It is one year after the humanoids reached their final destination. In this year two fractions had a lethal dispute between believers and non-believers stirred up by the Gorgons. This dispute led to three deaths. In the end Mac and Zoroaster solved the dispute by organizing a wedding between Mac, leader of the engineers, and Zena, the daughter of Zoroaster, the leader of the Gorgon followers.
Today is the joyful day. Mac embraces the man he will from now on call father. And Zoroaster embraces the man that will be his only son in the future.
When Zena enters the place before the traditional temple as her forefathers used to build, she cannot hide her joy. Even though Mac is ten years older, she has always held him in deep respect.
Then the moment is there for the couple to exchange their vows so that from that moment on they will be called husbands.
Both Mac and Zena kiss each other after Zena has crowned Mac with a garland. They are now husband and wife.
For the community this means the end of all quarrels and fights and the evening is filled with joy, music and dance until late wee hours.
A few days later, after Mac's hair and beard have been cut to show that he is a married man now, Mac is going on a trek for a couple of days in the forest.
It strikes him that at irregular intervals his path is covered with black feathers. The further he walks the feathers become bigger.
When Mac reaches another spot with feathers he picks one up and soon concludes that these are not bird feathers. "Ariel", he whispers. It's been a long time since he mentioned that name.