213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXH8bdpHiw
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4CkpNRqsP
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uDhc28Lqs
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCQeTxK2p
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWj0GiPsCq
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRcWe6YQIu
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMSniT32XN
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP7STUfPgG
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxLIALET3p
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDPUvwCmAU
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdczoDWJG
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc4hqVShZy
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7yga8WUl
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PqpafoJBm
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7p9ZTV0gS
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyA6lXTZjn
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQRiakvdEq
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXvf5sJJVS
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD8YiccQmn
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVj6g5lt6Q
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B8ug0rCox
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLncy96JBc
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UD4xAjJG6
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 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4drf3X2cd
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNiCSTbRda
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzp2X55XsT
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVQXHJnlcG
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnDJ3ijyRy
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0qTEgQWvP
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 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyzc7lATPw
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5sVO3tLsU
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WOR1FXlvO
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLidQTyi1p
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkSH241OU1
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKsSj4PCNT
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wT4qSg5lB
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg7RL4DS7E
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AUC38TKOq
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1DRaX00fn
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQzgtRcVd9
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDeM14oYf0
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvPraghiAZ
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yZ1L3b1YI
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1W8fj9nmD
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdQNct3ETe
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIDFvZFORn
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanrgJOkKqz
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohN9z0eBr8
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI2JxSIyvO
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogH3HadPbI
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafxRYpAicL
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbBamSCNKq
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaijWqJpjY
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHDMhGSguS
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5I5VrFKRF
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEAmhUB1TV
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKLMLXwVXF
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CJKb89jpu
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6TLeJhed
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p4BWT4YJ5
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYE8ddU2sN
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVcTfK6Ybu
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl3QazNEx6
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBsrxFVUYq
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgetpqnzLFW
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7606UqUXS
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8shrmTKkm
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXqePJ876y
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99f3f9pwDM
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOFWdSe6rV
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡronHg2sX5g
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcIAAprR85
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi4ihib5BT
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSPCXH3HYT
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk3WN6KScC
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 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3quQ8zxLHk
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxzvfWCZ9c
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ecPqXcu1
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 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5LmZAi5Mx
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBBHwdwTxb
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ4S7EVPWH
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23XGZdNe4u
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjhS7XT9xH
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOKAFU0Zfl
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs7Sii6fyw
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPvwPiIvbu
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTjs6hTI9S
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzhNiwRHvc
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TfECTPcXN
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz7EYSNzWE
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtYfCxXoxD
we leave?"
"When you are ready."213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaiungBTjO
213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlzSTBKAjJ
