His image faded away, and Tshaan closed the book. He lifted it tenderly and handed it to Taylor. She stared at his features, and for the first time really looked at the sandy streaks in his hair. As she took the book she looked into his eyes. It was then that recognition dawned on her. She gave him a wide smile, her emerald eyes sparkling. "You are a descendent of Jake Donovan, aren't you, Tshaan?"
The young man returned the smile and said, "Yes, I am his great grandson removed by one hundred and ninety-seven generations. If you tested my blood, even after all this time, you would find DNA belonging to my great grandfather. It has something to do with our mixed DNA being stronger than it would be with a single bloodline. As you already know, we do not use surnames. Our specific identity is governed by a code we receive at birth. Mine is 197Dvan1Rael23. Translated, it means I am honored to be the one hundred and ninety-seventh descendent of Donovan the First, in union with Rael of her twenty-third generation."
Taylor could not resist the urge of her feminine nature: She threw out her arms and hugged him. As she released him, she kept her hands on his shoulders. "I am honored to know the great grandson of my friend." Anyone who looked closely could have seen the moisture in her eyes.
"Thank you, Ceta Taylor. And please know that I feel deeply privileged to know you in person." He looked around the table, his eyes falling on Dr. Durant. "Sir, we have prepared a reception and banquet for you aboard the Atlantis. We will be honored to wait in the vreel while you make whatever preparations you require to join us."
Durant stood. As he did so, the Vryanians rose with him. "It is we who are honored, Captain Tshaan."
As Taylor, Matt and Durant walked along the sidewalk to their personal quarters to prepare for the reception, the physicist said, "Matt, you never did tell me what was in the agreement you made with the Vryanian president."
Matt and Taylor both laughed. Matt put his arm around Durant's shoulders as they walked. He had always considered the old man to be like a father to him, and he knew that the feeling was reciprocated.
"It was a verbal agreement, sir. One that we knew they would keep because of the complete lack of guile in their race. It was very simple: We agreed to give them an island, and they agreed to give us the stars."
And so they did.
Not The End - The Beginning
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Author's Note
This novel is a work of fiction. However, the Tuatha de Danann and some of the Fir Bolg names such as Eochaid, Sreng, Slainge and Nuada come from Irish myth dating to 3,200 BC. As to the Tuatha de Danann, some theories suggest that they came from one of the Nordic countries, possibly Norway, basing that particular hypothesis on the names of certain gods mentioned in Irish mythology. Whatever their original homeland, if they existed at all, they were purported to have arrived in the northern part of the island cloaked in a mist, complete with flying chariots and magical powers beyond the capabilities of the Fir Bolg, the reining race in Ireland in that era.
Most of the sources consulted about the Battles of Moytura were similar in content, but varied in their degree of detail. A number of researchers have conducted investigations as to the precise location and events of the actual battles, and have compiled an impressive set of data about what may have happened there. I have kept as close to their accounts as possible while still leaving room to weave the fictional story.
Though it remains unclear about what really occurred in that legendary era, the number of cairns and monuments dating back to the period make it evident that something of a momentous nature did take place around the modern-day locations of Cong and Cross. Whether the structures were built over a short period or a much greater time span is in question.
The Vryanians, who were created out of the Tuatha de Danann legend, are, of course, fictitious. However, there are many arguments about the actual existence of the fabled island of Atlantis, and its occupants, before an earthquake allegedly sent it to the bottom of the ocean. The reference to Plato in the narrative comes from his dialogue Timaeus, in which he writes about the location of the island.
The Sword of Light is a mythical weapon mentioned in a number of Irish and Scottish folktales. Some of these stories maintain that the sword belonged to King Nuada and came to Erin with the Tuatha de Danann. To fit the fictional tale, I have expanded this weapon into the wands used by the Dananns during the Battle of Moytura.
The name Nuada Silver Hand comes from the accounts of Moytura, and refers to the wound inflicted on the Danann king's right arm and hand during one of the battles.
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