Whisked Away

8. Christmas and Reaching the Stone Table

Shifra's POV
When we had all woken up, we heard the bells. I let Mr. Beaver go and see who it was and heard his excitement as he called for us to all go up. I followed as excited as they were and saw for myself Father Christmas. He was not what I had expected, but as he began to hand out the gifts it slipped my mind.

The looks on everyone's faces were quite enjoyable to watch, but when he had come to me I had no idea what to expect. He smiled at me and said, "And now for the last Daughter of Eve."

But before he could get any further, Peter exclaimed, "You're human?"

"Originally, yes," Father Christmas replied for me and continued, "For you it was much trickier, but I think I figured it out." He handed me a long silver chain. It was looped and on one was a rose gold ring and on the other was a golden shield with a black flower design. "That necklace will be your greatest friend and your greatest foe. It will show you in dreams what people are doing all around Narnia. I know of what you know and it will help you to act accordingly."

I was still examining my gift when Mrs. Beaver called us all to eat what Father Christmas had given us for our breakfast. During our meal I fingered the necklace curiously. Peter looked at me and asked, "So you said before that you can speak with Aslan in your mind. Why don't you do that all the time?"

Not bothering to glance up I replied, "Speaking with Aslan is...a privilege and to try and choose when I can speak with him feels...wrong. Besides, he speaks to me more than me speaking with him.. He doesn't like being forced to do things. He is not a tame lion."

"Would he hurt us?" Lucy asked, "If he isn't tame then what's to stop him from doing so?"

"Nothing," I replied, getting a glare from Peter, "he may not be a tame lion, but he is a good lion. He would not hurt you. He would not even hurt a traitor like Edmund." All the children glanced down at the mention of their brother, but I told them, "Remember he is enchanted and he will go on to hate himself for what he does during this time. Do not blame him, I believe he already blames himself more than you could ever know." They all nodded, still not understanding, but I dropped it.

"You'll need teaching for that sword," Mr. Beaver said, speaking to Peter, "General Shifra is an excellent swordsman, she would make a fine teacher to you." Peter nodded and looked up at me with hope. I gave him a smile and a nod in return.

"I need to go ahead of the rest of you," I told them, "I shall be leaving your company, but I shall see you at the Stone Table."

Protests rang out as I stood to go and Susan cried, "Why?"

I paused and looked back at them all. "I am Aslan's second in command and the General of Narnia, I need to speak with him. I can fly there and back in half an hour. I may return, or I may not. Aslan's will is my command." The children looked as if they were going to protest more, but Mr. Beaver stopped them.

"She is right after all. Aslan may need her at the moment. We should be arriving soon anyways." I said goodbye to them all and flew. I did not need to make myself invisible, for I felt something tell me that the time to hide was over.

In only a few moments, I had landed at the camp. My knee length black hair was in slight disarray as I landed, but I paid it no mind. Aslan and all the Narnians came out of their tents to see me. Aslan called out, "Hail the General and Lady Shifra, General of Narnia and Second in Command to myself." Everyone bowed their heads deeply to me as I walked up to Aslan and bowed.

"You have grown much, child, and you have learned much of your abilities," Aslan said when we had retreated into his tent. "It was good for you to come now. The children will be arriving later today and in the meantime, you need to train your troops."

"Yes Aslan," I replied, bowing deeply and turning to leave.

I was halfway to the tent entrance before he said, "I see you liked the gifts I have been giving you."

A smile curved my lips as I turned back to face him. "Yes, very much so. Oh Aslan I have missed you so." I said all of this with a little more lightness than I had spoken with in over a hundred years. I ran forward hugged his mane before heading out. When I left, hundreds, dare I say, maybe even a thousand Narnians stood before me.

"General," one shouted. He was a tall and grave centaur. He came towards me and bowed deeply. We grabbed each other's wrists, a warrior's greeting that I had started, and bowed our heads to one another. "I have already divided up the troops into different groups. Into the different weapons and skill level. I had even scheduled training."

"Good," I replied, "We are going to need as much training as we can get." The centaur bowed and cantered off, calling for one of the troops as he did so. We both made our way to the training grounds and I saw the first group.

"The most experienced swordsmen, my lady," the centaur informed her.

"What is your name?"

"Glenstar, my lady," he replied.

"Well then, Glenstar, let us get to work." I first ordered everyone to  run a few laps to warm up and then had everyone spar one another. Glenstar and I walked around and corrected and gave suggestions until an hour was up. Then we dismissed them and worked with the most experienced of the archers. The day progressed like that until we heard much chatter at the camp.

When we arrived, I saw the three children and the beavers. The girls walked off to the pavilion and Aslan took Peter to see Cair Paravel. When Aslan had finished speaking with him and sent the creatures to follow the other wolf, Aslan called me into his tent.

"Child," he said, he held such great sadness in his eyes that I did not know what to say. "Do you remember that day when I told all the Narnians that great evil would come of the evil of the witch?" I nodded, not sure where he was going with this. He continued to talk and I felt the fear build inside of me, but nodded all the same.

I stood and bowed on my knees and put my head to the floor in front of the great lions paws and said, "Your wish Aslan, is my command. As the Calormen's would say, 'To hear is to obey,' I shall do all your will." Aslan gave me a sorrowful look and we left the tent.