242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxsbIdSJJO
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS8y6gCDWs
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrHyYxbvAw
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w5oMMpkP3
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP85KO3vdXg
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjXbJh31IG
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB8TOMfRl7
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0hCJr6FFm
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemXsDqCHNY
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVHCT8IlWO
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI4b06pz9b
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpc21R92uP
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRrS5ml7H4
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2FQVylRmw
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELJJhEBvyf
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq8g0cD7VL
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9rFt6DQTO
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNz48ezZRT
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SjeIBvatw
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63J6m6FU8z
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5woDuvi0Z
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS5RkuzkVU
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNW6PG22z2
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 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXBYQVBgXy
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC14bARuPcQ
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZqtHTIvPn
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT5HWDnkQX
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNVOXvGca3
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA5p4IcKbj
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 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXT07nz6kg
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP6eiQ5iSe
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3MMzrHUuc
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkF45Z3QVZ
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi2LRaEEvd
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2tHLh9dW
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvIzERu1FB
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ElrRZKoix
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0DVAzMQU8
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveKd0fwGOI
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuNJfIfFXg
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNSZ80E2Tt
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fhDTIrngf
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVM3SESrMv
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcQXpWErho
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvLJFeiocS
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPpbfRYLcU
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeacB2z1QR
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV24mpf7qYq
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d3YcYGsvt
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNvR7kpI7p
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkONJlBihj
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9iYI1gkTe
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC33QhqW9k
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXALngaCqqq
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTHxvzIyBY
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLusMqK3VTf
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dL0r4FKBs
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ168TA8vYkY
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfsixMwUEQ
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0vp4llxqg
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ZMSATA5J
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQbVCXjrcz
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0u8pT7fEy
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQuSMAQ9Bb
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyZXkjxFV3
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDjfZT9vA2
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WRP4xPmBx
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Rjdy80wH
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH1BGTV8yB
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAowm23DxC3
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkD98Hs3f0
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDtfUeVymN
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkgur9Ju7M
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFIWFV49VL
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHHmSypJ1M
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 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3GeoF4aaT
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO3l6T86Z1
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJTAyxZHTc
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 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkogFZ5WmpZ
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h0NtlDZjs
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5iJZQsqaH
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIzGZHFFld
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNmqsefc5y
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Sh4twB1w
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCemAYbjuq
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv8XDwYIUA
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6qiFTYzhO
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9bHhvSADN
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKSTGcvIlD
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpxgfP2y9Y
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaypXYFApU
we leave?"
"When you are ready."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyRoJkl7Sc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSJD5NSyLI
