590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pekUhNlRY
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPNWo0rc0W
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXeTqXuGs7
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8NIsQqsdX
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yk4lagr2t
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa01RrQFyzF
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSL6EiIXvT
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZasCipQuRf
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrWGFl6rcU
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTtOl8mbHX
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLrLhPQTDa
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH1F85ltb9
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK2m7zkfdF
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxalBMSc3tC
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuQfmDWTj0
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0lcuAMZk9
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgELLSxuk0
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWvXqZVw91
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY1I6YQz2l
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczqVaRAxfp
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwXwUojkeS
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhl87khIhC
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSRz8nJ89F
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 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2SsMvUvJq
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A4U6LlKeD
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyIrrW9k1U
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUsk2GHkEF
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlse7kcJK6
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVhoLSFri0
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 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNkAcLipkK
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCBI6CyAdH
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKWtkxVhLq
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzkBAK9FzQ
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXC6gxPkPq
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkGsfQnIPx
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBeOO1xI2a
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT03yjmWQlw
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoR8Fj1eHB
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW5aorghJ3
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSQ6T9Flmq
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rdb9ZUg0q
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f9DoFlAtC
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7LuFsSJE5
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigCINBCx5o
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrGvqHM8Z1
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUSIBEeCDy
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwef3ultYu
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRP8sqUx3d
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISqhA2mLZQ
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDYjQqtoLm
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80FgdlAFOI
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2i94gv8Cc
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O1XyusPqc
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThXD0nGW7G
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKSH10xLvI
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPytt0s6Y7o
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQajQJ4AcNm
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyUXhORzBs
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SbdT5Uyih
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUY7pR7IG9
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwOOy2J6S5
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EMmwqFHRt
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraJgos3u25
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q6CnMY5S8
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUarfSPWOho
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI1eD6qVdm
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn1KPEkb9P
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKgzzR5cgU
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrRperdpae
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83azpHjNUH
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhqdE9SMsh
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zbora5tQo
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD2rlrvS9d
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vfhnvm9a5
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemkgKZiwBd
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 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF79Asrw5Y
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAZQM0TZiU
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSYB7uauTX
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 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7xVucVAW3
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip2kDQifi6
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsFOiE8cyz
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiKLm9WKRl
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGxoQ9KIVs
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkRY3S38Mo
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgBgAZrblC
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhIL6JVQDE
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV4u9abe2j
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmToEKN9v1
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjb7AEKB5S
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyghDdCX2N
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fEeGWEEnq
we leave?"
"When you are ready."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dMiou8nGG
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlBbCFyENo
and then Add to home screen.