294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzPrtho2OK
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgdey8ViQM
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iGMFZz4Bt
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSycRV30JDL
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2hIzT6ArI
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra78m6Xlx8
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYe3K1FFGU
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkORBxTfYBG
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF9FXtyf49
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG35u1iOJr
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR4F6vKxH5
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSVLS3CI8S
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAtNUNLx1f
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5482TJ443
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsNplKrNjE
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoRoscPepM
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGsJQ7UMYh
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC8lxUYUA2
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7zR6inGIq
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKxJ6PJj8V
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZ14cgeem
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2856oDRFip
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02DnKYz18R
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 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNTvPQlzj7
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9jGmHYSfn
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ttto8IYv
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBO3tipxWk
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7t6kNq0nK
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCxiyn8OZk
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 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8EGPyaYXz
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiASR6DsBam
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN1AlHK3g4
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYmCfdfhen
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WltVL2Uta
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb5HXFxLVn
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84aCgV87R8
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzevGRqVkQl
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNtf5Kf5cp
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlouXmTUBAq
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yjV8pih43
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAsZaHgsr
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUVnF0uoBw
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0MN4ZbdzY
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TFLEqKpnG
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3XoNfyn0i
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLLuLOXYy
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJACbb4hLG
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qjs7URYkG
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg03US4TC84
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxGxDo0UN0
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYJtFfVExY
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKFawxXiQs
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj1n7yd4nd
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB5Ro7sy8V
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUF0EhozNz
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGSs9mgO9I
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZP8OjiHZu
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb1BIyBAnH
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBh0abtM3C
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd1scVLKSj
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaDns9eJhS
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLugZFHWzwI
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjLF7jQNFd
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSZBB3rmge
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuPbCe1yqn
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6su7j4A6P
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRJM21Z5XH
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLdmdSOlAY
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQysslcIiO
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjUPv7gYv7
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ufO7kseH8
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zb6Drty8B
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWScqF5thy
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ISEZzt6Dg
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xcPgUDcSa
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 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZQDqQVaX3
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBJLFjaccM
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D5mV2OmrK
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 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeexEDpSodg
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SZ3HouUpM
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN94I4fWpDn
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hYqKamo0J
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU6pY2tyL1
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX8r84dc0k
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ejiZYJIBO
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBqJYnUDt1
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0LF1uaNZo
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSGQWgu8Lo
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ116WduGZWu
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdvhF9GSRq
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi0FZGvg5E
we leave?"
"When you are ready."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcxidDsG2t
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfijAbz4WU
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