DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sofia the First nor do I claim to. I just like the show and wanted to write a little something for it. However, I do own the OC Zwick and Megumi as well as the concept of the Rune Mage I'll be using for this story
_[ STORY ]_
"I've heard that name before," Sofia said cradling Clover.
"Indeed you have, she is the one who came to warn your father about that invader Icban, she also campaigned for me to retain my position as Enchancian's Royal Sorcerer," Cedric explained, "I owe her a great debt."
"Whoa...why do you think she is contacting you?" Sofia asked.
"I'm not entirely certain, she wanted to speak with me but didn't mention why," Cedric told her, "though rarely is there a written reason why any member of the Sedet Maleficus* would call upon you."
"Royals do that too," Sofia giggled, "what is the Sed...Sedet Mal…"
"Sed...et Male...fi...cus, my dear," he corrected, starting up the stairs of his tower, "I've told you before about the Grand Magic Council?"
"Sedet Maleficus," Sofia repeated, "thank you and yes, there the ones responsible for overseeing everything magic related in the known world," Sofia said.
"Yes, 51 members each a representative of their kingdom big and small," Cedric stated.
"That is a lot of people," Sofia said, "wait there are only 46 kingdoms," she added following her mentor.
"You are correct, the 46 council members make sure the wider magic community is governed much the way a King or Queen would rule their realm," Cedric explained. "The Sedet Maleficus is a group of five individuals that are selected by the council to make sure the council itself is following the rules laid out by the founders and are kept on track with things. "
"That sounds like what Baileywick, does for dad."
"In a way, they only get involved if the council members cannot resolve a dispute or when a deciding vote is needed if fifty-fifty occurs," Cedric said, "also if a member is put on trial."
"They must be pretty bored," Sofia giggled.
"Quite the opposite, father was a council member for Enchancian for a few years when Cordy and I were children," he told her. "I remember one time we had to go with him to a meeting, I don't remember why, but it was…intense is the nicest way to describe that day, father resigned a few weeks later, but I remember that was the first time I met a Sedet Maleficus, a single sentence form him, and the room went silent."
"Wow, they hold a lot of respect and power within the council don't they," Sofia said as she turned to look at her mentors, she had passed him a few stairs back.
"Not just the council, but the magic community as a whole!" Cedric told her, "not just anyone can hold this position, one must have served on the council for ten years at least, be the fifth generation or later of Sorcerer or Sorceress in their family, hold the family wand or similar item and have a unanimous vote by the 46 council member to obtain it."
"Geez it's easier to become a member of a royal family," Sofia laughed she rushed up the last few stairs and pushed open the tower door, "and now, one wants to see you and they happen to be the same person who helped you."
Sofia looked back at her friend from the workbench where she put her basket down after Cedric didn't reply. Her eyes grew wide when she saw him leaned against the open door cradling his head.
"Mr. Cedric are you alright?" Sofia asked moving to his side.
Baileywick flew down the palace corridors with grace the likes any young Steward could only wish for; Violet was right behind him when the thunder sounded making both jump.
"My word, what was that?" Violet questioned.
Baileywick took a deep breath to steady his nerves, before answering, he was more shook up then he should have been by such a trivial thing.
"I do not know, but the King is waiting," he said directly heading down the hall once more.
Violet rushed to catch up, and when she did she caught sight of something unsettling, "Baileywick, sir," she called.
"Yes, Violet?"
"Are you feeling alright?" She asked.
He glanced sideways at the woman, "perfectly, why do you ask?"
They arrived at Roland's study, Violet paused outside, and before Baileywick could enter she said, "your as pale as a spectator and you have winced a few times as if something is causing you pain."
Baileywick could hear the concern in her voice, he turned and smiled at her, "Violet I am fine, I promise," he told her before she could say anything more the Steward disappeared into the room.
Once inside he briskly made his way to the antique oak desk used by every King or Queen for the last five hundred years, "my deepest apologies for the tardiness, my King," he said with a bow, he was surprised to see Miles.
"That's alright Baileywick, I'm going to guess you heard the thunder not long ago," Roland stated as he stood over a stack of papers.
"Yes, Sire."
"I received a letter a few hours ago, a storm or fogbank or something of that nature is moving towards us at an alarming rate, I need you to prepare the castle I've issued orders for Dunwiddie to be evacuated here," Roland explained, handing several sheets of paper to Miles, who rushed from the room.
"What!?" Baileywick questioned.
"I need you to get ready to receive over thirteen hundred people, Baileywick," Roland shouted, "whatever is coming has already claimed three kingdoms, and it's showing no sign of slowing."
"Do we need anything specific done?" the Steward asked, already preparing a mental list, which was thrown out with Roland's next words.
"Have all interior rooms cleared and all supplies of wax and fabric brought out, we need it to seal doors and act as masks. Find Cedric as well," Roland said, "go now!"
"Right away," Baileywick said running from the room, Violet was still waiting in the hall and jumped at the man when he grabbed her arm.
"I'm sorry for my hand Violet, but this is an emergency, spread the word for the interior rooms to be emptied and if you see Luis have him bring out every ounce of wax in the palace and bring it to the ballroom. Also have the other maids bring clothes, towels, sheets, everything the like to the ballroom as well," Baileywick ordered.
"Right away sir, " Violet said running down the hall to the kitchen.
"By the Almighty, Cedric...please have returned to your tower," Baileywick pleaded aloud heading down the opposite hallway.
_[ TO BE CONTINUED ]_
Note: DU DU DU! Did ya see that coming, lol. So I was going to post this Sunday as that is my normal day for posting, but life jumped up and bit me.