Author's Note: What's going on in Dunwitty? Who's the man in the cape? And how does Cedric seem to always know where Sofia is?
Chapter 13: Distance
A chill in the air blew Sofia's hair about, stirring the princess from her slumber. Looking down, a veritable mountain of blankets covered the princess. Next to her Cedric was still snoozing. He must have awoken during the night and conjured extra blankets to keep her warm. It was a very kind gesture, but if he had his wand why didn't he conjure them last night? It must not have crossed his mind. Her movements made the sorcerer stir.
"Good morning Mr. Cedric."
An eye slit opened, and a smile spread across his face. He was happy, but more importantly he was also rested. "Oh Sofia you stayed." He reached out to hug her and his extremities brushed up against the injured leg. She grimaced and startled, he retracted his hands. "Sofia, are you okay?"
She nervously giggled, "Mr. Cedric it's morning already, we should be getting back now."
"Oh it's fine, it's fine." He settled back down and tried to hug her again but she insisted, sitting up. Now that the numbing spell had worn off she couldn't hide the burn from him for long.
"But Mr. Cedric don't you have potions you need to brew? You were so worried about impressing Dad, I don't want to keep you here anymore."
He was throwing strange looks at her, blankets tumbling down in the chilled morning air. "I suppose I do have a backlog of potions from the last few days. It was a little hard to focus on flower blossoming spells while your life was hanging off a precipice. Oooh how I despise requests for flowers in autumn."
Right. She'd need to get the burn healed without his assistance this time and now that he'd slept he had other priorities to attend to. Her stomach rumbled and his hands flew up. "Oh so that's it! All you had to do was ask Sofia! I'll fetch you some breakfast and be back in an instant."
She shook her head, "No, that's okay Mr. Cedric, I can do it myself. Besides, doesn't Baileywick stop by in the mornings with new potion requests?"
The sorcerer's eyes narrowed and lips pursed together. "Yeeessss… he does, but why do you care what Baileywick does?"
"Because it's getting late. What if he goes looking for you in your workshop and you're not there? You just impressed Dad, and I'd hate for anything to mess that up."
The sorcerer's eyes bulged out and he looked at the sky. "Merlin's beard you're right. That stickler is always so annoyingly punctual, he's bound to start looking for me soon and I'm all out of Horntail shavings for his rheumatic potion. Ugh… I suppose I've got to go before he hunts me down."
He leaned inward and whispered softly in her ear, "Thank you for last night Sofia."
Her leg had begun to throb, the numbing spell completely worn off. She grimaced and his smile evaporated. Trying to assuage his worry she muttered a "Sure". It did little to ease his mind, as he flung his hands up and ran them through his hair. Baileywick hot on their trail would make anyone fret. He stood and wandered off, pausing at the gate to the garden and looked back nervously. She shooed him onward toward his workshop, and the sorcerer finally departed.
Sofia lingered for a bit longer to make sure Cedric had cleared the area, then hobbled back to her room and grabbed her wand, providing relief for the aching leg. Religiously upon the stroke of the hour she performed each renewal, as Cedric had originally intended, and it worked marvels. His solutions were top grade. Around lunchtime Amber wandered into her room, and upon finding an awake Sofia proceeded to unburden herself of all the worries everyone had been expressing, which quickly turned into a very detailed description of the happenings in Tangu. It seemed that Hildegard and her sister had attended, but the princes of Maldonia had abstained.
"And you should have seen the way Hilde was steaming when Axel sent her a three sentence letter about being too busy to celebrate frivolously. She practically ignited!"
"Amber."
The golden princess was laughing, "Oh Sofia. They're going to get married anyway, he just needs to give Hilde a chance, and I'm sure he will. I tried to tell Hilde that it'll be fine but she didn't want to listen."
Sofia sighed and reached out to pet her little phoenix, now nestled in the blankets covering her lap. "I just feel bad for both of them, it's obvious they don't love each other."
"Sofia it's just the way it is. I'm sure they'll be happy once they really stop and spend some quality time together, he's handsome and she's beautiful, so it'll work perfectly."
"But Amber, just being beautiful doesn't mean that two people will share a lifetime of happiness."
"Maybe not. But it can't hurt." Amber put her hand to her face and sighed. Seeing her sister happy was a nice treat.
"After all, Hugo's pretty handsome, isn't he Sofia."
Sofia rolled her eyes, "Amber we've been over this. I don't love Hugo." The prince's misplaced affections were the least of her concerns.
"But why Sofia? He's handsome and charming, and even if you don't care about those things it's obvious he cares about you."
"I don't really think so. He cares about himself and what he wants. He doesn't really think about me much."
"Oh really, then why did he pass up the party in Tangu to visit Enchancia every single day you were hurt? Because he loves you, the real you Sofia."
Waves of guilt washed over the injured princess. "Oh, he came… everyday."
Amber nodded, "He stayed for over an hour each time. The only one who spent more time pacing outside your door was Cedric."
"Poor Mr. Cedric."
"Not Poor Cedric, Poor Hugo! Daddy gave Cedric a chance and he messed it up like always."
"But Amber—"
"Oh Sofia you should have seen the way Hugo worried about you, it was so romantic."
"I.. I don't know Amber. I'm more like a possession to him, not a real person."
"Nonsense Sofia, he always compliments you, and he gives you all his attentions. That's how men show their appreciation and love. Do you really think you're going to find another prince who adores you the way he does?"
Amber didn't mean it to be cruel. She could tell her sister had only the best of intentions, but the root of the comment, that Sofia was lucky to have someone interested at all, stung her to the core. Amber was probably right. Maybe there was no perfect interlocking puzzle piece she was destined to be with. "I… I don't know. Maybe you're right."
"Of course I'm right!" The golden girl smiled, her debate skills unparalleled. "Oh Sofia you can be really dense about these things. Like the way you didn't even notice Hugo was fawning all over you for a YEAR before I pointed it out." Sofia thought back, and Hugo's overt affections had been on full display long before she'd realized why he'd been acting strangely. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything, if you'd realized yourself maybe you wouldn't be so averse to him."
"Oh no Amber, I'm glad you did, I just…" She looked up at her sister, defeated. "Alright Amber, the next time Hugo comes I'll listen to what he says, but that doesn't mean I'm going to fall in love with him, okay?"
Amber squealed and shot up off the bed, "Hooray! Sofia you won't regret this, bye!"
As the door closed behind her Sofia felt as if doom had encroached, more so than any battle in Friezenburg. Every time her sister said 'you won't regret this' was always regrettable.
A few more hours and the burn had healed enough to be stood upon. Thankful, Sofia rose and dressed. Ever present on her mind was her mother. Now that Cedric's potion had healed the queen perhaps it was time for some hard truths and serious discussions about her Papa; alive and in Friezenburg fighting for his life.
Sofia cautiously tested out her ankle as she crept toward her parents' bedroom. Being midday they could be anywhere, but it was a good place to start looking. She slowly undid the latch and quietly entered. The inner door to their private chambers stood ajar, and Sofia peered inside. Rolland was there with her mother. They stood on the balcony wrapped in a passionate embrace, his hands caressing her middle while gently kissing her exposed clavicles. It was quite embarrassing to walk in on something like that, and Sofia turned to wait a moment, hoping they'd stop. She heard her mother giggle, "Oh Rolly don't worry, I'll be just fine."
"But Miranda, what if—"
"Don't worry. We're just fine now, and I love you more than anything."
"I love you too dear, with all my heart."
There were muffled sounds, and Sofia could intrude no longer. She crept back out of the reception chamber and re-latched the door. Her mother was so preeminently happy, and why shouldn't she be? She was married to a man that adored her and was creating a new little life. Sofia slumped her head into her hands and thought about how this one truth might rip her mother's happiness apart, then turned back to her room defeated.
However, there was still the matter of Lucinda and the note. She scooped up the little phoenix, placing it gently on her shoulder and Wormwood scoffed, "And just where do you think you're taking her?"
"To the village Wormwood. Birds need to go outside sometimes, don't they? Don't worry, we'll be back soon."
"Caw* caw* Just be careful with her. She can't even fly yet."
"Aww Wormwood, you're being so nice!" The disgruntled raven scoffed, then flew out the window toward Cedric's tower.
Snaking through the corridors slowly on the still slightly unhappy leg she had almost made it out the gigantic gilded front entrance.
"SOFIA!"
It was Cedric. She spun to see the sorcerer panting, holding onto a kneecap bent over to catch his breath.
"Mr. Cedric what's wrong?" He held up a finger for pause as Wormwood circled overhead.
Finally he straightened, "Well for starters just where are you off to? Shouldn't you be resting in your room? And if you're better then perhaps a certain apprentice could be helping out with this backlog of potions I'm suffering under?" He leaned in toward her and smiled widely, "I could make it worth your while you know." He broke out in that extremely goofy grin again. She glanced over to the doorway, out beyond it was Lucinda and news of the war. Nervously she turned to face him, "Well Mr. Cedric, that sounds nice but there's something I need to do first."
The grin vanished, "B-b-but Sofia don't you want to spend the afternoon with me?"
She was torn, but still needed answers. "I'm really sorry Mr. Cedric, but I need to go. Just for a little while and then I promise I'll stop by."
He didn't take the rejection well, and started to hyperventilate, "Oh Sofia if I did or said—"
"SOFIA!" Amber the golden had spotted her, and came bounding up, gleeful. "I'm so glad to see you up and about, it's going to make this afternoon SOOO much better." The girl squealed and Cedric grunted his displeasure. Amber flung a sideways glance at the sorcerer, "Excuse us Cedric, Sofia's got something important she needs to do this afternoon and it doesn't involve you."
Cedric gasped and Amber wrapped her arms around Sofia's elbow, pulling her toward the front entrance. Cedric just stood there in the hall, looking crushed. Sofia glanced back at him, guilt overwhelming her, "I'll see you soon Mr. Cedric, okay?"
He looked down at his shoes while twisting his wand as Amber dragged her outside.
"What's going on Amber, that wasn't a very nice thing to say to Mr. Cedric."
"Oh Sofia it's fine. Besides, you've got MUCH more important things to do today than brew potions."
Before Sofia could question her sister's motives some horses whinnied in the distance. An ornate carriage had just arrived. The Royal coach of Maldonia to be exact. Sofia tensed, then grabbed her sister into a whisper.
"Amber I didn't mean today. Just what did you do!"
The taller princess feigned innocence. "Well he was going to come anyway Sofia, after all he's come every day."
"But what did you DO Amber?!"
"I only sent him a letter explaining that you were in a more 'receptive' mood, that's all." The thin girl grinned widely, then bowed low as Hugo bolted from the carriage. Amber let her sister's arm go and gave her a not-so-gentle nudge forward.
"Oh Sofia I was so worried about you! To think something so mundane as a mirror almost took you from me!" Deep breaths. Not three sentences in and he was already referring to her as a possession. Hugo had clasped her hands in his and Sofia looked back at her sister, who was gesturing her forward.
Narrowed eyes, she grimaced at the elder princess, "oooh Amber…." For her part the golden girl looked around as if she hadn't orchestrated this awkwardness, then smiled widely.
Sofia took in a deep breath and looked back at the needy prince. "I'm fine Hugo, in fact I was just on my way to Dunwitty for some fresh air."
The prince smiled widely, "That's wonderful! I was hoping we could spend some time together, and I'd be happy to escort you."
"But I really don't need an escort Hugo, it's only Dunwitty. Maybe we can spend some time together… another day, okay?" How was she ever to get answers from Lucinda if Hugo was following her around?
"Nonsense, I insist. It's not proper for a Princess to wander around alone, and you're still getting over your injury. It wouldn't be chivalrous for me to abandon you." Amber gave her a small shove and the princess was walking arm in arm up to Hugo's coach with the brazen prince. "Would you like to have a picnic in a meadow? Or take a boat ride down the stream? I can arrange anything you want Sofia."
Sofia mumbled, "I'd like to do what I set out to do and visit my friend Lucinda."
Hugo straightened, "Well that's fortuitous."
"What do you mean Hugo?"
He opened the carriage door and Sofia paused to strategize how she was going to lug her leg up the step with the least amount of pain. In an instant Hugo's hands were around her waist, and he lifted her up into the coach as if she was as light as a feather. The gesture took Sofia aback. A sincere "Thank you Hugo" crossed her lips. Perhaps Amber was right, she'd written him off without ever really considering why he was always so overtly romantic with her.
The prince grinned wildly at the compliment, "Great, let's go!" and then jumped into the carriage and they were off.
"Wow, I really didn't think you'd come Sofia."
Startled, Sofia looked forward and saw that Axel was seated across from them.
"Oh, Hi there, Um… what are you doing here Axel."
He gave her a half smile, "Chaperoning", and turned to his little brother, "So did she pick an activity baby bro?"
"She wants to go see LUCINDA…" At the mention of the witches name Axel's eyes lit up like the sun. Hugo leaned out the small window, "Coachman, to Dunwitty", and then snuggled up to the uncomfortable princess. He took one look at his excited elder brother, and rolled his eyes, "Yeah I thought so, but you really shouldn't get so excited."
The joy on Axel's face vanished, "Enough Hugo."
"No, you're always on my case about 'propriety' and 'manners', but there you are violating the most sacred one."
Axel crossed his arms, "I'm not violating anything. You can't force yourself to love or not love someone, it just happens. All I can control is my actions, and I'm not pursuing her, am I?"
"But you're singing about her at all hours of the night!"
Hugo turned, "Sofia you think it's wrong, don't you? You're friends with Hildegard, don't you think she'd be upset if she knew what he was thinking?" So she was supposed to parrot his opinions apparently.
Axel scoffed, "She's friends with Lucinda too."
Sofia wished that she might jump out the carriage and float down the river while both young men awaited her response. "I agree with both of you." Confusion reigned, so she clarified, "I think you can't choose who you fall in love with, but I do think that Hildegard would be furious if she knew you were interested in someone else." Sofia caught herself, "Wait, I thought you decided not to pursue Lucinda because she isn't a princess?"
Axel nodded, "I know, but I can't stop thinking about her."
Hugo smirked, "You see, that's your problem right there. You're engaged but you've spent the last week daydreaming about some other girl."
Axel gripped the seat beside him to control the simmering anger. "You have no idea what I'm going through Hugo, no one told you who to marry."
"That doesn't change the fact that you're a hypocrite, constantly telling me not to show my love for Sofia because it's improper and then chasing after some peasant girl. It's just shady bro."
Incensed by the manner in which Hugo had addressed her dear friend, Sofia crossed her arms most disgruntled, "What's wrong with a 'peasant girl' exactly? I grew up in Dunwitty."
Hugo practically choked, and Axel started laughing at him, "You really stepped in it again baby bro." Instead of apologizing Hugo turned to his brother, furious. "It's all your fault, I wish you hadn't come."
They finally reached the town square and exited the coach. Hugo offered her an arm but Sofia was incensed by his condescension toward the inhabitants of the village and instead leaned on Axel for the walk. The poor overburdened coachman walked behind them, weighed down with large parcels, and Sofia could stand it no longer. She turned to address the poor man without regard for her tender appendage, "Please let me help you." The coachman looked worried for his life and shot a frightened glance at the younger prince. Hugo swooped down and whispered in Sofia's ear, "Don't mind him Sofia, he's just a servant."
"He's a PERSON, and he needs help."
Axel waved at the footman. The thankful man nodded and returned most of the baggage to the coach, save for an oversized picnic basket. "There we are, I suppose a picnic is on the agenda. Better princess?"
Sofia smiled up at Axel, and they started the short walk to Lucinda's in earnest. Suddenly a gigantic flock of rainbow hued sheep came streaming through the town square. Bleating and stomping, they would have knocked Sofia and her fragile ankle over for sure.
Whoosh.
She'd been lifted off her feet in one sweeping motion and was now suspended in midair. Axel had hopped up onto the edge of a fountain and carried her along for the ride. As soon as the random heard appeared it disappeared again leaving small patches of rainbow colored fur along the ground. With a gentle smile Axel set the princess back down.
Hugo came running up, "Sofia are you okay?!"
"I'm fine Hugo. Your brother saved me."
The disgruntled prince huffed, then picked up a piece of green wool snagged as a sheep had run past. Axel cocked his head to the side, "Sofia, don't they sheer the sheep and then dye the wool."
"Uh… yeah, they don't dye the sheep, I guess it's kind of... strange."
Sofia looked back at the village square, "Huh…"
"What is it Sofia?"
"Well, if there was a flock of sheep where's the shepherd? They should know why the sheep are funny colors after all."
The princes looked out and saw no one who could fit that description.
Axel proffered, "Maybe it's a festival?"
Sofia shook her head. The next event was the villager's ball, but that was several weeks off.
"Peasants probably just left open a gate or something. They can be so careless." Sofia groaned and took off toward Lucinda's house again. Axel shook his head and followed. Her little phoenix kept cawing at random intervals, and she stroked its head often to relax the little bird. Every so often it seemed like another bird was responding in the distance.
Lucinda's family cottage came into view, and it was the only one this far outside of town. Axel hesitated, and began to grow nervous. Sofia leaned in, "you really do like her, don't you?"
He nodded. "I know it's wrong and I barely know her, but I just can't help feeling that if I don't at least try I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
She reached up and stroked the side of his face. The conciliatory gesture was interrupted by a weird croaking sound. It grew louder and louder, and Hugo was spinning about, "What in the world is with this village Sofia?"
Out from the bushes came hundreds of frogs. Some had fins on their backs, others had flippers for feet. They were bounding over each other and Hugo ran screaming. He jumped up onto the bridges railing and stood there bouncing on one foot wailing for the misshapen frog avalanche to stop. The younger prince's overreaction to some frogs was hilarious, and Axel burst out laughing and leaned on Sofia so as to not topple over. Eventually the frog deluge found it's way to the tiny stream underneath the bridge and dispersed.
Hugo got down off the bridges railing and dusted himself off, thoroughly embarrassed. "It's okay Hugo, if Amber were here she'd be right next to you on that railing."
"Let's just go have our picnic Sofia."
There they were, standing in front of Lucinda's front door. How was Sofia ever going to manage this? Lucinda was livid about it all, and here the princes of Maldonia stood before her threshold. They'd be lucky if Lucinda didn't hex them into worms and feed them to her phoenix.
A forceful knock at the front door, and Lucinda's mother answered. "Oh Hello Sofia dear! So good to see you." She leaned back into the house and called out, "Lucinda, honey your princess friend is here." The elder witch turned back to face the visitors, "She'll be just a moment."
Out came Lucinda, "So you've rediscovered how to use a door. Sofia I've got so much to tell you—" She froze, her eyes set upon the stately prince helping to hold Sofia up. The princess gave an awkward smile, "Hi friend. I've got some company with me today."
Lucinda crossed her arms and jutted out a hip, glancing back and forth at the pair of princes flanking either side of Sofia. "Oh this ought to be gooood."
Axel took in a deep breath, then extended his hand outward, "Mi'lady, I just wanted to—"
"That's enough out of you. I've heard plenty Mr. engaged-to-be-married."
Hugo chuckled, "She's got you Bro."
Deflated, Axel withdrew his hand, "It's true, but let me explain."
"I don't want your explanations, I want to go back in time and never meet you."
Hugo piped up, "Oh yeah, that's just about how I imagined it."
Sofia flung her hands up, "Wait, just wait." Suddenly the entire front side of Lucinda's house froze.
Lucinda turned to look back upon the frozen front of her house and let out a large groan, "Grandpa must be mixing up his hexes. Ugh…" Lucinda turned and shouted up the stairs, "MOM! Grandpa's loose again!" Lucinda walked back out and shook her head, "Forth time this week too. We need to switch his wand with a random stick."
All the weirdness in the village started to make sense. Hugo leaned over and whispered to Sofia, "What's going on?"
"Oh, Lucinda's family are all witches and her grandpa is well, a little uninhibited due to advanced age."
"He likes to hex stuck up princes" Lucinda deadpanned. "Do you see him Sofia?" She looked out at the distant cottages of Dunwitty and the trees surrounding the cottage, but there was no sign of her senile grandfather. A raven crowed off in the distance.
Hugo gestured out toward the hills beyond, "Come on Sofia, let's go for a picnic. That sounds a lot nicer that getting hexed by her crazy grandpa."
"Now I can't leave you alone baby bro, I'm your chaperone." He turned to the beautiful witch scanning the fields in front of him, "Please Lucinda, would you come with us. I want to tell you everything."
"Everything? Alright then, if you promise to answer all my questions I guess I'm coming too."
Sofia chuckled at her great misfortune. "I guess we're all going for a picnic. Great."
"Lead on oh high-and-mighty lords of the realm." Lucinda's sarcasm cut deep into Axel, but he bowed graciously.
"Ladies first, of course."
She gave an insincere nod and grabbed Sofia's arm. As they began walking to the meadow she started whispering in Sofia's ear. "What are you doing bringing them here Sofia."
"I didn't mean to, I was on my way to talk to you and they just sort of showed up. Why did you agree to come? I thought you hated him now?"
Lucinda gave a quick glance back toward Axel, then whispered even softer so as to be sure the princes didn't hear a word, "I need to know what happened to the witches. We've got a plan for tonight."
Sofia's eyes went wide, "you what—"
"Here we are!" Lucinda exclaimed. They were in the middle of what was usually a lush field. Mid-autumn had robbed it of all the colors of spring, the distant trees shimmered hues of red and golden autumn splendor. Above them was painted a crystal-blue sky, not a cloud to be seen. The servant set out a blanket and buffet, then retreated to a safe distance.
Lucinda helped Sofia sit and in an instant Hugo snuggled up right next to her side. Lucinda started swirling her long jet black hair about her shoulders, then sat gracefully, spreading out her skirt. It rivaled any display Amber could put on. Axel was enthralled, and kneeled beside her. "Lucinda my dear, please let me explain."
She looked up, batting her eyelashes, "Please do my prince."
Wow, she was laying it on thick. "Wait, weren't you mad at me?" He shook his head, "Anyway, I didn't mean to deceive you, but my marriage was arranged in childhood to someone I despise. Our parents hoped it would help to prevent any future conflicts between our kingdoms." Lucinda's false flattery melted away, and a look of sincerity sprang up.
"Oh."
They sat there in silence and Hugo gathered up some greens onto a plate. He handed it to Sofia gently, "Here you are beloved." She looked down at the salad, perhaps he finally realized she was morally opposed to eating meat, having befriended most of the animal kingdom. "Thanks Hugo."
They ate while Lucinda and Axel stared at the blanket between them. Sofia handed her friend a sandwich from the basket, and it was enough to break the awkward introspection.
Lucinda turned toward the elder brother, unable to continue the pretense. "So, you're just going maintain the status quo and marry her, hoping that solves your royal problems."
He was a bit taken aback, but seemed to understand her obvious hurt, "I've lived my life to be the dutiful son. To carry on the family traditions. I'd have married and done what was asked of me, but then I met you and everything that used to be so clear is muddled."
Lucinda seemed to be reeling, but then caught herself, "The family traditions. So tell me Axel, what are your family traditions?"
The crown prince swallowed thickly, "To defend my country and its interests, to protect my people, and unfortunately to marry a princess and have children that will be respected by the world's nobility."
His words stung Lucinda, and her expression grew hard, "I see. And what other 'traditions' do you uphold sire?"
"Lucinda please understand. I don't want to marry her, I don't even like her. I just want to do the right thing but I don't know what that is anymore. It's complicated."
Lucinda clawed at the blanket, "'Complicated', as in… you'll just tow the line even though you don't agree with it, or 'complicated' as in you agree with everything your king says but don't want to make me upset."
The prince looked around for an exit, and suddenly there was a massive lightning bolt that struck the ground not twenty feet from where they stood, igniting the dried grass. Hugo screamed and plunged his face into the ground, covering his head with his hands. It startled everyone and a raven crowed frantically in the distance. Sofia looked up and a massive raincloud had appeared from seemingly nowhere, dumping buckets of water down onto their picnic and extinguishing the blaze. Lucinda pointed her wand upward and a gigantic parasol blocked them from the rain. Not but a few drops fell on everyone. Hugo peered back out at the meadow, freaked beyond reason. "What is WRONG with Enchancia, first the animals, now the WEATHER. This place is so weird."
A little explosion went off in the back of Sofia's mind. She grit her teeth and uttered, "Please don't insult my kingdom HUGO."
Lucinda just stood there, her wand drawn and dress whipped by this new breeze. She wasn't going to let some odd weather save the crown prince, "So which is it Axel.. you'll just go along with anything even if it's horrible or you actually believe in all the things your family does." Axel looked away nervously, so Lucinda pressed him harder, "You SAID you'd answer all my questions."
"I guess I want to uphold my families honor, in all things."
Lucinda practically shot fire from her eyes, "And is everything your family does honorable?!"
Sofia needed her to stop before this went too far and she was exposed, "Lucinda—"
"Yes, my father is a noble man who always keeps his word."
"And is it noble to capture people, to make them slaves! To steal away their humanity!"
"WHAT!" Axel had shot to his feet, "What in the world are you saying?"
Sofia flung herself toward her friend but there was no stopping Lucinda, "I'm saying you know all about Maldonia's prison population and exactly how they got there."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. There are no 'slaves' in Maldonia."
"Oh really, then you have no idea why the war was fought with Friezenburg?"
Axel was fuming, and Sofia was absorbed in keeping Lucinda's arm down so she couldn't hex the man, "The war with Friezenburg happened because King Aaron is a monster. The minute he became king he tried to sever all trade with Maldonia. They took our money and crops and then laughed in our faces. Even then my father did nothing, and Aaron's reaction was sending soldiers to invade our kingdom! He's horrible, and if it wasn't for Sofia's grandfather we'd have tossed him from the throne a long time ago."
Sofia turned to Hugo seated next to her, who was nodding in agreement with his elder brother. "Is that true Hugo?"
"Yep, I'm sure glad I don't have to marry Friezenburg scum."
A whole new world of anger ignited within Sofia. She practically screamed at Hugo, "I have family in Friezenburg too!"
Hugo's jaw fell open, and he flubbed a recovery, "But you're from Enchancia and... wait I didn't know that, you've got to know I didn't know that Sofia."
She absolutely couldn't stand the young man seated before her. Axel extended a hand, "What he means to say Sofia is that the people of Friezenburg aren't responsible for the actions of their king."
Lucinda knocked it away and crossed her arms, "But that's not what he said."
There was silence, and as suddenly as the rain had burst forth it stopped, leaving a muddy mess of the meadow.
Axel stepped back and let the tensions simmer for a brief moment before leaning forward and taking Lucinda's hand in his own, "Look, it was never my intention to hurt you. As to the prison camps, yes there are a few, and they are filled with war criminals. We had to keep them because there aren't any sorcerers in Friezenburg and these kinds of people are too dangerous for normal jails."
Lucinda's gaze hardened further still, "So, that's your story and you're sticking to it, huh?"
"That's the ONLY story Lucinda. I don't know what you've heard, but that's all I know."
"Uh-huh. And I suppose the 'sorcerers' are guarding these prisons right now, isn't that right?"
Axel took a step back, "Well no, actually. Our royal sorceress has broken her arm and another is gravely wounded."
Sofia interjected, "Amalthea and Edith?"
Axel nodded, "and the others are frightened. It's a scary time right now, if those prisoners get loose… I'd rather not think of the consequences." Sofia let out a sigh of relief and sat back down, she hadn't killed Edith after all.
Lucinda chuckled a bit to herself, she had lost all semblance of control. "What's the matter prince, afraid the people you've kept imprisoned will be resentful? I wouldn't blame them if they tried to tear Maldonia down to the studs."
Axel straightened his jacket and clenched his jaw. "I've tried to be reasonable and open up my heart to you, but wishing ill on my kingdom is the final straw. I suppose we've nothing more to say to each other."
Lucinda turned away, visibly hurt and tears starting to fall down her face. "I suppose we don't, and I would never send good blessings to slave owners. Go ahead and grind the poor souls of Friezenburg into the ground, in the end they'll all be freed."
Hugo jumped up to defend his brother and kingdom but Lucinda was already stomping off into the distance.
The princes stood there collecting themselves for quite some time. Finally Axel proffered, "I'm sorry that you had to witness that Sofia. I knew she'd be angry, but I didn't anticipate just how furious she'd be." He slumped back down onto the blanket and looked to be in physical pain.
Hugo paced a bit, "I have no idea what you see in her bro, she's loud and angry and—"
"She's upset because I hurt her. That's all."
"But what she said about Maldonia, she should be punished."
Sofia gasped, and Hugo recoiled. "She's my friend and she's allowed to have opinions. Who says you were told the truth."
"Our father, that's who."
"But—" Sofia looked down at her lap, a bit of greens still lurking on the plate next to her, "King Rolland is a great ruler too. The people respect him and he's so good to my Mom, but that doesn't mean he tells me everything."
Hugo bent down and again settled next to the object of his affections, listening intently to her words. Axel sat down again as well, focused solely on Sofia. It was unnerving to have both of them staring at her, but this was a moment of truth. Rolland hadn't followed through, but maybe Axel would. He was bound to have better access to information, as he was going to inherit the Maldonian kingdom one day. "All I'm saying is that they keep secrets from us. Things they don't want us to find out, things they think we don't need to know. Maybe you should find out for yourself who the Friezenburg prisoners are, and actually talk to them."
"You don't really believe that witch over us, do you Sofia?" Hugo looked hurt.
"I've been friends with Lucinda for almost a decade, and she's a good witch. She's never lied to me."
Axel stared off into the distance where Lucinda had departed, then turned inward as if debating his next move.
Hugo huffed, "Aw man. Next time I need a chaperone it isn't you bro, you ruined my perfect afternoon with Sofia."
Axel turned, "Excuse me for a moment, I need to think." And proceeded to walk off a ways deeper into the meadow, away from the village.
Hugo curled an arm around Sofia and whispered softly, "Now, where were we?"
Sofia could not believe the nerve of this guy. "Well this afternoon you've insulted the village I grew up in, Enchancia, one of my dearest friends, and my relatives in Friezenburg."
Hugo swung his other arm around, pulling Sofia's waist closer to him. She was practically sprawled onto his lap, "I didn't mean those things."
"Yes you did."
"No, just now I wanted to tell you how ravishing you look today and how happy I am you're feeling better."
Sofia groaned, "Maybe we should call it a day Hugo."
"No really Sofia, you look great! I mean, you must have lost some weight while you were hurt because you're looking extra beautiful today, and it was a little easier than I expected to lift you into the coach earlier." A gallant smile was plastered on his face.
Did he just…. That was it. It took inhuman restraint not to punch him in the face. Just then there was a ROAR that echoed across the meadow. Axel came running, sword drawn and before them swooped a gigantic wolly whombeast. Hugo screamed and threw himself on top of Sofia while Axel charged. Sofia shoved the prince off of her and sprang to her feet, ignoring the ankle's plight. "WAIT!"
Axel was preparing to strike but Sofia caught his arm, "WAIT AXEL!"
"But it's a monster!"
"Just wait, okay?" Hands up, the prince lowered his sword and took a few steps back. Sofia approached the beast cautiously, and recognized him immediately. He was her old friend from long ago. She smiled and walked straight up to him, scratching his nose. The happy whombeast snorted and started to pant like a gigantic puppy dog. She turned to the dumbstruck princes, "See? He's fine."
She turned back, "What's the matter Wilber? Why are you so far from home?"
"I don't know princess Sofia. One minute I'm in my cave snacking on apples, you know the orchard reappeared, and then the next I'm here flying over this meadow. It was really weird."
She nodded, "Wow, that is weird. I'm sorry. The horrid hills are that way if you want to fly home." She pointed off in the distance beyond the meadow and the wombeast glided off.
Sofia stared after the beast for a minute. Where had he come from? Hugo came running up, "Oh Sofia are you okay? That was so scary, you should let us princes handle things like that."
Sofia shook his arms from her sides. "I've had enough Hugo. ENOUGH. I'm going home, NOW." She walked back, scooped up her little phoenix from the picnic blanket, and began to walk back toward the village.
"But Sofia, I can't just-"
"ENOUGH. Goodnight Hugo." Her phoenix cawed loudly at the prince and it was finally over.
She rounded some houses and angrily shook her head, "Worst date ever."
"You can say that again."
Sofia straightened, and to the side of her leaning against a wall was Lucinda still trying to control her tears. Sofia let out a great sigh, "I thought you were going to keep it together."
Lucinda rolled her eyes, "Yeah well I guess I was more upset than I realized."
Sofia stopped and looked down at the little bird in her hands. "Axel's really hurt too, and I don't think he's lying about the prisoners."
Lucinda rose up from the wall, arms gesturing in front of her, "But we both know that Maldonia has been stealing people, I heard all about it from Birk and the others."
"I believe that he believes what he said, whether or not it's actually true."
"How could it possibly be true? He's lying Sofia, he has to be." She said it with such venom, such pain.
Sofia looked over at her friend with sympathy and reached out to give her a nice hug. The witch held onto her arm and tried desperately to calm her breathing. "Lucinda, I know you're angry, and that he hurt your feelings. Do you really think he's lying, or are you just mad at him so everything he says must be lies."
"I… I don't know Sofia. When I look into his eyes they're full of kindness and I feel like everything he says to me is honest and pure, but then I think about all the things his family has done and how what he says is nothing like reality and there's just no way he can be so innocent. It just HURTS."
Poor Lucinda was torn through inside. Sofia stroked the witches hair for a brief while. No resolution would come from standing by a barn in Dunwitty though. She needed to change topics to distract Lucinda's aching heart.
"So, how is everyone in Friezenburg?"
Lucinda sucked back in some sniffles and pulled away from Sofia's arms. "Didn't you get my note, they're fine."
"But someone wasn't fine." The memory of the bloody executioner's stump was burned into Sofia's mind.
"Oh yeah, they killed the village elder right before we busted up the executions. Apparently his wife and daughter were 'lost' decades ago and so he instigated the revolt. It's spreading Sofia, everywhere."
"Then the PFU-L is…?"
"The People of Friezenburg United, and the L's for Lucinda." The witch rubbed her hands along her face as if to free herself of the pain of earlier, then grabbed Sofia's arm. "Okay, enough of this moping. We've got to strategize about tonight." Lucinda pulled Sofia into a nearby dark alley, "We've identified another work camp that we're almost sure is full of Friezenburg slaves. It's on a mountain in Maldonia, and we're going tonight to free them."
"We?"
"Yeah, Westin and I. Birk and Sal don't know, or they'd never let us go. It's really sweet how protective your Dad and Uncle are of your cousin Sofia, but he's itching to go and help just like I am."
Sofia looked down at her leg, it still wasn't fully healed. "Wait Lucinda, are you sure about this? I mean, If Papa doesn't know-"
Lucinda straightened, "Of course I'm sure. The best part is what Axel just said, knocking Amalthea off that cliff broke her arm, and you took out Edith somehow-"
"I deflected lightning and it almost killed her."
"Really? Wow I didn't know you had that in you."
"I don't, I mean I never want to do that again."
"Then now is the perfect time. They can't beat us right now and they probably won't show up. Just think of saving the people."
Indecision plagues the princess, and she walked back out into the sunlight and past several shops while Lucinda hovered at her side whispering, "Come on it's perfect. We can be in and out and there's very little chance they'll be able to use magic, but even if they do we'll have you. With you we'll win by default."
Sofia stopped in front of a shop keeps window and put her phoenix back onto her shoulder. "I… guess so. But we can't use a raft in the mountains, how are we going to get the freedmen back to Friezenburg?"
Lucinda stopped, lost in thought and Sofia noticed children playing in the road. How sweet and innocent life in Enchancia seemed. They were standing in front of the bookshop, and in the window was a beautifully illustrated book on hot air balloons. It was perfect.
"We'll fly."
Lucinda laughed, "Really, can you imagine a bunch of refugees trying out broomsticks for the first time? I have experience in this and it would be funny but not so effective."
"NO Lucinda, we'll make a gigantic hot air balloon and fly them all over the sea to safety."
"Oh, good idea. But I don't know that spell."
Sofia smiled, "Neither do I, but we can find out."
The small chime of a bell rang out as Sofia entered the shop and turned to the book in the window. Lucinda followed suit and took the featured book into her hands, scanning the pages, "Hey, this has just enough detail in it. If I study it today I think I'll be ready."
While Lucinda stood there sizing up the illustrations Sofia noted that the top book on a pile next to her had an ominous illustration of a stone on it. It looked just like the stone Birk had given Westin when he ran off into the woods. She picked up the smaller volume and the phoenix began to chirp and pick at her shoulder. It looked to be ancient, and upon opening it was filled with what appeared to be spells and hand-written notes.
"Do you plan on buying anything today Princess?" The shop keep was tapping their foot to the floor, still respectful but impatient that the girls were just standing there reading.
"Sure! We'll take these two."
"Very well Princess."
They left with the books and Lucinda hugged her friend, "Alright, get yourself a nap and then tap on my window around 10. We're getting this done. Tonight."
Sofia nodded, and the witch headed home. Slowly the princess attempted the journey back to the castle. She passed by the apothecary that was always a delight to the senses. The particular smell of horntail drifted out the window, and suddenly she remembered Cedric was in need of just such an ingredient. She stopped in for a brief minute and purchased a large satchel of it, then was off on her way again. Scanning the pages of the book revealed that it was not the best of instant purchases. It was a book on how to use magical stones but most of the spells were far too complex for her. It might make a nice gift for Cedric though. He was so skilled at those types of things.
Her ankle was starting to throb, and around a small bend in the path to the castle lay a rather flat rock just beyond some trees. It was a perfect spot to briefly rest. The wind was blowing peacefully through the bushes and there was the distant sound of a raven crowing, when a hooded figure approached in the distance. A quickened pace took them from Dunwitty toward the castle. They passed in front of the trees where Sofia sat in anonymity and continued onward. Sofia tried to pursue the cloaked individual and watched them take gigantic strides, increasing the distance between them. Broad shoulders betrayed the figure was a man, but who?
Sofia couldn't maintain the pace, and dropped back deciding not to confront the unknown without her wand. The figure made it over the bridge and turned abruptly into the bushes, disappearing from sight. Sofia made it to the point where the man turned and off in the distance she could see the castle wall. Whoever it was didn't want to approach the front entrance.
She finally reached the front steps and was greeted by the castle steward, "Princess Sofia! Oh dear, did you walk all the way back from Dunwitty?"
"Yes Baileywick, but I'm fine. I just need to rest."
"Of course your highness."
Baileywick ushered her toward the castle but she stopped him, "Baileywick…"
"Yes Princess?"
"There was a man in a cloak coming toward the castle, do you know who it is?"
"Dear me, a man in a cloak?"
"Yes, he walked toward the castle wall."
"I'll have the guards look for him."
"He didn't look menacing, it was just strange."
"Understood. Thank you Sofia."
She nodded and trudged up the stairs to the second floor. She could drop off Cedric's ingredient, check in on his potion making like she had promised, and be off for a nap in no time. "Oh Mr. Cedric…"
The door was uncharacteristically unlocked, and there was nothing brewing on the tabletop but a veritable mess spread throughout. "Mr. Cedric?"
She heard frantic footsteps and turned. Not a foot behind her stood Cedric, panting heavily. He'd run up the steps.
"Hi Mr. Cedric, I came to see how you're doing with the potion backlog." She smiled at him and he stood there, rigid and staring at her with a menacing scowl.
Sofia cringed; he must have been really upset she didn't stay to brew potions with him. She glanced back at his cluttered workspace and took another step inside, "It looks like you got everything done already. Congratulations."
The door closed behind her, and Cedric was practically leaning over her shoulder, breathing onto her neck. "Looks can be deceiving Princess."
She turned and his close proximity caused a small collision, both reaching out to grab the falling items. Sofia grabbed the satchel and book, while Cedric only managed to grab hold of her wrist. His hand was damp. Why would he be damp? Unless he was in that weird rainstorm…
"Mr. Cedric, were you outside a little while ago?"
He gripped her wrist a bit tighter and his eyes narrowed, "So you've decided to care what happens to me, is that it? Or is it simply funnier to watch the royal fool suffer." His voice was stern, his squinted eyes trying to bore into her soul.
What was he saying? Watch him 'suffer'… the pressure of the potion backlog must be wearing him thin. Guilt at not helping him today overwhelmed her. "I… I'm sorry Mr. Cedric. You're amazing, and I should have stayed."
Some of the menacing glare softened. He relaxed his grip on her wrist, and broke his stare, closing his eyes and dropping his head low as they kneeled facing each other with Sofia's purchases between them.
She felt so awful, but then his hands were cupping hers around the satchel. He was looking down into it, and the last traces of his scowl melted away. "You… brought me the horntail I needed?"
"Yeah, you said you needed it this morning so I brought you some." He turned back up to face her, mood brightened considerably.
"I did, didn't I?"
She glanced back over to the empty potions table and realized he'd probably already bought some, been back and finished brewing. It had been several hours after all. "Yeah but I guess I shouldn't buy things for you without asking. I'm sorry I wasn't thinking."
"Oh no no, not at all Sofia!" He grabbed up the satchel set it down on the potion table, "One can never have too much horntail about, especially with Baileywick getting older and stodgier by the minute."
"Great, oh! And I got this book, it's on magic stones but it's too advanced for me. I thought you might like it."
He practically melted into a puddle, then slid back to where she stood, "you bought me… a spell book? I do rather enjoy a good spell book, but I suppose you knew that, didn't you Sofia?"
The delighted man had extended his gloved hands out and almost seemed afraid to take it from her. She had to insert the thing into his shaking palms, and upon doing so he looked up from the book straight into her eyes. He seemed almost in tears. "Oh Sofia, you really were thinking of me today." He did a little spin with the book in his hand and sat upon his stool, opening it and scouring the pages.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't stay and help you today Mr. Cedric."
His giddy musings over the text stopped and he straightened, slamming the book shut. "Never you mind. What's done is done, and hopefully it shan't be repeated, EVER."
He walked over to where she stood and bent down strangely so his face hovered in front of her own. The pause was unnerving, but he seemed to be waiting for something... something important. Maybe this was her chance to make it up to him, the nap could wait.
"Thanks Mr. Cedric. Maybe I can help you by cleaning up a bit?"
It broke his concentration. "Er...um, If you insist princess." She picked the horntail up off the table and walked to the far corner. It should go on the top shelf. Having done it at least a hundred times before she absentmindedly climbed up the step-stool, but the ankle betrayed her two steps in. She winced and lost her balance, crashing down.
"SOFIA!" Cedric had lunged forward, breaking her fall. She'd practically crushed the thin man underneath her. Horribly embarrassed she pulled her bosom off his face and struggled to push her long skirt back over her legs. "Oh Mr. Cedric I'm so sorry!"
He sat up reeling, his head spinning about in small circles. "Whaaa... oh. OH." He'd frozen in place watching her struggle for her bearings across his lap. An arm was suddenly wrapped around her middle, the other pushing her hair back into position. "A-a-are you-you alright S-S-S-Sofia?" Shaking, she gave a little nod.
He just lingered there for a bit, staring at her strewn across him. "I'm so sorry for crushing you Mr. Cedric. I just wanted to help."
"Cr-cr-crushing? N-n-n-no, it was my p-p-pleasure, my princess." He then bent forward and hovered for a bit as if inspecting her face for injuries while his hand was still tangled in her hair. He looked terrified, but then closed his eyes and softly set another kiss upon the top of her head. Considering everyone thought she'd fallen into a mirror and almost died a couple days ago this had probably frightened him within an inch of his life. She relaxed and returned a peck to his cheek like she always did.
She crawled off his lap while trying to hide her bandage from his sight. Cedric stood and dusted himself off, smoothing the front of his robe a bit excessively. "Right, well you seem exhausted, perhaps you'd better rest and eat before something else goes amiss." The sorcerer helped her off the floor and escorted her back to her room.
At the door she bade him goodbye. He took a step inside, but then hesitated and was off again toward his tower. She changed the bandages once more for good measure, and fell into a deep sleep.
…
Nighttime came, and she awoke to Wormwood clawing at her blankets next to the little phoenix. It was time. Alongside her was Clover, snuggled up on the far side of her pillow.
She yawned, "Oh Hi Wormwood. You're back again?"
"I see you're awake princess. I suppose it's time for me to leave."
Clover huffed, "not soon enough if you ask me."
"No one was asking you carrot chomper."
"Thanks for your help with my phoenix Wormwood." The raven cawed and was out the window.
"Sofia I know you're still healing but your sleeping's all over the map girl."
"I had to nap Clover. I'm going to free slaves in Maldonia again, tonight."
"Wait, what? Tonight? Sofia you're still not healed fully."
"I know, but neither are the other witches. Everyone is counting on me."
The bunny relented, agreeing to take care of her phoenix without Wormwoods pestering until she returned.
Sofia smiled, then pulled the taters of her green dress out from the folds of her mattress. Just then she heard a knock on her door. She tossed the dress on her bed and went to answer it.
Cedric was standing there, somewhat nervous. He looked up and down the hallway, then started to reach forward. As if thinking better of it he retracted his hand, and stood there, staring at the floor and fiddling with his wand.
"Feeling better princess?"
She smiled at him, "Uh-huh."
"Can I… well would it trouble you if I… that is…" He was looking at the ground and fidgeting with his wand again.
"What's the matter Mr. Cedric?"
"It's just… I … well, I was wondering if you wanted to… um… have dinner?" It squeaked out of him. He must still be worried about her.
"I'm not really hungry Mr. Cedric."
He looked at her a bit suspiciously, "You do actually mean that, right? This isn't another starve yourself until you faint and almost die scenario, is it?"
So that's what he thought. She'd fallen into the mirror because she'd fainted from hunger. "No Mr. Cedric, I'm fine. Really I am."
He turned a bit and threw a strange glance at her, almost like he could read her mind and knew she was taking off again. But then he started looking inside her room. Sofia's eyes went wide, the dress was sitting on her bed and if he saw it…
She shifted her stance so he couldn't pry. "Is there something you needed Mr. Cedric? You never come to wish me goodnight."
"Well… er… I was just wondering if you ne-ne-needed some c-c-company tonight Sofia. I'd say you rather enjoyed last n-n-night, didn't you?" He was forcing a smile and seemed nervous for some reason, probably worried about her hurting herself again.
"Don't worry Mr. Cedric. I'll be fine so you don't have to stay, okay?"
He took a step back, defeated. "Oh. Oh I see. Er… um… Goodnight Sofia."
"Goodnight Mr. Cedric."
He just stood there awkwardly, and didn't retreat toward his tower.
She smiled gently, but he simply stood there. "Goodnight Mr. Cedric."
"Goodnight Sofia."
"Okay I'm going to shut the door now."
"Indeed."
He wouldn't leave first, so she slowly closed the door. Once it clicked shut she stood there for a minute. "That was awkward." She walked back to the bed, and began enchanting the green dress to fix the burns, the cuts, and clean the blood and dirt from it. After a bit of magical mending it was as good as new. She undressed and put on the disguise, rewrapped her leg a final time in Cedric's potions, then turned to grab her wand. The limb no longer ached with pain.
The door was stuck. She jiggled the handle further, but it wouldn't budge. It had never stuck before. She pointed her wand and !Oppenatis! The spell unlocked it. There sat Wormwood, waiting in the hall. He started flapping and she flung her hands out, "Wormwood hush! What are you doing here?"
"It seems you have a wandering problem Sofia, and I'm pretty sure Cedric would like to know you're out of bed again."
The raven flew into her room and settled on her bed alongside the little phoenix. "Wormwood I don't have time for this."
"Well I'd much rather be sleeping than watching your door, but here we are." Great. Cedric was consumed with worry that she'd hurt herself and had sent Wormwood to make sure she was okay. "Wormwood, please just go to sleep without a fuss. "
"Nope. You've got one second to lay back down, or I'm getting Cedric."
In that brief moment so many thoughts sprung forth. If Cedric were this paranoid she'd hurt herself he'd never let her go rescue prisoners in Maldonia, and even by some magical miracle he did, he'd assuredly try to come with her and… could he fight? Could he win against Edith? Or Amalthea? There was just no way. He was a gentle, magical, marvelous soul; not a freedom fighter. If Rolland found out he'd helped free the slaves it would be Cedric's head on the executioner's block.
The vivid imagining of Cedric's neck strewn across that horrid blood stained stump in Friezenburg was all it took. She could never put his life in jeopardy, she'd rather die herself. Sofia closed her eyes, and flung a petrifaction spell at Wormwood. It missed and the bird started cawing loudly. Sofia slammed the door shut and cast a spell that would seal the door off, including sound. She smacked her head when she realized the window was still open. The bird was on his way to Cedric's tower, and while she could run faster than Cedric on any given day her ankle was an open question. She then took off running as fast as her legs could carry her.
She had to beat Cedric to Minimus, but even if she did could they really free the prisoners this time without incident like Lucinda hoped, and even if they did… would Cedric ever forgive her?