[Animayhem]

He awoke the next day in the Sojourn, prepared to ride back to Tyraturos, when an odd feeling of worry came over him. He decided to head back to Daeris's home.
He opened the door and entered and found Alyisse, sitting in her usual place. He greeted her in Elven and smiled warmly at her. His smiled faded as she looked up, her hands hidden.

A look of great concern came over his features. Softly and in Elven he asked her to stand and show him her hands. She greeted him , stood and showed him her hands. He frowned as he saw them. The wrappings were shredded, her knuckles bruised and bleeding. He spoke to her again softly, warmly and not in an admonishing tone her damaged hands in his. Referring to her by the nickname he had given her before she was collared.

" Silverhair, what happened?"

She looked up at him, her emerald eyes wet with tears not shed, she responded softly and also in Elven,

" I have been practicing fighting using my fists on the dummies. I have nothing but my hands now. I wrapped them in the only thing I had, the worn blanket Master left me."

He listened to her frowning slightly. " Did you not get my letter about the blades?"

She nodded meekly. " Please come with me then, we should tend to them."

They headed towards the kitchen and he asked her to hold her hands under the cool water of the fountain. As she did, he gently unwrapped each hand, discarding the bloody strips on the floor. He then asked her to totally submerge them in the water allowing him time to get out some clean cloths. Taking one hand at a time he gently cleaned them and after he had soaked them once more, he carefully patted them dry. He then applied a ointment then bandaged them carefully. Her fingers were exposed but protected by the balm. Before he let them drop gently to her sides, he carefully lifted them to his lips and kissed them softly, causing her to blush slightly.

They proceeded to sit by the fireplace. She looked a bit better and in less pain and was a bit fatigued, she laid her head on his shoulder and related her feeling and fears about her future. He tried his best to reassure her and asked as a favor and not a command, that she continue to practice with the blades he had found for her as her hands wielding them was her best and most import asset aside from her skills with locks and traps. She nodded slowly her head still on his shoulder.

He was glad she seemed calmer, he too felt at peace for a bit. He knew their time together would be short. He vowed he would stand by her as a friend, keeping his true feelings submerged. He wondered if she had similar thoughts but being the gentleman he was he did not ask nor would he as it could prove more painful situation then it was.

It was getting late and both of them had to leave. Since she was unarmed, he offered and she accepted his escorting her to Max's home. He stayed until she closed the door and headed back to the Sojourn. There were not many days left and other matters needed to be attended to.