262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20kQX3H58q
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSpkGkuz2N
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZYfomKxFJ
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVesWiEzlG
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjCt3pm98g
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOHSLnTpN4
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YqRUJBdj4
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZSdA6D36b
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9D4LKy6Ey
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7kqcyyF6P
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTCOzO3hT0
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0R7fenMSr
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlonPn8NSJ
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVbBz2G98n
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5GHrAs6jo
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNDcLc9aYj
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiwUAaHj9n
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYYc3sQQY3
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLsYGtAlKa
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZN95BZJWk
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgquDVCHVL
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXC2KM58o6
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqLmWy0PtJ
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 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiXzPSCtsg
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXJ9WaS59p
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnrfsv5CyY
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3aM8X95WO
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hTQcpR7Uc
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr63nBFEitt
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 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMlzODyN6Z
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGk9MaxoF
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pwpps7RbK
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurHfVXRlFo
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYgCwFtIki
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLFwzMbAoX
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ixijfmXcF
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zUMevLDER
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkuYmvReSp
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuqP4CSjnK
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanR2eKSa6L
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9tyequvtZ
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJwpLRm62C
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49NtIYbOid
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4YP7GF4pU
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiCIBaHmde
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzezAHSBNV
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJmo62ZtKb
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwRPCGueKB
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ekKCocFxt
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV1XjYsO62
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7HGWNYVWJ
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAulXqV1K0
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nhJfO0B2Q
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ej0MAzJh8
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2beygaPBZ
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr4LJJr58y
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MVVD3DEe9
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OQd2cR1Wt
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMkxxU49ff
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2dYkhP3Ll
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSGXxZqQWv
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPRt2g4IH
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuseHmb3ME
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP67hJSikk
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpYoQuhaR3
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX3uIxLsZE
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5CJkU5hz2
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVMz0skvmn
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLk29pM8Jt
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwIFFxpvro
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsFzmOwT7s
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeMTSt4ay0
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Swv6PZKH9
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHFMHkUiMU
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UN8kHqbR9
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 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9zArcL4Pe
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRDpP8XbyY
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxYl9hL5dB
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 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76BDvChsVT
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i6TbyPPvN
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwZuRQro5y
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VOSaQbv8i
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4T2NsYsGV
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxkEQ0mxpg
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBgov0fFWI
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83NRZvcJLT
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZOc8sqtuF
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu9lVT8CCb
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVj5krOzZV
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39MmCqy9UH
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufuy9WY3y6
we leave?"
"When you are ready."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpE7f5GBES
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQBXcgorsZ
