The Amulet of Enchancia
Summary: Amber learns from a traveling fortune teller that the Amulet of Avalor had a twin jewel cut from the same stone: The Amulet of Enchancia. The princess makes it her mission to find the amulet so she can finally have a magical gem of her own.
Disclaimer: I only own a few secret characters in here and the Amulet of Enchancia (and I can't even believe I'm saying that, lol), but I don't own the descriptive title, of course.
A/N: Here we go with the research section. 😉 You know I love some good research scenes. Haha. Thanks for all the feedback so far! Enjoy!
*Story*
Chapter 2: Fact or Fiction
Cedric was grateful he hadn't been handling dangerous chemicals or trying to balance something heavy or…well, just about anything hazardous really, since his door banged open and caused him to jump in surprise. "Sofia, I thought you were over the whole—oh, Princess Amber!" He blinked as all three royal siblings shuffled into his workshop, the blonde girl at the front with her hands on her hips. "Um… Can I help you, children?"
"Yes, Cedric," Amber responded emphatically before hurrying over to him, excitement replacing her cool demeanor. "Sofia said you had a book that talked about her amulet. Where is it?"
"Uh…" He glanced toward Sofia in concern, noting her smile and shrug. "Wh-What is going on?" Determining that they seemed to be there for a possibly lengthy visit, he used his wand to shut his door before conjuring enough chairs for everyone to sit.
"Maybe we should start at the beginning, Amber," Sofia suggested as she sat next to Cedric.
Amber recapped the story of meeting with the mysterious fortune teller at the bazaar, her siblings adding in details as the story unfolded. Cedric listened attentively, though he didn't seem terribly convinced.
"Let me get this straight," he said a few minutes later, tapping his fingers on the work table. "An old woman recognizes Sofia's amulet and randomly indicates that it has a twin?" He laughed. "I'm sorry, but I have never heard of such a thing, and I've read up on and studied many magical items in Enchancia's history, the Amulet of Avalor in particular. Never once did I come across the Amulet of Enchancia."
"Just because you didn't know about it doesn't mean it doesn't exist," Amber argued from her seat beside James. "You didn't even know about Princess Elena being in Sofia's amulet, so clearly you don't know everything." She grinned as he looked slightly defeated. "And I'm not saying that to be mean, Cedric. I'm just saying…"
"I suppose you have a point, Princess Amber," he admitted with a shrug, "but it's just hard to believe that another magical amulet cut from the same stone exists. I would have thought there would have been at least a little bit of history about it." He gestured toward his expansive collection of books. "I've read every single book in my workshop at least twice at this point. Not one of them mentions anything about an Amulet of Enchancia."
"Could it be magically disguised or something?" James wondered as he leaned over the table, his legs kicking back and forth beneath it. "I mean, like, maybe whoever wrote the stuff about Sofia's amulet also put something in there about the Amulet of Enchancia, but maybe it was written in invisible ink."
"Why would anyone want to go through the trouble though?" Cedric disputed.
Sofia smiled up at her friend. "Because people are weird, Mr. Cedric."
He laughed. "I can't argue with that…" He shrugged before standing and heading to retrieve one of his books. "I suppose it couldn't hurt to look. Given the interesting experiences any number of us have had, nothing truly surprises me anymore." Grabbing one of his spell books, he carried it back to the table and flipped to the section on the Amulet of Avalor. He turned it to where everyone could preview it. "There, see? Plenty of information on this amulet; nothing is said about the Amulet of Enchancia."
James pulled the book closer and frowned at some barely decipherable lettering toward the bottom of the page. He tilted his head before turning the entire book around. "Uh, Cedric? What's this?" He turned it once again, pointing toward the writing.
Cedric frowned at the words. "I can barely see it. Just a moment." He waved his wand once, producing a pair of reading glasses. He heard his apprentice giggling, so he turned to her. "What's so funny?"
"I didn't know you had glasses, Mr. Cedric," she laughed. She then smiled as he rolled his eyes. "They look nice on you."
He returned the smile. "Thank you, Sofia. I only use them if I have trouble reading things, and this would be one of those cases, I'm afraid." He returned to the book and narrowed his eyes at the writing. "It seems to be…in Latin. Geminos divisa: unus lapis pro manes duo. Quaerere 'Enchancian Mysteria' per Avacier. Okay… I know 'geminos' is derived from the word Gemini, meaning twin."
Amber's eyes instantly lit up. "I'm liking where this is going."
Cedric frowned as he continued to translate the Latin. "All right, it says, 'Twins divided: one stone for two…souls…'" His eyes widened. "'Read Enchancian Mysteries by Avacier.'" Avacier… I know that name." He turned and looked toward his shelves of books. "I just saw that book the other day…"
"Was it called Enchancian Mysteries?" Sofia asked.
"No. No, it only had the author's name on it." He used his wand to remove the glasses. "But I know I saw it. It's a gold book with blue lettering. It says 'Avacier' on the spine and all across the front of the book." He scratched his head. "Strange thing is, I only just came across it the other day. However, I don't recall ever reading that book…"
Amber smirked as she and the other royals stood to begin searching for the book. "I thought you said you'd read every book in here at least twice."
He smiled sheepishly toward the princess. "Perhaps I exaggerated…"
With four people scouring the practically endless rows of books, there seemed to be an air of anticipation (and anxiety) in the room. If they could find this book, maybe they'd get the answers they were seeking. Maybe it could direct them to the actual Amulet of Enchancia. Maybe…
"I found it!" James exclaimed excitedly as he pulled a book from one of the shelves and took it back to the table, where the other three joined him to preview it. "How do you say this again? A-vah-seer?"
"Ah-vah-see-ā," Cedric corrected. "I think it's a French name, but it's not an author I'm familiar with." He dusted off the book, showing more of the blue lettering he'd previously mentioned. "Well, then… Let's see what this is all about."
"I can't see," Amber complained, pushing James back a bit.
"Hey!"
Sofia sighed at the twins' actions before grabbing Cedric's wand and pointing it at the book. "Levitate." The book hovered midair where the quartet could easily see it. She then passed the wand back to her mentor, who used it to open the book and flip through the first pages. "Okay, can everyone see now?"
The blondes nodded, smiling innocently at the pointed looks they were receiving from Sofia and Cedric.
"This appears to be a book on the mysteries of Enchancia," Cedric surmised. "Given the title, it makes sense." He flipped through the pages. "Information about the caves, Dunwiddie, some of the lesser-known rulers…" He frowned thoughtfully. "I've yet to see anything on the amulet, though."
Sofia gasped as Cedric flipped a few more pages. "Wait, Mr. Cedric, go back." She pointed at the book once he flipped backwards a page. "Look!"
Before them lay the information that they'd been seeking, and it was enough to blanket the entire workshop in awed quiet.
The Amulet of Enchancia
The twin of a more well-known jewel called the Amulet of Avalor, the Amulet of Enchancia is one of Enchancia's greatest mysteries. Unlike its counterpart, no one has ever claimed ownership of this amulet.
Both the Avaloran and Enchancian amulets were cut from the same stone, thereby making them 'twins.' Some Maruvian legends suggest that actual twin spirits inhabited the amulets at one point, but that is usually dismissed as just a story told to appease children. While the original tone of the Avaloran amulet was red, the Enchancian amulet has always possessed a triad of colors: blue, gold, and red, symbolizing the colors of Enchancia.
While the exact location of the Amulet of Enchancia is virtually unknown, it is suggested that it may possibly be hidden in a remote area of the kingdom called the Heart of Enchancia. Getting to the Heart proves quite difficult, though, due to many natural dangers and traps that could have been set in more primitive years. Without a clear understanding of how the path to the Heart works, adventurers could easily find themselves in grave danger, which makes this particular amulet one to merely ponder over rather than try to discover.
"…So, when do we leave?" Amber asked as she pressed her hands eagerly against the table.
"Amber, didn't you hear what the book said?" Sofia admonished. "It could be dangerous going to the Heart of Enchancia. Is an amulet really worth risking your life?"
"If we do it safely, then it just might be," the older princess retaliated. "I mean, you guys know magic! If some crazed squirrel attacks us, Cedric can bippity-boppity-boo it into oblivion, right?"
Cedric's eye twitched at the crude description. "That's…not exactly the way it works, Princess Amber…"
"Whatever… Look, what I'm saying is this could be a great find! What kind of devoted Enchancians are we if we don't try to discover and produce every original artifact of our kingdom?" She attempted to smile convincingly, though she could tell that the others seemed a bit hesitant.
James grabbed the floating book and read the information again.
"I'm afraid your sister is right, Princess," Cedric acknowledged. "If we don't know what we're getting into, it could be extremely dangerous, and I'm sorry, but I can't have it on my conscience if any of you were to get hurt while trying to find this thing—if it even actually exists. Your father would be livid if you were to go with my knowledge of it."
The older princess sighed in frustration. "I realize that, Cedric… But this could be such a great discovery! If we could just-"
"No," the sorcerer responded firmly, causing Amber to blink in surprise. "You will not get hurt or killed seeking out a blasted piece of jewelry."
Sofia gaped at her friend in surprise. He'd really just shut Amber down rather quickly, and the other girl did not seem to take too kindly to it.
"Oh, who asked you anyway?" Amber retorted with a glare. "You're not my father, Cedric!"
"No, but as an extension of his court and as a loyal employee whose job is to serve and protect, I must discourage you from looking for the Amulet of Enchancia."
"Uh, guys?" James asked as he seemed to be looking at the back of the book for whatever reason.
"Some loyal employee." The princess folded her arms, fuming. "What 'loyal' employee freezes the royal family and tries to take over the kingdom?"
"He apologized for that, Amber," Sofia interjected, frowning. "And he's more than made up for it at this—"
"Stay out of this, Sofia," Amber demanded. "This doesn't concern you. You always defend him."
"Guys?" James tried again, to no avail.
"At least one of us does!" the younger girl snapped back, her blue eyes narrowed in anger. "You were always so short with Mr. Cedric and so mean to him. You guys never gave him a chance!"
Cedric reached toward the younger girl. "Sofia, really…"
"You don't know what you're talking about," Amber declared heatedly, glaring at her sister. "You are just so naïve sometimes, Sofia… Naïve enough to believe everyone is your friend. You couldn't even see the truth about Cedric's nature if it slapped you in the face. No, not Mr. Cedric."
"GUYS!"
"WHAT?!" the princesses shouted in unison as they turned to James, who seemed a bit perplexed.
"Uh… I thought you should see this…" He tore away what appeared to be a false back to the book, and from the hollow section he produced a folded piece of parchment. He handed it to Amber, who grabbed it quickly from him.
She unfolded the document and spread it out on the table, her eyes widening at the sight before her. "It's a map…to the Heart of Enchancia!" She looked at the center, noting that the castle resided there. She traced her finger from the castle to the supposed Heart and beamed happily. "This is it!" She grinned at James. "Good work, James!"
"Uh, th-thanks, Amber…" He felt it was a bit of a hollow victory, considering what had just transpired moments ago.
Amber smiled happily toward Cedric and Sofia, both of whom seemed rather annoyed. She blinked. "What?"
Sofia scoffed and hopped down from her chair, storming toward the door.
"Sofia!" Amber rushed over to her sister, grasping her arm gently. "Sofia, look, I'm sorry…" She then turned back to Cedric. "And Cedric, I'm really, really sorry for what I said about you. I… I didn't mean it… I was just frustrated with this whole thing, and…"
"Amber, he was just trying to look out for you," Sofia explained calmly, though her cheeks were still heated, supposedly from anger. "Mr. Cedric is a good person, whether you want to believe it or not. I can't count the times he's saved me."
Cedric smiled gratefully toward his friend.
"Just give him a chance. He's not this bad guy you have built up in your mind, no matter what has happened in the past."
"I know he's not…" She sighed. "I know…very well." She gave Cedric a sad smile, the sorcerer returning the sentiment. "Look, I don't want us to be mad at each other. I know I have a big mouth, and sometimes I let my emotions control me more than I control them…" She released Sofia, who folded her arms but stayed where she was. "Can you guys just…indulge me this one time? I just really want to see if this thing exists. James found a map, after all…"
"On one condition," Cedric clarified, picking up the map while James grabbed the book. "I'm going with you, and you will follow my instructions. If I tell you to stop, you stop. If I tell you to run, you run." He frowned seriously. "And if I say we're returning to the castle, we're returning to the castle, no questions asked. I'll get us as far as I feel is safe, but if there's any reason to return, I must implore you to heed what I say. I sincerely have your best interests at heart, Princess Amber. Yours and your brother's and sister's."
She nodded in understanding as he walked over and knelt next to her, placing one hand on her shoulder. She sighed as he whispered something to her.
"I've already lost one important person in your family… I won't lose you too."
The girl's eyes widened in understanding, and she immediately hugged the sorcerer. "I'm sorry, Cedric," she whispered.
"It's all right…" He carefully patted her on the back before smiling gently at her as she let him go. He stood up once more. "Now then…" He held up the map, inspecting it curiously as the three royals gathered around him. "Let's see what we can do about this elusive Amulet of Enchancia…"
To be continued…
