It seems we’ll be writing my legend together then

Rowan turned his attention to the paintings on the wall. He assumed the humans were the royal family. Aislinn stood as the only Dana in the group. He often wondered why she was with the human royal family. The story never went into those private details. Fan forums and chats had numerous theories ranging from adoption to Aislinn being a political hostage.

Aislinn returned with a bundle of clothes in her arms. Rowan turned to her with a smile. She noticed that he was examining the paintings and knew what questions ran through his mind. Many people asked the same questions, and she decided to simply get it over with.

“Those are my parents. They joined with King Túathal in the campaign against the demon lord Eònan.” Her voice quieted, and she wore a mask of sorrow. “They gave their lives to save this entire country. Túathal found me in a ruined camp and raised me as his own to honor his beloved comrades.” She concluded her tale with an analytical, practiced tone.

Rowan felt as though he had accidentally stepped into a sensitive territory, but something still tugged at him. “What about your relatives? Did they…abandon you?”

Aislinn’s stoic face broke for just a moment. “My parents were banished for lending aid to humans without the King and Queen’s approval. That banishment extended to me, even though I was just a child. It still hasn’t been lifted.” She walked towards Rowan and gave him the clothes. “Not that I care. I have a family that loves me.” Her voice betrayed the bitter sentiment she felt towards her Danan family members.

Rowan felt anger and resentment boiling inside him, but he offered a reassuring smile. “My father told me that it’s not blood that binds a family together, it’s our heart,” he began. “The way I see it, it’s their loss. You’re a legendary heroine, even if your legend hasn’t been written yet.”

Her face brightened. “It seems we’ll be writing my legend together then.”

Rowan looked over the clothes in his arms and saw what he thought might be a green cape. He then looked back at Aislinn, who had not moved an inch. “Does the princess get to watch people change, or can I get a moment of privacy?” He quipped.

Aislinn’s face took on a shade of pink. “O-Of course! Please excuse me!” She hurried out of the room and nearly slammed the door behind her. Rowan briefly chuckled and set the pile of clothes on the desk.

The door opened after a few minutes. Aislinn returned with a pair of well-made black leather boots for Rowan. “You look nice,” she praised him. Rowan’s period-appropriate disguise consisted of a light green tunic, a deep green cloak, and black pants. She thought he looked very good.

“Thanks.” Rowan accepted the boots and pushed his feet into them. “I feel like I’m at a medieval fair.” He joked while he looked himself over in a mirror. “Hmm.” He took his phone back and turned on the camera. “I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t get a picture like this.” He motioned for Aislinn to get closer to him. Rowan held the phone up, smiled, and took a picture of the two together. She marveled at the device and its ability to capture the past.

“Alright, enough fun for now. We ride for the hidden Danan city of Annfayn in the Siofra Forest. Queen Sorcha may not have lifted my exile, but she cannot ignore the threat she has foreseen herself, especially when a visitor from the future confirms it.” Aislinn announced.

“I’m going to ride into a magical forest with a Danan princess. Were it not for the demon onslaught, this would be a dream come true.” Rowan quipped.

Aislinn raised an eyebrow and nudged him with her elbow. “Indeed, but it’s time to wake up. We’ve a legend to write and a country to save.” She returned his phone and led the way out of her study. Rowan hid his phone in a pocket and stashed his bag and clothes behind a bookcase.

Rowan ignored the distance requirement and just kept pace with Aislinn. The guards seemed to mind it, but their princess seemed happy for the company.

“Which way to the levitation room? I always wanted to play a game of Solanball.” Rowan wondered.

Aislinn gave him an amused look. “No such thing exists, Rowan. That part of your book is pure fiction.”

Rowan heaved a dejected sigh. “Next, you’ll tell me that the fountain that produces liquid chocolate doesn’t exist either.”

“Actually, it’s down that way, to the right.” Aislinn pointed down a nearby hallway.

“Really?!” Rowan nearly leapt with joy.

“No, not really. What’s chocolate? I’ve never heard of it.” She teased him with a gentle laugh.

He gave her a dull look and continued on without her. She followed him, laughter trailing behind. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” she joked. “What is chocolate, and why would one want an everlasting amount of it?”

Rowan snickered and fell into step with her again. “A sugary treat that will come here in about five hundred years. It goes with cake, candy, and liquid treats you either drink or eat.” He went on to describe different chocolate sweets while she led him to the castle courtyard.

The courtyard opened before them. Rowan stood in awe of the area. It was a wide open space where nobles gathered to walk and chat among delicate flowers in a beautiful garden. A horse strode by with a giggling woman sitting atop it and her gentleman caller guiding her along a path that lined the courtyard perimeter.

“I should warn you that our journey to Siofra Forest may be fraught with danger,” Aislinn’s voice darkened. “Not only have the Danans reported strange and dark phenomena, but the Leòideach family has been encroaching on the territory belonging to the Fòlais tribe. They’re a proud, if isolationist Ossorian tribe.”

Rowan thought on the situation as Aislinn ordered her horse and another to be brought to her. “The Danans don’t like to work with humans, and the Ossorians are isolationists? Why is that?” He wondered, earning a few quizzical looks from the nobles nearby.

“Well, that’s not to say there aren’t outliers. Quite a few Danans and Ossorians live and work here in Corbenic,” Aislinn began. “It’s just…differences of opinion and culture. The Danans were the first race to walk upon the world. They see themselves as Mairwen’s children and the guardians of the world. Their self-imposed tasks tend to conflict with the humans who expand their territory and take whatever they wish.”

“Is that what’s going on with the Leòideach and Fòlais?” Rowan inquired.

Aislinn sighed in annoyance. “Yes. Though the Leòideach choose their words carefully to avoid confessing to an all-out invasion, and the Fòlais never come here to explain things properly to my father.” It was clear she had her own grievances with the corrupt noble family.

“The great forest spirit Siofra created the Ossorian when Aonghas created his monsters and demons, so they, too, see themselves as possessed of divine responsibility. They’re not as isolated as the Dana, but they are less forgiving of transgressions.” Aislinn continued.

“I’m no expert on matters of culture or divine missions, but I think it’s better to focus on what makes us similar rather than what makes us different,” Rowan began. “It’s kind of what you taught me in the book when you gathered a party of humans, Dana, and Ossorian to save the world.” He gave Aislinn a warm smile.

She lightly blushed and looked away. “I cannot take credit for such wisdom because I’ve never actually led a party into battle, nor have I been able to convince others to look beyond their differences.”

Indeed, she was often viewed with skepticism while growing up in Corbenic. This fact carried into the book and led Rowan to try to understand people better. “We’ll get that part written, too.” Aislinn offered him a smile filled with gratitude.

A guard approached with two horses trailing behind him. One was a pure white mare with an ornate gold bridle and saddle, and the other was a dark brown stallion with a more common bridle and saddle set.

“Where are you planning to ride, my little snowflake?” A deep and kind voice beckoned to them.

“Father!” Aislinn was startled by the king’s sudden appearance. The other nobles and servants bowed in reverence to their monarch. Rowan looked around, noted their gesture, and did the same.