Prefigurements

In Gallicenae (London, 1988) by Poul and Karen Anderson, the authors know how to prefigure important events, including changes in the status of the Gods.

The young Princess Dahut made a sandcastle and called it "Ys," of which it was a good replica, then "...watched the tide come in and wash it away." (p. 214) As a young adult, she will play a central role in the drowning of the real city of Ys. That city, of which her father is both prefect and King, contains the Mithraeum of which he is Father. Thus, the Three of Ys withdraw, Mithras retreats and Gratillonius moves nearer to accepting Christ.

In Hivernia, King Niall anticipates "...Ys under the sea." (p. 318) It is he who, using Dahut, will put it there.

Martinus, later known as St Martin of Tours, is visited by his cousin, Sucat, who has escaped from slavery in Hivernia. The cousin seeks ordination so that he may return to convert the Hivernians. Martinus predicts that Sucat " '...will be Christ's patrician.' " (p. 362) In fact, renamed Patricius, he will evangelize Hivernia, later known as Ireland.

Of the Gods, it is said:

" '...They Themselves are troubled. For the heavens have moved...' " (p. 32)

As above, so below. A sandcastle and some chance remarks prefigure what is to come.