Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tam nods sadly. "It is hard when prophecy overshadows ye.... but as someone wiser than I once said... living one's life knowing the end will come doesn't mean one shouldn't enjoy it... it just means being prepared. I will be there... as will my mate... and many of our friends, I suspect."

**Yuki says hi, btw... she wonders if you've looked in me trunk lately... seems she's put up a few more things.**

**LOL... those shoes are a hoot.... I keep telling her she should sell them online... she'd get a bundle**

"Better, I think. He actually acknowledged me as I brought him dinner. Didn't say much though. That is one sick kitty. I wonder who he picked it up from. Viruses that virile are highly contagious, true, but they don't walk around on their own. They need carriers. And until recently, he's been grounded. The only place he has been to is the temple and the falls... wait a minute... didn't Shar say she'd come and check yer stitches, dulcha.... she's not been here today and I think I now know why. Darn, I hope everything is alright up at the hill." mutters Tam with a touch of alarm.

Bez gives him a gentle squeeze. "If they have it up there, it will be running through the village in a matter of days. Stay here. No need to go running into a quarantine situation. You will help no one and they have plenty of people up there and in the village to help tend the sick. As you said, we don't want to expose Fortuny and the cubs to it."

I am more in mind to believe he caught it from Corby or Shar herself. Though he seems to be the only one ill, so Corby is the most likely culprit. If it was Shar, we'd probably all be ill, unless he picked it up while we were all on the hill and has been incubating it. In that case, Keep a close eye on each other and Salunia. Maybe if the three of you could do a quick cleansing on everyone here, we can avoid having anyone else come down with it." says Tam thoughtfully looking at Pyropian and the other gem children.

Tam nods his gratitude. "I cannot begin to thank you for your care." he murmurs softly. "I would feel absolutely awful if anything should happen to Hopian's family."

Bez looks thoughtful for a moment, then reaches over and snares Tam's small travel harp from the desk, handing it to him with a flourish. "It's time, I think for something a little less serious. We have guests, dear heart. Will you not sing for us?" he asks with a sly shy grin.

Tam takes the harp, tests it's tuning, then looks up with a small sweet smile. "I could sing the young ones a lullaby, but then I'd put ye all to sleep as you are all a touch tired as well. So how about I save that for last. ANy requests?" he asks getting comfortable in his seat.

Tam laughs. "I did not write that song, but sometimes I feel as though it was written about us.... very well... Sun and Shadow it is." and he begins to tell the time worn tale.

What has touched me reaching deep?
Piercing my ensorcelled sleep
Darkling lady do you weep?
What is the cause of your grieving

Why do tears of balm and bane
Bathe my heart in bitter rain
What is this longing? Why this pain?
What is this spell you are weaving

Sunlight singer, morning's peer
How I long for what I fear
Not by my will are you hear
How I wish I could free you

Gladly in your arms I'd lie
But I dare not come you nigh
For if you touch me I shall die
If I were wise I would flee you

Shadow dancer, dark and fair
Lady that I love too well
Won't you free me from the spell
That you have cast around me

Star-eyed maid beyond compare
Mists of twilight in your hair
Why must you be so sweet and fair
How is it that you have bound me

In your eyes your soul lies bare
Hope is mingled with despair
Sun-moon lover do I dare
Trust my heart till keeping

Sunrise means that I must flee
Moonrise steels your soul from me
Nothing behind us but agony
Nothing before us but weeping

Sun and Shadow, dark and light
Child of day and child of night
Who can set our tale aright?
Is there no future but sorrow...

Will some power hear our plea
Take the curse from you and me
Grant is peace or set is free
Dare we to hope for tomorrow?
Is there no future but sorrow?

Following that he sings a love song, one that he's obviously written himself as it speaks of a storm crowned lover.

**Mercedes Lackey is one of me favorite authors**

Tam sees this and sings a few more ending with one so sappy, it even has Pyropian cringing by the time he gets to the end. Bez is rolling his eyes and laughing silently at the cub's discomfort.