Death of Saint Aidan
Saint Aidan, the revered missionary and bishop, lies dying in the humble Lindisfarne Priory. His followers, including Brother Cuthbert and Abbot Eata, gather around him in solemn vigil, their hearts h
Setting
Lindisfarne Priory, a simple stone church with a thatched roof on the windswept Holy Island. The interior is humble, with rough-hewn wooden beams and a packed dirt floor. The dying saint leans against the cold wall near the altar, his breathing labored in the dim light.
Characters
Saint Aidan
primary
An elderly man in his late 60s, gaunt from illness and fasting, with a wispy white beard and deeply lined face that speaks of a life of hardship and devotion. His sunken eyes still retain a piercing quality, reflecting his undimmed spiritual insight. His hands are calloused from years of manual labor and prayer.
Brother Cuthbert
primary
A young monk in his mid-20s, slender but strong from years of manual labor. His fair skin is flushed with emotion, and his light brown hair is cropped short in the monastic tonsure. His blue eyes shimmer with unshed tears. He clutches a simple wooden cross, his fingers white with tension.
Abbot Eata
secondary
A middle-aged man of solid build, his face lined with years of spiritual leadership and the harsh Northumbrian climate. His hooded eyes bear the weight of responsibility, and his hands, though worn from labor, are steady in prayer.
Monk Healer
secondary
An elderly monk with a deeply lined face, his white hair thinning and wispy around his tonsure. His hands are gnarled from years of herb gathering and preparation, yet move with practiced precision. His pale blue eyes are watery with age but sharp with focus.
Novice
background
A young boy of about 14 years, slight in build with fair skin flushed red from weeping. His close-cropped brown hair shows recent tonsure marks, and his large blue eyes are swollen from tears. His hands are rough from novice labor but still retain some youthful softness.
Dialog
Saint Aidan
The shepherd must leave his flock... but the Light remains.
Brother Cuthbert
God's mercy, father... must you go ere matins?
Saint Aidan
As the tide obeys the moon... so must I obey.
Brother Cuthbert
The rule... the rule says a monk shouldn't weep, but...
Saint Aidan
Even Christ wept at Lazarus... Let the salt water sanctify.
Brother Cuthbert
Guid father... who'll tend the sheep when the wolf comes?
Saint Aidan
The same Shepherd who... guided me to this rock.