Whisked Away

10. A Corination and Life After

Shifra's POV
The next morning we all traveled to Cair Paravel and the children played in the sand while Aslan and I planned their coronation. Soon the day itself was upon us and they were all crowned and led to four beautiful thrones. They then awarded metals and gifts to their friends who had helped them along the way and as the night continued music began to play and food to be served.

I could not find within me the heart to enjoy any of it. I had just hidden in a corner when Glenstar approached. "You seem troubled, my lady," he observed, handing me a glass of water, I had revealed to him my hatred of alcohol. When I did not reply, Glenstar understood to leave it be and we spent the night in a pleasant silence. I watched as Aslan took one last look around and left, but I made no move to stop him, for I knew that this was when he left.

He would not be seen for another ten years or so, but not by the kings or queens. I though fondly of Shasta or Cor as he was rightly called. I knew that this was where this story would end, but not for us. I still had much to do before I could rest easily here in Narnia.

The party soon came to a close and everyone retired to the room they were staying in. Mine was on the same hallway as the kings and queens and was a very practical room. It had its own bookshelf full of books on battle strategies of the past, funnily enough all written by me. It also had a large, but not ridiculous bed and a dresser and a closet covered by a tapestry. From the closet you could also access the washing room.

The closet had spaces for many weapons and also large areas for clothes. I had a few dresses, but mostly it was legging style pants and tunics all with specialized backs for my wings. I also had every outfit Aslan had given me. Those were what I wore most, but as time went on, my style changed.

My first order of business was to properly teach Peter and Edmund how to use their swords. While they most certainly weren't bad, any skilled fighter could disarm them in moments. Besides, I knew what with the battles with the giants up north and the events in Calormen, Peter and Edmund both needed to know how to properly fight.

We began to get in a kind of schedule. I, along with a few others, ate breakfast with the kings and queens at around seven. Then I would train myself for an hour, starting to incorporate my abilities into my fighting, something I had not done before. I would then go on a short fly around for half an hour and then Edmund would train with me for an hour, then Peter, then Susan with archery, and Lucy as well. Peter had insisted that she learn as well.

After that I would break for lunch and be back on the training field half an hour later. I would then train my troops for two hours and retire to the library and study or read fiction, whatever I felt like doing. Usually, if he wasn't terribly busy, Edmund would join me, for he found that he greatly enjoyed books.

He read mostly about the history of Narnia. Finally I offered to teach it to him. He had agreed and I began to tell him everything from the beginning to the most recent things. Edmund also felt that the others ought to learn the history as well. They were, after all, the leaders of Narnia. I then spent time teaching them as well. When they had been taught, the time returned to me as my reading time.

Four hours later, I would freshen up in my room and go down to dinner. When there was a feast or ball, I often had to cut my reading short, but not so much that I minded. Years passed and there were soon none of the white witch's supporters left and peace (for the most part) stretched over all Narnia. It was after we had been living this happy life for ten years that something new happened.

I was enjoying my personal training time when horns echoed throughout the courtyard, where I trained. I glanced up and saw a group of men on horses. There were no more than fifty of them. I heard one mutter something about the new apple trees and the rest were silent. Pulling my sword out of the dummy I had just impaled, I walked over to them.

"Who crosses our threshold uninvited?" I asked, authority lacing my tone and my wings spread behind me.

The men were dark so I of course already knew who they were, but a crier called out, "His majesty, Prince Rabadash, son of the Tisroc may he live forever, come to visit the court of High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy!" A man with very rich clothing stood at the front of the group and asked, "And who are you?"

"Shifra, General of Narnia, Lady of Cair Paravel, and Second in Command to the Great Lion Aslan himself," I replied with pride.

The man, who I took to be Rabadash, replied with a mocking bow, "Shifra, a pleasure to meet you."

"That's General Shifra to you," I replied coldly. The members of the court had begun to come out to see what all the noise was about and Peter and Edmund had come to the front. I muttered to them both, "Prince Rabadash, eldest son of the Tisroc of Calormen." They both nodded and looked up at him.

"Prince Rabadash," Peter greeted, always so courteous, "It is my pleasure to welcome you to our court. Allow us to see to your horses and your men." Soon everyone was settled and Rabadash was charming everyone, as he would be trying to court Susan.

I was standing out in the courtyard when Glenstar, who had become a dear friend of mine, galloped up to me in haste. "The giants," he explained, out of breath, "in the North, they are beginning to attack, we need to bring reinforcements and fight them." I nodded and rushed to were the royals were holding their dark skinned guests.

I walked passed all the Calormens and stood between Peter and Edmund and whispered to both of them, "The northern giants have attacked and are taking our smaller villages." Peter wiped him mouth with a napkin and stood up, apologizing to Rabadash and the rest of the Calormens. Edmund followed as we headed to the library.

"When did this happen?" Edmund asked.

"I just found out about it," I replied, "But both of you can't leave with Rabadash still here. Besides, I heard he was going to propose that some of you, most particularly Queen Susan, came to Tashban with him."

Peter was listening attentively. He had learned time and time again to listen to my wisdom so he did not try to form what he wanted to do without hearing what I had to say first. "What do you suggest?" He asked.

"I suggest that you take two thirds of our army and journey up north to battle the giants. Lucy should remain here in Narnia to man the castle while I, Edmund, and Susan go to Tashban with trusted courtiers of course."

Peter nodded, but a look of confusion crossed his face, "Why would you not go to the north with me? You are the General after all."

I pursed my lips and tried to figure out how to explain without giving anything away. Finally I said, "Peter, you know how sometimes I have knowledge and wisdom that I can't share with you? Lest the plan of Aslan should fall?" He nodded understanding, there was no need to say anymore. Before we could continue the conversation, Susan and Lucy entered and were soon updated on the situation.

"Well I agree with Shifra," Lucy supplied, "Her wisdom and guidance gifted to her by Aslan, has never failed us yet. The others agreed and while Susan and Lucy left the library, Glenstar was called in and the three of them discussed both the trip to Tashban and the fight with the giants. It was well past midnight when all the plans were made and every loophole thought out.