2. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT MINIMUS

Sofia practiced longer that afternoon to improve her derby techniques which she had learned from Sir Gallium. The championship would be held in two days, and she had already felt very nervous. This flying Derby Championship was entirely different from the Flying Crown tournament she participated with Prince James and Prince Hugo years ago when they were young. This championship had only one single category, aimed to find the fastest and greatest single Derby rider. It was more challenging and dangerous than Flying Crown as this tournament was designed to suit some of the techniques commonly used in war or battlefield.

She still remembered, how her mom and dad were against her will to join in this championship for fearing for her safety but she was adamant. Even James, who had always been supportive of her also seem not encouraged her to involve in this championship when James himself had won the trophy for three times. Amber, as usual, would worsen the situation by giving nonconstructive comments and demoralizing her further. Seeing no other way, Sofia finally launched a psychological war against her mom and dad by not eating for days. Finally, her parents had to give in and let her did it her way.

"Alright Sofia, I think enough practice for today. You have made a really good preparation, and I am satisfied with your performance. Just do it your best during the competition and good luck for you," Sir Gallium's voice brushed her memory away and made her came back into reality. She thanked her longtime trainer and watched him leave.

It seems that many other riders who are going to participate in the tournament have already arrived. The raceway was busy with riders and their trainers doing last minute preparation. Sofia watched them and noticed that she was the only girl in the field. The feeling was indeed a bit awkward but not new to her. She had experienced this many times. But her many successes in the flying derby tournaments had helped her built reputation and gained respect from the other riders.

Sofia turned and walked up to her horse, Minimus, that waiting patiently for her not far from there. She cautiously reached out to stroke its nose and then cleaned her horse using a wet towel. Minimus has grown into a big and vigorous horse over the years. His two wings are long and sturdy when they spread apart while its purple mane has become more striking than before that make it hardly be missed.

"How is our chance of winning for this time, Minimus?" Sofia asked her horse.

"Of course, we will win, Sof! Like we always do" Replied Minimus with confidence.

"Oh Yeah? But I think this time will be tougher for us, Minimus. I can feel it," Said Sofia.

"Of course, it will be tougher for you, Princess! Ha!Ha!Ha!" Sofia jumped at the sound of a deep hoarse voice that was laughing right behind her.

"I can see you are working very hard for the tournament, aren't you?!" The voice continued.

"Oh, it's you, Squire Vaughan!" Sofia looked up at a short young man, with a round face and plump cheeks. Squire Vaughan was no stranger to her. They had participated in numerous tournaments together and competed closely for the top place. Most of the times, the Squire had to succumb to the Princess's superiority.

Squire Vaughn smirked at her. Sofia watched him walked closer towards Minimus and patted his back.

"Still riding this ugly horse, huh?" He laughed at Minimus.

"He brings you luck no more, Princess Sofia. Allow me to give you advice, Princess. Consider riding another horse, or else, this funny looking horse will be the reason of your lost, this time," He walked away with an uproar.

Minimus snorted at Squire Vaughn words. Sofia stroked his crest gently as if trying to persuade him.

"I hate that guy, Sofia. Didn't he have anything better to say? I swear I will kick his ass if he comes near me". Said Minimus in annoyed.

Sofia giggled.

"Don't think too much about him. Now get a good rest and just focus on our big day," Said Sofia as she walked her horse towards the stable.

The most awaited day finally arrived. Sofia got up very early in the morning and had her breakfast earlier before everyone else. Even Baileywick, the Royal Steward was surprised to see her that early.

"I thought the tournament would only be started at 10.00 am, Princess Sofia? Now, it is only 6.00 am and the turf club is only 20 minutes ride." Baileywick looked at his watch and frowning.

"I know. But I need to see, Minimus." Princess Sofia replied him rather abruptly.

"Tell mom and dad, I can't go with them. I'll see them at the turf club." Said Sofia to Baileywick then hurriedly left away.

Sofia rushed to the tournament's venue and walked fast towards the stable. It was quite difficult to describe, but she hadn't a really good feeling about this competition. From afar, she could see Minimus still asleep in his cell.

Is he really sleeping or...? Sofia couldn't think much. Her heart was pounding hard. She ran towards Minimus and found him lying on the ground almost in a lifeless condition.

"Minimus, Minimus...!" Sofia shouted at the stiffed horse. "Minimus, what has happened to you?" Sofia asked worriedly. Minimus's eyes were open, but he was too weak to respond. He just looked at her in silent.

"Err... I saw someone put something in his drink, Princess Sofia," A nearby horse told her.

"Put something in his drink? What? Who?" Sofia was blurred. She couldn't think straight that moment, especially when she really needs Minimus for the race.

"A fat and short young man with a weird face came in the midnight and put something in his water. He wasn't the stable boy because wore fine clothes, Princess Sofia," The horse told her again.

He seemed like Squire Vaughn, to judge it from the horse's description, Sofia thought. She looked into the bucket of water at Minimus's cell and smelled it.

"Ugh, is it a poison? Oh, poor Minimus," She hugged the lying horse and felt very sad.

I can't let something happen to him. I must think fast to save Minimus, she thought.

"Please hold on, Minimus. I'll get some help," Sofia rushed out of the stable and headed towards the Royal Prep College.

She ran to the Headmistress Office to see Miss Flora, for help. It was still very early in the morning, and she hoped the headmistress had already arrived.

"Miss Flora... Miss Flora," She knocked Miss Flora's office door desperately. The door was immediately opened, and Miss Flora looked at her in surprised.

"Princess Sofia, why a rush? What has happened?" She wondered.

"Minimus... He has been poisoned!" Sofia told her, almost yelling.

"Calm down, calm down... Princess Sofia. Where is he?" Miss Flora asked the extremely worried Princess in front of her.

"He is in the stable, in the turf club," Then, the two of them took a carriage and went to the turf club that was about a five minutes ride from the Royal Prep College.

After examining the horse thoroughly, Miss Flora turned to Sofia and said, "Hmm... He wasn't being poisoned. He was... enchanted." She explained.

"Enchanted? What do you mean?" Sofia asked her in puzzled.

"Looked like someone had given him some magical herb. This herb is quite rare and can only be found on Teekado Island." Said Miss Flora.

Teekado Island? Hm, Squire Vaughn comes from that island. How dare he? I swear I'll teach him a lesson if anything happens to Minimus, Sofia thought.

"We need to cure him fast, Princess Sofia. Get me a bucket of water," Miss Flora gave her instruction to Sofia.

Sofia hurriedly went away and a few moments later, she came back with a new bucket of water and put it in front of Miss Flora. Miss Flora then pointed her wand into the water and whispered a spell. Suddenly, a beam of magic was fired from her wand and struck the water in the bucket. The water was swirling and glowing for a few seconds before it completely stopped swirling and the bright glow faded like nothing had happened.

"Get Minimus to drink the water, Princess Sofia. Then, pour the water all over his body," Asked Miss Flora. Sofia did as she was instructed. She watched Minimus worriedly and looked up again at Miss Flora as if questioning what should they do, next.

As if reading Princess Sofia's mind, Miss Flora told her, "I have cured him. Let him rest for two hours, Princess Sofia. The bad effect of the herb will gradually fade away and he will recover soon. But I am not guaranteeing he will be a hundred percent. He actually needs one day to recover fully from the herb's effect. But I think, two hours rest should be enough to allow him to recover more than 90%." Miss Flora explained to the Princess.

Sofia glanced at her watch. She was relieved to find that she was about 3 hours ahead of the competition.

"Is he fit enough to compete in the race, Miss Flora?" Asked Sofia with hope.

"I am sure he is," Replied Miss Flora.

"That's great! Thank you, Miss Flora." Sofia exclaimed happily. She was relieved because even Minimus was only fit at 90%, he was still a much better horse for the race than another untrained and unskilled horse. She watched the horse who has now become more relaxed and resting calmly.

"Do you know what kind of herb he was be given, Princess Sofia?" Miss Flora's voice suddenly changed to become serious.

"What herb?" Sofia was too happy that she forgot to ask about it.

"The herb works in two ways, one of them is to suppress energy. That's why Minimus was very weak and haggard. The other purpose of the herb is to serve as ... " Miss Flora paused.

"Serve as what, Miss Flora?..." Sofia asked curiously.

"As a love potion." Miss Flora replied.

Love potion? On a horse? What in the world is Squire Vaughn trying to do? He must be some crazy fellow, isn't he? Sofia thought hard about it. For next few hours, she cracked her head thinking of Squire Vaughn's intention. But she could think of nothing...


Ok, seem you have finished reading the Chapter 2. Do you like it? Thank you very much to the reader who has either followed, favorited or reviewed this story, so far. I'd love to hear your review or comment on this story. Please wait for Chapter 3, I am working on it. Yes.. it is about the race ;)