.
"I see something interesting now," she said alarmed. "We need to go." Cedric didn't argue. They turned and began to make their way back through the crowd.
"Did someone see me?" he hissed.
"No, me, at least I think." She said, pulling him quickly into a discreet alley. "It was the boy I gave money to last night, he was walking a rather large man straight at us."
"Not good, what does he look like." He was using a mirror to check around the corner. She reached to take the mirror when a loud thump sounded next to them, causing them both to startle.
The man who had been following the boy was now standing next to them. Sofia felt the blood drain from her face. Cedric reached for his wand, but the man held up a hand.
"Queen Amber wants to talk to you," he said to Sofia. "alone." He added pointedly at Cedric.
"I don't think so." Cedric tried to push her behind him, but she stopped him.
"Cedric, it's alright. I have a feeling we aren't going to outrun him, and casting magic will attract too much attention. Besides, you're not a guard are you?" Sofia asked.
"No, I am not." He confirmed.
"Tell her I can meet her in the alley at the end of the shops after dark." Sofia said, expecting the man to challenge her, but he only nodded. He turned and left as quickly as he had come.
"Good, you got rid of him," Cedric took her arm. "How did she know you were here?" he asked.
"How would I know?" she said, "but she didn't send out her royal guard to track us down, and he wasn't interested in you at all. That has to be a good sign." Her heart was filling with hope. She might actually get to see her sister. Maybe her family wanted them to come back?
"Or she could be plotting to take you back to your family," he said slowly. "alone." He added, but she shrugged.
"I have to find out, Cedric." She grabbed a hold of his shirt and buried her face into his chest. Tears came before she even knew what was happening, but in truth she missed her sister. She missed her family. Cedric leaned against the wall and let her silently cry while they stood in the shadows.
"Then we'll go." He said after Sofia began to settle down.
"I'm supposed to go alone." She reminded him, but she knew he wouldn't allow that.
"I'll stay hidden, she won't see me." He said and she nodded, not wanting to fight. He would go and spy on them whether she allowed him to or not. When Sofia finally settled down she wiped her eyes and Cedric walked her back to the thieves' lair. On their way they passed the small booth Cedric had been at earlier and so she looked to see what it was selling. His nervousness had made her curious. It wasn't like him to be so secretive now, and she was even more confused when she saw that it was only a modest jewelry merchant.
Yay Amber! Shes one of my faves on the show, and I had to squeeze her into the story somewhere!
