200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGibUKQuGci
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDzSLZkCxo
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNUZVIxFu
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDsmGcQdR7
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ltw8DHoP6
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkAOFZXmTK
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoxxeo94ZL
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqCCqRobnD
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbYa6w9EBb
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYS0ES1Ayr
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8COX7ZqMM9
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4QIxgqGrY
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz4K7LVFRa
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmjtxG3hhj
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDvUCIWXYi
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSSNxjPU6N
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v5bMK8LDF
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20pO829NqR
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQcI9zta6w
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8u4Scor3Y
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tqkDhE954
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ql5oy03LG
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn04zSybdO
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 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg6juShEEl
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9aEhoiOTk
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuJ0s83reL
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOOINpR8mO
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewjfUU9Tgl
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lTagBVy0D
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 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4TXlG6Mo8
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7LvDdYX7Z
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdKvMTj3dW
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE7ssmc076
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcJUJaRqyL
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDI9mvEY1v
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDQTiwNl6v
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b3Vk5rnXK
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIclh7m4Bua
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqu5Ot5at
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dFEZF4Wnz
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8gG5A78LM
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL1YmnNSSf
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjkWxKHN4w
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUYA8DITW1
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrBUZx29Gc
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY47RGgrtbD
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahntzAQ8LJ
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREZlV81mJM
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZxb7znAPS
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL70P9T26eq
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8hdPVN5Uf
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wfmsF4Pcj
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBm5YStUam
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KJhekoYP7
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDYRbwcOo
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjttOlRC8Ro
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRWm3O7WCl
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1fWff0giL
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXmiBbeU1i
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN4YSZ9EOE
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq6noQzjbS
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ9c8dGnWA
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB1pZFbqKj
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yaA6GJxSO
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95WXrcsnDA
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2xWbnaV49
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9CIAZ5TwU
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrRcSjjSAS
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb5kb74O3O
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgpx1AVo4U
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUfOPqI4mc
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbt1agV5z5
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQYDaqyzld
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvktpFzXm26
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtehjDBQj1V
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 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemIVRwMS2q
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurORW1bIyB
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPWd0c2wkZ
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 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmaRU0tVax
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysyvwPTJOQ
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcNRUAMaT3
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l3wNzkY4Q
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXzNU0kn2M
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCwVe8kyNb
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTgJa0L5DR
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOkszpv0FQ
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5T5K3ys6B
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xydAJqnjf
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgWSPYoOAC
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvg6YvvURy
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3F8osc4Rl
we leave?"
"When you are ready."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcHvu0PiDB
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBYehHJcWx
