As time moves forward in Book Three, so a new generation is born and grows to adulthood. Few are mentioned by name, except for those that will come to the fore in the second trilogy.
Jack and Jinnie's children.
Ræm
Empress Elect and Trainee Gatekeeper. However, she leads an extraordinary life, becoming the Shaman's Apprentice for seven years, and a semi-enlightened being in the process. Her destiny lies in other realms, although she can Captain
the spacecraft as well as Jack.
Jason
Second child, named after Jack's father. He is not sure he wants to become Jack's successor, but learns control room operations, and marries Ah-Tien.
Mai Li
Steps up to become the Empress Regent Elect, and next Gatekeeper, due to Ræm being preoccupied. She marries Wong Kai, |
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Ræm brings the trilogy full circle, when she and Idym, (creator of Eve); name their child Eve Ning.
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Gung Loi and n'Gnung's children
They have four children, one year apart, but only the first two are named. However, the younger siblings follow a similar life path to their older companions.
Zhong Zhi
The eldest child and first born of the next generation, if only by one week from Jason, (technically Ræm, but she is years older). His name is Cantonese, meaning 'central' or 'main' man; it is how Cantonese refer to people
as being native Chinese. He marries Ah-Nei, the daughter of Horovitz and Xi Sai.
n'Gnung takes over the duties of the Guardian from Jack, but he still regards Jack as being the Guardian. The unspoken issue is resolved, when Jack nominates his successor as being Zhong Zhi, thus handing the role of Guardian
back to the people of Gu Long Dux, Gung Loi's home town.
Ah Tien
Second child, and destined to take over from her mother as main control room operator. She marries Jason. Her name comes from the Cantonese familiar 'Ah' combined with 'Tien', meaning great or grand.
Others of mention.
Ah-Nei [Annie-May]
First child of Horovitz and Xi Sai. Being of mixed lineage, she becomes a part of the unplanned clique these children form. They all live near to each other at the Hamlet in the Valley of Knowledge, and have known each other all
their lives. She is destined to take over as leader of Gung Loi's black ops platoons. Her name comes from the familiar contraction 'Ah' plus 'nei', meaning 'you (female)'. 'Nei mei means: full; overflowing; fill; cover; more'. She
marries Zhong Zhi.
Wong Kai
Eldest child of Weid Noi and Ali. Weid Noi marries Ali in Book 3, and they have several children, of whom the first, Wong Kai is the only one named. He will become the next Seer; a position usually, but not always held by females.
When he comes of age, he marries Mai Li, Jack and Jinnie's younger daughter; the first known marriage of a Gatekeeper and Seer.
His name means: Wong = yellow; Kai = open, begin, commence, like a water spring. The Second are the Yellow People, the name carrying much implied intent. Normally Kai 开 is Mandarin, and Hoi 開 Cantonese. They mean exactly the same.
My use of Kai is not Mandarin, but 'toicernwah' (Taishanese), in honour of the belated lead guitarist and singer, Wong Ka Kui of Beyond.
Eve Ning
The daughter of Ræm and Iydm. Her name brings the third book full circle, as regards creation, or re-creation, of humankind in their own image.
Eve obviously parodies the First Woman. Ning is a Cantonese surname, primary meaning: to turn around – peacefully exhorting, like a lemon to the taste buds, turn the screw, flattering, smooth-talking, would rather carry in hand.
Composite Cantonese meaning, to take forth into the new day.
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