Adventures in Magic
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any of the characters/locations affiliated with it. The original characters introduced in various chapters belong to me.
A/N: And here we go! This chapter begins the Mahiyan Adventures, I call them. You'll see a whole new kingdom/world (which you can find on AIM site under "Promotional Images") and many new characters as well. Some of the characters will be introduced in future chapters, and some you'll get to meet here. Again, keep your eyes peeled. A big revelation is coming up in the next chapter. 😉 It may be able to answer some questions!
Chapter 14
Ever Realm Magical Society
Summary: Cedric and Sofia travel to the secretive magical kingdom called Mahiya, which is run by a powerful wizard named Master Elgraste and his protégé Kitanya.
The trip to Mystic Isles took about as long as the first time they visited a number of weeks ago. However, it felt even longer to Sofia, because they were heading to a new land with a magical promise. She could hardly contain her excitement, and it showed on her face.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so excited to go somewhere," Cedric remarked, chuckling as they traveled onward.
"Your parents made it sound so neat," she admitted. "I can't wait to see what it's all about."
"Regardless, just keep in mind that this is a new place to us, and no matter how 'magical' it seems, we still need to keep our wits about us, all right?" He sighed as she nodded. "But…" He smiled toward her. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited too."
She grinned and gently shook his arm. "Right? Ooh! This is going to be awesome!"
As they arrived in the Mystic Isles and proceeded forward, Sofia began keeping an eye out for the Transicloud that she and Skye had used a few years ago. "It's orange," she told her friend as she peered through the glass at the front of the coach. "And super fluffy."
"Well, that's informative," Cedric laughed as he helped her keep an eye out. "I suppose an orange cloud should be easy to distinguish among all the white ones anyway."
"Yeah. And when we're passing through, we have to say the name of our destination. Or at least that's what Skye said when we used it last."
"It's amazing the things you and that unicorn get up to without our knowledge." He smiled as she giggled.
"It's all part of being a Protector, Mr. Cedric." After a few more minutes of searching, Sofia gasped and tugged at Cedric's sleeve. "There it is! Right ahead!"
In fact, it seemed to be the exact same Transicloud from a few years ago. It was still orange, dense, and fluffy, but it appeared to have grown a bit too…probably about as big as the AutoCoach itself.
"And we merely need to say 'Mahiya' as we enter it, correct?" he clarified.
"Yes." She grinned enthusiastically. "Are you ready?"
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Let's do it." He waved his wand, causing the AutoCoach to propel forward at a much faster rate.
Right as they reached the Transicloud, both friends yelled out, "Mahiya!" And thus, the AutoCoach disappeared from the Mystic Isles.
The scenery had altered once they'd entered the Transicloud, transporting them to a very majestic new area. Like the Mystic Isles, this place was surrounded with pastel-colored clouds and breathtaking scenery. From atop many of the clouds, cascading waterfalls poured down before dissipating into thin air. Numerous smaller clouds soared past their coach, though they appeared to have people riding on them, which both thought seemed strange. There were two large planetary bodies hovering in the distance: one much larger and a pale color with some soft pinks and blues on the surface, and one much smaller and darker with what resembled rainbow galaxies swirling on its surface. And there, in the largest cluster of clouds and floating land, resided a pastel-rainbow castle that appeared to be made of crystal.
"I think we're in Mahiya," Sofia whispered in awe, her blue eyes scanning the area with interest.
Cedric nodded, speechless. It was even more amazing than he'd believed it would be; of course, considering he'd gone all these years assuming this place was a myth, anything exceeded his expectations. He shook his head to clear his thoughts before pulling out his agenda. "All right, Father said we need to locate their leader: Master Elgraste. I'm going to assume he resides in that castle."
"Do you think he is the king of this land then?" she wondered.
"Based on what my parents said, I'm almost certain that's the case. But I guess we'll have to wait and see." He used his wand to direct the AutoCoach toward the castle.
The closer they got to the castle, the more the clouds seemed to dissolve, leaving the area encompassing it clear and far more visible. Cedric guided the coach to a large blue tree (which baffled him a bit, but then he reminded himself that this land was far more magical and unexplored than most other lands), magically securing it to the base as he and his apprentice exited.
"Wow," Sofia breathed as she looked around, enamored by the beauty of their surroundings. "I can understand why they want to keep this place a secret," she reasoned. "If the wrong people found out about this, they'd probably destroy it or try to change it, and all the beauty would be ruined."
"Not to mention, the magic would be gone," Cedric added as he held out his hand to her, grasping hers as she reciprocated. He walked forward, the princess falling into step with him. "Stay close to me. We don't know this area well, and until we clear our names with Master Elgraste, we are essentially intruders here."
"Oh, great," she quipped sarcastically. "We're rebels." She grinned as he rolled his eyes.
They had hardly even approached the gates leading to the castle when two very muscular guards dressed in green armor blocked their paths with some rather heavy-looking sabers.
"State your names and your business here," the guard on the right demanded, his icy blue eyes bearing down on the visitors.
Cedric began stammering nervously, so Sofia shuffled him backwards and stepped up instead. "I'm Princess Sofia of Enchancia in the Ever Realm. This is my friend and our Royal Sorcerer Cedric the Great. We are here on behalf of Enchancia and Goodwyn the Great to see Master Elgraste."
"Master Elgraste does not receive visitors," the left guard informed them. "Regardless of recommendation or necessity." He narrowed his eyes and lifted his saber toward them threateningly, causing both to step back and Cedric to grasp Sofia's shoulders. "Outsiders are not welcome here."
Sofia's look of fear changed to one of disappointment. "But…"
"What seems to be the trouble here?" a distinctly sharp alto voice asked, causing everyone to turn. A slim woman stood behind the guards, her hands on her hips. She was olive-skinned with a form-fitting black dress that swept the ground, prying honey eyes, dark hair piled on top of her head in a bun, and a no-nonsense air about her. Next to her sat a fluffy white cat, green eyes staring at the strangers curiously.
"Lady Kitanya," the guards responded simultaneously, bowing respectfully.
"These two are Enchancians who have requested an audience with Master Elgraste," the left guard explained. "We were just telling them that we do not accept outsiders, nor does Master Elgraste receive visitors."
"What obtuse thinking," the woman scoffed, waving one hand. "Let them in."
"But…Master Elgraste said—" The right guard gulped as he noticed a long ebony wand now pointing directly at his face.
The woman, Kitanya, smiled challengingly. "I said let…them…in." The smile changed to a sweeter one. "Please."
"Y-Yes, milady…" The shaken guard turned to the baffled Enchancians. "Um… W-Welcome to Mahiya."
Cedric and Sofia exchanged glances before moving past the two guards and over to the Mahiyan woman.
"Oh, what of our AutoCoach?" Cedric asked in concern.
"I'll handle it," Kitanya assured him, gazing out the gate toward the coach that was tied to the tree. "Is that it?"
"Yes."
She smirked and waved her wand, chuckling in triumph as she managed to transport the magically-enhanced vehicle from quite a far distance and even past where they were standing. "I'm going to set it right outside the castle, near the maids' quarters." She nodded to herself as she broke the connection, smiling as the AutoCoach now resided where she'd indicated. "You say you're both here to meet Master Elgraste?"
"Yes," Sofia confirmed. "Sorry we've come unannounced. I guess we didn't really think about—"
"No worries," Kitanya assured her as she led them toward the castle, her cat following her. "The guards mean well, but sometimes I think they take their jobs a little too seriously. If Master Elgraste told them to paint their toenails green, chase a bear with a stick filled with honey, and confess their love to a tuna fish, they'd probably do it."
Sofia giggled at the absurd mental image. "By the way, I'm Princess Sofia of Enchancia."
"I've heard of you," she told her, smirking. "The youngest Protector that the Mystic Isles has ever taken on. Protector of the Ever Realm, right?"
The princess smiled. "That's right!"
"Well, I haven't heard of anything detrimental happening to the Ever Realm, so I can only assume you're doing a fantastic job." She glanced toward Cedric, who seemed a bit quieter than his companion. "And you are…?"
"I'm Cedric the Sen—Great…" Even after two years, he still had to correct himself on his title every now and then. Sometimes he considered hyphenating, and Sofia had even once suggested, 'Cedric the Sensationally Great,' but it just sounded a bit too…flashy. "Cedric the Great."
"Ohh…" She shrugged. "Never heard of you."
Cedric sighed and hung his head as Sofia patted his arm. "No surprise there."
"Mr. Cedric is our royal sorcerer," the princess explained to the older woman. "And he's my guardian for now, because we're on a mission for my father."
The woman's honey eyes lit up in interest. "Oh?"
"Yeah! He made Mr. Cedric our Magical Ambassador, and we've been traveling to many kingdoms this summer to establish networks and magical connections with other rulers. Mr. Cedric's father suggested trying here, and so here we are." She giggled.
"Interesting…" Kitanya shrugged as her cat hurried ahead of them, pausing at the top of the steps. "Master Elgraste actually did implement a rule several years ago to stop accepting visitors here because of some issues, but we're supposed to be a progressive community. I don't mind us being a secret society, but blocking out networking opportunities is crazy to me, and that's coming from his protégé." She stopped a few steps up and leaned down, picking up the fluffy cat, stroking her fur.
"You are his protégé?" Cedric asked, surprised.
The woman smirked as she glanced toward him. "Why do I always get that reaction? Girls can be protégés too…"
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that," he assured her. "I just…wasn't expecting it." He gestured toward Sofia. "In any case, Sofia is my apprentice, so I quite agree with you."
Kitanya laughed as she stroked the cat's fur. "You're awfully young to be a Protector, and now you're also a sorcerer's apprentice? You can't be much older than, what? Twelve?"
Sofia shook her head. "I'm fourteen."
"You're rather small for your age. No offense, Princess." She smiled as Sofia shrugged.
"I hear that a lot," she laughed. "I'm the shortest in my family, but it's fine. One of these days maybe I'll grow some more."
"Or you'll stay tiny and cute, like me," the cat purred, her voice like silk.
Sofia smiled toward the cat. "And what is your cat's name?"
"Her name is Tiya," Kitanya stated, placing the feisty feline on the ground as she struggled to get out of her grasp.
Tiya circled Sofia, brushing against her legs and wrapping her tail around the teen.
"She sure is…affectionate," the princess managed, smiling uncertainly. Since her father was allergic to cats, she hadn't exactly spent a lot of time around them, so she wasn't really sure how they normally acted. Dogs, bunnies, birds, and even flying horses and unicorns she was used to, but cats remained a mystery to her…even if she had been transformed into a cat herself once.
"You'll get used to it." Kitanya stepped up to the large entrance and pushed open one of the doors, gazing back at the visitors. "Follow me."
The Enchancian duo had expected to be led to a throne room, like in all the other kingdoms. However, Kitanya led them directly through the castle and out the back side, into an open-air area that was unlike anything they'd ever seen before.
There were numerous floating clouds similar to what they'd seen on the way in, complete with people sitting or lying down on them; Kitanya explained that they were called airlows—air pillows, essentially, made of thickened clouds. There were endless vanishing waterfalls in the distance. The whole place was lit up with colorful reflected lights and rainbows, highlighting everything. There were also different floating capsules, which Kitanya explained were either homes or workplaces. It was amazing.
"Welcome to Mahiya," the woman proclaimed, smirking at their look of awe. "Master Elgraste is in the Crystal Tower. Just follow this pathway, and you'll find him." She gestured toward a cobblestone road that glistened gold and ruby.
"You're not coming with us?" Sofia asked as she watched Tiya jump into her owner's arms.
"Sorry, Princess. I have some work to tend to. Just tell him Kitanya sent you." She nodded and walked off, disappearing into the castle again.
"A lot of help she is," Cedric grumbled, yelping as Sofia grabbed his arm and tugged him along.
The streets and different buildings were filled with all sorts of people and magical creatures, each going about their daily lives as Sofia and Cedric moved along. It was such a lively and wonderful atmosphere that it was hard to remember that this was a secluded, private, locked-down place, with very few (if any) welcomed outsiders. If they were honest with themselves, they were lucky they hadn't been turned away.
The Crystal Tower was a translucent blue with a slight glow to it, which made it rather appealing. Numerous flowers and berry bushes surrounded it, offering even more natural beauty to the region. Cedric and Sofia entered the tower via the small opening and found themselves standing in a hollow area—no stairs, no dumbwaiter, nothing… Just dark emptiness.
Sofia gazed toward Cedric as he illuminated the area with his wand in order to dispel the darkness. "Are we in the right place?"
"That depends," responded a mysterious new voice, though it seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "Why are you here?"
Cedric tried to look around with his wand, but he was unable to locate the owner of the voice. "We are here on behalf of King Roland of Enchancia. My father, Goodwyn the Great, informed me of Master Elgraste and his Mahiyan kingdom, and how we might be able to…communicate?"
The tower grew still until the darkness broke, magical lighting suddenly filling the room. "Why didn't you say so?"
The two friends paused before turning after hearing a voice behind them.
There, at the back of the tower, stood an older man who was probably in his sixties or seventies. His sun-kissed complexion was offset by his long white hair, which cascaded over a long dark tunic with golden buttons. His black slacks and shoes completed his outfit. A salt-and-pepper beard and mustache covered his face, and his dark brown eyes peered at the visitors curiously. "I am whom you seek: I am Elgraste of Mahiya." He stepped toward the two visitors, his worn hands clasping behind his back as he smiled warmly toward them. "And might I ask your names?"
"I'm Sofia," the princess responded. "Princess Sofia of Enchancia."
"I'm familiar with your name and your reputation, young one," the man responded kindly. "I never imagined I would ever meet you though." He turned toward Cedric. "Goodwyn the Great is your father…" Seeing the sorcerer nod, he chuckled. "That must make you Cedric then. He spoke of you and your sister often when you were children."
Cedric blinked in surprise. "He did?"
Sofia giggled and nudged him playfully. "Of course he did."
"Oh, yes," Master Elgraste chuckled. "He would speak of the two toddlers who were constantly bickering in baby babble. And something about 'Little Cedric found a pair of bloomers and wore them on his head like a hat' or something."
Cedric blushed fiercely at the unexpected tale as Sofia snickered. "Um, anyway! That's neither here nor there…" He cleared his throat to maintain his composure. "Allow me to explain our mission, sir."
And so he did, with Sofia's help. They spoke of their travels, their magical connections and networking, their purpose, and anything necessary to make the Mahiyan ruler feel more at ease.
"So you are part of the Ever Realm Magical Society," Master Elgraste reasoned.
"The what?" Sofia asked.
"You've never heard of ERMS?" With a wave of his hand, the older man created a holographic image of the society and its logo, which was just an image of two wooden wands crossed over a background of the earth, with ERMS written across the top in gold lettering. "All of the most prominent magic wielders who work as Magical Ambassadors belong to the Ever Realm Magical Society—if they're from the Ever Realm, of course." He lowered his hand, causing the hologram to disappear. "I imagine you'll be inducted upon your return, if your journey is a successful one."
"It will be," Sofia assured him. "Mr. Cedric has done a wonderful job as our Magical Ambassador. The ERMS would be lucky to have him in it."
Cedric smiled fondly at her.
Master Elgraste chuckled. "I admire your confidence in your friend, Princess Sofia. Now then, I'm sure you've had a long journey. I would be glad to accommodate both of you for as long as you need, on one condition."
"What's that?" the younger sorcerer inquired.
"We have some Mahiyan children here who could use some outside perspective when it comes to magic. As you are a sorcerer, Cedric, and the princess is your apprentice, I imagine you both would be great influences on these little ones. I'd like you to teach them for a few hours tomorrow, just so I can get an idea of your magical abilities. It is all a part of the Magical Ambassador process in our realm; I'm sure you understand." He smiled.
"It always comes back to teaching," Cedric murmured to Sofia, who smiled and shrugged. He sighed and nodded. "Very well, Master Elgraste. We'd be honored."
"Wonderful. I'll show you to a few guest rooms so that you can get settled, and I'll have your luggage sent to you." He blinked as he observed the visitors. "You did bring luggage, didn't you?"
"Yes," Sofia told him. "Your apprentice—eh, protégé—Kitanya said she put it outside the castle."
"Ah, I see. I'll have some of my guards deliver it then. And I'll have some food sent to you as well." He beckoned them forth. "Follow me."
A while later, Cedric and Sofia found themselves in one of the floating capsules, which Master Elgraste called apartments. The apartment was separated into two private quarters, complete with a living room with a fireplace, a small kitchenette, a powder room, and a 'magic room.' The last room happened to be exactly what it sounded like: a room where visitors could practice magic of any sort, including wand magic, potions, and so forth. Their luggage was stored in both of their own bedrooms, and the food the older wizard had ordered for them was now either in the pantry or lying along the wooden cabinets.
The layout was as such: the front door opened directly into the kitchenette. To the left was the door that led to the magic room. Moving through the exit of the kitchenette took them into the open and well-furnished living room, which contained two red sofas and a dark brown recliner near the fireplace. There was a window behind the second sofa that overlooked the kingdom. The other half of the living room doubled as a small dining room, where the visitors could sit and eat. Walking down the hallway that separated the living room and kitchenette took them to the first bedroom on the left (Sofia's), the second bedroom all the way down the hall (Cedric's) and the powder room to the right, situated directly across from Sofia's room.
Once they'd eaten their meal for the evening, Cedric and Sofia decided to check out their bedrooms. Although they were smaller than the ones in Helvetica, they were still rather nice. Both contained a canopy bed draped with deep blue curtains and black comforters and sheets, a trunk for storing any extra items, a window seat (which delighted Sofia, since it reminded her of her own bedroom in Enchancia), a wardrobe, a writing desk, a couple of nightstands on either side of the bed, and a chessboard setup.
"This is probably the closest to 'home' I've felt in a while," Sofia admitted as she and Cedric stood in the doorway to her room, looking it over. "It reminds me a bit of my room."
"It's very nice," Cedric echoed with a nod before yawning. "I think I'm going to head to bed. You should probably do the same, since we have to teach children tomorrow."
She grinned before hurrying over and hopping onto her bed. "I'm too energetic to sleep right now, Mr. Cedric." She kicked off her purple boots before standing up and bouncing a bit on the mattress. "Ooh, this is awesome! I haven't done this since I was a little kid!"
"Sofia, you're still a kid sometimes." He rolled his eyes and folded his arms as he leaned in the doorway.
"Come on, Mr. Cedric! It's fun!"
He waved one hand. "No, thanks. I'd rather not break the bed." He smirked as she started laughing, and he walked over to the edge of the bed. "Come on, now. That's enough. Get down before you hurt yourself."
She grinned mischievously. "You want me to stop, huh?"
"Ye—Sofia, wait!" Before he could say more, he reacted on instinct and reached out just in time as she bounced from the bed and toward him. He caught her before she could fall to the floor. "I wish you would warn me before you do things like that…" He sighed and leaned against the bed, still holding onto her. He then gave her a pointed smirk. "You're still the same cheeky princess I've always known, aren't you?"
"Guilty." She giggled and hugged him, smiling as he returned it. "Good night, Mr. Cedric. Sleep well."
"Good night, my dear. No more bouncing on the bed." He actually stood, still holding her, and pushed the covers aside before placing her onto the bed. He tapped her forehead gently with his finger and smiled. "Get some rest. I'm right down the hallway if you need me." With that, he turned and left for his own room, closing the door behind him.
The princess smiled thoughtfully before sliding from the bed and heading toward her luggage. She paused and changed her mind, withdrawing her wand from one of her bags instead. "Let's give this a try…" She pointed the wand at herself. "Circe." She grinned as a pair of pink pajama pants and a purple long-sleeved button-up shirt appeared on herself. "Awesome! Now I know why Mr. Cedric loves just using his wand all the time." She then paused and pondered to herself. "Heh, I bet he doesn't even know how to put on his socks without magic." She snickered before putting the wand away and hurrying back to her bed, hopping onto it and reaching up, untying her hair from the ponytail. She shook out her hair as she set the band aside and lowered under the covers, pulling them over her as she sighed in contentment, drifting off to sleep.
Mahiya was a quiet place at night in contrast to the busy bustling of the day. But, like the two friends had come to realize, beneath the blanket of calm and quiet is sometimes a dark secret, preparing to erupt. And Mahiya was no different…
To be continued…