326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgX42gTCCr
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbefzOjSPH
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH6qc2xptI
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdgANtE61B
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hSV1pf7tv
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQWXUUzvS7
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9CLhS0u5X
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C3GibTyWZ
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e7L36HfYz
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tzx6d5hip
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYawmUA2JA
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9om9euiQj
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHcCxcFrRU
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGXSu2DfGv
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadnawzYGOT
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyYQsSIi4g
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECK47yo7ch
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5I6YZxzSt
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnBflEZIHk
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ligalblj
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vb3MDHrd
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KhiJSHlO9
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYf8PnO5pR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZerJViYaiW
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIWzWHgVRI
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHeGh8Y1Ro
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3oJSElkWP
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho7W1Pd1GZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mTEKzVid9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gsjx3hWSb
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAihcch1rF4
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2rT0wDraA
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG7yaKiVMr
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cFm6DRdxa
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3YHebMo5l
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kg6mhzSvd
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAHD6EtTrb
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiehgx0GBb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCblCLp9mUM
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgKtLcSPR4
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbFqae6aZJ
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAiJo26Av
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwynWPxVAQ0
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Oozxdp0RJ
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpflTTLD7Ac
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK3JEkIkRY
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T8yV5VmmB
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cVq0qLeHZ
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXoJJQHFsT
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vJ6JbI6UY
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY6rYLz7zK
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBRrmeb12z
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUBKumhHn3
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTlfWg75BR
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdukC4SGUFJ
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x5Pqx0DiC
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2KuuCz6ge
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUtOfG4pa0
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0sW2uElxs
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W4PhMrIpe
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ6PVvOGGj
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM1wRt0crV
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGjtuewZF9
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHW5VijfA7
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YV10NDUUW
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI86rYYE7qE
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy7FBB4xy2
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhhOUj98n1
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciYsUyMidq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1JYdCrMrB
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHFhBWiJVS
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2sci3q4cv
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMxXvK5X2N
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ51crvVIS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwoYnoXrig
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3P2mCDcIf
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g1grQg5O0
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUg5nb0hnJ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIiA3A1Rhh
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4a1zBnXZz
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hBiiHaQtP
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJPbktqeJF
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFktL3ExTg
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZFHHdTzSa
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn67fatZGYJ
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv3zLWz2bT
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcrcJzg1la
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3ECGjpUzy
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsAnhx3c4U
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR8FgVzzil
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJFe1RTZWp
we leave?"
"When you are ready."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsawJrQf4J
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmiEwLOeQK
