When esteemed scholar and scribe Artt visits the monastery at Cluain Mhic Nóis, a young monk named Trian is in awe. He has heard many stories about Artt's travels, studies, and work to convert people across the continent to Christianity. Therefore, when Artt reveals that he has had a vision of leaving Cluain Mhic Nóis with Trian and another monk named Cormac, Trian accepts the call to action. He and Cormac are both surprised by the nature of Artt's vision, yet agree to leave their home, find an island, and establish a new monastic community. The monks want to please God, no matter what it might require them to sacrifice.
Over the course of the following week, Trian, Cormac, and Artt travel out into the unknown in a small boat. Throughout their travels, Cormac repeatedly asks Artt about the island's location. Artt, however, has no idea where the island is or even exactly what it looks like. Cormac begins to worry that although Artt is his spiritual leader, his vision is just a fairy tale.
When the men approach two large peaks in the distance, they rejoice. Artt insists that the larger of the islands is the one God has given to them. Even though they struggle to find water on the island, Artt is insistent that this is the place from his dream.
On their first day on the island, each of the men occupies himself differently. Artt wanders the land, claiming it as his own. He is convinced that the island belongs to him and that he therefore has authority over it. Meanwhile, Cormac worries about finding food and water for himself and his companions. He makes plans to build a cistern and plant a garden. While Cormac busies himself with these practical matters, Trian gallivants around the island, delighting in the beauty of the natural world.
When Artt insists that the men must build an altar, a cross, a chapel, and a desk for copying the Biblical manuscripts before they build a shelter, Cormac and Trian are worried. They are particularly afraid that they will have nowhere to hide from the elements and nowhere to store their dwindling provisions. Artt is insistent that God will provide for them. He also constantly reminds the men that they must obey him, as obedience is a sign of faith.
As the summer ends and fall approaches, the men's circumstances become increasingly dire. They have no more wood for the fire. The birds are flying south, leaving them without a ready source of food and fuel. The garden is withering and they have not stored anything for the winter. Although Cormac has repeatedly asked Artt to travel elsewhere to trade for more provisions, Artt has forbade the men to leave the island. The more dictatorial Artt becomes, the more convinced Trian and Cormac become that they will not survive.
Then one night, while Cormac is nursing Trian back to health after he vomits from eating shellfish, he discovers that Trian is a hermaphrodite. When he reveals his discovery to Artt to keep him from punishing Trian for doodling on a parchment, Artt is appalled and banishes Trian. Tired of Artt's tyrannical behavior, Cormac releases himself from his vows and departs the island with Trian.
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