Shifra's POV
As the sun's rays crossed my face, my golden eyes snapped open. Pushing my blankets off my warmed body, I changed into a pair of black leather pants and a tight navy shirt with a v-neck and stopped just above my knee at it's lowest point on the far right, in a diagonal upwards. A black belt wrapped around my waist to hold my sword and a silver chain at my neck, hanging at my abdomen. A silver compass charm hung at the end with black lettering showing the different directions, even if the needle did not move as a real compass would.
I also wore my ring, which I learned much more about over the years. Not only could I get into people's mind and telepathically speak to them, I could alter their own thoughts and emotions. I could even do the same to myself.
I finally pulled on my black, knee-high boots and grabbed my weapons. My sword was slipped with its sheath into my belt and my quiver and bow at my back. My long dagger was strapped my right thigh by a strap and sheath. Two throwing knives went into my boots, two daggers in sheaths at my back in a cross so I could reach behind to grab them both. The rest of my throwing knives were hidden around my person.
With all my weapons in place, I went to breakfast with the King Erlian and his wife Queen Zofia. The two royals were already sitting at the table when I entered, but I saw that Queen Zofia was far from feeling well, as she appeared to be nauseous. King Erlian was looking at her with concern as she simply pushed her food around her plate.
I took my place next to the king and began my meal in silence. Turning to me, the king informed with his deep voice, "We need to plan for a trip to Calormen and try to figure out how to keep peace over this dispute that has broken out." I simply nodded and returned my attention to my toast.
After we had all finished, the three of us met in the throne room. "Shall I notify King Levi and Prince Levian that we are meeting?" I asked, referring to the kings of Archenland. He nodded and I left the room to find the brothers. When I reached their chambers, I had raised my hand to knock when the door was flung open. Lord Ali, a Narnian lord, stormed out of the room, barely giving me enough time to get out of his way.
The door was caught from slamming my King Levi. Dark circles ran under his eyes and he did not look fully put together, for his shirt was not fully done up, revealing his toned chest. He was still rather young, only in his mid-twenties, and had been ruling for coming on five years, but he was doing rather well for his age.
With a sigh, he looked me in the eyes and asked, "How are you, Godmother?"
"I'm well, Levi, but I think I should be posing you that question," I replied. Entering his chambers after him, I continued, "What stresses you so and causes your sleep to be stolen from you?"
Running a hand through his dark hair, Levi let out another sigh. Levian was in the room as well and advised, "Might as well tell her. She's going to find out anyways with how this is going."
"Lord Ali wishes to marry my sister Evelana, but she is but thirteen. Father made me promise that I would not bless her marriage until she is at least of age and loves whomever it might be, but this lord...he has something that might force my hand," Levi admitted.
"And what is that?" I asked, "What could he have to even make you consider doing such a thing to your own sister?"
"He has her Godmother," Levian explained, "He has Zori."
"What?" I asked, fear growing. "T-Then report him, tell Erlian! Have him get her back!"
"He said he would kill her if we told Erlian," Levi explained. Turning on my heal, I started to leave, but Levi grabbed hold of my wrist, "Where are you going?" I stopped and turned to face him, calming down my own emotions.
"Why does he want to marry Evelana so desperately that he would take the one person most dear to the most dangerous warrior alive?" I asked, my voice calm and cold.
Letting go of my wrist, Levi sighed. Levian answered for him, "He desires her beauty and wants her for himself."
"Great, another Rabadash," I muttered, "Where is Evelana now?"
"Archenland, I sent her home the moment Lord Ali asked to marry her, something about him put me off," Levi replied. I nodded.
"Well either way, Erlian is discussing the Calormen conflict so we should probably go," I explained, remembering why I had come in the first place. The two brothers followed out after me and I allowed my mind to wander.
"Shifra catch me!" a Zori shouted, jumping out of a tree and landing on an area of compressed air. Her grey eyes filled with joy as I lowly lowed her to the ground.
I sat down on the ground next to her. "Zori, there's something I need to talk to you about."
I began to pull at the grass as she replied, "Ok, what is it?"
"Well, as you know, I'm not around a lot," I started cautiously, "and I'm not always here for you when you need me."
"Well that's ok Shifra, I understand," the thirteen-year-old replied, smiling and I continued tugging at the grass, refusing to meet her gaze.
"Well thank you, but you need someone who can spend more time with you. So, I have arranged for you to live in another court with my Godsons, Levi and Levian. Their both only two years older and you could spend time with them and always have people around you to protect you," I explained.
She turned to look at me, still smiling. "But you'd come with me right?" A lump formed in my throat as I looked away from her. Confused, she added, "You said you'd always be there for me."
My head darted up and I replied quickly, "Zori, I will always be there for you, but my duty is first to Narnia and second to Archenland, but I can visit as often as you want." Although she was still saddened, she tried to act happy for my sake.
........................................
Two Years Later
Landing in the courtyard, Zori rushed to my side to embrace me. "Shifra!" she shouted. Levi and Levian came to my side next.
"Godmother, it is delightful to see you again," Levi greeted.
"Simply splendid," added Levian.
"Absolutely superb," Zori joked, adding on to their remarks. Chuckling, I drew from my side a bundle. "Have you brought us something?" Zori asked curiously.
I smiled and replied, "Of course I did." I drew out three keys and handed one to each of them. Levi was carefully examining his and suddenly smirked, recognizing it for what it was.
"You didn't," he exclaimed in disbelief.
Zori looked curiously at him and asked, "What is it?" Still smirking he motioned for her to follow him. A few paces behind, Levian and I followed.
"They've certainly gotten close," I commented, a small smirk curling my lips.
"They're inseparable," Levian retorted, playful annoyance glittering his tone. "I suspect there's more going on between them, but every time I ask Levi denies it."
"Oh, but just look at that, it's so obvious," I counter, for they were certainly acting like a couple. Levi held his hand in his and as we watched, he brought her hand up to his lips, resulting in a deep blush to rise in Zori's cheeks. "How about you, Levian? Any adventures in the lands of love?"
Chuckling at my word choice, Levian replied, "I've my eye on one, but I doubt it would be approved of."
"Oh?" I replied, curious as to who it might be.
"She's not exactly of noble standing," he admired. "When I was young and Levi was off with Father learning how to be a king, I was left mostly on my own, but the daughter of one of the maids would always find me. We'd play together for hours and as time went on we began great friends, and I grew to love her."
"But she is the daughter of a maid, so you fear she would not be approved of," I finish for him. He nodded, swallowing a lump from his throat. I stopped and Levian stopped with me, curious as to what I had to say. "A life without love is a life unlived. If you love her, go to her, and if your father or anyone has anything to say about it, then have them talk to me."
"Where you ever in love?" Levian asked as we contained to follow after the other two.
"Once," I replied wistfully, "He was a good man, but I wasn't the one for him and he wasn't the one for me. I may one day find someone for me, but he wasn't him."
"Who was it, if I may ask?"
With a sigh, I answered, "King Caspian." Comfortable silence stretched until we reach the stables and in them Levi came out of one of the stalls triumphantly.
"I found our gifts!" Levi exclaimed. Zori I had given a horse and sword, Levi a sword and set of throwing knives, and Levian a new sword and a pair of daggers and their sheaths.
...........................
"Godmother?" Levi's voice broke into my memories. I looked up to show my attention, "Throne room?" I nodded and so we went.