‘Hold his feet!’ Nertha cried out to Vredech as she began to use her weight to reduce the man’s spasms.
Yan-Elter moved to the man’s head. ‘He’s been like this all the time. And crying too,’ he said. Then, to the sick man, ‘Iryn, it’s me. You’re safe now. You’re back. Everything will be all right.’
But the man’s agitation only increased, as did his cries, and for a little while all three were fully occupied in restraining him. Suddenly he began to gasp for breath. Nertha sat up and sniffed, then, her jaw stiffening, she gave him a mighty slap across the face. The man’s eyes flew wide open.
‘You’re all right now, Iryn,’ Nertha smiled into them winningly. ‘You’re safe here. Rest back.’ Then, to Vredech, with a poke of her elbow that gave the command an urgency which she kept out of her vo
