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He smiles, despite himself and nods. "Would you like to go say hello? I'm sure he'd like to see you? I'm waiting for someone right now. I've a head ache that needs tending to plus a few scratches which need cleaning. I'd do it myself, but they are a bit out of reach."

Tam thanks her for attempting to set him straight and invites her to stop by anytime she wants. "Kero is going to be laid up for far longer than he thinks. And Shar's already told me he is chafing at the bit."

And not a moment too soon as the great double doors of the temple proper open and the acolytes begin streaming out. Like all young people they are eager to get to their chores, so they can eat as well. They are followed in turn by the townspeople and some of the priests, but the one he is looking for doesn't appear until the temple is fairly empty. Deep in though, with her hands tucked up into her sleeve, she walks slowly pass him, without noticing him standing there.

"Dawnmistress..." begins Tam in a quiet voice and her head comes up with a start.

"Dear heavens, you startle me, Master Talesian, she starts to say.

Tam sighs. "Call me Ai, it is my true name after all." says Tam with a tweisted pained grin.

She looks at him and a bulb goes on in her head. "Ai it is then, she says with a knowing smile. What can I do for you Ai?"

"I'm afraid I've been injured... twice in one day and although neither is life threatening, I would ask of you to help me." He steps out of the shadows and she sees the matted fur on his chest.

"Morning Ray... what happened!" she cries with a little gasp.

Tam sighs sadly. "I would have waited in the clinic, but I didn't want Kero to see it. He had a nightmare and thought I was someone out to hurt him. They are not deep but I had just returned from a day afield and had not yet bathed. I would to have them cleaned, if at all possible. I think they've stopped bleeding for now anyway. So you may be forced to soak them clean."

She nods thoughtfull. "You mentioned another injury," she prompts gently.

He boes his head with a flinch, to show her the lump on the back of his head.

"You are fortunate that didn't crack your skull." she says with a shake of the head. "What happened?"

"You might say I scared the living veegeebies out of someone who was someplace he shouldn't have been... and he brained me one. Came damn near to knocking me out, too." Tam shudders. "Don't tell Kero that part... he knows I got clobbered, but he doesn't realize how close I came to being a rug on someone's floor. Anyway, I would like something to dull the pain, if I may."

She nods and motions for him to follow her to the courtyard, where she cleans his fur, so his injuries are less noticable. "Meet me in my office and I'll do a proper job. I'm going to have my dinner sent there. Shall I order something for you?"

Tam starts to shake his head and stops with a frown. "No... I doubt I could keep it down, though some hot tea might not be amiss."

As he had promised, Mica returns to eat dinner with him. In his hands is a large well stacked tray.

"Kerobian, what luck. Someone donated half a cow to the temples stores, so the cook has made us a venerable feast. You do like your steaks rather rare, do you not?"

Mica grins from ear to ear. "Very well. I prefer my a bet more cooked than that but i've brought you several quite rare ones and a large roast for Master Talesian. Where has he gone?"

Tam enters frm Shar's office and walks gingerly over to the bed. Climbing onto Kero's bed he eyes the tray with surprise. "Mica did you carry all that from the kitchen by yourself?"

The elderly priest chuckles and shakes his head. "Used a cart, but it's too large to bring into the room. "Kero, let' eat at the table over here. That way we'll keep the bed clean. Master Talesian, I've brought you something as well.

But Tam merely shakes his head, very very slowly. "Later perhaps, once I stop seeing double and my stomach settles in place. This head of mine just doesn't want to settle down."

Tam smiles and nuzzles his cheek. "Shar has mixed me up something that should reduce the swelling as well and let me sleep, little one. But she warned me not to mix my remedies, so maybe later. If you do not mind, I think I'll just curl up here and close my eyes for a bit. May I?"