558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpojKSrlbD
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJB8rfRONl
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVIT4D7pXG
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC8SlxwfJV
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YGkXFU8ej
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGvrCYB5Rc
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCf22WqqH8
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjRc8B4AmB
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsltKe92n2
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMUK6n6du5
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVWz6EKScI
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc4qgc9FDo
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn29S3d5vBr
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6fCLwQau8
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNix2gEsQR
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaKNocQ7UX
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjL6C1NwH5
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYW6TZzZ7w
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw5YFCfb5s
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPvoyXbcgP
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUD6gHg9bS
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK21wZXucIi
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZceCSK03SH
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 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnwWOQrZlg
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm5JNZpylH
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cW2KoNnKO
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUOJdleEIV
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQlGzKv0OM
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RQyJDT1E9
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 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAWF0ujVhJ
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhKv8840wh
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1llKVrcjqz
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI3lgxhK5r
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zsj7SKIPs
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDdqyasx7
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC5f35jTfM
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93ElZZGC3l
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDAz49jhMp
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z1kwSbKsv
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQXC3OZMcG
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXFGK3LPGA
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K9JZ5ARU6
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyywae9CB3
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Db4vKg9Pa
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCYqxILa2S
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx0SDwD0Hk
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZu9YQkAbN
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlDkwTpGjK
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPIozuOjqm
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJNMya1nB4
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Akx15aAgw
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZIfrdC8gN
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyCVbM1K8t
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUVtE0HCUG
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXo6PgvJgP
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJCWOtiQSp
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggj2BjkRLx
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gRKMqtyr0
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSzlEItQlU
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GXudWj7IL
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqzJe9BEjm
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvzxta6TaO
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlis7DSqne
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWCGCx1yi9
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQUGviJXmh
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bNS7KuJoP
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEw6sc8TDR
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYGc5lHOvj
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxljfBvdSb
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz82hBNyWxm
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13OJIQ60EA
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1lmsoPHns
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagZwgBLqvd
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnObK1j8pD
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rnJChlUL8
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 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLeD174wW1
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGU3bZhGKy
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaXlKJLr7L
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 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmP0vL3Emz
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQORxM1qlye
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7iLRBDzfO
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3ZZPPGf73
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YuspMrmSD
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzATxyFN0H
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR7LvrQdfP
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDCd3L1Px7
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZUsFM633
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGTwmnEOwN
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs44bIQqfI
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx0W5N0hIR
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8aNtXd2GW
we leave?"
"When you are ready."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcHvdcTrp9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZEhxr0G0i
and then Add to home screen.