“I’m trying, you old sot! Nathaniel Adamus, for Jhalabre’s sake, wake up!” Someone slapped me on the face. Hard. My eyes snapped open, heart racing, primal fear threatening to overwhelm my mind. My throat hurt like it’d been scalded with fire, so I knew I’d been screaming. From Victor’s irritated voice, I’d probably been very loud. I gradually took in my surroundings as the fear faded. As she helped me up, I eyed her strangely. Two shows of kindness I’d never seen from her. Odd. “Are you alright?” she asked awkwardly. Aelia cast a quick eye over me, hesitated, and then left my tent. **** |}