Chapter 4: Obfuscation
Sofia looked at him nervously. Her poor father, he was trying to process things still, despite what he had said last night.
"Yes. I'm so sorry Papa."
The man turned and started walking away. Sofia ran toward him and wrapped her arms around his back. There was simply no way of traveling through time; her mother had married someone else.
Birk shook his head, "I can't… I can't ever compete with him, can I?"
"I… I don't know Papa. Rolland had been so good to us, but you're YOU, and we love you." Sofia searched in vain for the right words. How could she help him?
"Does she still love me? I…" Birk stared off into the distance at a passing bird. "It too good Sofia. It's too wonderful for her. I'm just a fishmonger, well now I'm just an ex-prisoner. My body is worn from labor, and I've nothing to my name. How could I try to take her from that life?"
Sofia grabbed him tighter from behind, "But Papa, I KNOW that Mom loved you just as much as I did. We missed you every single day while we lived in the village."
He turned around to face her, and held her chin up to his. "Oh I believe you sweet pea, but I've nothing and she's not in the village anymore. When she was a shoemaker she was still better than I deserved, but now…"
He reached down and hugged the girl dearly. "Oh Papa what are you saying? Don't you love Mom? Don't you want to be with her anymore? I thought… I thought…" Sofia was on the verge of tears.
"Oh no Sofia, please don't cry. I love you with all my heart, and I love her too. But she's happy, you said as much last night. And King Rolland, he was a kind and gracious ruler. I know he would be good to my Miranda." He stopped, and started laughing at himself. Westin and Uncle Sal had walked back to meet them. The laughing brought out uneasy looks from the men.
"Brother, you okay?"
"Oh it's nothing Sal. It's just that… she's not my Miranda anymore, is she?"
Sofia's eyes went wide. She hadn't told her mother about any of this yet. Should she tell her Mom? And if her mom knew, what would she do about it? Birk was the love of her young life, but King Rolland had given her everything, including happiness and love for almost a decade. That was longer than her parents had been together by far.
Sal proffered words of comfort, "Come brother, I know Mom will welcome us back with open arms. You can sort out the rest later."
Westin nodded furiously, and Birk looked over at them both, then back to the despondent Sofia still clutching at his stomach.
"Sorry to make you all worry. I'll be fine, it just takes a bit of getting used to, that's all."
Sofia's mouth hung open a bit as she thought about what to do about her mother, causing Westin to chuckle. She shot him an irritated glance, "Why are you laughing at me?"
"Because you're mouth was hanging open."
"Ooh, that's not very nice!"
He chuckled softly at her, "But it was still funny. Who knew you Enchancian girls were so hilarious!"
"Hey!" The banter made Birk start to smile a bit, and Sofia realized that was the intention. Westin was trying to lighten the mood.
Westin reached over and pushed on her shoulder slightly, causing Sofia to let go of her father. "So do you always leave your mouth gaping open when you speak? Or is it just when you think?" A big grin escaped him as the words came out, and Sofia's eyes shot open.
"Hey there! I just set you free from prison last night! No making fun of a sorceress!"
The young man pushed slightly on her shoulder again, "Awww… but you're a good sorceress, right? And the magic is so interesting."
Sal leaned in between them, "Hush up about Sorcery okay, and let's just keep going." The party kept walking down the lane, with Westin pushing on Sofia's shoulder ever so often and pretending that it was accidental. She'd finally had enough. Sofia lunged at him as if to push his shoulder back but he dodged her and started to run off, "Catch me if you can Cousin!"
Sofia watched him run off into the distance. Sal followed Westin with his eyes, "Please forgive him Sofia. He's spent most of his life in prison. He was found wandering in the fields by the Maldonian army and taken there. He's never spoken of his family, but we all assumed they were killed in the war. I begged the guards to let him go, but they made him a bucket runner for the mines instead, so I adopted him. He hasn't played with someone his own age in 13 long years, if he ever had friends before."
Sofia felt for the guy and the irritation melted away. She decided to run after him, "Westin, wait for me!" Merriment among the dried grasses ensued.
It was approaching midday before they finally reached a small cabin at the end of a miserable looking town. Each house was a single story with thatched roofs. Peasantry in Enchancia may not have lived like kings, but they were decidedly better off than any village Sofia had seen in this kingdom.
"Dad, why is everyone here so poor?"
Sal laughed and shook his head. Birk gave him a scowl before answering Sofia's question. "It's too cold to grow crops like in Enchancia, and not many animals live here. It's just… hard."
Huh? Birk noticed her confused demeanor, but didn't press her on it. Uncle Sal on the other hand had no such qualms, "Why are you so confused Sofia. You must see that it's not exactly lush."
"It's just that, whenever I'd visit my friend Hildegard in the royal palace it all seemed so opulent. They live so… ostentatiously… I just assumed that the people here were happy and well taken care of."
Birk stopped advancing, and seemed torn about what to say. "Sofia sweet pea, not everyone is King Rolland."
What did he mean by that? Before she could inquire the door to the cottage nearest where they stood flew open and out ran a middle-aged woman. It was if Sofia was staring through time at her future self. This lady stood almost the exact same height as the princess, with the same deep blue eyes and wavy brown hair. The major differences were the tanned and muscular arms from a life of hard work and the extra fabric needed to cover her larger frame. The woman flung herself at Birk, then reached over and grabbed Sal's shirt, sobbing. They in kind wrapped her in a warm embrace that lasted. "You're alive! And you've come home."
"Nelly…" Birk looked over at Sofia, who was clearly confused. "Sofia this is your aunt Nelly."
Nelly looked at the girl, "Sofia, don't tell me she's your daughter Birk?"
"Yep, Hi there aunt Nelly, I'm Sofia!"
Smiles and hugs abounded. Her extended family in Friezenburg was HUGE. Cousins of all ages ran around and there was one old woman who remained seated at the end of the sole table inside the hut that attracted Sofia's attention. Birk noticed and introduced them.
"Sofia I'd like you to meet my mother."
"Wow, you're my grandmother. I've never had one of those before."
"Call me bubbe child." The old woman reached out an unsteady arm toward Sofia, and she instinctively knelt down to receive the woman's warm embrace. It was decidedly lunchtime now, and an unbalanced meal of rice and stewed beets was set before them all. Nelly stood to commemorate the occasion, "To Sofia, who made our family whole again." Sofia choked back tears and clasped her amulet, trying to stay composed. These people, she'd brought such joy to not only herself, but to them as well.
Sofia looked out over the meager offerings on the table. It simply wasn't enough to celebrate such an occasion. She stood and drew her wand, standing authoritatively before the assembled group. She conjured one of the many spells Cedric had taught her, "Appetezio!" A bountiful spread of meats and decorative starches appeared before the group. Everyone stared in awe for over a minute, but they seemed more afraid than happy at the abundance before them.
Finally her Aunt spoke, "Oh my word, she's does magic. Birk did you know this? Oh no! She could be taken."
Sofia looked around confused, "Well, of course I do magic, how else could I have broken everyone out of prison?"
Birk grabbed Sofia's hand and coaxed her to sit back down. "Sweet pea, it's forbidden for peasants to do magic in Friezenburg. It's said that the sorcerer's soul will be stolen away by the mountains."
WHAT? "Are you kidding Papa, how could that possibly happen? It makes no sense! I—"
Birk stood and addressed everyone at the table, "It's okay everyone. Sofia is from Enchancia and she's going back there, so she'll be fine." There were collective sighs, and one of the smaller cousins grabbed a turkey leg off the nearest roast. As if on cue everyone started to dig in and finally they seemed happy.
Sofia leaned over to whisper to her father, "I'm sorry Papa, I didn't mean to cause a problem."
He smiled and gave her another hug, "It's not a problem sweet pea. You're wonderful and kind, just like your mother. This is just another reason why I left and never came back."
Sofia ate lunch while observing the group. Despite her social miscue of earlier the lot were joyously celebrating the return of their lost sons, and had begun to sing. The littlest cousin, Mary, had jumped up in her seat and started belting out what sounded like a nursery rhyme.
Follow the sheep, 1..2..3,
. . . Around the bend, behind the tree
Through the meadow, 4..5..6,
. . . But never up the mountains' slicks
Over the stream, 7..8..9,
. . . Must not go past the oak tree line,
Find the sheep and straight to home,
. . . for in the mountains lost souls roam.
Sofia leaned in to Birk, "That's a strange song Papa, is it about magic?"
He looked over at the small cousins he'd just met gaily dancing on the bench top, "It's just some old wives tales, don't worry about it sweet pea."
The songs led to dancing, and the dancing led to tiredness. Aunt Nelly came by and sat next to Sofia, "Sorry about earlier hun, I was just worried about you."
"It's okay."
The woman gave a big smile, then pinched Sofia softly on her cheek, "So tell me of the boy whose stolen your heart?" Sofia looked at her confused and the woman laughed softly in disbelief, "Don't tell me that a pretty little thing like you isn't spoken for already? Goodness me you're already grown!"
Sofia's eyes went wide, "Oh no Aunt Nelly, I'm not seeing anyone. I'm too young."
"Balderdash, you're seventeen or thereabouts, yes? I was already married by then, as was bubbe, and everyone else."
Sofia shook her head, "No I'm not seeing anyone. There is a boy who likes me, but-."
'So there's a boy, is he someone I should meet?" Birk was intensely interested in the conversation now. But Sofia's reluctant expression stopped his inquiries. "But only if you're comfortable with that sweet pea. I don't want to force anything on you."
"Oh no Papa, it's just that I don't like him at all."
Her Papa and Aunt burst out laughing, and the merriment continued. Sofia felt the effects of a good meal set inside her, and was tempted to nod off for a quick nap. Suddenly Sofia remembered herself. She as a princess of Enchancia, and her absence would not go unnoticed back home. She'd simply disappeared without telling anyone where she'd gone. She would have to divulge what had happened, wouldn't she? And then Mom would need to decide what she wanted to do about it.
She directed Birk out of the cabin and stood with him along the narrow path that led toward the other houses. "Papa, I'm so glad you're safe now. I need to go home and tell Mom about all of this, do you… want to come with me?"
He father stood there solid as a stone. "Sofia sweetheart, I think it's best if I stay here. Your mother has a beautiful life, and I would just ruin it for her."
"But Papa she has to know!"
He turned to the side and was looking at some dirt blowing by in the breeze, "I… I just don't know Sofia. I mean, what can I give her besides love?"
"Isn't that enough Papa?"
"No. It isn't. She has everything in the world right now, AND love."
"But PAPA!"
He put a solid hand on her shoulder, "I understand why you're doing this Sofia, and I want you to know that you are always welcome here and always welcome to be with me, no matter what. Just… just give me some time to think about what I want to do about Miranda, okay?
Sofia nodded her head. It was a lot to take in, and he showed an impressive amount of restraint.
"I promise I will come back as soon as I can Papa, no longer than a week."
"That sounds lovely sweet pea. Till next week then, I'll be waiting to see you."
They hugged and Sofia mounted Minimus. She stood there gazing out at these wonderful people. They were the most loving family, her family; that she had never even known existed.
"I love you all! I'll be back in a week, see you then!"
…
The flight home seemed to take forever, as each minute heightened Sofia's anxiety. Had anyone noticed her absence? It was almost teatime. Surely the note couldn't have kept them at bay this long. She landed near the horse stable and quietly snuck Minimus back inside. She had made it all the way to the second floor when Baileywick popped up in front of her.
"Good afternoon Princess."
This was it. She was busted. "Uh, good afternoon to you too Baileywick."
"What are you doing back so soon Sofia?"
Huh? She wasn't supposed to be anywhere but in her room sleeping… someone must have covered for her, but who?
She stood there staring at Baileywick and he finally started to speak again, "When Cedric said you were going to be off practicing all day we assumed you wouldn't be back until dinner."
Hooray! She'd need to thank Cedric profusely, later. "Oh well I needed to get a little practice in and well, I guess I'm feeling pretty confident about my skills right now." It was true, she had thoroughly handed the royal sorceress defeat on the prison island. Thinking back to it, she really did hold her own against the witch. Nice.
Suddenly Baileywick gasped with horror, "SOFIA! What happened to your cape? It's ripped!"
Sofia had forgotten; she'd ripped eyeholes in the hood to disguise herself last night. "Oh well you know things happen when you're casting spells."
Balieywick took a deep sigh. "I understand. Now let me have a look at that cape and I'll send it for mending right away Princess."
She took off the cape and handed it over. He gently draped it over his arm in gentlemanly fashion and inspected the tears. For an instant Sofia thought he was going to figure out it was intentionally inflicted, but he seemed not to notice. Instead, he looked back up at her smiling gently, "I'm happy for you Sofia that you've found something to be so passionate about, but please do be careful. Fighting sorcerers isn't exactly the most mundane activity and we would all be so distraught if anything ever happened to you. I know you made it clear to the king before that you demand this freedom, but he still worries about you."
Sofia smiled at the aging steward, "Thanks Baileywick."
"Anytime Princess."
Sofia went into her room to change and noticed Wormwood on her bed. The raven cawed at her as she dressed. "What are you doing here Wormwood?"
"Waiting for you Princess." He then proceeded to fly off.
"Silly raven." Sofia proceeded to change out of the silken green fighting dress and into one of her normal set of frilly ensembles.
Not a minute later there was pounding on her door. She walked over to it, still not fully fastened into her dress and slid open the large inner door to her chamber. Cedric stood there, fuming angry. "YOU. TOWER. NOW."
Sofia turned slightly to reveal her undone corset, "But Mr. Cedric, I'm not fully dressed yet."
He froze and turned a distinct shade of pink. "MERLIN'S MUSHROOMS GIRL DRESS YOURSELF BEFORE ANSWERING!" He slid the door shut forcefully. She could hear him muttering on the other side. "Women. They know they're maddening, I'm sure of it. Mushrooms." Sofia finished lacing herself up and fixed her hair a bit before reopening the door.
"Hello Mr. Cedric, I'm ready now."
He looked down at her with death in his eyes. "Tower. NOW." She knew he was livid that she would just take off, but being yelled at by Cedric was infinitely better than being in trouble with Mom and Dad. It would pass quickly, she just needed to let him vent and it would be over. Once they were up the stairs and through the door the tirade began. "SOFIA I'm so upset with you right now. Where in all the lands have you been?" Before Sofia could answer he was at it again, "Don't you even realize that magic can be dangerous? You shouldn't even be in this cursed tournament, they're going to toss you like a ragdoll from the dueling pits."
She lunged forward and grabbed the sorcerer into a hug. It always helped to soften the scolding. "Mr. Cedric don't worry, I'm really good at fighting. I won't get tossed, I promise! In fact I-"
"Finnegan's fungus child! You've no idea what you'll be up against, and there is to be NO wandering off overnight anymore do you hear me! If the king found out what you've been up to, especially now that there's war afoot. I simply won't be held responsible for it."
Suddenly things got serious and she relaxed her grip on his robe. "Mr. Cedric, what do you mean WAR?"
"Sofia you really need to stop wandering off without me. WAR broke out last night between Maldonia and Friezenburg and before this is done your father will see some necks in nooses, he's already decreed it."
WHAT? War had broken out between Friezenburg and Maldonia. It couldn't have had anything to do with the prisoners being freed, could it?
"What do you mean war Mr. Cedric?"
He shot her the most sarcastic glance he'd ever mustered, "WAR Sofia, as in the opposite of peace. Also known as knights hurtling toward each other with pointy sticks and cannons and people fleeing for their lives. WAR." Sofia's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. This couldn't be happening.
Just then there was a knock on the door, which was more for appearances as it flung open before Cedric could answer. In walked Baileywick. "Oh Hello again Princess Sofia. Come to teach Cedric another spell?"
"Ha ha ha I'm so impressed with your rapier wit, shouldn't you be polishing something steward?" Sarcasm was oozing out of the sorcerer. The two had never been close and neither could understand how Sofia held them both in such high regard. The princess just turned to stare at the steward, her mind still racing from Cedric's mention of war and the possibilities they contained. Cedric was getting annoyed and his foot tapped anxiously on the floor, "Well what do you want Baileywick? I'm teaching my apprentice a lesson."
"Cedric, you are summoned to a meeting with Constable Miles about the development."
Cedric stiffened and uncrossed his arms, "Oh yes. Right. Excuse me princess." With that Cedric disappeared with Baileywick down the stairs, leaving Sofia standing in the workshop.
Sofia couldn't process it. What could have possibly happened? King Rolland was the one with the answers, so she set off through the castle to find her Dad.
She wandered the halls and finally found the man inside his bedchambers. He was seated on the side of the bed next to her mother, with Amber positioned on the opposite side, and by the window stood James. Amber perked up at the sight of her. "Oh Sofia!" She jumped up and hugged her sister, but Sofia tried to deflect her sister's affections. She needed to address her Dad. She motioned toward him but suddenly noticed her mother's condition. The woman's skin was positively green and she looked incredibly ill.
"Mom, what's the matter?" Miranda looked at her and smiled, but was in obvious distress.
Roland stood and hugged his youngest daughter. "Don't worry Sofia, your mother is just feeling ill, after all…" He smiled widely and then looked back down at his wife. He reached out to her and held her hand, producing smiles from everyone in the room. Sofia was completely confused.
"What's going on? If mom is sick then shouldn't the doctor be here?"
"He's already come Sofia, and it's the most wonderful news." Sofia looked around at everyone. There was some amazing secret she simply wasn't privy too.
Miranda tried to sit up a bit causing concern from Rolland, and he stopped her motions. She reached out to Sofia, who immediately grabbed her mother's hand. "Sofia dear, I'm going to have a baby."