Author's Note: Whelp, I didn't exactly finish NaNoWriMo, but, I did get three chapters done, and we are painfully close to finishing now. I'm actively working on the last few chapters. Soon...
Chapter 46- Remonstrations
The feather of an innocent griffin.
The scale of an aged dragon.
The claw of the Jade Jaguar.
The whisker of a whooly whombeast.
Making a quiet escape with Cedric hadn't been as difficult as anticipated. Miranda had lent her one of Enchancia's flying horses while Rolland had disappeared after Victor. Hesitantly her mother watched as Cedric meekly cowered behind Sofia during their brief goodbyes. Sofia mounted the horse, then as she was helping Cedric on Miranda leaned forward, taking her hand into her own. "Sofia, no matter what, your safety comes first." She shot an accusatory look at Cedric, who'd been struggling to maintain any sort of hold without clinging to Sofia. Instantly the man froze in his tracks.
"I'll be fine, Mom." Realizing Cedric's plight Sofia reached back, grabbing one of his arms and pulling it tight around her middle. "We've done this dozens of times, together." Miranda nodded, then cautiously stepped away, her mistrusting stare still leveled at the sorcerer.
"Sweet pea, are you sure you don't want more of an escort?"
Birk was standing just behind Miranda, his demeanor considerably softened from their encounter at the capital's wall.
"We'll be okay."
"Then, we'll meet you at the shores that held me captive." Birk stepped forward, giving Sofia a short little bow. "Where I spent all those lonely years dreaming of being reunited with my beloved family."
Miranda sighed, looking away guiltily, but Birk was still affixed on Sofia, who returned his smile. "Don't worry Papa. You both need to prepare for liberating Maldonia." Taking the reins into her hands, she bade the horse gallop. "We'll be there with the potion as soon as we can!"
Cedric held her tight as they took off into the sky. Rolland hadn't been made privy to the plan, as he was certain to fly off the handle at the mere thought of Sofia being alone with Cedric. But Miranda seemed confident in Sofia, if nothing else, and obviously wasn't of the opinion that Cedric would harm her.
"Well, we've got four destinations to get these ingredients. Where to first, Cedric?"
"I've never been good with directions! Just pick somewhere!" He shouted, wind whipping by as he clung to her for fear of falling off.
"Well, the whombeast's whisker is in the Horrid Hills, how about there?"
"Go to Enchancia, are you mad?! Rolland could be hot on our trail, and that would spell my certain end!"
"Well then, we could go to the Blazing palisades to get a scale from the dragons. That's on the other side of Enchancia."
"That's an even longer journey through his skies. Are you trying to hasten my capture?". There was intermittent silence. "Wait a minute. Sofia, set down!"
He leapt from the horse, practically kissing the ground. She'd forgotten how much he detested flying horses. "Odin's icicle's, I practically lost my lunch."
"I guess it has been a while. So, what's the big emergency we had to stop for?"
With a snicker and keen glint in his eyes, he raised her wand. "You've nothing to fear, Sofia. I can solve our predicament of flying into Enchancia, for I've a spell to summon the whombeast."
"What? Since when did you… Oh no. You were the one who summoned Wilber to our picnic, the one where the sudden rainstorm broke out." Guiltily he tugged at the star around his neck, "And the frogs, was that you too?"
"Ehe, well in my defense I did tell you that they become misshapen when I'm under duress." She could do not but shake her head.
"It wouldn't be kind to drag him out here, Cedric."
To that, Cedric grimaced, letting his shoulders drop. "There you go again, thinking about other's feelings. Alright fine, but do fly fast, lest Rolland catch us."
Fast they flew through the Enchancian sky. Wilber was easily found, and eagerly gave a stray whisker to aide in the cause. A begrudging apology for his earlier summoning was coaxed from the sorcerer, and they were on their way to the next destination with fear subsiding.
"See? No one is following us. I bet Mom has Rolland preoccupied with Victor still."
"Yes, well, I'd rather not test the theory. Fly faster, if you please."
It was practically nightfall by the time they reached the Blazing Palisades. Having not but a flying horse, they managed a smoother landing than in adventures past, this time half way up the path, far above the stream cutting its way down the mountainside. The long climb up the winding shale road was illuminated in all manner of crimson hues. "Oh Cedric, look at that." The grumbling stopped, and he turned to observe the sunset she gestured toward.
"It is rather enchanting, isn't it Sofia?"
Smiling up at him, the sorcerer didn't notice. She leaned into his side, letting him rest on her shoulders as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the Enchancian mountains beyond. "I'm sorry your knee is still bothering you."
"I'll survive, after all I am Cedric the…" He immediately tensed up, "the… Well, perhaps not the sensational. I manage to scrape by at least. Cedric the, satisfactory?" It made her giggle and pull his center tighter against hers.
"Definitely more than satisfactory." He broke out in a massive blush to match the sunset.
Night had descended over the mountainside as they made their way into the dragon's resting chambers. On past steaming pools and bubbling brooks, they wound their way until finding Everburn's haunt. "Um, hello?"
It was empty. A brief look around gave no clues as to the elderly dragon's whereabouts. "Do you suppose they've moved on?"
"I don't think so, let's keep looking." They'd avoided the performance hall on their way in, not wanting to get trapped in successive rounds of encores. Now though, the hall was empty as well.
"It's not looking good Sofia. I suppose I could try to manage the summoning spell for a dragon, though they are rather large and unruly creatures."
"No, don't. They have to be around here somewhere." She took his hand and gingerly led him around stalagmites, each emitting mild warmth from the mountain's core. Off in the distance the faint hum of what sounded like bees could be heard.
"What's that?"
"Sofia, wait…" She'd trotted off ahead, stumbling upon Everburn and his motley crew of talking dragons. They were bathing in a pool of steaming water. In truth, the entire hillside was littered with hot springs. Night had begun to descend. The path to the pool was obscured by the darkness, barely lit by the auras of light emanating from the dragon's mouths.
"Hello Everburn!" Sofia waved excitedly at the dragons, as Cedric pulled her back.
"Sofia, they seem to be in disposed."
One of the smaller, greener dragons had caught sight of them, and enthusiastically began splashing the hot water about his compatriots. Everburn turned, waving them forward. Sofia helped Cedric down the slippery shale, letting him cling to her. By the time they reached the pool the dragons were all staring at them, silently.
"Um, hi there. Sorry to disturb you."
"Not at all Princess. We were just enjoying the Blazing palisades to their fullest. This is the best part of living here, after all. Nothing like a hot soak to soothe my old joints." He wiggled farther into the water, snorting a bit of fire below the surface. A torrent of bubbles began frothing up from the heat.
"So, um, we came to ask a favor of you."
"I'd love to help a kind princess like you. What do you need Sofia?"
"A scale. Do you have any to spare?"
"Lemme see." Everburn stood, poking and prodding himself unnaturally to see if any came loose. Cedric went sheet white as various bits of the dragon swung precariously close to his personage, defensively pulling Sofia back from the pool's edge. Arms wrapped around her, the other dragons who'd been staring started to retreat from the water, their eyes fixated on Cedric's behavior.
The sorcerer was acutely aware of their gaze, it would seem, for he defensively pulled Sofia back another step, clinging tighter to her. A rather long and yellow dragon came around the side of Everburn, snorted a bit, then turned back to his friends. "Oh yeah, she is."
"She is what?" Cedric barked.
"Nothing." Everburn stated loudly in his good-natured way. "Nothing at all, we don't pass judgements around here. Ah, here you go Sofia, this one seems a bit loose." He was poking at a scale near the tip of his tail. The thing wiggled, but refused to dislodge. He pulled at it with his claws, but the scale refused to budge.
"It might take a few more hours for the thing to let go. Are you in a hurry?"
"Yes." Cedric blurted out, Sofia giving him a quick squeeze of disapproval.
"No Everburn, we can wait a couple hours if it means that it won't hurt you to get the scale."
"Hey, call me Bernie." He smiled, then abruptly submerged his entire body, the entire pool erupting with bubbles of steam. "You're more than welcome to join us."
Sofia felt a blush mounting. "Oh that's very kind of you, but…"
"I insist. It's the best way to spend an evening here, and who knows when you'll get another opportunity to try it out."
Sudden panic gripped the princess, overwhelmed by the thought that her days may be numbered due to Autunite poisoning. "I…"
"Sofia really, I'm not going to frolic naked in some pool, in front of an audience no less! What do you take me for, precisely." Cedric huffed. He went from indignant to resigned in a second, realizing the pain behind the look she gave him. Slowly he bent down, hugging her tighter. "Worried you won't have another chance?" She nodded, and with a loud groan his will was broken. "Alight fine! I'll stick a toe in, if it'll make you stop pouting."
"Thanks."
Timidly she took a step forward, Cedric insisting on holding her hand. Carefully she slid her shoe off, "Sofia be careful, the dragon's scales protect them from the heat! It may be scalding to the touch and.."
"It's pretty warm, but not too hot." her small foot had been dipped in the bubbling brew. "It's really nice, actually. Come on." He sat alongside her, their legs dangling in the warm waters, as the dragons shuffled around to the other side of the pool.
"I suppose it is rather, soothing. Especially after that walk up the mountain."
The smallest dragon splashed out of the water, excitedly. "It's even better with a show!"
"Oh very well. If you must."
Harmonies echoed along the canyon walls, as a dazzling display of pyrotechnics set to music began on the opposite side of the pool. He may have professed to mild annoyance at being held here, but the tapping of his hand against his thigh and slight bobbing of his head told a different tale.
"I knew you'd like it."
"Yes, well, it's rather tolerable. Though I suppose many things you've induced me to try over the years could be described as, pleasant."
Minutes passed as a third encore ensued, Cedric leaning onto her as much as she was nestled into his side. Occasionally a dragon would break character, coming over to sniff them, but for the most part they played the role of grateful audience well.
"Sofia…"
"Yes?"
"Your Amulet, you've still got it, yes?"
"Of course I do. It's here, in my pocket." Easily she pulled the thing out, holding it up. There was a faint gleam of moonlight reflected off its surface, but nothing to match its luster in her youth. "Why?"
"I've been thinking, perhaps it's best if you don't put it on again." Nervously he clung to her.
"But, why? You told me to put it on when we were at Friezenburg's palace."
"Well yes then, but not now." One long exasperated sigh, and he began swaying his feet nervously under the bubbling waters, letting his leg brush up against hers. "Sofia, the Amulet may not appreciate your good intentions and, if you truly mean to go through with this, to subjugate it to your will, it may curse you for the effort."
She let her hand fall, the Amulet now resting in her lap. "So then, what you're saying is, if I go through with this, I may never be able to wear the Amulet again?"
She could feel his head nodding back and forth. "Though it pains me to say it, Sofia, the Amulet cannot curse you if you don't put it back on. However, if you do, then you'll have to remove the curse, and I'm not entirely sure how you could accomplish such a feat."
Slowly she set the Amulet back into her pocket.
"I just don't see another way to do this. Do you?"
Everburn started in on an operatic solo as Cedric wracked his brain. "No. I wish I could but flick my wand and end this catastrophe, but in earnest no sorcerer alive could muster the energy you need to destroy the Autunite. Not even Merlin."
"Oh."
"Best not to dwell on it, I suppose. The entertainment is so much more pleasurable when I'm not the one on display, and the stars above do look lovely, just as they did when we slept together in the gardens." He'd settled down farther, letting his head rest on hers, growing more comfortable as time went on, almost immune to the presence of frolicking dragons.
"Did you love me, then?"
"Hmm…?" Cedric's eyes had closed, his arm wrapped tightly around her shoulder.
"When we fell asleep under the stars. Did you, already…"
"I was very much enamored with you, Sofia, but wasn't entirely sure I should, act upon it." Was whispered to her.
"And now?"
"Now I'm… entirely certain I'm unworthy, but still, even though I know I'm not good enough, I can't seem to quell the want of you. I am but the dimly lit Sirius B star, circling your brightness."
"I don't think that." He chuckled. "No, really. I feel like we shine the brightest, when we're together." She heard him start to hum, and turned to look up at him. He'd been resting his head on hers, which promptly fell a few inches once she moved. With a soft smile, he leaned in, claiming a kiss in the moonlight.
The music stopped, and, realizing where they were Cedric immediately reared back, blushing heavily and embarrassed beyond measure.
"It's alright folks! Nothing to be ashamed about." Everburn sashayed a bit through the water. "Sorry to kill the mood, but I finally managed to wiggle the scale free."
"No, no, thank you Bernie! This was a lovely evening, the pool and the music was delightful. Thanks for sharing." Sofia stood, drying off her legs, Cedric tossing on his socks and shoes while still wet.
"Here's your scale, Sofia."
"Aw, thank you Bernie."
"My pleasure princess. It's always good to shed the old ones. But it's getting late, where are you two staying? Don't need a lift again, do you?"
"We have a flying horse on the other side of the hill waiting for us, so we'd better go."
"Well, don't be a stranger."
Flinging her arms around him, she gave the elderly dragon a massive hug. "If I don't see you again Bernie, I just want you to know how much I appreciate your friendship."
"Aw, thanks Sofia. You're a true friend." Taking Cedric by the hand she guided him off, Everburn calling out to her just before they rounded the corner, "And congratulations."
Halfway down the trail back to the flying horse Cedric's odd shaking started. "And just what did he mean, congratulations?"
"We're kissed Cedric. I think they figured it out." He stopped advancing. "Come on, it was nice, wasn't it?"
"Exceedingly. But, even so, I found their conversation a bit, odd. That long one even smelled you."
"I probably smell like you, especially after what we've been doing for the past couple days."
She couldn't see, but he was most definitely blushing. An incoherent string of babbling came out, but he started to advance down the mountain once more. They passed the large boulder, then rounded the corner past the stream.
"Wait, Cedric, I thought the horse landed above the stream."
He stopped dead in his tracks. "It did." The faint echo of a woman's maniacal cackle resounded off the walls of the crag-covered mountain, chilling Sofia to the bone. Defensively Cedric pulled her wand to the fore as an ominous beacon of light slowly intensified in the distance.
"No…." Cedric mouthed, grabbing Sofia and shoving her behind him. "Run."
"Cedric, who is that?"
"It's Edith. This time, please RUN! I'll stand and face her to give you a sporting chance!"
She had no wand, no means of helping him, and this time, Rolland wasn't there to stop Edith. "Bernie." Quietly fell out of her mouth, Cedric's wand beginning to glow. As it intensified what had seemed like a boulder at their side became distinctly flesh, the remains of the flying horse they'd traveled with lying in a heap upon the mountainside.
"RUN!" Cedric screamed, the shadowed figure taking woman's form. Again the mountainside echoed with Edith's deranged cackle.
"No one to save you or your little crumpet now Ceddy! Should have thought of that before flying straight through Enchancia for everyone to see!"
Cedric pivoted from staring toward his sister, physically pushing Sofia back up the hillside. "PLEASE LOVE, RUN!"
As fast as she could she launched up the trail, sliding into the shale at points while screaming for Everburn and his dragons. A blast of light hit the mountainside, the entire palisades shaking under its force. "BERNIE! BERNIE HELP!"
Finally at the top she bolted through the chambers, finding Everburn and his dragons beginning to roost for the evening. "BERNIE HELP!"
They were up and out the cave in a flash, Sofia clinging to Everburn as the dragons swooped down. Edith had practically blasted Cedric off the side of the mountain, and now stood triumphantly over his dangling and bruised frame.
"This was the battle that was always meant to be. I was always stronger, faster, and better than you. But NO, you were male, so you got everything. Our father's title, the king's ear, everything, and I got NOTHING." Edith lunged forward, stomping on Cedric's hand to stop his last, desperate attempt to hurl a counter curse at her. "Well, now I have THIS! And even Rolland can't take it from me!" Triumphantly Edith waved the family wand above her head, the thing gleaming in the moonlight.
"Hurry Bernie!" The dragon swooped down, cutting a path of fire between Cedric and his sister, Edith jumping backward to avoid the flames. The woman began screaming incoherently, flinging spells at the dragons who each in turn dove at her with more flaming blasts.
"Cedric, take my hand!" Sofia pulled him up quickly. He was singed, but thankful, and clung to her with wand pointed at Edith.
Watching Edith flail in the night, tears flinging from her body as she lunged in every direction to avoid dragon's claws and fiery breath, a certain pity took hold. "I've got to end her, it's the only way to save you Sofia." Cedric grit his teeth, straining to force himself to muster the curse.
"No wait!" Clinging to his arm, Sofia stopped him mid-chant. "Make her sleep." Confusion took hold as Edith heard her, spinning in one fluid motion, that the family wand was pointed squarely at Sofia.
"I gave you a burn for a burn, princess! Now he owes me a life for the life he stole from me!"
"CEDRIC!" Sofia screamed, clinging to him. She'd have jumped in front of Edith's spell, had she needed too. The momentary distraction was enough to let Everburn get close enough, the dragon swooping in, knocking Edith to the ground. The woman rolled several yards down the hillside, coming to rest along the body of the dead horse.
"Cedric! The sleep spell!"
"B-b-b-but, it's not enough Sofia!" Horrified, she let Cedric's arm go, the sorcerer flying into a panic of indecision. A groan came from the felled sorceress, Edith rising on her elbows.
"I'll have, my revenge. You stole, everything, from me."
"Cedric, SLEEP!"
"FINE! Dormintato!"
With a loud plop Edith collapsed onto the mountainside, the family wand falling from her hand. Crisis ended, Sofia stepped toward Edith, poking her to ensure that she was truly unconscious.
"Not even this spell will keep her asleep for very long. The woman's malice will wake her before sunrise."
"But she's your sister. I know you don't really want to hurt her."
He groaned. "Of course not, but what choice do I have Sofia? The woman openly stated she wanted my head. A life for a life is quite specific enough."
Sofia ran her hands over Edith's long, straight black hair. "Cedric, is what Edith said true?"
"I don't follow Sofia."
"Was she really overlooked because she was female?" His arms slumped to his sides. "Then it is true. I'd be upset too, if I was her. She never had a chance."
"Well she's had it now, and her true personality has shown through. If you recall, even though she had the king's ear, and my wand at her command, she still tried to incinerate you not a week ago."
That was true. She'd had all she'd ever wanted, the position of royal sorcerer, the family wand, and all the power and prestige that entailed, and she'd lost it all. "But, how much of her hatred is because you were handed things in life, and no matter what she did she could never compete?" Slowly she stood, returning to Cedric's side. "All I'm saying is, maybe she wouldn't be a bitter, hateful person if she's been treated equally by your father."
"I suppose… He warped us both, in his way. Well there's nothing for it now, Sofia. She's broken, and I can't let her roam free if she intends to harm you."
"Am I, going to live long enough to have that matter?" She heard him whimper, arms circling around her. "All I'm saying is, I don't want you to have to live with taking another life. The last time you regretted it, I'm sure you'd regret killing your sister, too."
A huge sigh, and the sorcerer fell back a step. "You are right, of course. But what do we do with her? We can't let her roam free."
"Well, first things first." Sofia stepped forward, picking the family wand up from the ground. "You two need to talk."
Before dawn broke over the palisades Edith began to wake. She'd been tied to a stalagmite, the dragon's taking turns guarding her that Sofia and Cedric might get a moment's fitful rest farther up the hillside.
"Good. You're awake." The woman struggled against the restraints, Cedric firmly planted on the ground in front of her a few paces away. Sofia had hidden both her wand and the family wand in her pocket, alongside the Amulet of Avalor, as Edith's eyes darted between the two, dragon fire illuminating the tense situation.
"What is this? Why aren't I dead?"
"Because Sofia thought better of it." Cedric snapped back, arms and legs crossed in indignation.
"I thought that you two should talk about why there is so much animosity between you." Sofia continued, "Without wands." She pulled out both as Edith narrowed in on them, struggling to get free. Realizing she couldn't, the woman settled back down as Sofia returned the wands to her pocket.
"There's nothing to say. He got everything, I got nothing, and he didn't even appreciate it. All he ever did was whine about not getting more."
"What's this then? I most certainly did NOT get everything." Cedric scoffed, "I never got father's approval, or the people's respect, or a myriad of other things you would accuse me of taking. As far as I'm concerned, YOU were always the one stealing from me."
"Because I got NOTHING!" Edith shot back, "Growing up it was always, 'oh, Cedric needs rare charms to be better at magic', 'Cedric needs special lessons', 'Cedric needs', 'Cedric needs'." There was a flash of anger and Edith was raging against and unspoken enemy, "It was ALWAYS all about you."
Sofia looked over at Cedric. He'd become silent, stoically staring down his sister as she vented a lifetime of frustration. "What did I ever get? Only the things I took from you, that's what, and you wanna know what else! Even without all the lessons, and the trinkets, and the praise, I was STILL better at magic than you!"
"Don't you think I know that!" Cedric practically screamed, Edith growing silent. "Don't you think I, realized that. I get nervous, but you, never did. I could never compete with you, no matter how much father pushed me to be, something I'm not." He'd drawn his knees up to his chest, introspectively letting his heart pour out. "You've no idea what it was like for me either, Edith. The man, he pit us against each other. How many times did he make me cast spells till my eyes burned and arms shook? 'Edith can do it, why not you son?!', 'Why can't you be gifted like your sister!'"
Wallowing a bit, Cedric buried his chin in his knees as Edith looked on. "Dad, thought I was gifted?"
"Obviously. The man knew you were better suited to it than I."
"Then, why didn't he chose me?" All malice had drained from his older sister, and the introspective nature Cedric had adopted now permeated her as well.
"I suspect it was because of your venomous streak. One he was all too reassured of when he told you I was to assume his position."
There was another flash of anger, but it quickly passed from Edith. Instead, she stared off at the vista below. "So, when I attacked you and Dad, it just reaffirmed that he thought I was magically gifted but not emotionally stable enough to serve the king."
"I can't be certain, but I would assume so." Cedric let his knees fall back down, finally looking directly at his sister.
"Edith, Cedric, neither of you can change your childhood, but it doesn't need to be this way forever. You can stop hating each other."
"He still gets everything." Edith snarked.
"I most certainly do not!" Cedric countered, "I don't get to freely roam Enchancia, or spend blissful, lazy days casting spells without worrying for my hide, ever again."
A small chuckle turned into a roaring laugh, as Edith flung her head back, "You wanna know the funny part? We're both messed up, and neither of us gets to be the royal sorcerer."
"And just why is that amusing?" Cedric huffed.
"Because, if there's anyone I hate more than you, it's Dad. And all he wanted was for his lineage to continue. If I can't be the one, at least I got to stick it to him."
"How very reassuring." Cedric scoffed, turning to Sofia. "Well, is this what you were after?"
Nodding enthusiastically, Sofia hustled over to where he sat, smiling proudly. "Yeah."
"Hey, you, princess." Edith sneered, "You realize your Dad's put a price on his head, right? If it's not me, then someone else is gonna off him."
As Cedric yelped Sofia stood defiantly, "I already spoke with Rolland and begged him not to kill Cedric. He, wouldn't kill the man I love."
"You give him too much credit, girl. If you truly love my brother, and I can't figure out why, you'd better fly as fast and as far as possible from here. Because when I get free, I'm gonna bring him down."
With that, Edith sunk her head down low, eyeing Cedric menacingly. "Nothing personal, Ceddy, but I want Rolland to forgive me, and satisfying his hatred for you is the only way back into his favor."
"No it's NOT!" Sofia cried, "Killing Cedric would only hurt your parents, and everyone that loves him. It won't make Rolland's pain of losing Anne go away, and it won't make you feel better about the way you were treated growing up!"
Introspectively Edith looked at the ground, then at the princess standing alongside the seated sorcerer, both staring at her and praying they'd finally made enough headway with the woman. "Then, there's nothing I can do, to make Rolland take me back?" The woman sniffed, then looked around desperately for a distraction. "I, completely blew it."
Pity overwhelmed Sofia, and against Cedric's flailing protestations she walked forward, hugging Edith's head. "It'll be okay. If you can find it in your heart to make peace with Cedric, then I'll tell Rolland that I forgive you for burning me."
Edith looked directly up at her, then quickly to her pocket. Sofia knew, on some level, that she was calculating her odds of grabbing the wands. But she didn't lunge for them. Instead she let her head hang low. "You'd really, forgive me?"
"Mhmm. And, I'm so sorry that when we fought you were burned. I actually didn't deflect the spell, it was the Amulet." Carefully Sofia took a step back, holding out the Amulet for Edith to see. Edith broke out in a series of condescending laughs.
"I should have known. You had a magical ace up your sleeve. No plaything of Cedric's could have taken me down."
Nasty comments aside, the woman had relaxed to a degree Sofia had never observed. "Alright, I give. I won't hunt Cedric any more. But I want my old position back."
"I'm not sure I can do that, but I'll tell Rolland what I promised you."
"Can you tell those flying rodents and that furry football to get out of my workshop too." Edith jeered. A quick confused glance between Sofia and her sorcerer was broken by Edith's cutting cackles. "Those pests wouldn't let me within ten yards of Dad's workshop. I want them cleared out, too."
"It seems Wormwood defended the sanctity of my workshop in my absence."
"I guess so. He probably felt the same way about her that you did."
"Indeed, he is my reflection, after all."
They'd had to take Everburn up on his offer for a ride, due to the unfortunate ending of their flying horse at Edith's hands. Good natured as he was, he jumped at the offer to help, complaining minimally about soreness once they touched down in Wei-Ling. Edith had been left behind, in the care of the dragon's. Ostensibly to keep her from behaving rashly, more honestly to give Sofia and Cedric a proper start without her on their tail, lest she backslide.
The stream just outside the Jade Jaguar's lair was a perfect spot to soak away a dragon's aches, after all, once he'd cleared of lizards by one massive hot plume of fire.
"Well, this is it."
Cedric stood, eying the tiny back entrance to the jaguar's cave. "You, can't be serious Sofia. I'm supposed to fit through that infinitesimally small opening?"
"Don't worry, I can…" Oops. She was much larger than the last time she'd attempted this undertaking. "I can try to wiggle through, maybe if I…" Her head and one shoulder were in, but little else could fit. She could hear Cedric snorting laughs outside the cave, as her legs flailed about. Finally, he wrapped his hands around her waist, tugging her backward. She let loose from the hole with a loud POP.
"I didn't fit."
"Certainly." He chuckled. "Though I don't know what you planned to trade for what we need."
"Trade?" Sofia blinked at him, Cedric's eyes bulging out.
"Obviously. You'll need to barter with the beast to get what you need. Isn't that how they relocated him to this hovel?"
It was. Slowly they walked back around the cave, the return path not quite as perilous as she remembered from her youth. In truth, all the obstacles she'd overcome in her childhood seemed inconsequential now.
They stood at the entrance to the cave, Sofia lost in thought as to how to proceed, when voices could be heard coming up the path.
"Quick, hide!" Sofia shoved Cedric back onto the hidden path. As they huddled in the shadows, the voices drew nearer.
"The sum doesn't matter. All that matters is that I fetch the claw for Miranda."
It was Rolland. Alongside him stood Emperor Kwan, and behind them trailed a handful of servants, each carrying a gilded basket full of golden treasure.
"What in all manner of witchcraft is he doing here?" Cedric angrily whispered in her ear.
"Mom. She must have told him the ingredients we needed." Grimacing, Cedric started hobbling backward down the trail.
"He'll have my head if he sees us. We need to depart, now."
"But we need the claw and…" Taking a deep breath, Sofia composed herself. "Cedric, I'm going to get the claw from Rolland. Then I'll run back here to get you. Be ready to book it on Everburn, okay?"
"Are you mad?! Sofia, Sofia!" He'd reached out to stop her, but she managed to just barely avoid his grasp, and now stood along the trail, behind where Rolland and Kwan were sizing up the entrance to the cave.
"Hi, Dad."
Spinning, Rolland lunged forward, wrapping Sofia in a gigantic hug. "Oh Sofia! I was hoping I'd find you here, and you're safe!"
The momentary relief quickly melted, as Rolland began frantically scouring the foliage. "Where is HE, Sofia? I know he convinced you to take off into danger with him."
"I'm not going to tell you where he is, Dad." Concern flashed over Rolland's face, and he turned from inspecting the jungle to his youngest daughter.
"Well, when we're done here I can take you home to Enchancia, where it's safe."
"Rolland, the jewels, the jaguar!" Kwan was hopping up and down, the dull roar of a waking giant emanating from deep within the cave.
Ushering in the servants, each placed their gilded treasures at the entrance to the cave, the jade jaguar's eyes now burning a luminescent green from beyond the shadows.
"Oh Jade Jaguar, we have come to barter with you." A flash of his tail streaked green at the top of the cave's opening, startling the servants. "Stay back, Sofia."
"Wait, you remember me, right?" Sofia leapt forward, the jaguar's tail disappearing into the cave once more. "It's me, Sofia. We came because we need something of yours. A claw." A blood curdling growl echoed through the cave. Rolland flung himself defensively in front of Sofia, as green anger seethed below the surface. How she wished she could put the Amulet back on and speak directly to the jaguar, but alas, it would assuredly curse her.
"Dad has brought all these things, to trade for the claw." The growling intensified, the snout of the jaguar emerging from the shadows. "Please, this has to be more than enough to get a piece of claw from you. You probably break them all the time!"
There was a flash of green. Claws were out, the gigantic cat pouncing directly at them from the shadows. As Sofia screamed Rolland lunged to knock her out of its way. A servant drew a sword, defensively shaking the thing at the beast, and for his effort was knocked backward into the bushes, torn asunder. Another servant screamed, and the cat lunged, sinking his teeth into the man. Rolland shoved Sofia away, drawing his sword. The cat turned, charging Rolland as Kwan shrieked, a blast of light blinding all assembled.
"DORMINTATO!"
As the dust settled, Rolland had defensively covered Sofia with his body, the blade of his sword having struck the beast's paw as it lunged forward. The jaguar now lay unconscious on the ground, half emerged from the cave and but a foot from where Rolland and Sofia stood.
Rolland looked up to see where the blast had come from, and froze. Cedric stood on the edge of the forest, wand still pointed at the beast, adrenaline making his arms and legs shake. Sofia took one look at Rolland, still silently transfixed on Cedric, then lunged forward toward the Jaguar's paw. Rolland's sword had managed to knick the cat's claw. It was enough to snap the thing off, like a broken nail.
"Got it!" Out from Rolland's reaching grasp she dove, toward Cedric. Flinging her arms around the still-shaking man, Rolland snapped out of the trance he was in, rising with sword in hand. Their eyes were locked, and Cedric's family wand had wavered in its aim, to point directly at the king.
"Cedric it's okay. I got the claw. I'm okay." He was still trembling. "Cedric I'm okay. You protected me." Desperate she started tugging on him, toward Everburn and escape. Rolland took a half step forward, reaching out toward Sofia. In return Cedric's wand snapped to attention, pointed squarely at the king.
"Don't do this, Sofia. Don't."
"I… I'm sorry, Dad." She grabbed Cedric and ran like mad into the bushes, shoving Cedric onto Everburn and screaming for him to fly. Rolland took off after them, but sensing the danger Everburn gave out a warning blast of flames to clear a radius around them. Rolland could do not but stand several yards away as the dragon took off, Sofia ensuring Cedric hung on.
As they rose into the eastern sky Rolland kept his eyes fixed on Cedric. The sorcerer was still shaking.
"Did you see the way he, looked at me, Sofia?"
"Well, yeah. The same way you looked at him."
"Not the same. It could never be the same. I hate him, with all that is in me, but, he protected you."
"You protected me too."
"Y-y-yes but, Rolland, he, actually protected you."
"Well, yeah. He's protected me dozens of times over the years." Cedric slumped over. "What is it?"
"He… I've always thought him to be thoroughly selfish. Blind, to the needs and feelings of others. He's always treated me as such. But he, risked his life, to save you. He'd not have gone there, if but to spare you the task, would he?"
"I don't know. Mom could have sent him."
"Indeed, but still. If he could do such a thing, then perhaps he's not the monster I've always thought him to be."
"He's, not the man of integrity and strength I thought he was when I was younger, but you're right. He's not a monster." Sofia looked back, toward Wei-Ling fading into the distance. "Maybe, he was thinking the same thing about you."
Cedric sadly grunted with disbelief, then buried his head into Sofia's shoulder as they sailed on.
The last ingredient was the feather of an innocent griffin. There was but one who could qualify as such, and that resided in Enchancia, along with the spell book needed to brew the concoction.
"No."
"But Cedric."
"NO."
"Come on, be reasonable."
"I am PERFECTLY reasonable, Sofia. Returning to Rolland's castle, even under disguise, is certain DOOM."
"But what if I snuck you in?"
"DOOOOOM."
"Oh come on, we just need to get the feather, and then we can sneak right back out."
'I've plenty of experience sneaking in, Sofia, but if Rolland knew the Jaguar's claw was one of the ingredients, he may anticipate our need for the griffin's feather as necessitating a trip to the castle jewel room, and it's simply something we cannot risk."
"Well, what if…"
"There are no 'ifs' Sofia. Every entrance to the castle is heavily guarded."
"Um, well there is one that isn't. It's how I got Lucinda, Jade and Carol out of the castle."
The unenthused sorcerer groaned loudly. "Uggggh. I suppose, if you're dead set on it, this will give me a chance to review my spell books and see if a cure for Autunite poisoning lies within them."
"That's the spirit!" Sofia smiled brightly, trying to look back at the unimpressed man, as "Merlin's mushrooms" echoed over Enchancia's hillside.
"This is… a library?"
"Yep. Many of these stories are unfinished, and I used to come here to complete them." Slowly Cedric stalked the twisting halls of the secret library. Everburn had deposited them gently on its branches, heading for home late afternoon sun. "But there are so many, Sofia. Did you really intend to complete them all?"
"Uh huh. Well, I wanted to. But now…" They'd finally wound their way down the spiral staircases to the great chair, the book of this story still sitting open. Cedric eyed it cautiously, lifting the thing and flipping through its pages as Sofia looked around. The magical air this place used to encapsulate seemed to have dissipated, the Amulet in her pocket no longer glowing blue in its presence. "Something's different. I can't really explain it. Cedric?"
She turned to see him buried nose-deep in the folds of the books pages, his face turning vermillion. "Sofia the book, THE BOOK!" He held it at arm's length, as if the spine could reach out and bite him.
"What?! What is it?" All but the last few pages were filled. He'd had it opened to the last few days, and disconcertedly it hadn't left out any details about their, encounters.
"It even has us kissing the hot springs, huh?"
"Will the mortification never end?! Now there's a spell detailing my every move into written record. History is sure to be unkind. Oh, Oh… Prospero's pickles. Whyyyy."
"Oh Cedric, don't worry. No one will ever read these stories again. After all, I'm the only one who comes to the library. Aunt Tilly stopped years ago, when I took over as story keeper."
"Bury it Sofia. Light the thing on fire. Here, I'll gladly assist."
"No, Don't!" Lunging forward she bade him drop the book. Begrudgingly he handed it back, Sofia setting it upon the chair. "I really don't know what will happen to the story, and to us, if you set it on fire."
He huffed in an embarrassed fury throughout the boat ride back underneath the palace, barely noticing the magic on display.
"Wormy!" She'd negotiated him sight unseen to the side entrance of his tower, and there along the windowsill in a fully formed nest lay Wormwood, nestled alongside her phoenix. The raven blinked back sleepy eyes, then hopped up, cawing frantically at Cedric's shoulder. "How I've missed you. Did you miss me too? Wormy, stop struggling and let me hold you proper."
The bird did not seem truly pleased to see them, and kept flitting up, claws extended, then barreling down in obvious displeasure. He finally settled on the side of the nest, cawing in indignation once more. "That's loyalty for you. Hmph!"
Sofia couldn't help but giggle at how put out he was at not being whole-heartily welcomed back. "Oh Cedric, don't fret. He's your reflection, right? I'm sure he missed you, but since we left both you and I had pretty bad injuries."
"Oh." Cedric spun, looking down at the phoenix who hadn't budged from the nest. "My apologies, dear. Sofia was, burned, rather badly by my sister. I do hope it wasn't too inconvenient for you." He reached out to stroke her phoenix, the bird cheerfully extending its neck to acquiesce.
Sofia sat alongside the nest stroking the bird, both watching as Cedric's expert hands began to make use of the potions ingredients he'd collected. "It'll brew for several hours, once we put in the griffin's feather." With a sly grin Cedric sashayed over to the birds, "Now Wormy, I'm willing to overlook your, animosity, if you'll do me the favor of obtaining one griffin's feather. Chop chop now, time is wasting and I'd rather spend as little of it as possible here, unless you want to 'poof' into oblivion when they lob my head from my shoulders."
"CAW." Angrily Wormwood spat it at Cedric, then defiantly wiggled farther down into the nest.
"Please Wormwood," Sofia pleaded, reaching out to stroke the raven. Instead of relenting, he nipped at her hand. The phoenix's reaction was swift. Several wing beats later and the raven knew he had to relent. He went off cawing into the distance. "I'm almost glad I can't understand what he's saying."
"You and I both. Now, Sofia, can you come over and help me with this."
"Sure!" She bounded over, as they began the arduous task of dissolving the Jaguar's claw in the precise acids described in the text. Fumes bubbled and wafted up, filling the workshop. Wormwood finally returned, clutching a claw full of griffin's feathers. Not two seconds later an irate griffin followed the raven straight through the open workshop window. Much larger than the space could take, he darted after Wormwood, who obviously lacked permission to abscond with the plumage.
"Agggh!" beakers went flying, knocked over by the griffin, and one hail Mary leap was all that kept the dissolved jade claw solution from rolling off the table and breaking onto the floor.
"Sofia, make it go away! It almost knocked over the potion!"
"Jasper STOP! Please!" The griffin clung to the railing of the second floor balcony, then turned, huffing and gesturing toward Wormwood. The raven had alighted next to Cedric, who was busy straightening the disheveled mess the chase had induced. "I'm so sorry Wormwood didn't ask nicely." An accusatory stare was tossed at the curmudgeonly bird, "But we really needed one of your feathers for a potion. It's to end a war. You understand, right?"
The griffin dropped down to the stone floor, walking briskly up to Sofia and began sniffing her. Softly she stroked his head, just behind the ears, as he was apt to enjoy. "Thank you for understanding, friend." Jasper extended his neck, pecking at Sofia's collar bone. "Oh, the Amulet. Yes, I won't be able to wear it anymore, so, I guess that means, I can't talk to you. Wormwood either." She looked back over at the raven, who merely cawed his indignation at her.
"Be nice Wormy, that's my Sofia you're insulting." He ordered as he dropped three silvers of Everburn's scale into the bubbling mixture.
"How do you know what he said?"
"I know things! Specifically, the moods of my raven. Anyway, if you're through, I could use a hand with dicing the fringe Sofia. My eyes aren't what they used to be, and the recipe calls for an exacting trim on this feather."
"Coming." Turning to the griffin, she stroked his head lovingly. "Even if I can't understand what you're saying, we'll still be friends." A soft kiss was set squarely on his brow, and the griffin flew off through the window.
Feather diced, whisker sliced, and a green bubbling ooze was now simmering on Cedric's bench top. Cedric had tasked her with stirring, and seated her in his usual spot. He now hung from the banister three levels up, pouring over the texts for anything related to neutralizing Autunite. Once the sun had set he abandoned the reading, afraid to light candles lest some enterprising guard come to check what was happening in the abandoned tower. So instead, the sat in silence watching it boil.
"How much longer?"
"It needs several hours, at least. See this line?" He pointed toward the surface.
"Barely."
"Yes, well, it needs to boil down still, by half at least. The consistency is far too liquid currently. It doesn't need more stirring, simply to simmer." Leaning across her he picked up the book, straining to make out the words in the moonlight. "That is what the potion called for. I did memorize the thing."
"Then, maybe we should get some sleep. Tomorrow I, need to subjugate the Amulet."
"Indeed. Why don't you lie down love? I can stay here, and watch the brew."
"CAW! Caw caw!" Wormwood had roused from slumbering next to the phoenix in their nest, and was beating his wings once more.
"By Merlin, what is it now Wormy, I…" Sofia lunged forward, covering Cedric's mouth with her hand. There were loud flopping sounds coming from outside the tower door. Without thinking she grabbed his arm tight, fleeing with him around the corner and into the confines of his bedchambers.
The flopping sound grew louder, until it stopped abruptly at the top of his stairs. Wand drawn, Cedric had pulled Sofia in defensively. "My flying machine, on the second level" he whispered forcefully. "It can get us out of here."
"No, wait. We can't leave the potion."
"The potion is less important than our hides." He hissed quietly.
"No it isn't, wait, it doesn't sound like a person." Indeed, now there was scratching at the door. "What in the?"
"Are you mad? You're not going to open the door, are you?" Cedric had pulled her back, shaking his head in a panic.
"But what if…."
"I'm not listening. You wouldn't actually suggest we open that and expose our location to the entire castle staff!" he whispered as forcefully as he could muster.
"Cedric." The scratching stopped, and the odd flopping sound trailed off into the distance.
"Phew… it's gone." He fell against the wall in relief. "I can't stand this any longer. Another minute here and I may well predate you in death, for the heart attack I'll suffer."
"What about your Cabin?" That perked him up immediately. "We can go there for the night, and come back in the morning without anyone knowing."
His arms flew up, then wrapped her in a hug as he claimed her mouth with his own. "The most excellent suggestion you've had all month. Lets." Casually he popped his head back through to the workshop. "You will keep the place guarded for the night, won't you Wormy? I hear you did a right good job of it against my sister."
The angry caw that bird made could curl one's neck hairs, but he didn't fly from the nest. "Thank you, Wormwood." Sofia smiled at the bird, who almost seemed to be rolling his eyes at them.
With a whoosh of magic they went through the painting in his room that linked this, his den of solitude, to the castle. It was still as dusty and cluttered as she remembered, but now he sheepishly guided her up the stairs.
"I didn't go up here last time, what's there?"
"My, b-b-b-bedroom."
"Oh." Heat rising in her cheeks, she let him guide her into their resting place for the night.
"Wait!"
"What, what is it?" She looked around frantically, but saw no danger.
A single finger was held to her lips. "Now, close your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"By Merlin would you humor me, just this once." Cedric huffed, exasperated.
"Oh, alright." One overexerted motion to emphasize that indeed her eyes were closed, and she started to hear him muttering curses and banging into tables, making her giggle. "What are you up to?"
A guilty little "NOTHING!" was the only answer provided. Long fingers slid their way onto her skin, cupping her hands to direct her forward a few steps. "That's it, careful."
"Cedric, what are you up to?" Came out amidst the giggles.
"There we are, viola!"
He'd lit over two dozen candles around the room, straightened some things, and cleared away others. Noticeably, he'd turned down the covers to his bed, and stood there, bashfully looking away while she took in the scenery.
"Thank you, that's very sweet." Cautiously he took a step forward, extending his hand around her hip. "You don't need to be nervous."
He nodded, but clearly was. She took the pressure off by seating herself on the bed, and coaxing him down next to her.
"Decidedly more comfortable than the floor of a dragon's cave, wouldn't you agree dearest?"
"Mhmmm, nicer than my Papa's cabin too."
"Indeed." Robes, pants, dress and trimmings were tossed in a pile at the foot of the bed, warm snuggles all that was required to pass the night away. The Amulet was set upon the nightstand, ever watching over them in this private moment.
Cedric passed out immediately afterward, snoring lightly into her ear as he wrapped himself around her like a human blanket both seeking and giving warmth. But she lay awake for several hours, looking at the Amulet and contemplating the day to come. The explosion of energy required to destroy the Autunite would need amazing precision to avoid blowing Maldonia off the map.
With her limited skill set, would she be able to accomplish such a sophisticated technique?
Would Cedric be better suited to casting the spell?
She looked over his shadowy frame, still clinging to her. The pressure he'd be under to cast such a massive spell perfectly would surely break him.
No, it was better if she cast the spell. But she didn't even know it yet. Amalthea had been less than forthcoming with its details, after all. They'd need to find the woman in the morning, and then head to Maldonia's forsaken shores. As the candles burned down, Sofia finally drifted off to sleep.
One eye slowly crept open, sunlight now streaming through a window hanging high above their heads. The view was obscured by a lovely set of silver bangs drifting slowly over her. "Good morn…"
One uninhibited smile rained down on her, catching her in a kiss before she could finish. Slowly he pulled away, letting his finger trail along her cheek.
"The very best of mornings." He whispered, letting his hand fall lower, down her neck and gently traipsing over her shoulder. "Are you feeling alright love, any pain? Anything out of place?"
"No, I'm fine still."
A wicked little grin sprung up on his face, as he lowered closer to her. "Good." Slowly he lowered himself on her. "It's as I always imagined it to be. I could die this way, Sofia." Sheepishly he grinned, pulling covers down and exposing her to the dusty air. "But we just did that last night, you want to… again?"
Suddenly unsure, he pulled away slightly. "Do you, n-n-not want to? "
"Oh no, I do!" She stopped his retreat by pulling at the gold star, still hanging from his neck. Relaxed again, he leaned on his elbows, running his hands through her hair, then letting one come to rest on her star clip.
"It's still in your hair."
"And I'll never take it out." She pulled on his star to make him sink lower into her. The look in his eyes, that obvious contentedness he so rarely won her over. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything, love."
"I know you're trying to be gentle with me but, you don't have to be that gentle. It doesn't hurt at all anymore." He practically laughed, then, realizing she was serious started panicking. "Cedric, stop. Don't worry, just, let it happen. Okay?"
Nodding, he relented. Gone was the struggle, the pain, the unsure embarrassment. Save for almost falling out of the bed at one point, it seems practice did make some things perfect.
He collapsed down onto her, whimpering while words of devotion spilled out of him, making her giggle. "Wow. You didn't hold back. That was, ah-mazing!"
More incoherent sentences stammered out, mostly filled with a jumble of gratitude.
"Stop thanking me! You're being silly." She wound her hands into his hair, relishing his quick heartbeat against her skin until it settled back to normal. "You know, At some point we need to go check on the potion."
"I'd give up magic for five more minutes of bliss. Please."
"Sure."
Time came, and went. Dress reassembled, she'd hastened his departure toward the painting and Enchancia. They emerged into Cedric's tower bedchambers, the sorcerer still trying to button his shirt, loose bits dangling every way imaginable. Sofia turned, bumping into him, then giggled at the mess he was of half assemblage. She took it upon herself to help him button as they walked out, Cedric grinning wildly at her as she tried tucking his green shirt into his trousers. It made him wiggle oddly, then snicker, the sudden remembrance of just how ticklish he was being triggered. Playfully she gave his hip a little squeeze. His eyes flew open, and he lunged forward, wrapping her in a great hug and kissing the side of her head as they entered his workshop.
The potion sat, still simmering on the bench top.
But Rolland stood there, looming over the desk, his eyes locked on Cedric, currently entangled in Sofia's arms and laughing.
The playful smiles of a joyous morning were instantly shattered, Cedric dropping his arms from Sofia and panicking as he desperately searched for his wand.
Rolland just stood there, eyes burrowing into Cedric. "Dad, wait…" Sofia lunged between them, putting a hand up to stop her father. But Rolland had no sword, and no guards accompanying him.
"I'm done waiting. I've been waiting for over an hour, and I knew you'd come back for this." Rolland reached over, pointing directly at the potion, contempt writ across his face.
"Dad, if you'll just listen."
"Not this time Sofia. There is no reasoning with you. I want to talk to HIM." Cedric, now behind Sofia, had dropped his gaze to the floor, wand jittering in his hand.
Rolland stood tall, and boomed his displeasure. "Just who do you think you are Cedric? What do you think you're going to get by doing this to her?"
"Dad stop, Cedric loves me."
"I said I'm not talking to you, Sofia. I want to hear what he has to say for himself." The sorcerer merely cringed. Rolland, sensing his opportunity, took a step forward.
"I'm not stupid, I know very well what you were doing to my daughter, and you don't even have the courage to look me in the eye afterward, do you?" Cedric whimpered, shrinking lower to try and hide behind Sofia. "What is wrong with you? You're twice her age and nowhere near worthy of her. You'll never be able to marry her, yet knowing that you didn't even have the decency to keep your hands off her."
"Dad, stop this!"
"No, Sofia. I can't seem to get through to you, so I'm going straight to him. Cedric, you're less of a man than Sofia deserves. She'll be in the prime of life, and you'll be too old to care for her. Not that she'll live that long, you and I both know that just being around you is bound to get her killed."
Looking as if he'd been sucker punched, Cedric buckled at the waist. Sofia turned, holding onto his shoulders lest the sorcerer topple over. "Cedric, say something to defend yourself."
"He can't, Sofia. Because his behavior is completely indefensible. I left her in your care, I trusted you, and you took advantage of her. What did you think? That if you got her pregnant I'd pardon you for what happened to Anne." Rolland's eyes narrowed and lips pursed. "You disgust me."
"DAD. You have to stop!"
"No, Sofia. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it has to be said." Angrily he boomed at Cedric, "If you ever considered yourself a man, you'll let her go so she can have the life she deserves." Cedric kept taking the body blows, unable to muster a response. He must have felt guilty still, on some level. The worst part was, Rolland seemed to be getting through to Cedric, and the king knew it.
"Now, let her go."
"I'm not a victim, Dad!" Shouted Sofia, "I want to be with him, and I won't abandon him, ever."
"Do you see what you've done?" Rolland shouted, "I know even your twisted self knows how important family is to Sofia, and you've made her turn her back on the people who truly care about her."
"Dad, you don't understand. Cedric's protected me all this time."
"Then let him say it." There was silence, and angrily Rolland stomped on the tower floor. "Well, stand tall and declare that you did not abuse your power over her as her mentor, tell me that you didn't manipulate her feelings, tell me that you are not a murderer, twice over."
Desperately shaking her head, Sofia turned back to Cedric, looking for answers, looking for some support against the onslaught of charges Rolland was leveling. Briefly she managed to catch Cedric's gaze, before he again stared at the floor, defeated. "I'm s-s-s-sorry, Sofia, but he's right, I… wait. Twice over?"
The confusion made him lift his head, to see an infuriated Rolland take another step toward them. Realizing Cedric couldn't defend them Sofia pulled her wand, shaking it at the ground. Never had she thought she'd need to use it against Rolland, and even the act of pointing it at him seemed treasonous. So instead she shook it. It was enough of a gesture for Rolland to stop advancing, at least.
"You stole two lives from me. Both Anne, and the child she was carrying, my third child." Cedric went sheet white, and started mouthing what should have been words, but only air escaped.
He hadn't known Anne was pregnant.
Rolland seethed, but took a step back. "Now Sofia is my third child, and I won't let you ruin her, and steal her life away like you did to that little one. GIVE HER BACK."
Cedric's hands flew to his temples, Wormwood began shrieking, and Sofia realized he was having an emotional collapse. It had taken him almost twenty years to process and admit what happened to Anne, this newest revelation all but breaking his fragile psyche.
Sofia lunged, grabbing the potion off the table and, wrapping one arm around Cedric pushed him with her body toward the staircase, keeping the wand trained in Rolland's general direction.
"She's too young and naïve to realize what you're doing to her, how you're destroying her prospects for a happy life, but I KNOW that you realize what you're doing is WRONG, so LET HER GO!"
As Sofia shoved the convulsing man into the flying machine Rolland ran up the stairs toward them. With a deep breath she launched a spell at Cedric's many bookshelves, their mass tumbling down onto the staircase, blocking Rolland's path.
"Cedric, we have to fly! CEDRIC!"
He was a spasming mass on the floor of the coach, unable to function let alone cast spells. "Uh, what was that spell!, Um... LIFTUPPICUS!" A splash of magic, and the flying contraption was up and out the rooftop, careening through the sky. Rolland was screaming from the workshop, but Sofia couldn't look back. "Cedric help! We're going to crash unless you help steer this thing!"
"She was… expecting… Oh no, NO, I tried to prevent it… Noooooo, it was an innocent… I…I am the monster…"
"Cedric, snap out of it! CEDRIC!"