Ilrenn stood up and stretched, then helping Juliae, his girlfriend, to her feet. “So where is this place you’re taking my today Ilrenn?” She asked him as she put a misplaced strand of hair back into its place.

He shrugged and said, “It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like the view though.”

She smiled and placed his firelizard, who was currently on her shoulder, back on his. “Oh really? How long does it take to get to this special place?”

Again he shrugged and said, “Well I’m afraid it isn’t a walk through the woods but I think the walk is definitely worth it.”

Juliae smiled and looked towards the sky. “It’s already mid-day so we’d better get going right?” He nodded in response and led her off towards his secret spot.

They walked in silence for quite some time and then Juliae stopped, taking off her sandals and rubbing her feet. “You need to rest?” Ilrenn asked as she sat down in the grass.

She nodded and said, “Yeah, only for a little bit though. Are we almost there?”

He smiled and sat down next to her. “We’re about a third of the way there. It will be easy walking until about the last quarter. It will be uphill most of the way then.”

She frowned and asked, “Uphill? Where exactly are you taking me, the mountain range?” His face broke into his usual half-smile and she sighed. “I should have guessed. Oh well, let’s get going again then.”

Again they walked in silence, Ilrenn concentrating on keeping his ever-inquisitive firelizard on his shoulder was well as not getting himself lost. He’d been to his rocky overlook enough to know the way but it was usually during the day that he went. By the time they reached to base of the mountain it would be somewhat dark, and they would have trouble finding the right way up the slope. He rubbed his chin, hoping they wouldn’t run into any trouble on the way. The last thing they needed was a group of bandits to jump them. Remi would try to ward them off, but he doubted she would be much luck if there were more than three.

“Ilrenn would you sharding listen to me?” Juliae cried out.

Ilrenn shook his head, clearing it, and then turned to face her. “I’m sorry I was thinking. What did you say?”

She sighed and said, “I said, I needed another rest about three minutes ago but you ignored me. Can we stop?”

He nodded and gestured for her to sit. As she rubbed her feet again Remi’s head shot up and looked further down the path, the way they had come. Juliae opened her mouth to say something but Ilrenn put his hand up, silencing her. She crossed her arms angrily and opened her mouth again to speak. This time Remi turned on her and hissed, turning to face the path again. After a moment Remi hopped from her owner’s shoulder and tugged on his shirt a little. He frowned and whispered, “Come on, stay low and be quiet.” Juliae did as he said and followed him as he crawled towards the edge of the woods.

When they reached the trees Ilrenn picked up Remi and pointed to the tree. She flew up into the branches and took watch as Ilrenn and Juliae walked farther into the woods.

Ilrenn sat down in a fairly thick patch of foliage and Juliae followed his example. “What’s the matter?” She asked when she had sat down.

He frowned and looked out towards the path and then up to his firelizard, who was flicking her tail as she watched the strangers approach. “I was thinking about bandits when you were trying to get my attention. I’m not sure if these people are bandits but it’s better safe then sorry right?”

She nodded and said, “How are we supposed to know if they’re bandits or not?”

Ilrenn looked down towards the path again and said, “Remi will fly out to the path when they are close enough and we’ll wait for her reaction. If they’re bandits they should try to catch her, considering her color. If they’re not, they should leave her alone. If they try to catch her she cry out and fly for the tree again.”

Juliae nodded and looked up at Remi, who had shifted towards the end of the branch. “I think they’re getting closer,” she said.

Ilrenn looked at Remi and whistled softly. The firelizard looked back at him and warbled before flying off the branch. “Now we wait,” he said.

Remi landed on the path and started to preen herself, watching the approaching strangers closely. One of them pointed to her and they hurried towards her. She took a step back when they got a few feet away and hissed loudly. One of the four people laughed and said, “I wonder who this one is with. I don’t think that a firelizard this tame would be far from its owner. I bet it belongs to a bandit.” One of the others nodded and said, “Yeah I bet you’re right. Let’s get out of here.” They walked off quickly and Remi took to the air, flying to the spot where Ilrenn and Juliae were still hiding.

When he saw her coming he sat up and she landed on his shoulder, warbling softly and gesturing towards the path again. He nodded and said, “Ok Juliae, let’s get going again.”

Juliae took his arm and shook her head. “I think I’ve had enough of this Ilrenn. I’d love to go with you during the day, but I’m a little freaked out right about now. I don’t think I could handle going much further after that scare.”

He frowned and rubbed his eyebrow. He had never noticed how much things got to her but she was right, it would be a lot easier reaching the overlook when it was light out. He nodded and said, “Ok Juliae, let’s go back. I’m sure it will be about time to eat by the time we get back anyway.”

When they reached the Hold Ilrenn walked Juliae back to her home and kissed her saying after, “I’ll come by tomorrow morning and we’ll do something ok?”

She nodded and opened the door saying, “Ok that’s fine.” When she had closed the door again he headed towards the courtyard, seeing if there would be anyone left to serve him some food. They had gotten back a little later then he thought they would and he was starving.

He reached the courtyard and headed right for the hall. Before he could get there however, a voice called out to him and he stopped, turning around and trying to find whoever was calling him. A young man waved to him and Ilrenn walked towards him. When they reached each other the man put his hand out and said, “I’m W’ryn, rider of blue Sylth. We’re from Dawnsisters Weyr, on search actually.”

Ilrenn raised an eyebrow and said, “On search? Umm, the barracks are down that way if you’re looking for likely candidates.”

W’ryn laughed and said, “I stopped you because Sylth thinks that you are a likely candidate.”

Ilrenn smiled and said, “Really? He thinks I would be a good choice?”

The bluerider nodded and said, “Yep. He’s pretty good when it comes to finding good candidates. Would you be willing to come back with us to the Weyr? There’s a queen’s clutch on the sands right now and I think you’d have a good chance and Impressing.”

Ilrenn rubbed his eyebrow, as he usually did when deep in thought and then finally said, “I can’t.”

W’ryn jumped a little and demanded, “Why not?”

Ilrenn smiled slightly and said, “I’ve got a girlfriend here and I couldn’t leave her.”

W’ryn sighed and said, “I was afraid you were betrothed or something like that. We can deal with this though. Ask he to come with you and your problem is solved.”

Ilrenn shook his head and said, “No it would only be starting. She likes to be the center of attention and she’s not too fond of dragons in the first place. No, no I can’t go.”

W’ryn shook his head and said, “No you have to go. I’ve searched you and so now it is your duty, your responsibility to come with me and Impress at Dawnsisters Weyr.”

Ilrenn blinked and asked, “You’d force me to go with you?”

W’ryn shrugged and said, “I wouldn’t want to, but if I had to yes.”

Ilrenn shook his head and said, “Well I guess I’ll just send Remi with a note when I’m situated in the Weyr. I have a feeling she’ll get over me fairly quickly anyway.”

W’ryn smiled reassuringly and said, “I know you don’t believe that but you can always come back and visit. You know they always say that a long distance relationship is harder to keep going but if you can keep it going, it strengthens ties.”

Ilrenn nodded and then smiled, looking up at W’ryn. “Ok, let’s go.”