22.Aug.12, 05:29 AM
It had already been a long morning for S'kef. He'd woken early and given Tyrrisath a much-needed bath and oiling. Washing the big dragon was a pain, but it was well worth it to keep his partner healthy and happy. Their bond had always been strong, in spite of decades of comments that they were odd or unsettling in their mutual silence. Those people just didn't understand, though. S'kef and Tyrrisath didn't talk much because they didn't need to.
S'kef still felt a lingering bit of guilt over how he'd treated Tyrrisath after Rilaleeyth's flight. Two months had passed, but the brief conflict between them served as a vivid reminder of just how important Tyrrisath was to the man. The flight led to an entire month of unmitigated self-destruction. S'kef had fallen back into his vices and made a real show of being confused and without purpose: drunk every night, always alone, and always belligerent. He'd avoided the weyrleaders, including Miss Jada.
After all, she was one of the only people who liked him. He didn't need to blow that, too. Though by now, she'd probably heard enough.
Tyrrisath landed heavily outside Jada's hut. His brown hide was glossy with a fresh oiling. He silently greeted Krypth as he dropped his neck, allowing his rider to dismount. S'kef was dressed in his freshest set of riding leathers and bore a bundle of papers under his arm. His hair was newly trimmed and he looked crisp and sober.
His month of excess had been followed by another month of a different kind of isolation. Only one person had held his attention during that time. His precious little savior deserved every moment of it. Since his reappearance on the public scene, however, S'kef had resolved to keep his head on straight.
After all, he and Jai still needed to rule the Weyr one day. That couldn't happen if he kept himself in a stupor, could it? Freshly motivated, he'd been able to reclaim his professionalism and focus. He'd spent a day or two smoothing over ruffled feathers. Today, he did something he didn't think he'd ever get to do again: run an errand for the Weyrleader. N'gelt had been otherwise disposed.
S'kef knocked on Jada's door. Under his arm was a bundle of documents, including the anticipated list of names.
"Good morning, Miss Jada."
S'kef still felt a lingering bit of guilt over how he'd treated Tyrrisath after Rilaleeyth's flight. Two months had passed, but the brief conflict between them served as a vivid reminder of just how important Tyrrisath was to the man. The flight led to an entire month of unmitigated self-destruction. S'kef had fallen back into his vices and made a real show of being confused and without purpose: drunk every night, always alone, and always belligerent. He'd avoided the weyrleaders, including Miss Jada.
After all, she was one of the only people who liked him. He didn't need to blow that, too. Though by now, she'd probably heard enough.
Tyrrisath landed heavily outside Jada's hut. His brown hide was glossy with a fresh oiling. He silently greeted Krypth as he dropped his neck, allowing his rider to dismount. S'kef was dressed in his freshest set of riding leathers and bore a bundle of papers under his arm. His hair was newly trimmed and he looked crisp and sober.
His month of excess had been followed by another month of a different kind of isolation. Only one person had held his attention during that time. His precious little savior deserved every moment of it. Since his reappearance on the public scene, however, S'kef had resolved to keep his head on straight.
After all, he and Jai still needed to rule the Weyr one day. That couldn't happen if he kept himself in a stupor, could it? Freshly motivated, he'd been able to reclaim his professionalism and focus. He'd spent a day or two smoothing over ruffled feathers. Today, he did something he didn't think he'd ever get to do again: run an errand for the Weyrleader. N'gelt had been otherwise disposed.
S'kef knocked on Jada's door. Under his arm was a bundle of documents, including the anticipated list of names.
"Good morning, Miss Jada."