Chapter 41: Forgiveness

The penetrating blackness blocked out all sight and sound. Being trapped within it wasn't painful, but superbly disconcerting all together. Before appreciation for the situation could sink in, vague, blurred images started to reform just beyond what she could comprehend.

Waves of intoxication wafted over her, and the visage of one Cedric, having fallen out of bed and taken up residence on the floor before her, came into view. She could start to feel her lungs inflating and tried to muster words.

"What happ…" Nothing came out. "WHAT HAPPENED?" Still nothing was heard, but a thick shadow, most likely his arm, was flung upward to cover her mouth. More of the scene came into focus, his wand was held above her head and streaming some sort of healing magic down upon her. His mouth was moving at rapid pace, entirely muted. She didn't need to hear it to know that a blistering criticism of Westin's intrusion was being ranted, so on some level the deafness was welcome.

"I'M SORRY BUT I TRIED TO STOP…" He cringed, trying to cover more of her mouth and wincing in the direction of the door.

She relented, as the spell had obviously done something to her senses, and let him stream more healing magic on her. His bruises were coming into focus, and, his clothes were still strewn about the floor. Except the robe, he'd managed to string that over his person, a welcome relief.

Suddenly his hand dropped from her mouth to her chin, rubbing her softly across the cheek. A faint, "Can you feel this?" Could be heard as his fingers traveled gracefully across her face and down her neck. The odd combination of the stroking and her senses being distorted was a little overwhelming. She shied away slightly.

"I CAN FEEL… your hand? Was I shouting?"

"Rather loudly, now please desist or I'll have to cast more sensory confusion spells as the whole of Friezenburg worriedly wanders in here."

"I'm sorry." There was a pregnant pause, and the crackle of magic could now be heard. "I'm feeling better now, really I… WAIT! What are you doing out of bed! Did you fall?! What were you thinking Cedric!"

Quickly she circled an arm under him, lifting him slowly up so the one good leg could get underneath him. "Perhaps I did, but I was panicked, I didn't see you behind that lout, and what with the commotion on the other side of the wall…"

"That's all been resolved, I think. Amalthea is helping to plan the liberation of Friezenburg with my Papa. How long was I out?"

"A few minutes at most. I do apologize, but honestly Sofia, with the state you left me in…"

"I know, I came as soon as I could get away."

"But not without company, I see." The sorcerer sluggishly gestured to the heap of young man still strewn across the floor.

"What am I going to do about him?" she stated absentmindedly.

"I assume you're going to tell him I'm thoroughly disinterested in whatever it is he's offering." As Cedric said it he shuddered. "Thoroughly disinterested."

She had to stifle a giggle. "Stop it. This is serious. He came in here frantic because he was worried you didn't want to speak to him anymore."

"Then his fears are founded. I have no desire to see him ever again."

"But Cedric, he's a good person, just misguided in how you feel about him."

"Honestly Sofia, what would you have me do? He's YOUR friend. Not mine, YOURS. These intrusions he keeps committing against my person need to stop. Either you tell him to leave me be or I'll do it myself, and between the two of us I'm quite certain your methods would be deemed 'kinder'." Cedric wiggled oddly as Sofia helped him back to bed and set him relaxing back into the covers. "Now, about this nap I was promised."

"But what about Westin? We can't leave him on the floor."

"He'll sleep for hours, but I could use a flotation spell to hurl him through the window and drop him in the muck outside." A huge grin spread on Cedric's face. "Yes, that would do nicely as retribution for that incident in the bush at the harvest festival."

"CEDRIC, that's just mean, and besides, he's too muscle-y to fit through that tiny hole."

"I'd be more than happy to test the theory." To which, Sofia shook her head, a smile creeping upon her that set him at ease after that unpleasant conversation. "No? Oh, very well. Help me up so I might cast another reversal spell."

There was another round of garbled shouting from those gathered in the other room, and Sofia shrugged. "Just teach me the reversal spell. I'll fix him myself before his mom finds out you knocked him unconscious. We don't need any more problems right now."

Cedric grabbed at his throat, as if glad his head was still attached to it. "Indeed. Amalthea's wrath is swift, and I'd rather not incite another mage's ire. One a day is more than enough." A soft kiss landed on her cheek as he said it, and before she could react he was on his merry, instructional way. "Now, you're reversing the 'sensory distortion' spell, sensus transmutari, so say it backwards and viola! Spell reversed. It's one of the reverito curses, and before you ask yes, it's in Latin."

"Okay, thanks. Here goes." After a brief rub to her cheek where his kiss had landed, Sofia took extra care to collect up Cedric's scattered garments, piling them neatly on the edge of his bed, then set about healing her cousin. Several minutes passed, and doubts crept up that she was performing it improperly, but Cedric assuaged her fears as only he could, and without fail her cousin finally began to regain consciousness. When his eyes stopped spinning he glanced frantically at Sofia, then up to Cedric, who was raining down a thoroughly displeased look. Westin began to hyperventilate, stood and screamed, "I'M SORRY!" rather loudly. Sofia jumped back from the abruptness, as Cedric's eyes narrowed angrily from the decibels blaring out of him.

Her hand was flung over his mouth, much as Cedric had done earlier to stifle the bellows she'd been making. An eye roll from the sorcerer followed, alongside an attempt to cross his arms. "It's time Sofia, do be quick about it."

"Wes? If you can hear me, nod." He nodded. "Okay great! Wes, you were hit with a spell." Still streaming healing magic, it was so hard to break this to him, especially with Cedric glaring at the man. "But you're going to be just fine. Cedric only stunned you." Her cousin toppled back onto the floor, seemingly disoriented. Sofia wasn't able to break his fall, and he landed with a rather loud thud, seemingly a mirror for his distress. "Wes, um, you know how not everyone is perfect for each other?"

The young man's eyes flew open. He glanced up at Cedric, then immediately at Sofia. Such pain lay there, it made her involuntarily cringe. He began to hyperventilate, and knocking Sofia's wand and well-intentioned comments aside, Westin bolted for the door.

"Wes wait!"

He was gone. She turned to Cedric, frantically, "I've got to catch him."

The sorcerer groaned loudly as more shouting came from the family room. "You're going to count this against me if I protest, aren't you love?" She raised an eyebrow at him in return. "Ugh, very well then. I suppose you must, but in the name of Merlin be careful. You know I'll be rife with worry till you return." He rolled toward the wall, pulling the blanket over his shoulder, "And do tell them to be quiet. Some people around here are injured in need of some semblance of rest."

"I know, I will." She bounded out the door, only to be met by the stoic gaze of all heads in the family room, turned toward her inquisitively. Several eyebrows were raised.

"I hope everything's alright sweet pea?" Birk was leaning over the table with the map of Friezenburg littered with demarcations, Amalthea hung over it as well, fuming and heaving deep breaths, alongside several other people. That woman had been the one shouting, no doubt.

None of these staring faces were her cousin, though. Amalthea was snarling at someone behind Birk, unaware the rest of the room was glaring at the young woman. "Um, everything is, okay. I, need to go talk to Wes. Which way did he, um, go?"

"That way." Axel pointed out the door, "But don't worry, Lucinda on it."

"But he's upset and…"

"What's this? My baby's upset! I've got to go find him!" Amalthea extracted her head that death stare, red in the face, as Birk massaged the bridge of his nose again. From behind him Carol of the Arrow's head popped out, eyeing Amalthea menacingly.

"You would have noticed the distraught young man if you weren't contradicting Birk's impeccable morality and unquestionable leadership skills so forcefully."

Axel took a few steps forward, leaning down over Sofia's shoulder so he could whisper. "We could really use your help resolving this."

"But Wes, I need to set him straight." She whispered back.

"Luci's got this, and quite honestly you're the only one with the temperament to deal with these people. I can't make inroads with Carol or Amalthea right now. They'd rather tear each other's heads off than compromise."

Sofia took a step away from Axel to address the room. "Okay, fine. But you all need to stop shouting. Cedric was badly injured by Rolland and needs more rest." Her finger pointed at the elders in the room individually, and each one seemed to grumble. Axel retreated, and followed Sofia over to the table. There were scattered tally marks in various areas of Friezenburg. "Troop positions?" Birk nodded, "So then, what's with all the shouting?"

"The problem is that we cannot settle on a plan of action, and time is of the essence." Carol proudly stood alongside Birk, and turned to him to gauge his response to her words. Birk didn't notice, instead he was lost in the map, clearly searching for an answer.

"Well, what are the ideas?"

Carol gestured down, "There are three garrisons stationed within the capital, too many to attack straight out, and beside those there are two more in the dead woods along the outskirts. Open fighting in the capital is sure to result in an extraordinary loss of life, and would draw the reserve garrisons from the woods, so we would need to prepare for over a thousand men. In addition, there is a scouting party somewhere in the upper ice meadows and another in the granite hollows up north, they use messenger hawks and could communicate quickly our troop positions should we advance enough Sons of Friezenburg to take the capital from such a force, and stop us before we ever reach the castle."

"But, what's the problem exactly? You all seem to agree that going straight after the capital is a bad idea."

Amalthea growled. "Not ALL of us. HE can't see that we need to take out the garrisons protecting the capital before we can GET to the capital, unless you want to level the whole town and palace."

The palace. Hildegard's family must still be there. Images from Hildegard's funeral of the insane King Aaron and mourning crown princess flashed before Sofia's eyes, but the conversation quickly moved on. "But we need to defeat the scouting parties first, so that they can't warn the reserves in Guttenstang." Carol quickly responded.

"Gutten-something?" Sofia was trying to follow, but the reality that she was helping to plan the overthrow of Hildegard's family was sinking in.

"The port city." Birk interrupted. "That's where all these troops are coming from. If we liberate the capital that's where they'll fall back to, but first we need to get them out of our capital. While King Aaron remains in power aloft his throne we will never be free."

Amalthea became grave in her tone. "I'm telling you, going after the capital might be a symbolic victory, but you're gonna loose spectacularly. When those garrisons in the forest come in as reinforcements you'll be surrounded. End game, bye-bye resistance."

Sofia traced her hands along the route of positions Carol had indicated. "So, Carol thinks that we should take out the scouting parties first, Birk thinks we should liberate the capital because it's a symbolic victory, and Amalthea, you think we should clear the outskirts of the capital. The soldiers in the woods." They all looked around, reluctantly nodding.

"You see the impasse we've reached." Carol boldly stated, "I will follow Birk into battle in the capital, along with my Merry Helpers, if that's what he deems best. Though I think snapping off their lines of communication is more prudent."

Sofia delved hard in thought. Carol was good at ferreting out things other's would overlook, and could probably track at least one of the scouting parties. "You're right Carol, you and your band should go after the northern scouting party."

"So that's your answer." Amalthea hissed. "Typical. By the time we're done finding them all these positions might have moved. Then you've only caught 20 or so Maldonian soldiers. Not a good strategy."

Sofia turned back to the map. There was a contour line drawn past the capital and woods they were arguing so heavily about, that led off the table. "What's this?"

"The river Behrung. It's frozen over now." Birk stated, still staring at the palace on the map as if it was a trophy to be taken.

"But it runs past the two garrisons in the woods, and it also runs right past where Amalthea said the southern scouting party was." A plan was coalescing in her mind, and Amalthea knew it.

"But sweet pea, I already told you, the river's frozen."

"It doesn't have to be." Amalthea was waiving her wand, and Birk caught the meaning instantly.

"So you will use magic to melt the river, how does that help?" Carol stood, addressing her in that booming voice she was so famous for.

"If you're thinking we could move fighters to the capital that way I'd say you're crazy, it runs right past where all these troops are." Amalthea gripped.

Ardently Sofia shook her head, "No… we need to get the Maldonians out of Friezenburg, so we should use the river to float them out of here."

"In what, boats?" Amalthea was practically chuckling, but Axel was leaning over Sofia's shoulder, intently.

"That, could work, and my citizens wouldn't have to be killed that way." Axel was nodding enthusiastically now, "They're good men who shouldn't have to die for my Dad's crimes, they're just following orders."

Sofia smiled, seeing the concern Axel had for all parties. "Luci can conjure boats. She made the one that carried Papa and the other prisoners home from Maldonia."

"But how are you going to get a hundred soldiers on these nonexistent 'boats'? They're not going to accept an offer to high tea little mage?" Amalthea was sneering again at the absurdity of it all.

"No, but they don't have to be conscious." Sofia shot back. She'd said it before realizing what she was implying, and a morally ambiguous little spell one sorcerer had been performing for weeks might just do the trick. Confidently Sofia set her hands on her hips, "Cedric has taught me a spell that can distort an opponent's senses. We can use it to knock the Maldonian troops unconscious, and then load them onto these boats and float them out of the country."

"It is… a good plan. But then, what of the capital?" Birk seemed fixated on it for some reason.

Again all heads hung low, trying to strategize some way to make turn the advantage against the occupiers.

"I can surrender." It had come from the prince.

Several men flung their hands up in protest, but Axel shouted over them. "If I give myself up they'll take me to the capital, and then I bet a whole garrison will escort me to the port city, and then across the sea to home. That leaves only 2, a lot better than five to fight."

"If you think your father will have mercy upon you, I'd reconsider his track record." As serious as the grave was Amalthea's tone, but Axel seemed undaunted.

"If it means we can end the suffering here in Friezenburg and I can save the lives of 200 Maldonians, I'll do it."

"No, wait." Sofia's hand was up, "It's a good idea to draw them out of the city Axel, but maybe there's a better way."

"You're talking about a decoy. Clever girl." Amalthea bore the hints of a smile. "I think I'm starting to hate you less, princess."

"Thanks. I think." She turned to Birk, who seemed mystified. "Papa, we deliver a message to the commanders in the city that their garrisons in the woods are under attack and they need reinforcements, quick. That should draw out the bulk of the troops from the capital, leaving it vulnerable."

"That, seems as though it could work." Birk reluctantly conceded, "We'd have to time it perfectly, and somehow convince the commanders in the city that we were Maldonian soldiers."

"Sofia can conjure uniforms. She did it already for Westin and I in Mazida." Axel proffered. "And I know what the commander of the units in the woods looks like. You can conjure a beard, right Sofia?"

"Yep!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Birk nodded, and orders were set. "Then it begins when the sun sets over the western mountains. Carol, you and your merry helpers set out immediately. Find the northern scouts and wait till sunset to neutralize them." Carol nodded enthusiastically before Birk could turn to his daughter. "Sofia, I need you to conjure costumes for those men infiltrating the capital." Before she could ask who would be going Birk turned to the fallen prince. "Axel, I need you to draw the garrisons in the woods toward the river. Do you see this blob here?" Birk was gesturing toward a rather large glob of soot near the river's edge. "It's known as 'the king's rock'. It's huge, but there is a sliver of land that forms the river's edge around it. Lead them here, and the narrow passage will allow for Lucinda to stun the enemy in waves, then toss them into boats. I'll send my best men with you to ensure this succeeds. After those garrisons in the woods are taken care of, you both wait in the narrow passage behind the rock until the troops from the capital come flooding in. Send them all in boats down the river." Birk stood as tall as he was able, turning to the dozen or so men around the table behind Axel. "When the sun sets today, we are going to rid Friezenburg of this occupation and our homeland will be ours once more!"

The men erupted in cheers.

But there was still a group unaccounted for. "Wait, Papa, who's going to take out the second scouting party?"

"Amalthea is." Birk was now zeroed in on the woman. "You can handle 40 or so Maldonian troops, isn't that correct Amalthea?" The woman grunted in derision, but didn't contradict his statement.

"But Papa, all alone? That's too many and—"

Sofia's objections fell on deaf ears. "Hear me, Sorceress, when they're neutralized you'll send those scouts floating down the river to Axel and Lucinda, then join their efforts in subduing the incoming garrisons." Birk then set his hand into the table forcefully, making everyone but Amalthea jump backward. "And if you're thinking of betraying us, Royal Sorceress, know this. Westin will be accompanying me into the capital for the subterfuge we've planned."

The old mage's mouth dropped open and anger bristled sharply. "Now HOLD ON, that's the most dangerous job. There's NO WAY…"

"Which is why I am going to shoulder this burden." Birk quickly countered. "And Wes will want to be alongside me, regardless of where I go. This way, if you betray us, know that it is his fate you'll be sealing."

Birk had played Amalthea, hard. The woman grunted loudly, then threw her hands up in a fury and walked off. Once she did so Birk smiled, triumphantly. Carol wore a certain look of admiration, gazing slightly down on the shorter man.

"You truly are a great leader, Birk. Come Jane, we go North to aide the cause!" Carol reached out, taking Birk's arm in a characteristic hold of camaraderie the Friezenburgers seemed to do, then departed into the snows beyond.

"Am I the only one who can see that this is fool hearty?" Amalthea had come storming back, livid. "Even if you manage to draw out a garrison or two with this madness, there will still be a skeleton crew of at least 100 men left inside the capital. How are you and my son going to subdue a hundred men?"

Birk's gaze narrowed. It was impossible odds. "We'd need a force to move upon the capital."

"But they'll be spotted, and any diversion you think Axel might provide would be easily overruled by an oncoming army. I know this much, the Maldonian generals are not fools." Hissing all the while, Amalthea set her hand into the table much as Birk had done earlier. "I'm not going to let you take my boy into a no-win situation, just to satisfy your injured pride with some delusional vision of triumph."

Wait. Whip-quick, Sofia spun toward her father. "Papa, what does she mean 'your pride'?"

She was brushed back, Birk addressing the older mage head on. "You are not one to question my motives, are we clear?" Sofia had never heard the man so serious, and a sinking feeling that Amalthea knew more about her Papa than she did began to fester in her mind.

"Well unless you know a way of moving troops into the capital without a full scale assault, I'm not letting you take him anywhere." Amalthea's hand disappeared into her pocket, and a menacing subtext flowed over the conversation. Her wand must now be lurking within it.

"Wait." Sofia cried out. "Just, wait. We need to get troops into the capital, but they can't look or act like troops or fighting will break out, right?" Birk's shoulders relaxed, and the tension dissipated. "Well, what if… if…. If…. " Frantically Sofia looked around for an idea, and caught a glimpse of her aunt mulling around in the kitchen, a spoon coated in that horrible-tasting gruel she was so proud of lodged in her hand. A huge smile crossed Sofia's lips, and confidently she relayed her idea. "Papa, you said you traveled to the capital for rations often, right?" He nodded, then the realization dawned on him as well.

Amalthea's hand was up, none too pleased. "Now what just a minute…"

"It's risky, sweet pea." Birk's solid hand had come down on her shoulder, drawing her in with sincerity. "If we fail, they'll stop handing out rations to the occupied territories, this as winter draws near."

"But we won't fail, right Papa?"

"You're risking it all Birk. Are you really willing to go through with this?" Amalthea's arms were crossed, and a silence fell over the room as Birk held his head in his hands, finalizing this one, terrible decision.

"Yes."

Birk turned, ordering men to and fro, scattering as they exited the cottage, while Amalthea stormed off to the back of the room once more. Sofia turned to her father, pulling on the tattered and mud-stained sleeve he'd probably worn for weeks on end. "But Papa, where am I going to be in all this fighting?"

His hands were up, swaying back and forth. "Now sweet pea, you're meant to conjure disguises, teach Amalthea, Lucinda and Wes those spells to knock adversaries unconscious, and to heal the wounded when we return. I'm not sending you into battle."

"But that's silly! I can fight, and I'm practically a mage, you know the more of us you have on your side the better our chances. I should come with you to the capital!"

Stunned, Birk looks as if the wind had been knocked out of him, "I cannot let you sweet pea. As Amalthea said, it's the most dangerous part of this plan."

"But I, wait you let Westin decide how he wanted to participate in this battle." Birk grimaced, "And you let Lucinda fight, so why are you keeping me on the sidelines. It's not fair, I can help!"

After one long, deep exhale Birk bent down slightly to be eye-level with his only child. "Sweet pea, I told you before, you and your mother are my whole world. If something were to happen to you, I couldn't bear it, I could never face your mother again, and I could no longer lead this resistance. So please, do as I say and stay out of danger."

"Ooh, you sound just like Cedric." Sofia stomped her foot, and pointed one finger decidedly at her father, but the man just cracked a smile.

"The more I hear about this 'Cedric', the more admirable he seems."

"Uh, admirable?" Cedric was many things, not all of them as wholesome as Sofia once assumed. It took her aback, and the menacing finger fell to her side.

"Why yes, sweet pea. Here is this man, a powerful, influential mage who has taken you under his wing and taught you the magical arts when you had little to offer in return. Who, as I understand it from Westin, defied his master the king to defend you from that man's wrath, and who, despite all the privilege in this world, has chosen to abandon his affluence and aide us in our quest. He is a noble soul to stand up to such tyranny with so much to loose, much as Axel. I can't wait to give him my blessing."

"Whoa, wait. You're blessing?"

"Why yes, Westin's made a fine choice." Quipped Birk.

There were so many things wrong with that statement, but being blocked from the battle was more important. "Um, that's not really, well actually Cedric doesn't..." Birk's eyebrows furrowed as Amalthea began snorting on the opposite side of the room. He turned to look out the door.

"Ah, I see why Wes was in such a hurry to depart then. That is, unfortunate. We've no need of more lover's quarrels." With that he began shaking his head.

Sofia's hands flew up. "Regardless, I am going to the capital no matter what you say, I owe it to Hildegard to make sure her family is safe. I even know the layout of the castle, I've been there dozens of times."

"You'd be a fool not to take her up on this, Birk." Amalthea was now leaned up against the doorpost, smiling wickedly.

Her father's gaze narrowed warily on the woman. "This is not your concern." He turned to Sofia, gently patting her head as if she were still a child. "Although, I agree that there has been enough death. Alright Sofia, we will banish the traitorous king and his daughter for their cowardice." Birk stated it solemnly, and turned to exit the cottage, Sofia gripping at his sleeve to stop him.

"But wait, are you going to let me save them, or not?"

"Sofia, let me be clear. If I sent you off to fight, and you didn't return, it would destroy me. I need to be able to lead my people, or chaos and defeat will ensue. So heed my orders on this, I do not wish to see you at this battle." He didn't lower himself to her level as per normal, instead her lorded over her, gripping her shoulders with all seriousness he could bestow.

With that, Birk left Sofia standing there in the center of the room, Amalthea chuckling alongside the door.

"What's so funny?" Sofia huffed in disapproval.

"You ARE me, little mage, and I know you want more than anything to go running off into this, no matter what he said."

"Well, technically he didn't order me not to fight, just not to be seen."

"Riiight… well after I knock out that scouting party I'm going to the capital to protect my son. If you just so happen to tag along in some sort of disguise then that's your problem."

"Do you really want my help? Because I kind of thought you hated me."

"Oh, I really do. BUT, it serves Birk right for putting my baby in danger." Amalthea chuckled, then stepped out the door, gripping a shawl to cover protect her hair from the howling winds. "You'll come, you simply can't stay away."

Sofia was left standing there before the open door, Axel the only one remaining in the room. He'd been listening to this whole discussion. "Your dad has a point. You're really important symbolically to this fight, and if you get hurt of killed it would be awful." Sofia looked down at her hands, wanting so desperately to aide in this fight, then back toward the door where Cedric was awaiting her return. Axel very seriously leaned down to meet her gaze at eye-level. "Are you gonna defy your dad?"

"I... don't know."

Snowflakes started to drift down from the overcast skies as Sofia, with Axel hot on her heels, tromped through the muck outside looking for Westin and Lucinda. "Wes! Where are you?!" Axel called out on occasion, Sofia doing in kind for Lucinda.

In the interim, an awkward silence brewed between them. Sofia busied herself moving bush branches and looking around rocks, but to no avail. "She told you, didn't she?" Axel had come up on her ear, and startled, Sofia let out an 'eep' before jumping backward to catch her breath. "Sorry Sofia, I just noticed you're being uncharacteristically quiet and, Lucinda must have told you what happened."

"She, told me not to try and help. Sorry."

A defeated, "oh" drifted out of the prince, and they went about searching the surrounding woodlands in silence. A few more dozen yards and Axel was again hovering, "But, she didn't tell you not to listen to me, did she?"

Ugh, he really wanted to talk about it. "Technically no, she didn't."

"Then, could you believe she did that?!" Axel was now stomping around in circles, "How could she go after my father like that?! I mean, she could have killed him. I know he's kind of an awful person, but to kill him?! And she didn't even speak to me about that asinine plan of hers before tromping off into danger. She could have been KILLED!"

"Wait, are you mad at her for trying to kill your Dad? Or are you mad because it was a miracle she survived? Lucinda certainly doesn't think that your reaction was because you were worried about her."

"Well OF COURSE I was! She marched into a castle with guards that were ordered to KILL her for treason." Axel was stomping mad, and contented his rage by kicking a nearby boulder. It did not go well.

"Then why didn't you tell her you were angry that she went alone, without talking with you?" Suddenly the parallels to what she'd been doing to Cedric crept up, causing her to focus hard on Axel's response.

"Because, because…" He stomped back and forth between the infamous rock and a nearby tree, shaking his stubbed toes. "Because I trusted her and she let me down! She knew I wouldn't agree but she didn't care, she just did it anyway. I thought we were in this together, but she wasn't! I just feel, so… so… unimportant to her." He had an excellent point, and Sofia sat back against the aforementioned rock, staring at this young man who was so knotted up inside. Her gaze dropped to the blanket of snow now matted down by Axel's pacing, thinking about if Cedric might feel the same way about her constant running off and dismissal of his opinions.

With a great sigh, Sofia tried to get at the truth he was hiding to conceal his injured pride. "Do you still love her?" Cautiously she looked up at the man, and yes, he did. He didn't need to answer. "Alright, then you need to be open and honest with her about why you were upset, ALL of the reasons. She disregarded your feelings and wandered into danger, yes, but you need to decide if you can forgive her for what happened and move on with her, or if it was unforgivable, in which case you let her go." The young prince grimaced, then fell back against a tree. "You don't know the answer, do you?" He looked off into the distance instead of answering. "Lucinda doesn't know what to say to make it better, because the decision to forgive is yours."

"Could you forgive something like this Sofia? I mean, if the person you loved tried to murder your father, throw your nation into chaos, and potentially be killed for it, would you be able to forgive them?" He had no idea how accurate that question was. It made Sofia double over, reflecting inward on how she'd managed to come to terms with Cedric's crimes. Ultimately, she'd deflected the judgment, passing it instead to Rolland and her siblings, but Axel couldn't sidestep it.

"I… I know how you feel. Someone I care about tried to kill Rolland." Axel turned, lifting off the tree trunk he came to sit beside Sofia on the rock, both of them staring at the mud mixed with snow before them.

"So, what did you do? Did you swallow your pride and forgive them?"

That's what Cedric had done, wasn't it? Waves of guilt washed over Sofia, as she cupped her face in her hands. "I wanted to, with everything in me, but I couldn't, so I just told him that Rolland would have to decide his punishment, not me, and I watched as he nearly killed Cedric with his bare hands." It was everything she could do not to burst out crying, for all the emotions Cedric's actions stirred in her, and a series of odd coughs came out of Axel.

"Um, did you say Cedric? Is that why Rolland injured him?"

Oops. She flung her hands up, turning toward the prince. "Please don't say anything about it, okay?! I don't want people here to treat Cedric poorly, and it's really none of their business anyway."

"Yeah yeah, sure I guess. Wow, I'm sorry to hear that Sofia. Lucinda's mentioned what close friends you are." A sympathetic arm and shoulder to cry on were offered, which she declined politely.

"It was all my fault. Everything's my fault, this whole war." Was stated as she stared off at the river in the distance.

"It's gonna be okay. I know we're going to win, and free these people." Reluctantly she steadied herself, and a half smile from the prince reassured her. "As for Lucinda and I… I'm not so sure."

"Well, all I can say is, don't live with regret like Amalthea does. You are both going into battle tonight, and, if something bad does happen, you don't want to regret putting off the decision." He stiffened, realizing exactly what she meant by that.

A strange thumping sound interrupted the silence. Both former royals turned toward the direction of the odd noise, following it toward a bend in the squalid ice-river that at one point wound it's way through Birk's village. There, alongside the riverbed was Westin, hunched over and sitting on the rocky shoreline while Lucinda crouched beside him, laying her head on his shoulder.

"There you are." Lucinda turned at the sound of Sofia's voice, but Wes continued to stare listlessly into the swirling tide pools. Once the witch caught sight of Sofia's companion she tensed, turning back to the river much as Westin was. A somewhat muted groan came from the fallen prince, and Sofia nudged him forward. "Guys, we've worked out a plan to take back Friezenburg. Lucinda, you're a key part of it."

"Really? What does Birk want me to do?"

"Axel will tell you everything. You two are going to be on the front lines." A serious nod and Lucinda stood, hugging Westin about the shoulders she stoically headed back toward town, leaving them all behind.

"Oof. She's not making this easy." Axel groaned.

"Her pride was hurt when you said you didn't want to marry her." His head fell down, and a large grumble came out. "Yeah, that wasn't my best moment. Luci, wait!" Axel called out to her, then went running off in her direction, leaving the cousins by the stream.

"Hey."

Sofia went to stand alongside Westin on the shoreline. When he didn't respond, she bent over, much as Lucinda had done. "We heard a weird 'thunking' noise, what's going on?"

Westin pointed, and littered all along the ground were foot-deep divots in the snow and dirt surrounding them. Off to the far side of the clearing was a two-foot long wooden tree stump halfway buried at an odd angle.

"So, the tree stump did this?"

"I was really upset at myself. Lucinda thought this was better than throwing myself in the river." Westin shrugged, "I don't feel better, just tired."

"Well, you need to get some rest. My Papa is going on a covert mission to take back the capital, and wants you by his side."

Instead of the joy and excitement her cousin typically exuded, he slumped further into himself, drawing his muddy knees into his great arms. "When?"

"Sunset. We're coordinated on multiple fronts. Today's the day we free Friezenburg." The man just stared off once more. "Wes come on, this isn't like you. I know you care about winning this, well, it's happening, today."

"I do care, I just feel so, so… stupid. I screwed things up with the only man I could ever see myself with."

"Stop, okay? So it's not going to work with Cedric, you've only been free for a couple of months, who knows what the future holds, right?"

"Is this 'the fish in the sea' thing Lucinda was telling me, because there aren't a lot of powerful sorcerers who are kind and funny and just happen to like men, are there Sofia?"

"Um, probably not, but you don't know until you go looking for them."

Again Westin slumped down burying his head in his hands. "He was just so funny, and he was so kind showing me those spells, and powerful. He was so amazingly powerful when he froze the orchard outside your castle. Oh Sofia, when we laughed together in his workshop I just, he just seemed so perfect, but I was lying to myself, wasn't I?" Westin picked up the nearest rock, the size of Sofia's head, and hurled it over a hundred yards across the river and into the distance beyond.

"Whoa, you're really strong."

"I grew up doing manual labor in a mine. A lot of good it does me." Westin flopped onto his back, sinking into the snow as he did. "Maybe if I went to a magic school, and learned things, and really showed him that I can be something special, he'd give me another chance."

"Wes, you are an amazing, kind man. People respond to your good nature, just like Rolland did. You're going to find someone amazing who will love you for who you are, okay?"

"But there has to be something I can do. I'm young, I'm strong, I'm not particularly ugly, there just has to be a way."

He'd reached the bargaining stage of grief, but no amount of soul searching was going to remedy Cedric's disdain for the boy. "I know you wanted this, but he doesn't feel the same and he's not going to change his mind."

Westin closed his bleary eyes, making peace with Sofia's words and finally nodding. "It hurts."

"I know, I'm so sorry."

Magical disguises were conjured for a handful of elite fighters, men Birk trusted implicitly. Many of whom Sofia recognized from liberation of the mines. Before they set off into the woods Sofia stood, Birk holding her tight in his arms while Amalthea fussed over Westin. With one of Lucinda's spare wands lodged in the young man's hand, he stared off into the nameless distance as his mother tried in vain to convince him of the folly in accompanying Birk to the capital. In truth, there was more than a slight possibility some of these brave men marching in disguise on the capital may not survive. Sofia was overwhelmed by memories from her childhood, reliving the impact the loss that her strong, loving Papa's disappearance had on her and her mother all those years ago. The gaping void they suffered with for so long cast a dark shadow over the hug, as the memories made her knees buckle. But still, she clung to him as if it were the last time she'd see him, memorizing the deep lines time had cut into his features. Other women had gathered too, to embrace the men in disguise that would accompany Birk. This was a ritual, it seemed, a last touch of affection before loved ones went off to battle. Many hearts were breaking all around, whispers of love and devotion were being uttered, and Sofia had to tell him how she felt.

"I waited." She said breathlessly into his shoulder while still wrapped in his warm embrace.

"Hmm? What's that sweet pea?"

"Everyday. I waited by the old oak tree in Dunwitty every evening for you to come home. For years. When mom finally sold your boots I knew, but it was so hard…"

"It's okay sweet pea." He pulled away, looking her straight in the eyes. "I promise child, I'm coming home this time, and I'll be a man you and your mother can be proud of."

"I'm already so proud of you Papa. I, I love you lots. Please come back safe."

"I will."

Slowly he stepped back, letting her arms fall. She stood there, watching as Birk, Westin and a few others in uniform alongside many disguised as peasants in search of rations disappeared over the horizon. It was a few hours walk to the capital, and they should arrive just in time for sunset this way. Many of the women retreated back to the village, unwilling or unable to watch their loved ones march toward an uncertain fate. Standing next to her, Lucinda reached over, draping an arm easily on her shoulder.

"You okay friend?"

He was already gone from sight, but she couldn't stop looking toward where he'd departed. "I didn't realize how hard it would be to watch them go. I feel, so small and helpless."

"Don't. Feel excited, we've got a solid plan that everyone agrees is the best chance for success."

Lucinda, Axel and their entourage were next to depart. Hugs were exchanged, and then they were gone, Lucinda's broom strapped to her back the last thing she saw disappear over the horizon line.

She was left alone with Amalthea standing on the hillside. Sofia heard a sniffle, and turned to see the witch, actually moved to tears. "Are you, crying?"

"NO! I'm frustrated! My baby is going off into battle and there's nothing I can do about it." She was, in fact, crying. Embarrassed, Amalthea turned away. "Just be ready with that flying horse of yours in two hours. I've always used my anger, today will be no different. I'm gonna make heads roll." The older woman stomped off, and Sofia was truly alone on the hillside, left alone with her thoughts.

"I take it you were able to solve whatever riddle had stumped the masses? Sofia, why ever are you standing there, Sofia? Something's wrong. Tell me this instant!" She'd wandered back to the room where Cedric was interned, mulling over everything that had transpired. Here she was, standing in front of him, but everything she's wanted to say, how thankful she was he simply forgave her for all her transgressions, how distraught she was watching Birk go, how devastated Westin had been, it was all there, trapped inside her.

Worried, Cedric had launched up on his arms, trying to lurch out of bed once more and toward her. The danger he was putting himself in snapped her out of the trance, and she lunged forward, wrapping one hand around the back of his head, the other along his uninjured side. Slowly he laid back into the blankets, taking her along for the ride. Before she could speak, or he object, she lifted her feet out of her shoes and crawled in alongside him. The bed was warm, no doubt from his occupancy. Slowly she inched closer, curling up into his shoulder with great care so as not to aggravate his many injuries. A great smile spread across his lips.

"My promised nap is at hand then, yes?"

Unable to speak, she nodded. A hand came around, his thin fingers winding their way into her hair. "Tell me what's wrong dearest." Was whispered into her ear.

"It's not wrong, it's just… We've got a plan, and Papa went to the capital to liberate the city." Deeper into his shoulder she pushed, letting her hair cover her face, that not a drop of the afternoon sun could penetrate.

"Then worry for his sake consumes you, is that it?" She nodded in the folds of his robe, and felt his head come alongside her, stroking hers gently to soothe her.

Several minutes of long caresses of his cheek against hers did manage to calm the inner storms. "Thanks" she whispered.

"Did it work then? Are you feeling better?" She nodded, and he let out a great exhale of relief. Turning up to look at him, such sympathy and kindness lay in his eyes. This side of him that he let no one but her see, it melted away the abject sadness. "Did he say when he expected to return?"

She shook her head, "No, we planned it so that the battle will start at sunset, he's traveling in disguise as a Maldonian soldier, along with Wes and a handful of others."

Cedric's brows furrowed in worry. "Sofia dear, how are a few men going to displace an army? I've seen their masses when I was ordered by your father into this mess, there must be a thousand men in and about the capital."

"We planned it all, they're going to draw the troops out of the capital, and use your sensory distortion spell to subdue a lot of them."

He laid back, setting his head into the pillow and shifting his hands to draw her body closer. Even though they were fully clothed, being pressed gently into his side felt so intimate. She let her leg draw upward a bit, catching his attention. The eyebrows were decidedly up.

"I suppose that was your idea to re-purpose my spells. What a clever lass you are." He yawned deeply, nuzzling his nose into the side of her hair once more. "As long as you're kept far from this, I wish them the best." He turned a bit, whispering once more. "After all, I still need to impress the man, so he'll allow me to, to, t-t-t-tooo. OOooh".

She silenced his nerves with a kiss. This time though, when she tried to pull away, he wouldn't let her. His hands exerted a slight pressure to her back to keep her from retreating, and little kisses, each one lingering longer than the last was set softly upon her lips. A soft giggle was enough to break the stream, and she looked up into his eyes. "You don't need to be nervous. Papa has heard so much about you" The man tensed, "And it's all good things. How impressive your magic is, how you stood up to Rolland to save me, he's heard it all and he really likes you."

That goofy grin spread ear to ear on Cedric's face, replete with a swift squeeze to Sofia's sides of happiness. "D-D-Do you really mean it? He, l-l-likes me, despite the horrors I've committed?"

Sofia looked away as Cedric sighed. "Oh, oh I see. Then, he knows not of my personal failings." Deflated, Cedric flopped his head onto the pillow, loosening his grip on Sofia.

"What's the matter? I thought you'd be happy that Papa seems to really like you."

"I suppose it's nothing I haven't kept hidden before." He tilted his head down to face her once more, shifting a leg gingerly to move it alongside hers. The action pulled her skirt up slightly, letting her exposed leg brush against his. It clearly wasn't his intention, but he couldn't reach down to fix it, and in all truth it was a rather nice sensation. "I-I-It's just—" The high pitch of his voice made her blush. He noticed, and went into over-correction mode. "Ahem, as I was saying, I was looking forward to living a life without lies, for once, but you were prudent to gloss over some of my less-than-perfect decisions. For that I am truly appreciative."

Smiling up at him, she ran her fingers slowly through his bangs, letting them trace along the outline of his face. His eyes were red and swollen still, and as she let her thumb trace over them he obligingly closed those weary lids. "It's nap time. Please Cedric, get some sleep."

Fingers curled around her dress, pulling her closer as he snuggled into her as best he could. "Promise me then, that you won't disappear when I rest. Promise, or I shan't fall asleep."

"I promise, when I need to get up I'll wake you." With that, he nuzzled into her hair, fully embracing her under the covers. Sofia stroked his head, letting her fingers trail down to the little bristly hairs on his neck, then across his bony shoulders as she stared at the wall. Light snoring in her ear started up, and she was struck by the great contrast of how tranquil this seemed compared to the hell that was going to erupt in a few hours.

Something Cedric had said to her back in Enchancia crept into her musings, as she lay there as still as possible for fear of waking him.

'How can one survive the valleys without the peaks?'

His words echoed through her. Despite all their planning, the impending battle was sure to be devastating. Somehow, lying here watching his chest rise and fall underneath the covers softened her abject worry about the night. In the stillness of the afternoon she watched specs of dust float in and out of the sunlight streaming from the small window above, and clarity about the implications of the looming battle came to her. She had to ensure the Amalthea succeeded, she had to aide Lucinda, and evacuate Hildegard's family to safety. He would be livid that she was going to fight, but she had to acknowledge how he was going to react this time, instead of running off.

As the sun dipped to touch the trees over the western mountains, she knew the time had come. Gently she extended her head upward, to touch him gently with the tip of her nose. "Cedric, I need to go now."

He wiggled oddly, rubbing his cheek into the collar of his robe. She hadn't realized he'd been drooling. "Cedric, it's okay if you want to keep sleeping, but I need to go now."

One eye lid cracked open. "Too soon, more nap." He tried to move his leg, but grit his teeth. The numbing spells must have worn off. Quickly she reached for her wand, and recast the charm. "Aaaaah. Delightful." His neck relaxed and once more he tried to nuzzle her softly, but she pulled away.

"Cedric, I need to go now."

"Wha... where love?"

After taking a deep breath, she set a soft kiss onto the eyelid that stubbornly refused to open. "I've got to go help my friends, but I promise I'll be back tonight."

That was it. Both of his eyes flew open, panic setting in, "NO! Sofia NO, why... oh, oh.."

"Cedric, I know you're going to be upset, but I had to tell you this time." He stopped flailing, looking intently at her with such worry.

"There's nothing I can say to stop you, is there?" She cringed. "No declaration that you've the only thing I have left in this world, and if they hurt you, took you, k-k-k-killl..." His hands were shaking as they hovered an inch over her body, as if he were imagining all the horrors that could be wrought upon another human.

"I know it's a risk. I'll try to stay out of the direct fighting as much as possible, but I need to help in whatever way I can."

"Then, if there's no convincing you otherwise, I must accompany you." Slowly he tried lifting up. She had to physically restrain him, lest he further injure himself. Being halted, he looked up at her, panicked.

"Cedric, you can't." He went pale. "Your leg is twisted, your ribs are broken, and you can't walk."

"But I... I... I cannot, I WILL NOT let you go alone."

"I won't be alone. Amalthea is going with me, we're all in this together this time."

"Except me. You intend to leave me here to stew in misery."

"Cedric." She sat on the edge of the bed, bringing his head to her chest. He clung to her much as she had clung to Birk earlier. "I promise, once your knee is healed and you can walk I won't make you stay behind, but you physically can't come right now."

"Curse ROLLAND, CURSE HIM!" He cried out, fuming angry.

She took a deep breath, and held him upright, letting him work through the emotions. "I know how upset and helpless you feel, I felt the same when I watched Papa go this afternoon, so I promise I'll be extra careful, I won't go looking for trouble, and I'll come back." He was shaking his head back and forth against her shoulder, unable to let her go. "Please Cedric, I've been thinking about how much you went through, and I know it took a lot for you to forgive me for constantly running out on you. This time, I had to tell you why I needed to go, so you could understand."

"This is who you are, isn't it dearest? Unable to let it go, unwilling to give up and listen to reason." His head fell buried itself into her neck.

"Then, you do understand." He nodded.

"This unrelenting drive you have to do good, I suppose it's what allows you to overlook my failings as well." She ran her hands through his hair, encouraged that he was coming to terms with it. Slowly he lifted his head up to meet her gaze. He looked as if he'd been stabbed. "If I let you go, will this suffice as my penance? Will you believe me that I've reformed? Will you... forgive me for my sins? Will you start to trust me, as you once did?"

She closed her eyes, and whispered, "yes" before she kissed him goodbye. As she pulled away she felt his fingers tense, before finally letting go of the fabric of her dress. "Thank you for trusting me."

There he was, all alone with blankets strewn about, staring at her slowly backing away toward the door. "Wait, where is your wand?"

Before she could answer his hand flew up, extending her training wand outward. "But don't you want something to defend yourself with when I'm gone?"

"If you don't come back, I... I... well I'd rather your father found me and finished the job than live through that."

"Oh Cedric." She ran back to where he sat, taking the wand and hugging him about the neck to avoid his injuries. "I... I love you, please don't forget it."

He, in turn stroked the star pin, still clipped in her hair. "I shall never forget."

"I knew you'd show." Amalthea was standing alongside Minimus, who was tied to a post around the back of the cottage. Bundled in one of Nelly's winter jackets and tattered hemline of her green fighter's dress, Sofia looked every part a peasant from Friezenburg, save for the training wand dripping in the anticipation of magic.

"Let's do this."