314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIqutqSKq5
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMLRkJuTQO
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVi8ZFawa1
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV3zsECwMm
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa3Wn6oBAl
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC44ZzwA1M7
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfwCf90YW4
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9txgpMO0R
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85aA2XJuA9
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZUxq2TudF
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ZuTHglEN
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYWRHGgJ2q
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPnX8cgNsH
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAVPRfJZTX
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs7q90maKP
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKL021v2PF
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn8bPWSFNp
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxSSxCdCGp
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ9hEXwCn4
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIN4MvV1B0
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8sHe64MXj
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacDvqdk4sD
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqNwNHeDcp
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 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2PemX7k9g
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn1lSk0avK
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKAmQOLuy
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVen8pGnwH
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Moa2S2joz
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITachccugE
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 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEEF6Dxo9n
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBv6GDnr2K
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroub1ciCIt
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zcpozi1Vb
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXIIlWjI1S
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktmIcTQHWk
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6srF9iAp5
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkZd7I4MCJ
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5azCwB6Bj
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4Y1r5XsMh
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16q0Y9IBfL
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc8T4pbQF1
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0hX8EffQc
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdCLZMXVnj
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr9LS67nKd
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG5X7YXmjx
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUkgK20H7m
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu24NROFqO
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHQuxfAG2y
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjgyjRLgVl
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvvqvUNwCD
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCEnHDbDSA
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lICFOdt8t
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiEanTTaon
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoWgptF8wk
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfZTpIWuZy
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpY4IzlhtL
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO1csn46Hv
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj79bumysn2
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTsCWeSfcu
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H3pK8j5FJ
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjruvbHq6J
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtVf9A8iLW
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7G4oMsZzD
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt58f5YMLFY
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv4kWrHukT
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiF9hWlNF9
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqSfGMHrJj
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa65P4Ed2mL
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYksZK3qrMC
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAXHLs28aO
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCRwy6a33q
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TxtysU03j
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWjQwxaQpl
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQiZtrTncb
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8tefWZXJg
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 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeScg6iXkGi
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljXnx25D4L
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBHZcUk2jE
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 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP43MRMdPU
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrUZOO6Z14
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h2N4evYwF
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaIv2MXdRV
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhm7B3wQpg
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yUhs66qSM
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCQUWeCDTG
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkxnrtvWgf
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN0nhmBuQn
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXdPlEDRi
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWhqA88txD
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8Bkqr5op
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7ZMDE9nOE
we leave?"
"When you are ready."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavVDKFDyal
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEVW5Ma2V0
