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Tam's face falls. "Kero, are you truly that unhappy here. I'm sure she meant well, she was probably worried about you... but if you feel that strongly about it that you had to run away... and really don't want to be with me anymore.... I... I... I guess I can turn you over to Hope. He's a better guardian than I am anyway... I'm sure you never would have run away from home with him... He dissolves the spell holding the cub in place and tells him to go to bed, that they'll talk about it in the morning. When Kero tries to say something, Tam firmly waves him into silence. "I said go to bed. I... I need to be alone right now..." and he goes outside, not wanting the lion to see him weep.

Tam is standing looking down at the ground, his back to him. "Kero, you don't have to try and make me feel better. Really, I kind of understand. Just go to bed, okay. We'll work it out in the morning. Please.... just go away right now...." His voice sounds suspiciously thick.

Tam turns around with a start, his face pale and wet. "Murdered" Kero... what are you talking about. No one in the village has been murdered."

"Crystal?" echoes Tam in confusion. "crystal... who's Chrys..... wait.... Christal! Like Corby and Crystal? How would you know about that? Kero, what have you been with holding from me?" demands Tam angrily, his face dark and savage.

Now Tam is truly angry, not only at Kerobian but also at anyone who would have harmed a student of his. First things first though, he pins Kero with glare that sends chills down his spine. Never has he seen him this irate.

"Oh, I see... you go through warp and suddenly you are an omnipotent being, capable of making such decisions on your own with no concern for anyone they may affect. No thought as to how any of us would have felt had you never returned back to us. Kero, you are not a god... you are not even truly immortal... damn lucky, careful, knowledgeable and crafty... and you will someday have some rather impressive powers to enforce that agelessness you wear like a robe of authority... as if age alone gives you the right to do as you will... but you don't have them right now, and you may never live long enough to get reacquainted with them at this rate. Not only that you took off, I bet, without talking it over with Corby as well. I cannot see him sending a child to do a man's work. It just doesn't suit his nature and trust me, Kerobian... to him, you have always been a child. He's never known you otherwise. He has no idea as to who and what you will someday return to being. Do you know how old he is? He's pushing a hundred... yeah he doesn't look it... and probably doesn't behave like it either, knowing him, but How long as he known you... thirteen... fourteen years at the most... a child in his books... a very young child.

"So there you went, to where, heaven only knows... countries away, no doubt... to do what? track down a murder that happened some time ago by all appearances. He wouldn't be here at the temple if it wasn't." Tam growls low in his throat. "I'm not saying I'm not concerned. The very thought that someone chose to do such a thing makes my blood boil... but you not trusting us enough to do the right thing... darting off on a whim... and yes, Kerobian, it was a whim... you made a decision and without any thought simply darted off will ye nil ye with no thought of the consequences. That Kerobian makes my blood boil too. And to think on top of that you chose to insult the one person in that location who had any concern for you by threatening them with foul play... what in heaven's name makes you any different from whoever or whatever killed Chrys? Do you simply believe that because you think it is right, that because you can... you do? I can do a myriad of things... wipe out entire villages without breaking a sweat... shall I go do it... simply because I believe them evil... Who made you the All father's judge and jury? You will get your chance at them... trust me... mayhaps even sooner than you think... after this, I'm not so sure I should continue as your guardian. Go to your room... and this time I'm serious.... deadly serious. I need to go talk to some people to see just how much trouble you are really in." With this Tam disappears. He doesn't fade, he simply blinks out completely, leaving no trace for Kero to follow, even had he wanted to.

Kero growls to himself. He cannot believe that no one is listening to him. Didn't they care what had happened to their friend? Dodn't they want justice?

"Uncwel Tam... why are ye shouting..." comes a frightened voice from the kitchen doorway.

Kero turns to see a trembling tan colored lion cub hovering just inside. She sees him and darts to his side. "Kewo!Kewo! You back. Mommy... Daddy... Uncwel Tam... They all thought you got hurwt reeaalll baaaadddd."

"Don't be an idiot..." comes a sarcastic sending, followed by a small gray bombshell landing on his head. "I don't know who is more full of it... you are him..." says the cat hopping off and landing on the slates at his side. "Really, brat.... I thought ye were an empath... are ye truly so dense that ye can see how upset he was that ye went off into danger alone...though I do admit he sure does run off the mouth when he get worried... doesn't always watch what he says... neither do you when one gets right down to it."

**not on yer head, silly... reread the post**

The cat cocks his head and looks down at the ground. "Hmmm... fifteen feet at the most. Ye'll probably live, sad to say... and give him more reason to fuss over ye... cause yer most likely gonna break something... now iffin ye really want to do yerself in, I know a really nice mountain top.. "

But when Kero stands up as if to follow him. Bez sighs in frustration. "Damn it, cat... cut it out...Do ye really believe I'd take ye there. Grow up will ye... what the hell's wrong with ye anyway? Why is it no one can tell ye the truth without ye getting a bee in yer bonnet... as said absent bard would say...."