Adventures in Magic
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any of the characters/locations affiliated with it. The original characters introduced in various chapters belong to me.
A/N: Wow! I'm glad to see so many people enjoyed the last chapter! 😊 That makes me super happy. I hereby make a vow: I will have chapters 13 and 14 up THIS WEEKEND because of you all. 😉 Those reviews just make me so happy. Just so you know, though, chapter 13 will likely be shorter than most of the others, just because the context needs very little information. But I'm still going to jam-pack it with sweetness, as always. Remember, we've got to get it in before the heavy stuff hits. :D Anyway! Here you have another familiar duo: Goodwyn and Winifred! It wouldn't be a complete story without Cedric's parents. I love them to pieces. :D
To the guest who wants me to write more Elena stories and fewer Sofia stories: I don't think so. Don't get me wrong. I like Elena of Avalor, but Sofia the First means far more to me on a much deeper and personal level that many people don't know or understand. There's a reason I got into the show and felt drawn to it. The show may be over, but my love for it isn't going away. If you like Elena stories better, that's great. But I'm a Sofia the First writer first and foremost these days, and I'm going to write for what I love. 😊
Note: This chapter builds on previous background info, including mentioning of the Transiclouds and the Kingdom of Mahiya from "Never Enough."
Chapter 12
Parental Involvement
Summary: Cedric is beyond surprised when he and Sofia run into his parents during their travels to the next location. While spending time with them, he learns of a secret society that could be beneficial to both himself and Sofia.
"I think it's safe to say that we can cross Birchnacht off the list for next year," Sofia mumbled as she folded her arms. "That queen was rude."
Cedric chuckled as he drew a line through the kingdom's name with his quill. "She certainly wasn't a magic enthusiast. It's fine though. We have plenty of other connections. Hindsoore and Valdorno have fully-established royal wizards, and Laindstrohm doesn't seem to be that far behind." He tapped the pen against his list. "Though I tend to disagree with the king's choice of putting a magician in as his royal sorcerer." He sighed heavily as Sofia snickered. "Real magic and show magic are two entirely different things, but it's his kingdom, I suppose…"
"Well, yeah, of course…" She giggled as her stomach began rumbling, a sign that lunchtime was upon them. "Mr. Cedric, can we stop somewhere for a meal?"
"I suppose so." He glanced out the window at their surroundings. "I think there's a charming little restaurant not too far from here. My parents used to frequent it quite often in the past before moving to Mystic Meadows."
"How are they, by the way? I feel like I haven't seen them in forever…" She really did miss Goodwyn and Winifred. To her, they were like another set of grandparents. She'd never really known her own birth grandparents, Roland I had died before she was even born, and Grand Mum was unfortunately rather ill at the moment. So, to her, having Cedric's parents around was a wonderful substitute.
"They're well, from what I understand. Apparently, my mother has begun making a quilt, which takes quite a bit of focus and time."
"What's the quilt for?" Sofia wondered.
"Your guess is as good as mine." He chuckled. "Sometimes, she just likes to have something to do. And my father now works as a part-time instructor at Hexley Hall, if you can believe it."
"No way!" She blinked in surprise. "Mr. Goodwyn? A teacher?" She giggled. "Well, I guess it does run in the family… Of course, you did your teaching at Royal Prep."
He shrugged with a small laugh. "If you had asked me ten years ago if I'd even step foot into that school, I would have laughed you right out the door. And now, it appears that I'd be welcomed back with open arms, especially after substituting for your class that one year."
"I liked having you as a teacher," she declared thoughtfully. "Though honestly, I prefer having you as my mentor more." She grinned. "Not to sound selfish, but I don't really like sharing you with everyone."
Cedric chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Trust me, my dear girl. I don't quite see myself working as a substitute for any school in the foreseeable future, so I'm at your service."
She giggled. "Good."
Not much later, the AutoCoach landed near a small stone building with smoke rising from an oven pipe. As it turned out, it was the restaurant Cedric had mentioned to Sofia: Kai's Kitchen.
"Who's Kai?" Sofia asked as Cedric helped her out of the coach. She followed him toward the door.
"The original owner," he responded as he held the door open for her next, smiling toward her as she entered the bustling atmosphere. "Mrs. Kai had a plethora of recipes that her own family had recorded over their lifetimes, and she decided to open this restaurant. In fact, she was good friends with my Grammy. Alas, she passed away many years ago now. However, from what I hear, her daughter and her son-in-law now run the place."
"So, keeping it in the family, I guess," Sofia laughed as she and Cedric waited to be seated.
He chuckled and shrugged. "Something like that."
"Cedric?
"Ceddy-kins?!"
Cedric blinked and turned just in time to feel himself pulled into a familiar hug. "Mummy?!" Once the initial shock wore off, he gently returned his mother's hug, just as Goodwyn approached them. "What are you both doing here?"
"We might ask the same of you, Son," Goodwyn chuckled. He smiled and bowed politely to the teen beside his son. "Princess Sofia, it's a pleasure to see you, as usual."
She giggled. "Thanks, Mr. Goodwyn. Wow, this is so weird. Mr. Cedric and I were just talking about you guys earlier."
"Ah, so that's why my ears were burning, hmm?" Winifred grinned toward them. "What brings the both of you here? I thought you were on an adventure, or so Cordelia and King Roland said."
"We are," the younger sorcerer affirmed. "We just happened to be back in this area, and Sofia was hungry, so…"
"Well, come sit with us," Goodwyn insisted as he gestured toward a nearby table. "There's plenty of room, and we'd love to hear all about your travels."
Sofia giggled as Winifred linked arms with her and led her forward. "Please, Mr. Cedric? It would be nice to eat with people we know. And who better than your mom and dad?"
Cedric smiled and shrugged. "I don't see why not."
Several minutes later, the quartet was seated around the table, each with a glass of water yet no food at the moment, although they'd already ordered. Instead, they passed the time talking.
"Where all have you traveled so far?" Goodwyn inquired, curious.
Sofia pondered as she tried to recall all the places they'd been. "Helvetica, the Mystic Isles, Namile, a bunch of other places I either can't remember or pronounce…"
"The Mystic Isles, hmm?" the older sorcerer asked, humming in approval. "An excellent place, naturally. Though I can't imagine what networking ties with royals you'd find there."
"It was more of a magical emergency, Father," Cedric clarified. "Sofia is still a Protector, and that self-righteous trainer of hers likes to call on my apprentice at the most inopportune times."
Winifred chuckled. "Don't be jealous, Ceddy. You have to share the princess with others at some point."
Cedric blushed in embarrassment as Sofia giggled. "I'm not jealous, Mother… I'm simply stating facts: that trainer of hers, Chrysta, relies heavily on Sofia to complete odd jobs as a Protector, even if she's in the middle of something else."
Sofia grinned as she nudged her friend playfully. "Yeah, that's not exactly the way it happened though…"
"And where are you two heading next?" Goodwyn asked, steering the conversation to more interesting (in his opinion) matters.
"I think we're going to take a few days for rest actually." Cedric sighed happily as the server placed food before each of them. He hadn't realized how hungry he'd been until he actually saw the food. "Mm!"
"I have a suggestion, if I may." Goodwyn stirred some of his mixed vegetables on his plate, blending them with the meat. "You've heard of Mahiya (Mɑ-hi-yɑ/Mah-hee-yah), Cedric?"
Sofia frowned thoughtfully. Why did that sound so familiar to her?
"Yes, of course. Some sort of secret kingdom that no one knows anything about." The younger sorcerer glanced toward his father. "However, I was led to believe it was a myth."
"It's no myth, Ceddy," Winifred insisted. "It's very much real. Your father and I have been there before in the past."
Cedric's mouth fell open in shock. "What?!"
"Mr. Cedric, shh!" Sofia attempted to calm her friend down, noting that people were beginning to stare at them, especially after his outburst.
"Sorry," he whispered, grinning guiltily, before quickly turning back to his parents. "What do you mean, it's real—and you've been there?!" he whisper-yelled.
The older sorcerer chuckled at his son's reaction. "Mahiya is rather difficult to get to, and most people don't even bother trying. That's why it's so secretive—because so few have tried to uncover the mysteries of the magical kingdom."
"I'm sorry," Sofia interjected, her eyes lighting up. "Did you say, 'magical kingdom?'"
"That's right, Princess," Winifred confirmed with a gentle smile. "The ruler there, Master Elgraste (ɛl-grɑ-ste/El-grah-stay), is very much well-liked and respected. However, they've had issues in the past with outsiders trying to harvest their magic for themselves or corrupt their citizens. So, he set about limiting access to certain visitors—lawful rulers and magic wielders in particular."
"And if we were to go there," Cedric began, tapping the base of his fork on the table, "do you think we could establish some connections with them for Enchancia?"
Sofia finally frowned and reached over, putting her hand over Cedric's to still his consistent and annoying tapping. She rolled her eyes as he smiled apologetically.
"I don't see why not," Goodwyn replied. "Master Elgraste is an old and dear colleague of mine. You just tell him I sent you and that you're my son, and you shouldn't have any problems."
"It helps to have family ties," Sofia giggled. "So, I guess the next question is… How do we get there?"
"Through the Mystic Isles," Winifred responded. "And from what I hear, they are now utilizing something called a 'Transicloud' or whatever they named it."
Sofia's eyes lit up.
"Where you could fly directly into one, say the name of your destination, and—"
"And it sends you there?" Sofia finished, smiling as Winifred nodded. "I know exactly what you're talking about Mrs. Winifred." She glanced excitedly toward Cedric. "Can we go?"
"We have to go back to the Mystic Isles?" he asked pitifully, sighing.
"Mr. Cedric, I thought you liked the Mystic Isles. You were so excited to tell me all about them a few years ago."
"Yes, well, that's before I met the most annoying, snippiest, most sarcastic fairy ever."
"Crystal fairy." She snickered as he scoffed.
"Whatever."
"Chrysta means well, just like you. And besides, we won't even have to see her, really. I know exactly where one of the Transiclouds is." She blinked as her mentor turned to give her a prying stare. "What?"
"And why exactly do you know about those already?"
"Like you, Mr. Cedric, I'm full of secrets and surprises." She grinned as he groaned at her using his own words against him. "Actually, Skye showed one to me a few years ago when we were on a mission."
"That makes more sense, I suppose…" He returned his fork to his plate, nodding in resolution. "Why not? I say let's do it. If we could establish ties with them, it may be beneficial to all of us."
"This is true," Goodwyn admitted. "Master Elgraste has run a very successful and progressive kingdom for years now. If there's a definition of magical stability, it's Mahiya."
"Well, then," Sofia began, grinning, "next stop: Mahiya!"
To be continued…
