290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83g3E9au4i
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Cf1rlNg7
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf4yoOn4K3
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhohjZX63i
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54OkATEOln
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GJf9leS5w
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVtBV3ttNB
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbl5iofoSq
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPHhtg3ICu
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvo0oDUhUT
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv7nIzVxPN
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtGuT6fqN6
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyL4SyTsgd
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1cY3VNQnc
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCFoiB5zrr
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwJK2NR674
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWuuMJPp6Z
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedEPxsoQHB
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT2Nw0vhtE
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMgQABSKa0
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIBy2Oy3bQ
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMsPFZFw6B
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GqpF5Fh9C
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 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAPWydH23j
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqpGZI7tPO
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKd5x4cPlk
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE0ezXXsRN
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys1AOBX8AR
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b7MMaqN1M
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 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJK7x0EBKs
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gonkotmn2
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dGkOrqYMR
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc35Ueh7TK
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZHEciRU7h
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgfOye3R3k
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefMLHYX0On
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg7p3ydWvL
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LxGw2BqyD
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNvDYWW997
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeLFtocbXd
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRt4aNtw6E
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8dRXyNfNb
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTuZ1IPIlL
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQbaTPn4Os
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KOGZgLCF9
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8797ny1Y
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYD2I8ZAFf
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CVvDvBTZj
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ixkOCrK5
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYh5qQwblm
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkaXzte3yo
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwKBCiw3dw
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGWTaA5mUd
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ZuA2HVJU
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRduy0cBun
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7npinDXW0
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl1ZR6RVJi
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uHVChQdG7
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9kqgVncO8
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxaIKBvX4v
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8FVBJL91W
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEEPM0Czoj
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qV22xItvE
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpSnLnMCbw
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSSsNrH11J
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55By0czqGX
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Q0J9SAet
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B7pZQLL7N
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZAC42GdTh
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGALjw7x0k
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2hucHOSZY
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeOCwoglRZ
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0OnANdJ6V
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPxNELITEL
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRLbSSkeCs
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 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqUYKVOS6W
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ998Dh3iCl
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcfzi44Zbr
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 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yGFE8ssE8
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0dkjAvqeZ
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdQjaRV0YX
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEJUG9d1AX
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtxuytnQcZ
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHMa2Y5ZTn
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlpHz0iwXP
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nTsdYsux3
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLnrbmnfW1
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LeXIhCZvN
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG8hUPgaq3
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZhJElwdmq
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbaoiBK7vQ
we leave?"
"When you are ready."290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybjo1Np62h
290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA823DEcXVp
