A few days later, Thomas awoke from a fitful sleep to the sight of a small crowd of monks gathered around his bed, including Father Gaeth, Lindisfarne’s prior; Brother Coerl, and Brother Eadric. Aidan and Nona stood behind the monks.
He squinted at them, wondering if they were real. His fever hallucinations had diminished, but he had learned not to trust his judgement. But then Father Gaeth spoke, dispelling the dream-like nature of the vision. “Praise God and all his angels! ’Tis good to see you awake!” A wide smile creased the prior’s face, which faded as he peered more closely at Thomas. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m alive,” he managed, unable to find the energy to say more. If he could, he would have said that his mind was foggy from Nona’s potions, his leg was on fire, he was as weak
