255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIZ5aKVIhk
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24zatNV0GI
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlyCPsc5j4
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO04VFhigLR
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYPvxG39uc
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQM1Jngu8b
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNKKdetkO
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wIaFVrLku
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D2c4WhXrZ
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw7OOcutFr
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bJ5dAN3Ep
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtBzLm94H3
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBQpufV9y7
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7LZoQjt9J
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpKAF1OhBH
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL335lMxCTm
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35JgxXLdIV
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIRJrlfNyY
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBTQJbZZOK
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zdDKptipT
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGQYqt8zLQ
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQPY2XI0j8
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRu130kwVM
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 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoOJtEzk55
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbzKgQO5U1
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghQguFoR3u
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHRmxOvaW
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJmyXrHYzf
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rmDwQFyx4
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 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2XYpSU86w
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhU2GCiEeV
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQlVG999OX
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTWicHnM2c
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hb5HQOusJ
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4ZP7SvKZc
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPg0bcyzHw
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHPB8E1Vhd
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG7knvKnNU
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVLs0MSg0z
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLemeMO6c3
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F29FGyXmS
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttziMZzYUB
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmWRg8lfOd
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3Hhkf5m4y
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofQZQvsWOl
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGiPaNTHLC
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8LEEZ2U0I
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkV4jZX7Om
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlFKuo9nqA
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVgOphiGIl
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57O8x03wiv
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAhhQkg12Q
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP0RebNI2b
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBQ5LdaQ2u
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWyP7bqtCd
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvyckVqNyq
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgHsTxRtYq
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y3ruEfomM
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYQnEn9B6j
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4MJUFTt8I
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGddSsoRwS
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpSANoi7Se
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UpckIOSyG
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HR2jcKBtT
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYy9b6I1QG
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHLT4ayo58
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBQXacVOtJ
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfeGdTtBaF
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdasSOu6Za
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtZmUuT8fs
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypXeIPuWIL
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72smo2hmEi
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY5HwqWQ8U
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvOMFoGnP1
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNPxXio5n4
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 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0M7nQmpoG
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfc6Xw4Gjt
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZejX99FMc
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 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuezQhLpXD
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiHco0Jq7c
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGnVEFBqXY
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOIQqdOg1m
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SkpEClxOM
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtIunyrujd
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAzcyHzsLK
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w0AXiODav
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1D5DUyARy
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSfjUlTUPE
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqD5zaan0i
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2x8JKyIKo
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqGS8SGbfz
we leave?"
"When you are ready."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnFHeQT8Yr
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtaPbVGHNh
