A Friend to Dragons and Riders

Writers: Estelle, Steel
Date Posted: 24th October 2026

Characters: I'lek, I'zari, Gilbek
Description: I'lek introduces I’zari to a friend
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 3 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: Tr’vel

"I'zari! I was thinking about you all through that meeting." I'lek bounded over to the bluerider's chair as the rest of their wingmates dispersed, chatting amongst themselves. "I've had the most wonderful idea. There's someone I'd like you to meet! Are you free? Can you come with me?"

“I'm free.” I'zari responded, readily, finding his cane and rising to his feet. “... May I ask where we're going?”

}:If it is outside, I will be there.:{ Miokuth promised.

“Miokuth wants to be there, if it's accessible.” The bluerider repeated for I'lek's sake.

“He's outside,” I’lek explained as they made their way down towards the lower caverns, “or around the stables and the herdbeast pens, anyway, that's usually where he works. And you'll definitely want Miokuth there so you can see him. He's cute! But don't worry, I'm not matchmaking,” he added reassuringly. “That wouldn't work, because he's very happily weyrmated. To our Wingleader.”

“Noted.” I'zari said, after a moment. “I'm not-- I wouldn't try to take anyone's weyrmate.” He added hastily. “Miokuth's on standby.” They came to a space that seemed abruptly more open, and I'zari faltered. “... Right or left?”

"Right here, and it's all clear ahead up to the outer tunnel. Would you like me to take your arm? I can do that," I'lek offered hopefully, doing his best to sound as though he didn't have any ulterior motive at all.

“... Please.” I'zari responded, readily, and offered his arm. “I'm working on my memorization skills, of course, but a right one way is a left coming the other way, and, well…” he gave a sort of shrug, and fell silent for the next few paces.

“... How has your day gone?” I'zari asked, after said pause. He couldn’t see I'lek, but he could still encourage the greenrider's chatter.

"Wonderfully! I heard the most delicious piece of gossip in the baths this morning. Do you know J'vonil? He's in Lahar Wing," I'lek explained, regardless of whether I'zari had or not or indeed if he cared for gossip, "and he's holdbred, very reserved and proper. Anyway, this new greenrider transferred in from one of the Northern weyrs, and J'vonil's fallen for him like a wherry hit with a slingshot. So yesterday, after their wing meeting, the new guy goes back to his weyr and there's this vase on the table that's completely spilling over with flowers, and folded up next to it is a paper with a seal. But unfortunately, he has Remilla, Sesonnath's rider, with him, and she has _no_ respect for other people's privacy what - so - ever. She snatched it up and read it, and it turns out it's a _poem_, and by dinnertime their whole Wing knew the full story. But it must have been a good poem, because it seems the new rider thought it was cute, so it all turned out for the best. What do you think of that? Isn't it sweet?"

"No, I don't know J'vonil." I'zari responded readily enough. "Poor fellow, though, having his letter read like that." A faint smile of amusement quirked his lips. "It sounds like it ended well, at least. Good for them." He added. "It _is_ sweet, decidedly so. And at least J'vonil kept the flowers to a vase. Imagine a mess of flowers all over your weyr, with no warning."

The thought made his smile linger, and he shook his head in amusement once more. “Have you ever found mystery flowers?” He asked after a moment.

"No, never," I'lek replied, with a wistful sigh as he imagined what it must have been like to return to such a lovely surprise. "Nor a poem. But lots of people have done other kind things for me," he said, his voice brightening, "like Master Lorican, the smith, who made my new prosthetic, or Gil, Tr'vel's weyrmate, who - speaking of which, there he is. Gil! Gil!"

They'd emerged into the warmth outside and turned to walk in the direction of the stables and the beast pens. At I'lek's call, a man who'd been sweeping loose straw into a pile looked up from his work. He was tall and fair, with a spare build and a hint of stiffness in his movement, but when he recognized the greenrider he relaxed and his expression broke into a warm smile. "I'lek! How was your meeting? And - oh, good day," he added, more respectfully, to I'zari.

"Fine. Tr'vel's authoritative manner is improving," I'lek said, though the mischief in his voice suggested the Wingleader had not got them entirely under control. "I'd like to introduce my new wingmate, I'zari, rider of Miokuth."

"How do you do, Bluerider," Gil said. He'd understood at once why I'lek was guiding his friend, but it didn't show in the ease of his manner. "I'd offer a hand, but I've been working in the stables all morning, so..."

I'zari made a mental note to ask Tr'vel or someone else about flowers. Maybe. Perhaps something to pursue later, as a return for everything I'lek had already done for him.

He knew they'd reached outdoors when the breeze ruffled his hair and he felt the warmth on his shoulders, though he opted to stay quiet for the first part of the journey and focus on his navigation.

He brightened at the new voice, turned his head in Gil’s direction as they approached. “... Hello.” the bluerider greeted. “I'd introduce myself, but I believe I'lek just beat me to it.” He added with a touch of humour. “And it's all right. The offer is appreciated. Please, call me I'zari.”

A brief pause, and then his shoulders eased slightly as Miokuth made his descent and landed nearby.

“... That would be my Miokuth.” I'zari continued, and Miokuth moved a little bit closer, eyes whirling as he peered intently at Gil. }:This is the one who is with Eboroth’s?:{ he asked his rider, and stretched his neck forward to peer even more closely.

“... Miokuth. Give him some room, please.” I'zari said aloud, for Gil’s benefit. “... Apologies. He's showing me what you look like, but he needn't get that close.”

"It's all right." Gil kept still, looking up enthralled at Miokuth. "Eboroth does this too." At first, when he'd come to the Weyr, he'd found the sheer size of dragons disconcerting. Even the smallest blue or green could have knocked him over with a casual swipe of a claw, and he couldn't tell what they were thinking as their riders did. Soon, though, he'd come to see how careful they were around the small humans who tended to them, and learned to interpret their moods from the way they held themselves and the colors of their eyes. "I'm pleased to meet you, Miokuth."

He glanced at I'zari. "You can see what he does?"

“I can.” I'zari responded. “Or, rather, he can show me what he's looking at. It's made some things easier.” He added. “That doesn't mean he ought to crowd. Miokuth?”

Miokuth crooned, delighted, eyes whirling in faceted interest before he obeyed his rider and withdrew his neck. }:I like him.:{ the blue decided.

“He says he's pleased to meet you as well.” I'zari passed on.

I'lek had managed to contain himself during Miokuth's examination of Gil, but as soon as it was over he spoke again, fairly bouncing with excitement about his idea. "Gil doesn't just help with the herds. He's a trained guard, and he and Tr'vel and some of the others work out together. And also, he was married to a harper before he came here, and she was blind too, so he knows how to look after someone like that, and I thought..." His words tumbled out in his enthusiasm. "If you wanted to get back into exercising and maybe working towards joining wing drills, he could help!"

Gil looked a little startled, but not averse to the idea, and besides he was used to I'lek's sudden flights of inspiration. "Well, I’d be happy to help - if it's something you'd like to do, I'zari, and if Tr'vel hasn't already made arrangements...?"

“I, ah, I wouldn't mind at all.” I'zari responded. “I'd hate to impose, that's all. I'm… I don't want to _intrude_.” He continued, and turned his head toward Gil, offered a half apologetic smile. “I _would_ like to eventually be of use to my new Wing.” He added.

"I'm sure you will be, one way or another. Tr'vel will figure it out," Gil said, his confidence in his weyrmate evident in his warm tone. "As to exercising together, I'd enjoy that, it wouldn't be an imposition at all. Though I can't say I ever did drills with my ex-wife, seen through a dragon's eyes," he added with an amused glance at I'lek. "We could talk to the healers. They might have some suggestions."

"Good idea! And I can come and watch, and cheer you on," I'lek suggested, his innocent manner suggesting this had nothing at all to do with watching two men working out.

Miokuth shifted his weight, tailtip flicking as he reached out his neck again, nudged at his rider. I'zari's free hand came up and rubbed the blue's eye ridges in reassurance. **It's all right, Miokuth.** he soothed.

“The healers have been very patient and kind.” I'zari agreed. “Though Miokuth insists, and I agree, that he is better than a stick.”

"Of course he is." Gil smiled to see the affection between dragon and rider. "Miokuth, no one could possibly prefer a stick to you. I shall make that quite clear when I ask them about exercises. And we'll train out in the open, where you can see."

Miokuth crooned approval, and his rider’s expression stayed amused. “He says we approve.” I'zari relayed. “And I’m-- well. It's much easier to manage if I've Miokuth nearby and able to tell me what exactly is happening.” He added more quietly.

"Of course. We can start slowly, while you get used to it again," Gil suggested. "Stretches and slow exercises on the spot, and work from there. Perhaps Tr'vel will come along to begin with..."

"And me," I'lek reminded him.

"Careful, I'll make you join in," Gil teased. "I'll have you doing sit-ups and jogging around the Bowl."

The greenrider gave an exaggerated shudder. "No, thank you. I did enough of that as a weyrling."

“As long as you don't expect _me_ to go careening around the Weyrbowl.” I'zari quipped, amused. “Though… I wouldn't mind I'lek's company, when you’re available.” He added and turned his head toward said greenrider's voice.

I'lek's whole face lit up with delight, and though only Gil could see his expression, his happiness sang through his voice. "I'm always available, whenever you need me. Wingmates and friends are there for each other." His tone turned decidedly provocative. "But if you want to make me exercise, Gil, you'll have to catch me first."

"We'll see." Gil grinned. "I'll talk to Tr'vel later, and then we can arrange a time?"

“That sounds excellent. Thank you.” I'zari responded readily. “I'm afraid Miokuth is firmly against giving rides without me there, but I **do** have internal access to my weyr if you need to speak to me, or have other questions later, Gil.” He added, and Miokuth crept closer again, eyes whirling slowly. }:I like him.:{ the blue told Lirioth as well. }:He is being nice. And Yours is helping too.:{

}:My rider likes him too, and so does Eboroth’s. He is a friend to dragons.:{ Lirioth was watching from a distance, curled up on her ledge, but she could see the image of the man and sense I'lek's warm feelings about him. }:Particularly blues and greens. We are nearer his size.:{

"Thanks. I'll ask Eboroth or one of the others to check with Miokuth if I need to come by." Gil looked up at the blue with undisguised awe. No matter how much time he spent around dragons, he always felt an inner thrill at being close to them. "I'd better get back to the stables, but I'm looking forward to working with you."

**Go on**, I'zari encouraged Miokuth, sensing his dragon’s hesitant intent, and the blue eased forward, staying crouched low, to present Gil with an eye-ridge.

“He's requesting a pat, if you're not opposed.” I'zari told Gil. “... We won't keep you from your duties, of course. And… I look forward to it as well. Hopefully we'll meet again soon.”

}:He is going to help Mine.:{ Miokuth told Lirioth. }:I think we will like him too.:{

"Oh, I always have time to pet a dragon!" Gil said, with sudden enthusiasm. He reached out to brush his fingers along Miokuth's eye-ridge, then gently began to scratch in the way he knew Eboroth liked. "I wasn't sure if he'd mind. I'm honored, Miokuth."

Miokuth crooned softly, and I'zari allowed another faint half smile. “He enjoys attention.” the blind bluerider offered. “We'll let you get back to work, though.”

The blue gave Gil a gentle nudge, and then finally backed up.

"I hope I can give you another scratch soon." Gil said, raising a hand in farewell to the blue pair before he turned, a little reluctantly, and headed back to work.

"He's lovely, isn't he?" I'lek sighed. "And so fit and strong, considering how he was when he first came here. Tr'vel is lucky."

“Miokuth likes him.” I'zari offered. “That's a mark in favour for both of us. And he was polite.” He added. “I look forward to working with him. And… I meant what I said, about you joining us, I'lek.” He added after a brief moment. “Your company is… always welcome. Even if I have no idea where we're headed sometimes.”

"Oh, that's so sweet! I wouldn't miss joining you for the world." I'lek's voice was a sunny smile. He touched I'zari's shoulder gently and offered his arm. "We could be headed back to the dining cavern for a drink...if you like?"

“I… Yes.” I'zari responded readily. “I've nowhere important to be, after all.” And if he returned to his weyr Miokuth would only hover anxiously on the ledge, and then they'd both fret.

He used the shoulder touch to orient himself, and took I'lek's arm on the second try. “I wouldn't mind something to eat, either.” He added. “Maybe they'll have those sweetrolls.”

Last updated on the October 27th 2026

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A Friend to Dragons and Riders