Fate is not so easily overturned

“Wow. I really wish we kept that story around,” Rowan commented.

Aislinn giggled. “As do I. How could we have lost our very origins?”

“I am glad to speak of the past, but it is the future that concerns me. Please tell me more about the attack. Anything that could help.” Sorcha bid him as the crystal sphere vanished from sight.

Rowan thought for a moment. “Some evil Danan woman rode a dragon and led the attack,” he began. A Danan woman leading the charge surprised them. “I ran through a park and met this weird guy in a gray cloak. He told me to ‘save them’ and sent me back in time.”

Aislinn realized her mistake. “We left your book in my study!” She mentally berated herself. “Grandmother, he possessed a book that told a fictional tale wherein I led a party into battle against demons. I believe some truth lies within that fable.”

Rowan smirked and pulled out his phone. “Not all books are drawn on parchment in my time. We have e-books now.”

He opened the app and displayed Twilight of Princess Aislinn’s cover to the queen. “This book is partially based in fiction, but it shows Princess Aislinn confronting Aonghas’s demons and saving the world. I think it’s showing the future.” He handed Sorcha the device and demonstrated how to zoom in and out and turn the pages.

The queen examined the phone and looked over the pages. “I see. We may be facing a greater threat than we realize. It may even be the remnants of the battle that sent Nuadu and Áednat to Mairwen’s Garden.” She theorized.

Rowan expected more of an animated reaction from the queen, but Isolde’s shocked expression was enough for him. “I expected a bit more skepticism, Queen Sorcha. I tell you I’m from the future, and I show you a fable starring your granddaughter.”

Sorcha lightly chuckled and returned to her throne with Rowan’s phone in hand. “No one may speak falsehoods in the throne room. No matter which words pass your lips, no matter how mad, they can only be true.”

“Much of that fairy tale is fiction. I have not met any of those warriors, nor have I received Mairwen’s guidance,” Aislinn explained.

“Indeed, but this can be used as a guide of sorts. It mentions the corrupted forest, rivers, and lakes. Humans align themselves with Aonghas in exchange for power, though the family name given here does not exist.” Sorcha mused.

“The Leòideach family invaded our lands,” Isolde stated. “Those petty children were unaware of the darkness that awaited them. I believe their own guards hid it from them.”

Sorcha nodded in agreement. “My spies have relayed the same information. We will observe them and act when necessary.”

Aislinn opened her mouth to speak, but the words were caught in her mouth. Rowan smirked and gently shoved his elbow into her side. She gave him a cross look and looked back at her grandmother. “Perhaps King Túathal and Queen Deirdre could help with an investigation. They can gather more information about the Leòideach family than we could.”

As Sorcha considered the possibility, two Danan noblemen entered the throne room. They wore fine, deep green robes with gold outlines and carried themselves as though they walked among peasants.

“I believe your parents suggested something similar,” one of the noblemen said. He appeared younger, with wavy, light brown hair tied in a ponytail. Rowan hated his smug voice and face.

“I wonder what happened to them after that?” the second nobleman added. He was older, with traces of gray in his shorter, blackened hair.

“They saved the world,” Rowan answered, anger dripping from each word.

“A matter of debate, considering they could have endangered the world to begin with,” the older man replied.

“Councilman Calum, Councilman Eoghann, I’m having a private audience with my granddaughter and her honored guests,” Sorcha told them.

“Yes, people with ties to Corbenic nobility, the ones who dare to weaken Mairwen’s seal,” the younger councilman, Calum, shot.

Rowan cracked his knuckles. “I beat a few noble soldiers earlier with my bare hands, but I guess that won’t clear me of suspicion.” He smirked like a predator about to strike. “You ever get into a fistfight with guys trying to unleash demons on an unsuspecting populace?”

Isolde and Aislinn each took one of Rowan’s hands to restrain him. Even Isolde urged him to keep calm and not start a fight.

Sorcha slipped Rowan’s phone back into his pocket and gently patted his shoulder. She stood before her guests and faced the councilmen. “I have personally cleared them of suspicion and lifted Aislinn’s banishment.”

“What? You dare-!” Eoghann began to protest.

Sorcha raised her hand. “Our home is in danger once again. I would hope the Council would focus its attention on the darkness that is slowly eroding Siofra Forest.”

“Of course, we’ve been-” Calum began his argument.

“Good. Please continue working for the well-being of our people, rather than wasting your precious time questioning your Queen’s actions.” Sorcha’s cold voice echoed through the throne room.

“Or you could try-” Rowan’s threat was silenced by Aislinn’s and Isolde’s hands. He gave them both annoyed looks, but with his hands and mouth sealed, he couldn’t do anything.

Sorcha did her best to stifle her laughter. “You are dismissed.”

The councilmen begrudgingly left the throne room.

The queen heaved a sigh of relief, then she turned to Rowan with an amused smile. “I have wanted to say even worse things to them for centuries, my friend.”

Rowan pulled himself away from the two girls and smirked. “With or without punching them in the jaw?”

Sorcha chuckled. “I wonder,” she avoided directly answering his question.

“Stop saying inappropriate things in front of the queen!” Isolde and Aislinn hissed in unison.

Rowan gave them a reassuring smile. “Relax. This is no time to stand on ceremony, right?” He walked over to Sorcha and pulled out his phone again. “Did you get what you needed from Twilight of Princess Aislinn?”

“Yes. The tale — and your device — are most interesting.” Sorcha confirmed.

Rowan brought up the map pictures and showed the queen. “The Leòideach’s map has some lakes marked. This,” he pointed to a lake. “Is the lake Aislinn already purified. I don’t know what the other marks are about.” He handed her the phone for her inspection.

“I see. These lakes are indeed tainted. The other marks are cornerstones. They help the Dana and Ossorian in our shared duty to preserve the area. Tampering with them could endanger the forest and our ability to detect danger.”

Rowan crossed his arms over his chest. “No problem, we’ll just have to literally send them packing.”

Sorcha shook her head. “My people will observe them for now. You, above all, should avoid them whenever possible.”

“What? Why? I beat their guards before.” Rowan seemed offended.

“Your name is emblazoned on this device: Rowan MacLeod. I believe you to be a descendant of the Leòideach family. It would be unwise to interact with them further. You could endanger your very existence.”

Rowan sighed in dejection. “I can’t believe I’m related to those idiots…”

Sorcha thoroughly examined the map and returned Rowan’s phone. “Go now, enjoy the festivities until we learn more. There is no use in rushing into darkness, unaware of its true nature.”

Aislinn perked up. “I’ve always wanted to attend a seasonal festival,” she could barely contain her excitement. “Come! The games and food are simply amazing!” She grabbed Rowan’s arm and began to pull him along with her.

“H-Hey! Wait!” He protested.

“No, no waiting. I skipped my meal to wage battle.” Isolde argued as she pushed Rowan from behind.

“Darn it, I’m not finished yet,” Rowan grumbled. He looked behind him and saw Sorcha smiling in amusement. “Can I change history and save my home? Can I just stop that invasion from ever happening?”

Sorcha’s smile vanished, and the girls stopped pushing and pulling Rowan. “I’m sorry Rowan, but I very much doubt it. Fate is not so easily overturned.”