Liesl didn’t think Zelda fell asleep, but she remained quiet following their brief conversation. Whether it was because of exhaustion or much-needed time to think, Liesl didn’t know. Probably a combination, if she had to guess. She certainly had a lot on her mind, and the silent contemplation hung about them for what must have been hours.

It wasn’t until more soldiers arrived that both of them stirred, and after a brief discussion with Rowan and the King, they came for the pair. Unfortunately, it was at this point the two were separated. The Princess went with her father and Impa while Rowan stayed behind with Liesl, despite the old soldier’s protests. Something about having the whole royal line in one carriage didn’t sit right with him, but there was no convincing the King to let his daughter, or the sword, out of his sight.

So, Liesl watched as Zelda was escorted toward the door with a look of concern on her face and the Master Sword held tightly to her chest. All she could do was wave and hope that she saw her friend again on the other side. Of course, Zelda waved back but then disappeared amidst a fury of clanking armor and drawn swords. Then it was just her, Rowan, and their remaining guards. At least Liesl was under his protection because she had about a hundred questions to ask him and he better have answers.

When it was their turn to leave, Liesl rushed through the doors and out into the open. As she went, she did her best not to glance at the surrounding carnage, but it was impossible not to peek. Unfortunately, a peek was all it took. It appeared those outside the temple didn’t fare any better because numerous bodies lay scattered about. Civilian, soldier, attacker, and monster alike. “Goddesses,” she whispered to herself more than to Rowan next to her, who had her by the arm and was leading her to a pair of horses. The answer why apparent from the destroyed carriages that sat smoldering at the entrance.

“They managed to repair one,” Rowan said by way of explanation but didn’t speak further as he grabbed the reins of a horse and waited for Liesl to mount. Which, while not easy in a dress was more than manageable for her by this point in her life. Once she was up higher, she couldn’t help but glance at the wanton destruction once more.

Why? Why the random violence? Liesl could at least understand that they had been trying to get to Zelda because of her role in sealing the darkness away. If they knew who the hero was, they probably would’ve tried to focus on them as well. Well, she supposed the attackers had an idea now, didn’t they? Some had escaped and were no doubt going to report back to whoever organized the attack. Liesl could only look for so long before unease gripped her stomach and she had to take the reins from Rowan and wait for him to get them started.

The two only had a modest escort around them as they rode through the gates of the temple and by the remaining stragglers that could leave under their own power. It made her feel a modicum of safety, but Liesl only hoped that Zelda’s group was bigger. She really was in danger now too, wasn’t she? Because she could wield the legendary sword. Well, as it stood, she wouldn’t be allowed to, and Liesl didn’t know if that brought relief or further anxiety. Knowing she was now a target with no way to defend herself. Worse yet, whoever had attacked them was obviously bold. Would they get into the castle somehow? Would they go after the Princess? That question alone had her desire some sort of weapon, not to mention lessons on how to wield it.

Some soldiers cast glances her way once they got going and Liesl couldn’t tell if it was because the lady-in-waiting for the Princess knew how to ride a horse or word of what happened had already started to spread. Judging from the furious whispers and subtle pointing in her direction, it was probably the latter. And it was for that very reason that she waited until they slowed down about half an hour on the road before she even turned to look at Rowan riding beside her. Thankfully, most of the soldiers had fanned out around them to form a protective ring or scout ahead and those that remained were far enough away that the sound of thundering hoof beats drowned out whatever it was she wanted to say.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” she started. “Really? What the fuck, Rowan?” Yes, underneath that confusion and fear was an undercurrent of rage. Born of the events of the day and the revelations that came with it.

At first, he looked surprised that she would use such language with him, but in the end, he only sighed and nodded his head. “I suppose I deserve that,” he admitted.

“You probably deserve more than that, but you’re lucky we’re so close.” Or perhaps it was the fact that they were that Liesl felt like she could talk to him like this. She took a second to cool down and suppress any further expletives that attempted to race to her mouth before being intercepted. Her jaw set against them, clenching while she cast her eyes back forward to pay attention to the road.

“Probably. However, I didn’t do it out of malice. I swear it on my life.” He shook his head, and it looked like he gripped the reins tighter out of the corner of her eye. “I was trying to protect you.”

At that, Liesl scoffed and finally brought her gaze back to the old soldier. “Protect me? Was your idea of protecting me? Playing silly games and not telling me what I really was? Or…might be?” Liesl shook her head as pieces of the puzzle started to fit into place. What in the world had he been thinking? “How long did you know?” Really, that seemed as good a place as any to start.

Rowan took a long moment to consider before his shoulders sagged in defeat. Yeah, he was going to have to answer her questions. Every single one. There was an hours-long trip ahead of them and he had nowhere to hide from a pissed-off nineteen-year-old. And just so he didn’t think he was going to be able to worm out of it, she rode silently, glancing at him with daggers in her eyes nearly the whole time.

“I didn’t know,” he finally answered. “No one knew for sure. I mean, we had our suspicions, but there was no way to confirm it.” Well, there had been one way but no one seemed keen on that step now, did they? However, first things first…

“Who is we?” Liesl asked.

“Only a handful of people. Myself, Impa, the Head Priest, and yes, the King.”

“The King!” Liesl couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. “This whole time?”

“Ever since you came,” Rowan confirmed. “And–” He stopped then and dropped his head back as if he looked exceedingly uncomfortable at this moment.

“Rowan! And who!?”

“And your parents, Liesl.” If the former had been shocking, then this was such a blow that Liesl almost fell off her horse. But she didn’t and Liesl maintained enough control to use the reins to slow it down so that she didn’t tumble from the saddle. “Liesl–”

Rowan slowed beside her as well, but she brought a hand up to indicate that he should stop talking while she stared down at the dark mane of the brown horse she rode. Her parents had suspected this? And they said nothing when she was little? Just lived their lives in a quiet town at the edge of the Kingdom? Tears gathered at the corners of Liesl’s eyes and her breathing became ragged as her mind raced.

“They wanted to tell you. We all did, but we were forbidden.”

“Why? Who?” But did Liesl really have to ask that? So, she didn’t even wait for him to answer before the words slipped from her mouth. “The King…”

“Yes.”

“But he’s only one man, and we lived so far away. Why didn’t they tell me to keep it a secret?”

For his part, Rowan actually managed an incredulous laugh before looking at her like she’d lost her mind. “Trust a child with that secret? Even you? No. Besides, it wasn’t like your parents accepted it outright. They fought constantly with the King over it. Why do you think your father was sent to watch over Arwik? It’s not exactly a backwater, but it’s not far off. He was a Lord in capitol before that, for Goddesses’ sake.”

“He was?”

“He was. And a damn fine soldier before that. That at least gave the King the cover of sending him away to a town near the border, but the few of us who knew understood why. He never stopped fighting, though. All the way up until his last breath.”

At that, Liesl’s eyebrows narrowed, and she even tilted her head in curiosity. I mean, he had quite literally fought until his last breath but she suspected that wasn’t what Rowan was referring to. Mainly, anyway. “What do you mean?”

“Well, that’s why you went to the temple all those years ago. So, your parents could meet with the head priest and try to shed some light on what was really going on. Find out if you really matched what this…prophecy had to say.”

There it was again, mentioned of this mysterious prophecy. One that must’ve made her parents and those around them think that Liesl was the destined hero. “I don’t understand. What is in it that makes everyone think it’s me?”

“I’m sorry,” he answered while shaking his head. “I don’t know the specific details.” Of course, not. Liesl sighed and shook her head before falling silent. This was so much to take in, how was she going to process it all? Well, she knew who would help her. Zelda. Unless…

“Wait, does the Princess know?” She asked suddenly. “As a part of her royal duties or…something?” There was no way she did, right? Zelda would’ve told Liesl if she knew something as profound as this. Especially since she appeared to so vehemently defend Liesl to the King. No, she wouldn’t keep a secret like this and that assumption was confirmed by the shake of Rowan’s head a moment later.

“No, the Princess didn’t know either. The King wanted as few people as possible to be in on this secret. I’m not sure he would’ve even told Impa and I had it not been for the fact your father knew us so well and spoke to us about it in confidence.” So, it had gotten out despite the King’s wishes? He probably wouldn’t have wanted to tell anyone if he had the chance.

“Do you think my parents would’ve told me eventually?” Liesl asked after a minute or two of silence.

This time, Rowan didn’t even hesitate and the look of apprehension faded into a warm smile. “Your parents would’ve done whatever was best for you. Of that, I’m certain. I can’t say for sure what they would’ve done or when, but if they were going to keep it a secret from you, I don’t think they would’ve pursued knowledge of it.”

Liesl bit her lip and nodded at the truth of his words. Her parents didn’t seem like the type, but then again, they had kept the whole reason and everything behind the move from her too. She had been far too young to remember it at the time, but they told her later that it was so her father could help defend the frontier. Not exactly a lie, considering what Rowan just told her, but not the truth, either. After another minute or two, Liesl was practically making a dinner out of the inside of her cheek, but she couldn’t think clearly enough to form a coherent sentence let alone a string of them.

“Liesl, are you alright?”

Of course, she wasn’t. This day was horrible! It started horribly for one set of reasons and it ended horribly for a whole other list. Goddesses, she felt terrible, but at least the shock prevented all but one tear from falling down her eye. “No.” And that was all she said, all she could say right now. So, in an effort to ensure she wouldn’t have to speak anymore, she spurred her horse forward into a pace that would see them arriving at the castle sooner rather than later and any further discussion difficult.