314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2FyaW5wuD
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAS1btMiWk
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOWW2OflIw
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlUr0ivaFC
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGQFLtmeTC
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnYrZJBGPP
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVRoBrw3ve
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtoYb27B5Z
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXr065JR94
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PUut9pw63
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTan0og3jj
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wsZPhrUqD
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9qzmKwfDZ
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFcLRpLPqP
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwG7MCo61J
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QU1NbeP63
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6hluqrqff
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iimcIAdfT
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ8cLA4bmt
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ5GVHFAs2
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5fEFEM10e
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0qDJxGgSS
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFiTzUE6df
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ930sWO5kCj
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q0XEASpO4
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmxrGh7lif
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZEvjU1MLT
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡophcwnaahO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceX4JIgmI7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTnwb62MZl
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OAMLunm89
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi03vIBzxJ
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu38bGj3IX
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD5nnArRZb
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pG21gRgdU
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGMZ8aFNzt
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9jxh1ieoX
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd94Rm17XT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvInadGdhZ8
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhTQlJbELB
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4cs11tyLC
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgWc5LGScC
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeY87fdM5a
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlHyJfzo9J
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7aGJc3ePQ
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbtTfroVKo
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HaEfcWymq
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3ah1pkqdY
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrepqcgCA6
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEigdbZ41ay
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKijRtTrMmp
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJWcAh4GBG
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJJ6lhBFut
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy62GBgnuq
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtDffgjpoe
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1sRRNnKxg
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZqGVSo0xx
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR7PxZkyDS
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAcZmUQlj0
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZFtXpW3FX
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oW2UqkcbD
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3evF63W9BN
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxA2WQr5qz
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyZYYKyCC1
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLNyyfyku3
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkLtqMkq3x
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJouIZUiom
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLtddF5qCe
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltRyVFH0ZG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmanQwMKgm
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CHCJ085aQ
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfshC80WPB6
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu1zj3Wldp
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR4ThO0slo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9AgAOV9fj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEtle11sYC
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzXEmjwUhQ
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtokBj44KLS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJIZKm4cqG
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXnXVFWU0C
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu97ER5QFa5
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nfp6o0OLU
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ915YlyB1db
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY9wWan8Wg
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMQbExsXgT
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2jBEz2asD
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDydyqknsV
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV5UN1gzqr
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW070Skujs
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDp9lNbp26
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlKiprFXM1
we leave?"
"When you are ready."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1kJ9TWiiJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eVvlD1BPr
