199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpjUgDDoCK
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsdgIaLTwc
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwgpJ55ClH
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPaCZD5fdX
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtomKo9aBAP
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG31EEkBSlX
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEj0idIkZE
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlblhO1dbwI
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbDdjSfXdR
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8a7RzmHmD
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMrGpz4j8g
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XQj5R7LZx
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz9MWdTQZI
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ286ecJKldy
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKYkJqV78r
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZD1ByzcQN
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpHuL7aisc
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMIv2yqOrg
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDusZ2Egcq
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡertCWFjijR
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDMmreSV8a
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivL0i1L2in
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutTeBVJSR5
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 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIg8qRhpKe
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCpbz6HcwQ
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWE2MqAsDj
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjNQkYCr2T
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqvBklbkz2
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJfDIg5jkI
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 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoKuP7utRI
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaU64dpHnB
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzLnl8SxyZ
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO1dqe3N54
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwaTF0JAIK
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAEz7ScanH
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tmP9IvsXN
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX1wH9c0Nr
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssfOzgkp5C
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYNCcaKqGt
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1g7vyhHi9
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG4FVbCIy1
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsJRPnlP6
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQFI7TvBUL
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uy2oOi7TM
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OUQSTQX3V
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNVkjEPK9Y
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzCiTHf7o3
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxna08JfdUb
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhhvI0FgG6
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB2qyoehX9
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQea2Oshyx
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmXS9l70h0
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOUTzgsrKH
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBo7Nsm95j
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkQsXwKQ3S
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o3ufPYlKd
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ171DaZbYa1
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq9dwrTlgR
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySnIHTbmZ
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv8qj7iMJ8
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQziWr6c7oP
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVDfBfZP7k
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRB8NmXYwE
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jlrZaFdvh
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamnsVC14vx
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsEuIo9UQv
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVN5iph1W3
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92oTSE8nG1
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpwYBRlHGV
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoKAFXjsbH
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejCNhGDwK0
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHGB4AcFn6
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuben8wxdO5
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHoxfHVH8U
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj9H9K0Xzi
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 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ9wYlfTlh
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAkzpZsLOI
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BnqFOJFam
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 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9wfpzJhUU
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyIdyxPzqS
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSosVYEs6fN
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1xej0V6DZ
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHds0lkovc
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgjpVyWV45
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvB6F0Oa6B
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4MzG1CbAd
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxc4TGxpVu
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdGZuX1kSS
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhY7YanIus
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcKapNlcxj
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iAByprKn4
we leave?"
"When you are ready."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPYcRiOTAN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfU2Ybd7N7
