Chapter 3: Nightmares and New Students.
"Dad how come you never told us about Warlords?" Asked James. They were around the dinner table about to start eating when James asked this question.
"Most rulers don't tell their kids about the Warlords until they are old enough to understand ", said Roland.
"But who gave the Warlords that kind of power in the first place?" Asked Sofia.
"Well that I do not know, no one really knows how the Warlords first got started", said Roland.
"That Warlord we saw fight today do you know him daddy?" Asked Amber.
"Yes I do I meet him along time ago, it was back when my father King Roland the first was still alive. That day my father fought him Warlord Green", said Roland.
"Wait grandfather fought Warlord Green did he win?" Asked James.
"No he didn't", Roland sighed and looked down " in some people's eyes Lionheart is the reason why he died so early in his life".
"What do you mean?" Questioned James.
"Me and your aunt were only children when Warlord Green and My father fought, it was close but in the end Warlord Green took over and finished the fight with only one slash. Because of that slash my father was never the same again his ribs never healed and 10 years later he died", Roland thought back to that day.
"Why did Grandfather fight Warlord Green?" Asked Amber.
"Well Warlord Green arrived and gave him a choice either you're with me or against me. You see Warlord Green wanted to stop the Kingdom of Khaldune from expanding its territory, my father refused and a fight started", said Roland.
"Can anyone be a Warlord?" Asked Sofia.
"Yes but you have to pass a test that must be seen by 5 of the 20 Warlords", Roland said.
"What's the test like?" Asked James.
"Well I don't really know, that's a better question for your aunt after all she was a Warlord for 3 years", everyone at the table and in the room jaws dropped and grow silent.
"Wait Aunt Tilly was a Warlord for 3 years!?" Exclaimed Sofia.
"Yes in fact she was the only person in the history of the Warlords to ever quit being one", said Roland thinking back to the day when she told them that she was a Warlord.
"But why would she quit if she had a title above King or Queen why would she give that up?" Asked James.
"Well she never told me exactly why she quit, the only thing she said was "things aren't always as good as they seem", said Roland.
Once dinner was over Sofia, James, and Amber were discussing what to do for the rest of day, well it was more like Sofia listening to Amber and James argue back and forth about what to do. Sofia couldn't shake the image of that poor slave being whipped right in front of them. Her screams and cry, the loud crack of the whip, and most of all the blood. The blood on that woman's back was one image that just wouldn't leave her brain. Sofia keep shaking her head trying to erase the image from her brain.
"Sofia you okay?" James just noticed Sofia had stopped shaking her head.
"Huh!" Sofia looked at James.
"You okay Sofia you suddenly stopped walking and you keep shaking your head", said James.
"Yeah I'm great", James knew she wasn't fine, but he wasn't going to force her to tell him.
"Alright then maybe we should do what Sofia wants", said Amber.
"Yeah", James agreed.
"Alright then let's see", Sofia closed her eyes and she heard the maid cries and the crack of the whip. She could see a blurry image of maid being whipped again. Sofia covered her ears and was starting to shake in fear.
"Sofia", Amber walked over and placed her hands on her Sofia's shoulders. "Sofia… Sofia… Sofia!"
"Ah!" Sofia eyes snapped back open the first thing she noticed was that Amber was looking at her, she lowered took her hands from over her ears.
"Sofia are you sure you're okay", Amber took her hands off Sofia shoulders.
"Yeah why wouldn't I be", said Sofia.
"Well you closed your eyes then about 5 second later you covered your ears and started shaking", James said crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm fine guys", said Sofia giving them a smile.
"You sure you don't want to talk with mom", said James knowing that's what Sofia usually does when she needed to talk.
"I'm fine don't worry about me", said Sofia. James and Amber looked at each other both thinking the same thing. "Something is on her mind".
"Alright why don't we play a board game", said Sofia.
"Sure any games I'm mind?" Asked James.
"Yep I have one I'm mind", said Sofia smiling she lead them to her bedroom ,and she pulled out a board game labeled Castle Mania (Castle Mania is basically Monopoly ever space is named after a Kingdom.), two hours later.
"Ha! That's the Kingdom of Tangu, Amber and who owns that space?", James grinned at his twin who sighed in frustration.
"You do", said Amber.
"And how many villages do I have there", said James.
"3", said Amber.
"And how many castles?" Asked James.
"2", Amber rolled her eyes, she had to deal with this every time they played this game.
"I believe you own me", started James.
"James you already know I have no more money", said Amber.
"That's right so I guess that means I win", James was already planning his victory dance.
"Not yet James I'm still in the game", said Sofia at that time Roland and Miranda walked into the room.
"There you are we were wondering where you all where", said Miranda. "Did you forget you have school tomorrow".
"Okay but I demand a rematch after school tomorrow James", Challenge Amber, after saying goodnight to everyone she lift the room as did James but he pulled Miranda out into the hallway.
"Something wrong James?" Asked Miranda.
"Not me but something is wrong with Sofia", James knew that if anyone could figure out what's wrong with Sofia it was Miranda.
"Really what makes you say that?" Miranda asked. James told her what happen today on there way to Sofia room. "I see thank you for telling me this James and don't worry i'll find out what's on her mind".
"Alright thanks mom", James gave Miranda a hug which she gladly returned once they broke their hug Miranda went back into Sofia's room, Sofia was dressed in her blue nightgown and was about to climb in bed. Miranda walked over and sat down on Sofia bed. "Sofia is something bothering you?"
"No nothing bothering me", Sofia replied she sat next to her mother.
"Really James told me what happen on the way to your room today", Sofia turned away from Miranda looking troubled, Miranda placed her hand on Sofia's cheek and gently turned her head so she was facing her. "What's the matter?"
"I can't get it out my head?" Sofia said softly.
"Get what out your head?" Miranda asked.
"That maid", Sofia said, Miranda now knew exactly what was bothering her daughter.
"I see that woman being whipped is still bothering you", Sofia only nodded as tears started to rush down her face.
"Every time I close my eyes I hear the woman crying and pleading then I hear the crack of the whip, then the whole scene plays back in my mind", Miranda wrapped her arms around Sofia. "I wish he didn't do that I wish i could have stopped him".
"Sofia it's not your fault", Miranda hoped that Sofia wasn't blaming herself for what happen.
"I know it's not my fault but I still wish I could have stopped that", Sofia wiped her eyes with her hand.
"I do too but think about it like this, that maid gets a new home now Warlord Green took her away. And now she is free", Miranda said.
"Yeah but what about all the other slaves and why is his Kingdom allowed to have slaves?" Sofia took a deep breath and rested her head against her mother chest.
"I don't know Sofia, like you I thought all slavery was banned", said Miranda, "but I can tell you this from what I've heard Warlord Green has freed slaves in the past, and now he's going to free the slaves in Energìa too" Miranda smiled and rubbed Sofia back. "Everything will be fine Sofia".
"Okay mom", Sofia yawned and pulled back the covers she laid down and Miranda pulled the covers up to Sofia's chin.
"Goodnight Sofia I love you", Miranda kissed Sofia forehead.
"I love you too night mom", Sofia closed her eyes and fell asleep, Miranda turned off the light on her way out and gently shut the door. She walked back to hers and Roland room?
"She still shaken isn't she?" Roland asked when Miranda entered the room.
"Yeah she told me she can't shake the image out her head, a good night sleep will help her", said Miranda.
Sofia's Dream.
Sofia woke up and she noticed one thing she wasn't in her room anymore, in fact she didn't know where she was. She was laying on an dirty old blanket next to a younger girl. Sofia stood up and walked forward, she tripped and feel on her face.
"OW! What did I trip over?" Sofia looked around and saw that she was chained to the wall. "What's going on", the whole room filled with a bright light and a guard walked into the room.
"Get up now!" He yelled, the girl next to Sofia immediately got up and walked forward.
"Morning Sofia", said the girl she had dirty blond hair and brown eyes, the dress she was wearing was covered in patches.
"Who are you?" Asked Sofia.
"Enough talk Lily your job is to the mop the kitchen then when you're done with that your to sweep the floors. Sofia your job is clean all the bathrooms in the palace do I make myself clear!" ordered the guard.
"Yes sir", said Lily Sofia didn't answer, the guard stormed over to Sofia and slapped her across the face knocking her to the ground. Sofia face stung and tears filled her eyes, the guard lifted her up and off the ground by her hair making her scream.
"When I gave you orders you answer me yes sir do I make myself clear you little slave", he said coldly.
"I'm not a slave!" Sofia cried out the guard let go of her hair and Sofia fell to her hands and knees. The guard then started to laugh and pulled out a whip. He gave her one hard lash to the back making her scream in pain then rolled it back up.
"If you're not up when I come back whip you senseless, get to work now", he lifted the room.
"Sofia get up he's serious", said Lily helping her stand up.
"I'm not a slave where am I?" Lily looked at her funny. "Please help me I'm not a slave I'm a princess", Sofia pleaded.
"Sofia stop playing games and hurry up already", Lily left the room leaving a confused and shaken Sofia alone to cry. Sofia was confused she was just asleep in bed she couldn't be a slave, she just couldn't be. Sofia looked down at her hands which were covered in dirt. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach she placed a hand over her neck, her amulet was gone.
"No No No! Where is it! Where is it!" Sofia started to panic as she frantically searched for her amulet. "It be gone I just had it what's going on!?" Sofia looked all around the small room. Nothing? Her amulet was gone she ran out the room and looked around. "Mom! Dad! James! Amber! Anyone where am I!" Sofia ran down the hallway as fast as she could running straight into a girl wearing a fancy dress knocking them both to the ground.
"Ah how dare you touch me!" Sofia knew that voice standing before her was Amber!
"Amber! I'm so glad to see you!" Sofia hugged Amber who pushed her away. Amber stood back up and looked disgusted she whistled and two guards ran over.
"Guards get this slave away from me!" The guard nodded forced Sofia up to her feet and started to drag her away.
"Amber it's me Sofia your sister!" Sofia tried to escape the guards but they were way too strong. "Amber please help me!"
"And someone shut her up", Amber walked away, Sofia couldn't believe her eyes what was going on!?
"Let me go! Amber help me it's me Sofia!" Sofia managed to wiggle free and ran forward and reached out for Amber who screamed.
"It's trying to attack me!" Amber screamed someone knocked Sofia to ground. Sofia looked up and saw a very angry James who ran over and kicked her in the stomach.
"Don't ever attack my sister!" James yelled as guard started to beat on Sofia with there fists. They placed her on her knees, each guard held on of Sofia arms and another guard had a sword held at Sofia throat. Her heart sunk into a million pieces when King Roland and her mother ran over.
"What happen here!" Demanded Roland.
"Daddy that slave tried to attack me", said Amber.
"My poor baby Roland have her whipped now", said Miranda.
"Mom its me Sofia! I'm your daughter what's going on!?" Sofia started crying.
"Shut it you're a commoner, you're no princess", Miranda shoot Sofia a glare.
"What's going on?" Sofia eyes almost exploded out of the sockets in shock standing before her was herself!?
"That slave tried to attack me Sarah", said Amber.
"What's going on where am I what's going on!? I was cursed by my amulet!? Am I under a spell I must be dreaming! I have to be dreaming!? Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Sofia closed her eyes as tight as she could. She opened them and she was still staring at her family who glared at her.
"Guard I want her whipped until her back is bare!" Ordered Roland. Sofia felt the guard ripe off the back of her dress exposing her back.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Sofia could hear the crack of the whip he was testing it out before he turned towards her. "Wake up please WAKE UP!" Sofia closed her eyes as tightly as she could. When she opened them she was sitting in her throne next to her mother.
"Sofia are you alright?", Sofia turned and gasped this women was not her mother! This women had long black hair and was wearing a red dress
"Who are you?" asked Sofia.
"Sofia I'm your mother", said the woman the doors to the throne room opened up and Sofia's jaw dropped. Being dragged inside were Amber, James, Miranda, and Roland.
"Your majesties I've found the slaves you wanted whipped", Sofia tried to say something but she was silent. She tried to stand up but she couldn't get off the throne. Sofia watched as her family was whipped, she couldn't close her eyes their cries echoed around the throne room, blood was being splattered against the floor. Sofia could only scream in her mind as she watched her family back being tore of the backs. The whole room dissolved and she was now outside, Sofia fell to her knees and started crying.
"What's going on why can't I wake up?" Sofia heard rustling from behind her followed by a loud roar that shook the ground. Sofia turned around and saw Lionheart standing there he was engulfed in black energy that formed the shape of a lion. Lionheart got on all floors and ran at Sofia before tackling her to the ground. He looked into her eyes and the scene of her family being whipped was being played over and over again.
"Stop showing me this! Please just wake me up I want to WAKE UP!" Lionheart roared right in Sofia face.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!" Sofia sat up in her bed screaming and crying. Both James and Amber came busting through the door.
"Sofia what's going on!" Amber climbed up onto Sofia's bed. "James go get mom and daddy", James didn't need to be told twice he ran out the room and down the hallway as fast as he could. "Sofia what's going on! What happen!"
"Stop hurting them!" Sofia frantically looked around in pure fear she didn't even realize she was awake yet, as Amber hugged her she didn't know what happen or what to do. She heard footsteps and Miranda was the first one in the room, followed by a very tired James and Roland.
"Mom can run very fast", James was trying to catch his breath. Miranda walked over and Amber moved over as Miranda placed her one hand on Sofia's shoulder and the other hand on Sofia cheek.
"Sofia look at me okay just look at me", Miranda instructed Sofia looked up and almost immediately stopped screaming ,she was still crying through. Sofia stared into the same blue eyes that had always giving her comfort when she sad or upset. The same blue eyes she stared into the day she was born. Miranda brought her daughter into a warm embrace, Sofia buried her head into her mother chest.
"I hate to ask you this but can you three please leave me and Sofia alone for a bit", said Miranda rubbing Sofia's back.
"Of course", Roland motioned for Amber and James to follow him out the room. Amber climbed off of Sofia bed and followed James and her father out the room.
"Sofia what happen?" Miranda asked, Sofia managed to tell her what happen in her dream before she started crying harder than before.
"You were scarred from seeing that whipping", Miranda mentally cursed King Rafael, she had no idea that Sofia would be this emotionally scarred from seeing this. But at the same time she had a feeling this might happen, Sofia was always caring girl, someone who should compassion to every being on earth. She always had a hard time when one of her friends were sick or hurt. Seeing someone get whipped terrified her, to a point where she can erase it from her memory. Miranda started to hum a soothing tune in Sofia ear it took about minutes, but she finally got Sofia calm again.
"Mom I'm scared", Sofia said.
"What are you scared of?" Asked Miranda running a hand through Sofia's hair.
"I don't want to go back to sleep, what if I have that nightmare again?" Sofia didn't think she could take another nightmare like that.
"Sofia you wanna know something I learned when I was you age?" Miranda asked, Sofia nodded her head. "When I was your age and I had horrible nightmares your grandmother would always tell me this, you can't have the same nightmare twice", Miranda planted a kiss on Sofia forehead. "and I'll also be sleeping in here with you you tonight ".
"Thanks mom", said Sofia, Miranda laid down and pulled the covers over both of them.
"Anything for you Sofia", Miranda pulled Sofia closer to her body. "Sweet dreams", in a matter of seconds Sofia fell asleep. This time she didn't have any nightmares.
The next morning Miranda woke up and got out of the bed carefully so she didn't wake up Sofia. "I'll wake her up in a couple minutes", Miranda left her daughter room and walked back to her own room running into Amber on the way there.
"Morning mother", said Amber looking a little discouraged.
"Morning Amber, you're worried about Sofia aren't you", said Miranda, Amber looked a little surprised.
"How did you…", Amber started to say.
"A mother always knows what wrong with there children, I can sense it", Miranda bent down and placed her hands on Amber's shoulders.
"Is Sofia going to be okay?" Amber barely got any sleep she was worried about Sofia.
"Sofia will be just fine Amber she just had a very bad nightmare", said Miranda.
"What was it about?" Amber asked.
"Sofia had two nightmares last night the first one was she was a slave and we were her owners she woke up right as she was about to get whipped. The second nightmare was she was watching us be whipped ", explained Miranda.
"I didn't realize that they were that bad", Amber said shocked at hearing what her nightmares were about. "Why would she have nightmares like that?"
"It was the whipping that happen yesterday it really bothered her", Miranda said. "Amber how are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine just worried about Sofia", said Amber. "I've never seen her scream and cry like that before".
"I've seen Sofia like that once before", Miranda told the blond haired princess.
"Really what happen?" Asked Amber.
"Well I can't remember what her dream was about, but I do remember Sofia was only 4 years old", said Miranda. "Amber please I don't want you to worry okay?"
"I'll try", said Amber Miranda gave her step-daughter a hug before they went their separate ways. Later that morning they were on there way to royal prep.
"You doing alright Sof?" asked James.
"I'm fine you two really I am", said Sofia.
"Alright then just making sure", said James they arrived at Royal Prep a couple minutes later they got and walked into royal prep and to their first class Sorcery.
"Good morning class", said Flora, "before your Sorcery class begins I have 3 important announcements to make". Everyone looked at each other wonder what these announcements were.
"After the meeting yesterday it was decided that you all have a right to know about the Warlords, so starting today I will be teaching a new class, Warlord history", said Flora.
"Why do we need to know about the Warlords?" Asked Hugo.
"We believe that it would be a good idea for you all to have knowledge on the 20 Warlords", explained Flora. "The next announcement is also starting today you will all begin energy training", this announcement got the class talking, Flora whistled loudly and the class grew quiet again. "I know you all have questions but they will be answered tomorrow".
"Are we also going to learn how to use swords and other weapons?" Asked James.
"Yes you will be taught how to use your own personal weapon, that's all the information I can gave you at the time", Flora then motioned to the door. "The last announcement is we have 2 new students joining us today everyone I'd like you to meet the princess of Energìa Serena", Princess Serena walked into the room with a frown on her face.
"Princess Serena please have a seat right there", Flora pointed at the empty seat next to Sofia. Once Serena had a seat Flora motioned for the next student to come in.
"No absolutely not he can't be here!" Shouted Serena now on her feet, coming into the room dressed in all black was Lionheart Greens son.
"Serena please calm down", instructed Flora.
"How is he allowed to be here I thought this was a school for princes or princesses not people like him", said Serena.
"Let me explain", said Timothy clearing his throat. "Because the title of Warlord is a rank above King or Queen and my father can do anything he want. I can be enrolled in any school across the world oh in case you all didn't know. My name is Timothy Green but you may call me Tigerheart, nice to meet you".
"Timothy please take a seat next to Prince James", said Flora.
"Yes ma'am quick question who is James?" Asked Tigerheart.
"I am", said James standing up, Tigerheart walked over and shook James hand.
"Nice to meet you Prince James", said Tigerheart. The sorcerer class went quickly they got up and left the room. They then went to there new class History of the Warlords.
Next Time…
It's time for the students of Royal Prep to learn the history of the current 20 Warlords. Each Warlord has a different story, weapon, and fighting style and all will be explained.
Sofia: Next Time on Clash Of Kingdoms The History of The Warlords; Energy Training Begins.
Author note: Sorry for the wait I had to study for finals the next Chapter will explain how the Warlords are able to anything they want, the qualification to be a Warlord, and what each Warlord looks like, age, and power.
Also I should explain one thing why Sofia had the nightmare to begin with, My neighbor child is named Jacklyn, she is 8 years old and I'm not joking she acts just like Sofia in so many ways from the way she acts, even her personally matches Sofia character amazingly. She the person who got me into Sofia the First and Paw Patrol. Anyway there was a time when she accidentally saw the movie Roots it's about slavery with a very scaring whipping scene in it. Just seeing that one scene gave her nightmares for a week. It took a while for her to get over it, the way we made her feel better was telling her you can't have the same nightmare twice. That's where the inspiration for Sofia nightmare came from, they came from two separate nightmares that she had.
Thanks for reading.