She stopped, listening for any tell tale signs of a rousing patient but there was none. Satisfied, the healer moved on to the next room, its door slightly ajar.

With silent steps, Zia curiously peeked inside to see why the occupant of the room, a lady well into her age, was still awake this time of the night. An old man, her husband, was sitting on the side of her bed. He was caressing her wrinkled forehead. He said something and she laughed softly in response, burrowing closer to him.

At that, something unusual happened.

The healer, Zia Castell, smiled.