249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4DCmW1oVd
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyvgPoyNjC
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnERcl8YCsd
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlViA8GcsZf
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsLIz7ZXCT
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMADdtkdRNF
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruIiKcmcGU
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIA1dIR02l
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PxY7D4qK3
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1aExaQrDO
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmCvd4Ph9j
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTEPA9aRS4
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBLTbiwE3B
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8iRW1Nm5m
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTqtxYhToq
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmaK20qTS8
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbLjx6nLA2
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5H87ATidi
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFd8Rcro1T
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy41xROBgvx
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71sAwek1VP
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeqm5sezNw
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ4pgKsOlQ
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 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO6yu8nVe2
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHx632MpgE
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2LugByrTO
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEfXt0nWAm
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSTNZlHGmi
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeODDaLeXd
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 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDda2UUSkW
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2E0gWYyFY
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkv6RvEJdK
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiuLf7Nb6X
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hDbOe6n42
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtafnXHwPZ
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtfqpfpx2o
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRH8AP0OmZ
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QgVJaTBOs
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJqOyiee5U
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIKHIzHlJs
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErKVz70qzk
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrMjUvFuw6
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IMhtH43wj
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5BZ5TKqdg
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmVX2cyPgD
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglSGoq4ICM
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NwiPyA4Ad
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFvOJHtI2a
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JcYTbS5pH
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL0unMhyBD
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUavj4vAfR
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCGD2mkv05
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRl8Bucjdn
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JbhhV7yNH
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3TdJ3krnO
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlln8IwV67L
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiaE5mcrV4
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ3Q68zs0H
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDBNaTjRiu
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmiddLKFqe
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R9cD1LUIj
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBWy9Bzt8D
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTqdpqe5qA
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxxEHA1aQ
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBagMQAASe6
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXdvQHLaC5
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUjJ92Rqp7
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefsW6v5cWT
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvLTb0vS6w
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjF9KIzDC3
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ2z970HFG
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzsmADwtai
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanax1SzItH
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqIH5NJNec
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5nymO1B5U
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 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJKPZpLBEb
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgW2VzVwqg
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCX3xOICBT
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 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kDuMY2OlG
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO0HRz2p5k
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr2mee3d66
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcGYzsCIea
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FiuwTFX06
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeJugUzILY
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5RD8fO4HH
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwJsBmfqk
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfYcxtLVpo
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9PO8F7fzM
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk30ytSMLw
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDJbfvyeIE
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nqRCzKeIT
we leave?"
"When you are ready."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2PBw50xUG
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7WP1Gdua8
