250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I69dAeLb0
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0FiCh0o0Z
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGYUtiGP3X
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFj09eSlHN
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSqUMoq9VR
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YKdB9TIxA
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34lJb0XlmO
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66POGOd1pE
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ICIWzPCBv
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k21NjUgzC
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCYBKJDexF
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTJtNFPoCK
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM52rPMd7P5
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LVRQ9ZGFn
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX67rFFfhNy
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPSECedU0g
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaWakDvdhY
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlIAWjvkxj
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLksD4jQNQ
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQxudE8Frn
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtEcffCPr
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmE579VAbj
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOfanappUm
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 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKSyIGppfP
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRekFKOJn7
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoAUcIXMCJ
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvJBP2zp2K
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38pP0Zcnjy
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUwjvl2jju
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 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e7PeiUzNJ
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRpUZGwfph
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakTc3VrCib
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1W6aHjXoD
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BQUnM6rmC
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlmAjYso2Z
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1lbbXTb25
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOcMnesOW
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dUFHaj09l
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPvqd7F1Pk
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oYZQmu31x
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa6297HYYh
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAh6EvrnSH
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2XjM4kvdZ
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx5Eid5j0O
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUTGihhc9S
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOlxrcunc7
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSs3bIIAgG
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrboRtgfNk
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUo7RGyHq2
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOmaq9OPXG
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9SdjKKk5P
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XjXs1C1D8
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhYnH1xz6r
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU3f1jDaG1
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hWjt2Bz9K
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8Q4dcdY4Y
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv4Q8hjcTC
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSDnnUR3mE
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglS91GR8JU
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJjFC0bKKj
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nUFOlHBir
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY5S9N2iPh
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdW0T4yWnE
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurVTKcCXj7
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbb881D0hz
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2CPaLKBBj
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG30Itpud0i
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3gmVaNFtN
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CefbJA0QC
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHuWDyqMZY
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCubE9NQEh
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxXO2xNsI
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfAb4SvehD
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo9VXWkHns
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rYm7ndigj
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 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3HRWwH1Jv
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLH44lbXZ1
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6nP8sOaIx
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 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY0DsugXyd
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLebLNYZzZV
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5eVMZpLpl
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5XdHnEjUm
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0viw2YElc
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXVLLXK3bB
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfYn0yPK7n
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQefcggBnh
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd69hLdLIb1
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mKkyYmTin
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsGzhnFW3z
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LKmYXpkZA
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANseNxs2EJ
we leave?"
"When you are ready."250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XsfOR7aTz
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpItlcXqSE
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