All Aboard

Summary: Chrysta sends Sofia on an Undercover Protector Mission to investigate strange magical occurrences at a boarding school, and her mentor and siblings get pulled along for the ride.

Disclaimer: I only own the characters featured at the boarding school.

A/N: If you like puzzles of any nature, this chapter is more than likely going to be your cup of tea. It's a bit shorter than the others though, so I apologize for that. :p Still, the mystery element is there, for my mystery-loving readers. đŸ˜‰ Enjoy!

Chapter List:

1: Protective Instincts

2: Intervention

3: Parental Agreement

4: Boarding Abroad

5: Magic Words

6: Claire Lois XIV

7: Hidden in Plain Sight

8: Down with the Dame

9: Safe and Sound

*Story*

Chapter 6: Claire Lois XIV

Later that evening, the four Enchancian friends gathered into the girls' room to converse about the day's events, as well as the discovery that Cedric had made. They discussed everything from the courses they witnessed to the professors they had, and they all agreed that the last one was a bit odd and callous, which triggered some red flags in their minds. Still, nothing could be proven just yet, at least not without some concrete evidence. While they were talking, something that appeared to be a note was hastily shoved under the door, and footsteps could be heard running away.

Amber blinked before sliding to the floor and walking over to the door, picking up the note and unfolding it. She read its contents aloud: "Claire Lois XIV." She looked back to the other three. "I wonder if that's the name of some famous magical person, or maybe even a royal?"

Cedric shook his head. "I'm not sure. The name doesn't seem familiar." He lowered his head into his hands as he sat on the bed next to Sofia, who was obviously worried about him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as Amber walked back to them, sitting next to James across from them.

"Not as bad as I felt in that room, but I still feel rather weak, and I still have a headache."

Sofia nodded before gently rubbing his back, trying her best to make him feel better. "I think you need some rest."

"It's weird, isn't it?" James asked, getting the others' attention. "We got Cedric away from the classroom, but he still feels bad. It's like, whatever made him sick or whatever really happened down there, it's followed him. But did you notice that it didn't affect the rest of us?"

Cedric frowned as he glanced up at the other boy. "What are you saying, Prince James?"

"Maybe whatever got a hold of you can't get a hold of us. Maybe it only affects magical people."

Sofia shook her head as she kept her hand against Cedric's back. "That can't be. If that were the case, don't you think I'd be affected too?" She grasped her amulet and held it up. "I've got the Amulet of Avalor, after all."

Amber shrugged. "Yeah, but your magic comes from the amulet and any other magical item you use." She discreetly nodded toward her Enchantlet, which Sofia noticed. "Cedric is a sorcerer and has a magical lineage, so he's always had magic as a part of him. Whatever is going on is negatively affecting him and all the other students too." She frowned. "If we don't figure out what's going on, he might get hurt…or worse."

Cedric whimpered lightly, lowering his head into his hands again, his energy weakening once more.

Sofia felt both a sense of dread and obligation in that moment: dread for fearing what could happen to her friend, yet obligation to help him no matter what. She would keep him safe. She glanced at Amber's hand, where she still held the piece of paper from earlier. "Let me see that."

Amber handed it to her, watching as Sofia unfolded it and scrutinized the writing. "What are you thinking?"

"Something about this is weird."

"I think this whole thing is weird," James responded with a sigh.

"Not just that, James. Mr. Cedric said he doesn't know anyone by the name of Claire Lois XIV. None of us studied her in our history classes, or we would at least have heard of the name before. And I don't know about you, but I don't remember seeing any portraits or nameplates with that name in this school."

Cedric slowly sat up, staring at her curiously. "What's your point, Sofia?"

She held the paper out for him to see as the twins moved over onto the bed next to them, looking at it curiously. "Maybe there's more to this than we think. What if it's a hidden message, like an anagram or something?"

James's nose scrunched up at the idea. "Why would someone go through all that trouble?"

His twin shrugged. "Maybe someone on the staff or one of the students knows that something is going on, but is too scared to say anything," she reasoned. "If that's the case, maybe someone at the school is responsible for everything that's gone on so far."

"There's no doubt in my mind," Sofia admitted before glancing back at the paper. "I'm going to see if I can figure this thing out."

"I'll take care of Cedric," Amber volunteered, smiling as the mini sorcerer gave her a pathetic look. "Don't worry, Cedric. I'll keep an eye on you while Sofia's working."

He groaned and lowered his head into his hands again. "That's what I'm afraid of."

She giggled and gently patted his back. "I'm not that bad, Cedric."

"Agreed," he murmured, a small smile forming on his face.

James yawned and leaned back on Amber's pillows while Sofia sat at the desk, scribbling out some letters.

Several minutes and scratch-outs later, Sofia's sharp gasp got everyone's attention.

"What is it, Sof?" James asked as he sat up.

"Sofia?" Cedric looked toward her in concern.

Amber frowned. "What did you find?"

Sofia stared down at the paper with wide eyes. "I can't believe it…"

To be continued…