The aes sídhe have warned of demons

Rowan looked up at the castle in awe. It was imposing even from outside the walls. Grand banners hung from the walls, proudly displaying the crest of the royal family. Luíseach Castle and the kingdom of Corbenic only appeared in Twilight of Princess Aislinn, though there was some dispute whether they were mentioned in other sources. Luíseach Castle was said to be nigh impenetrable to outside forces. It withstood a siege that lasted well over six months.

He spotted the tower that Princess Aislinn used as an escape from her woes, where she prayed to the goddess Mairwen for guidance. Rowan read the book so much that he could swear he was in the room with Aislinn when the creator goddess appeared.

A guard’s firm hand on his shoulder ended his reverie. “You are not to stand closer than five feet.” The guard seemed angry with Rowan’s breach of etiquette.

Rowan resisted the urge to shrug the guard’s hand away. “My apologies,” he said, anger evident in his voice.

Aislinn stepped in once more. “It’s quite all right. His home lies far beyond Corbenic, and he’s still becoming accustomed to our culture and etiquette. We must be understanding and compassionate.” Her melodic voice trailed behind her and disarmed the guards.

Rowan watched the drawbridge descend and the gate lift, allowing them to walk onto the castle grounds. The wide and deep moat aided in the castle’s defenses. What lived beneath the waves was a secret known only to captains and the royal family.

Aislinn dismissed her guards once they entered the castle. Rowan looked around at the almost fairy-tale-like setting. Statues and paintings lined the walls, and guards marched through the corridors alongside servants who kept the fortress clean and its occupants happy. A chill crept up his back, and it wasn’t just from reality hitting him once again. After surviving a demon attack, he was in a castle with a fairytale princess.

Rowan followed Aislinn as she led him down the corridors. He knew the castle well enough from Twilight of Princess Aislinn, but the book didn’t include a map. That didn’t stop him from realizing that Aislinn wasn’t leading him to the library. They silently ascended staircase after staircase to reach Aislinn’s tower, her private study away from the rest of the castle with its wide open view of the castle town and beyond.

Aislinn let Rowan into her tower first and closed the door behind them. She stood by the door and watched him marvel at her private sanctuary. It was simply decorated, with two bookcases on a far wall, a desk and chair, a bed for when Aislinn spent more time in her studies than she planned, and two different paintings, one showing a Danan couple that resembled Aislinn and another with Aislinn sitting beside a human family in royal attire.

“I have questions for you, sir,” Aislinn stated in a cool voice. Rowan turned to face her. “Who are you, and what do you know of demons?”

“My name is Rowan MacLeod, and demons attacked my home. They killed countless people, including my father.”

Aislinn’s expression softened. “I’m so very sorry, Rowan. The aes sídhe have warned of demons, but I did not know they had already appeared.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Rowan began. He set his bag on the table, withdrew Twilight of Princess Aislinn, and offered it to her. He then unlocked his cell phone and offered that as well. “I’m from the future.”

Aislinn was stunned and more than a little skeptical. She took both and sat behind her desk. “The future? Time magic lies within the domain of the gods, and it is nearly impossible without their aid.”

She quickly read through his book, her face a mask of surprise and intrigue. Aislinn turned her attention to his phone and examined the black slab with interest. “What is this?”

“It’s my cell phone. It lets me access vast amounts of information and communicate with people the world over in an instant,” Rowan explained.

“Really…” She tapped the screen a few more times and opened the camera app. She saw her reflection as though she were looking in a mirror. Another tap took her picture, the flash of which stunned her for a moment. Her reflection froze in a state of surprise. Rowan snorted in amusement. Aislinn’s cheeks burned in embarrassment as she set the device aside. “Please tell me everything that happened. Spare no detail, no matter how mad it seems.”

Rowan gathered his courage and told her everything. The demon attack, the police falling, and his teacher using magic. Aislinn seemed to memorize every word he spoke. She seemed surprised when Rowan told her of the cloaked figure who summoned mist and sent him back in time.

“I’ve never heard of such a being.” She confessed. “This man cloaked in mist doesn’t sound like one of Mairwen’s children.” Aislinn contemplated the rest of his story and examined his clothes, his bag, his book, and his phone. “But I believe you, as strange as your tale sounds.”

“You already stopped them, didn’t you? I have read your story hundreds of times ever since I was a child. You saved the entire world.” Rowan insisted.

Aislinn shook her head. “Your story — fascinating though it is — is fictional. I have never fought a demon in battle. In fact, I’ve not seen one in person.” She admitted.

“Maybe I could talk to the king. If we can convince him that the demons are coming, he’ll raise an army,” Rowan began. “Maybe we can even prevent the attack in the future!” Hope rose in his chest. They could rewrite history and ensure the demons remain behind their seal.

Aislinn shook her head once more. “My father won’t believe you. He doesn’t even believe me. Despite your book and your ‘cell phone,’ he’ll simply have you committed as a madman.” She explained.

“What if we found Aonghas’s amulet? You already received Mairwen’s guidance, right? That should be enough proof that the god of demons is preparing an attack.”

Aislinn gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’ve already found that amulet, but our creator goddess did not guide me to it,” she explained. “I would have been honored by her visit, but I have not met her. The amulet has not shaken my father of his skepticism.”

The princess fell into contemplation again. “Still, why has the kingdom fallen so easily in your time? Has Corbenic become so weak?”

Rowan sat on the chair opposite Aislinn. “Corbenic doesn’t exist in the future. The Dana, the Ossorian, magic itself is a fairy tale in my time.” He gave her an almost sorrowful look.

Aislinn’s expression darkened. “How could that be…?” She wondered.

“I don’t know. History is written by the victors, right? Maybe Corbenic fell, and its name was erased.”

“But for magic itself to become lost sounds mad. The Dana would never permit themselves to hide in the shadows of history. Nor would the Ossorians. Their sacred duty is practicing magic and keeping it alive.”

“I could ask Professor Riordan if I ever get back to my time. He used magic in battle; he must know something,” Rowan offered.

Aislinn shook her head. “A fine idea, but we’ve more immediate problems to address, don’t we?” she decided. “We’ll ride to meet my grandmother, Queen Sorcha. She rules over the aes sídhe, and my father will heed her warning.”

She rose from her seat and walked around he desk. She bade Rowan to stand before her. “I see it in your eyes. You have seen much tragedy and hardship, and you found your last hope with me. I swear I will not betray your hope. I will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and save your home.”

Rowan prevented a tear from rolling down his cheek. “Thank you.” He truly meant the words. “When we get a chance, could you sign my book? I always dreamed of meeting the real Princess Aislinn.”

The two shared a brief laugh. “Of course! I will not disappoint someone who has been supporting my fantastical adventures centuries after they happened.”

Laughing with his childhood heroine sent waves of relief through Rowan’s battered heart and soul. He truly felt that she could create a miracle and save his home.

“Well, before we take our leave, I’ll have to find a change of clothes for you. This,” she motioned to his sweater and jeans. “Stand out entirely too much.”

“I’ll also have to learn to walk five feet behind you everywhere we go.” Rowan recalled the guard’s words with a dull and listless note in his voice.

Aislinn lightly giggled. “Just ignore that. We don’t have time for royal etiquette and proper manners.” The princess looked over Rowan’s figure and estimated his measurements. Once finished, she departed her study to retrieve a change of clothes for her new friend.