Queen Sorcha and King Fionnbharr have decided to lift your banishment

Aislinn couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “You completely ignored my warning and coerced an entire noble family and its army to depart,” she recounted. “Rowan, I’m quite glad you never learned proper manners.”

Rowan turned to face her and grinned. “Oh, I learned manners, all right. My parents told me to stand up to people who cause trouble for their own personal gain.” He turned to Isolde with a smile. “They also told me to make sure no one gets left behind.”

Isolde and Aislinn wore matching smiles. “Such a strange human,” Isolde remarked.

Rowan simply shrugged. “I’m not from around here.”

“Clearly.” Isolde walked past him and led her new friends back to her group. “Not that I mind. You’re the first human I haven’t wanted to beat into the ground.”

Rowan looked at the lean and fit cat girl over. “I’ll consider myself lucky. You look like you know how to use that axe.”

Isolde looked over her shoulder and gave him a playful wink. “You are lucky to have me as an ally.”

Aislinn fell into step beside Rowan. “You make it seem so effortless to find common ground with both Dana and Ossorian. This is what Mairwen envisioned when she first brought life into this world.”

They rejoined Isolde’s party, where she reported that the Leòideach forces would be withdrawing. Rowan gave copies of his schematics and farming methods to Isolde. He correctly assumed that they were suffering due to the darkness that hung over their forest and hoped he could help in some way.

Isolde hands the parchment sheets to her captain and questions her new companions. “You mentioned an investigation into the demon influence in Siofra Forest, and I want to know what you’ve found so far.”

“Nothing more than what you already know, I imagine,” Aislinn replied. “Aonghas has touched the plants and waters of your home to spread his corruption to those who live here. I purified one of the lakes, but there is much more to do.”

Rowan took his phone out of his pocket and showed Aislinn a picture of the Leòideach’s map. “Those guys definitely know more than they're letting on.” He explained.

Aislinn took the phone and examined the map. “They marked the lake I purified earlier. They must have found most of the corrupted lakes already.” She surmised.

“They pursued Aonghas’s darkness? For what purpose?” Isolde was baffled.

“Those magic boars said as much,” Rowan recalled the boars’ warning about those with darkness seeking Aonghas. Aislinn nodded in agreement as she scanned the map. She saw Rowan manipulate the screen with his fingers and had learned how to zoom in and out on different areas.

Isolde was curious about the strange object Aislinn held, but her concerns were more focused on her people. “What do you intend to do now?”

Aislinn returned Rowan’s phone before addressing Isolde. “We’re going to Annfayn to speak with my grandmother, Queen Sorcha. She has combated Aonghas’s malevolent forces before, she will know what to do.”

“I will join you then,” Isolde decided. “You will need a guide to show you the safest route to the Danan city, and I will not sit idle and leave my people’s fate in the hands of another.”

“Welcome aboard, just don’t make us ride magic boars there,” Rowan agreed while making a silly joke. Aislinn smiled and shook her head.

Isolde raised a confused eyebrow. “Very well… We have horses for just such an occasion.”

“Thank you for your assistance; we appreciate it.” Aislinn extended her hand.

Isolde shook her hand and smiled. “This is the least I could do after you and your ‘scholar’ forced those invaders from our land.” She did not believe for a moment that Rowan was a scholar, but she still trusted him.

A Fòlais soldier presented them with three horses. Rowan immediately knew that they had been touched by magic. Their dark brown coats shimmered in the light; they were larger than normal horses, and their eyes reflected great intelligence.

“Can I actually ride one of these? The boars didn’t seem happy.” Rowan wondered aloud.

“You stand with the Dana and Ossorian, so we will stand with you.” One of the horses replied.

Rowan resisted the urge to leap in surprise. “Cool.”

Aislinn lightly giggled and led him to the horses by his wrist. “Yes, very ‘cool.’ Must you be surprised by everything?” She used magic to quickly levitate him in the air and gently drop him onto the saddle.

Rowan tensed in his seat and narrowed his eyes at Aislinn as she mounted her horse. She gave him a playful grin as she took the reins. Once Isolde mounted her horse and took the lead, Rowan and Aislinn followed behind her.

“Isn’t Annfayn supposed to be hidden from everyone? How is Isolde going to lead us there?” Rowan asked Aislinn.

“The Dana and Ossorian have long cooperated, so it isn’t uncommon for Ossorian to visit Annfayn and spend time there,” Aislinn explained.

“You have nothing to worry about. I have been there quite a few times already.” Isolde looked back at Rowan and gave him a confident smile.

“You are not from Corbenic, are you?” She asked him as she turned to face the dirt path before them.

Rowan looked to Aislinn, who gave him a wary look. “It’s an unbelievable story, but this is the truth: Demons struck my home and killed countless people, including my family. I’m here to stop them from doing the same to your home.”

A grim expression overtook Isolde’s face. She slowed her horse to fall in line beside Rowan and gave him a sad and sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Rowan. I can only promise vengeance against these creatures. We’ll heap a mountain of them high to honor your kith and kin.”

Rowan blinked in surprise. No one had ever promised to exact revenge for him before. “Thanks. Let’s focus on saving your people and the Dana; then we can worry about settling a blood debt.”

Isolde gave him a confident grin. “Agreed.” She patted his shoulder and took the lead once more.

Aislinn moved her horse closer to Rowan and whispered in his ear. “Did she appear in Twilight of Princess Aislinn?” She inquired.

A fine grin formed on Rowan’s lips. “I guess she will now,” he turned to Aislinn with a mischievous smirk. “Maybe the title will change. How do you feel about Twilight of Princess Aislinn and Isolde?”

She gave a fake offended look. “Hey! It’s my book. You’d better not change the title.” The two laughed while Isolde, gifted with sharp hearing, began to wonder what they were talking about.

Rowan watched a large, ornate wall come into view. Silver symbols and vines were etched onto the side. As they rode closer to Annfayn, he saw just how large the wall was. It was taller than any tree and mightier than any giant beast. “Wow…” He breathed. Aislinn seemed quite pleased that the wall alone left him in awe.

They were halted by two guards at the front gate. They were donned in fine silver and green armor and held spears and sheathed swords as threatening as the glares they cast at Aislinn and her friends.

“Lady Aislinn, I assume you do not need to be reminded that your late parents’ banishment has extended to you.” One guard spoke in a harsh tone.

“Which is completely stu-” Rowan began.

“Hush!” Aislinn hissed. She was happy that he was angry on her behalf, but she wanted to take a more diplomatic stance.

“However, in light of recent events, Queen Sorcha and King Fionnbharr have decided to lift your banishment. You — and only you — may enter Annfayn.” The second guard announced. Both guards eyed Rowan and Isolde with great suspicion.

Rowan wondered why Isolde was getting the same treatment when the Danans and Ossorians were allies at the very least. He assumed that her ties to Aislinn made her suspect in their eyes.

“Rowan and Isolde are of vital importance. They can give proper testimony to the threat our home faces,” Aislinn argued. “Rowan has seen the demons first-hand, and Aonghas’s darkness has touched Isolde’s lands.”

The guards shared a brief look, then turned to Aislinn. “Very well, but you will bear responsibility for their actions from here forward,” the first guard warned her. Aislinn nodded in agreement. The guards tapped their spears to the ground, commanding the gates to open.