Cedric's Apprentices
The students of Royal Prep were preparing for their next class. There were wands and rocks on their desks.
"Our first sorcery class." Sofia smiled. "I can't wait to start learning magic!"
"This is so exciting." Madeline agreed.
"It is when you get the spells right." James said.
"Good morning, class." Fauna announced "Today, we are going to Learning one of my favorite spells: turning a rock into a ruby. Now, hold your wand just so, say the magic words and flick the wand: Mutato rubio. Now it's your turn."
"Mutato rubio." Sofia and Madeline chanted.
Sofia's rock turned into Fruit. Madeline's rock tune into vegetables. To their dismay, the sisters saw their classmates performing the spell flawlessly.
"Alright everyone, you can practice more at home." Fauna called. "We have three new spells to learn today..."
"There are more spells?" Madeline gulped.
"...and you will be tested on all of them at the end of the week." Fauna finished.
"There's a test?" Sofia asked.
"There's always a test." James sighed.
After school Sofia and Madeline kept practicing the spell while Clover watched.
"Why can't we do this right?" Sofia moaned
"And the test is this Friday." Madeline groaned.
"Give it another try, girls." Clover suggested.
Sofia and Madeline once again tried the spell. Their rocks turned into a carrot and a tomato.
"Nice work, girls!" Clover beamed.
"Oh, Clover." Sofia sighed. "They were supposed to be rubies."
"This is much better." Clover chuckled, taking a bite out of the tomato.
"But we have all these spells to learn in two days." Madeline declared. "What are we going to do?"
"Well, you two need to learn sorcery." Clover mused. "Why don't you ask a sorceror?"
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sofia asked Madeline.
"Mr. See-dric." Madeline smiled.
As the two girls walked off, Clover took another bite out of the tomato.
"Magic is delicious." He mumbled.
Shortly, Sofiaand Madeline knocked on the door of Cedric's workshop, and were answered by a loud "BOOM!".
"Yes, yes, what is it?" Cedric flung open the door.
"Hi, Mr. See-drick!" Sofia smiled.
"It's Cedric." Cedric groaned. "As in 'Cedric'." He took a glimpse at their amulets. "Oh, it's so good to see your amulets-" He laughed fakely. "I mean, you. Do come in!"
As they entered the workshop, Madeline waved to Wormwood.
"Hi, Wormwood." She called.
Wormwood muttered dully.
"So, we have this sorcery class at school." Sofia declared. "And we was hoping, since you're such a great sorceror, you could help us learn some spells."
"I am a royal sorceror, not a school teacher." Cedric huffed.
"We know." Madeline nodded. "But we have a test coming up, and we'd be so grateful..."
"Can't you see I have more important things to do?" Cedric sneered. "I can never find anything in this mess!"
Sofia picked up a beaker.
"I know!" She gasped. "We can help clean up your workshop, in return for magic lessons!"
"Hmmm." Cedric mused. "Like an apprentice."
"A what?" Sofia and Madeline asked.
"Oh, a very special helper." Cedric proclaimed. "It means you get to come here every day, and assist me with my spells and potions, tidy up the place, and so forth. And in return, I teach you all the magic you need to know for your little test. So, princess Sofia, princess Madeline, will you be my apprentices?"
Cedric conjured up a pair of pointed sorcerer's hats and floated them onto the twins' heads.
"Yes, yes, yes!" They cheered.
"Alright then, we start tomorrow!" Cedric smiled, pushing then to the door. "Now, off you go. I have to prepare for your first lesson."
"Thank you, Mr. See-drick!" Madeline smiled as they left.
"Cedric!" Cedric groaned, slamming the door behind them. He then grabbed Wormwood's perch and pulled it over to him. "Wormwood! This is what we have been waiting for!" Cedric pulled a book off a shelf. "I am going to brew a potion that will make me invisible. Then, while they're tidying up the workshop, I'll pour the invisibility potion on myself and disappear. I'll be able to swipe their amulets without them even knowing it. Once the Amulets of Avalar are mine, I can use their power to take over the kingdom! I'll be the first sorcerer ever to be king. King Cedric the First!"
Cedric wandered over to a portrait of an old man and woman in sorcerer's clothes.
"Oh, mother, father." He sighed. "If you could only see me now!"
"We can, Cedric." A voice said.
A ball of light emerged from the portrait, taking the form of the old man.
"Why do you think we gave you this portrait?" He asked.
"For my birthday?" Cedric shrugged.
"So your mother and I can keep an eye on you." Cedric's father declared. "A sorceror's place is by the king's side, not on his throne."
"Ooh, nothing I do is ever good enough for you, is it father?" Cedric pouted.
"Goodwin, let Cedric plan in peace." Said another ball of light as it left the painting and turned into the old woman.
"Oh, Winifred." Goodwin shook his head. "Why must you encourage him?"
Goodwin went back through the painting.
"You go get those Amulets and make your mummy proud." Winifred pinched Cedric's cheek before joining her husband.
Cedric: They have always told me since I was a lad
That i'm the worst sorcerer the kingdom's ever had,
Whenever things go wrong, King Roland simply stands and claims
"It must be Cedric that's to blame"
Anytime I try to cast a little spell
No-one thinks it turns out very well
But that won't last for long.
It's time for me to make my claim
Soon everyone will know my name!
All I need to do is swipe that amulet
Then I will show them who I am, you bet.
Once I have the jewel, I can use its power
To take the kings crown, it'll be my finest hour!
They can tell me I'm no good
And call me second rate
But soon they'll see, I'm meant to be
King Cedric the Great!
When i'm the king, everyone will bow
And only do the things King Cedric will allow.
Every spell I cast will always go as planned
And those who used to tease me will be at my command!
Thank you, boys.
Chorus: One trick will show them all
Cedric isn't second rate.
We kiss the ring of our new king!
King Cedric, King Cedric the Great!
A knock on the door disrupted Cedric's concentration.
"Cedric, all this noise is disturbing the king's supper." Baileywick poked his head into the room. "Please keep it down!"
Cedric: They can tell me I'm no good
And call me second rate
But soon they'll see, I'm meant to be...
King Cedric the Great...
The cauldron behind him erupted with smoke.
"Merlin's mushrooms." Cedric groaned.
The next day, Sofia and Madeline, clad in sorceror robes along with their hats, walked up to Cedric's workshop. The door opened as they approached, thanks to Cedric's magic.
"Welcome, my young apprentices!" Cedric smiled.
"We're ready for our first lesson." Sofia announced.
"Yes, yes." Cedric smirked, as he walked over to his potions book. "Right after I finish this invisibility potion. Why don't you tidy up in the meantime?"
"Okay." Madeline picked up a broom and began sweeping.
"Now let's see." Cedric perused the book. "All that's left is eight emu eyelashes..." He added the lashes to the cauldron. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... and presto!"
The cauldron started bubbling and rocking. A green sphere burst out of it, erupting into confetti, which snowed down on them.
"Ohhh..." Cedric groaned.
"Are you done with your potion yet?" Sofia asked.
"I'll finish it later." Cedric huffed, closing his book.
"Great." Madeline smiled. "Can you show us how to turn a rock into a ruby now? It's a big part of the sorcery test."
"Oh, why not?" Cedric shrugged, opening his spellbook. "It's simple enough. When it comes to magic, my father always said 'Slow and steady does the trick'."
Cedric brought out a table with a rock on it.
"First, read the spell carefully." Cedric instructed.
The twins glanced at the book.
"Hold your wand straight in front of the rock." She read.
"Then slowly say the magic words and wave your wand with confidence." Cedric continued. "Like this."
Sofia and Madeline waved their wands in unison with Cedric.
"There's no need to the rush, the stone isn't going anywhere." Cedric declared. "Now go ahead, you give it a try."
"Mutato rubio." Sofia and Madeline waved their wands.
The rock shook on the table, and changed into a ruby.
"We did it." Sofia gasped. "We really did it!"
"Yes, well, it's a simple enough spell..." Cedric mumbled.
"You're a really good teacher, Mr. See-drick." Madeline smiled.
"I... am?" Cedric stammered.
The door to the workshop opened, and Baileywick walked in.
"Cedric." He declared. "Sofia, Madeline, what are you doing here?"
"Learning magic." Sofia replied.
"How wonderful." Baileywick declared. "You'll have to teach Cedric some when you're done."
"Very funny, Baileywick." Cedric said sourly. "What do you want?"
"King Roland needs you right away." Baileywick revealed.
"The king?" Cedric gulped.
Baileywick led Cedric, Sofia and Madeline (carrying Cedric's sorcery bag) to the courtyard, where Roland and Miranda were waiting.
"Sofia, Madeline how's the apprenticing going?" Miranda asked.
"Great, mom." Madeline smiled. "Mr. See-drick is really helping us learn our magic spells."
"Cedric?" Roland asked.
"Yes, your majesty?" Cedric said nervously.
"We have a very important visitor coming to stay with us." Roland announced. "King Magnus. He's always bragging about how great his kingdom is, so I want this castle to look it's very best." He pointed to the castle gargoyles. "Could you transform these gloomy old gargoyles into something more inviting?"
"Oh, o-of course your majesty." Cedric stuttered. "Um, how about... golden horses? I know just the spell"
"Great." Roland smiled.
Cedric rushed over to Sofia and Madeline.
"Wand." He trembled.
"Wand." Sofia produced the item in question.
Cedric pointed his wand at a gargoyle.
"Aero Equesium!" He chanted.
A bolt of magic hit the gargoyle, turning it into a winged horse.
"I'm free!" The horse laughed, flying away.
"Oh, Cedric." Roland groaned. "You were supposed to transform the gargoyles, not bring them to life!"
"Oh, my apologies, your majesty." Cedric waffled. "I'll get it right this time."
"Don't bother." Roland stopped him.
"No, no, no, no, please!" Cedric begged. "If you could just..."
"Not every royal sorceror can be as gifted as your father." Roland declared. "We'll just have to clean up the rest of the castle, and hope Magnus doesn't look up."
"But..." Cedric squeaked.
"Don't be late for dinner, girls." Miranda smiled. "King Magnus is coming."
"Okay, mom." Sofia and Madeline nodded.
As the king, queen, and Baileywick left the courtyard, the twins looked sadly at the disheartened Cedric. Back in Cedric's workshop, they had gone back to sweeping, while Cedric was leaning on his elbow, looking forlorn.
"Sorry your spell didn't work right." Madeline said.
"What?" Cedric jerked his head up. "Um... you missed a spot. By, by the potions cabinet!"
The twins moved over to the cabinet, and started sweeping again.
"So, your father was a royal sorcerer too?" Sofia asked.
"You haven't heard about Goodwin the Great?" Cedric gestured to his parents' portait. "The greatest royal sorcerer who ever waved a wand? Saved your grandfather's life nine-and-a-half times!"
"I'm sure you're just as good as he was." Madeline declared.
"Humph." Cedric grumbled. "I-I haven't saved anyone's life. Not even once. Not even half!"
As Sofia swept, she accidentally knocked a potion onto the floor.
"Oops!" Sofia gasped. As vapor flowed out of the potion bottle, she mumbled. "I feel funny..."
"Me too." Madeline groaned
Sofia and Madeline suddenly turned into little purple and pink lizards.
"Princess Sofia! Princess Madeline" Cedric gasped, rushing over. "N-now don't worry, just hold still."
Taking a few steps back, Cedric pointed his wand at the twins and said "Lizardo chango!" They instantly reverted back to their human selves.
"Thank you!" They hugged him together.
"Oh!" Cedric said. "Well, it's an easy spell. l learned it the first week of sorcery school..."
"You're so good at magic, Mr. See-drick." Sofia noted. "Why couldn't you turn the gargoyles into golden horses?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cedric huffed. "Every time I'm around king Roland, I get a little, well..."
"Well, what?" Madeline asked.
"Nervous!" Cedric blurted out. "There, I said it!"
"Well, we're going to find a way to show dad that you're a great sorcerer." Sofia declared.
"And... why would you do that?" Cedric asked.
"Because you're our friend." Madeline smiled.
"Friend?" Cedric repeated.
"Anyway, we'd better clean up for dinner." Sofia said, as they made to leave. "See you tomorrow, Mr. See-drick!"
"It's... Cedric." Cedric mumbled.
At dinner, King Magnus was holding court.
"Oh, you should have been there, Roland." He guffawed. "Our royal chef made the finest food I've ever tasted."
"I'm sure he did." Roland humored him.
"Oh, yes." Magnus smirked. "And the jesters were so funny, my guests couldn't stop laughing!"
"I'm sure they couldn't." Roland said wearily.
"And our royal sorcerer, Greylock, put on the most incredible display of magic I've ever seen." Magnus boasted.
"We have a great royal sorcerer too." Madeline spoke up.
"Madeline." Roland said sternly.
"Mr. See-drick is the best." Sofia continued.
"Are they talking about Goodwin the Great's son?" Magnus asked.
"Yes, but Cedric's not nearly as talented as-" Roland started.
"Yes he is." Madeline cut him off. "We should have him put on a show for everyone."
"Uh, no, no." Roland said quickly. "I don't think that's-"
"Oh, what a splendid idea!" Magnus boomed.
"But, but..." Roland stammered.
"But nothing!" Magnus declared. "How about the night after tomorrow, hmm?"
"Then the night after tomorrow it is." Roland sighed.
"I can't wait to tell Mr. See-drick." Sofia beamed.
Up at Cedric's workshop, the girls broke the news.
"The night after tomorrow?" He gaped.
"I know." Madeline smiled. "Isn't that great?"
"Well, it is." Cedric agreed. "King Roland has never asked me to put on a royal sorcery show before, and certainly not for a visiting king. I'll have to perform for... two kings..."
"Your show is the same day as our test." Sofia declared. "We can help each other get ready." Sofia picked up her wand and opened a spell book. "So let's get started."
"Oh, okay." Cedric said hesitantly.
Under Cedric's tutelage, Sofia and Madeline mastered the rock-to-ruby spell, and even managed to turn one into a emerald. Cedric managed to use his magic to levitate Clover, though he was having less luck with his invisibility potion, which kept producing the same diastrous results. In contrast, Sofia and Madeline were doing better and better, turning limes into cabbages and more rubies. Cedric looked on with pride. The three crossed their wands, creating a burst of light.
A short time later, the twins were back to cleaning up. Sofia noticed a smudge on a page in Cedric's book.
"Ick." She grimaced, wiping it off, and revealing more words. "Huh."
"Your socrery test is tomorrow morning." Cedric said quickly. "You should go finish studying now."
"Mr. See-drick, I just cleaned a big smudge off your spellbook." Sofia declared.
"So?" Cedric asked.
"It looks like there are two extra ingredients you're supposed to put in your invisibility potion." Sofia pointed out. "See?"
"Poseidon's pumpkins!" Cedric gasped. "You're right!"
"Good going, sis." Madeline smiled.
"Well, goodnight, Mr. See-drick." Sofia said, as they made to leave. "See you tomorrow, at your big show."
As the twins closed the door behind them, Cedric smirked with wicked glee.
"Right!" He growled. "So that's why the potion wasn't working! All I need to do is add a sprinkle of moat moss, and three warthog whiskers!"
Cedric added the ingredients, and watched as his potion brewed.
"So far, so good." He smiled. "Could it be? Oh, it could... indeed, yes!"
Cedric dripped some onto a small statue, which vanished instantly.
"I did it." Cedric whispered. "I did it, Wormy! I've made my invisibility potion! Oh, finally! I can swipe her amulet and take over the kingdom!"
As Cedric danced around his workshop, he noticed a group of rubies, gathered together in the shape of a heart.
"What's this?" He looked at the heart. "They... they made this... for me?"
"Look at that lovely gift Sofia and Madelineleft you, Cedric." Goodwin's voice came from the portrait, followed by a miniature Goodwin, who stood on Cedric's shoulder. "If you steal their amulets, son, think how sad they will be. How could you do that to your new friends?"
"Oh, don't listen to him, Cedric." A miniature Winifred appeared on Cedric's other shoulder. "You can make this your final trick at the big show tomorrow. Use the potion to turn yourself invisible, swipe the amulets, and take over the kingdom!"
"I can make up my own mind, you know." Cedric declared, as he made for the door, his mini-parents leaping off his shoulders.
"Oh, really?" Winifred asked sarcastically.
"Winifred!" Goodwin said sharply, as the two returned to their normal size. "I hope you do the right thing, Cedric."
"No, no!" Winifred argued. "Do the wrong thing! Mummy loves you!"
Cedric glanced back at his parents, rolled his eyes, and left, slamming the door behind him.
The next day, Sofia and Madeline were ready for their sorcery test. Merryweather placed a rock, a lime, and an old shoe in front of every student.
"For your sorcery test, you must perform all the transformation spells we have learned this week." She announced. "Good luck, everyone. You may begin!"
"Slow and steady." Sofia said to herself as she picked up the wand. "Mutato rubio."
The rock turned into a ruby. Sofia then pointed her wand at the lime.
"Mutato emeraldi." She chanted.
The lime turned into an emerald. Sofia turned her wand to boot.
"Mutato crystalos." She said.
The boot turned into a glass slipper.
"I did it!" Sofia cheered. "I passed the test!"
"Me too." Madeline squeed, the same assortment of items before her.
After school, Sofia and Madeline raced into the throne room.
"Mom, look!" Sofia called.
"We got gold stars on our sorcery test!" Madeline declared, as she and Sofia showed off their papers.
"Look at you two." Miranda beamed. "Our little sorceresses."
"It's all because of Mr. See-drick." Sofia smiled. "He really knows his magic."
"So true." Madeline added.
As the royal trumpeters played a fanfare, King Magnus entered the room.
"So, when do we see this great sorcerer of yours, Roland?" Magnus asked.
"Right now, king Magnus." Sofia smiled, walking off to collect Cedric, pausing to bow to Magnus.
As they stood behind the curtain, Sofia handed Cedric his bag.
"Good luck." She smiled.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes." Cedric babbled. "Just get ready."
As Cedric placed his bag down, several rows of potions popped out.
"Oh, we'd better move the lizard potion, so it's not in the way." Madeline suggested.
Backstage, Cedric was muttering to Wormwood, who was perched on a small table.
"Okay, I'm going through with it, Wormy." Cedric said. "When it's time for my last trick, I'll pour the invisibility potion on my myself, swipe Sofia and Madeline's amulets, and take over the kingdom."
Wormwood cawed his approval.
Behind the curtain, Baileywick was reading from a scroll.
"Your majesties." He announced. "May I present the royal sorcerer of Enchancia, son of the beloved Goodwin the Great, Cedric the sorcerer!"
The curtain opened, revealing a very nervous Cedric.
"Good evening." He quivered. "You are about to behold a display of sorcery so fantastic that my last trick, this potion, will change the kingdom forever."
"This is going to be a disaster." Roland groaned.
"Oh, it'll be fine." Miranda assured him.
"But... first things first." Cedric stammered. He spun on the spot pointing his wand at a stand, and said "Ha!"
Clover appeared on the stand in a puff of smoke.
"You know, my sorcerer made an entire zoo appear once." Magnus boasted.
"I'm sure he did." Roland said through gritted teeth.
"Ah, but you've never seen a rabbit fly." Cedric announced. "Until now. Floatilla rabbitza!"
Using his wand, Cedric lifted Clover into the air. Clover started spinning then bouncing on the floor.
"Oh, no." Sofia gasped.
"D-d-d-d-deliba rabbitza!" Cedric jabbed with his wand.
Clover kept on bouncing.
"That doesn't look like a flying rabbit to me, king Roland!" Magnus said hotly.
"Same old Cedric." Roland sighed. "Can he do anything right?"
Clover finally stopped bouncing, and Cedric just kept on stuttering.
"Oh, Mr. See-drick is too nervous." Madelin realised. "If only he was doing a trick he knew really well. ...Like a trick he learned in sorcery school! Sofia, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Definitely." Sofia nodded.
Taking the lizard potion out of the bag, Sofia and Madeline wandered on stage.
"I hope this works." Madeline whispered. "Whoaaa... whoops!"
She deliberately spilled the potion on herself and Sofia.
"They've spilled the potion on themselves!" James gasped.
Once again, Sofia and Madeline were turned into lizards.
"Sofia!" Miranda gasped. "Madeline!"
"Someone, do something!" Roland beseeched.
"Sofia! Madeline" Cedric gasped. "Lizardo chango!"
Sofia and Madeline reverted back to their original state.
"You did it!" They smiled.
Miranda ran to hug Sofia and Madeline, while Roland congratulated Cedric.
"That was magnificent!" Roland shook Cedric's hand. "You saved their lives! Thank you, Cedric."
"I... saved their life?" Cedric whispered.
"Did you see that?" Roland turned to Magnus. "Hmm? That's our royal sorcerer, the greatest in the land!"
"That he is." Magnus agreed, leading in the applause.
"What happened?" Cedric asked the girls.
"We're just clumsy, I guess." Sofia shrugged. "But it turned out to be a great trick."
"You did it on purpose!" Cedric realised.
"it's the one trick we knew you could do, no matter how nervous you were." Madeline told him. "And it worked. Everyone finally saw how great you are."
"So, Cedric." Roland sat back in his throne. "Let's see that last trick you were talking about."
"Uh, yes." Cedric nodded. "Yes, your majesty. My last trick."
Sofia brought the bottle over.
"An invisibility potion!" Cedric declared. "Uh, it's a trick I've been planning for many, many years." Glancing at Sofia's amulet, Cedric lowered his voice. "Time to make myself invisible, and take over the kingdom."
Suddenly, the voices of Goodwin and Winifred ran through Cedric's mind.
'Do the right thing, Cedric.'
'No, no! Do the wrong thing!'
Cedric cleared his throat.
"Behold, my invisibility potion!" He declared. "Which I will demonstrate on... my trusty rabbit."
Sofia brought Clover over.
"What?!" Clover struggled "No-one said anything about pouring any potions on me!"
Cedric poured a drop on Clover's head, causing him to vanish.
"Hey!" Clover gasped.
"My sorcerer..." Magnus started. "...Has never made a potion like that before. Cedric is a great sorcerer!"
Everyone applauded as Cedric, Sofia and Madeline bowed.
Afterwards, the sorcerer and his apprentices returned to Cedric's workshop.
"What a performance!" Cedric crowed. "Did you see the looks on their faces?"
"Here, this is for you." Sofia said, as she and Madeline handed their gold stars to Cedric.
"What is it?" Cedric asked.
"We got gold star today." Madeline declared. "And we thought you should get one too."
Cedric gazed at the papers, speechless.
"Thanks for all your help." Sofia smiled, as she and Madeline took off their sorcerer's hat. "It was fun being your apprentices."
They Cedric their hat, and made for the door.
"Good night, Mr. See-drick." They said together as she departed, closing the door behind them.
"It's, uh..." Cedric started. "Yeah. Good night, princess Sofia, princess Madeline."
Wormwood cawed disapprovingly.
"Oh, Wormy." Cedric smiled. "We can always take over the kingdom tomorrow."
Cedric gazed proudly at the gold star.