To Serve and Protect
Summary: When Sofia decides to pass off her Protector duties to her girls, they go through training (along with a few familiar faces) to become official Junior Protectors of the Ever Realm.
Disclaimer: I own Corban, Serena, Ira, Sapphire, Davina, and Avius. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X. Everyone/everything else belongs to Craig Gerber.
A/N: Cedric and Sofia spend a little time with Chrysta, and I'm sure you can imagine how that's going to go… lol Though Cedric and Chrysta DO get along much better now in my stories, some habits die hard. Haha
Chapter 3: The Next Generation
Later April came around, and the Junior Protectors were continuing their training as always, like the diligent trainees they were. Of course, part of the training was a check-in with the parents or guardians, and Sir Finlay and Gabriella had already done theirs. Now, it was Cedric's and Sofia's turn, and Chrysta was the one available to meet with them.
"Hey, guys!" Chrysta greeted energetically as she guided the couple into a meeting room at the headquarters. She grinned toward Sofia, who looked a little more exhausted than usual. "Where's Serena?"
"With my sister," Cedric answered with a shrug. "I figured it was for the best for now."
She hummed in agreement. "Gotcha. And how's that baby treating you, Sofia?"
"Better than I thought," she admitted with a laugh. "I'm just tired. I haven't been getting as much sleep as usual for whatever reason." She sat down in one of the plush seats before smiling as Cedric sat next to her, reaching for her hand and gently holding it. "And I'm not even going to lie: every time we put Serena down for a nap, I put myself down for one too."
"Really?" the older Protector laughed. "Hey, I get it. If you need a nap, take it. I'm sure it'll be better for you and Cedric." She smirked toward the sorcerer, who rolled his eyes.
Cedric returned the woman's smirk before asking, "Isn't there a reason you summoned us here?"
"Oh, yeah, of course." She pulled out a file and opened it, sifting through some of the information. "We're required to check in with the parents or guardians of the Junior Protectors, and we offer updates and progress reports."
"That must be new," Sofia remarked with a slightly amused smile. "Because I don't remember having to do that when I was first in it…"
She cleared her throat. "Yeah, well… Policy changes, safety measures, yada-yada-yada… It's a different generation, Sofia. You know that. But anyway, the girls are doing well with the training, and Ira—their trainer—speaks highly of both of them. He says they're naturals." She grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Then again, I'd expect nothing less from them. They had a heavy influence from their own backgrounds, of course, but you know they also learned from the best." She nodded toward Sofia, who laughed lightly. "And just so you know, Sofia, you're welcome to rejoin us whenever you're feeling up to it."
"Actually, Chrysta, I have been doing a lot of thinking, and…" She released her husband's hand and hovered her left hand over her right wrist, hesitating for a moment, and then finally unlatched the Enchantlet. She then leaned forward and passed it over to her former trainer, who appeared mildly shocked. "I think it's time to let the next generation step up without me. They'll do fine, like you've said, and I have nothing but the utmost confidence in you guys to help our daughters and the others have the best training possible. I remember what it's like to protect the realm and look danger in the eye without fear, and I know they'll be able to do the same."
Chrysta blinked, staring down at the Enchantlet in her hands. "Sofia, I…"
Cedric leaned forward, retrieving the Enchantlet, and then replaced it in its original spot around Sofia's wrist. When the princess stared at him in confusion, he just smiled. "While it's true that the girls may be the next generation of Protectors of the Ever Realm, they'll still need an example and a role model to look up to. Even if you're not always active as a Protector after the baby is born, I know how much this role meant to you all these years, and you deserve to hold onto a piece of that time."
"Oh, Cedric…" She smiled lovingly at him before leaning in, kissing him slowly, much to Chrysta's amusement.
"Mm-hmm," she remarked as the couple finally parted, blushing as they noticed their friend smirking at them. "You know, Cedric, you're actually far more likable now than you were when I first met you. I honestly couldn't stand you."
"I recall," he retaliated, eyeing her pointedly. "I believe you called me 'noodle nose' or some other childish nomenclature."
"Ooh, look at me: I'm Cedric the Sensational, and I'm intelligent, because I know words like no-men-cla-ture."
Sofia pressed a hand to her forehead as her friend and husband bickered playfully back and forth, but she couldn't help a small smile that broke across her lips. This was familiar. It was like old times. And it was in good fun.
And even though things were changing… She traced the Enchantlet fastened in place around her wrist, a calm and satisfied expression on her face. Even though things were different now, the future still looked bright, especially knowing that her own daughters were now following in her footsteps.
To be continued…
Next Chapter: Sage Mage Advice