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 ]_
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Roland watched as the coach carrying the remainder of his family took off, it was followed by two more filled with as many of the kingdom's children as possible with a return flight planned, but unlikely what with the black wall of fog barreling towards the castle.
The palace was a hive of activity as Roland entered, people both staff and villagers were ushered into rooms wax was used to make the rooms as airtight as possible; each room also had a pair of water pails and various cloths to be used if the mist worked its way in.
The King came upon an elderly man and his wife looking out one of the many windows lining the corridors, "my gentlefolk, it is not safe here," Roland said, "please follow me…"
"My King," the man interrupted, "thank you for what you've done, our children and grandchildren are safe, but my wife and I will not take a place in a room when another can."
"We've lived a long life filled with joy," the woman added, "we are staying here to watch what is coming and face it together."
"And to make sure everyone is sealed in," the man said. "Thank you again, please get to safety, Your Majesty."
Roland studied the couple, "will you at least walk with me and share your names?" he asked.
They agreed and moved down the hall with the King their names were Arthur and Annabelle, as the walked Roland fell back a step and waved a guard coming the opposite direction to him.
"Follow me," Roland whispered, before turning back to the couple, "once you complete your job let me show you a place when you can sit and rest," he told them.
He led them to a smaller room with only a few people already there, Roland slipped out the door, "make sure they stay here," he whispered to the guard on the way.
Leaving the hall Roland found Baileywick directing another group down the hall he had left, "my King," he greeted.
"They are safely in the air," Roland told him.
"I know it's hard, but it's for the best," the Stewed said.
"I know, how are things going here?"
"Well enough, nearly two-thirds of the way done."
"We need to step the pace up. The storm front should be entering Dunwiddie within the hour."
"Constable Miles," Roland called to the man who entered moments before with another group, "please forgo the list and immediately escort the villagers to safety."
"Right away, Your Majesty," Miles said with a bow heading off.
"Pray we get to everyone in time," Roland said to the older man, taking the group Miles had brought down to a room.
The flying coach landed with its cargo to the front of a severely damaged castle, both the Princess and Sorcerer studied the ruins.
"Whoa, how can anyone live here?" Sofia questioned.
"It's most likely a meeting place and not an actual home some Sorcerer's really like the ambiance of places like this," Cedric told the girl.
"Well if your tower is an indicator," Sofia replied.
Cedric eyes the girl a smile crossing his face, "that tower was designed like that long before I inherited this job," he said, "not that I'm opposed to its look."
"It suits you, Mr. Cedric."
"if you two are done chatting can we please enter the spooky castle," Rene interrupted, "the faster we get in, the faster we can leave."
"Is someone scared," Cedric teased looking over his shoulder, no one was there, "what the…" he turned back, and there was Rene in front of him glaring.
Cedric jumped, "how!? Nevermind let's go."
The three travelers entered through the broken door, to find the grand hall housing a smaller set of doors and walls leading multiple directions effectively creating a castle within a castle.
"This is like the underground area Calista, and myself explored last year," Sofia said stepping closer to the Sorcerer, "it's creepy."
"Agreed," Cedric said walking up to the second door and knocked.
"Ne frappe pas à la porte fantasmagorique*," Rene muttered aloud.
The door was opened by none other than the woman they had come to see, "hello I'm glad to see you arrived in acceptable time," Megumi said stepping aside, "come in, there's a fresh pot of coffee."
The three travelers walked into a spacious room with a large fireplace in the center surrounded by tables and chairs. Tapestries hung all around the space one imparticular caught all eyes of the companions.
"Is that..." Sofia started.
"It is, but...why...how?" Cedric added.
The tapestry they examined was of a man in a red and gold robe a staff raised overhead as many slain beasts lay at his feet a gathering of people behind him on their knees and offering baskets of food, drink, and gold.
"Icban the Immortal, he was nineteen when this was made in honor of his first battle," Megumi explained, "it's over five hundred years old."
"Why would you have something like this?" Cedric asked.
"Family heirloom, Icban is or was my great great great great great uncle."
_[ TO BE CONTINUED ]_
Note: Sorry this is so late, hope you still enjoyed.
Note2: Ne frappe pas à la porte fantasmagorique - freanch for 'dont knock on the spooky door'