Chapter 11: Peril
"Um, Sofia…"
"Yes?"
"HAHAHAAHA!" Heads pivoted toward the noise, and none other than Edith was lurking about five feet from the gazebo, an umbrella in one hand and wand in the other. "This is pathetic, even for you brother."
Cedric's expression grew hard and he stood abruptly, "What are you doing here Edith! This is MY home, I've more than half a mind to spirit you off to the Southern Isles!"
"It's not YOUR home, is it Cedric? You serve the king and it's HIS home." Cedric flinched at her words, "Besides, King Rolland brought me here, seems he needs a real sorcerer's help and couldn't find any in residence." Cedric's eyes narrowed and he drew his family wand from his sleeve. "You're lying! I'm the Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia, begone you insufferable indigent!"
The woman smirked, "Really, you're going to threaten me with that thing? Do you even know how to aim it?"
Cedric's fists clenched and he turned his head downward in shame, the restorative calm of the rain shattered. How could his sister be so cruel to him? "Stop insulting Mr. Cedric!" Sofia tried to stand and defend her friend but the ankle betrayed her and she collapsed. Her fall distracted the sorcerer, and he turned to offer aide. The princess couldn't help but notice he exposed himself to attack should Edith choose to strike. He was never one to be fully aware of his surroundings, especially when emotional.
Edith started to grin. She'd noticed it too.
"And just what do you think you're doing little princess? A rain-soaked rendezvous with this ugly old hop toad, my my what would the king say?"
"Sofia's my apprentice! and she's the best apprentice I could ever ask for. Better than ten Bernard's put together! Scratch that, I've seen her in action and a hundred Bernard's could never best her!"
Sofia tugged his sleeve to bring him lower as Edith's searched for an return volley, "Who's Bernard?"
Cedric quickly uttered, "Her old apprentice. It was complicated, we'll talk later." Sofia nodded and the witch was regrouping.
"Oh-ho-ho! I didn't realize we have a little witch on our hands, and here I thought she was just another irritating royal. That's more your style anyway, isn't it Cedric?"
"What does she mean Mr. Cedric?" He gasped, and Edith was grinning wildly at winning this war of words.
Edith wasn't done yet through. "And just look at her! She's what, half your age and twice your weight Ceddykins?"
Oh wow. That hurt. Sofia tried not to let it get to her, but the woman had touched a nerve of insecurity that ran deep in Sofia. But then, the woman was grinning wildly at Cedric. Sofia looked up and saw Cedric's loosing control of his emotions.
He flung desperate, angry words; his sister just stood there, getting ever more excited. "A withered witch like you could never appreciate a true females form!"
The woman shifted her stance and laughed at Cedric's growing red pallor, "How ever did you manage to carry her off last night Cedric? You being shaped like a twig and all."
The man seethed with fury. Sofia reached up and tugged on his sleeve, "Wait Mr. Cedric…"
He didn't notice, his attentions focused solely on the nemesis before him. "A wretched woman such as you has no business commenting on a glorious girl like Sofia. You've never even seen the spells she's mastered! After all, I've been teaching her with all MY spell books."
The witch spoke menacingly, "I suppose they are, for now, but I wouldn't start redecorating the tower anytime soon Ceddykins."
Edith was practically giddy as Cedric writhed with hate, stomping his foot and shaking his fists at his sister, "LEAVE this place you horrific harpee, you sycophantic serpent, you-"
Edith cackled loudly, "Or what Cedric? You'll set me on fire? I'd like to see you try it." The elder witch took up a defensive posture.
That was the point of all this. All of the bile spewing from her was to get Cedric to fight, and then… he'd loose.
Cedric's wand was pointed at the woman, "You'll pay for what you just—"
"NO MR. CEDRIC!" Sofia grabbed Cedric's sleeve and yanked hard. He practically toppled over, but then looked at Sofia confused.
"But she can't just—"
"You can't fight her Mr. Cedric, it's what she wants. Can't you see? She's goading you on."
Cedric stared at the princess for a brief second, then back to his sister. The woman's grin was fading fast. Cedric turned back, speaking softly, "But what she said, it's unforgivable."
Sofia took a deep breath, "I know, but she only said it to make you upset. She's trying to get inside your mind Mr. Cedric. If you're upset and you fight her it'll be harder for you to think of spells."
His stunned look told the tale. He hadn't even considered the ramifications of what fighting his sister might be.
"So you're not going to defend her honor after all, are you Ceddykins? You really ARE worthless."
Sofia still had a hold of Cedric's sleeve to stop him from accepting the challenge, but she seemed to have gotten the message through and he didn't respond to Edith's new insults or let his sister see how her words were twisting him up inside. He needed saving.
Sofia wrapped her arms around Cedric's elbow and used him as a crutch to stand and face the witch, whose confident grin was completely gone. "I'm a princess of Enchancia, and I don't want you to talk to Cedric anymore. Leave, NOW." It was as much of an order as she had ever uttered, never feeling truly confident giving royal commands. It seemed to be enough though, as the woman stuffed her wand back into her pocket and gave the slightest bow.
"As you wish little royal. It's been fun watching you squirm Ceddy but I've got a real job to do, by the king's command." The woman smirked as she straightened. Sofia could feel Cedric shrink down a bit. Had Rolland actually given one of Cedric's royal duties away? The witch turned to walk off, launching a parting shot as she went. "Oh, and King Roland is looking for an errand boy. No wonder he sent Baileywick off to find you."
Cedric was fuming and shaking as his sister disappeared. It was horrible for Sofia to witness her dear friend so upset.
He grimaced as he spoke, "How dare she speak to you like that! The nerve of that woman. No she's not a woman, she's a beast. That's what I'm going to call her from now on, a she-beast."
"Don't let her upset you Mr. Cedric, I think you're the most amazing sorcerer in the universe, and you've got to know that Dad would never replace you." Cedric just stared at the silhouette of his sister trailing off into the distance, the edges of his lips curled downward. "Please don't let her get to you Mr. Cedric, all you have to do is talk to Dad and tell him what she did."
He shook his head in a dejected manner, "No I can't go crying to Rolland. He'd never listen, and unfortunately our shared youth made her privy to things about me I don't want the king finding out."
"Then I'll talk to Dad and tell him what she's done."
Cedric shook his head, "No this is my battle Sofia, and one I've fought many times. She was always mocking me when we were young, infuriating me and then walloping me with magic. I just didn't realize her tactics, but I've got you now so I've the upper hand, don't I?"
"Aww Mr. Cedric, of course I'd help you anyway I can, and I'm glad she didn't get her way."
Cedric seemed lost in thought, as if considering something important, "Come on, Let's get you dried off and inside. I need to go see what menial task the king wants me to perform."
…
Cedric left Sofia in her room again, her leg propped up and surrounded by an assortment of lunchtime offerings. He'd be back in less than an hour to change the bandage, hopefully bearing news. She'd just have to wait and stared at the meal set before her. She was hungry, so hungry, but felt a certain tinge of shame in devouring the buffet. Edith's words were haunting her.
There was a knock and the door opened. It was Amber. The tall thin girl came flitting in and seemed positively excited, twirling as she advanced. Sofia set her lunch to the side and pushed it away ever so slightly. "Oh Sofia we've been invited to Tangu for the most spectacular party, it's going to last for days! Simply everyone is going to be there and, oh no! You're still injured?"
Amber's fanciful musings stopped and she flew to her sister's bedside. "Yes Amber, but it's much better now."
The girl crossed her eyes a bit, "Ooh I knew Daddy should have sent for a real doctor."
Sofia shook her head, "Mr. Cedric is doing an excellent job, he just needs a bit more time."
Amber's eyebrows furrowed with concern, "But Sofia, you'll be late for the party."
It was obviously important to her elder sister, but partying in Tangu while there was chaos in Friezenburg seemed abhorrent.
"I'm sorry Amber. I'll try to go to the next one."
"Wonderful! I'll have Desmond host it in Leidelville. Oh doesn't that sound exciting Sofia! And since the castle is by the sea we could go for a cruise or maybe even have a golden goblet feast in one of the meadows!" Amber was in full party planning mode now, and the delighted elder sister gave a brief hug before departing.
Sofia watched the lythe girl leave, then turned to her starch-riddled nemesis on the plate next to her. She ate the same meals Amber did, didn't she?
A dejected Cedric finally returned, cradled in his hands was the little phoenix. He gently set the bird down on the bed while Sofia stewed with anticipation. "Mr. Cedric! What's going on? What happened?"
"It's TRUE Sofia, he really did invite Edith here and is trusting her with important magical tasks. Oh the humiliation! I'm going to be relegated to party favors, I just know it!"
"Oh NO! That's not right Mr. Cedric, you're the Royal Sorcerer!"
"Blasted all I know! I was born for this job, it's all I studied and suffered for, and she's going to take it away from me. All those years of training, wasted." He melodramatically slapped his hand to his forehead, then feigned collapsing on the side of the bed.
"Mr. Cedric don't worry, she could never be as great as you. You need to tell Dad what she's done, then he'd never even consider it."
"Sofia we've been over this. No, I just need to beat her at her own game, unless…" He turned to face Sofia, his eyes trailing down to the beautiful purple jewel dangling around her neck, "Unless you want to give me a little assistance from a certain magical amulet." His fingers devilishly tapped together at the possibility.
She crossed her arms and huffed, covering the jewel. "Now THAT is something we've been over before Mr. Cedric. No way."
"Yes yes, right. Anyway I suppose I'll just have to brew this potion for the Queen as hastily as possible."
"Dad asked you to brew a potion?"
"Why yes, I'm to procure a rare magical flower that only grows in the shadow of the Windhorn Mountains. It's called the millefragra flower, and when combined with other ingredients it should cure your mother's ills." The reality of what he'd just said sank in, and Sofia smiled widely. Her jubilant mood didn't sit well with the sorcerer, "And here I thought you were my biggest fan, you aren't secretly rooting for Edith to steal my job are you?"
"Oh no Mr. Cedric, don't you see? Dad asked you to heal Mom." He just stared at her blankly. He didn't get it. Sofia tilted her head downward a bit, fiddling with her blankets. "Mom is the most important person in the world to Dad, and he's entrusting YOU Mr. Cedric with her well being, and the baby's too." Sofia looked over at the little bird stretching its claws and kneading the fabric of her bed sheets. "No matter what Dad asked Edith to do, you got the more important job Mr. Cedric."
She looked back up at the sorcerer and he wore a grin spread from ear to ear. "I suppose it is, isn't it? Ha ha! I knew someday that he'd recognize my amazing talents!" He pounded on his chest a bit and stood triumphant, staring up a bit. "Yes, healing the queen, it is the most important job in the world to Rolland, especially considering what happened to—"
Cedric froze.
"Happened to who Mr. Cedric?"
"Oh it's nothing Sofia."
"Whenever you say that it's something Mr. Cedric."
"It's just that this time I can save the queen. Yes… this time I'll save her." His gaze trailed off to the window.
After a second of strange introspection and he stepped right up next to her. "Sofia I… thank you." He bent low, his bangs grazing her forehead. "Always so positive, your optimism is the perfect compliment to my, well to me, isn't it?"
"Of course! Once my ankle is healed I can come with you to help."
"No you'd better not, it will take two more bandage changes for that to heal up proper and I've no time to waste, well maybe just a minute to change your bandage wouldn't hurt. I better do one now before I go." He turned and walked to her propped leg while pulling the vials and linen from his robe. Carefully he began unwrapping the wound. "Now that I think about it, you truly are right on the mark Princess. Who cares if Rolland has sent Edith on a secret mission to investigate the rampaging criminals in Friezenburg, and who cares if she's going to get an exalted seat at the criminal masterminds' execution this evening for doing absolutely nothing. Certainly not this sorcerer." His over exaggerated tones mimicked his flailing body language, "I've been charged with saving the Queen after all. Why, the whole kingdom might bow before me, don't you agree Sofia?" He was laughing a bit hysterically as he spoke, as if to convince himself that he didn't care. Sofia didn't notice, instead panic at his words gripped her. He noted her distraction, and bobbed his head a bit as he worked, "But you needn't fret if the whole of the kingdom flocks to me Sofia, it will always be you by my side."
Unsure words trailed out of the horrified girl. "There's going to be… an execution?"
He looked a bit sad and coughed while tugging at her bandages, "Oh yes that, well it seems they caught the leader of the rebels in Friezenburg and little miss witch-for-hire got a front row ticket to the venue, just by virtue of employment. Seated right next to Amalthea too…Aaaahhh But look who isn't caring!" Cedric leaned over as he dabbed the solutions onto the linens, "It's this sorcerer right here. Don't need to be involved in any of that, do we Sofia?"
Sofia was instantly wracked with worry. Her Papa was set to be executed. But why where the witches there? Victor had been explicit that he didn't want Amalthea 'wasting her time' with peasants.
They knew Sofia would come to save him.
"Sofia, SOFIA!" Cedric was snapping his fingers in front of her face. "Honestly Sofia is it hurting again? Is the bandage too tight? Is something else wrong with it? You look as pale as… well me." He'd started to look over at her discarded meal with an odd expression.
"I-I'm just upset Mr. Cedric. Dad said he was going to make sure all the prisoners got a fair trial, but now they're going to murder…" she couldn't even finish her thought, and buried her face in her hands.
Cedric sighed and reached forward, clasping her hands in his own and pulling them away from her face. "Oh I see. Another broken Rolland promise I presume, the man leaves a wake of broken hearts behind him without a care."
This was beyond horrible. They had her Papa, and both witches were going to be there. She was going to have to save him and fight them both, somehow. She could barely muster the words. "Cedric, I need help."
"And you've gotten it, see I've done an excellent job on your ankle!" He gestured down to the limb and it was wrapped perfectly. "Now I really need to be going. Job, future, and your Mother's health all on the line you know."
"But Mr. Cedric, I'm afraid."
"Understandable, but I swear despite the danger of flying around up north right now I'll heal your desperately sick mother Sofia. That'll make Rolland finally appreciate me. Some job security with demonic siblings roaming about the place would be delightful."
Cedric had just spent the last few hours fearing for his very livelihood. How could she ask him to abandon something he'd worked his whole life for? She was supposed to be his best friend, how could she ask him to give up everything he cared about for a man he'd never met? And her mother, if she was gravely ill like Cedric indicated she needed this magical medicine, fast.
He couldn't be delayed.
He broke out in a goofy grin and leaned in close, wrapping his long slender arms around the princess lying helpless on the bed. She returned his hug and failed to notice that for a man in a hurry he lingered longer than expected. The entire side of his face was just hovering there, exposed. She absentmindedly pecked him on the cheek as she always did, but this time he abruptly rose up a little, and laid a soft kiss on the top of her head. Sofia snapped back to what was going on in her room, her eyes flung open. Cedric had NEVER kissed her back before. Perhaps he WAS worried about the trip. The Windhorn Mountains were the dividing line between the South of Friezenburg and the north of Leidleville, and being so close to fighting was sure to make anyone nervous. She reached deep down and suppressed her fear at what was to come, "Don't YOU worry Mr. Cedric, you can do it. I know it because you can do anything. You can save Mom, I believe in you."
He nervously stood. "Ah yes, well then. Ahem. You should be all healed after the next bandage change. I'll be brewing your mother's potion through the night if you care to stop by and assist."
"I will Mr. Cedric. Thank you for taking care of my Mom."
He was almost out her bedroom door when he froze. Sofia hoped beyond reason that he would just keep walking. He turned slowly and looked at her, eyes narrowed. "Sofia. Promise me you won't run off again."
She gasped. She HAD to go and save her Papa, but she couldn't break a promise to him either. Not again. Not after that horrible fight.
He took a step closer to her. "Sofia promise me you'll stay here."
She needed to think fast. "I promise I'll... lay right here until my ankle is healed but hurry Mr. Cedric! Mom's sick and you need to impress Dad."
She'd used the trump card. Cedric's nervous fear of King Roland overwhelmed his sense of reason and he nodded, "Oh yes yes, Bye!"
He finally left. There was nothing she could do but wait. It was torture, but it gave her time to think. Amalthea AND Edith. How was she ever going to handle two skilled mages on her own? Additionally Edith was unstable and out for blood. There was no way. She needed help. Magical help.
Lucinda.
Sofia was loathe to ask, but if she gave her friend all the facts and a chance to decide, knowing full well what the outcome might be, then maybe it would be okay. The witch had been itching to go flying back into the fray after all. The time finally expired and Sofia launched out of bed. Her ankle felt worlds better. She unwrapped the bandages and there was a slight pink discoloration but otherwise it had healed appropriately.
She ran to her closet, changed into the hidden green robe, tucked her amulet under the fabric of the dress, and snuck out to Minimus. It took some carrot bribery but they were once again off toward Dunwitty. Sofia pounded on the window frantically, her dear friend flung back the curtain looking most displeased.
"I'm not interested in getting my heart broken at another royal soiree today Sofia." The look of desperation in Sofia's eyes melted Lucinda's hurt away. "Oh man, what's happened now."
Lips quivering, Sofia spoke, "They caught my Papa, and they're going to execute him tonight with two mages just waiting to kill me if I try to save him."
Lucinda's eyes popped out, and in the next instant the witch was on her broom, fomenting with moral outrage. They sped off toward Friezenburg as fast as Minimus's wings could carry Sofia.
"We really need to get you a broom Sofia, they're faster."
Sofia bent down to Minimus's ear, "Don't listen friend, you're doing great."
"Oh why does no one listen to me! Sofia your father wouldn't be in this mess if you'd just not broken him out of jail. We should go back to Enchancia and tell King Rolland everything, then we wouldn't have to fly off into danger! Ooooh, they're going to spear me, I just know it!"
"Oh Minimus, it's going to be okay and we have to save him now, there's no time to loose."
"What's the matter with your horse Sofia?"
"He's just nervous, but it'll be okay. We are going to save Papa!" The determination building as they flew ever closer.
"That's it. I'm getting you a broom for Wassalia."
Sofia conjured her disguise once more. Lucinda scoffed at the idea but Sofia insisted, "Come on Lucinda, I don't want them to recognize you."
"I don't care if they recognize me Sofia, I'm going to fight this witch and I'm going to win. They can't do this to people!"
"But Lucinda..." The witch would not be swayed.
Sofia used the map her father had drawn to find the village. It was right there where he'd indicated, nestled at the top of a barren slope that passed for a meadow in Friezenburg. At the center of the village hovels there was a large gathering. Screams and chants were emanating through the distance. The people were revolting against the execution. Men dressed as Friezenburg royal guard surrounded the platform several layers deep, and upon the raised wooden structure was a man in a black mask, most assuredly the executioner. Next to him sat Amalthea and Edith. A poor soul with a sack over his head was kneeling in the center of the platform. There was a wooden block set before him, stained with horrible red splotches.
The first blood had already been spilled.
Sofia's heart stopped for a moment, and all she could do was pray the prisoner still living was her Papa. She might have been too late. The executioner turned and grabbed the kneeling man's arm. There was no more time.
"Lucinda you see that brown and grey haired woman in the fancy dress?"
The witch nodded. "Go for that one, and I'll go for the black haired-one, she's after me anyway."
Sofia leaned in to her horse, "Quick Minimus, aim straight for the platform! I'll jump off!"
"Sofia are you sure that seems really dangerous."
"Just do it! Quick!"
He did as instructed and let out a great whinny as he crashed into the wooden structure. Sofia jumped and the momentum carried her straight at Edith. The stunned witch's jaw dropped open but Sofia had her wand aimed squarely at them and in one fluid motion flung an explosion spell at their chairs, blowing them from the platform. The element of surprise was again her friend, as the witches probably assumed the 'mystery mage' was a no-show since at least one head had been severed. Lucinda took off after where they'd fallen. Sofia spun around and shot a wind tunnel at the executioner. He was flung off the platform, his heavy axe crashing to the ground. Minimus staggered around a bit amongst the wooden platform and she screamed at him to fly off. She reached down and ripped the hood off of the poor prisoner, pleading with fate.
It was her Papa.
In an instant the entire wooden structure below them caught fire. Amalthea's handiwork no doubt. Sofia wrapped an arm around her Papa and flung a propulsion spell at the burning wreckage. They launched up into the air together. Edith was after them in an instant, whipping through the air, her wand blazing red with energy. Sofia needed to get Birk out of here. She shot a fireball at Edith to block her view and landed with Birk in a crowded area. A woman near them grabbed Birk and threw a cloak over him. For one brief moment their eyes met and he recognized this disguise she wore from earlier. Relief at his salvation and newfound worry for his daughter all reflected in his eyes. With that he was dragged off, disappearing into the crowd.
Sofia turned and shot a dense fog at Edith. She needed to distract the witch long enough for Birk and his helpers to escape. Sofia launched herself into the air and landed on a rooftop. Edith spotted her ascent and followed suit. Off in the distance Sofia could hear blasts being fired as Lucinda dueled Amalthea. A building exploded, and there were the piercing sounds of Amalthea's screams. If Lucinda failed the Royal sorceress would be after Birk and the peasants helping him in seconds.
BOOM
The rooftop before Sofia exploded. She barely dodged the blast from Edith and slid off the roof, rolling onto her back. Edith was brimming with glee directly above, her head sticking out from the awning and wand arching downward to finish Sofia off. If she could only blast Edith off the rooftop.
Sofia shot a lightning bolt at the fireball spell Edith had conjured; creating a large explosion that blew off part of the roof. Edith wailed as she was flung backward from the explosion, and shrapnel from the roof reigned down on what remained of the crowd. Sofia covered her face but one particular shard of roofing struck her with force on the thigh. She winced in pain and felt something dribbling down her leg. There was no sigh of Edith, the only sound was villagers scrambling to get away.
Sofia's internal monolog began to scream: LOOK FOR AMALTHEA and LUCINDA, make sure your friend is okay. Sofia fought to regain her footing but couldn't stand. There was a stream of blood trailing down her leg. It was serious, but there was no time to inspect. "Cruscutis Pigra!" and the leg went numb once again.
Limping frantically through the town she finally spotted Amalthea. Lucinda was locked in a bitter struggle with the royal sorceress. Great rifts were torn in the village square between them and buildings set ablaze. Lucinda's skirt was burnt, and Amalthea panted heavily while deflecting Lucinda's hexes. Sofia summoned the strength she could and launched a freezing curse at the woman. Amalthea spun and dodged her curse, but was struck with Lucinda's hex and fell with a thud to the ground, wrapped in thick bindings.
Lucinda ran over to where Sofia was barely upright, "Oh no! You're hurt bad."
"My leg, its—"
"Look out!"
Lucinda shoved Sofia backward and a bolt of lightning streaked between them. Edith had reemerged from the rubble, and was blistered from the fireball and sliced superficially in numerous places from the roof shrapnel. There was a snapping sound behind them, and Sofia's head spun to see Amalthea breaking through the bindings. The royal sorceress of Maldonia shouted, "Just kill them, I've got to catch that peasant leader!" and took off running.
There was a screeching sound and Lucinda managed to conjure a steel barrier to block whatever curse Edith hurled. Sofia reached out to her friend, "I can't run. You've got to stop Amalthea!"
"But you're injured!"
"Just GO!" Lucinda helped her stand, then took off running. The metal barrier took another blast, and bent inward, creaking as the ore buckled.
She couldn't just wait for Edith to kill her. Sofia flung the propulsion spell downward and launched herself into the air. The witch had begun to run around the metal barrier, but saw her ascension and flung a series of curses into the air, narrowly missing.
Sofia collided with the ground, and unable to use her leg properly rolled along the cobblestones. Edith was closing in, and grinned triumphantly. "I wonder if I'll get double for a shapely little number like you." A few steps closer and Sofia tried desperately to stand. "Or maybe I'll get what I really want once Rolland sees how impressive I can be."
This horrible, murderous woman was really after Cedric.
Edith stopped advancing the air electrified. Sofia barely managed to cast a barrier spell before the lightning struck. Most of the force was directed downward into the ground but some of it ricocheted and hit Sofia's leg, blistering the skin. The poor appendage was getting nothing but punishment. She cried out in terror as another blast came straight for her chest. This was it, she was going to die.
She felt the searing hot air, and the force knocked her backward, but the burning didn't come. Instead, there was a blinding purple light that exploded forth, wrapping her in energy. The lighting bolt redirected back from whence it came.
It happened so fast that Edith didn't have time to react and BOOM. It connected with her chest. Cedric's sister let out a scream of pain and fell backward to the ground, smoke rising up from her body. It was a direct hit. Sofia looked down and her green dress had been incinerated across her chest, revealing the shimmering Amulet without a single scratch.
The Amulet had saved her life.
She looked beyond the battle and saw the desolate, destroyed village. The royal guard had fled, or been beaten into unconsciousness. There was no sign of Lucinda, or any of the freed men. If Sofia stayed she'd bleed to death alongside the charred Edith. She hobbled away from the village as fast as she could while in agony, whistling for Minimus. Desperately she flung her body over the side of his saddle and they flew off toward Enchancia and salvation. Sofia couldn't even look at her leg. She'd be lucky if it ever worked again at all. The only thing she's let herself think about was getting home. She needed Cedric and his healing magic. They had to make it, or she was going to die.
Sofia begged Minimus to fly up to Cedric's tower, but the window was shut and no one answered. They tried Sofia's room, and Clover flung the window open to see what the commotion was all about and cried out in a panic once he saw the girl strewn over the desperate horse. Sofia flopped inside, knocking over her full-length mirror and pillows from the windowsill in the process. The mirror shattered upon the marble floor. She'd lost a lot of blood on the ride home.
"Clover help. I need Cedric. Healing spells. My leg. Please…"
Clover was off as fast as his old legs could carry him through the little hole in the wall. Sofia tried to get her dress off and finally managed to succeed, stuffing the bloody mess of fabric far under her bed. Her little phoenix was hoping frantically on the mattress above. She could finally see the injury to her upper thigh, and there was still a piece of wood lodged in it. Of lesser importance there was now a fresh burn on the inside of one calf and bruising along the inside of both. The bleeding had to stop, but she had to get the wood out first. She raised her wand and "Extracto!" The wood was pulled from her injury, flung to the other side of the room.
Sofia felt faint. She used the waterfall spell to wash the wound but it just made the bleeding worse. Finally Clover was back, and with Wormwood in tow. The bird had flown the book in through the window.
"Sofia, Cedric's not here but the healing spell you need should be at the back of this one." Wormwood cawed.
Sofia was loosing control of her movements. She tried frantically to conjure the spell on the last page, but was fading in and out of consciousness. There she was in naught but her undergarments, bleeding to death on the floor of her room, praying that by some miracle Cedric was near and could save her. Wormwood flew out the window and Clover was screaming while Sofia passed out.