Dragoners "Back off," he muttered, placing a folder of papers on his new desk and glaring at Makis, who glared back, his brown fur ruffling dangerously as he flared his snow white wings. "Don't make me bite you." Makis growled, his tail held stiffly behind him. "You were so good until we got back here, finally relaxing a bit..." "Oh, get off it." Istin said roughly, running a hand through his lengthening curly brown hair and closing his dark blue eyes for a moment to rein in his increasingly sensitive temper. "You need to listen to us, Istin. We didn't bond you to be ignored." The wolf warned, and Istin looked up with narrowed eyes to watch the wolf stalk out of the room, wings flared and eyes locked with Istin's. "Stubborn wolf." He whispered, dropping into his chair and stretching out his legs. "But it's good to be back," he added with a sigh, glad to feel Ilybikyfth sleeping. When the two of them joined force to get Istin to do something.....well, they usually got their way. And Istin was not about to give this time. He didn't care how attractive the female was, he wasn't willing to give up work, yet again, to go on some love trip. A knock on his door made him stiffen, but it was only Kesava who slipped in, looking as radiant as ever. Since she had announced her pregnancy, she had been walking about the Caer in a state of bliss, and no one had the heart to try and pop her bubble by reminding her there was work to be done, so for the most part, she simply floated about, giving everyone a quick respite from the boring, everyday normal. "Gorgeous," he said in greeting, rising to give her a kiss on the cheek. She accepted it, then smiled and shook her head. "Do you know what Kl'ivor would say if he saw that?" "I can only imagine." Istin said wryly, really not caring. The two had been in a state of semi-war since Istin's arrival back at the Caer. Kl'ivor, it turned out, hadn't been warned that Istin and Kesava were....close. And he didn't like it. But Istin, even for the Caerlord, was not about to change. "Are you sure you and Ilkbikyfth don't want a position in one of the fleets?" Kesava asked again, dropping into a chair and blowing her black hair out of her face, studying him with piercing green eyes. "I'm sure." He said calmly, steepling his fingers and grinning wickedly at the Caerlady. "We prefer to come and go as we please." "Yes, I know," she said softly, rising and laughing. "Makis looked rather upset. What did you do this time?" "Who says it was me?" Istin asked, affronted and pleased. So she didn't miss as much as everyone said. "No, I don't." She said, and Istin started. "Abirith." She said by explanation, and Istin looked into her green eyes again, realizing her joy was merely another mask for her to do a different kind of a work behind. "I didn't do anything." Istin replied, piling some papers and smiling sweetly. "Ilybikyfth wants a holiday, and I don't." "The holiday wouldn't include a female, would it?" Kesava asked, with an innocent tilt to her head. Istin winced and the Caerlady laughed again, placing a hand on his arm and pulling him closer. "I won't tell if you...disappear for a few days." She said softly, and Istin laughed and hugged her before shooing her out of the room. Sinking back into the chair, and looking at the papers that were slowly starting to pile up again, he grimaced distastefully and rose from the seat, striding angrily back his room and throwing together a bag. "This had better be good," he said, poking the slumbering beast Ilybikyfth with his foot to awaken him. One large eye opened a slit, assessed his mood, and the three were gone within the hour. ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Sitting atop a high cliff, the bronze Ilybikyfth made an impressive sight, even Istin had to agree. And the bronze had chosen well in his ladies, he thought, glancing towards both the golden Arosambyth and her rider, Jhetarya. Is she not radiant? Ilybikyfth asked excitedly, and Istin had to agree that, with her snapping blue eyes and thick black hair, she was indeed pretty in a strong sort of way. Radiant might be pushing it, but she was most certainly well worth the vacation he had been reluctant to take, and, he thought wryly, worth much more if she wanted. I was speaking of Arosambyth. The bronze snapped, and Istin looked at the gold with a critical eye. She was indeed radiant, both figuratively and literally. She was starting to glow, as one did with an upcoming flight, and he decided he should probably introduce himself to Jhetarya before the flight actually took place. He just couldn't bring himself to. It looks as though she is ready for a long slight, Ily. Think you can keep up? Istin teased, and the bronze puffed up, spread his wings, and bugled loudly out over the Weyr of his birth. Ryslen. It was, Istin reluctantly admitted, good to be back. And nice. If only he could bring himself to talk to her! I hear she has a temper to match yours. Ilybikyfth said simply, though his eyes glowed. Istin snorted and ran a hand through his hair, wishing he was slightly more sure of his surroundings with his six-foot frame and wide shoulders. "You could offer her something for that cough." Makis suggested, sitting down and wrapping his tail around his feet, looking up at Istin as he straightened a few of the white feathers in his wings. "Something from Corman..." "Brilliant." Istin said with a sly smile. A way to introduce himself, and a way to let everyone know what an amazing healer they had over at Brynmor. Grabbing a small jar from his bags, he made his way casually through the Weyr, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells. He would offer it to her, and if she was interested, talk to her. If not, he could quietly make his escape and stay out of her way until the flight. Most likely, if she didn't like him, Ilybikyfth wouldn't win anyway, but the bronze had a good chance should she show some interest. Knocking hesitantly on her door and clearing his throat, Istin crossed his fingers behind his back and hoped, above all else, that she would at least give him a chance. Istin bonded at Ryslen Makis is from Lantir-Setia