There is a world far distant from our own, in a place where time and space are completely different from our own. Here lies Narnia, a land of peace and tranquillity where good Kings and Queens rule from the ancient palace of Cair Paravel.

Each King or Queen has a Protector, a powerful being (not always human) who protects them from any threat that may hold sway. Many Protectors have died doing their duty to their Kings and Queens.

An ancient prophecy foretells the arrival of two Sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve, all of who will rule Narnia together. This is largely seen as a blasphemy of the laws that bind Narnia.

The prophecy also talks about a Protector different from the others. She will be a daughter of Eve, but there will be conflict within her heart – the love that she holds will be strong, but while two compete for her heart, there can only be one victor, one who will win her.

The Narnians don’t know how or when the five will enter Narnia, but when Jadis of Charn proclaimed that she intended to steal the throne from Queen Swanwhite, things went downhill.

Swanwhite knew she had to escape the palace, and so she enlisted the help of her Protector, a young woman by the name of Lady Sarah...

“We must hurry, your Majesty.” The meaningful whisper echoes through the corridor, and Queen Swanwhite followed the sound of Lady Sarah’s voice. It was the only guide she had in this deep labyrinth of corridors.

The burning torches on the wall held no warmth for either the Queen or their Protector. Since Jadis had arrived, they felt as though they were chilled to the bone, and Sarah’s teeth chattered as she stumbled on. Her sword was drawn and she glanced around her for any signs of life, anything that might bring harm to her Queen.

Swanwhite gazed at the young woman leading her to safety. Lady Sarah was her most trusted friend, and a fearsome warrior at only twenty-three years old. Auburn hair cascaded down her back, which contrasted with her grey eyes and pale white skin.

“Do you know where we’re going, Sarah?”

Swanwhite didn’t like to ask, but she had to know the truth. Her Protector would never knowingly lead her Queen into danger, but Lady Sarah seemed to stop and hesitate every now and again, dithering as if she didn’t know what the future could hold for her.

“Away, my Queen.”

That was the best answer Swanwhite could expect right now, and she was quite surprised when Sarah pulled open a stone grate and stooped down, holding a flaming torch in front of her as she glanced around.

“It’s all clear, your Majesty.”

Swanwhite gathered her skirts and stepped through the grate, closely followed by her loyal Protector. She could tell that Lady Sarah was on edge, but knew that the young woman was brave and would protect her at all costs.

Since Jadis had stormed Cair Paravel, searching to hunt and kill Swanwhite, Lady Sarah had taken the initiative to take flight with the Queen straight away. The Protector did not lack intelligence.

Waiting at the end of the hall was Lord Nazareth, one of Swanwhite’s most trusted advisors. He flapped his arms, urging the Queen and her Protector to hurry. Drawing his sword, he greeted them urgently.

“If we don’t leave immediately, her spies will catch us,” Sarah told him fervently, her grey eyes darting from side to side.

Lord Nazareth nodded vigorously. “I absolutely understand, Lady Sarah. We must make haste.”

They moved out into the courtyard, and Lady Sarah gripped her Queen’s arm as she glanced up at the moon overhead, full and round. Somewhere nearby, a wolf howled, sending chills down the young woman’s spine.

Lord Nazareth paused, spinning around. The Protector rolled her eyes and stalked over towards him, grabbing him by the shoulder and spinning him around.

“We don’t have time to waste. Her spies will catch us.”

“They most certainly will,” agreed Lord Nazareth, and stabbed Lady Sarah in the stomach with his sword, “In fact, they already have.”

Swanwhite was more shocked than Lady Sarah. She clapped both hands over her mouth to restrain a cry of horror, and she watched as the blood blossomed from her friend’s wound.

Lady Sarah’s grey eyes were wide, but she appeared more confused than anything else. Her hand groped almost blindly for the wound, and she found it as the warm blood stained her hand.

She glanced from Lord Nazareth to Queen Swanwhite.

“I’m sorry, your Majesty. I’ve failed you.”

Without another word, the Protector collapsed to the ground, and Lord Nazareth busied himself cleaning the blood from his sword.

There was nowhere for Swanwhite to run, they both knew it. Her Protector was dead, and surely she was going to be next. A group of wolves ran into the courtyard, snarling and barking.

An elegant woman trailed behind them, a woman more beautiful than anyone Swanwhite had ever seen – even more beautiful than her. The woman clutched what appeared to be an ice spear, and she examined Swanwhite with disdain.

“So this is the former Queen of Narnia. How pathetic. It seems her poor, dead Protector had more gumption. Shame, really.”

Lord Nazareth glanced beseechingly at the woman, the woman Swanwhite realised must be Jadis. Who else was capable of bearing such cruel, ruthless beauty with such ease?

Jadis inclined her head. “Kill her.”