326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeSYqhoGYN
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8nJvQySDF
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21XwP7JRig
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuXcSBYmui
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIz1UVZyG1
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW7MY1EytL
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenvddbNPP1
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vwZSZ7BNN
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0eqronaDp
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMAMp5CWbG
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eLL8D6mO9
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGV9FNcZht
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlYMmvMsuK
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1fcS9L019
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkp7APntAl
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuj3W5scIr
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMbBIUOZP5
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSBhPr8Zvf
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcwydd89Bi
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsek08TmzI
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ78sXFf1H
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX84pQQOa4b
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHMACzi28S
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 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zf2ogIsVU
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkYF4uR8fb
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0qxplLhW4
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYmGKLLdH2
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjEyzrk8b2
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu17EkkFXb5
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 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggSZZ8gmgj
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnSmvlO7GI
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwro8pdsg04
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4JEPcVVLv
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT7RuDaZ9o
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY2WPDaWgx
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXqSkfGRe7
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3014mj8BGL
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemkoGGvRY9
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHexm8om5q
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNlr8fGqq8
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHQO3tbK8X
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguPpt9PaBR
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwju8YWZQcC
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPnB1NrsA9
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEzB1BZCDp
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2koGyxOWTH
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5AubeOrXo
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza6p2CW8ct
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvdXQ5DeV8
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQk3kNAIIj
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U7e8hFbTd
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrByveg1vN5
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q3AsIABnq
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAD3p26lNi
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMs4Lr0Lk8
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSL26HMtFo
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YeDpVcfpX
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EhdMIjrqn
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGGySUdXSE
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KUYHWMvaO
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnfCYtETah
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp39yw3Bmba
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wqQNee1q5
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y8S4mIByR
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnO4ltqnRD
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj2YmvDi2d
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnBfylh6hm
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrAtDkYqVe
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U5qE6UUHd
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt53re3CrHy
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu1hdMrK4c
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwswmpdCGF
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT4TUs1aoU
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsCEBxxIgN
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmXvXyCbP2
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 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYjreCqmTz
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LsdPcHwSA
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlEvv716zY
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 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7L5Dd3PW2
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4SodDsnjY
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAySusbDpau
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkzNdKcgF6
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzUfARLroF
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFscOCDQdz
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpFKUnnNzP
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3BG6C6kWE
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwjOBMd2Nl
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytaYtupDUQ
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXVE1dhEwt
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhURhTFhPoi
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgpwiIRapx
we leave?"
"When you are ready."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfiwSxzHrO
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZIBhFnzsU
