212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpQ8a74f13
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ENSdFcSI
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2x3yrR2Rn
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjvIwOdyyw
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQlP9WRZON
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmQYrM21F3
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2dhPKgCDT
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNo01xKzU
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb5sj0t700
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWpFghwtYC
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO25bDIJs9
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1RF9Wh6nA
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H5iGrjcWq
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyFTIWC7S
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp5mYvda2T
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhk0YjcFWj
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMnAL4o9ab
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7yrib6N2e
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8i1hkhXgE
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif2rG5chAV
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJIYWxfxZj
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2LG9FP8lu
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1p9qlNAy
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 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQnaVdPb5t
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszA4yzNee5
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCKASEeu8V
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfGeRxITDe
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq98AvmYMOT
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Mju6ZGUr
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 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgaBZ0cvyh
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23MXMhBRpy
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORh4fl2OQf
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pn906hBEl
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOIEqqLNsj
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXs2aQUbI
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXktD9sRD1E
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkJwFsUb2k
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJLDIS1iqx
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYNNPL3Eis
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxsCUB4RqH
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu3zgABkHo
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmymGqTsqG
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhRTjYoMz5
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocDxi0HV2o
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvP1qZUgrd
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC3FuBLZ19
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqquITIsQSl
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjbvmDJNOi
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMu3GGhS0q
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Mb8fZzXC
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwX3FtTNqG
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO5avcjoW5
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJrhlWoJgU
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofbS04cQSl
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dKq8dOuwr
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSPDaN9HMl
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFgFqfH8JJ
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvIejPGoNu
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyULWIXiSDn
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO5ezAeBxC
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGidXcGH3O
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6KuwToUpm
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKvs76Samh
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OWrHJBko3
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BTbizxdbH
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtVykJu7Ew
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTJi7HWhOm
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5w4hSBKo1
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz2EGP1v3p
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnSjA2cavK
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSOZza2evT
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjm94mgKD3
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iFznj1CeX
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNS6TibnyL
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQ0yWHRT6
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 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrz3SAIm6i
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPA6ahoiux
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6o75RHghu
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 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg5KsjWSA7
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyFtgLWtTw
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylVWbcTFHB
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82fQxwcRxD
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhpy2J8m1C
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvMUOigWaL
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNlujY6gYr
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DpGYydN08
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUt4dpZfBL
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0oCeTji5Z
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOo38oXM8S
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPxid1RoHl
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13jtjJZWkC
we leave?"
"When you are ready."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeHN0qWT6g
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaxkMc2aXd
