Zel's breathing became almost ragged as he struggled to hold on to the healing spell. At last, he had no more energy to do so and released it. It looked as if all of Larea's energy had been sucked away. By the rapid movement of her eyes Zel guessed she could no longer focus on what she was seeing.<span style="font-style: italic">That's no good,</span>Zel thought as he reached over and gently closed her eyes. "There's nothing more I can do," Zel said. "Let's take her back to the village now," he said, pulling himself back to his feet. "Ahmaht, you go ahead of us. Sigrun and I will be there shortly."