Chapter 44: Priorities
Over a half dozen villages and small towns had come and gone, each one upon arrival a den of misery, each one departed as a beacon of hope and celebration.
"Does it all get a bit tiresome to you, Sofia?"
"Nope." The entire day had been a welcome relief for her, and tending to the injured whilst feeding the hungry had a certain aphrodisiac quality to it. They now rode down a small lane on a singular cart, together, toward what was referred to by the locals from the last enclave as 'the gateway'.
"All the same, I think we've done plenty of 'good' for the day. It's starting to make me itch."
"Oh Cedric, I think 'good' looks really handsome on you." Seated alongside him, it seemed the perfect invitation to wiggle ever so much closer to him, tightening the grip she'd held around his side whilst nuzzling her hair into his shoulder. The closer she got, the straighter his posture, the more labored his breath and apprehensive his hands.
"D-d-d-don't you think we should wait, for tonight, and some p-p-privacy, before, before…"
"Before what? Hugging you isn't indecent."
"I suppose…. If you k—k-keep your hands, n-n-north of the equator." Sofia blushed hard at the comment. "J-j-just in case you thought I, didn't notice." Obliging his request, she lifting the offending hand that had been wrapped around the far side of him, so that it no longer reached down into questionable places.
Summoning her courage, she clung to Lucinda's advice, pushing the insecurities aside. "How about this then?" With a deep breath, she went for it, leaning over to try and set her head in his lap. He yelped, and tensed decidedly, but determined to see it through she didn't let up and eventually with coaxing he set a hand softly on her shoulder. "See, not so bad huh?"
"Aaaa-as long as n-n-nobody… notices." As the cart tumbled along, he began ever so slowly to roll his fingers along the line of her back repeatedly, eventually letting them traipse along to be lost in her curls.
"Why should it matter if someone sees us Cedric?"
"Are you mad?! We aren't…" As his voice trailed off the spark of insecurity flared within her. He whipped his head around, then bent lower, toward her ear to whisper. "I've not permission. Yet."
"I said it's fine, but if you're worried about my Papa why don't you just ask? He seems to really like you."
Tugging at his star and coughing oddly, a stream of excuses came tumbling out. "The man is a bit preoccupied, leading an insurgence and all, and there's the manner of our age differences, the questions of my, past, misdeeds, the very questionable way in which I left Rolland's employ, a whole manner of things Sofia and I… I... Something extraordinary is required, I'm sure of it. After all, you are his only daughter and, I assume this isn't an easy thing to grant. I have to make sure he has no… reservations."
Thankful he'd stopped making excuses, a long deep breath calmed her nerves. Truly it was the answer she was expecting, if a bit disappointing. To assuage him she let her head nuzzle a bit deeper into his lap. "I think he accepts you as you are, but I understand."
"You are simply too good for me Sofia." That hand of his started wandering cautiously once more, pulling her farther into his lap ever so gently as they rolled along the snow-covered hillsides. Did it really matter if he was open with their newfound relationship yet? Mental gymnastics ensued silently through the desolate countryside, and she took heart in that he had chosen her over the life of twisted lies he'd been living. He'd grown so much as a person already, surely he'd come around and find the courage to openly acknowledge their relationship, somehow.
They came round a rather large boulder, revealing a majestic overview of snow-laden hills with smoke rising in the distance. Before them on a noteworthy outcropping stood a rather decrepit collection of thatch houses. It seemed they'd arrived at 'the gateway.'
"Pity. I rather enjoyed that stint." With a quick glance up Sofia caught a twinkle of affection in Cedric's eye. He had enjoyed her nestling into his lap. Lucinda's advice would need trying, soon. Brushing her head against his shoulder she could feel him shutter, a new surge of empowerment washing over as she was now able to understand his reactions to her for what they truly were.
He wanted her.
The jubilant sound of giggles broke the stillness of the late afternoon air, as a dozen children of all shapes and sizes emerged from the squalid living quarters.
"Yay, yay! Sofia's here, YAY Sofia!" Chants and cheers echoed into the hills below, as all manner of peasants followed the children who'd gathered around them.
Kindly, Sofia bent down to greet the nearest peasant girl. "How do you know my name?"
"Oh everybody in Friezenburg knows you! You're our savior." Cedric coughed oddly to match Sofia's discomfort at the label, then with a bevy of spells made short work of their needs, as he had been doing all day. As the children feasted on bounties of freshly-conjured food their grateful parents set about storing the newly-minted barrels of supplies. Ready to depart, one of the old women came up and took Sofia by the hand, holding back tears of joy in her eyes.
"Bless you child, and your saintly father for sending you to us."
"How did you know, that Birk asked us to come?"
Cedric's handicapped attempt to mount the cart immediately halted. Turning back to look at Sofia, she could tell he was worried. The woman grew nervous, probably due to Sofia's reaction, and took a half step back before responding. "Why, we had a messenger come through and tell us of your imminent arrival."
Concerned, Sofia glanced over to Cedric, who was equally clueless about this revelation. Another man, surlier than this elder who'd spoken out of turn stepped up, trying to shoo the woman away. "Now, none of that. It's just as we were told, isn't it? Off with yee, there's cooking to be done."
Half smiling, half nervous, the old woman wandered back toward the houses, now decidedly spruced due to a magical makeover. "Pay no heed to her m'lady." The short, tubby man declared.
"No, I want to know what she was talking about. Are there people watching us or something?" Cedric immediately yelped, pulling his wand close and scanning the scattered trees and rocks for signs of trouble.
"No, no. Nothing like that. A young man came by here looking for you two, and when we told him we'd not seen your likeness he informed us that you might stop by."
"What did he look like, this 'young man'?" Cedric had slunk over while dragging his injured leg behind him, eyeing the peasant with an abundance of caution.
"Well, he was a taller fellow. Broad shoulders, green eyes and a bit darker skin that one usually sees round these parts. Said he was one of the freed slaves."
"Westin." Sofia whispered to Cedric, the man huffing loudly with displeasure while the peasant shrugged. "Do you know where he went to?"
"He headed off toward the capital." With that, the peasant pointed toward that ominous cloud of smoke they'd seen rising from beyond he hills below.
"Did the whelp say anything else?" Cedric was none too happy they were being trailed by her overly-friendly cousin.
"He allayed our fears, that one." Another exchange of confused looks passed between the princess and sorcerer before they both turned on the peasant for an explanation. "Well, we were all a bit unnerved after that incident with the foreign king last night. Word travels fast about these parts, and rumor had it that Birk wasn't really helping us after all." Sofia's heart sank as the peasant chortled, his oddly protruding belly jiggling a bit as he did so. "After all, you're here, at his command, which means it was all a misunderstanding, aye?"
"Sofia, do you mind being specific on why you're snorting fire? Didn't you want me to spend the day executing your father's will and helping these forsaken people?"
Without response she'd turned and left the village, and the surly peasant behind. It was all Cedric could do to catch up before she took off with the cart once more. "Of course I did, that's all I've ever wanted to do was help them, but that's NOT why Birk sent us."
They'd rolled down the long winding path a ways more, as the smoke came into clearer focus. "Then why did he send us? If not to help these people."
"We're being used." Arms crossed, Sofia was livid.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Used Cedric. Birk is using us. He could have easily kept you safe in his village and sent out the supplies, but instead we're on a goodwill tour for him, we're bolstering his public image."
Sofia pulled the cart to a stop, gritting her teeth and pursing her lips. Cedric, meanwhile was fiddling with his hands. "Then, what do you wish me to do, Sofia? Do we stop this goodwill tour, on an ethical basis? Or we keep aiding these people, despite how it looks?" Exasperated he flung his hands up. "Sofia really?! How can you expect me to discern what to do, you know I've not the moral compass for these sorts of things!"
What should they do? "Let's find Westin, and make him stop whatever Birk asked him to do. Then Birk won't be using us anymore."
"I was hoping the answer was 'flee to my cabin in the woods', but, it's certainly a better plan than plunging headlong into a battle. Agreed."
The capital was in the midst of reclaiming materials from the fire, now extinguished. Their route took them first beyond the great gardens of the former royal family's castle. Cedric's eyes practically fell from their sockets as he bore witness to the devastation the battle had wrought. "In all my years, I've never seen such wanton destruction of such a marvelous construction." Beyond the battle-borne devastation, the castle had been ransacked of goods, many windows broken open and doors flung wide. Items large and small had seemingly been pilfered, as guilty tracks of several hundred feet lay printed in the snow, all leading toward the capital city.
"Yeah, it was pretty awful." To that, Cedric patted her on the head in a comforting gesture, letting his hand trail down across her curls.
"Best not to dwell on it love. There's nothing more to be done. You've secured the safety of King Aaron and his daughter, and that is something to be proud of." A smile, ever so slight grew at the warmth he showed her, before his hand slipped further down and stuck a chiding finger squarely in her face.
"But no more dangers alone, yes?"
"I promised. You can come with me from now on."
"Yes. Right. I'd rather there were no more dangers at all, but knowing you I'll take what I can get." Despite the destruction, it made her giggle.
The townspeople were milling about, clearing rubble. Among them was Amalthea, who had been coaxed by some unseen hand to aide in the rebuilding of the capital.
"Amalthea!" Disembarking from the cart Sofia was practically ignored, a stark contrast to her reception in the countryside. It seemed Birk has yet to indoctrinate these people with his own brand of history. Cedric clung to her back, the click of the cane Birk had given him against the stone pavers below but one step behind.
After hearing her name called, the older sorceress groaned, turning around. "Ugh, it's you, little mage. What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy." Upon seeing Cedric behind her, she straightened, inquisitiveness piqued. "Why, hello there, Cedric. Seems your still alive, and you've got a new accessory. Sofia you must find that simply charming." Cedric fumed, yanking the cane behind him as Amalthea chuckled. "Birk's not that noble after all, is he?"
Puffing up his chest as best he could, Cedric took a step forward, his old bravado shining through. "The man recognizes quality when he sees it, and I AM a powerful sorcerer, thank you very much."
All Amalthea did was shake her head. "People never change, except to get older." Cedric scoffed, then, pride slightly damaged sunk back a bit. Unable to help herself, Sofia slid her fingers into his, in an effort to let him lean on her and take the pressure off his injury. He retracted, seemingly embarrassed as Amalthea laughed at their awkwardness. It left Sofia feeling hollow, cold and rejected. "As I said, you're both hopeless. So what brings you both to the capital, anyway? You should be laying low with him, in case old Rolland comes looking for some blood." Amalthea gave a wicked, off-putting little wink as she said it.
Trying to regroup, she did her best to shake off the wall Cedric erected whenever they were in public to conceal their relationship. "We're actually looking for Westin. We heard he's here, have you seen him?" That cheeky sarcasm melted away, replaced by the hallowed gaze of injured pride on the woman's face.
"Yeah. He came, and went." With a long lonely gesture Amalthea pointed toward the outskirts of town.
"Insufferable. The woman was always acerbic to others, practically unbearable."
"That didn't seem to stop you from ogling her at the Hexley Hall tournament, did it?" Sofia casually kept walking, even though she was fully aware Cedric had stopped dead in his tracks. After the momentary delay he began shuffling hard to catch up.
"Sofia, I, was it that offensive to you? It must have been, oh how could I have been so blind as to say such things in your presence!"
"It's okay, really. I want there to be honesty and openness between us." Suddenly her hand was gripped, stopping the absent-minded walking she was yanked backward toward him. "So, you're okay with holding my hand in public now?"
He jumped a bit, retracting his hand and looking round to see if his momentary indiscretion was witnessed. It was not, and flustered, he leaned in. "You must know that I was rather lonely, for many years, but now, the woman simply cannot hold a candle to you, my b-b-beautiful Sofia."
"But it's not like no one here knows about us. Amalthea saw me kiss you in Enchancia." Fear sprouted on the poor sorcerer's face.
"She… did." The embarrassment he exuded while saying it was palpable.
"Yeah, why do you think she called us 'hopeless'?"
"Perhaps I'm used to insults, and hadn't stopped to consider it."
Exasperated and getting nowhere, Sofia turned to start toward the outskirts of town once more. "Wait." He'd called out to her, then slowly walked, cane clicking along the stones, until he'd come upon her, the subtle hint of his breath on her neck as he whispered. "Sofia, please try to understand. Friezenburg is, a more conservative place, and we've yet to be, to be, m-m-m-married. If word spread of, well, improper behavior, it could sink my chances to win your father's approval, in this regard."
"Cedric, why should it even matter what Birk thinks? How we feel is all that really matters, isn't it?"
He narrowed in, softly whispering to her. "Oh sweet, beloved girl. The world doesn't work that way." Quick as a hummingbird's flit and soft as a butterfly's wing, a light kiss was set on the side of her temple. "But I will find a way to win him over, soon. I promise." It was enough of a demonstration of affection to calm the raging storm in her.
"An odd sort of priorities they have here." Cedric scoffed as they drew closer. Houses were decimated and people were sleeping in the streets, but the bulk of construction focused on the city wall.
"If they're rebuilding the wall, that means they expect more fighting." Was Sofia's curt reply. Cedric gulped, but before he could protest she was off, hopping over building materials to flag down the young man.
"Oh cousin! I'm so glad you're here." Westin had regained a bit of his naturally optimistic demeanor, and was now seated across from her on some piles of lumber. "I went looking for you guys, but couldn't find you."
"But why? Did Birk send you? Tell me the truth."
"Um… I was just… worried. I care about you, both, and there could still be Maldonians around." Embarrassed, the young man flushed hard. He'd barely managed to squeak the both out, and Cedric seemed nauseated by the comment.
"Oh Wes." Sofia's empathy was not matched by her companion, who groaned quite vociferously, to the pain of Westin.
"It's not just me!" he exclaimed defensively. "Luci and Axel were worried too. There could be random Maldonian soldiers about." He gesticulated wildly toward the far side of town.
"I'm perfectly capable of defending her, I am a SORCERER, or have you forgotten it?" Cedric snidely replied.
"No… I, I'm sorry. Sir." His gaze dropped low, and Sofia wanted nothing more than to change the subject and spare Westin's feelings.
"So Wes, Lucinda and Axel. They're here too?" The young man nodded, eyes still fixated on the ground between them. Off in the distance a pair of figures could be seen, one donning a distinctly pointy hat. It seemed they were having some sort of intense discussion as more of Birk's men moved things about. Lucinda turned, and Axel took the opportunity to pat her lovingly on the behind.
Lucinda responded by leaning backward, bumping her entire rear into Axel in what seemed like a good-natured attempt to knock him over. Cedric yelped, turning red and crouching behind Sofia while the princess giggled and Westin laughed, making both young lovers turn to see where the commotion came from. Sofia simply shook her head at Cedric, then gave a wave across the distance.
"Hey Cedric, look at that! They're not even married and no one but you seems to care." Sofia gave one long accusatory look at the embarrassed sorcerer, souring his disposition.
"They will be soon." Westin chimed in, making Sofia spin. The young man cringed, a secret now divulged. "Oops. Don't tell anyone, Please." Sofia nodded, and Westin slumped over, relieved. "Phew."
"Why not tell? They seem really happy, now that they've worked out their issues."
"The thing is, Axel wants to do it in some fancy Maldonian way, but if Birk gets wind of it he'll just march them through the town and stick them under some Friezenburg canopies covered in Nettledrops, which neither of them want."
"Oh."
It was Cedric's turn to nudge her, perhaps a bit too harshly in the side. That 'I told you so' look was writ across his face. "Never mind all this fanciful foolishness." Cedric quipped, "Come Sofia, let's be off."
"Wait" Westin had reached forward, almost to the point of grabbing Cedric's robe. Shooting fire from his eyes Cedric looked to light the boy on fire, and defeated Westin cowered away. "You should stay where it's safe."
"Nowhere in this forsaken, frosty country is worthy of being labeled safe."
Westin merely shrugged. "Don't worry, I'll protect you." Westin's eyes went wide. "Both! I'll protect you both."
"I'd like to see you try." Cedric quipped. The sarcasm was completely lost on Westin, and he bolted up the mound of broken logs, frantically heaving large sacks in a display of muscular bravado.
"Sofia, whatever is he doing?"
"He's, um, doing what you asked. I think."
Dumbfounded, Cedric gawked at the display. "I meant for him to launch his bulk blindly into an oncoming Maldonian assault, not toss about cabers."
"Cedric!"
"Well he did volunteer."
It was kind of sad, watching Wes struggle to impress someone he knew wasn't interested. She stepped a bit closer to Cedric, invading his personal bubble but not enough to be overtly affectionate. "I bet you could repair that hole in seconds flat and stop this. He's going to hurt himself if he keeps this up."
"Perhaps you should have that prince assist, after all, his behavior is so much more to your liking."
So he was mad about Axel. "Please, don't be like that. They're busy, we aren't, and Wes really has had terrible few days." Cedric shook his head emphatically, 'no', making Sofia's frown deepen. "Oh come on, he got burned by your sister, his arm was wounded when they retook the capital, he found out that the woman who enforced his imprisonment for years was his mother, and well, he lost you too." Cedric's stiffened posture began to slack, as unenthused eyes turned to look down at her. Coming ever so slightly closer, she looked up sadly at him. "Don't you feel the least bit sad for him? I know how distraught I'd be, if you'd rejected me."
That softened his mood considerably. "I could never reject you, m-m-my Sofia." Was whispered back.
"Since you're concerned about impressing my Papa, I'm sure Birk would be ecstatic to know you helped out in rebuilding the capital's defenses."
He perked up at the idea, and confidently handed her the walking cane. "I suppose you can reimburse me for the kindness, later." A little tingle ran down her spine as she pulled the cane closer.
"Everybody MOVE!"
Cedric raised her wand high into the air, twirling it with his signature flair. Peasants scattered, Wes among them, as he called forth dozens of magical projections.
Spirits of magic,
Born of earth and air…
He never got to finish. Through the hills upon echoes of wind, came the sound of a great horn, blasted loud from some distance, unseen.
All work immediately ceased as Lucinda and Axel came rushing over. "Sofia, what is it?" Cedric was tugging on her to keep her close amidst the commotion as she looked around for clarity. Another blast of a horn could be heard. "What's happening!" Cried Lucinda, now but a few paces away.
Out from behind several half-burnt cottages Amalthea barreled, followed by over a dozen peasants. "Where are you Son?!" She shouted.
Sofia stepped forward, grabbing Westin to stop the frantic commotion now swirling around. "What is going on?"
"I don't know. We've never used horns before. Maldonian troops could be on the move from the port city."
A collective gasp and the sound of children crying filled the air. "What do we do?" Lucinda pressed.
"I, I don't know. Birk is supposed to come straight here after his meeting with Rolland."
"But it's an hour until sunset!" Axel shouted. "We can't wait that long; it only takes a half hour to march here from the port."
Amidst the chaos another blast of a horn shook the capital's inhabitants, this time closer. The urgency mounted to fever pitch, as Wes scrambled back up the side of the city wall. All looked up as he nervously peered over, then let out an exasperated sigh. "Relax everyone. It's just Carol."
A great escape of air dissipated as the nervous inhabitants exhaled in unison. Through the broken wall came Carol, alongside her band of Merry helpers, Jade now cemented among their ranks. They came bearing prisoners, tied Maldonian soldiers. Disgruntled, but not seemingly worse off for their defeat.
"Hello Sofia!" Carol bellowed from the top of the wall. Swooping down, she landed but feet from where Sofia and Cedric stood. "I see the capital was reclaimed in the name of the people, it is a good day for justice." Contented, she tried to whip the assembled peasantry into celebration, only to be met with stark faces.
Jade ran over to Lucinda, breaking the tension, as most went about their business. Bending low, Carol eyed the former princess worriedly. "Sofia, why don't they celebrate?" A sudden panic washed over the woman. Eyes wide, she took Sofia by the shoulder. "Oh no, has… Their leader fallen?! Please Sofia, tell me it cannot be so!"
Horribly confused, Sofia tried her best to stammer out a response. "No Carol, Birk is fine. It's just that you frightened everyone with your horn. We thought the Maldonians might be attacking."
Relieved, Carol fell back a pace, letting go of Sofia's shoulder. "What a relief. For a moment there I feared the worst, that such a noble man as he had given his life for the cause." A quiet, almost imperceptible snicker came out of the sorcerer standing behind Sofia, but before the girl could inquire Carol was anxiously looking over the crowds. "Well then, where is he?"
A few moments of quiet pause, and Carol, seemingly embarrassed started to fidget with her long braid. "I need to report our success to your father, and to turn over the prisoners we caught."
"He's, Birk is meeting with Rolland."
At mention of the Enchancian king Carol stiffened. Lips pursed, she bore stubborn eyes into Sofia. Unnerved, Sofia waited for Carol to respond. Finally, the woman managed to verbalize her negative reaction. "Then, I suppose your mother is with them then, isn't she?"
"My Mom?"
"Obviously." Cedric uttered, loud enough for Carol to hear. The woman went flush, turning away quickly to check on the prisoners, crouched and bound on the ground nearby, now guarded by Jane.
"No, my Mother isn't here. At least, I don't think she is. There is no way Rolland would let her within a hundred miles of Friezenburg now, especially while pregnant."
Whatever Carol construed from that, she grew noticeably happy. "Yes that's right, Queen Miranda is married to Rolland, and expecting. Of course she wouldn't come. Forget I said that."
The awkward silence was back, but quickly it was shrugged off by Carol uttering a strained laugh. "Tell me Sofia, in which direction is your father. I wish to relay to him the success of our mission."
"But he's meeting with Rolland, and they're supposed to be alone."
"I have no fear of Rolland. I shall look that man in his eyes and tell him of the cowardice I see, just as I did in Enchancia."
All Sofia could do was point in the direction of the fields where the acrimonious encounter had occurred the evening prior. "But…" Off Carol went, scaling the mound of wall and vanishing into the distance. Cedric was leaning in closer, practically hovering over Sofia's shoulder as Carol disappeared.
"That was, awkward." Sofia whispered to him. The man could do not but stare at her blankly. "Cedric what's wrong? What did I miss?"
Odd blinking, and the blank stare turned into something of a mental contortion. "Sofia, do you actually not know why that woman was flustered? Jealousy is a powerful, dangerous thing. I should know as I've ample experience, having been its slave more often than I'd care to admit."
"What?"
Jade squealed, breaking Sofia's train of thought. Arms had been flung around Lucinda and Jade was now hoping up and down with joy, a slightly embarrassed Axel shrugging a few steps away. A rush of footsteps, and Sofia was attacked with information and celebration, Lucinda an arm's length behind trying to quell the exuberant girl. "Sofia did you hear!? Lucinda's getting marr-…"
"SHHHH." Lucinda was upon them both, happy but flicking her wand in a chiding way. "Let's keep it under wraps until Friezenburg is free, okay? Or I'll have two more broomsticks and two less bridesmaids, understood?"
A flurry of secretive whispers ensued, Cedric watching with a certain amused bewilderment at the display before him while Axel looked on, ever the prideful bridegroom. They wanted a Maldonian ceremony, couched in several wiccan rituals to honor Lucinda's family and heritage. It was all very sweet, as the thoughtful intermixture of their backgrounds and diverse world views didn't seem to deter Lucinda in the slightest. Sofia couldn't help thinking that perhaps Cedric was right about this, and that a certain amount of discretion in announcing one's relationship publicly was advisable, considering the circumstances. The realizations brought smiles to her face, directed at her sorcerer, which only served to further confuse the man.
Horses whinnied in the twilight, and through the hole in the wall emerged Birk, followed closely by an attentive Carol. A deep scowl was etched into Birk's features, however Carol seemed rather upbeat.
A wave of silence fell over the city, as those gathered waited in nervous anticipation for the announcement of their fate.
Birk scanned the crowd solemnly, letting his eyes rest on Sofia. She knew before he spoke the gravity of what had transpired.
"I have met with the King of Enchancia."
Even the tone of his words was harder, more solemn than his typical uplifting rhetoric.
"He has failed to convince the Maldonian invaders to leave our shores." A sudden gasp filled the air, the distant echo of wails attempting to be stifled, and nervousness erupted. Birk continued on, "We must band together in this time of peril. Amalthea, hasten repairs to the city walls."
One very loud groan without the hint of remorse ripped through the crowds. A sarcastic, "yes master" echoed through the town before Amalthea emerged, crawling up several stacks of hay to begin the process of reforming the many holes.
"Axel, Lucinda" Birk boomed. "Evacuate the remaining civilians to the townships beyond."
"But I can fight!" Lucinda triumphantly declared, wand raised.
"Birk has a different, nobler purpose for you Lucinda." Carol chimed in, echoing Birk's command.
"At least let me scout for you! I can ride my broom over to the port city and warn you if the troops are coming. I'm faster than anyone on foot!"
"No, Lucinda. I need the might of your wand to protect the defenseless as they flee the city."
Almost embarrassed, Lucinda relented, and began ushering the panicked women and children who remained. Axel hopped up the wall a few paces, whispering to Birk. The exchange lasted only a few seconds, but Axel immediately turned to stare at Sofia, then took off after Lucinda.
As if part of a hive mind, those who remained began prepping for battle. Sofia looked on as Carol's merry helpers surrounded the Maldonian prisoners, menacingly. She caught another glance of Axel staring at her amidst the managed chaos of evacuation, and something within her which has been growing in distaste all afternoon exploded into a raging inferno.
"Sofia, what is it?" Cedric was leaning over, the only one amongst the throngs who seemed to care what she was thinking.
"Something's not right."
"Indeed. We should be fleeing with the peasants. Let us make haste to the cart."
"No, Cedric. It's something else, it's…" The sight of those Maldonian soldiers, crouching on the ground refused to leave her. What had been disgruntlement at their defeat had turned to palpable fear.
They were afraid.
They should be excited at the prospect of liberation should Maldonia advance and retake the city. But they were decidedly afraid.
"Sofia, whatever is going on?"
"They're afraid Cedric. Why are they… I need to talk to Axel." Before Cedric could respond she bolted, each face of a frightened prisoner forming the pieces to a great puzzle in her mind. "Axel!" He cringed, but stopped. "Axel, what did Birk tell you? I need to know."
"I asked him where we could take all these people? There's too many for his village."
"And, and what did he say?"
Axel sighed, then looked back at Birk. "He said that, all of the villages would be happy to accept some families… Because you've been all over the countryside helping them today, in the name of the cause."
A blur of hasty footsteps found Sofia standing a few feet below Birk on the rubble of the wall. Despite her haste he had purposefully avoided noticing her ascent. "That's why you sent us into the countryside, wasn't it?"
Carol had been strategizing with Birk, and turned to confront the girl. "Sofia, is something wrong?"
"Yes, something is wrong. You've been USING Cedric and I all day." She gestured to Cedric, several yards down the rubble and unable to climb due to his injured knee.
"Sofia, that is uncalled for. Your father is a noble…"
"He's a manipulator! You never intended to reach an agreement with Rolland, did you? This is all to win my Mom back, right? You knew there would be no peace with Rolland, no matter what demands of yours he fulfilled, so you sent us on that public relations tour because you knew that this would happen."
Carol's eyes bulged out. "Sofia. How could you besmirch this righteous man? He's given everything to free his people."
Birk simply stared out at the forest beyond the capital city, toward the port. "He is NOT a noble man, I only wish I had seen it sooner."
"I'm so sorry Birk, I don't know what's come over her." Carol had turned to Birk, pleading eyes asking for forgiveness and acknowledgement reigning down at him.
"If he is noble, then why are these prisoners frightened?!" Birk stiffened. Even Cedric could hear that delivery, and stopped trying to ascend the broken wall. Axel froze some distance off, then turned to the soldiers anxiously. "Don't you tell me that they're worried about being caught in the crossfire of a battle. They're soldiers."
Birk turned back, and the most unnerving, callous stare was returned. "Despite what you may think Sofia, I have tried to make peace. But peace is not what the enemy wants. We will do nothing worse than they have done to us."
Carol nodded confidently. "There see Sofia, everything is fine."
But it wasn't. If she didn't act now, the fighting would resume, there would be more bloodshed, and certainly those soldiers would die.
"No."
It was quiet. Unintentionally but nevertheless a stand had been taken. This was the time.
"No, it won't be fine. You're going to execute those men. That's why they're afraid. You're going to start the fighting again, why? To make Rolland look like the bad guy for not fulfilling your every demand?! I can't condone this. I won't support this."
"You do not need to support me Sofia." Birk had crossed his arms, but still stared off toward the port city and the imaginary visage of King Victor on Maldonian shores beyond.
"I will support you, Sofia!" It had come from Axel. Proudly he stood between Jane and his countrymen, unwilling to let any harm come to his people. "I am of Maldonia, and the men of my country are not monsters. I cannot let you execute them as a deterrent for Maldonia's advance."
Birk stiffened to the sound of dissention, a faint murmur growing louder amongst his followers. Axel was well-respected for his many noble deeds and efforts to bolster their revolution, as was Sofia. This outright dissention did not sit well with the people he commanded, and nervously the people waited for resolution.
"Birk, you've used people's opinion of me to take control of Friezenburg, well I'm taking my image back, right now." She stormed down the rubble, passing Cedric in a heated flurry and heading straight for the prisoners. Jane and the other merry helpers, rife with confusion, didn't initially try to stop her as she reached down, grabbing the rope that bound the prisoners together.
"Wait, what are you doing?!" Jane exclaimed.
"She's setting them free." Axel interjected, "And I am going to help her see this through."
Axel helped the men to their feet as Jane started into a fit, "You can't do that, they're a danger and we just caught them."
Rushing up from the outskirts of the clearing, Lucinda was rife with worry. "What are you doing? You can't possibly take them to the port city yourself?! You'll be killed."
"If they stay here Birk will execute them to frighten the advancing troops, or use their bodies as shields for the oncoming assault. I can't let it happen Luci."
The confusion and worry writ on the witch's countenance melted away, replaced by stoic resolution. "Then I'm coming with you."
For a bit Axel stared at her, while Sofia busied herself in untying the bonds that bound the soldier's legs. "Luci, I don't think the small charity my Dad may have for me will extend to you." Lucinda looked as if she were about to burst into tears. "Don't worry, I'll be back safely. I promise."
The soldiers were still bound together by their hands, but now able to walk. Sofia took the rope that joined them in her hands, and began to head off toward mountain pass that connected the port to the capital. Jane jumped in her way, looking for some sort of order from Carol above.
"Jane, this isn't right. Do you think they should die for following orders?"
Horrified, Jane looked out over the terrified faces of these men, mainly young soldiers. "I…"
Sofia kept pressing Jane, hoping she could be reasoned with. "These men were following orders, and weren't hurting anyone. Would you want to die because you followed Birks commands?"
"He wouldn't let anyone kill us… would he?" All confidence had dropped from her voice.
"You tell me Jane. If he orders you to kill these soldiers, will you do it?"
Jane couldn't respond, and dropped her hands to let Sofia and Axel pass with the prisoners.
Hobbling up behind her, Cedric whispered strained pleas in a singsong fashion. "Sofia, what are you doing? They're going to flog us unless you stop."
"I won't let him use my name anymore Cedric. I need to save these men's lives." Holding the nearest Soldier by the arm she stared up at her father. This was a war of wills, and she could no longer bend, lest she break.
Birk's eyes slowly closed, his hand gesturing in a dismissive fashion, his voice booming over the clearing. "Sofia has chosen to return the fallen Maldonian soldiers, as an act of good will to stave off an invasion and give us more time to prepare our defenses. Let us pray that the King of Maldonia values the lives of his own people as much as she does."
Jade launched forward, taking Sofia by the arm as the prisoners begun to stand. "You don't need to do this. They're the bad guys."
"They're people Jade. The killing, the fighting, all of it has to stop. We're going to return these men, and I'm going to stop the fighting. Somehow."
It was an uncomfortable march up the great forested hill toward the port city, made more uncomfortable by Cedric's strained attempts to hide how much the injury to his knee was bothering him and his constant turning to eye the soldiers behind in a pitiful attempt to thwart any sort of escape they may be concocting.
"You can stop pointing that thing at them." Axel stated calmly.
"I will be the one to decide who needs the attention of my wand, thank you very much you, prince you." Now the wand was pointed squarely at Axel. The prince merely shrugged his shoulders.
It made Sofia spin, and gently she reached forward, setting her hand softly on Cedric's to encourage him to lower his wand. "You don't need to protect me from them Cedric, I'm fine."
"But Sofia, what if they turn on us?"
"They won't."
"B-b-b-but…"
"We won't." A couple of the men stated in unison. "For what it's worth, we are really grateful for what you did."
It brought a smile to Sofia and a contentedness to her heart, if it gave Cedric minor palpitations.
Axel kept eyeing the distance as they trudged up the hill. "That was really brave of you, Axel."
"Not really, they are my people and they needed defending. You were really brave to speak up, I knew something was off but didn't realize just what was going on."
"Oh, would you both, just stop it." Cedric's veneer of health was fading, shortness of breath punctuating every other word.
"Stop what? Cedric, dude, what is your problem with me? We're on the same side of this fight." A perplexed Axel had stopped ascending the mountainside, and turned to stare at the older, lankier man trying desperately not to show that his injured knee was more than just an inconvenience.
"We're walking too fast, that's all. Sorry Cedric." Sofia hustled over, bending down to look at Cedric's injury. Instead of acquiescing he feigned disaffection.
"This is nothing but a trifle for me Sofia, I…" He nearly collapsed, Sofia reaching out to catch the sorcerer at the last minute. He almost took her toppling down the mountainside, if not for Axel reaching out to catch them all.
Embarrassed, Cedric straightened. No thank you was uttered, but then he didn't verbally eviscerate the man for touching him either.
Humbled, Cedric finally had to acknowledge that he needed assistance to ascend the mountain. Sofia was more than happy to serve as his crutch. Minutes passed in silence as Cedric struggled up the hill, at one point finding his footing unsure on a loose rock he ended up gripping onto Sofia tightly. Though, even when the moment passed he didn't let go.
"So then, Prince of Maldonia…"
"I have a name, and it's Axel."
"Yes, how delightful. Then, you mean to marry the witch, is this true?"
"Um, yeah. She's… amazing." Axel's mind went racing into the clouds, an introspective sort of happiness that one rarely sees among the harrows of war. "Why do you ask? I know you were listening earlier, even though you were staring at me like I might stab you."
Sofia glared up at Cedric, and the sorcerer mumbled something unintelligible under his breath. "Cedric, what are you getting at?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"No, he's been really weird to me ever since I met Lucinda. Well not that night at the Ball, but when I came back to find out who Luci was…" A sideways glance from Axel, and Sofia connected the dots. Cedric had been the mysterious figure looming in the castle, jealous of her garden conversation, even back then.
She gripped Cedric tight, waiting for some sort of sign that he'd grown past this petty jealousy. It was obvious Axel wasn't interested, and neither was she. Finally, the sorcerer stopped hobbling, the stiffness he'd assumed when Axel began speaking finally flowing out of him. "It was I, watching you from the windowsill. I was… uneasy." This was incredibly hard for him, and it took a long steady gaze down at Sofia anxiously awaiting his answer to finally set the sorcerer at ease. "I do regret transferring some, emotional discomfort, I bear toward 'princes' onto you. In all earnest, you seem a decent enough lad. Treat Sofia's friend well, won't you?"
A gigantic grin spread across Axel's face. He knew an apology when one was offered, and Sofia exhaled three sighs of relief that it was over. "Don't mention it. Oh look, I think that's the summit."
Indeed, they were less than a dozen yards from the mountain's peak. "Oh thank the magic birr that binds us all." Cedric exclaimed. He staggered sideways, trying to ascend the final bit but lurching sideways into the shelter of a fallen log.
"Cedric!" He was alright, merely out of breath and too prideful to admit it. A few loving embraces helped him catch his breath and assuage his damaged ego "Are you feeling better?" She whispered softly while caressing his shoulder till the man nodded. Below them, over the crest of the log and behind the scattered trees sheltering this enclave one could see the whole of the path between the port city and the capital. Even the river and hills beyond it were visible.
"I can see it all, without Minimus." Sofia mumbled.
"That's where I need to get these men." Axel was pointing down to the seashore, the port city now clearly visible.
"Wait, I'm coming with you."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Sofia's eyes went wide, but before she could object Axel's hands were up. "Now, just give me a minute to explain. I've been thinking this whole way up here about what I need to do, and I think it's time I confronted my father." Sofia gasped, and began shaking her arms, but Axel was having none of it. "Sofia wait. I haven't spoken to him since I joined the resistance, and he needs to know what suffering his decisions have caused. My dad does love me, even if he's made poor life choices."
Axel turned, looking over the hillside. "I've also been surveying the hillside while we waited for you to help Cedric up the mountain. You can see all the way down to the capital and to the port. This is the perfect spot to scout information from. I think you should stay here, and if Maldonian troops come for the capital you can warn Birk and the others."
The idea had loads of merit. Sofia helped Cedric lean against the side of a gigantic redwood trunk, having fallen in ages past, to give Axel a hug.
Axel then unbound the former prisoners. Without dissention they each bowed before Axel. Sofia and Cedric watched this display of loyalty, then observed Axel disappear down the mountain trail with all but one. An older gentleman, perhaps their commander, had stayed behind, and addressed Sofia with the utmost respect. "I realize what you did back there, the sacrifice you made when you don't even know us. I will try to protect our prince from the wrath of our King. But, Princess, do you hold more sway over the people of Friezenburg, or does Birk? I know that the king will ask this of me."
Sofia couldn't answer, instead she stared off toward the road where Axel and the soldiers were disappearing into the night. "You can tell Victor that Axel is a man of integrity, and the people of Friezenburg will follow his commands."
"Well, that was a lovely terror-filled jaunt up a mountainside in the frigid snow. What else do you have planned for this so-far fabulous evening Sofia?"
Half-jokingly, he'd leaned up against the log, looking up at the stars while Sofia scanned what she could see in the faint moonlight of the fields and rivers below.
"Axel was right, I can see everything from here. I guess we stay here until something else happens."
"You mean sit here like game ready for the hunt?"
"Oh Cedric, don't be so worried. We can see for miles in all directions, but this big tree trunk and all the underbrush means no one can see us. So just relax, okay?"
"There will be no relaxing in Friezenburg, of this I am absolutely certain." An exasperated look did nothing to calm his nerves. "Sofia be reasonable, think of what they might do to you if we were caught." He leaned closed, burying his eyes into her shoulder, "I couldn't bear to let anything happen to you."
"I'll be fine Cedric. After all, the Maldonian soldiers were under orders not to hurt me yesterday. That's probably still true."
He yanked away from her shoulder suddenly. Immediately she knew she'd said too much. Meeting her gaze was a horrified-looking Cedric. "How would you know they were under orders not to…?! Sofia, do you mean to tell me you were in actual combat!? I thought you weren't going to dapple in outright danger yesterday?! I had a promise from you!"
She leaned softly into his side. "People needed me. They still do, and I wasn't really in too much danger. I think the cannons were the scariest part." He went pale in the rising moonlight. "Or maybe it was hiding in the servant's passageways from the rioters." She turned back to scanning the hillsides but kept her side along his, providing a little extra warmth in the cold. Luckily the rains had subsided and no wind whipped up to chill the mountainside.
Suddenly arms were thrust around her, clinging to her waist as if she might float off if not anchored to the ground. "Cedric?"
Unable to respond, he simply shook his head 'no'. Now that he knew what had truly transpired the day before, he was terrified for her safety. "I'll be alright Cedric, I…"
The chatter of chewing came from the opposite side of the large fallen tree. "Ooh, here's another one."
"Do you hear that?" Cedric refused to answer, simply clinging to her harder. Extending her neck upwards, Sofia saw a few rats digging in the snow below. "Oh, hello! What are you doing in the snow at this time of year?" Terrified, the rats shrieked. "Please calm down, we won't hurt you."
One of the rats stopped, eyeing her suspiciously, then squeaked in realization, "I know who you are! You're the comrade of the witch who turned us into rats! Fellas, it's the little mage Amalthea talked about."
Sofia looked down at Cedric's hair, still imbedded in her shoulder, then back to the few rats. "Wait, I remember now. Lucinda turned some Maldonian soldiers into rats."
"That witch?! Oh, it's so unfair! We were just doing our job!" Squealed another. One crawled on top of the log, sniffing at Sofia's face. "Is the war over yet? Can we go home now? How can you talk to us, anyway?"
"I… well actually he is a sorcerer. I'm sort of his apprentice." Gesturing toward Cedric, the sorcerer finally pulled his face out of her shoulder, only to jump back at the sight of three rats peering over at him.
"A sorcerer, he can change us back!" They all squealed in delight.
"Sofia, why are the local rodents performing a synchronized song at your behest?"
"They are Maldonian soldiers that Lucinda hexed. They want to get transformed back into humans and go home."
He was still gripping her waist, pulling her close, but the blank stare of incredulity was back. "Sofia, sometimes I wonder why I even bother asking."
"Well, will he change us back?" Squeaked the closest rat. Thinking hard, Sofia saw an opportunity to scout troop movements greater than even this vista could afford. "Let's make a deal. You fan out and scour the countryside, and tell me if you see anything out of the ordinary, and then we will turn you back into soldiers."
"DONE!"
Without a second thought the rats scurried off. "Wow, I'm better at negotiating than I thought."
"You are excellent at a great many things Sofia, it's why I was always…"
"Always what?"
He was still holding her around the midsection, but turned away, almost embarrassed.
"Cedric?" She scooted a bit closer, now that they were alone the proximity was something he welcomed, as his arm came around, pulling her in tighter to his chest and sending a flock of butterflies buzzing in her stomach.
"Sofia, I…"
Something was about to happen. She knew that many years of belittling had trampled on his self-confidence, and so in her most gentle effort she tried to coax the words out of him. With a great sigh he pulled her head in close, letting her hair fall against his chest. "Sofia, you've always been so exceptional at everything you attempt. For many years I was daunted that a creature such as you was my adversary." One of his long fingers traced its way over her Amulet, painstakingly slowly. "But then, it was beyond my ability to comprehend what you saw in me, as a friend. When you told me of your affections in the carriage after the Hexley Hall tournament, I could scarcely believe it. To this moment I dare not pry to deeply into what you see in this old, broken shell of a being."
"Don't say that. I love you Cedric. Every inch of you and all your faults. They make you who you are." He seemed on the verge of tears, perhaps finally making peace with it.
"You don't think less of me, as a man, for my current state of impairment?"
"Your knee? No! Not at all, anyone can get hurt and I don't want to remember what Rolland did to you."
"Sofia…" His finger moved off her Amulet, trailing along her clavicle and up the nape of her neck.
"You've always been there for me, love. I wanted you to know that I've always noticed."
"Cedric, you're here for me now, when I need you." She felt compelled to kiss the paleness of his cheek, and did so softly. By the fate of some unseen hand, the awkwardness of yesterday had melted away.
"When have you ever really needed me?" He practically laughed as he said it.
"I've always needed you!"
"Like a heptathlete needs a hernia."
"NO, like a lost soul needs a companion." She slid slightly, letting him guide her into his lap. "I tried so hard for so many years to make people think I'm naturally gifted at things, but the truth is I worked really hard at being what everyone expected me to be." Hands were starting to misbehave themselves, on both fronts, carefully caressing each other in the moonlight. "I didn't have to be perfect when I was with you. You accepted me as I was."
"Well I did have an ulterior motive, to begin with at least."
She stopped running her hands up the collar of his robe, and looked deep into his eyes. "And now..."
"Now…. Sofia, you mean so much to me. The very breath of life I take in. Sometimes I struggle to understand how this happened to me. You know how I pride myself on self-sustenance. You've completely torn that aspect of my identity asunder, and I'm not entirely sure how you've done it."
As he bared his soul Sofia found herself gently caressing the side of his face, then lower, letting her fingers fall over his sleeve. "After all, I never imagined you, this beautiful, radiant girl who could have a man of any station, would chose this."
A faint smile crept over her, and slowly she raised her lips to his. "Oh Cedric, everyone is worthy of being loved. And you, are so worthy, just the way you are, I..." He caught her in a kiss. It was filled with a certain sorrow, the loss of one's pride that accompanied the opening of his soul. It made her shudder at the gravity of his statement, and all defenses were dropped.
Not wanting to stop, she inched farther into his lap, letting her hand run along his thigh. It was enough of an invitation, and several minutes passed in this blissful like state of passionate anonymity in the quiet of the night.
He seemed to be in a state of bliss, gently gliding his hands over her hips now. He kept bumping into something on her left side, and after several contacts grew a truly puzzled look. "Sofia, did you pack the ointments for my knee?"
"Um, no, sorry. Why?"
"Then, what are you storing in your pocket?"
"I'm not…" She reached down, feeling the smooth circular object. As she pulled it out a sudden wave of realization flowed over her. Realization turned to shock, shock to horror, as the stone glowed ominously yellow in the moonlight. Both stared as Sofia held the thing in the air, then panic erupted. Cedric jumped, tossing Sofia from his lap and knocking Westin's stone several feet from them. In a panic they were on their feet, shaking.
"What in MERLIN'S NAME were you doing with a toxic stone such as Autunite in your pocket Sofia!?"
"I didn't know it was toxic when I got it from Westin!"
The fury writ across his face exploded, "THAT BOY! I'll eviscerate him!"
"Cedric don't!"
"Do you realize what this could have done to you?! You must know perfectly well this is the very reason Maldonia steals male workers for the mines!"
Sofia froze. Hands dropped to her sides as Cedric searched out his wand. Once found, he realized she'd stopped dead in her tracks and turned, both of them staring at each other in the night.
Afraid to ask, he seemed equally afraid to answer.
"What's gonna happen to me?"
Cedric's mouth dropped open, the panic of earlier giving way to hysteria. "Sofia you have to answer me as precisely as possible. How long was that thing in your pocket?"
"Wes, he gave it to me when I almost fell off the balcony."
Cedric began flinging up fingers in a mental counting scheme against time. At a certain point the frenzy gave way to despair, his hands shaking. "Cedric, please calm down."
"HOW COULD I POSSIBLY CALM DOWN! THAT BOY, HE…"
"It wasn't his fault. He didn't know it was toxic. Nobody did."
On the verge of tears, Cedric lunged forward, wrapping her in a gigantic hug and trying his best not to cry. "Cedric, you're scaring me."
"No…" faintly drifted out of the distraught man.
"Cedric?"
He began violently shaking his head back and forth, as if waking up from a nightmare. "NO! You're finally mine, I've finally found someone to share my life with and then THIS! No, oh… Poseidon's pickles." He dropped to his knees, taking her with him.
"Cedric, I'm scared. Tell me what's happening."
As best as he could, he tried not to devolve into sobs, taking her hands and holding them together, between them. "Sofia, my beloved, beautiful Sofia. I… this stone, it's highly toxic. For men but more so for women. I would assume, based on what Rolland mentioned in the coach to Leidleville and what I've heard from you and those villagers, that Friezenburg women were abducted because Maldonian women were exposed to this stone's effects."
He kept explaining, but the words became a blur of pounding in her head. So swift and hard it was difficult to make out what he was saying. At best, they could never have children, at worst, she may not live long enough to worry about that.
How long it had been since he'd stopped talking, she didn't know. He simply kept holding her hands, refusing to let go.
"I can never… have children?" When she finally spoke, he cringed. She looked down at her body, now consumed with worry about a nameless injury wreaking havoc inside her. "But I feel fine."
He grit his teeth. "Sofia I… " He tensed, gripping her hands with a conviction he rarely demonstrated. "I will find an antidote, and if none exists I will create it!"
She nodded slowly. There was nothing she could do to reverse time and never take the stone from Westin. Now she was left to the ramifications of what had transpired.
Squeaking broke Cedric's death grip on her hands. "Hey, you two!"
Sofia barely managed to stammer out, "uh….?"
"We did our job, and scouted out the action going on down below."
The pounding in her head simply wouldn't stop, but nevertheless she tried to shake the pain away. "Uh, what is happening?"
"Well, a battle has broken out in the port city."
"WHAT!" Sofia spun and indeed, fighting had erupted below. Sofia spun around to confront a still shattered Cedric. "We need to get down there and help them!"
"But Sofia, we can't. Not in your condition."
"As long as I feel fine I still need to help these people." Grabbing his hand, she began to yank him down the hill to the port city.
"Hey lady! What about our spell?!" There were more rats now, over two dozen in all.
"A deal is a deal. Cedric, will you reverse the charm Lucinda put on them." He was still rattled, and now the prospect of plunging headlong into battle had worn the very last thread of composure he had. "Sofia I simply CANNOT! You are my priority, you…"
"Please, Cedric. These soldiers have families too, and I'm probably the only one who can understand them to know what happened." She stepped closer, putting her hand to his cheek. "Please."
Nodding in a sort of spasm, he cast the spell, the rats reverting back to their human form. Trying as best as he could to steady himself, Cedric pointed his wand directly at the soldiers. Shaking, there was no way he'd be able to actually fend them off. They, however were too busy leaping in joy to pay any heed to the Enchancians, allowing Sofia to drag Cedric toward the battle ensuring below.
"How could I let this happen!" She cried.
"We were sort of preoccupied realizing you might be dy-" He couldn't continue. It broke her stride, but quickly she refocused on getting to the town. Somehow she had to stop the fighting.
On the outskirts of town lay a series of sandstone archways. Old remnants of an ancient shoreline beat down by the salty sea waves. The whinny of horses came echoing from overhead as Sofia pulled Cedric along. "Can you see anything yet?"
"I see you bounding over boulders, but not in the way of fighting, yet."
A searing blast crackled just behind Sofia, it's energy singing her hair. The spell hit the sandstone mere feet from where they were running, tossing them both to the side. Cedric slid, his injured leg hanging off the edge of the sandstone bluff. "AAAAggh"… his moans of pain knocked Sofia to her senses, and swiftly she pulled him up before the cackle of Cedric's sister echoed down from above.
"It's the day of reckoning, Ceddy! Come, let Sissy end your suffering."
Sofia spun, seeing a cave opening several feet to their side. Without thought or word she shoved Cedric as hard as possible away from the cliff's edge and into the hollow. Again the ground erupted in sandstone shards, spewing their ash into her face.
"Sofia!" Cedric screamed. She couldn't see, but lurched forward over the uneven terrain toward the sound of his voice. It was his turn to pull her along in the caverns, the sound of Edith's shuffling edging ever nearer. There was no point in stiffing the cries of pain, as Sofia collided with the sandstone, raking across her skin painfully. Cedric finally pulled her to his chest as a rush of salty sea air blew her skirt up. She was finally able to get the last bits of sandstone out of her eyes when Cedric grabbed her shoulders tight, practically shaking her.
"That way, love." He shoved her toward a short path trailing downward, which rounded a corner quickly. A few steps down and Cedric had failed to follow her. Quickly she spun back around, and he simply stood there, smiling. "She'll not harm you, it's me she wants. It's always been her vendetta to reduce me to nothingness, the king has merely given her an excuse."
"NO!" Cedric limped off in the opposite direction, rounding another pillar as Edith came barreling out from the cavern. Something came over Sofia, a knowledge that Edith was here to do the king's bidding, that without her help Cedric would surely perish. She lunged with all the ferociousness she could muster. One swift motion and she'd grabbed Edith by the arms, tugging desperately to get her wand. The woman was slight, but made of a wiry muscle, much as Cedric was. She spun around, lifting Sofia off her feet and trailing her over the cliffs edge. Sofia managed to get a foot back on the stone before Edith could be loose of her grip and send her crashing to the waves below. Using her weight as an advantage Sofia lurched back, lifting Edith off her feet and sending her crashing head first into the sandstone wall. A streak of blood followed Edith down the cliff wall as she sank into the tidepools at their feet. Sofia reached out to help Edith, but the sorceress's wand was nowhere to be seen, in all likelihood it had probably fallen into the sea below. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, but please, don't hurt Cedric."
The sound of steel clashing jolted her. Horrified, Sofia turned and ran in the direction Cedric had fled, fearful that Rolland had caught up to Cedric and was exacting revenge. She turned a corner, and a small battle had broken out before her. Fighting raged below between peasantry and Maldonian soldiers, but it was here above on the sandy, tidepool-laced cliffs that she saw Rolland locked in a fierce battle with Birk. Swords clashed and anger flew between the men. It was obvious Rolland had superior swordsmanship, but Birk had brute strength on his side. Rolland managed to get the upper hand on Birk, knocking him backward into the sands. Taking advantage of the momentary break, Rolland immediately he ran toward a pillar of rocks, where to Sofia's horror she saw Cedric. Wand drawn, he was pointing it at the king, whose eyes were red with fury as he came charging, sword raised high as if to strike the fatal blow. Cedric managed off a defensive spell, repelling Rolland for a few seconds. It was enough time for Birk to have recovered his stance and come charging at Rolland, full fury on display.
"YOU STOLE HER! This will be your end, false king of Enchancia!"
"You stole my daughter!" Swords clashed again as Sofia came running toward the men locked in a bitter duel.
"Please stop this! Both of you!" Rolland had just deflected a blow, then froze upon hearing Sofia's voice.
"Sofia, dear stay back! It's not safe!" Birk managed a heaving blow, using the sword more like a battering ram it dented Rolland's shield, sending the king crashing into the sandstone below.
"NO!" Sofia ran up, grabbing onto Birk's arm, "NO PAPA! STOP THIS MADNESS!"
A possession had come over Birk, at once dark and menacing, "He's taken everything from me, first he stole Miranda, and then he stole you! I'll not let their kind steal our families ever again!"
He yanked free, heading for Rolland who had regained his footing. "No please, stop this!" Rolland locked eyes with Sofia, and something within him swelled. A deep, protective instinct overtook him. Far beyond the mere vendettas and paltry politics, she knew that he feared she was in mortal danger. With expert form Rolland swung and knocked Birk off balance. With another swing Birk's shield went flying across the sandstone and over the cliff's edge, and with the final blow, using the hilt of his sword, Rolland knocked the air from Birk, crumpling him to the ground. Momentarily relieved, Sofia turned to Cedric, who was looking to the shoreline from where she'd just come, his eyes wide with fear. Wand out, he started in a full sprint toward her, completely oblivious to his knee injury. One hand was outstretched to her, the other held his wand, lagging behind.
It was almost as if he didn't remember Rolland was heading straight for him, sword drawn and ready to claim his life. Cedric screamed, "SOFIA!"
It was the last thing she heard. She was suddenly shorter; her senses numb to her knees landing on the rocks. The jolt was impressively hard, but she couldn't feel it. Rolland had spun, and was staring straight at her while screaming, though she couldn't hear the words. The acrid smell of burning flesh was all she could sense, as suddenly she was much shorter still. Her head fell back to see Birk charging at Rolland, without his shield and his sword held high. Rolland could do not but stare at her, as a swirl of pink exploded in her vision, blocking out all else. In the last glimpse she saw was a woman, arms raised between Birk and Rolland, with Cedric's hands reaching down toward her.
"No Cedric, run. He'll kill you. Please. Run."