A New Anti Reality

Chapter 5

Having started their journey late in the day, both Cedric and Sofia had not been surprised that they weren't able to make it very far. Now, they had set up camp, with a fire going, their dinner conjured and Wormwood perched on his master's shoulder. Both were looking over a map and complicating which direction to take up the mountain.

"So which should we take?" Sofia asked Cedric as she took a peek at the map in the man's lap.

Looking back up at her, the sorcerer folded the parchment up and placed it back inside of his coat. "It's not a very difficult decision. We'll just keep taking the trail we are using now. Pretty soon, we'll come to the mountain and we'll decide on what to do from there."

"Okay," After taking a few more bites of food on her plate the woman smiled and continued in what she wanted to say."Thanks for doing all this, Cedric. I know you have been given a lot of tasks to take on lately and I know that this trip in finding my mother is risky but I appreciate it."

The sorcerer shook his head. "Think nothing of it. While I have been unsure at how the prophecy could have chosen me to be the next king; I think I'm finally starting to see why. As for this trip, how could I not do this? One day she'll be my mother too and I at least want to return what you once lost.." Cedric muttered as he gave her a small smile which made the girl return it.

As Sofia placed her hand over his,Cedric couldn't help but grasp it and give her a reassuring squeeze."We'll find your mother Sofia, even if this turns out to be a trap."

"What happens if we do find her and she turns out to-"

"Don't think about such things." Cedric interrupted her as he wrapped and an arm around her waist, pulled her into a side hug and laid his head on top of her's "If we come across that bridge I'll be there for you."

Feeling like a third wheel to the group, Wormwood flew off to find his own food. This made Cedric glad he had some alone time with his princess. He needed to tell her what his thoughts were on the current subject. "I'm glad you are at least thinking about what will happen if you find your mother. I was think over those possibilities a while back too."

"Considering how you are the magic expert in this, how do do you'll think we'll find her?" Sofia asked worriedly as tears started to sir up from within her eyes.

"I have two possibilities."Cedric said he hugged her more tightly to him. "The first possibility is that we may find her dead but my second is that she may be in a crippled state."

"I see..." Sofia muttered.

"But listen," Cedric added as he placed his hand under her chin to make the princess look at him. "From what the witch told us I don't believe that she is dead."

"But I thought you said this might be a trap."

"I did but with the dark king dead what else would these witches want to do with the revenge motive?"

"They could be after the powers that the amulet gave us." Sofia pointed out.

"I thought of that." Cedric said."When I looked up the amulet in one of the spell books, it said it's powers can not be stolen from it's owners once the partners are connected and well...I think it's too late for that."

"Then I guess we'll find out their motive once we get there. For all we know it could just be a call for help and the witches could really need it."

Maybe so." Cedric said with a sigh.

Deciding that they should drop the subject for now the couple cuddled closer together and took in the sounds of the night. Noticing the dropping temperatures, Cedric conjured a blanket for the both of them to share.

That night as they laid on the ground, both Cedric and Sofia knew somehow,they would have to face the truth that awaited them on this trip. Would this be a trap as Cedric thought or was Miranda really awaiting them to bring her home?

One thing was for certain. Whatever the situation was they both would be ready for it!