Druids, Raptors and Egyptians

Chapter one

Celtic Dreams

There were about twenty in the group, standing in the dark pre-dawn passageway, lit only by their torches. The Speaker was drawing attention to the spirals carved into the stone in the passageway, pointing out the similarity to those they had seen around the entrance.

In the gloom no one seemed to notice Charlie, a dark brown and black cocker spaniel, young but no longer a puppy.

We’re dead! Ben whispered, more hissed to his sister Kate.

And it’s all your fault! he added.

They watched in silent horror as Charlie, their dog, sniffed and prodded at the dark shadows on the wall behind the Speaker.

Dad said don’t bring him in here, Ben said, his eyes accusing.

Kate, who had brought her beloved Charlie in under her anorak watched wide-eyed. She tried with urgent discreet hand signals, to encourage Charlie to come back to her.

Their Dad’s attention was focussed on the Speaker as he tried to hear every word.

Newgrange is about five thousand years old. It is a megalithic monument known as a passage tomb, the Speaker said, speaking to his captive audience in indulgent tones.

We get over two hundred thousand visitors a year and it is a designated European heritage site. However, as you know the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and it is a very special day at Newgrange. You are all very lucky because as you know tickets for this event can only be acquired by Lottery. Unless of course you are a visiting American scholar with a PhD in Celtic studies.

There was a ripple of amusement through the guest audience but the Speakers eyes landed for a moment on their Dad. Kate and Ben exchanged glances but nothing was said.

Now we will move into the chamber proper, the Speaker added. Be careful, there’s not a lot of room.

As they moved down Dad kissed the top of Kate’s head.

Happy birthday, he whispered.

Ben punched her arm as his congratulation, backing up his Dad.

I will ask for torches out in a moment, the Speaker continued. We will then stand in dark silence and wait for one of the wonders of the world to unfold. Weather permitting, the morning sun will rise and then begin to shine in to where we are gathered. The sun will appear at the roof box and work it’s way in. The sun illuminates inside the chamber only at this time and the illumination lasts for just seventeen minutes. In those moments, this chamber will be lit as it has been on this day for over five thousand years, as its builders and designers planned and intended. Now torches out. It is almost time, no kissing in the back row.

There was a ripple of laughter as they all extinguished their torches and a black dark filled the ancient chamber.

Kate had an inspiration and she took out her dog-whistle and blew. No human ear would hear it, only Charlie. She blew again and felt Charlie sniffing at her feet.

I’ve got him, she whispered to Ben, leaning against him to get his attention, and scooped Charlie up and back into her anorak.

Ssh… her father whispered, putting his hand on her shoulder.

He had warned them to behave, that they were very privileged to be allowed to accompany him and they should stand still and not jig about and avoid chitter-chatter and show respect.

The ancient design of the passage tomb was such that precisely at the dawn of the winter solstice the rising sun would reach in through the gap at the top of the open entrance and then send its rays down the passage to the centre chamber as the sun rose above the horizon.

As the group inside waited the sun began to rise in the frosty cold winter’s clear cloudless Irish sky. The sunlight began to creep slowly along the passage, bringing a warm glow to the cold stones as it came in. Then suddenly it seemed that the sun’s rays danced in, bringing light and a sense of warmth to the entire centre chamber. They all looked at each other in amazement. They were in awe of the event and of the ancient designers of Newgrange.

In her arms Charlie began to squirm, perhaps affected by the influx of light. Kate blew three sharp short notes on her whistle and Charlie became still. Kate felt a satisfaction that Charlie and her were still attending the dog training school. Charlie was young with a lot to learn, but so far he was bright enough to remember what he had learned.

Outside afterwards there was a frosty picnic, with hot tea from flasks and egg and mayonnaise sandwiches. The group stood in knots of two or three and discussed what they had experienced. And they happily sipped the hot warming tea and scoffed the sandwiches.

Where was Charlie when we were inside? Dad asked, suddenly aware that Charlie was sniffing around looking for dropped pieces of sandwich.

Kate shrugged, lost for an honest reply, but then her father was distracted as the Speaker announced that the tour was finished and those who’d come on the bus should be in their seats in ten minutes.

Trinity College, Ancient and Celtic studies, Dad explained in answer to a query from one of the lottery winners.

Wasn’t it wonderful, she gushed.

‘Wonderful," Dad agreed.

Ben pulled a face at Kate and they moved towards the car. Charlie picked up on them and charged after them.

The group gave a benign smile to the privileged children of a Trinity Scholar as Dad excused himself, to keep an eye on those scatterbrains.

I have to write up my notes on the visit, Dad said as they barrelled into the living room.

Amuse yourselves until lunchtime. I’m going to do a pizza. We’ll have Kate’s birthday cake and ice cream this evening when Mom gets home. And leave off the television, if you don’t mind.

Ben and Kate headed for the hall and their bedrooms.

Take off your anoraks and hang them up, Dad shouted as he made his way to his study. And first the wellies, into the Conservatory.

Then he turned and said softly, it’s your Mom’s golden rule.

Their Wellington boots were at the hall door where they had left them.

Mine too, Kate said as Ben picked up his pair.

Ben looked at her, but then shrugged and took both pairs of wellies.

Thanks, Kate said and went on upstairs to her room.

As she came into her bedroom Kate was pulling down the zip of her anorak. She heard it fall. Charlie who was hot on her heels grabbed it but she caught his mouth.

Drop it, she instructed firmly.

Charlie looked at her and dropped it. Kate made a face; it was a piece of stone all covered in Charlie’s drool.

Outside, Kate said firmly and led Charlie back down the stairs and out the hall door.

The front porch was covered and Charlie also had the option of his kennel where it lay in the corner of the large garden near the back side-gate. Kate gave him a hug and a kiss. But she had remembered her mother’s promise, I’ll get you a dog Kate, but dogs are not allowed in the bedrooms!

When she got back upstairs she used a tissue to pick up the piece of stone. It was light in weight and a funny shape, a long limestone encrusted piece about three inches long.

With a look of distaste she took the offending article into the bathroom. Clearly, she reasoned, it had to be it was something Charlie had picked up in his mouth at Newgrange and subsequently let it drop inside her anorak.

She put the stone in the sink and took off her anorak.

There was a small wet stain on the anorak where the stone had lodged inside in the bottom fold above the elastic. She sniffed, no smell, so she went into her wardrobe to hang up the anorak. It could dry out there and no one would be the wiser.

Back in the bathroom, she slowly peeled away the tissue and made a face, dropping the tissue in the bin. Looking at the piece she decided it might make a suitable souvenir of her Newgrange visit, but only if it cleaned up well.

She put in the plug and ran the tap. She noticed the stone in the water had a greenish tinge on one side.

Charlie is barking, Ben shouted from the bottom of the stairs, having dragged himself away from his computer game.

Leave him, Kate retorted, he has to learn.

O.K.

He brought a stone back from Newgrange.

What?

Ben sounded curious and came bounding up the stairs. Ben had recently received a set of meteor stones from a friend of their Dad’s, and much encouraged by Dad, he was becoming an enthusiastic amateur geologist.

Kate dried the stone in more tissue and came out on the landing.

Show me, Ben said and grabbed at it.

Two years younger than Kate and also playing on the school hurling team, Ben was a lot stronger than Kate.

He inspected it as he held her off with one arm.

Calcified stone, he remarked.

But she grabbed his little finger and twisted.

Ouch! he cried and then he gave a malicious grin.

Kiss it Kate and you can have it back, otherwise it’s going in the bin.

He held the stone out while she shook her head, distaste written all over her face, but she was not going to let him win.

She twisted his finger again.

Kiss, he insisted.

Kate kissed the stone.

The flash of light blinded them for a moment and they both fell sitting on the landing in shock and surprise. The stone fell between them.

At first there was a greenish, yellowish vapour but then the vapour gathered shape and rose like pod of smoke above the stone.

Suddenly the stone rose off the landing carpet and disappeared into the pod of smoke.

They stared, wide eyed, wondering if they had started a fire, but yet knowing that this was something different.

Then the smoke vanished and there was a thump as the stone landed back on the landing carpet.

They stared at it. Their eyes met. They stared at it again.

It was small and beautiful. It had a rippled flowing shape and was about two inches long. It resembled a snake, tapering at one end. It was inscribed in patterns of three swirling spirals that were set in emerald green along the gold body of the piece.

Like the pattern on the stones in Newgrange, Ben observed in awe.

But they were both afraid to touch it.

Then Kate was off down the stairs shouting, Dad, Dad!

Ben followed about half way down and then stopped, not wanting to be alone on the landing and yet not wanting to let the piece out of his sight for fear it would disappear before Dad arrived.

Don’t talk about this, Dad admonished. I’ll put it into one of your mother’s old jewellery cases. Are you sure it came from inside the tomb?

We … yes. Kate replied, remembering the only time she’d picked up Charlie was inside.

You see it’s a crime to remove artefacts from a National Monument. I need time to check this out.

It turned to smoke, Kate tried to explain.

When you washed it you may have caused the outer covering to dissolve. Very strange, very strange.

Will we go to jail? Ben defended. It was Charlie’s fault.

He was inside Newgrange? Dad sounded cross and Kate’s eyes filled with tears.

Now, now, no tears on your birthday, Dad softened.

It was inside my anorak, Kate explained. I think Charlie must have picked it up off the ground.

Nobody’s fault. It is a wonderful artefact. Better found than not found. But I need to verify it. Just say nothing to nobody.

Yes Dad, they echoed in reply.

Not even at your birthday party. Say nothing to your friends Kate.

Yes Dad.

Right, your mother will be home soon, go and wash your hands, both of you!

They both nodded their agreement and Dad put the jewel in his pocket.

They promptly forgot everything about the stone when as Mom arrived home with a big cake for Kate’s birthday party.

Escorted by Granny Moody, Kate’s three best friends from her class at the International School arrived a little late.

Happy Birthday Kate, they cried in unison and handed over gift-wrapped presents.

Mom took Granny Moody into the kitchen for a cup of coffee.

Lana, Moody and Ho Wang made the secret sign known only to the members of the Fairy Field Club and Kate as chief magician of the club solemnly returned the sign.

We will meet tomorrow, Kate whispered and they smiled in agreement.

By local tradition the field behind Kate’s house was known as the Fairy Field. It had a mound in the centre called the Fairy Fort and the local farmer had never touched this mound. It was overgrown with Blackthorn bushes. Their den was in a hollow under the Blackthorns in the centre of the mound known as the Fairy Fort.

Carrying her presents, Kate led them in to join the party.

Chapter two

All That Glisters

Standing on a self contained site in the heart of Dublin city, Trinity College covers about forty acres with green spaces and cobbled squares between the ancient buildings that reflect the architectural richness of centuries, having been founded in the sixteenth century, the oldest University in Ireland, still vibrant with over twelve thousand students in its academic year.

Dad had met with his old friend and colleague Brian Sunderland on the old cobble stoned square opposite the exam hall that was reputed to be as old as the American declaration of Independence.

The University’s venerable walls held many faculties but none could be further apart than Arts and Humanities studies and the Faculty of Science.

But they were old friends from the time when they shared accommodation and both had studied for their Masters at Harvard.

The scan says it’s solid. Yet the spectrogram says it is gold. But it is not gold, Brian explained.

Not? Dad replied in a puzzled voice.

They walked across the cobbled square towards the steps up to the ancient dining room. At this hour it was reserved for college staff and lecturers. Students, if they wished, could dine downstairs in their own café.

When they were settled at one end of one of the long old oak tables, Brian took a velvet cloth from the pocket of his gown and carefully unfolded the velvet to reveal the piece Kate had found at Newgrange.

Beautiful isn’t it, my daughter says her dog picked it up inside Newgrange in the passage to the tomb proper.

Brian laughed. Kids and dogs! You know I can’t date it.

Can’t?

No, look at it. It’s perfectly clean and unmarked. Sometimes we can date things by the level of soil they are certified as found in and sometimes we can use carbon dating. But this is a stand-alone perfect piece in perfect condition. Like a new minted coin. Are you sure you didn’t just buy it in a jewellers in Grafton Street?

What do you mean it’s not gold? Dad asked, changing tack. And surely the green spirals are Emerald? he added.

Pick it up, Brian instructed with a knowing smile.

So?

Feel the weight, gold is much heavier.

Hollow?

Maybe, but not on the scan, so I don’t think so.

Hmmm… Dad held the little object in one hand and sipped his coffee with the other.

Do the kids miss America? Brian asked conversationally.

Yes and no, we have been in Ireland been four years now, and of course we go back for holidays.

Do you think you’ll go back to the States?

Not in the immediate future, after all this is Ireland and I am a Celtic scholar and Trinity is a wonderful world famous University. And the family is happy in Ireland.

How’s Ben, I got his thank you note.

Ben’s great but I think your present has turned him into an amateur geologist. Dad said with a smile.

He actually liked the collection I sent him?

Dad laughed.

Ben was surprised to get stones in a presentation box, but when I explained that they were geological samples including parts of meteorites he became very interested.

I’m glad he was pleased.

I got him a ‘how to be a geologist’ book and he seems to be interested.

And Kate?

I took her to Newgrange to celebrate her birthday. That’s where we found the jewel. Ben says it was calcified but that dissolved when Kate cleaned it.

Could she have taken this jewel from her mother’s stuff?

No, don’t recognise it and neither does her Mom.

If it is from Newgrange you’d better hand it in, National Treasure?

I wonder what it is?

I tried to take a scratch.

What! Dad inspected it carefully, his voice sharp.

Just for further analysis. You know what, it wouldn’t scratch.

Gold would, Dad said.

But he was pleased the piece was unmarked.

Maybe it has some sort of a glaze. I’d need to stress it, Brian offered.

Stress?

You know, put pressure on it. Try to break a small bit for analysis. We could analyse with chemicals but it would dissolve the sample.

Don’t you dare Brian, it’s too beautiful.

When you hand it in all hell will break loose. If a Doctor of Celtic studies says he has found an artefact at Newgrange… Brian shrugged. Well you know Newgrange is older than the Egyptian pyramids, to suggest an object of such craftsmanship came from such a time. It would be a sensation.

So they’d try to smash it?

Don’t be so incredulous. They’d have to verify what it is. I mean some tourist could have dropped it. It looks timeless. It doesn’t look old.

Do you think?

It’s in great condition. But I’m intrigued, so like gold but not gold…?

Dad finished his coffee. He put the piece back in the velvet and put it in his pocket.

Forget it, he said to Brian. I can’t prove it is from Newgrange. Not now, I’m not going to put my reputation on the line. What if you are right and some tourist dropped it?

Look, let Kate have it as a souvenir of her visit, Brian suggested. She will think it is an artefact from Newgrange. A memento of the visit?

Well thanks for the analysis Brian. I owe you one.

No bother, sorry the budget didn’t allow the more expensive tests, Brian smiled. I suppose it could be a light alloy dipped in gold. You’d need modern technology for that. I’m sure it’s valuable.

I’ll check with the ‘lost and found’ at Newgrange. If nothing like it is reported lost I’ll take your suggestion and give it to Kate as a souvenir.

Right so, must get back.

Chapter three

Magic lesson

Kate woke up with a start. She knew it was very late because it was very dark. Alone in the room Kate felt scared. There was a faint light from a street lamp around the edge of the curtains. Otherwise…

Then she saw it. The green spirals were glowing in the dark.

Heart thumping, Kate climbed across the covers down to the end of her bed. Then she slid off and sat on her stool in front of the mirror. Her eyes were adjusting to the darkness.

There was no sound and the jewel lay where her Dad had left it for her. The spirals were shimmering as if flowing in green lines along the spirals across the gold. It looked like a small moving snake but it stayed in position.

Kate looked in the mirror and saw her reflection in the dim light. Then feeling scared, she picked up the piece between her finger and thumb to see it in the mirror.

Slowly the face in the mirror changed. Kate stared and she wondered was she dreaming? Her face was changing into someone else.

Her face became that a very beautiful woman with red hair and green eyes and wearing a green cloth dress inlaid with golden spirals of thread. Her green eyes weren’t scary, they were kindly, and were light green speckled with gold rather like an untouched meadow is speckled with wild flowers.

Kate, the voice said gently. Don’t be afraid.

Kate froze at the sound of the voice, her panic held in check only by the kindness in the tone of voice and the beautiful smile of the woman in the mirror.

Is this yours? Kate asked in a shaky voice, holding out the jewel.

The woman smiled warmly.

Thank you Kate for finding it.

It was Charlie, Kate explained.

Kate felt a rising fear a panic, and she wondered was she asleep and dreaming this. The mirror was talking to her!

Stay calm Kate, the woman in the mirror said softly as if sensing Kate’s alarm.

Is this magic or am I asleep? Kate asked, trying not to scream.

The woman had a gentle smile. You are awake Kate, she said.

Kate’s panic was subsiding. She felt relaxed by the soft warm voice and kindly face of the apparition in the mirror.

Ben studies stones and he said it was something calcified but then all the gunk evaporated and we had a jewel.

The jewel was getting so cold and damp.

How does it work, I mean how did it change? Kate asked.

It needed a maiden’s kiss.

The woman laughed with a musical laugh and Kate joined in.

Does it have a battery? Kate persisted.

The woman seemed to be thinking about how to explain. Sometimes her Dad did that when things were very complicated.

The passage tomb at Newgrange is a time traveller, the woman began.

Made of stone? Kate asked.

It has been there for thousands of years and will be for more, that’s what I mean….

The woman raised her eyebrows as if inviting Kate to share her smile at the wonder of it all.

‘Do you live there? Is it very damp?" Kate asked.

No Kate, I live in my time and in my place, just as you do in yours.

And the jewel?

The jewel is more than an ornament. It once belonged to a very, very powerful Druid. It’s called the Druid’s Bracelet.

A Bracelet?

It’s a jewel that can be a Bracelet. This jewel can join times, it connects Time-lines.

What? Kate was lost.

Time-lines Kate, each of us lives in our own time-line and along it we are born and we live until we die.

And the jewel brings us together? Kate summarised.

Yes Kate. You see, everything that is and everything that was and everything that will be exists and always will. The jewel can reach out and touch other Time-lines.

Magic? Kate said.

Technology is the modern word.

Modern? Kate asked.

Kate I am from a time before your time. Once in Newgrange, before the ice age came, there was a connection from our world to your world.

And then? Kate prompted.

Then we came, and later when the people who lived here tried to explain what they were told by the aged ones, they called it magic.

I have a magic club, Kate said. I founded it with my school friends. I even have a ‘book of spells’ Not real spells, just fun.

They said I was a goddess. My name is Danu, they even named a river after me, the Danube, have you heard of it?

No.

Never mind.

A goddess?

Very nice, but I am only me.

I like you.

"The ice was wonderful, so beautiful and cold,