The Celtic Serpent

by S. Robertson

  “If you don’t mind, Angi, could you come to the window so I can examine this medallion in the sunlight? I didn’t think it appropriate to ask this of you in a public place when we first met in Dublin,” said Andrew.

  Angi complied, pleased for the diversion from the challenges presented by her new living quarters.

  Andrew said little as he inspected the medallion, but thought to himself, “It’s an exact replica of the sketch…………….Three centuries have passed………. this ancient relic has returned…………. It’s no accident………… I’ll have to get word to the society as I’ll need their help protecting this young woman. I’m sure she’s aware of the mounting danger but we could be facing even more in the next phase.” Then, turning calmly making no comment on his observations, he said, “Thanks, Angi. I’m curious, has there been any untoward activity of the medallion in recent days?”

  “Only in its expected response to Brigit’s gemstone,” replied Angi, then realizing Andrew was unfamiliar with this, continued, “Each time a gemstone is placed near it, the center blue stone starts vibrating, then sparks appear around the edge which is followed by an electric arc which grasps the gemstone, places it in its rightful socket and locks it in place.”

  Wolfram added, “It’s like a miniature computer but in saying that I realize this challenges our understanding of history. If correct, then hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, someone had a level of technical ability which we’ve assumed did not exist.”

  Seeming to momentarily ignore Wolfram’s comment, Andrew, politely directed them to be seated, “Let’s sit down, refreshments will be here shortly. Dinner’s at seven.”

  Once seated, he continued, “Wolfram, I know you and Morgan have kindly kept me in the loop since Kevyn’s accident but I realize much was avoided in our open communications. Now Angi, if you will be so kind, can you brief me from the time of your grandmother’s attack? In that way I will be better prepared to help you with the next phase of this quest.”

  Without hesitation Wolfram and Angi proceeded with the update. For, before leaving Boston, Wolfram received a profile on Andrew from Gus’s CIA contact. Thus, he was aware that Andrew was considered, in British circles as ‘top drawer’ with powerful contacts in the British government, military and even MI5. Knowing he would be in another country, Wolfram was pleased to have someone with such credentials on their side. He had conveyed this information privately to Angi as they waited for their Edinburgh flight. Angi covered the Canadian segment, leaving Wolfram to deal with the United States portion. As Wolfram concluded with the death of Morgan’s wife, Andrew sat back.

  “I’m sorry this turned out so badly for Morgan. While our contact in Edinburgh was brief, I liked the man, for all of his eccentricities. He had a brilliant mind and loved the Celtic world. He’s had a key role in initiating this quest. Now, the last piece, what happened in Ireland?”

  Angi and Wolfram described Brigit’s comments on the medallion’s history reinforcing Nat’s earlier theories. While they chatted refreshments arrived and were devoured almost without thought. Around five, another individual appeared.

  “Well, Andrew, these must be the guests you were expecting,” said an elderly man in his seventies, walking cautiously with the aid of an ebony cane, his white hair crowning a broad face with a captivating grin.

  “Indeed, old friend, come and meet Angi and Wolfram,” said Andrew cheerily. “Angi and Wolfram, I’d like you to meet Bryce Roberts, who’s also a guest at the castle.”

  Bryce limped slightly as he approached the three. “I’m glad you arrived safely. Dylan is a crack driver and has impeccable credentials in handling unexpected events.”

  Angi, analyzing his movements, thought, “His limping indicates he’s either had a recent accident or surgery on that right knee. He’s doing well but still in considerable pain.”

  As if reading her mind, Bryce commented, “I’m in from Cardiff for some knee surgery. I’m just back from rehab. Things are going well on that front.” Then he zeroed in on a straight chair and sat down.

  Angi liked this stranger, his friendly face and easy manner putting her at ease. She was getting use to the different accents but still struggling with the occasional word when spoken quickly.

  Wolfram stepped forward to greet Bryce knowing, since Andrew said he might be there, that this friendly gentleman was far more than he seemed. This was Lord Lywillan, a rarely used title. He had a seat in the House of Lords, generations of family in top government jobs and was the past Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University. He had yet to convey this to Angi. Wolfram noted Bryce’s keen observation of Angi’s medallion which meant that Andrew had included him in the purpose of their visit. The question was, why?

  They had little time to chat as Ian appeared to remind them that Angi and Wolfram had yet to get to their rooms to prepare for dinner. “With cocktails at 6:30, they will have just time to change before dinner,” he stated.

  “Yes, indeed,” said Andrew. “We’ve got lots of time to get acquainted. I’ll leave you in Ian’s capable hands and see you at 6:30 in the Blue Room.”

  As Angi and Wolfram got up to leave, Wolfram glanced back to see Andrew and Bryce in an animated discussion. They followed Ian to the third floor of the west wing, through corridors of more family portraits. As they reached what was supposedly the bedroom wing of the castle, Angi estimated there were accommodations for about ten or more guests, perhaps more if additional rooms existed in the east wing. Wolfram’s room was across the hall, and, she surmised, Bryce’s was somewhere down the corridor. As promised, Ian provided them with the castle map App, pointing out areas to avoid and stating there were in-house telephones should they get lost. As Ian departed, and before heading to their respective rooms to unpack, Angi and Wolfram formed a pact to travel together, until they got their bearings.

  Angi’s room was a blend of old and new; expensive antique furniture with modern accessories. It was a large suite with a single bed, writing desk and chair, a curved bureau, a sofa and two upholstered chairs. A decorator had given the room a floral splash in the bedspread, drapes and window seat. More family pictures, this time in oval frames, graced the walls. A large modern bathroom opened off the bedroom. The windows overlooked the back sunken garden, where she noted a statue in a square fountain and a formal stream running the length of the garden. In the distance she got a glimpse of the Esk River, as well as a scattering of symmetrical flower beds, sloping lawns with shrubbery, and several well positioned benches. Noting the time, she unpacked and prepared for the evening meal.

  Refreshed, Angi and Wolfram, with their castle map, struck out to find the Blue Room, supposedly adjacent to the Dining Room on the second floor. En route they passed the library, with its floor to ceiling shelves crammed with books, two computers visible in one corner, a rectangular table with stacks of books and documents, leather chairs and an alcove with stained glass windows, the evening sunlight creating miniature rainbows on the wood and carpeted floor. An adjacent room contained a distinguished desk and chair, more book cases and another computer. However tantalizing, they avoided opening a series of closed doors which held secret uses. The guide indicated the castle contained housekeeper and gardener quarters, a servant’s hall, billiard room, gym, chapel, kitchen, laundry and storage spaces plus a wine cellar.

  “I’ve a vague idea where the gym is located,” said Wolfram, “and have Andrew’s OK for us to use it. I’ll meet you in the hall at 6 tomorrow morning and we can scout out its location. We’ll likely get our exercise in finding it.”

  Earlier, Ian hinted at hidden chambers and secret staircases, necessities in past centuries. According to him, with the death of the Earl’s wife, the east wing was being modernized with a future possibility of donating the estate to the Scottish National Trust. Apparently, the Sinclairs had a number of castles and residences, this was but one.

  Eventually they reached their destination to find Andrew and Bryce ahead of them. Andrew looked up with
a broad grin, “Your doing well, some guests get lost on their first few tries even with the map. What can I offer you both as a pre-dinner drink?” Angi and Wolfram opted to join Andrew and Bryce in a sherry, while Dylan, arriving at the same time, chose gin and tonic.

  Andrew’s opening statement was intended to calm concerns about talking about the medallion, “Bryce and Dylan have both been fully briefed on the medallion, so feel free to talk while you’re here.”

  Wolfram wasn’t so sure. While he had background profiles on Andrew and Bryce, he had nothing on Dylan. “I’ve got to get access to one of Andrew’s computers in the morning to send a coded message to Josh for Gus’s help. I’m uneasy not knowing who I’m dealing with. I trust Andrew and Bryce so it’s likely not a major issue, just my predilection for detail especially with a killer on the loose.”

  Relaxing, the first, and rather unexpected, question came from Bryce, “Angi, I’m fascinated by names, can you tell me yours?”

  An odd request, she thought, but complied, “It’s Angela Jenesis Talismann.

  “Interesting,” replied Bryce, “was it your Canadian or American family who gave you the Jenesis name?”

  “My father’s family who lived in New York,” replied Angi. “My parents were divorced and my mother died when I was a child. I had little contact with my American relatives. On the one occasion I visited them as a teenager, we never talked about it.”

  “Well, I’m sure you know, it’s another form of Genesis,” said Bryce as he glanced at Andrew.

  Angi wondered why they were having this odd conversation replied casually, “I never thought much of it as I didn’t like the name. You mean Genesis like in the Old Testament?”

  “Yes, the first book of the Old Testament. Genesis means ‘a beginning’ and for some it means ‘hope’. So Angi, are you a beginning of hope for the world?”

  “Odd” thought Angi. “Within days I’ve had Brigit talking about a prophetess and Bryce now mumbling something about a beginning and hope……… why do both statements rattle me? It’s likely because I’d like to tell them that I’m just a courier of this medallion with little time for much else.” But not wanting to expose her true feelings, she replied calmly, “Well, I think it was likely some family name which they insisted should be given to the first female child of their oldest son, nothing more,” avoiding Bryce’s question.

  “That sounds logical,” said Andrew with a smile and getting Ian’s signal, continued, “I guess we’ll have to leave it at that as dinner is ready.”

  The Dining Room was large, accustomed to grand celebrations. Its atmosphere was solemn elegance created by the dark mahogany furniture, wooden panels and huge paintings of battle scenes and family members in military garb relieved by the occasional female portrait from some past century. The setting was softened by the cream plasterwork ceiling, two large chandeliers, glistening brass and crystal, cream table linens and a large bouquet of flowers. The rectangular table sat in the center of the room on a thick green carpet, the chairs having matching green cushioned seats. Angi struggled to move her chair. Andrew positioned himself at the head of one end of the table with Dylan and Bryce on one side and Wolfram and Angi on the other. A cool breeze floated through the large windows.

  Angi was amazed at how hungry she was and was looking forward to her first meal in Scotland. Along with a fine selection of wines, the meal consisted of asparagus soup, baked filet of salmon with Basmati rice, steamed vegetables with lemon and saffron sauce, and two dessert choices; apple pie and ice cream or brown sugar meringues with fresh lemon curd. The cheese board had crackers and oatcakes which arrived with coffee and tea. In the midst of such culinary delights and adamant conversation, the evening passed quickly. The medallion wasn’t the center of conversation, but peripheral discussions had all to do with its existence. The dinner conversation took various routes according to the speaker. Wolfram began.

  “Andrew, I realize that Brigit had little time to delve into the history of the dragon or serpent bloodline, but what fascinates me is that with all the historical material I’ve studied, little if anything has ever surfaced on the Scythians or this bloodline. So, either Brigit has an alternate version of history or there has been a deliberate obfuscation of this information.”

  “I suppose it’s a bit of both,” replied Andrew. “This alternate account is less known because it’s very old and some people even today would prefer it remain lost in time. The dragon/serpent bloodline goes back thousands of years in what archeologists refer to as ‘Before the Common Era (B.C.E.)’. Since our modern school system barely touches on the last five hundred years, there is an abysmal ignorance of ancient history. But symbols exist in our modern world. For example,” picking up a green marble ornament from a nearby table, “take this Celtic Cross. Most associate it with our churches or cemetery markers, but it’s actually a very old symbol. The cross within a circle was a graphic representation of kingship. The outer circle depicts a serpent clutching its own tail. The circle, sometimes called the ouroboros, has many meanings: wholeness, wisdom, totality of existence, infinity, the cyclical nature of the cosmos and seasons, as well as life and death. The Celtic cross had great significance to our ancestors for it was the original emblem of the Grail bloodline from the fourth millennium B.C.E…. It was also used by both the Druids and the Celtic Christian Church.”

  Angi, still struggling with Brigit’s information, was fascinated by this new revelation. “Are you saying, Andrew, that the Celtic cross represents a royal bloodline that existed centuries before the fictional Medieval Grail stories? So, how far back are we talking?”

  Andrew, delighted at the opportunity, continued, “This dynastic line existed thousands of years ago. It ran through the royal houses of Sumer and Israel, the pharaohs of Egypt, and down to Jesus. These special individuals were called the ‘Purveyors of Light’ and were considered leaders of mankind. It may be of interest to you, Angi that this dynastic bloodline was matriarchal, though the females. It was this factor that the later patriarchal religious leaders feared. Since this is such a huge topic, I’ll share some books with you while you’re here. When you’ve had a chance to read them, we’ll talk again.”

  “Thanks,” said Wolfram, “I’ll share these with Angi. She may have a definite interest in the topic,” as he gave her a quick wink.

  Ignoring Wolfram, Angi had her own question, “I wonder, Andrew, if you might clarify something for me. I thought the Celtic Christian Church was an earlier form of the Roman Catholic Church, but from my chat with Brigit, this may not be true.”

  Bryce picked up the challenge. “Well, Angi, you are not alone. Although a form of early Christianity entered Britain in the middle of the first century, there was no wide-scale conversion. At that time, life was based on druidic principles and many of the Britons maintained their old beliefs for a few more centuries. In 43 C.E., Roman records under Emperor Claudius cited Druidism and the Jews of Christos as being in Britain. The style of Christianity that came to Britain was Nazarene, followers of James the brother of Jesus. The Nazarenes favored the Old Testament, which was compatible with druidic thinking. Now it must be pointed out that the druidic order was not a religion, it was a way of life. However, because of this compatibility, when the same Roman Emperor decided to eliminate the Druids, he included the Nazarenes, stating that membership in either sect was a capital offence. With such a sentence, both groups melted into their communities. However, even after centuries of persecution, neither the Druids nor the Celtic Christian Church, a later version of the Nazarenes, were entirely eliminated. Both exist today although far removed from the modern Druidic examples you see in the media. As for the Church of Rome, it did not exist until the third century when Constantine, the Roman Emperor, adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Empire. He opted for one of many versions of Christianity which existed at that time. Centuries of religious wars followed to eliminate any opposition to this Roman version.”

  “From the littl
e I know our ancestors paid a high price if they did not comply with the political or religious authorities of their day. Our generation knows little of this. I wonder if we would be as courageous under similar demands.” Angi thought out loud.

  “Indeed, Angi. Let’s hope we don’t have to face this again,” replied Bryce. That old phrase holds true, ‘those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.’ ”

  Wolfram, wanting to revisit another of Brigit’s points, asked, “Andrew, what role did the Scythians play in this serpent lineage?”

  Andrew was now on familiar ground, “As Brigit stated the Lords of Anu or the Royal Scyths were considered descendants of gods and goddesses, with special powers. So, it is not surprising that royal families in the ancient world wanted to intermarry with them. It was one such marriage of a Scythian prince and an Egyptian princess who landed in Ireland to become the ancestors of the royal families of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I could talk about this all night, but I’ll leave it at that for this evening. I’ll loan you a copy of my PhD thesis, it will give you some background for further questions and may put you to sleep.”

  Wolfram, realizing he was trying to get an injection of a mammoth amount of information, was glad to have Andrew streamline his search, so he pressed on, “Is there any possibility that these ancient cultures, thousands of years ago, possessed technology equivalent to what we have today?”

  “Now you’ve hit on a tantalizing question which has puzzled many before you. My immediate answer is, yes, although it was likely very different from our modern version,” replied Andrew. “Sadly, even with concrete evidence, many academics have dismissed the possibility or relegated it to mythology. Let’s consider artificial light or electricity. Some believe that the ancient Egyptians possessed a form of artificial light because the interior of their tombs show no evidence of smoke from burning torches yet the artisans were able to do intricate paintings on the walls. In the Roman Empire there was mention of a golden lamp in one of Minerva’s temples which was said to burn for a year at a time. And in the 4th century, Saint Augustine wrote about an ever-burning lamp which neither wind nor rain would extinguish. These are just three examples.”