Home is Where Your Heart Is
ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! LAST CHAPTER FOLKS!
Moving on...for one last time!
xxx
Afternoon's light faded to a dower orange hue. Soon it will be the night, and its denizens will come out to play until the dawn. What better way to accommodate the approaching night's antics than with a little game of hide and go seek.
"AH-HA! FOUND YOU!" The mustached axeman leapt high in the air. He sliced the axe clean through a tree. The tall tree crackled, toppling to the ground with a thunderous boom. Cedric frightfully poked his head from the new stump. He'll wonder later if he's missing a few hairs. "You can't hide forever, Sorcerer!" The axeman cackled, raising the axe high.
"WHO'S HIDING?!" Cedric shot a spark from his wand.
The axeman feasibly leaned sideways, evading the pitiful bolt. "YOU MISSED!"
"Did I~?" Cedric crooned. Branches twisted and contorted, stretching like rubber. The axeman wrenched his axe. Empty hands stopped before Cedric's smirking face. The axeman blinked confused. Something tapped his head. He looked up. The branches entangled his axe. Before he could jump to retrieve it, more branches came to life and ripped him off the ground. "The spell is quicker than the eye!" Cedric boasted, dashing off further away from the designated path.
The two thugs chased Cedric and Wormwood off the road a while ago. The thickening woods provided menial cover, but granted Cedric a small advantage. The thugs had the greater stamina and combat skills. Cedric gets tired walking up the stairs to his workshop. Magic and cunning were his only cavalry. His pursuers were proving to be tenacious. Cedric had an arsenal of spells. But if he doesn't elude these thugs soon, he'll be the one hanging from the tree.
"Wormwood! Fly back to the village and get help!" Cedric ordered between pants. Wormwood cawed aggressively, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know! Anyone who will listen! NOW GO!" Wormwood nodded and took to the skies. He would be back soon.
A sword sprouted from thin air. "AH!" Cedric dug his heels. The sword pierced a tree trunk. The cold steel touched Cedric's nose. He hoped that was sweat going down his leg. The evil knight found him. He twisted his sword back. "NO YOU DON'T!" Cedric tapped his wand to his palm. Bean shaped orbs coated the palm. The sword sliced for his neck. Cedric raised the palm. The sword connected and jelly beans sprinkled to the ground. The knight grunted confused, blinking at stubby hilt. "Here! Have some beans!" Cedric slammed a fist to the ground. The beans launched like arrows, pelting the knight heatedly. He grunted and swatted viciously at the beans. He staggered and tripped over his own feet, falling like a clumsy giant. "You two picked the wrong sorcerer to mug!" Cedric boasted.
"Did we now?!" Cedric managed to leap from harm's way. The familiar axe broke the ground. The axeman admired Cedric for his quick reflexes. But it won't save him for long. "You sorcerers think you're so vast and superior! Well you're a dying breed with the same crutch!" He wildly lashed out with his axe. Cedric conjured a shield that radiated flaring sparks with each connection. "YOU CAN'T DO A THING WITHOUT YOUR MAGICAL STICK!" The force behind the axe was impressive. Cedric felt the shocks jolt through his arms. He was almost thrown off his feet.
The axeman swung again. Cedric vanished in a puff of smoke. The axe got caught in a tree. He couldn't wrench it free. Cedric reappeared behind him. He ushered a fire spell to the wand. "HAAA…" With a mighty roar the evil knight swung his sword down. Cedric froze in unadulterated horror as he watched a portion of his wand fly in the air. The wand was sliced clean in half, hitting the floor like the dud it became. Cedric was rooted in place, unable to believe what just happened. Gazing wide eyed at the broken wand, he watched what magic it contain spill wasted to the floor. His only shield and sword gone. And Wormwood was nowhere to be seen with help.
"Oopsie…" The axeman squealed mockingly. "Looks like you can't fight anymore." Cedric edged back, feeling more than just the thugs encroaching. "Good. That will make this more fun for us." He licked the axe hungrily.
xxx
Lydia, Eezeyal, and Ubos greedily finished their meal. The spaghetti really hit the spot. Eezeyal almost popped like a balloon trying to eat all of the apple pie. Ubos didn't let him. He claimed the other half, and later regretted it. Lydia let the two digest their food while she collected her thoughts at the window. She followed the setting sun, saddened she hadn't ascertained more on Cedric's whereabouts. The sole consolation is she's in the last town he was said to be heading to. Or he may have braved the trek and gone to Agrilla. Either way, she's on his heels. It's just the matter of catching him that was proving difficult. He's always been slippery.
On one moderately pleasing note, Lydia is sporting more than just an accessory on her headband. The Fantasia Brooch - forged by Master Yensid himself to call upon the wisdom of sorcerers past. Little did Lydia realize it actually summons those from before her. The Enchantress who transformed Prince Adam. Lydia felt like a mere human in the presence of a god. It was amazing. And the wisdom she passed on was inspiring. The bonds of people being a sort of magic - deep and poetic. And it offered a sort of appreciation for what has, and what she had. She sort of felt like the luckiest person in the world. The luckiest person who can't seem to lie down for half a second.
"I'm going to search the town." She announced, tying her cloak to her shoulders. "Maybe I'll tire myself out on dead ends."
"Lydia. You should rest." Ubos advised gravely. "Being tired will serve no one."
"I will…" She promised, "Once someone's told me if they've seen Cedric or not." Now that was her promise. The other one was just a rub.
"Yew realize it might take ya until late in the night tuh ask around." Eezeyal warned her.
Lydia fastened her boots, and flipped her hood on. "You guys can rest here while I search." She winked, and then was out the door.
"UUGGHH…" Eezeyal groaned irritably. Lydia had a knack for picking the worst times for her impulses. Ubos gave him a sly smirk. He knows Eezeyal wants to follow. "Yeah, yeah, c'mon!" Eezeyal flipped the window latch open. "Might as well help out." He rumbled as if being forced to do a chore.
"That's my boy!" Ubos sarcastically encouraged.
xxx
Cedric barreled his way deeper into the woods. He tore through spiderwebs and rebound painfully off trees. Bushes in his way proved to decrease his speed greatly. The thugs were hot on his trail, literally cutting the woods apart to reach him. He'd be interested in the name of the blacksmith that constructed their weapons. If he had his wand, he'd be able to make those heathens regret bringing such effective weapons. It would have been easy to just leave being forced further and further off the beaten path. He shoved low hanging branches out of the way. He jumped every other bush like a hurdle. His lungs were on fire. His heart beating like a drum. He felt helpless without his wand.
"Wand is...only a channel! You are the...conduit!" Cedric recited between breaths. He learned long ago in Hexley that a wand is mostly a tool. True sorcerers usher magic at a whim. Cedric removed his robe, spun and tossed it in the air. "Nettus Trapus Imprisoneer!" He thrust a palm. The robe spread out as a net, dropping over the heavily armored knight. The robe's ropes snagged to a branch, lifting him off the ground like bait. "One down! One to go!" Cedric blew on his palms. A gelatinous mist coated his palms. He stretched his arms, letting his hands run on whatever he passed. Thick branches, leaves, roots, and soil - sturdy walls interlocked in the path, ensnaring the axeman in webs, and barring his path. "YES!" Cedric cheered. He's not as helpless as he thought.
The knight had enough of Cedric's tomfoolery. How unfortunate for the sorcerer when the knight cut at the net it returned to a simple robe. He unleashed an animal roar. Planting his feet he lunged like a bull into a mad charge. Lowering his head, he plowed through every barrier Cedric created. He made the ground quake under him. The axeman was freed unintentionally. Cedric scrambled in a panic and darted off the path. By the time the bull headed false knight broke through, a feeble tree stopped him in his path. He was seeing little birds now. The axeman pried him from the tre, slapping him to his senses. He gestured to the sorcerer only a spitting distance away. Cedric gathered himself and started running in any given direction.
"GET HIM!" The axeman shoved his fake knight friend. A steep hillside, more like a sheer cliff, impeded Cedric. It cannot stop him. It won't! Cedric clawed at rocks and soil, and dug his shoes in. He doesn't know where the strength came from, but he started climbing the wall. "YOU WON'T ESCAPE LIKE THAT!"
By the time his pursuers caught up to him, their fingers were brushing at his heels. Cedric was well out of their reach. They roared animally, striving to climb for him. The hill couldn't support their weight. Support keeled under them, and they fell hard on their backs. Cedric would normally laugh at the expense of others, but the hill wasn't being any kinder to him. He kept climbing, and didn't stop even when the trees concealed him.
The false knight gathered himself, rushing to find another way to intercept him. "Leave him!" The axeman forbid him. "He's not worth all this trouble! Besides," He pinched the robe still hanging on the knight, "We've got a nice enough consolation prize." He chuckled. A little worn and torn, but it should get them a few coins somewhere. "These woods are treacherous at night, anyway. He won't last long without his magic." He pat his friend on the back, escorting him for the trail. "Let it have him."
xxx
Lydia must have asked 20 people the same question and received the same answer. 'I'm sorry, no. Sorry, I haven't seen them. Someone like that came here?' One after another, it surprised Lydia how unobservant people are. It's almost annoying. Half of them didn't seem interested in her troubles. Nothing new in that day and age, but very aggravating nonetheless. She wanted to kick them where the sun doesn't shine. Or maybe that's her sleep deprivation talking and she really needed to get back to the inn. It was almost night time anyway. Sofia, Amber, and James are probably fast asleep as she wandered about.
I should probably send her a message that I'm alright. The way Lydia hugged Ubos close, Eezeyal was able to kick back and fall asleep. She's glad they decided to rest. It told her she needed to head back to the inn soon. "You guys win. Let's-" Labored groaning made Lydia pause. She checked the cobblestone road. No one was near that had a reason to heave like that. And...flapping? Where was the flapping coming from? A black feather dropped at her feet. Lydia peered up. A black bird - A RAVEN - was passing overhead. It was fumbling in the air, struggling to keep flying.
"Morgana's Mocking birds!"
Lydia knew that voice anywhere. "WORMWOOD?!" She cried. Ubos and Eezeyal jolted awake at the name. Lydia set them on a barrel. She waved her arms. "WORMWOOD! DOWN HERE!"
Wormwood heard his name through the whistling ringing in his ears. He glided briefly, spying Lydia below waving her arms crazily. "Prin...cess…" Wormwood lost his strength. He plummeted for the ground.
"WORMY!" Lydia sprinted for him. Wormwood was nearing the ground. Lydia jumped, grabbed him in midair, and rolled on a dive. Crowds would cheer at the amazing catch. "Are you okay?! Wormwood?!" She shook him awake.
"Princes...Lydia?" Wormwood disorientedly groaned. The world was spinning. Lydia's worried expression came into focus. Wormwood wasn't seeing an angel, but it was something close. Ubos and Eezeyal huddled close, minorly pleased the raven was awake. So many questions to their presence roused. But he won't look a gift horse in the mouth."I've never been...so happy...to see you!" He rasped.
"Wormwood! You poor thing! Here!" She flipped the lid off a barrel. She dipped a ladle and held it to Wormwood. "Drink!" Wormwood guzzled the water, leaking some on his feathers. He was feeling 100 percent in no time. "What happened to you?! Where's Cedric?"
"Cedric and I were ambushed! He sent me away to get help from anywhere!" Pure luck was on their side Lydia decided to walk about town for answers. To be honest, this isn't what she was hoping for. "These heinous neanderthals chased us like dogs! Common thugs wanting to exact their misfortune on weary travelers!"
"Where's Cedric now?!" Lydia pressed him. She sympathizes with his exhaustion, but Cedric might be in greater danger because he's alone.
"I lost him near the border!" Wormwood regretted to inform her. "But it wasn't too long ago! He can't have gotten too far off course!"
"We might still be able to catch up to him if we leave now!" Ubos encouraged.
"Wormwood, can you remember EXACTLY where it is you lost Cedric?" Lydia quizzed him.
"Y...yes?" He replied warily. "Why?" He was scared by that epiphanal gleam in her eye.
"What'cha think', Lid?!" Eezeyal anxiously inserted himself.
"Ubos, teleporting works when I have a place in my head, correct?" Ubos nodded, wanting her to press on with her idea. "Should the same thing be possible with an outside party?" She nudged Wormwood.
Ubos caught on. He took her proposal with great consideration. It doesn't sound impossible. Only difficult. "I've never tried it myself. Perhaps you will have better luck." He welcomed.
"I don't like where this is going!" Wormwood wriggled in protest.
"You'll like it even less if you don't focus!" Lydia warned. More like a threat. Lydia pinched him by the jaw, forcing him to look her in her serious eyes. "I really need you to focus, Wormwood! Otherwise Cedric's on his own. And we both know he's terrible in a fight." Wormwood will give her that. Unless he has magic, Cedric isn't necessarily known for his punches. "Okay…" Lydia took in a deep breath, closing her eyes. She rested two fingers to Wormwood's forehead. He focused on the last place he saw Cedric. In turquoise smoke, Ubos, Lydia, Wormwood, and Eezeyal vanished.
xxx
Cedric held his pounding chest, leaning to a boulder with labored breaths. He hasn't exerted himself this much since that sleepover with the princesses. Performing a puppet show for little girls is very exhausting. On the bright side, his pursuers gave up on him. Peering down where he just climbed, he caught a severe case of a fear of heights. He was higher than he realized. The bad news is he has no idea where he's at. The running turned him around. He wasn't sure if he was facing east or south. Maybe it was west. The sunset helped a little, but he doesn't recall which direction the road or village were in. So…
"I'M LOST?!" He howled in disbelief. "GREAT!" He stormed for any direction. Maybe with a bit of luck he'll stumble upon a road or hunter or something. "And my wand is broken, and the spare is in the packs I left behind!" What a splendid journey this was turning out to be. Logically, he should stay where he is until Wormwood returned. But it was getting dark fast. He needed to be where Wormwood would be able to see him. Hopefully he's found someone. The night threatens to be a cold one.
xxx
Turquoise smoke filled the air. "WHOA!" Lydia flopped on her stomach. A nice patch of grass broke her fall. Ubos, Eezeyal, and Wormwood flipped onto her back. She thinks they might have broken it. "Phew! That was bumpy!" Lydia rasped, lifting to her knees.
Wormwood and the others slid off. "At least you got us here in one piece!" Wormwood scolded, dusting the residue from his wings.
"I will take that as my first compliment from you EVER!" Lydia drew a silver lining. The dark cloud being they seem to have landed somewhere in the middle of the woods. "This is where you saw Cedric?" Pretty out of the way place. Then again, he was being chased.
"I'm certain of it!" Wormwood took to the air, scanning the surrounding area. The forest may look the same to the human eye, but Wormwood's keen sense of direction will help him discern Cedric's trail. "THERE!" He fluttered near a fresh tree stump. "Here is where Cedric was hiding!" He won't mention how close Cedric was to having a little taken off the top. He then moved to the tree with tattered branches. "This tree was used to ensnare one of the men! He cut himself free! Not before his friend chased Cedric!"
Lydia used that. She struck her wand on a rock, igniting a bright flare. Cedric's hiding place, and a set trap. The wise course would be to move. "There!" She knelt down, running her fingers over sets of footprints. The smaller ones obviously belonging to Cedric. They were fresh. Lydia hovered a hand over the footprints. "Retro vestigia Cedric." (Retrace the steps of Cedric) Cedric's footprints highlighted orange. By how close they were, he was running for his life. Deeper into the woods. "He ran this way!" Lydia took the lead.
The footprints seem to make it a considerable distance. Wormwood recognized that part of the woods. Cedric sent him for help, and that was when he lost sight of him. Almost there...Lydia cried in her mind. She was almost to him. She was about to weep with joy. Why am I so happy about finding him? Nothing new. She was this happy when Adelea payed a visit. Right? Lydia was so lost in thought she nearly ran past where the footprints stopped. She came to an abrupt halt. The others piled into her, falling on their backs. They groaned dazedly.
"WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?!" Wormwood roared.
"The trail stopped...wait…" The prints were moving, but were shuffling in place. "Cedric stopped here...why?" She incidentally placed a hand to a tree, and felt an insertion. There was a skinny hole in the tree. Across was a ravaged bush. "Someone jumped at Cedric…" Before she could interpret further, the footprints started to move again. They were jumping, skipping, and sliding all over the place. Left, right, forward, and back. They were all over the place.
"What in the hoo-hey was Cedric doin'?!" Eezeyal was getting dizzy trying to keep up. Unfortunately, the spell didn't last very long. Either the trail was going cold, the spell was losing strength, or
Lydia mapped the steps in her head. She reenacted them. "He put up a fight!" She gasped. The steps were unmistakeable. "Cedric was forced into a fight! He doesn't fight!" She began to panic.
"No, but his defensive spells are impressive!" Wormwood advocated. "If they came at him, Cedric would have bested them with a quick defense, and an even swifter trick."
"So he must have outwitted the attackers!" Ubos added animatedly.
"I don't think so." Eezeyal poured dread to the excitement. He found a familiar looking wand on the ground.
"Cedric's wand!" Lydia and Wormwood cried.
"Correction! Cedric's broken wand!" Eezeyal showed them the clean shaven end. "Someone cut it in half."
"One of thugs had an axe!" Wormwood shouted. Lydia was beginning to panic again.
"This is bad, yes?"
"Very…" Lydia felt a chill run up her spine. And it wasn't due to the cold.
"Well lookie what we got here!" Lydia spun at the grotesque voice. Ubos hid behind her. Wormwood and Eezeyal perched to her shoulders, ready to pounce when whoever spoke reveals themselves. "Such a pretty little lady…and her pets." Two heavily armed men emerged from the darkness. The one with the axe purred perversely. "That's quite the nice cloak, young lady. So mysterious…" His armored friend behind him chuckled.
"That's them!" Wormwood growled.
Lydia scrunched her nose. These are the two who chased Cedric. They were going to tell her where he is. Lydia's voice hitched when she saw a robe in the armored man's hands. "Wait...that belongs to Cedric!" She sneered hatefully at them. "Tell me where you got that!"
"What'cha gonna give us if we do, Pretty Lady?" The mustache man cupped her chin. Wormwood, Eezeyal, and Ubos hungered to tear him apart. "Better yet, why should we answer?"
"I wasn't asking!" Lydia's eyes flared brown and then green. The trees branches wrapped to their ankles. Their heads hit the ground as they were strung up. The branches slithered around them, binding their arms to their sides. Lydia casually guided her hand. The branches helped relieve the men of their weapons, and made them vanish in the the enclosed tops.
Wormwood whistled impressed and scared. Eezeyal pat him on the back. "You should see her when she's angry." He winked.
"SHE'S A SORCERER TOO!" The axeman spat.
"Here's a real scholar! Now answer me!" Lydia commanded, removing her hood. She shoved the dropped robe in their faces. "Where did you get this?!" Both men decided to take up the vow of silence. Lydia was in no mood for their games. While she hates inflicting pain, she can put her morals aside for one night. "I'll ask nicely one-last-TIME!" Lydia slowly closed her fingers. The branches tightened, squeezing the men and their held tongue from their vow of silence. "Where did you get this robe?!"
"From a guy! We chased him into the woods!" He wailed in pain.
"WHERE IS HE?!" Lydia shrieked.
"We don't know! He climbed up the hills and we lost him!"
"I'm in a pretty foul mood, so don't you dare lie to me!" Lydia approached him.
"We swear! That's the last time we saw him!" Lydia believed him. Mostly because she doesn't think anyone would be dumb enough to lie to a sorcerer on a mission. Least of all when she's clearly upset. She reactivated the tracker spell, and turned on her heels to follow the footprints. "Hey! You can't leave us here like this! Let us down!"
"Don't worry! It will dissolve after an hour or two!" Lydia shrugged indifferently. "Will give passersby plenty of time to recognize your mugs from the wanted posters and involve the guards!" The two men howled profanities at her, demanding she release them.
Wormwood's heart throbbed for this new side of Lydia. So ruthless and relentless. "I think I might be in love."
"Get your own sorceress, ash pit!" Eezeyal shoved him aside. He hugged the back of Lydia's head. "This one's mine!"
Wormwood ruffled his chest feathers. Ubos chuckled at him. "Glad you find this so amusing!" Wormwood snarled.
"I always find friendly banters hilarious."
Wormwood smashed his beak to the pretentious book's nose. "Get this as straight as you possibly can, Eloquent Tone! I am not friends with any of you!" He declared, jabbing Ubos's cover.
"Of course you're not." Ubos mockingly humored him. He leaned in, furrowing his brow, "Just like Lydia isn't friends with Cedric." Wormwood bit his tongue. There's no way to retort to that. It will only serve to sink him in a hole. "Let us proceed, shall we?"
xxx
Just as Cedric feared. Night has fallen upon Enchancia. And he's pretty sure he's wandered farther from the trail by now. The one time he decides to take off on his own and seek out new surroundings and he gets lost. Great. He can hear them now. The Royal - Former Royal - Sorcerer to King Roland loses his way in the woods. And he's not well equipped to spend the night in the wilderness. Who is he kidding? He hasn't gone camping since he was seven and his sister played a horrible prank on him. That is a story for another time, and he doesn't wish to make a bad situation feel worse.
Cedric must have made a wrong turn somewhere a while back. He heard chattering, but was afraid to approach strangers. Instead he moved away from the people and continued on his way. The woods seemed to close in around him, choke him from the outside world. He's come to several clearings where he was able to gather himself and choose yet another path to take. There is a philosophical passage able paths and how they change every so often in life. Cedric wasn't in the mood for philosophy. Or the constantly changing paths. He wished he had a sign that pointed him back to town. Casting spells by hand wasn't beyond him. However, he hurt his hands on the climb up the hill. He'll need the proper ointments for them. Sealing them with magic won't do much.
"MERLIN'S...MUSHROOMS!" Cedric kicked a secure rock. "OW! BLASTED NATURE!" He cradled one foot while jumping on the other. "WORMY! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?!" He roared, finally losing what little composure he had. He stormed and muttered angrily to himself, cursing everyone and everything he past. Were it he were the Skipped Inheritor he'd burn the entire forest to the ground and be done with it. BUT NOO! He had to be born as the ordinary sorcerer. "What I wouldn't kill for a boost?!" He prayed. Maybe if he focuses hard enough, a burst of magic will save him. Not likely. "OOH! SOMEONE JUST KILL ME NOW-AAAHHH!" Cedric was so consumed in his hysteria he never noticed he wandered into a clearing. The darkness concealed a cliff. Cedric's foot slipped and he plummeted a ways down, coming to a painful catch on a narrow ledge.
"Poseidon's...GRR! What now of all things-GAH!" Cedric hugged the rocky wall. Curse the one night there's a moon. The beams highlighted a plummet to a ravine. A very narrow ravine guarded by protruding rocks, and very little to soften his fall. When he asked for death, he wasn't being literal. Far from it. He want's to live! Cedric scrambled on the ledge, pressing his stomach to the wall. He tried to focus to levitate himself to safety. Sharp pain punctured his skull, and flooded to his left arm. He wasn't able to float up. Climbing up was out of the question as well. "Okay! When all else fails, there is only one logical, rational, and self preserving option!" Cedric puffed up his chest. He took a deep breath,"HEELLPP…!"
xxx
Some of the trek was feasible. Actually, to be accurate, it was like walking through the park. The woods looked like they were torn in half by an unstoppable force. Unstoppable forces meeting immoveable objects. Quiet the phenomena. "By the looks of this road, yew'd think a bull came chargin' through here." Eezeyal shuddered. He and Ubos skulked ahead, scanning the highlighting footprints. They vanished at a steep hill the axeman mentioned. Spots in the hill scaled upward before vanishing over the ledge. Cedric may not be one for physical activities, but he sure can climb when his adrenaline is pumping hard enough. Those two thugs must have had him on quite the run. Wormwood and Eezeyal flew after them. Ubos helped Lydia levitate to the next ledge. The footprints continued on their way.
Lydia parted the branches, spitting up cobwebs from a wrong turn she unintentionally took. Wormwood and Eezeyal flew past under her arms, landing to a rock. Their feathers were caked in dew and dirt. They were in for three baths when they get home. Following the footprints, Lydia couldn't help getting the feeling she was getting turned around. She wasn't the only one. Ubos, Wormwood, and Eezeyal had a hard time discerning Cedric's trail. He would head one way, then the next, and sometimes back tracked the way he came. He was a very dizzying man to follow. Eezeyal flew face first into branches he was so disoriented. Ubos and Wormwood were getting the tired from follow Cedric as well. He was erratic. In a panic. He was getting them lost along with him.
The spell faded once again, leaving Lydia and the others to follow an invisible trail. The tracks had gone cold. It was up to their eyes and ears to find Cedric. Lydia held Ubos and let Wormwood and Eezeyal perch on her. If they don't come across another clue soon, she was taking them to the inn. The night was growing cold.
"HHEELLPP…!" Ears strained to the plight.
"Did you hear that?!" Eezeyal erected animatedly. Ubos focused his hearing. Lydia and Wormwood twisted, searching for the sound. Silence engrossed them. Odd for the woods, but fortunate for them.
"SOMEONE, PLEASE! HELP ME!"
"Cedric?" Wormwood's voice quivered. Lydia's eyes glossed. Warmth rose in her heart to her cheeks.
"ANYONE! PLEASE! HELP!" The scream was off the beaten path.
"CEDRIC?!" Lydia jumped over the bushes, sprinting after the scream. Eezeyal, Ubos, and Wormwood chased after her, flying low to not lose her in the brush.
The forest closed in the deeper they went. "Someone! Anyone! HELP ME!" That was Cedric alright. They were getting closer. Lydia spun her wand. A glittery lasso hung in the air. She cast the line and the glitter coated the trees, bending them sideways and opening the path. "CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?! HHEELLP…!" It was faint, but the meager rays of moonlight showed an opening to the thick woods. There was a clearing just up ahead.
Lydia, Ubos, Eezeyal, and Wormwood poured on the speed, they shielded their heads, and they burst from the woods. They struggled on their sudden stop. The woods brought them to a dead end. Or rather, a dead drop. There was no one there. Nothing. Just a cliff drop. That wasn't possible. Lydia and Wormwood would swear on their mothers they heard Cedric screaming. Ubos and Eezeyal would second that. They heard him so clearly he might as well have been standing there next to them.
"Where...where is he?!" Wormwood shrilly cried. Sadness cracked his voice. "He was here, wasn't he?!"
The trail and screams brought them here. Or maybe they passed him up without realizing it. Then why wouldn't he call to them? He must not trust chasers in the night after the previous two. As Lydia was about to back track into the woods to scout for him, the scream came again. "IS THIS REALLY HOW MY LIFE IS GOING TO END?!" Hairs and book bindings stood on end. It was so pitiful it had to be Cedric. And it was coming for the ledge.
"CEDRIC!" Lydia raced to the ledge, crawled on her hands and knees, and leaned over as far as she could. Lo and behold, someone bracing himself on a very small ledge. "CEDRIC!"
Cedric shook from his terror and twisted up. "Princess?!" Absolute joy radiated on her face. Ubos, Wormwood, and Eezeyal were equally overjoyed to see he was alright. "Wormy…" He found someone. He found...Lydia. Are those tears of joy or sadness stinging his eyes?
"Cedric! Oh my-" Lydia clammed up, fanning herself so she wouldn't start gushing. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you!" Albeit it could be under better circumstances.
"What are you doing here?!" Not that he isn't happy someone came. But of all the people to show...why her? Why now?
"Looking for you!"
"Why?"
"Long story! We have to get you up here!" She rummaged for her wand. A sharp yank dragged her by the cloak. "AH!"
"LYDIA!" Everyone, even Cedric, cried.
Lydia was thrown, skipping on the ground. She spat up some dirt, growling rapidly at who dragged her. To hers and everyone's horror, it was the two she left tied up a ways back. "Aren't you two tenacious?!" She cursed them.
"You think you can get away with humiliating us like that?!" The axeman flourished his axe in both hands. The knight drew his sword, taking a stance. "First that lanky, long nosed friend of yours! Now a little girl?! I don't think so!" Lydia bit her lip. She's never disliked anyone so much in her life than these two. Lezard would be a welcomed parasite right about now. "I'm sick of sorcerers flaunting their freakish powers! Time to put you both where you belong!" Lydia squared to the two, drawing both of her wands. She shook her head to Ubos, Wormwood, and Eezeyal, warning them to stay back.
Cedric bounced antsily to try and see what was happening. He attempted a climb, only to fall on his butt. He growled frustrated, but wasn't about to give up. He moved to try again. Cracking turned him to a lawn gnome. He turned around. A marginal chunk of the ledge was missing. By the splashing he heard, the ledge just broke off. And from where he's standing, each time he moved, the ledge broke more. "THE LEDGE IS BREAKING!"
Wormwood, Ubos, Eezeyal, and Lydia gaped in dismay. Of all the rotten luck to befall them. The axeman and knight chuckled darkly. "Guess we won't have to worry about him, huh?!" Lydia was to stricken by the horror of Cedric's fall to register him. "All we have to do is wait a while longer, and two magical birds will be killed with one stone!" The two flew into fit of laughter, claiming triumph over their semi-worthy sorcery friends.
Every spell she knows, every incantation and charm she can think of. Lydia's mind drew a blank. Her mind swallowed by Cedric's impending doom. No matter what she hits them with, regardless of how powerful the spell, they will just get right back up and come after them. When and how is a mystery. But she knows these types of people. They won't stop. THEY NEVER STOP! They are vampiric leeches. Constantly scavenging and sucking the life dry of anyone they latch on to. They would hunt Lydia and Cedric down to the ends of the earth. Whether or not she saves him, they won't be safe. Traveling hundreds of miles, hitting strike after strike, and for what? To lose him now? All because two humans with magic envy want to stand in her way? They want to rob her? They want to take Cedric from...her?
"NO!" Lydia grasped her headband. No more mercy! No more punches pulled! She's ending this farce now. "You won't stand in my way!" Lydia threw her headband away.
"HANG ON TUH YER FEATHER, WORMY!" Eezeyal warned him excitedly.
Wormwood watched on in awe. Lydia opened her eyes. The ethereal white frightened the two men, making them stagger and lose their footing. "What in blazes…" Wormwood gasped in pure amazement. A symbol traced on her forehead. An eye of sorts. "What is this power? How is she doing this?"
"Yew're 'bout tuh witness what happens when ya push Liddy way too far!" Eezeyal snickered anxiously. Wormwood swallowed a nervous lump. Ubos glared on in apprehension. Something about this round of power seemed off to him.
"How easy it would be for me to turn you into the bugs you are, and crush you under my foot!" Lydia roared with two voices. "But there are more important things right now! So I offer you an out!" She flourished her hand. The two men thrust into a sharp bend backwards. The same symbol on Lydia traced to their foreheads. A dull glow compared to Lydia's flooded their eyes. White lines joined them to her. Their barbaric subconsciouses synced to hers. "ALIQUID RELIQUI FACIO!" Her voice echoed in their minds. "Oblitus cuncta quæ vidistis! Loqueremur hodie aut occurristi!" A shift of her hand and the two men stood erect. "Vive ignorantiæ vestræ!" (LEAVE! Forget all you have seen! Never speak of this day, or who you have met! Live forever in your ignorance) Lydia shaped her hand like a blade. A rippling light coasted from the two men to the middle of the three way link. With a smooth swipe, Lydia severed the link. A flash like a inward explosion dropped the two men like ragdolls. Their eyes were completely empty. Lydia summoned her headband to her hands, replacing it to her crown. She then dropped to her knees in exhaustion.
Ubos, Wormwood, and Eezeyal raced to her. She was okay. But she was going to need rest after this was over. As she fought to regain another wind, Wormwood wondered if he was staring upon the same person who has dared to cross Cedric these past few months. Had she grown? Was it because of her true magic? He doesn't know. Either way, Wormwood was amazed. "I don't know whether to be scared or in awe."
"Be both! We have to get Cedric!" She dug in a foot. "Ugh…" A wave of dizziness dropped her to her hands and knees. Her body felt like lead. "Of all the times…"
"What's wrong?!" Wormwood panicked.
"I was afraid of this!" Ubos closed his eyes, scanning her weary body. He knew her magic seemed different. "You haven't fully recovered!" Fully recovered? Wormwood thought a moment. Lezard! His leeching must have done something. He's certain he'll hear more later.
"I don't care!" Lydia shook off the weakness, flying into a clumsy sprint. The birds and Ubos knew she wasn't going to stop. And they wouldn't blame her. There's just one more loose end, and the nightmare was over. "Cedric!" She dropped to the ledge.
"Princess!" He's never been so happy to see her. Given the circumstances, he'd be pleased to see anyone.
The ledge was crumbling fast. Cedric barely had room to stand on his flat feet. He was stuck on his toes. Lydia lied on her stomach, stretching her hand as far as it would go. "Come on! Reach!" Cedric forgot himself and spun around. He pushed up as high as his toe would go, reaching for the hand which only fingertips brushed. "A little closer…!" Lydia tried to slink forward. Too much and she'll fall with him. But it wasn't enough. Unbeknownst to her, Cedric's ledge wasn't the only one wavering. Nevertheless, the waning ledge below was giving at the bedrock. It jerked as it came loose. Cedric almost lost his balance in the process. "JUMP!"
"I can't!" Cedric was too scared to move.
"You must!"
"You won't be able to hold me!"
"Cedric, either you jump or I push you off myself!" Cedric paused for thought. He considered what was worse. Lydia pushing him, or naturally falling. The answer: BOTH TERRIFIED HIM! Cedric spun, bent at the knees and sprang. The ledge completely fell. Hands locked at the wrists. "GOT'CHA!" Lydia braced herself with one hand. Cedric held on with both hands, swinging above what will be a gruesome end. But boy was he heavier than he looked. Lydia wasn't sure she could pull him up.
The cliff side splintered. Cracks formed further in the bedrock. The edge started to slant, dragging Lydia closer to her doom with Cedric. "LYDIA…!" Cedric cried for her.
She wasn't letting go. Never will she let him go. "HOLD ON! JUST HOLD ON, CEDRIC!" Desperate tears sprinkled to his face. Cedric gawked in disbelief. She's weeping for him. Wormwood and Eezeyal dug their talons in her jacket. Furiously they flapped, straining their tiny bodies to beat the sloping cliff. Ubos fluttered his pages, tying a lasso to her waist and pulled.
No one was moving. There was a stalemate. Which one could hold out the longest? Lydia or the cliff? Cedric couldn't reach the cliff side to climb with his feet. And that ledge didn't seem to want to hold their weight much longer. "YOU HAVE TO LET ME GO! Or you'll fall with me!" Cedric implored.
"NEVER! I'M NEVER LETTING YOU GO!" Lydia declared. Her entire arm was cramping. Her bracing hand was going numb. Rocks at her stomach were digging to her ribs.
"Lydia, please! You have to! Just let me go!"
"I let you go once, Cedric! I'll never make that mistake again!"
"LISTEN TO ME, PRINCESS! THE WORLD WILL GO ON WITHOUT ME!" Cedric squeezed his free hand to her wrists, attempting to weaken her grip to cease her futile rescue. "Should anything happen to you-"
"The world will move!" She shrieked. "I'm no more important than you!"
"Yes you are!"
"No I'm not!"
"WHY ARE YOU BEING SO STUBBORN?! WHY ARE YOU RISKING YOUR LIFE FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME?!" Someone like me...the words echoed in his mind, summoning sorrow to his heart. "For a traitor?!"
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MY FRIEND!" Friend echoed across the valley, stunning Eezeyal, Ubos, Wormwood, and Cedric. Lydia's body quivered as her tears fell, dripping to the corner of Cedric's eyes. "You're one of the best friends I've ever had! I don't care if your ambitions are evil! At least you admit to them!" Puffy red eyes struck Cedric in his core. She said it again...Cedric gazed in awe. She called him her friend. "Lezard led me on for years! Fooled me into believing he...he cared about me! Not once have you lied to me that way! Everything between us has been so blatantly honest everyone wonders why we even speak to one another!" Cedric paused for thought on that one. They have shared pretty hurtful insults which morph into laughs. "I don't want to lose that! I don't want to lose you! So please! Climb!"
Newfound strength built in Cedric. Wormwood, Eezeyal, and Ubos felt it as well. Everyone nodded. This was going to be close. Lydia and Cedric both took a breath. Eezeyal, Wormwood, and Ubos came in slowly. "ONE…" Lydia bellowed.
"TWO…" Cedric braced himself.
"THREE!" Wormwood, Eezeyal, and Ubos hauled. Lydia threw herself back. Cedric came flying up, and grabbed hold of the ledge. He dug in his feet. The ledge was starting to give. One more strong PULL! The ledge fell to the abyss below. Ubos and the birds went flying aloft. Lydia and Cedric tumbled one over the other, rolling to a strong and sturdy center of ground.
They did it! They actually did it! Cedric was safe. And the crumbling cliff wall didn't take them with it. NOT TODAY! Normally a grooveable dance would be in order. That will come in the next week or two. No one could move. Cedric and Lydia lied spread eagle on the dirt. Lungs on fire, gasping for precious, relieving air. Wormwood crawled on his stomach, lying on his chest. Cedric lovingly pet his faithful companion, too exhausted for words. Lydia forced her elbows down and propped herself to her butt. Eezeyal hung halfway on her thigh, beyond glad the worst was over. Ubos would kiss them both if he didn't want to punch them so badly.
"Well now…" Cedric panted, sitting up on his hind, "That's...one encounter...I can live without…" He peered up to Ubos, beyond amazed he was meeting the source of Lydia's training face to face for a second time. "This is normally the part where I would begin a menacing banter…" Cedric place a hand at his chest, claiming himself, "But I'm too grateful to step on toes. Thank you…"
"Do not thank me, Son of Goodwin." Ubos moved to Lydia who was still short of breath. "Lydia is the one who risked everything to come." Cedric was sort of shocked to hear that. Even after she risked her life to save him, he found it hard to believe she'd come looking for him. Nevertheless, the awkwardness set in between them. He wasn't sure what to say. For now, he would start with an apology.
"Ahem! Princess…" She tensed at his hand on her shoulder, "I want to thank-" Lydia threw her arms around him, burying her face in his stomach. "PRINCESS?!" Cedric threw his arms up.
"I made it…" Cedric relaxed, baffled by her whisper. He felt her arms tighten. "I can't believe I made it! I found you…" Moisture soaked his robes. Her teeth were clenched. Water streaming to her chin. "I found you, Cedric! You're alright! I found you!" She repeated, sobbing heavily. "I can't believe I found you before...before…" She almost lost him forever.
Cedric smiled resignedly, lowering his arms to her back. "Shh...it's alright. I'm here…" He pet her head to her back. He curled down, returning her embrace. "It's over, Princess Lydia."
"LYDIA!" She roared. "Please...just call me Lydia! I hate Princess."
"Lydia…" He hummed. "As you wish." He pushed her by the shoulders, then tilted her chin up. Her face was swollen from crying so hard. "I hope...Lydia…" Butterflies filled her stomach, "You can forgive me for all the trouble I've caused you." Not just saving him from falling to his death.
"Only if you forgive me." She sniffled.
"For what? You've done nothing wrong. I am the one who has wronged you." The guilt made him lower his head. "On so many occasions."
"And you've redeemed yourself." She lifted his head. She was going to look past everything he's done the past few months. Not just because he tried to save her from Lezard. But because...well...friends forgive each other. No matter what they do. "Just...don't ever leave me again…" Don't ever leave? Was she inviting him to come back to the castle. As if reading his mind, Lydia repeated herself, "Don't you EVER leave Enchancia again! Do you hear me?"
He heard her. Loud and clear. And he couldn't be happier. "I won't...I promise…"
xxx
The ride back to the castle was fraught with tales of the exciting adventure Cedric and Lydia had. Filled with hearty laughter from Ubos, Eezeyal, and Wormwood, it was a small party back home. To THEIR home. The danger, the heartbreaks, the songs they sang. All they were missing were the arch villains and a gushy love story. One out of two will suffice. One and a half. Two friends were reunited. The pair hadn't stopped regaling one another on their adventure since waking up Spirit in the stables. Which he wasn't too grateful for. He was in the middle of dream where he was outrunning a bunch of men, and an Indian was riding on his back. And it was getting good when Lydia came knocking. He didn't complain long. They were going back home after all.
Lydia questioned his sanity coming this far without proper supplies. He assured her he had the proper equipment, but lost it during his maddening chase. Which is where he was grateful Lydia found his robe. He was dying of hypothermia out in the woods. He wasn't shy about boasting of his well fought match against them. It was when they cut his wand in half that he lost his ground. That's when he discovered he's quite the outdoorsman, and doesn't want to do it again. As in ever. He might cast a spell so his workshop stairs will escalate on their own. He is a sorcerer ahead of his time. Although, he won't deny a certain rush from taking on the wilderness and two men better equipped for it. Perhaps, in the VERY distant future, he will do it again.
Cedric then remarked on the brooch on her headband. He admitted to being curious if she passed her test or not. Lydia filled him on what Lezard tried to do, and what later transpired. Technically, her test was paused due to Lezard's interference. She didn't pass or fail. Roland gave her the brooch as proof of his faith she was ready for it. The fairies carted Lezard off somewhere after apprehending him. Lydia hadn't bothered inquiring where. She just wanted him as far away from her as possible. It was because of his betrayal Lydia's secret was exposed. And also why she went after Cedric. Cedric was sorry he wasn't there. He's not sure what help he would have been, but he wished he could have witnessed Lydia putting Lezard in his place.
That's when Cedric admitted he knew about Lydia being a Skipped Inheritor. He learned the truth during their one on one in Merroway cove. And also his discovery about Ubos came to light as well. Both were accidents that worked in a favor to him. He earned a leg up on Lydia's training methods. More importantly, he understood why she studied so hard. The book - Ubos - was powerful. By the sounds of it he was a stern teacher. Frightening even. Lydia was wise to not cross him.
"I was unable to see it," Cedric pensively tapped his chin, "But I heard you utter a powerful Mind Bend Incantation to those men."
"It was actually a Persuasive Suggestion." The difference being in the name. "Under normal circumstances, the human mind cannot be dissuaded. But, when dealing with those of a weaker mind..."
"You can persuade them to do as you wish without effort." Cedric crooned. He liked it. Lydia, on the other hand, felt like a tyrant. "Did it require the symbol on your forehead?" Lydia nodded surprised. He guessed on the first try. He's very intuitive. "A very powerful spell indeed. Child's play…" Chills scaled her skin when he traced a finger over her headband, "When you are unhindered." Red tints flushed her cheeks. Cedric chuckled at her shy response, then glanced to Ubos. "A most remarkable student you have chosen. She may be the one who sets the bar high for Skipped Inheritors."
"That is my hope." Ubos bowed graciously to his high praise.
"There's one thing I need to know." Lydia diverted the topic before she died of bashfulness. "If you knew the whole time about my headband and Ubos, why not confront me about it?"
"You seemed to have your reasons for keeping them both secret." Cedric shrugged indifferently, "Who am I to blow the whistle?" Lydia arched a suspicious brow. There's more he isn't telling her. "Also, I know Skipped Inheritors received disdainful glares from those who know of them." He rested a hand to her shoulder, "I didn't want to confront you until you wanted to tell me."
"What if I never told you?" She quizzed.
"I would have lived." He shooed. A dangerous secret to be in the dark of, but one he could live without. "Your personal problems are your own. And trust me, Lydia, you have WAY too many!" She lightly elbowed him, earning a laugh.
"Well, count yourself among the others. Dad, Mom, and practically everyone in the castle knows now." An event she was hoping would never happen. But at least it lightened her secrecy load.
"Are you sure you're okay with it?" Cedric asked apprehensively. "You can easily erase their memories of it all."
"I could…" Its not as though she hasn't considered it. "But then I would have to live with that guilt." She turned to him, smirking impishly, "And you know what a saint I am."
"As saintly as the devil himself!"
"Still a step higher than you!"
"Keep deluding yourself of that!"
"Not a delusion! A hard truth for you to swallow!"
Ubos, Eezeyal, Wormwood groaned with a note of humor, rolling their eyes. Barely back together for ten minutes and they were already arguing. The same thought flowed in their minds. Oh yeah! Great to have them back together! The castle will never be quiet again.
xxx
It was a familiar sight. The night creeping on Enchancia, the servants vanishing one at a time to go home, and King Roland and his family keeping themselves awake sick with worry for Lydia. Miles and Baileywick volunteered to await her return. They were just as worried. Looking for Cedric sounded simple on paper, but common sense spoke volumes for the prolonged journey. Cedric had a surmounted head start on her. It was a roll of dice how many paces she will travel to find him. Her packed bags told them she planned to be gone for longer than a day. Incidentally, she was gone just as long for her test. The feeling was less tense, but it didn't lessen the worry. The dreaded what ifs flooded everyone's minds. Is she hurt? Did she get lost? Was she attacked? Why hasn't she sent word? Round and round their thoughts whirled. Roland was close to summoning the knights to mount a search party for her. And Cedric. What of him? Did he get hurt? Was he abducted? Did those who dislike all associated with the castle recognize him?
Some time ago, Goodwin and Winifred returned to the castle from their own search for Cedric. They went beyond the borders of Enchancia to find him. Only to return with the woeful news that they hadn't found a single hair belonging to him. Their sorrow worsened when they learned Lydia went in search of him, and has yet to return. Their sole consolation was that she volunteered to find their son. Pour an effort to someone they are perfectly aware has an evil streak. Save Roland from learning of this. Their thoughts and prayers were with them.
"Please tell me someone died!" Heads snapped to the door, and smiles brightened the room. Lydia was leaning to the arch with a foxy smirk. "The mood in here is very depressing." She winked.
"LYDIA!" Amber, James, and Sofia plowed into her, squeezing her into a hug. "When did you get back?!" Amber gasped.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Sofia puffed her cheeks.
"Did you bring me anything?" James twinkled. Sofia and Amber elbowed his stomach. "What?!" Lydia laughed at them. They worried too much.
Everyone had questions about her trip. They hitched in their throats when a gloved hand grasped the doorway. Winifred and Goodwin stood tall. Hope fluttered in their hearts. Lydia politely parted from her younger siblings, and grabbed hold of the stranger too shy to enter. Eyes widened in shock. Winifred stifled a gasp. Her eyes becoming glossy. Goodwin too was overcome by joy.
Cedric bashfully entered the room, massaging his tomato red neck. Nervously he wiggled his fingers in a salutation. "He...hello everyone…" He meekly greeted.
"CEDRIC!" Goodwin ambushed him with a bear hug, lifting him off the ground. "OH MY BOY! YOU'RE BACK!" Cedric winced at his breaking bones. He should have at least 10 or 6 left when Goodwin was done.
"Welcome home, Ceddy-kins!" Winifred blubbered, shoving Goodwin away so she could hug him. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!" She warned him, showering him with kisses.
"OKAY! OKAY, MUMMY!" Cedric was embarrassed when Miles and Baileywick started to laugh. Lydia and her siblings snorted. "I'm sorry for making you worry." He remarked softly. Winifred's stared warned him that he would be at a later time.
"You had us worried for a while there." Baileywick commented, approaching with Miles.
"Especially Princess Lydia." Miles teased her. Her faced erupted red like a thermometer. "She was pretty hurt by your leave."
"SHUT UP, MILES!" Lydia's voice cracked.
Miles threw his head back laughing, then pat Cedric on the back. "It's good to have you back, Cedric."
"Thank you. It's good to be back." Cedric formed a posture as he approached Roland and Miranda. Hands folded behind his back, he bowed to them. "Please pardon me for my absence, Your Majesties. It would seem my journey went on longer than I expected." A few wrong turns along the way too.
"All is forgiven." Roland assured him with a wave. "I'm just glad you came back."
"As am I." Miranda surprised him with a hug. "Welcome home, Cedric."
"Th-thank you! Y-Y-Your Majesties!" He sputtered, bobbing like a nervous bird.
Lydia managed to escape the showers of questions about where she and Cedric went. Goodwin and Winifred ushered he with curling fingers, bringing her to a private corner of the room. She tiptoed so no one would notice. From a distance, it was a warm reception. A happy ending by the looks of it. Lydia was glad. The castle felt whole again. Roland caught Lydia sneaking over to Goodwin and Winifred. He offered an approving nod, showing how proud of he was.
"I see King Roland entrusted the brooch to you." Goodwin praised. It sparkled in the adulation. "Did it come in handy?"
"More than you know…" She hummed. She wished The Enchantress would appear so she could properly thank her. "Because of it, I found Cedric. True wisdom does lie in this brooch." Without it, she might have turned back. And Cedric's only friend would have been the ground after that cliff. "Thank you, Master Goodwin."
"No. Thank you…" He breathed, bowing his head. Cedric managed to pry himself from the questions, eager to return and set up his workshop again. Goodwin and Winifred watched their son proudly as he raced to reinvent his place in the castle. "Thank you for bringing my son home."
"You're welcome…" While Lydia was honored Goodwin was indebted to her, she couldn't help letting one minor note bother her. "You both know what Cedric wants, don't you? His goal?" She shaped a crown with her fingers.
"We are his parents. We've known for years." Winifred admitted to it with such a hearty tone. Lydia wondered if she was the main supporter of his actions.
"Then why not stop him?"
"Because, as a parent," Goodwin wrapped an arm to Winifred's shoulders, "You want your children to experience failure in order to watch them learn and grow from it." He leaned in close, lowering his voice to a whisper. "It is because of our failures that we strive harder."
"Might explain my behavior." Goodwin and Winifred didn't quite understand what she meant. "I was so hung up on finding Cedric. For the simple selfish reason that I failed him in the worst way possible." It would have torn her to ribbons if she didn't at least make an effort to find him. It was all for the sake of her conscience. Or so she felt. "The moment I chose to stop believing him is when I proved how little I trusted him. And when I sent him away...it showed I despise the real truths around me."
Goodwin put fingers under her chin, making her raise that head of her. "But your actions this night prove how greatly you value him, and how greatly he values you."
"There are certainly no doubts about that." Winifred seconded. "Were you truly selfish, you would have left him instead of bringing him home." And Winifred already knew Lydia considered that option. Rivals always consider ways to dismiss their competition. "In this one night, you demonstrated the to peak of what it means to be a sorcerer." Resourceful in her means to find Cedric. Steadfast in the long journey. She looked to the people when magic wouldn't find Cedric. She broke the illusions that obscured her vision to show her the darker side. And above all, she showed integrity by admitting she was wrong to banish him, compassion when she saved him, and loyalty the second she chose to bring him home. "In all our years, we've never met a sorcerer like you. And we certainly hope you won't be the last."
"You truly are worthy of the sorcerers cloak, and The Fantasia Brooch." Goodwin drew his wand, tapping to her shoulders. "I am proud of you...Novice Lydia." Lydia felt fireworks explode within her. I passed? Wait! She was still being tested? Nevertheless, I PASSED?! "I look forward to your apprenticeship exams." Goodwin elbowed her. "Those definitely promise to be something to see."
Lydia promises to not disappoint him. And, in spite of having it for a few hours, Lydia felt giddy at truly earning the brooch. She wonders if Sofia felt this rosy when Roland gave her the Amulet. It felt all the more better earning the trust of Roland and Goodwin before accepting it. Speaking of earning things, there is the matter of Cedric. He should be emptying the bag they retrieved.
"I'd better go see if Cedric is settling in alright." She curtsied as she excused herself. "By the way," She tapped the brooch curiously, "Why a ?"
"Magic is music. And music is magic." Winifred recited poetically. "All around us, the magic of the world flows." She flourished her hands, guiding glittering streams to Lydia, Goodwin, and back to her. "The Brooch lives off of it. And you will be the one to cultivate it."
"How will I do that?"
"That will be up to you." Winifred winked. Lydia threw her hands up, rolling her eyes. Another riddle. Old people seemed to like them.
xxx
Cedric split his bag open, setting it in the middle of his stark empty workshop. He never noticed how gloomy it felt in them. He needs a plant. Maybe begonias or lilies. For now, there is some serious interior decorating to be done. "Let's see…" Cedric hummed. A higitus, figitus, zumba and cazing - he tapped the bag, skipped his feet, twirled his wand, and fired a flare that burst in the air. Chairs, stools, curtains, and beakers, Cedric's bag emptied of its contents. The podium returned near the window and his spell book rested on it. The long tables unfolded, clear for the beakers, test tubes, and other science equipment to spread. The curtains hug to the windows, Wormwood's different cages hung along with his perches, and personal items floated to the basement level. Cabinets filled with his powders and potions, cauldrons and pots hid in the pantries, and all of his books filled the bookshelves top to bottom. Important papers filed by dates in the desks. And everything afterward just fell into place. In no time at all, and to Cedric's prideful accomplishment, his workshop was restored. He'd still need that plant though.
"Much better…" Lydia remarked. She knocked while still walking in. She was a welcomed sight. "This place was really gloomy without this stuff in it." Ubos and Eezeyal welcomed themselves in, soaring about the workshop to admire it.
Cedric will have to grow use to the talking book. "How does it feel now?" He waited for a sarcastic remark, or a put down.
"I'll get back to you when the warm and fuzzies stop weaving in my stomach." Cedric bobbed his head. A sarcastic slur, but sincere. He wasn't disappointed. "How does it feel to be home?"
"I can't say." Cedric approached her in steady stride, towering close to her. "Is this really home?"
"Of course it is. Why would you ask?" Sounded like a silly question to be asking now. When his expression turned serious, Lydia began to grow nervous.
"Nothing has changed, Princess." The low rumble sent chills down her spine. "I still yearn for the Amulet of Avalor. For the crown. I will proceed with plans to apprehend it from Princess Sofia, and will bring King Roland to his knees." Of that he swears, and will etch it in stone for all to see. "I will lie, cheat, play on her soft little heart. I will use whatever means at my disposal to get it." Lydia hadn't noticed Cedric was edging her back until she met the wall. He placed a hand by her head, shadowing her in his hard stare. "My goal to be King of Enchancia is still at the top of my list."
Lydia surreptitiously raised a hand. Ubos and Eezeyal were creeping to attack Cedric. There was no call for hostilities. Cedric's just trying his hand at being honest. "I'd be far more surprised if you'd given up on it." She put a hand to his chest, granting herself breathing room.
"You mean...you aren't upset?" Cedric retorted in shock. "You aren't going to hit me? Scold me? Tell me to leave...again." He asked fearfully. Lydia shook her head. "But...why?"
"Because you just lied when you said nothing's changed." Cedric was befuddled about where he lied, or what lying had to do with right now. "The old Cedric would have bold-faced swore that he was a changed man. No desire for the crown. You'd never be so honest with me." He had to give her that. Thinking about it, he was surprised by his honesty. Lydia was on the approach, edging Cedric back with her smug smirk, "Just as I would never dare you to BRING-IT-ON!" She fluttered her fingers. A stool bumped to Cedric's legs, catching him. "And...maybe…" She bent forward, fixing his bowtie, "Thwarting you is a humorous distraction from daily life."
Cedric knew she was a sadist. "So glad my humiliations serve a purpose!" Lydia giggled impishly. Ubos and Eezeyal saw the conversation was nearing its end. They quickly excused themselves, heading for Lydia's room. She was startled when Cedric fixed her collar. His expression softened. "Thank you, Prin...Lydia." He caught himself.
"For what?" Lydia raised a brow.
Cedric slowly rose to his feet, cupping her cheek, making her blush. "Everything." He whispered.
Lydia cringed as pleasant butterflies fluttered in her stomach. "Thank you as well." She sheepishly replied.
"For what?"
Lydia snuck a kiss to his cheek. Wormwood, and Eezeyal and Ubos who poked in for a last minute peak, gaped in utter shock. "Everything." She spoke softly. Cedric's mind went blank. His cheeks shaded pink. As she turned for the door, Ubos and Eezeyal vanished down the stairs. "Welcome home, Cedric."
The door closed. Cedric's voice found his throat as he relished in the gratitude fresh upon his cheek. "I'm glad to be home."
THE END!
Thank you everyone for staying with me. Yes, I do plan to continue. No, the next installment will not come any time soon. I will post a chapter when I have posted it. For now, I go finish other works, and deal with daily life. See you all in the future.
