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While the siblings were busy tending their Draks, learning how to command and take commands from others, and doing that sort of hard work, Istvan had but to sit by and watch.

He did that for all of four days. Whether it was because he hadn't Paired, or because he was just bored without a Drak, Istvan stopped sitting in on the lessons.

It took a few days for Rey and Alex to notice, and their Draks noticed first. Especially Rey's Gwaelyn, who commented, "why iss the sstorm so angry? He lovess you but he cannot tell you that."

Worried, but too busy to really do anything about that situation, and told by their Trainers that it was common enough among unPaired aspirants, Alex and Rey watched Istvan go.

It wasn't as though he just up and vanished, however. Istvan busied himself well by seeking out the infirmary staff, or the builders or technicians. He would put in time working to repair broken arms or sew gashes in skin back togther. He helped out lifting in the sections of the Castle that needed fixing. Istvan wandered through Mi'ihen without making much noise but certainly impressing a lot of people with his skills and his flexibility.

But he wouldn't come near the Deep Caverns again.

Gwaelyn asserted his personality strongly when Alexander and his Drak Khymelyn suggested they ought to start dragging Istvan into the heat of things again.

"I do not think that iss much of a good idea right now," Gwaelyn announced. "He iss not happy, even now. I have grown up enough to know that he will not accept your offerss."

"Well I hardly think that it's right to just ignore him," Reynate said. It was Alexander's Drak Khymelyn again, who argued.

"He is in need of friends, and you are his best friends. Let us go find him. He is not nearby." The Drak tossed his head. He was an adolescent, the pair of humans were merely Squires at this point still, but they could still fly short distances - and that was what Khymelyn insisted Istvan required.

"I think that asking our Trainers would be a good idea, though," added Alexander. Before we go jaunting around the countryside.

"I'll go," Reynate said, and because Alexander knew better than to stop her, she bolted away out of their shared quarters and into the High Prince's.

It wasn't long before she convinced him to allow them out. There was no current threat of Nex outside, so he made her promise that they would not try to use a portal to do anything. Reynate assured him that they would do no such thing - they hadn't been properly trained, and Gwaelyn reminded her mentally that he would not try working the portal power until he was grown and used to flying.

Alexander had outfitted Khy with his riding gear. He helped out with Gwaelyn's until Rey got back, and they took off outside. There were patrols flying overhead, and the Draks got bits of information from them about the whereabouts of the missing third of this group.

"He iss there, running," Gwaelyn said, "He sseemss to do that a lot."

"He always had... He's a runner, not a fighter." Rey told her pair.

"Even though he fights like a banshee," Alexander commented, overhearing this through his Drak. "He's always loved running. I wonder if he's ever thought of just being a currier around here."

"But that iss our job!" said Khymelyn with distress. Alex calmed him with a laugh.

"I mean on the ground, silly."

"I knew that!"

***

They located Istvan as he sprinted along the rocky grounds near Mi'ihen's local shore. He remained at a wary distance from the waves, but ran deftly over the stones and around trees. Whether he did so because he was angry and needed to work off his emotion, or because he was bored and wanted exersize was only something that could be answered by asking.

Not that he'd be willing to talk.

They hazarded landing near where he would run, the pair of impressive young Draks using their humming wings expertly already. Istvan slowed up, and stopped when he reached them. It didn't even look like he'd broken a sweat.

"How long have you been out here?" Alexander asked.

"About an hour," Istvan said. He was panting a little, that was all. "Did you need something?" He glanced up at the pair on their Draks. Alexander dropped to the ground after loosening his riding straps.

"We just wanted to see you. We hardly see you any more." The young man said.

"Well, you have to look after your Draks, you are Squires after all." Istvan said. There was precious little emotion in his voice. "You are quite busy."

"And so are you!" Reynate said, cheerily. She slid down along the furry neck of her Drak and walked toward Istvan with a smile on her face. She sought his eyes, but he wouldn't meet hers.

"Well, now you have found me." Istvan said.

You see how angry he is, Gwaelyn mentally spoke to Reynate.

Privately, with a spare glance toward the big gold and red fledgeling, Rey told him, I see how lonely he is. That is all.

The drak huffed, but said nothing more. Rey hesitated, but then approached Istvan. "Would you like to come see how we're going to change out our old riding gear for the new ones?" She indicated the leather and metal stirrups.

Istvan let out a breath, perhaps having hoped they were on some other quest regarding him. "I would rather-"

"You know you'll be needing to know this stuff when you Pair, Istvan," Alex said, abruptly. "And we'll be there to assist. You know we will."

"Yes, because you've always been there for me." Istvan said. The anguish from when they found him was still strong. But now it was punctuated by a jealousy and sharp anger.

"We didn't know!" Alex shouted. "We've been over this, Istvan, it wasn't our fault we couldn't-"

"Alex, hush," Rey said, flatly and with no doubt that her "peacekeeper" attitude was going to shine. "Istvan, I know that in your mind you know our words ring true. But your heart is the part I'm concerned about most. And there is one thing that can fill it and not break it, like everything else in your life has."

"Pairing a Drak," Alexander whispered, knowing that Istvan heard him.

"You don't understand," Istvan said, sharp. "Julian ... did things that you wouldn't understand. To my mind and my body." He turned and stared with his black eyes. "Once I wanted to have a pet," he said softly, suddenly changing the tone of his whole bearing.

This disturbed the Fire drak immensely. He is a trickster, look at how he changes.

Hush! Rey demanded. "What happened?"

Istvan looked away, and said, "when I showed Julian the fairy drak egg - well, he demanded to see what I'd been hiding... - he sent me back for another treatment." He indicated his temples, "and even though I know that Draks and the little flitters are harmless to people. Beneficial even. But now, it's like..." He shook his head, "now it is like every time I even think about them, my head hurts, on fire. I get sick thinking about Pairing, Rey. I can't imagine how it'll feel. You keep telling me it's wonderful, but... Even standing there on the cavern sands waiting, I could feel their minds."

"But that's supposed to be a good thing, I thought," Alexander said, and his Drak echoed it.

"It might be, for you," Istvan explained. "But for me it's... torture. Every day. But then ... I'm used to that. I just get stronger, through all that pain. It is strength I don't want."

Rey and Alex were silent. The day had grown darker, and Rey quietly said, "we should be getting back. Come along, Istvan. The draklings won't need our attention all evening."

"What's cooking in the kitchens?" Istvan asked, "I am a bit hungry..."