DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sofia the First nor do I claim to. I just like the show and wanted to write a little something for it. However, I do own the OC Icban, Zwick, Megumi and Mignola as well as the concept of the Rune Mage I'll be using for this story.

_[ STORY ]_

When they reappeared they fell a few feet into the shallow brake of the ocean still within the shadow of the palace, they hurried to shore and took shelter in the Troll cave. No one was there to greet them as they rung out their hair and clothes.

"Your aim little brother could use some improvement," Cordelia chested, gathering the hem of her dress.

"Well excuse me it has been two decades since I last used that spell or any rune for that matter," Cedric retorted.

"Mr. Cedric! Mrs. Cordelia!" Sofia called.

The two adults ignored the princess and continued their bickering, Sofia tired and irritated by the squabbling, marched over and grabbed both sorcerers by the wrist.

"Well you two stop arguing and listen," she ordered.

They did, and the soft sound of voices wafted over them, they followed the sound deeper into the cave as they walked Sofia started to shake, Cedric took his long robe and placed it around her.

"Sorry it's damp, but it should be warmer," he said, the girl drew it closer around herself.

They arrived in the Starry Cavern of the Troll cave, there Sofia spotted the familiar yellow of her sisters dress dashing below when they stood, "Amber!" Sofia cried.

"Sofia!?" Amber questioned looking up; her eyes grew wide upon seeing her sister, "Sofia!"

Sofia rushed down the stone stairs losing Cedric's robe as she went, Cordelia scoped it up as she followed behind the princess, she handed it to Cedric who brought up the rear of the small group.

Amber and Sofia embraced, tears fell from both parties as more people and trolls gathered around, James was next to hug Sofia. Calista rounded the corner and bolted for her mother, who took the girl in her arms and started sobbing.

"Where's mom and dad?" Sofia asked over her brother's shoulder.

He let her loose, a sad look crossed his face, "we don't know. Baileywick is missing as well," he told her.

"Is it just you three down here?"

"We were taken to the dock by a few guards, but it was gone when we arrived and the boats either gone or on fire."

"A few of the trolls here were out stargazing when they spotted the docks being destroyed," Amber interjected, "Chief Gnuckles was kind enough to offer us shelter."

An older troll in ornate clothes walked up to the group, "princess Sofia I'm glad you're alright," Chief Gnuckles greeted, "do you know what is happening?" he asked after calling for blankets for the three soaked arrivals.

"An evil sorcerer has taken the palace, he has the vast majority of the castle staff trapped in suspension crystals," Cedric said stepping forward, "it is a safe thing to say the king and queen were caught as well," he added.

"Is there any way of saving them?" a guard asked as he escorted the trio to the small cave home Chief Gnuckles had prepared for the other royal children.

"Only the one who trapped them can release them," Cedric told the man. A thoughtful look crossed the sorcerer's face, "but a teleportation spell could be used to rescue them.

"Well, what are we waiting for," Cordelia spoke up, taking her daughter's wand as Cedric had lost Sofia's, "tell me the spell?

"This is a rune teleportation spell; I'm the only one who can use it," Cedric told his sister.

"Is there anything we can we do to help?" Sofia asked.

"Have blankets at the ready," Cedric said to the princess, "Chief Gnuckles!" he called, "would you be alright with a few more guests?"

"By all means," the chief said already issuing orders for his people.

Cedric exited the cramped room, making his way out into the main chamber, he found the most extensive area he could and with the onlookers gathered closed his eyes and began taking several deep breaths.

"How can he save them?" James asked, "he can't even see where they are."

"It's a…"

A gust of wind stopped Sofia mid-sentence, she looked to her mentor a circle of purple light swirled around his feet an intricate pattern faded in and out for a moment, before finally holding firm. Once stable Cedric snapped and the rune turned white another snap and individuals started to appear, they fell to their knees and began to shake uncontrollably some even vomited, each was whisked away, by tolls or guardsmen.

The royal children held their breath at each new arrival and released it with a sign when their parents were not the ones to appear.

_[ TO BE CONTINUED ]_

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