Chapter 6: Misunderstandings

She stared at Cedric in the stands and tears welled up in her eyes. She'd promised to win him the silver star, but Lucinda's life had to be worth more than that. Resigned to her fate, Sofia closed her eyes and simply let the wand fall out of her hand. She had never fallen, and never cast a spell, but she was defeated. Cecilia jumped up and down in celebration, but the crowd didn't seem excited for her. The girl ran over to the attendant and claimed the silver star, indicating she had won the tournament. The crowd simply began to disperse, going back to wherever they had come from. Sofia fled the accusatory stares while trying not to talk to anyone. She'd thrown the match, and many of the people here must have realized it. She crawled inside the coach and ducked down below its railings so as to hide in shame before Cedric came running up to her. He stood there at the door, just staring at her for what seemed like ages. She couldn't look at him. He must be so disappointed in her. He finally opened the door and moved to sit opposite her for the long ride home, all the while boring into her with his eyes.

…

…

…

Silence.

…

…

The vast majority of the ride home was spent in uncomfortable quiet. Did he know she threw the match? Probably, judging by his strange look. She should apologize to him? Maybe. She had longed to win him the silver star and watch him stand proudly in front of all those sorcerers as her mentor, and now she'd forsaken that dream. He was one of her dearest friends, but she'd failed him. Would he ever forgive her? The suppression of tears started to fail, and the sniffling started.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Cedric."

"Oh no Sofia, don't be sorry. Please don't be." He shifted to sit next to her and started staring down at the floor.

"But I AM sorry. I wanted to win you the silver star and I just got distracted by that woman. I'm so sorry."

He started shaking his head in an odd manner, as if to shake what she'd just said off of him. She started to think about the wicked mage, this woman was probably going to surface again. Cedric was fidgeting oddly and wringing his hands together.

"Um Sofia…"

"What's her name Mr. Cedric?"

The fidgeting stopped. "Excuse me?"

"You're a Royal Sorcerer and so is she, so what's her name Mr. Cedric?"

His hands had been flung up and he seemed upset. "Poseidon's pumpkin's Sofia I barely know the woman."

Sofia was still staring at the floor. "But you know her name, right?"

Cedric retracted his hands and they sat in silence for another few minutes. He was staring at the side of her head again, and the judgement of her actions he must be pondering was killing Sofia inside. Finally he spoke.

"It's Amalthea."

"Oh. Okay." She gave him a nod and then put her hands up to her face to prevent him from seeing her self loathing.

Cedric started to fidget nervously again, alternating between twisting his wand in between his fingers and running his hands along his legs. He finally stuffed the wand up his sleeve and reached down and took Sofia's hand in his. That was odd, even for Cedric. He must be really upset about what she'd done at the tournament. Would he… stop being her friend?

…

He took a series of deep breaths, "Sofia, Greylock said... s-s-something to me."

She looked up from the floor at him, and he turned away but still kept a hold of her hand. Greylock might have told Cedric she threw the match, but then again they were fighting before she dropped the wand. "What did Greylock say?" Cedric started rocking a bit back and forth in his seat and turned his entire upper body away. He mumbled something unintelligible. "I'm sorry Mr. Cedric, I couldn't hear you."

He turned back around and was staring at the floor again. "S-S-Sofia… Do you… like me?"

Sofia cocked her head to one side. "Of course I like you Mr. Cedric. I tell you so all the time, and I'm so, so sorry."

She could see his right eye through his bangs, and he was staring at her through the hair strands obscuring his face. All her fears must be true, she'd violated their promise and now he wasn't sure if they were still friends.

"D-do you really like me?"

"Mr. Cedric you're the best! You're so amazing at magic and you mean so much to me. I'm so sorry I lost the tournament. I feel so incredibly awful that I let you down."

Just then the castle came into view, and the coachmen set down near the stables. Sofia sighed; he was probably still hurt by her intentional failure, despite the apology. But what could she do to fix it? It was her choice and now she'd have to live with that decision. She stood and started to pull her hand away from his. It was late afternoon and her mother should be feeling better by now. She needed to go check on Miranda and tell parents about the days events. She should just tell them she lost and get it over with. Hopefully they wouldn't be as disappointed in her as Cedric seemed to be. She stepped away to walk down the steps but Cedric tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her back in, forcing her to sit down again.

"Wait Sofia! I…" He seemed hesitant, almost upset and was hyperventilating. He looked at the coachman, who had disembarked and unhooked the flying horse. Cedric held her hand firmly while watching the coachman lead the horse away to the stables.

"Mr. Cedric?" He was probably going to scold her, but she deserved every word of it and just sat there, waiting.

…

…

They were finally alone at the coach, and Cedric started biting his lip. "You mean a lot to me too Sofia. I.. I.. I like you too." It drifted out of him quietly and carried along with the wind. Relief spread across Sofia's countenance. He'd be able to forgive her and they could stay the best of friends.

"Oh Mr. Cedric, thank you!" She wrapped him a big hug and pecked him on the cheek just like she always did when he was upset, it was going to be just fine. In the next instant she took off to see how her mother was doing.

Thankfully the medicine had improved Miranda's condition significantly, enabling a late lunch and walk about the castle unaided. Sofia broke the news of making second place, and received praise for doing so well. It felt hollow, but at least her secret was safe. Miranda's health had improved and apparently Rolland had met with the rulers of Friezenburg and Maldonia, establishing some sort of truce. He'd kept his word. It all meant the announcement ball could go ahead, and royals from near and far were invited. Sofia went back to her room to dress for the occasion, setting her sights on a particularly splendid purple gown. It probably needed a bit of shortening, but taller shoes would help with that, and would also offset her shorter stature compared to that of her peers. Before she finished prepping there was a knocking on her window.

"That's different."

Maneuvering toward it, the silhouette of a very shapely witch was clearly visible. Drawing back the sheer drapery confirmed Sofia's suspicions.

"Lucinda."

"Yeah, you were expecting Miss Nettle?"

The girls giggled a bit. "Seriously Sofia, we've got a big problem, and I mean BIG." Lucinda drifted in with the wind and dismounted her broomstick.

Sofia nodded. "I think I know what you're going to say."

The witch raised an eyebrow up at her friend, "So you know the king has issued a royal decree? and that anyone with information on what happened in Maldonia is to come forward and reveal the perpetrators, concealment of such knowledge will come with a penalty of death."

Sofia set her hairbrush back down on the dressing table near the window and let out a big sigh. "I knew he wanted us, well the 'terrorists' dead. I didn't know he was going to punish anyone concealing information too."

"Sofia this is bad. I guess the war last time had some sort of weird truce going on. No one really knows how it ended, and what we did might have broken it."

Sofia was pacing back and forth while Lucinda looked upon her dear friend with concern. "So what are we gonna do Sofia?"

She stopped in the middle of the room. "We can't tell him. If we do I know he won't have me executed, but you…"

Sofia turned to her friend, and the witch made a slightly morbid gesture with her wand across her own throat. "Curtains for Lucinda, huh?"

Sofia nodded. "I'd never just let you get hurt though, so it's just better for everyone if we don't tell."

"Totally on board with that Sofia. I'd like to just forget the whole thing happened."

"You didn't tell anyone, did you Sofia?"

Sofia shook her head, "Nope. Did you?"

Lucinda chuckled, "Are you kidding? No way. I came home and slept through till morning. One must get their beauty sleep after all, you never know when you're gonna meet The One." The girl was fluffing her hair with her hand and grinning widely. Perhaps all this war talk really could simply go away.

At that particular moment Miranda entered, and was extremely startled to encounter a beautiful witch in the middle of the youngest princesses chambers. "Why hello Lucinda. Are you here for the party?"

Lucinda looked like a fish out of water, and spun to meet Sofia's frightened gaze. Silent words of horror were mouthed at the princess.

"Yes Mom! Lucinda is... uh… here to…. come to the party, just like you said." Sofia tried her best to disguise the awkward smile gracing her lips and the nervous chuckle, and while her mom seemed suspicious she didn't press the issue.

"Just come down soon honey, I'm not sure how long I can be at a party like this right now."

"Okay Mom!"

A collective sigh of relief escaped from the girls as Miranda exited. "That was close."

"Too close."

The tension in the room immediately subsided and the girls broke out in laughter.

"Alright alright Sofia, I guess I'm coming to this party of yours, so what can I borrow to wear?" Lucinda had been grabbing her sides to collect herself. They'd needed that good laugh.

The relieved princess had to catch her breath as well. "Sorry, but you're way too skinny and tall to fit in my clothes."

"Nah, I'll just make some adjustments." The witch was twirling her wand in her hands and had a devilish grin going.

"Sure, go for it." Sofia gestured toward the expansive closet and Lucinda stepped toward it.

"Ah, I've always wanted to get lost in your closet."

"Just don't get too lost, we've got a party to go to."

"Right."

A short while later two beautiful maidens were heading toward the grand ballroom. One was clad in a decidedly purple get up and heeled shoes, the other in a stunning peridot dress that matched the color of her eyes.

Several young princes were standing around talking to James. One broke off from the group and approached Sofia. It was Hugo. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his approach.

"Why hello Princess Sofia, what a lovely evening it is, wouldn't you agree?"

Sofia let out an exasperated huff. Hugo had been overly romantic toward her for years now, ever since he was the substitute on the Royal Prep Derby team and they had won the championship together.

"Yes Hugo, it's a very pleasant evening."

"James mentioned you had a sorcery tournament today, how did it go?"

"It went… I got second place." Lucinda looked at her completely dumbstruck and her head fell sideways. The witch knew how skilled she was and deserved an explanation, some other time.

He paused, "That's really impressive Sofia, but then again you're always so impressive anyway." With that he took her hand and kissed it gently. "Would you do me the honor of a dance Princess?"

Sofia relented and Hugo escorted her to the center of the spinning masses. A desperate look back toward Lucinda was met with quiet resignation from her friend, and Lucinda turned her attentions to another strapping young man near James. Hugo swept Sofia into a waltzing position, and began twirling her around when the realization suddenly dawned on Sofia that Hugo was a prince of Maldonia. Next to them Hildegard was dancing with her betrothed, Hugo's older brother Axel. If they were dancing it meant Rolland had not only reestablished the military truce, but the political one as well. It set Sofia's mind at ease.

Hugo leaned in a little too close and started whispering in Sofia's ear. "You seemed troubled, do you want to talk about it Sofia? You know I'm always here to listen my beautiful."

"Oh no, it's just that I'm so glad everything's okay now." She motioned her head in the direction of Hildegard dancing with Axel.

Hugo nodded. "Never fear my princess, we've got the situation under control and I'll be just fine. It makes me happy that you were worried for me though."

"I'm not afraid for you Hugo."

He let her go and returned to the normal dancing position. "Not even a little? Why not? After all horrible criminals from Friezenburg broke out of our jail. Some dark mage set them free, and they fled. Are you worried now Princess?" He leaned in with a grin. How she hated that grin.

Sofia tensed up as they turned about the floor. She KNEW that the prisoners weren't criminals; they were peasants that had been stolen during the war and reported DEAD.

"What makes you think they were criminals Hugo?"

"They were in prison Sofia. Also, my Dad seemed extremely upset that they had gotten loose. Amalthea apparently went after them, but was stopped by some mystery mage. They've got magic on their side." He shivered as looked down at her, and probably noticed the extremely upset face she was making. "But don't worry precious, they won't be free long and everything will go back to the way it was."

Sofia froze in place on the dance floor. "Wait, what do you mean they won't be 'free long'?"

Hugo gave her a half smile. "Well I just mean that our Royal mage is going to track down the criminals and bring them to justice, tonight actually."

Sofia felt like the world stopped turning, "WHAT! Tonight…" Sofia started to hyperventilate. Her Papa, her Uncle, Westin. Amalthea was after them right now, and they couldn't fight a mage, no one in Friezenburg could. Magic was forbidden.

Hugo looked at her with worry, as if she'd contracted some disease. "Sofia don't fret, it'll all be over before tomorrow. In fact, I was thinking of perhaps stopping by." It was overwhelming and Sofia stopped listening to his insipid planning. Sofia's Papa was in imminent danger of being captured and sent back to prison, but why?

"Hugo, did anyone say what crime these people committed?"

He stopped musing on future plans to address her concerns. "Oh marvelous Sofia you have such a big heart. All I know is that Dad called them 'Enemies of the state'."

Sofia had to warn her Papa immediately, but if Hugo knew anything else she would need the information for the fight ahead. "Hugo, did your dad say where his forces were going? Or how many there were?"

Hugo turned his head sideways at her. "That's a strange question Sofia… wait are you worried?" Sofia looked down at her feet, it wasn't the royal guards of Maldonia she was worried about, or Friezenburg's elite fighters either. "Oh gorgeous princess, they don't need many troops to subdue these criminals, not with Amalthea ensuring their safety. They should be done by mid-morning." He put pressure on the small of her back with his wrist, effectively pushing Sofia's lower body into his. It was WAY too close for comfort, and Sofia dropped his hand and pushed his hip away. He seemed stunned and tried to grab her back into position but another body stepped in between them.

It was Cedric. He changed into his dress robe and had uncharacteristically run a comb through his hair. "That's enough Prince something. She pushed you away, I saw it."

Hugo's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. "Who do you think you're speaking to sorcerer!"

Infuriated, Sofia stiffened to defend her mentor. "Hey! Don't talk to Mr. Cedric that way. He's the best!" Sofia wrapped her arms around Cedric's elbow in protest, and the Sorcerer let loose the most triumphant grin.

Hugo was not a fan. "Who do you think you're fooling Sofia? Cause it certainly isn't me." There was a bit of anger writ across the brash prince's countenance.

Suddenly there was a wand at his throat. Lucinda had been observing the exchange, and Hugo's anger was the tipping line.

"Back off Bully."

"Ah, baby brother, I see you are making friends and winning affections everywhere you go." A strong hand was upon Hugo's shoulder, and a gentle expression crossed his older brother's face.

"I'm fine Axel, I don't need your help to talk to Sofia."

The older prince looked at the sea of disgruntled faces before him, and shook his head in a slightly paternalistic way, as only big brothers can do. "Yes I see, but be that as it may Dad would like to speak with you, so off you go."

Hugo clenched his fists, but he did back away.

They all watched a steamed Hugo retreat off into the distance, and Axel turned to address the accosted princess. "My apologies Sofia, but you know he is quite taken with you. He simply has trouble expressing it, but he'll improve with time."

Lucinda let out a small sigh. It took everyone aback, not the least of which was Axel. His head shifted a bit to one side, as if trying to recollect Lucinda's face, but he failed miserably in the endeavor. "I beg your pardon mi'lady, but I don't recall meeting you before."

Sofia couldn't believe it, Lucinda was blushing! "Oh, well I… haven't been to any of Sofia's royal balls before."

Axel's eyebrows went up. "Well then, my name is Axel. Would you do me the honor of a dance?" He gave her a slight bow. An arm was extended, and Lucinda began to take a turn around the dance floor with the well-behaved brother.

It was over, and no one had been hexed. Sofia let out a huge sigh of relief. Cedric must have heard her and turned down to the girl grabbing his arm, looking her over. "Are you okay Sofia?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Hugo's always like that."

Cedric let out a tiny grunt and stared menacingly back at the direction Hugo had retreated in. It wasn't like Cedric to be so protective. "You don't need to worry Mr. Cedric, I'm fine. Hugo wouldn't try anything too funny, and even if he did I'd floor him in an instant." Sofia smiled at the thought of making Hugo do a forced back flip like the boy in the tournament earlier, and drew her wand from her pocket, flicking it in a menacing manner. The gesture seemed to delight Cedric, and a huge grin spread across his face.

Cedric leaned in, "Say Sofia, I've got liiiittle something for you. Come with me." She nodded and he led her away from the dance floor. Sofia took one last glance back at Lucinda, and saw a very happy witch smiling blissfully at Axel whilst they gracefully swayed around the ballroom. She'd have to tell Lucinda later that Axel was arranged to marry Hildegard, but certainly not in the middle of a waltz. Lucinda was enjoying the moment, and it would be rude to interrupt. An instant later Cedric pulled Sofia behind a pillar where no one would see them. He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a neatly wrapped gift with a plain bow that was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand.

"Please take it Princess."

She smiled and did as instructed, pulling on the string to reveal it's contents. Inside was a beautiful series of silver stars mounted to a hair clip. She looked up at him with a gentle smile, "For me?"

He broke out in a goofy smile, "Well yes. I do feel bad about what happened earlier and I wanted to give you the silver star you deserved."

"Aww Mr. Cedric it's beautiful. Will you clip it on? I don't have a mirror." Cedric gulped in an odd manner and tried to grab some of Sofia's hair into a graceful wave. He pinned the star clip into it and it sagged a bit. He tried again but this time loose wisps fell out. Clearly frustrated, he tried a third time. "Triton's Turnips Sofia. How do you get these infernal things to stay put all the time?"

She giggled at the spectacle he made trying to do something so mundane as put a clip in someone's hair. "Oh Mr. Cedric you're so funny."

He let out a series of frustrated huffs. "Maybe I should just conjure a mirror. It would be easier than trying to navigate your curls."

She smiled. He had definitely forgiven her for earlier, and it could all be water under the bridge of their friendship. Finally the clip was fastened, and in truth it didn't really matter what her hair looked like. She wasn't trying to impress anyone here.

The music changed and Cedric's coughed nervously. "Um Sofia.. do you want to… um.. dance a bit? I'm not very good but I can try if you'd like."

"Aww Mr. Cedric, that's so nice of you." She reached for his hand but then remembered what Hugo had said. Troops were coming for her father, tonight, and for all the others too. Without her help they had no chance at all.

"I'd love to Mr. Cedric but I've really got to go."

He looked shocked. "Go where Sofia? Your parent's haven't even made the formal announcement yet, and I haven't done the magic show."

"I know I know but I've really got to go. I'm sorry Mr. Cedric, I really am."

"But where Sofia, where do you need to go so badly?"

Sofia wanted to tell him, she wanted to tell him everything with all her heart. He'd grown to be her closest friend since they put the amulet issue behind them. But if she told him, he could in theory tell her father. He probably wouldn't, but it was possible. He could also try to stop her from going. This wasn't another 'free a horse from a stable' storybook that she was used to finishing. She was going off to battle an advanced mage and would be in real danger. She knew he'd force her not to go, and then her Papa would be recaptured, or possibly die. She couldn't tell him.

"Okay, we can dance and right afterward you'll do the magic show, right?" Cedric took a big gulp of air in and held Sofia's hands. She saw a look of panic on his face. He never danced, and in all honesty she didn't know if he'd ever learned. It probably wasn't required at Hexley Hall like it was at Royal Prep. "Mr. Cedric, can I lead?"

He nodded enthusiastically, and she maneuvered his hands to the correct positions and began swaying him around a bit. No one was looking at the awkward display due to their secluded location behind the pillars, and the graceless motions continued uninterrupted.

"Mr. Cedric, why did you want to dance tonight? I've asked you hundreds of times and you always said 'no'."

"Well I… I guess I wasn't that good at listening. I'll try harder from now on Sofia."

"I'm glad, this is really fun!"

"Indeed." He broke out in that goofy grin as they swayed to and fro.

The magic show was delightful. Cedric made bunnies and other fertility symbols multiply in magical wisps that danced along the dance floor. A few shot into the crowd unexpectedly, and only one into the face of a very important Count, who spent the rest of the show sneezing tiny bunny rabbits made of smoke. Afterward King Rolland made the formal announcement that Miranda was expecting their child. Sofia made the requisite show of solidarity, embracing her Mom and Dad along with her siblings and everyone cheered. It was quite touching, although Sofia's thoughts lingered hundreds of miles away. She couldn't help but think of her Papa, and how he would take the news, if she was able to save him.

Miranda was seated to avoid over exertion throughout, and was approached by a bevy of queens who were eager to know of the particulars. Sofia decided this was her chance, and slipped out. At the doorway she paused to catch sight of Lucinda. The witch was still chatting with Axel along the balcony, but Hildegard was staring at them from the opposite side of the ballroom. Hadn't he mentioned he was betrothed? Perhaps Lucinda was looking for a friend, or perhaps it simply didn't matter to her that he was in an arranged situation. Sofia felt like she should say something, but she couldn't linger longer. Nor could she bring Lucinda along this time, for it would be best not to put her dear friend in any further danger. Sofia had beaten Amalthea before, so she could do it again. Hopefully. Lucinda didn't have the magical shield of the "princess" title to protect her from the wrath of kings anyway.

Sofia ran back up to her room, changing into her green dress. She was going to fight this 'Amalthea' again, and would need a better disguise than last time. The royal sorceress now knew what Sofia looked like. The wavy brown hair, the deep blue eyes. They needed to go. Sofia drew her wand and changed her hair color to a decidedly blonde color, increased its length by two feet, and colored her eyes a green that matched her dress. Sofia snuck out to meet Minimus as music from the party drifted down through the couryard, and they rode off into the night.

They finally reached the little cabin at the end of the decrepit town where Sofia's family lived. Frantically she jumped off of Minimus as the horse landed and ran up to the front door. She started to pound on the door to get the attention of the cabin's occupants, but the heavy portal pushed open with the first knock. She stepped inside and saw…. Nothing.

No one. She ran frantically through the cabin. It didn't take long to inspect the tiny rooms jutting out from the common area, and she grew frantic. "PAPA!, Uncle SAL, Aunt Nelly, ANYBODY!"

If they weren't here, the mages may have already come for them and… Sofia started shaking. She might be too late.

"PAPAAAAA!"

Suddenly there was a tapping sound. Sofia shifted her head around trying to hone in on it's location. A couple more paces toward the kitchen hearth, and she saw one of the stones on the floor moving a bit. She dropped to the ground and dug her fingers into the grout surrounding its edge. With effort she was able to lift the large heavy stone, and the sound of coughing rang out through the kitchen.

Sofia flung a hand down and latched onto a tiny arm. She yanked hard and out of the hole in the ground came her youngest cousin Mary. The child was covered in dirt and soot and seemed to be gasping for breath. She heard moans, and there were more people down there. One by one Sofia pulled out her little cousins. They were all sobbing and filthy.

She grabbed the oldest one by the shoulders, "What happened! PLEASE tell me what happened." The boy looked at her with horror and seemed afraid for his life. He was staring at her hair. "Oh it's me, cousin Sofia. We met a couple days ago."

The boy shook his head. "Believe me, I've changed myself with magic, see." She pulled out her wand and reversed the spells. The boy started to cry and lunged forward, hugging Sofia tightly.
"Oh cousin it's horrible! Men came and there was all this screaming. Mom managed to get us in here but the men, they took everyone else away." The boy was still crying and kept looking down at the hole. Either he was traumatized, or there was someone else down there…

Sofia reached down even farther and felt something warm. It was wrapped in linens. The boy stood and grabbed his littler siblings, ushering them out of the kitchen. Mary called back, "But bubbe, bubbe!" The girl was sobbing.

Sofia knew who was at the bottom of the hiding place.

She had to look, to make sure. She set the end of her wand alight, and it was her grandmother. They'd tried to prevent her capture alongside the children but the old woman couldn't take the strain. Sofia started sobbing, but then the woman coughed. She was alive! But only barely. Sofia flung a levitation spell at the woman and she drifted up out of the hole. She hugged the lady gently so as not to crush the old woman and screamed for her cousins to return. They all came piling in and covered the old lady with kisses.

She grabbed the oldest boy's arm. So many were still in danger. "Okay you're in charge now. You've got to get everyone to safety. I'm going to go find Papa and the others, but the bad men might come back. Is there anywhere you can go and be safe?"

The boy nodded, "Yeah, my Dad's family lives in the next village over."

Sofia nodded at the boy, and he gathered up his cousins. They'd be moving slow as Bubbe was also going to have to walk with them. "Don't take the roads, okay? The bad men will probably be on the roads."

He nodded and Sofia was off.

Without a second thought Sofia re-conjured her disguise jumped on Minimus. They took off scouring the dead countryside until a small procession came into view. In front of the coach rode Cecilia and Amalthea on horseback. Oh merlin, there were two mages. How was she ever to fight two of them at once? It didn't matter. She had to try, and only needed to fend them off long enough for her family to escape.

"There they are! Minimus, fly up directly over the coach. I'm going to make it disappear and then blast the guards in one fell swoop. Then everyone can make a run for the trees while I fight the mages."

Her horse shook it's mane, "But Sofia there's two witches and only one of you. This isn't going to end well for us, oh I wish we'd stayed in Enchancia."

She didn't have time for this right now, "Just lead Papa and the others away from the mages, okay! I don't need you to fight, just help get them out of here and to safety, okay?"

"Oh...Oh… We're going to regret this!" the horse whinnied.

Sofia directed Minimus to swoop down and let the spell fly. The coach promptly disappeared, revealing her father, uncle, aunt, Westin and another man in chains. They flopped to the ground. She sent an air current blasting the guards on the right side into the guards on the left side, and they all tumbled into a heap about 20 yards away. Sofia dropped Minimus even lower and jumped off, with Minimus landing and motioning to the prisoners to follow with his neck. By now Amalthea and Cecelia had turned and seen what was happening. Sofia cast a barrier spell as Amalthea drew her wand. Sofia managed to beat the witch's timing, and the barrier spell blocked the prisoners from Amalthea's wrath. She screamed with fury as the captives ran into the dry trees and out of sight after Minimus.

Amalthea turned to Sofia. "So, you've dared to shown your face." She looked over toward her daughter. "Let's end this Cecelia. Prove to me your fighting skills and end this horrid mage!"