I can’t help but cringe as the needle moves closer to Marzban’s eye. My eyes start to water in empathy, and I’m glad both men are concentrating too hard on the task to notice my horrified expression.

Just before the needle touches, Marzban jumps.

“It’s imperative you hold still,” says Jesmin. “Otherwise, I could damage your eye.”

The second try is no better. Jesmin looks at me. “Zivah, can you hold his head?”

The thought puts my hair on end, but I do my best to look confident as I approach the chair. I’ve never thought myself squeamish. I deal with the sick all the time, but this is different. Marzban grabs the chair nervously as I come closer. Jesmin shows me how to brace my arms around his head to keep him from turning. Marzban’s forehead is cold and damp.

“Try again,” says Jesmin. He raises the needle. Marzban tenses under my grip.

“Wait,” I say.

Jesmin stops.

I step back from the chair. “I have some herbs that might help.”

Jesmin’s face sharpens with interest. “What kind of herbs?”

“It depends. Do you need him awake? Something for pain? Can he be asleep?”

“He needs to be awake to tell me what he sees. But I need him calm.”

I think through my remedies. “I have some smoke bundles that dampen pain and render a patient pliable.” I turn to Marzban. “You’ll still be awake. You’ll be able to speak to us, but you’ll be in a trance, and you won’t feel as nervous.”

Jesmin mulls this over. “Do you use this often on your patients?”

“We offer it to women in childbirth, and patients with bones that need setting. It doesn’t seem to cause any other harm.”

Jesmin nods. “I’m curious to see this, if Marzban agrees.”

The old man nods, and I fetch two bundles from my store. They’re dry and ready to burn, but there’s the question of where to burn it. The smoke is very strong. I’ve built up some tolerance to it, but I certainly don’t want Jesmin to suffer its effects if he’s going to be wielding that needle. I take Marzban into the supply room, where I light the bags and lay them at his feet. Sweet smoke drifts up. Marzban leans forward to inhale, and I wave my hand.

“There’s no need. It’s very potent.”

After a while, I start to feel light-headed, though the effects are much more pronounced on Marzban. His pupils dilate, and his entire body relaxes, quite unlike before. I smother the flames and take him by the elbow.

“Come. It is time.”

He rises placidly at my urging, and I guide him back to the room where Jesmin waits. The physician looks with interest as I settle the old man back in his chair.

Jesmin approaches cautiously. “How do you feel?”