Chapter 5: Apprehension

"Sofia dear, I'm going to have a baby."

The words had come straight from her mother's shaking mouth. Sofia looked around and there were happy smiles on her siblings faces, but they were nothing compared to the elation emanating from her Dad. Her mother looked happy too, if very ill. Truth be told Sofia had always wondered why they hadn't had more children up until now.

Sofia just sat there, stunned. How was she supposed to tell her Mom about Birk now? Sofia was lost in thought. If she told her mother about Birk it would throw Miranda's whole life out of balance, and the stress of it would be seriously detrimental to the baby. Considering how ill Miranda was already that seemed like a terrible idea.

Miranda managed a glance over at her daughter. "Sofia sweetheart, are you okay?"

It snapped Sofia back to reality. "Oh yes Mom, Hooray! I'm so happy for you. Sorry, it was a bit shocking after all." She sat down on the edge of the bed near her mother's head, and gave Miranda's face a gentle hug.

Rolland laughed, "I guess it was a bit unexpected, we had to come home early from Rudistan when your mother became ill and I feared the worst. But this is the best blessing we could ever ask for."

The shock of the announcement wore off, and Sofia let go of her mother's head, turning toward the king. "Dad I was looking for you, I need to find out what happened in Friezenburg and—" Suddenly the smile her Dad wore melted away, his eyes went wide and his hands went up cutting off Sofia mid-sentence. Miranda was looking at him and seemed worried by the sudden shift in his mood.

"Rolly, what's going on?" A small groan escaped her after the words, and he flew into action, stroking her head.

"Don't worry dear it's nothing. You need to relax and let the medicine work." Her mother reclined back into the pillow and closed her eyes as Rolland stroked her head.

"But Dad-" Rolland silenced her with a finger held to her lips, and gestured for Sofia to exit the bedroom with him. He shut the door quietly and turned to his youngest daughter.

"Sofia can't you see your mother is in a very delicate state right now?" Sofia nodded, "Well then please don't burden her with this. It'll only upset her, and the doctor was very specific that given her age and how ill she's fallen she's to have no stress until the sickness lets up."

Sofia looked down at the polished marble floor. It would be awful for her mother if she lost the baby. She couldn't tell her mother any of it. Her Dad bent down so he was level with her head. She was still so much shorter than him, and probably wouldn't ever grow more. "Don't worry Sofia, the doctor gave your mother some medicine, and she should be feeling better by this time tomorrow." He smiled at her gently, in his normal way, but he wasn't completely right about the source of her unease.

"Dad I heard war broke out in Friezenburg."

He went solemn and nodded, "Yes Sofia but don't worry, I'm already taking care of it and I'll make sure no shots are actually fired. You trust me, right? I'm great friends with Hildegard and Hugo's fathers and I'm sure I can smooth this over. So don't worry honey."

She nodded, "But Dad I need to tell—" He cut her off with a balled fist, "But if I ever found out who broke those criminals out of prison I'll make sure they pay for this with their lives." Sofia let out a gasp. Her father never spoke like that.

"Dad you don't really mean that, right?"

He stopped her dead in her tracks. "I mean every word Sofia, I've already decreed that anyone with information on these terrorists is to report them immediately so that justice can be done. The last war cost so many lives, and I'm not going to stand by and let it happen again. The whole kingdom knows by now, and we'll find them no matter what domain they're hiding in. Those terrorists are going to pay with their lives."

Sofia's head was spinning. Her Dad had already decreed to the kingdom that anyone involved would be… OH NO. LUCINDA. Sofia looked up at her father. There was no way Rolland would execute his youngest daughter… was there? No way. But he didn't even know Lucinda and the witch had helped in the prisoners escape. Now his word had been pledged and literally everyone knew it. He couldn't go back on his kingly decree, it would make him look like a weak ruler.

She couldn't tell Rolland what happened, it could cost Lucinda her life. Roland reached his hand up to her chin and lifted Sofia's gaze toward his own. He must be able to see the conflict inside her swirling. "Don't worry Sofia, I won't let anybody get hurt."

"But the people who started this will get hurt." She was looking directly at his face, hoping for a ray of hope to emerge. It didn't. He was dead set on seeing this through.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, it's the only way to ensure that war doesn't start up again in earnest." He let out a small smile to reassure her. "Seriously Sofia, don't worry. Your mother will be right as rain by tomorrow night, and we're going to have a party to celebrate the baby. I'll even invite Hugo and Hildegard's families to help ensure everything goes back to normal."

She nodded. Her Dad was always true to his word, he would keep everyone safe and fix this whole mess. But if he ever found out about Lucinda… Sofia couldn't bring herself to think about the danger she'd put her dear friend in.

…

That night Sofia couldn't sleep. Tomorrow was the day of the tournament, and she was more than a little nervous, in addition to worries about what was transpiring in Friezenburg and acute concern for her Papa's well being thoughts of Rolland's reaction were pent up inside her. Sofia couldn't tell her mother, or her Dad. Looking over to the extra pillow brought a bit of comfort. Her trusty rabbit was flopped over sideways with ears dangling over the sides just as he always did during sleepovers. Venting her troubles to the rabbit had helped and the bunny had agreed that Rolland could fix it all without ever knowing what really happened, but she still felt overwhelming dread. Lucinda's life was in very real danger, and it was completely Sofia's fault.

…

The sleepless night caused Sofia to doze late into the morning. She awoke to the mattress bouncing slightly below her. "Ugh Clover, I'm tired. Five more minutes please."

"It's late girl, VERY late. You were supposed to leave with Cedric TEN minutes ago!"

Oh no! A full day of Cedric grumpy due to tardiness was not what she'd been planning. Sofia flew out of bed and transformed another of her gowns into a modest white dress suitable for a magical duel. Clover was bouncing to the best of his ability, "Sofia wait! Eat this on the way!"

She turned and saw the little pastry with paw prints shedding crumbs on the end of her bed. It was an incredibly kind gesture, if not entirely appetizing. "Thanks Clover."

The bunny smiled, "Now knock 'em dead… er rather just stun them. Don't be killing anybody alright? Way too much paperwork later."

"Oh Clover." Sofia giggled and shoved the scone down, finally running out of her room. She bypassed Mom and Dad's room, after all Mom's medicine wouldn't kick in until later tonight and Dad was busy preventing a war. All that really mattered was Cedric's attendance, as she needed him to register her for the tournament. She found him by the flying carriages waiting. Oops.

"Mr. Cedric!"

He looked up from the book he was reading and greeted her jokingly. "You're late little duelist." A half smile graced his lips, but it was gone in an instant, "And even so you've not bothered to dress for the occasion!" He flung up his hands in exasperation and the book flew backward into the carriage.

"What do you mean Mr. Cedric, I conjured it myself! Aren't you impressed?" She gestured down to her newly fashioned white linens, and he shot her a sarcastic look.

"Hardly, where's your ROBE Sofia, all sorceresses wear robes. You can't just wander into the tournament looking like a peasant. Merlin's mushrooms princess do you ever think of these things?" He gestured emphatically to his normal purple robe fastened tight around his waist.

"Oh yeah." He rolled his eyes at her and shot her with a blast of energy. A new robe of a purple shade similar to his own materialized over her frame. It was dotted with little silver stars around the edges, and she lit up with a huge smile.

"Oh thank you Mr. Cedric, thank you! It's so lovely, I just love it!"

"Well you'd better. You're supposed to win the coveted silver star after all, and we can't have you looking like a common magician today, can we?"

She broke out in giggles and he smiled as they boarded the coach.

"You've got your wand Sofia?"

"Yes Mr. Cedric."

"And a spare, just in case?" He was adjusting his robe after he sat down while he said it.

She hadn't brought a spare, but really who ever brought two wands. He must be nervous for her. "If something happens I could just use yours."

His eyes went wide and his mouth flew open.

"No."

"But Mr. Cedric-"

"No way Sofia, It's bad enough that you're going to get walloped and I have to watch, don't do it with my wand in tow." He'd brought out that chiding finger of his again. Why was he so sure she'd get leveled in the tournament? He must have no confidence in her after all. She felt some tears well up.

"So mean…." And then the sniffles started.

The disapproving finger went away and he started looking around frantically, probably to see if anyone was watching. The coachman turned around and raised an eyebrow up at the sorcerer.

Cedric leaned in and whispered to the princess. "Don't start the waterworks again Sofia, I've already bent to your will. This isn't fair."

She stuck out her bottom lip, and his will was broken. "Ugh Sofia. FINE. But only IF you loose or break your own wand."

That fixed everything. "OKAY! Besides, I'd never loose my wand. You gave it to me way back when I first came to the castle. That makes is special."

He shrugged and slumped backward into the coach seat.

"Come on Mr. Cedric, let's go before we're late." She was grinning now at the small triumph and gestured toward the coachmen, who promptly started the horses moving.

"Merlin's mushrooms." Came out of the sorcerer as he let out an upward huff, blowing his sliver bangs around.

…

They flew off toward Hexley Hall. Sofia could see Royal Prep in the distance. Below them were hundreds of sorcerers and sorceresses.

"Tuck your amulet into your dress Sofia, we don't want anyone recognizing it and deciding to 'procure' it from you." He leaned in to give her a raised eyebrow for added emphasis.

"Oh yeah, thanks Mr. Cedric. I forgot you weren't the only one with sticky fingers." She grinned at him and tucked the jewel deep into the neckline of her dress.

"Ha ha very funny princess. Now let's get this over with. I'm a very busy royal sorcerer after all."

Cedric was met with open snickering as he signed Sofia up for the tournament. It was questionable whom the robed masses were mocking as Cedric's reputation was infamous, but Sofia was a royal, and considered beneath the skill required for something of this nature. Either way, she was going to show them all what a princess taught by Cedric could do. There was some milling around before the events began and Sofia bumped headlong into the elbow of none other than Greylock.

"Ouch!"

"Oh… Sorry there… why Hello Princess Sofia! Wait… you're wearing a robe… Don't tell me you actually talked old Ced-flick into letting you compete?"

"Yep, I sure did!" She was rubbing her jaw where the elbow connected. Almost an adult and still getting elbows in the face. Being short was awful, but at least it wasn't the forehead anymore.

"Must you speak to him Sofia. "Cedric moaned while rolling his eyes.

A horn was heard blowing in the distance. "Hooray! It's time Mr. Cedric! Come sit with us Greylock!"

"Ugh… it's bad enough I have to be here today, now I've got to spend it with him." Cedric was moping as Sofia dragged both sorcerers by their arms toward the stands.

"Aww, it'll be fun! If not, I'll wash your cauldrons for a week." That got a chuckle out of her sorcerer, and the odd grouping found a position to observe in, set high up in the bleachers.

There were over a dozen long dueling pitches set up along the front grass. Each one was made of sand and about two body lengths wide, ten body lengths long. The rules were simple. Disarm your opponent. No death or dismemberment allowed. Sofia was in the fourth group. She watched nervously as the sorcerers and sorceresses took their marks and began. Some spells were flung, but there was a general haphazard nature to it all. Not very impressive to be sure. Greylock had seated himself next to Sofia, on the opposite side of Cedric in the bleachers. Cedric leaned over to her, "Well are you worried NOW Sofia, look at that spell!" There was a portly boy lifting his lanky opponent a little off the ground. The victim had been flipped upside down and was being shook somewhat violently.

"Kid's stuff Mr. Cedric."

He snorted, "It's all fun and games until it's you out there. Not so fun when you're the one impersonating a salt shaker."

Greylock chuckled, "That's not true Ced-stick, it was delightful shaking you like a tambourine when we fought." Cedric growled.

Sofia shook her head; she was watching these people fight. The winners would advance to the next round, and Sofia wanted to get a good look at future competition in case any showed some skill. The next group started and Greylock seemed to notice her intense focus. "My my little witch, are you studying their moves?"

"Uh-huh." Sofia didn't life her gaze but instead kept watching the duelists.

"See Cedric, that's what makes Sofia so interesting."

"Shut it Greylock."

"No really, she can already tell that each fighting style is different."

Sofia hadn't actually been thinking that and turned to face the bespectacled sorcerer. "Wait, what was that Greylock?"

"Well, I assumed you were studying their fighting styles. A seasoned sorcerer can tell who their opponent is, face unknown, just by their fighting style."

"Wow cool." Sorcerers were so interesting. Sofia turned back to watch the champions of this group claim there gold stars and head to the stands.

The next group of duels began. Cedric leaned over to Sofia. "You'd better go take up your position in line down there, and do be careful. I don't want to have to explain to King Rolland why I returned his daughter in several pieces for I'll be the next one drawn and quartered."

She shot him a smile, "Don't worry Mr. Cedric, I'll make you proud."

The comment elicited an eye roll from the royal sorcerer. "Silly girl, just be careful."

She bounded off to wait for the current duelists to finish and was stuck in line between a fat boy and a skinny awkward girl whose robe was ill fitted.

It was time. Sofia walked over to her designated dueling pit and was confronted with a rather meek looking boy. She assumed a fighters stance, which the boy did not understand at all. The horn blew and… BOOM.

She shot him with a masterful blast. He hadn't even the time to raise his wand. He flew backward, launching the wand from his hand. The crowd let out a collective gasp. Sofia walked back to the attendant and took the gold star that signified her winning the duel. She ran back up to the stands toward Greylock and Cedric before any of the other contests had been decided. Greylock was laughing but Cedric looked horrified.

"See! I told you I could do it Mr. Cedric."

"That's some apprentice you've got there Ced-skin."

The last preliminary round had a beautiful svelte sorceress wearing a blue robe with long brown hair. This girl was more talented than the rest, she generated a wind tunnel that dragged her opponent closer and she proceeded to rip the wand from his hand. Sofia's eyes narrowed.

"That's the competition, right there."

"Who's that?" Greylock seemed confused. "Oh HER. Yes, She's the daughter of a Royal Sorceress, and a pretty powerful one too."

Cedric leaned in with obvious concern. "Sofia, you've got to get through many more duels before you've any hope of being matched against her. Just take it one wizard at a time, okay?"

"Yes Mr. Cedric."

The next round brought little challenge to Sofia. She gave a small spin and smacked the boy with an air current that made him roll head over feet, almost to the next dueling pit. She flipped him back over like a rag doll and he finally dropped the wand. Another gold star collected, another gold star pinned to Cedric's robe, just like Sofia wanted it too. She knew that Cedric had never made it past the first round and was always desirous of the shiny objects. With each one his sullen demeanor melted away and he started to actually smile and get excited.

Sofia lined up for round three and found herself standing in front of the beautiful sorceress with brown hair. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable moment to introduce oneself. "Hi, my name is Sofia!"

Unfortunately the witch did not agree, and scowled at her. "Cecelia."

"I heard your Mom is a royal sorceress, that's ah-mazing. My mentor is a royal sorcerer too."

That seemed to jar the girl, "Yeah well at least yours is here. My mom is too busy to come until the last round, so I have to make it until the end. We can exchange pleasantries AFTER I win."

So much for polite banter. "Okay. Good luck."

Sofia dispatched her semi-finals opponent with as much ease as the others. She heard Cedric holler with excitement as she'd made the ground below the girl rise up like volcano exploding. The girl flew through the air and landed about two feet from Sofia. The princess stepped forward and addressed the panic-stricken girl. "Don't worry, I'm not going to really hurt you. That wouldn't be right."

It did little to calm the girl, and she simply dropped her wand and ran off. Sofia collected another gold star and walked back up to delighted Cedric. "I simply cannot believe it Sofia, who knew you were so talented at fighting spells."

"You did Mr. Cedric, you taught me a lot of them."

A huge grin appeared on his face. "Clever girl" and they watched Cecilia fight her opponent. It was a bitter struggle. Cecilia had tried to use the same spell Sofia had conjured, but with less effect. It just made the ground roll as would an earthquake. Finally Cecilia defeated the boy she faced.

All of a sudden there was a blindingly white light that appeared from the sidelines and a woman appeared at its center. Sofia sat there in shock. She recognized the woman. It was the wicked mage she had fought at the prison in Maldonia. Her thoughts started to race. Was this Cecilia's mother? Was this woman busy with war preparations, and that's why she didn't have time for her daughter? And most importantly… would she recognize Sofia?

"Exquisite."

Huh? Sofia turned to see Cedric staring longingly at the older sorceress who had just materialized.

"What was that Mr. Cedric?"

"Oh nothing princess. I'm simply looking at a creature of extreme beauty, talent, and prestige… I'm just imagining a different life for myself."

What could Cedric possibly see in this woman? She was a little pretty, but she'd enforced the enslavement of her father and dozens of other innocent men, and now she was probably prepping for war. Sofia's face involuntarily grimaced and she didn't notice the horn blowing to summon her to the match. Finally reality came flooding back in as Cedric shook her arm while Greylock stared at her strangely.

"Sofia, SOFIA! Merlin's mushrooms girl they're waiting for you!" Sofia took several more deep breaths while it seemed the entirety of the dueling arena was staring at her. Her eyes narrowed in on the woman who'd taken up a seat immediately adjacent to the dueling pit.

…

…

"That woman isn't so great and wonderful."

…

…

Sofia gripped her wand hard and Greylock reared back at the emotional display. She stood and marched down to meet her fate. She was going to have to duel the daughter in front of this royal sorceress. WAIT. Greylock had just told Sofia that experienced wizards could tell who someone was from their fighting style. This woman was considered talented and experienced and Sofia had fought her for a very long time on that prison island.

She assumed her position at the end of the dueling pit and Cecilia stood in front of her. Sofia knew she could take out the daughter. No question. But she'd have to actually fight to do it, and the woman would recognize her. Sofia looked up toward Cedric and Greylock. They seemed to be having a heated discussion about something. Cedric was shaking his fists, and Greylock was yelling in his face and pointing straight back at the princess. What could they be doing? Cedric looked down at her with the strangest expression, his mouth was slightly agape and eyebrows were furrowed in a worried manner.

She looked back at her thin brown-haired opponent. Should she fight? Sofia's mind went back to her father's words in the hallway yesterday… "those terrorists are going to pay with their lives …" Her Dad's love, her mother's health, and Lucinda's life were on the line.

She bit her lip and stood there as the bell clanged. Sofia closed her eyes and BOOM. She was hit with a moderately strong energy blast. Sofia slid backward several feet but continued to stand. After all, she was made of tough Friezenburg stock and was centered relatively low to the ground. Standing there, she took a deep breath while the crowd seemed to let out a collective cry. Sofia was supposed to have fallen over, but she didn't. Cecilia didn't seem to know what to do either. She looked over at her mother, and then back to Sofia, confused. Her head jerked around a little bit and then she hurled another spell at Sofia. Again Sofia just closed her eyes. The ground before her rose up and launched Sofia into the air. She spun for several turns, landing on her feet and sliding backward again. Again Sofia just stood there, still holding the wand. Suddenly Sofia realized that even this passive fighting could still reveal her identity. The mage had tossed her into the air during their duel, and now the woman was on the edge of her seat, watching Sofia intensely.

What could she do? What should she do?