276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINkYB9m5BN
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyaYVFZuis
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz3TDdbmkG
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlesNl4O8s6
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA1kPoE97t
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWfo7PabGA
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpQ3ujNRNp
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVLYFLxTtd
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHGfriGf8I
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXc7wHHWTQ
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcpnqeuz6o
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzya0UfVcyc
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxEYc2y22c
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiMBSLlV1T
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFJKDPbmhb
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqJxvdNxHQ
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhauMMoyfH1
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvoOCE9QTS
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpKdY0sc7y
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQdFANaQWt
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClHWpABzbc
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FcS4QERuW
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7RInG5wlW
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 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7tWzOMqAk
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAIVYHRhrX
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EmbNlbYG3
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfFN6zWEvX
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E0Urm6DIn
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEtKpa6kp8
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 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQXkJV9Pfj
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxayjMu5Ze
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaOLkNTNWH
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwAC0WiLWf
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0SIkg4iMR
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iIRBzu9Wl
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3zs18dbzl
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LRAGctXi8
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EV7slvA2k
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iKoTWt0Hh
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1FeQzpJcw
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa8wqHEPU5
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4ouZEAL8h
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFBB4JwgM
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9UcuJV8mf
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8iQnLr9ka
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52HLy0vc8k
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Fec7QzUS
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFpsKtMORL
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3dSg3iJXL
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexHQCpQHp2
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ELqe8cHPc
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub3eManjgU
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxksJKbDzw
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjuH2QsbJj
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZckAOZZMN
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pvmICT7Cz
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSkWgou0Al
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzGJfVIy8d
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5c2ucTtud
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDKkiYWw9H
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPlBMT0Lnm
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ckfQYwFu
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZYTtaNRmW
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatNwH5ZlVP
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLhX22MfPI
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTznklK2aey
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXGm1LwF7s
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjmdTGHckK
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50ZUJJ21hB
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3U7q7lcYf
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0XRdxvzDa
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHN3fyZdxK
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnvA9t0Nxt
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAFiM4yAdG
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwp9foEGaY
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 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklVc5l9aiw
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgxfTwU1wo
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZAXtZhvRN
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 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmWYPYWee8
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxVVz9hrxv
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFkC3QFhkl
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQUjh5TYBv
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW6CDRpBnv
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn44idnH2E
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C6IAhCUKQ
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto7Dq6iDN3
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RRfEbgSDA
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSqhyaFgFd
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjGEJzqbb4
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3BEZkjCvU
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9PSsHOivB
we leave?"
"When you are ready."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl03WqThr6W
276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuCkzTZqgp
