313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuGrKGGuav
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjUUbNAdSI
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62HHnrfMIc
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1z8rBorqa
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZitmid1U
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWZ4eThXc5
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWoQsg35bt
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER4I3Jrhi5
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95cJ5vr1Ni
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI66XbNbI0s
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ptwxBItJc
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt4mznGsMi
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYxXxntWzg
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGENcHe1pYs
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMUCyWwn3E
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaOT4ggfbA
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqCT61dwWy
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckwuiBCSgQ
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJVe1ORAEg
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R8SkdiSwg
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmDLVijv1O
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM25rOWlFOX
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D1TVXNJ25
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 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6eDvuJMNi
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq8Uq4MElS
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wxDDA8Lhi
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmfutdxNZ8
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJNDCVvHb
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBKWvdB0sm
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 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpap8FJFJt
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKFy1V9UHA
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnms18dZxA8
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzY1gnjXlR
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCaZpoAi2I
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs0lY9aPJe
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW09sZIFvz
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag11dvgbpT
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PpFnlucsQ
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNe5SdwcuV
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojQPJ5XnBn
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oVlStfpLV
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh7YUFfGwc
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVir1S8MIa
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qec78qn0S
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtSemVxKGK
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8FXK9ZAup
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHid8FwKC4
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgiyvHkyzq
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofyt6uagxC
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRPGMCB8QY
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QOFrX9T3d
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXhka5LcE3
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8A9JW1RxO
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdO7x8ybjr
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO6tSNoDp1
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt4NSeAjf2
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0QPR4dWXg
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4nBg1vqA0
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonTmKayX0k
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzKcRSQoGa
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc2wG1GSA1
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgdEc8YBhU
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWNnQw3xXZ
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiRjciomos
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04EDGhB8mI
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5sZQX04KR
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQC4RIvmQJ
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CpJyyGYn7
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBaH31F26g
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMp1PFtbjP
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFic6gGSJi
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXMKXWrraO
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU00PdHIETK
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vL1YWeX1a
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRS9FIsNzz
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 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR6FQ4llV7
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT20aAXd42
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9zjW4vJiV
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 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiR5AWOO0v
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBsOUoYbrG
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW3ElPsAlt
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMaRuS7Dw7
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTkrutA8W7
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaG4mmDRtr
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BdrxIBQ6x
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVCCtFXXXr
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhmr4XBoCl
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvaG1VPdYo
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHHByiXtjx
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHYH9tlWkp
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT2vcYhBjL
we leave?"
"When you are ready."313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAdk7idxxv
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFuBSdud72
