Search Story of Istin Istin scanned the page in front of him, his dark blue eyes taking in every word, his brain storing it for future references. The entire table was actually covered in paper, either written on by others or by him. At the moment, he was twirling a feather pen between his long, thick fingers, though the inkpot lay forgotten by the side of the table. Istin growled deep in his throat as he pushed the books away carefully. Running a hand through his unmentionable brown hair, Istin’s stomach growled and he pushed away from the table, making his way out of the basement of the Caer and up to the kitchen. “Nelia, you look beautiful as ever.” He said softly, barely seeing her as he dove for the food. Tsking, she set a plate in front of him and shook her head, Jazlin, her fralamar, watching him through narrowed eyes. It was well known that Jazlin fancied Aarman and Corman for the two of them. Istin smiled at the wolf and started eating. “It’s the middle of the night, Istin. Why on earth aren’t you in bed?” Nelia asked as she bustled about the kitchen, making preparations for tomorrow’s breakfast and lunch. Istin didn’t envy her that job. “I suppose I lost track of time.” Istin said with a shrug, grinning at her again as he paused with a fork halfway to his mouth. “That happens down there, with no windows to show the time.” “I’m guessing that’s why you choose it in the first place, but really Istin. With all the work you do around here, you deserve a proper caerlet and office.” “I really don’t mind.” Istin said, leaving out the part that he liked his privacy. Down in the basement, no one bothered him, at all. If he had an office or a caerlet upstairs…well, he wouldn’t have to worry about a door for the amount people would be in and out of there. “Lily informed me that her niece was asking about you.” Nelia said with a smile, and Istin smiled and nodded, trying very hard not to wince, grimace or groan. Nelia eyed him sideways and grinned. “You really don’t think you deserve all the attention, do you? I think you keep forgetting you’re a good-looking young man. She’d make sure you didn’t forget.” “You tell her I’m unavailable at the moment.” Istin said with a half smile. Nelia chortled and started humming under her breath as Istin sat staring at his plate. The fork held in his hand looked small, and he held out the hand for inspection. Being six feet tall wasn’t bad, but when you were built like a blacksmith without wanting it, girls seemed to take notice. The fact that Istin did work out some seemed to get the girls even more interested, with the muscles in his arms and legs. “Don’t you go inflating your head or anything.” Nelia scolded, wrapping his knuckles with her spoon when he reached for more food. “Heavens, you should marry a cook.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Istin said dryly, smiling calmly as he rose and started out of the kitchen. “Thanks for the meal, Nelia. Wonderful, as ever.” “You take yourself straight to bed, young man.” Nelia said, waving the spoon around like a weapon. Grinning, Istin gave a short bow and walked carefully out of the room. Nelia, he could see, was standing watching him. Letting out a sigh of relief, Istin did take the turn that led up to his room, but passed his room by and kept going up. Caer Brynmor was nicely situated on a mountain to see leagues and leagues in any and every direction. As he reached the uppermost part, he slipped through an empty caerlet and sat on the hard stone surface, almost oblivious to the cool fall air nipping at his skin through his thick pants and tunic. Leaning his head back, Istin looked at the stars. He liked stars. He had truly found nothing on earth, as of yet, to compare with the simplistic beauty and astonishing power contained in those tiny spots of light in the sky. The two moons were behind him, casting eerie purple and red shadows all down the mountain and across the water, and Istin wished he could stay in that moment forever. But of course, sitting and watching the stars didn’t last forever and before long, the tiniest finger of light could be seen along the horizon. One by one, his stars seemed to wink out of sight, for the moment at least. Rising to his feet, Istin was surprised at how stiff he was, and how hungry. He’d sleep well that night, but at that second, he wasn’t the least bit tired. Stretching, Istin grunted when something soft hit him in the middle. “Lyrae.” He said with a tiny nod for the brown winged wolf belonging to the Caerlady. “Do I truly resemble a wall so much?” “Sorry Istin.” She said with a sheepish grin. “I was practicing my flying.” “And doing splendidly, by the looks of it.” He said with a tolerant grin. He was actually quite fond of the winged wolves, but for when they knocked into him when flying. “What does Kesava think?” “She doesn’t know, and please don’t tell her. I want it to be a surprise when my parents and Elbakis and Meotia come to visit.” “Did not Elbakis and Meotia just have a litter?” Istin asked. Lyrae, Nyral, Jazlin and Aarman kept him more than updated with the information at Marbethil, and Istin kept it all stored in his head. You never know when information might come in handy. “A while ago. One of the pups has already bonded, and the other four are looking.” Lyrae said matter-of-factly. “They’ll probably come along…” she started, but at the moment another brown cub flew through the air to tackle Lyrae. “Morning Nyral.” Istin said with a smile as the two cubs tussled, coming a little too close to the edge for Istin’s liking. “Morning, Istin!” She said happily, right before Lyrae attacked her from the side. “I’ll leave you two to this. Have a nice day.” “Bye Istin!” Both cubs said before going back to their wrestling. Istin shook his head and smiled, but as he walked down the halls he realized that the smile was going to be short-lived. “Istin, just the man I was looking for!” Someone called, and Istin smiled and nodded, but kept moving. “Istin, I wanted to talk to you about…” “Istin! Good morning. Had breakfast? No? I’ll join you…” “Oh good, it’s Istin. Can you…” “Istin.” A firm called above the clamor of the others. Letting out a sigh of relief, a little one, mind, Istin turned to look at the Caerlady. “Kesava.” He said with a tiny bow in her direction. Her lips tweaked up in the hint of a smile, and Istin quickly made his way to her. “Wonderful timing, as ever.” He said, kissing her cheek and offering an arm for her to take. She accepted and led him away without a look back at the others. “Have you seen Lyrae? I can’t find her anywhere.” She asked, and Istin coughed and covered a smile. “I did see her earlier. She and Nyral were…playing.” He said carefully, and Kesava shook her head and laughed. “I suppose she would be, wouldn’t she? And on the day her parent’s are coming. Which reminds me, I have to give her a brush. Oh dear.” She finished with a sigh, and Istin smiled. “What would you like help with?” He asked softly, and Kesava smiled at him. “I keep forgetting what a straight-forward person you are. Istin, do you think you’d be Caerlord for me?” She asked, pulling on his arm. “Kesava, you know you’re my dearest cousin, but not even I would cover that. You’ll have to find some unsuspecting sop. Sorry.” Istin said with a smile, and Kesava punched his arm before giving a tiny huff and opening the door to her office. It was neat and tidy, probably owing to the fact she was almost never there, and Istin smiled and sat in a chair without waiting for her gesture. She then threw herself in another chair and picked up a folder with a few sheets of paper. Tossing them to him, he deftly caught it and opened it, glancing at the contents before raising an eyebrow. “It’s the cost of herd animals for the past…while. I think they’re ripping us off, but I don’t want to ask anyone else to figure it out, and I certainly don’t have time. I know you could deal with them, Istin. You know you could too. You’re a wonderful bargainer.” “And you know I don’t have time. Kesava, I’m already running half the Caer.” Istin said softly, and she sighed and rubbed her temples. “I know, I know! It’s just, without a Caerlord…” “Why don’t you get yourself one?” He asked softly, and Kesava chuckled and shook her head. “It’s not that easy. I have to wait for Abirith to fly.” “Announce her flight.” Istin said with a tiny shrug. A plan was starting to form in his mind. “You can give small jobs to those who sign up on the grounds of wanting to see how they work..” “She hasn’t shown any interest in flying.” Kesava said, very softly, and Istin looked out the window at the radiant silver. “Perhaps because her rider doesn’t wish her too? Or because no males of any interest are allowed near her?” Istin offered softly, and Kesava stiffened in her chair. “You presume…” “I know.” He said firmly, and Kesava deflated. “Let some males near her, and she’ll fly within the month. You can see how pent-up she is! Let her fly.” He said softly, and Kesava sighed again and closed her eyes. Abirith’s head shot up and she crooned, warbled, and bellowed. I thank you, Istin. Abirith said softly in his mind, and he smiled and nodded in the dragonesses direction. “I suppose you’re right. And we do need a Caerlord.” “More than you know.” Istin said softly, and Kesava smiled and shook her head. “Whatever you’re planning, I don’t like it. You’re too soothing and calm to just disappear on me. But we do need someone to take care of you, make sure you eat and sleep…” “I think that’s enough for today.” Istin said, standing up abruptly and smiling down at his cousin. “I suppose it is.” Kesava said with a warm smile, hugging Istin as she walked him to the door. “Thank you.” “Anytime.” Istin said with a tiny grin, kissing her cheek again as he stood in the door. “I just wish I’d tried it sooner.” “Out.” She said firmly, pushing him, which was something like pushing on a wall, and laughing when he pretended to go stumbling away. “I’ll see you later.” He called over his shoulder, then pointed down the hall to a flying brown fur ball. “And there’s your wolf.” “Lyrae!” He could hear her admonish, and he shook his head. She was in for some serious bathing and brushing. Avoiding people was fairly easy in mid-day, with everyone being up and about, and Istin quickly found his way back to the kitchen. “How did you do it?” Nelia asked him as soon as he stepped into the room. “How did you make her decide to finally let that poor thing fly?” “I talked her into seeing the sense of it.” Istin said with a shrug. “Would you mind fixing me a plate? I have work to do.” “You always have work to do.” Nelia said with a frown, and Jazlin snorted from her spot curled up on her rug. Her belly was getting large with pups, and he couldn’t wait to see them. He was sure they would be beautiful. “Please, Nelia?” He said with a dazzling smile. She tsked again, she seemed to like doing that, and had a plate done up in minutes. “If you’d smile like that more often, you’d have quite the number of girls after you. Such a level-headed man is hard to find.” She said, more loudly than necessary and with a glare at the room she and Corman shared. “Oh, hello Istin.” The healer said as he stuck his head around the corner. “I see Nelia is scolding you on something or other.” “Or both.” Aarman said as he curled up beside Jazlin. Corman grinned and shook his head before disappearing and Nelia threw her hands into the air and started muttering under her breath. Istin ate as fast as he dared, and would have made a dash for his room in the basement had not Kesava appeared and grabbed him again. “There have got to be twenty wolves out there!” She said in a shrill voice, keeping a death grip on his arm. “And ten people have already approached me about Abirith. Ten people!” “So you have a lot less work, and more time to spend dealing with the wolves.” Istin said, carefully pulling his wrist away and smiling at Kesava. She sighed and he could see her relax. “You shouldn’t be allowed to do that.” “It’s a gift.” He said, ignoring the gruff edge in her voice. Allowing her to enter the flat first, he could see Nyral and Lyrae had already gone to see their parent’s, and were being dressed down for something or other. Elbakis and Meotia were standing near the back of the pack, with two cubs. “I thought they had four still to bond.” He muttered, and Kesava caught it and turned her head in the same direction. “One of the males and one of the females are trying out some bonds. Leaving Makis and Baomis.” “Both handsome little fellows.” Istin said, and it was true. They also looked like trouble makers. “I need to talk with Segarra and Alynn, so I was wondering if you could show the others around, whether to where they can rest or play or whatever. Please, Istin? I’ll make it up to you.” Kesava pleaded, and Istin could almost see the tension appearing in her face again. “You just relax and see to them, and I’ll take care of everything else.” He said softly, and Kesava smiled and started to relax. A few other people were milling around to finalize the details of the pack starting, and he gently touched Avlock’s shoulder and pulled her back. “Nyral looks lovely.” He said, and Avlock eyed him and crossed her arms. “What do you want, Istin?” She asked patiently and Istin smiled and kissed her cheek. “A woman after my own heart.” He said, and she shook her head. “I want you to keep an eye on Kesava.” “I always do.” Avlock said, suddenly serious. She looked at the woman just older than her and sighed. “She’s so young to be Caerlady.” “She’s managing just fine, but she’s making herself too tense. I hope Abirith decides to fly sooner rather than later.” “So you talked her into that?” Avlock asked, all smiles. “About time. And Misyth tells me it will be much sooner than any of us think.” “Good.” Istin said with a nod, looking up at the three dragons descending on the Caer. “Are we expecting visitors?” “Not that I know of. Oh no, look at Kesava. Not at all!” “I’ll keep them busy as long as I can. You make sure she gets this pack thing finalized.” “Yes sir!” Avlock said with a salute, and Istin watched her walk over and quickly calm down the frantic Kesava. She looked at him and smiled, then held her hands out and shrugged. He shrugged as well, thinking it would be another late night, and turned to the wolves that had made their way to him. “If you’ll give me a moment.” He said with a smile, and they all agreed and sat down to wait. Except for the two cubs, who followed on his heels. “Watcha’ doing?” One asked, and Istin looked at him in surprise. “Lay off, Baomis. He’s not for you.” The other, Makis, said with a growl. “And he’s for you?” Baomis asked with a snarl. Makis, surprisingly, seeing he was smaller, bristled and stepped between Baomis and Istin. “What if he is?” Baomis immediately backed off, even stopping for a minute before catching up and having a quick tussle with Makis. Istin just smiled and let them, speaking only once they were done and waiting. “I’m greeting some unexpected visitors.” He explained calmly, and Makis nodded and flipped back his wings. “I’ll help.” “Me too.” Baomis chimed in, even though Makis glared at him. “All right, but you let me talk first.” Istin agreed, waiting to the side as the dragons landed and the three riders hopped off. Istin was instantly wary, as he didn’t recognize their patches. “Afternoon. Welcome to Caer Brynmor.” He said slowly, eyeing the three riders up and down. The two males smiled and nodded, while the woman eyed him up and down. “Istin.” One of them said, and Istin blinked in surprise. They seemed taken aback that that was the extent of his reaction. “Can I offer you drinks and food?” Istin asked, angry with himself that his voice sounded...suspicious. The three looked at each other, and the woman smiled and nodded her head. “That would be lovely, if you would care to join us.” Again, Istin blinked. Then he cleared his throat and gestured to the wolves behind him. “I’m afraid I have other guests to entertain, though I’m sure the Caerlady will join you as soon as possible.” “We’re not too worried about the Caerlady.” The woman said quietly, and Istin started at how…odd that word sounded coming from her. “You mean those two cubs?” One of the men asked, and Istin frowned over the accent. He then turned to see only Baomis and Makis. “They wanted to speak with Jazlin and Aarman. Said they could keep them better occupied than any two-legs.” Makis said with a grin, sitting at Istin’s feet and looking at the three strangers. “Then of course I’ll join you. If you’ll just follow me. Oh, and I didn’t catch where you were from.” “Not around here.” The woman said after looking at the two men very carefully. “Caerlady Kesava knows our, Weyrwoman, and that’s one of the reasons we came without warning. They have some sort of deal worked out, I believe.” “Concerning what?” Istin asked, genuinely interested that Kesava would have made deals with people off-planet. “The exchanging of bonders.” One of the men put in, and Istin almost stopped walking. “New blood sort of thing.” Istin said carefully, and the men nodded. The woman was too busy looking around. “He yours?” She suddenly asked, pointing to the cub dashing around Istin’s feet. Truly, he was weaving in and out of his feet, and around and over… “No.” Istin said with a sad smile. “He’s just visiting.” “I see.” She said, and Istin had a feeling she wanted to say something more, but couldn’t. “Here, have a seat. Nelia, maybe some refreshments?” Istin asked, but one of the man waved the thought aside. “No need for that, we won’t be long.” The woman was suddenly glaring daggers, and Istin thought that it might be a good time to leave. But the men glared her down and the first continued. “As we said, we came in hopes of finding a bonder. Truly, you make the search more interesting and more confusing, Istin.” ”Really?” Istin asked calmly, sitting down at the table and waiting for them to sit or continue. They did both. “Aye.” The second man said with a grin. “We, all three, were informed that a man standing on the flat was the perfect candidate, should have been snatched up years ago, but then, why wasn’t he?” “Why wasn’t he what?” Istin asked quietly. He’d been the only man on the flat. “Bond years ago.” The woman said softly, and Istin dropped his eyes and shook his head sadly. “He wanted to, truly, he did.” Istin said softly, not believing he was telling anyone this. He himself had tried so hard to forget. “He stood for three clutches, right after one another. The last clutch he stood at, there was one egg left. It didn’t hatch with all the others, and when it finally did, it was too weak to live for long. You know what happened? The dragon bonded the boy anyway, and died two days later. It broke the boy’s heart, and he decided he didn’t want to go through that again.” “Understandable, but either the man he’s become chooses to…or a dragon will choose for him.” The woman said softly. “Istin,” “You should go.” Kesava said from the door, her arms wrapped around her middle as a tear fell from the corner of her eye. “We’ll make it without you, Istin. At least, until you get back.” “I didn’t say I was going anywhere. I have too much to do here, and too many things to see too.” Istin said, his calm shell cracking. Until a soft, wet nose poked his hand. “I’ll come with you.” Makis said softly, and Istin dropped to his knees to wrap the cub in a hug. “I won’t drag you into this.” Istin said, patting the cub on the head. “But thanks. And I’m afraid…” Istin, Abirith said loudly in his head, and he could feel Misyth and a couple others listening. Either you go with them or I will take you. “Abirith,” he growled, taking a step towards the door and realizing all the riders whose dragons were listening were standing there, waiting for his decision. “You can’t push me into doing this.” “There are three clutches, plus a couple dragons, and more on the way.” The woman said softly, tilting her head and smiling. “I really don’t think that you’ll be waiting for the clutches, however.” Not quite understanding, Istin made himself calm down and sat, clenching his fists in his lap. “When do we leave?” “Now!” Makis said with a growl, leaping into Istin’s lap and looking up at him, daring him to try and push him off his lap. “And when do I get back?” Istin is a bonder at Ryslen Makis is from Lantir-Setia