Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tam watches as he works, knowing that this too is important. Life from death. It is the way of the world. He turns to the gar and nods to Kero. "He's grown today... more than he had need to do. Still, I believe it to be a good lesson. He's never had to kill something defending another yet. It is a far cry from hunting."

The gar nods and swims out to where the lion is hard at work. What they say to one another, Tam does not know, but Kero is peaceful when he returns.

"Ye going to be okay?" asks Tam moving to his side, glowing slightly warming the cat up with his presence, eying him worriedly.

Tam wills his sword into existence and shows it to Kero with a heavy sigh. "This too is a part of me, dear one... a part of my creation for love guards, love builds... and sadly... love kills. The weapons ye bear are yers to wield as ye will, but remember this, each killing will place a mark on yer soul... those done to protect and save will blaze like the sun, those done in hatred and malice will foment like open sores. Never kill in anger... never kill in hate... and if there is any other path open to ye... take it... for death cannot always be undone."

He kneels by the cub and embraces him, dispersing the sword and holding him close. "Promise me this... please?"

Tam picks him up, despite his complaints, carries him back to camp. A good thing too for halfway there the brunt of what Kero has done sinks in and the drain on him physically due the magics he has wielded take their toll. Tam carries him to the fire and places him down, looking up at Hopian. "Where's Salunia... get her back here quick. That snake may not have been the only one... a female it was... and iffin it has a nest nearby.

Tam gives her a gentle shake and sets her down by Kero. "What did I say about talking dangerous things over with an adult first, young lady?" he demands testily. Then he looks hard at her. "Princess, where is Puss?"

Tam looks at Kero and tells him to sit on Salunia. Willing his sword back he runs off in the direction Hope went, fading from view as he does so.
Hope... wait fer me...."

"Kero is sitting on her. Listen, ye shouldn't go off like that alone... yeah, I know ye do it all the time, but what kind of impression does it give yer daughter, hmmm. She sees ye d it all the time... why should she go fer help, catch my drift?" says Tam dispersing his sword. "and now... with another one coming along, that gives her even more reason not to do so... Mommy and Daddy are too busy... they don't care about me..."

Tam sighs. "I never said ye didn't... only that thought is sure to cross her mind at some point... don't know of any kid who it hasn't."

Tam laughs wryly. "Yer asking me.. I'm no parent. Just a good substitute. I'd say the best thing is to be there for her no matter what... It sounds trite, I know... but so many times as adults we tend to overlook what really is important in their minds... like what was she trying to go after those snakes in the first place, hmmm? Rather than blow up... maybe ye should do a little digging... iffin ye know what I mean... and... what the heck... Puss, what are ye doing out here?" demands Tam in surprise as a tiny grey form drifts into view.

The cat walks up to the snake and hisses at it angrily, then looks up at Hopian and nods before sitting down to clean it's paws.