Arrival
Leachim … Leachim …!
The physician heard his name as if from an immense distance. Who was calling to him with such desperation? He heard the voice again. Certainly a woman’s voice. This time much closer, so close …
‘Leachim!’
He threw back the bedclothes and realised that Aeryl had not yet returned from delivering twins. Was it she who needed his help? This time the sound was in their apartment and the voice was not Aeryl’s. His feet hit the floor and he was out through the bedroom door.
‘Irenya! In the name of Meia, what are you doing here? I thought … Who …? Ah!’ He swept up a towel that had been draped over the back of a chair and wrapped it firmly around the bleeding arm of a stranger.
‘Up, young man. Off the floor. Come, sit at the table.’ Leachim turned up the lumen lam
