"Who is this man? His name, what is his name?" asked the novice, her lips trembling.
"His name? I don't know," Adoni lied. "Just take care of him. Here's a first-aid kit. Use it until we bring a doctor." Adoni hurried into the darkness.
***
The only source of light in the large room was an oil-burning lamp in front of an icon of St. Nikolas. On the other side, a wooden cross hung on the bare wall. The uneven stone floor held several white hospital beds in dire need of paint. They had been donated by a hospital in Athens, and were now used when an overflow of pilgrims visited the monastery.
Alone, Nikolas lay moaning with pain, his patron saint watching over him. The sweet smell of incense was soothing to the senses. It had already reached the tall ceiling and swirled around, as though trying to escape higher toward heaven.