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 as well as the concept of the Rune Mage I'll be using for this story.

_[ STORY ]_

"As in the Mystic Islands?" Cedric questioned.

"No...kind of...well like the Mystic Islands my realm is full of magic. Even those who are born without magic or can't become a certified Magic Caster has charms to fall back on. Like the Mystic Islands my realm which is called Domhan* is accessible only by way of a portal ours is called 'The Gate of Nine Pillars'*...

"The Gate of Nine Pillars!?" Goodwin interrupted an eyebrow raised at the title.

"Yes I know I'm not the one who named it, but the elders are against changing it, have been for 20 generations," Zwick agreed.

The green runes flickered for a moment as Zwick swayed before holding strong again, the man took a deep breath, his hands though were starting to shake.

"Are you alright?" Cedric asked.

"I'll be fine once this is done," Zwick replied.

"So that's a no," Cedric said, "perhaps a break…

"Once started this spell cannot be deactivated, I did this on a daily basis, before coming here. It just takes a lot out of me is all."

"Even the most powerful Sorcerer can't keep that up for long, " Goodwin said.

"Usually this is done with six people, two that perform the spell well the other four take turns feeding magic energy into them, so they don't run out," Zwick explained, "unlike them, I keep multiple charms on me that I store Mana in...Aether I mean."

"If you're truly from another realm it would make sense there would be another term for the same thing," Cedric commented, "but why in the world would you not take the help? You were yelling at me about that very thing."

Zwick hesitated, "Um...I hate the feeling of foreign magic being poured into my body," he said, "I know its a stupid reason."

"It sounds like an excellent reason to me," Goodwin chimed, "I'm inclined to agree with Cedric despite my agreement."

"Ya, you'd think after a hundred and fifteen years of it though I would have gotten used to it," Zwick said with a chuckle.

"What!?" "Did you say a hundred and fifteen!?" Cedric and Goodwin exclaimed simultaneously.

"Yes," Zwick agreed, "why is that a such a shock...oh right the average lifespan of someone in this realm is between 70 and 80," he yawned, "in Domhan it's between 250 and 300."

"Now I'm even more curious," Cedric started, "how old are you? If I may ask."

"I'll be a hundred and seventy next month," Zwick replied another yawn escaping him, "a few more moments and I'll be done, a few things before then as I will promptly go to sleep afterward."

"You'll need to stay in bed to rest for a week at least, it will put your initial recovery on hold, but it's a necessary evil, second no using magic during that time, third no eating or drinking the rest of today and only a light breakfast in the morning and forth this is not for you. I'll be asleep for a few days if you need to explain to the King why please don't let anyone else find out. Oh and tell Princess Sofia I kept my promise."

With that, the green runes extinguished themselves and Zwick collapsed. Goodwin came around to see if he hurt himself in the fall.

Cedric was pulling himself into a seated position his back giving protest after being laid out on a hard surface for so long.

"Well son," Goodwin called, "do we tell the King?" he asked.

Come the following afternoon Roland was livid for not receiving a report sooner on the 'truth' of why his Sorcerer and Doctor we're both out of commission until further notice.

"A magic mishap was all you had to tell me!" Roland bellowed as he paced in Cedric's workshop, "instead I have to be left to worry why my physician AND Sorcerer are both laid up and unconscious."

"I offer my deepest apologies for not informing you earlier," Goodwin said, "I thought it best to make sure the situation was stable before telling you. I didn't want to make thing worse by giving you a report filled with partial fact."

Roland took a deep breath his back to the older man, "I will forgive this transgression, but let it be known, no matter the situation, no matter the stability I am to be informed immediately!" he said stressing the last word.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Goodwin said with a deep bow.

Roland left the tower muttering something about needing a glass of wine; Goodwin waited a moment longer before venturing up to his son's room.

"Cedric?" he called knocking.

"I take it the plan worked?" Cedric asked.

"Yes surprising, I can't believe he bought you were miscasting a spell that knocked both you and Dr. Zwick out," Goodwin stated.

"Honestly father are you surprised, what with my reputation and all," Cedric retorted.

"Yes, I know, dear Calista will be in pieces when she gets here tomorrow and the Princess...thank goodness she is on vacation right now with her mother and sibling," Goodwin mused.

"I know it's a mess," Cedric agreed, "but we want answers and if the King finds out what Zwick is then those questions will go out the window."

"One of my first is if he had stores of Aether like he said why did he fall unconscious leaving us in this situation."

"That among many other…

"Oh Goodwin, dear, I'm back," Winifred sang from the main workshop.

"Oh, your mother I forgot," Goodwin whispered whipping around and flying out of the room and down the stairs.

Cedric breached himself for what was to come as he settled back in his bed, Winifred's voice echoed around the brickwork as she bounded up the stairs.

Being evil was one thing, but being evil to your mother made Cedric wish this never had to happen.

_[ ~FIN~ ]_

Note: That's it, sorry it took SO long! Keep an eye out for my next story 'Misery Mist' it'll be a bit longer than a two or three shot and it will have the return of Megumi.