title: In Defiance of Destiny
author: Cunningham, Rebecca
description: (The continuing story of Taran's people of "Conquered")
  Sixteen years ago, Taran Ar-Nau turned his back on all he had ever known-- his royal family, his prestigious position as exploratory commander, and his powerful home world of Reikah—to rescue a people on another, newly discovered world from brutal persecution and certain death.  Though deep inside he and his two closest friends held a few regrets for what they’d left behind, they all knew that if given the chance they’d make the same decision again.  With their chosen people they’d found a sense of belonging much greater than anything they’d ever felt with the people of their home world.  And with Taran as their leader, they and their new people were leading a life of contentment and fulfillment as they searched the galaxy for the unknown world their spiritual leader told them would one day be theirs.
  But suddenly it appeared the past was not yet done with them.  Little did Taran know the day he chose to leave his birth world that his footsteps were set upon a path that would one day bring him back to face the consequences of that decision.  Captured as a result of an unintentional betrayal, he is torn from his people and brought face-to-face with the unrelenting, stubborn bitterness of his powerful father, Brandir Ar-Nau.
  By order of his father he is immediately imprisoned until such time that he would swear allegiance to Reikah once more.  Though Taran has sworn never to be a part of that world again, how can he be expected to endure the rest of his life behind bars away from the people of his heart?  He knew without a doubt his people would come for him, but how could they possibly succeed in rescuing him from a world as powerful and technologically advanced as Reikah?
  But he refuses to give up hope.  He was not too proud to admit there was a part of him that was thankful for the opportunity he’d been given to soothe the hurt caused by his first leave-taking so many years ago.  He’d left behind much confusion and many broken hearts, and it brought a measure of peace to everyone, including himself, to be able to explain the reasons for the decisions he and his friends made that day.
  But the rest of him was busy planning and plotting for the second leave-taking that was yet to come.