210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIYqdXYGcp
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8sCp6WJgn
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4TGb04b64
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckirgT1grx
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPur5QMZL4a
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty7k00I9zH
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2GZF65yHc
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMb9rdR2W4
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLeDNSIi80
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37j6TDt2fk
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuqXI4yg0W
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG1vfoMS0d
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYYAjIJiJg
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUG3j6PMA4
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgHXU5uezX
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy10N0CFw1i
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B6NOTmZev
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DwphuCwvg
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6adxbb1R4
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxokgKmfLRD
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AqQIhlATR
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWgyZhb8Bh
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeU9uTzgkk
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 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWpLcWxIrH
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3oddsbXgV
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxx8mQSQrW
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdG2amd8uv
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWsHbkSEwZ
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUblrMUlYcM
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 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0034FXX0L
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyDT2q4XL1
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoosdO6gRD
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSeG0WWec1
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHMaSKmH19
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj8iqVo8IL
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik7puqiGZ6
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OWz42Hm9R
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGedzsRBCU
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDHShZkduK
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8ShLAn6PH
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt54IKGUgy
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrAL2hEiQj
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaYA35G9GI
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgmuWT4d1E
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8An1Z5h520
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdfpxW8AGW
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwXAWduBkl
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2HQ5H86mp
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW9lPqEPVo
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rXbVxlkEo
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5batwOhIQl
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3aM4OmStM
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RhQJXzfkz
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw1jRHmLHs
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot7Lx4Tqs4
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bpkcgzKTY
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnatRUGIhT
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxMfPdT92g
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vl9W5jHV9
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRoZDNv59Y
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNzMdUFjKW
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAE29TgJTT
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA9nSh5qv7
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYheFIRprp
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqkC4yHqfE
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadNvCXwqQu
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGzx44gSsd
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwzcSSkZK0
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoeCYjqrJ4
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcoGmNpZeZ
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8fg4TaKno
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB4A4VqB0F
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtziC12AR7a
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrejbIPr7AO
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzMAFakh98
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 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FVYaxDEqH
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVqS6WJ9KH
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZyyUHug5U
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 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63yPDukZ0u
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqc8E3Ba3l
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5mC212HNh
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CcEQBxdqn
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ3OYwFSys
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBT3MCqANn
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMEIoKAVrB
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFcj1mz2pu
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPomQp2DPbJ
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkaDDFWWp0
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvmS5VKeYw
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkEGF6lc60
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5SF0wEvtr
we leave?"
"When you are ready."210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0T5cpSGhL
210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94qYLY3K4W
