Andrius' patient begrudgingly returned to his place on the bed, leaned on the headboard with the likeness of a log that drifted off to the river. Oliver, I heard his name was, began to turn pale. I could understand the fear he was feeling, getting your energy flow treated wasn't really a painless procedure.
Andrius walked to his side, and the patient instantly stiffened. Karina was on high alert, ready to scold the healer should he treat Oliver harshly again. I could feel as if they'd gone over this many times, magnetic fields of opposing forces.
Itching to resolve the matter, I went up beside Oliver, and placed a hand atop his forearm. Gentleness wasn't my expertise, but I was willing to try. Andrius' fellow healer, Circe, had told me that Oliver had been affected by blood-wielding for more than five minutes, one of the most severe cases they've handled. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been for him.
"Breathe," I said to him.
