The nurse lifted a brow and the air of Mother's Watchful Eye did not abate. He had not stepped in to stop the horse from being near, but neither did he approve and every stiff line in his body said so. 

“Provided he does not have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia, he will waken in anywhere before an hour at which time you are welcome to take him home.” He opened his mouth as if to say something regarding paperwork or something equally officious, when another voice broke through the room. 

“You brought us another and we are an animal hospital now I've heard.” 

She was older, with enough crow's feet around her eyes to make her seem perpetually smiling, her wide, generous mouth turned up at the corners. Her hand went to Zahi's shoulder and the nurse did as most nurses do, and dissipated. 

“A shower? For an animal. In a hospital?” Her laugh was small and contained, as if she did not dare let it out over something she no doubt be very upset about. “But, may I say, a very beautiful one, your new friend? A berber, she looks like, though not quite. Perhaps she's more of Turkish -” she paused and then looked down at the washed out face of the dark skinned man on the bed. Her hand reached to touch his cheek and she gave a sigh.”He is not Turk, one need only see his eyes to know. So she's not Turkish, but from Arabia. Nevertheless, she is beautiful.” 

Leaving the man in the bed, the doctor nodded toward a chair nearest and beckoned to it. “You must tell me, because the children are telling tales and I have to make report, but want to know what to put in, what not to.” Her delicate brows raised and she leaned in to look at him. “Then I and your friend will look over him while you get a bath in. You smell, young man.”