SCRIPTORIUM

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Contents

Chapter 1. Scriptorium Chapter..........................1Chapter 2. The Book of John Chapter.....................8Chapter 3. Monologue Chapter............................17Chapter 4. Osla Chapter.................................22Chapter 5. Beltane Chapter..............................30Chapter 6. Easter Chapter...............................40Chapter 7. The Root Cellar Chapter......................47Chapter 8. Peace Chapter................................55Chapter 9. The Bishop Chapter...........................63Chapter 10. Blachmac Chapter.............................73Chapter 11. Plain Page Chapter...........................82Chapter 12. Herbarium Chapter............................88Chapter 13. Journey Chapter..............................99Chapter 14. The Bard Chapter.............................105Chapter 15. Blessed Land Chapter.........................112Chapter 16. The Letters Chapter..........................121Chapter 17. The Return Chapter...........................126Chapter 18. Parley Chapter...............................132Chapter 19. The Trial Chapter............................144Chapter 20. Peril Chapter................................151Chapter 21. The True Tale Chapter........................159Chapter 22. Attack Chapter...............................166Chapter 23. Sanctuary Chapter............................173Chapter 24. Wise Council Chapter.........................180Chapter 25. Kings Chapter................................190Chapter 26. High Mass Chapter............................197Chapter 27. Compline.....................................204

Chapter One

It was in the year of our Lord, 800, when the Viking invasions had begun, and we feared for our lives. We had set to writing the fourth Book of the Evangelists, the Book of John. It was to commemorate the death of our dear Saint Columba by our Abbot Father Cellarch, who says our great abbey was named when our founder first laid eyes on our island and exclaimed "I see her! The island of John," and thus was founded the Abbey of Iona more than two hundred years ago. The books of Saints Matthew, Mark and Luke, are now near completion, and thus we begin with the image of John. Together, the Book of the Gospels will be a gift to our sister abbey at Durrow, in the hands of our Bishop Ailebe. May God help us in our glory to Him.

We six who are the writers and illustrators set long ago to work together in diligence and love for our Lord. Brother Fiotan colored and gold leafed, while Brother Ronant, whose mother was a Pict, drew the beautiful designs. I and my fellow scribe Brother Ion, the Alexandrian, wrote the text in our fine hands, which were identical. Brothers Eogan and Enon, both from our sister abbey in Durrow, were the parchment makers who also mixed the inks. When pressed, they too painted illustrations for the small works. I, Aedan, am master of works and writer of letters, and designer. It was also assigned I be the chronicler of our works. By our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you His word. Amen.

* * *

It was the leeward of Springtime, on the dawn of a new year, and a new century, entering the month of the Resurrection, that woke on that early gray morning. After Matins prayers, while the brothers were finishing their breakfast of porridge and milk, as was my habit, I was preparing the scriptorium for our day's work. This usually meant restarting the dormant fire in the central pit, which I did today, satisfied that it was not too smoky, watching the smoke curl up into the roof timbers, escaping through the small hole there. A cheerful glow soon dispelled the darkness, and first light came filtering through the thick windows. The usual inks were placed in their horns on the writing tables by the small windows, there were six of them, and the freshly cut goose quills laid by each one. The pigment inks were then likewise distributed with their brushes, each to their work station, and the parchment cases were taken down from the rafters, where they stayed dry and safe from vermin. The room filled with warmth and all seemed to my satisfaction. Now came that moment I daily cherished, when I open the page on which I am working, thanking God and asking for His help in that I am to do His will today.

"Good morning sweet Brother."

It was the voice of Ion, as he first entered the scriptorium. Then followed by Ronant, who in his usual cheerful manner greeted us with a great smile.

"Peace to you in our Lord, my brothers," I answered.

"Enon will bring your porridge shortly," Ronant let me know.

Ion walked in his usual calm manner to his work table, looking out the window into the cool light, the water of the sound laying still and gray beyond.

"We start a new book today," he mused aloud, "it is fitting for Pasqua."

Ion sometimes used his native word for Easter, since his family came to Ireland from Alexandria many years ago. His face was darker than ours, and so his humor, but he loved us in the same we love him, as brothers in Christ.

"The Resurrection is most fitting," answered him Ronant, "for new beginnings. So much already done, and still so much to do, when does it end?" He looked up smiling. "I hope my eyes do not fail by the time we are done, or what good is a blind scribe?"

"Your images are gifts, Ronant, and may you always have them for us." As I said this, Enon entered holding a large cup for me, with a thick wooden spoon standing in it. "Ah, my breakfast! After Matins, I thought I would faint from hunger."

"Why not join us first, and then here?" Enon wondered, though he knew the answer.

"After song and prayer, my stomach does not want food, though does my mind," I answered same as before, "so I come here instead." Enon left the cup on my table. "Thank you sweet Brother."

"Eogan will be at the skin shed this morning," Ion voiced to us. "The brothers have been sheering sheep, and new calves are plenty. So we will not want for pages, as happened when we were finishing Lucas."

"Father Cellarch assured us, Ion, we will not be short ... Blessed Saints!"

Through the window I could see two skiff s just landed from Mull. This was a day of pilgrims coming to our shore, to do penance, pray, and be blessed, or be healed. For this they usually pledged gifts, for which the Abbey is most grateful. The Abbot and a small welcome group were already at the landing. More than a dozen people were getting off, all dressed in the habit of penance, white smocks over their clothes.

"They will be here momentarily," I announced, "after they stop at the chapel."

"This gives us just enough time to appear busy," added Ronant.

"And we must look good," spoke Ion, almost under his breath.

Enon went over to the window and gave off a low whistle, "There is a king amongst them."

I went over and too could see deference, both from the monks and penitents, as well as from Cellarch. The Abbot paid special attention in the manner required of great personages, so we knew this was likely a king, or high lord. Just then Fiotan walked in from the door that leads to the Abbey chapel, which is adjacent to our scriptorium, with his usual sleepy look. His large nose bobbed as if he were to sneeze, which he did, and then he walked over to his table.

"Good morning, sweet Brother," I offered.

"Good morning Aedan,...