198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2GMbg9V6r
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJTqSG77Gn
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1T7Dk7jK9
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohHX9IINCL
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps6EFyDZhG
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBnzYbCBEn
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R1Iy5FMNr
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqxFhbXbVs
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbufeR6Xhj
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOrePNgHnR
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInr8Vqp7FR
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XrfkL0RcQ
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpprnzOiPu
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHp3EVuaB9
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxD6EZmRkp
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK6snP41e0
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgp63hTs0
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlRVBZs7ZC
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ihk9rXaVs
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CtKLGpUyI
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIcttIYqUp
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMkr0lJu60
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoGT91LHjH
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 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNrKYpOBk
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M6gi9aXjY
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pDgLar79w
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPmS6rNMQu
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIlLLjdqv6
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhb8isCwnF
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 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV4lmnGlDx
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5oG0BRQV7
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALgiMtHIhU
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODVrwZ2X6H
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gxuYLD1LC
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mB44P9fAE
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZf6Wilok8
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrokZfAN6jQ
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47j10J9QsM
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUvufUZzgA
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwki7eISKew
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltFWHP5wHm
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetMwqmzrPk
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmJGGt1KsE
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrmkU7BjxX
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXvBQOM6AE
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7y74EfPGC
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxIPTHRcH4
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqUjol10YR
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNskwpuDpd
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqWnV2eA8Z
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SMh7qhgmJ
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlLlMrNkrD
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf8VYusXjU
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpK2HKMkQy
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3qCDrscBf
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5BhMkJFu4
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzoCcYsRyy
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf6nhaGU3X
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCTbKbHfnZ
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0ysOSpqmB
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdVPUjEfdk
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF0vkbriHU
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa8fbhTgIP
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ0LZky0Wm
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H3KljpeOY
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMwgpbg09U
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMtaYLIbm8
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD0pb7uBb0
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhPJDiQRMJ
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrASlnnaspI
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iqpkmBNbm
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyvcK5TVXM
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9SNfYYllX
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdguGZhEcEK
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxEd5VCbWy
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 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHpSMg7vpl
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9iYEY0lfM
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJqi7lH4d1
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 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrclxsPOET1
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKOvgo2MCL
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq5lmvG2UV
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEx8yKVvek
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQfwWi0gp
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFQNhE0CY0
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmHsIcWBn3
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BOLgQq66k
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYfisJ1UAK
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsct4qgRuB
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RHVwGbl1i
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGfn72ROUe
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA736HhiqI
we leave?"
"When you are ready."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzVr6ocMz4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdzQc1t7ED
