236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk6WV7QbhY
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMej1KEtI3I
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nSiXs18hb
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEQzSfZnu4
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQDNRj8OG3
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4g476dTr9
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe9II4TZZh
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA2C4n4hyM
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaBjutPhuz
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2egsFcieE
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o3uFZzbQF
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8yCYKtEC
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn1MzA5z2J
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fHz86vfCI
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa29o2WkxCx
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0XQDpt7uq
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NK82PuqWh
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNLfpkvtn
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2X8UKhv2x
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZeUSArM47
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaslYwGvWP
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ZJkQDGJ2
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCbVFJVC5z
of herbs from the garden.
"Tea?" she inquired to her guest.
The lord gently shook his head, "It is time Elsie."
She frowned. Elsie grew up with the little fellow. A hatchling 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcoYS5ecmX
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStyWqeyBUC
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzLa0vnVgf
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVVR62m19n
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKGraHuvM
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE37qx2hCJ
tea. Head lowered, his eyes looked upward to observe her.
"I will need it?"
"Yes. The council and I have decided the only person whom is 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcICkJq0V6A
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEmIeFYC0m
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsh8AzuZ7v
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C9azG2WZO
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsg9tzt06b
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKfsRhrP33
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Xx6Q25Rg
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PK0kf2S3c
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEI050TqZa
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYQ2uCWP8F
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X6vyxeqO3
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaKF6paNmL
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvhpcB4GA5
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgUpWQck4y
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6AoYKrP6f
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zw3WQGehv
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9rhfRFxib
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93qYfVsvq6
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmksiQMwzCo
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9qImEV8Sc
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9OIKJ6dRN
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RzL2FteFM
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYeFI91p8X
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixVQd0Nhjh
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTkKp2zeTN
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl2R4xhVpy
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWQeFNM2ue
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEQk086rbX
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXjiEMUvvW
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjOmpbq4Zx
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CJOk6l91h
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh7SrjlrE9
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKuL92IUqY
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VrV52uNiu
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnIp1Eh5Pw
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEsInRHjpN
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RcAZKGXfJ
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlEULQXLXU
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J5H2a9qUc
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGdWFjZqss
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAQ3urh3kD
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r1ocV3ygi
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3kgzfvYTW
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm23pIUFsXz
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsptVdnVWdo
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWOf2XaBwO
fly in formation when in military discipline."
"Much like our airships," Elsie commented.
"The same. According to one report, there was a senior dragon and 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2rm4ykx8q
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwfRkblFSh
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhddbKc6zK
dragon was a scarred Obsidian named Rhylag."
"You know their names?!" Elsie looked for her journal.
"We know some. These are difficult to get. After the Boundary was 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ9WDUFYC5
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRayeRE90Br
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqaoshSjOe
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeSUBY4X55
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaVTkM4xte
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DxRDaV2D8
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pKRsGchdG
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAWh3Wr4f6
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6NsOVejaa
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwEw1xzdEc
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimYPcephnQ
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK6SY5ytxP
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Cv78w4vD
we leave?"
"When you are ready."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdHHTWEKS4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0DxqDb786
