332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01qcXIoE2D
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap6AOeV0tW
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmQvxu2zzl
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J1tsNH3Yd
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg769LwPCkV
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyamZeqB4Py
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tHq69GCpb
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM7Me1KArA
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0tGbJoUkw
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtfpVYoXwx
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFewHFba2Iv
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9b74T0x9R
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuFxS3BRyG
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlalFyLT5At
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpToXMrJ7H
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsURqvAgj2s
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1imfozXem
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsU2xRI3Dk
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGehQFtKgww
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvhr8oB2Wj
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0razg0I6e
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZItdhbG6h6
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAqBdKbNTD
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 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS2ColkmPt
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jsZy9ssZi
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1FyCvmqKI
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ipOf7KYS
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV2BMseW3i
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOaNTwD3tl
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 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnkkjOvsM8
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyambmc3cr
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfk5kZTHzm
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q5VXZqnV0
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng6xxwAIOj
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERvml5l7Ei
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5nC05PcGd
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtiU5az5Fa
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LQGtHsJpD
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURR69ovpnD
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5sCfggKqv
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10PTmBULFX
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7eRlfE2lJ
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQMhPJ2e1N
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu4xqdo4Zx
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02XE615sLI
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhoWKOBvzS
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKeQLnTuy2
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkrWAaKvUS
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet2x4Hh4Ah
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgx413NIVk
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6aIPbRgyq
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD0VOtqexn
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUALfctxrC
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZts1kNEag6
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmWee3n8i8
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfjXe2pMl2
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBsYjVEO0w
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtPWvV88q7
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysLqWYAh75
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKA6bdHSms
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCCFRSjBXI
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fKBvoZJlq
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIeonfvvG
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjZy2Rdw0z
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOS2uPUAei
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD86DjArGsV
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ884alK0nqD
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQUknlngDG
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGd37zEIz
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA05Dk9p9k
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB02tv8evq
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz15FDMwqaj
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU3lc6WDrW
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII8U2HrQVw
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ9Eziir2V
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 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9getGDX6m
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjcoqjZEfl
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5qw2UIvLC
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 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigeUxkVJ4E
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVyl0MQutj
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2nQVVhAx2
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBBFRtIOgB
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeXD3Uob8m
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYchXGiipBx
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5sMC8Bhy3
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABfY5Ejqq0
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2WOAksrJB
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MOq55yEJL
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPCqyrmy3u
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThJJYPNL3B
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIWI1xPrxD
we leave?"
"When you are ready."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPj3sQ0kJy
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkRawjZ44Q
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