589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZUoYVczsH
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEscKwoOXs
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxpGgXWj5R
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVcemwIHic
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQlPDjzaRC
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gcVwpryar
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCdHQhn8nV
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yZm8LFyqr
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJjo8JDNKQ
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNZEicnk6J
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzsLsHGCqQ
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrB4vifYkW
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD00BPVJdG
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdWzKhgEpn
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRO22Y2vL
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc930eh0TfS
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqMIW5JHbw
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIOaU2KHDL
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDgKgBY5qU
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK7PoMfk2q
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7GLp9Yps2
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjiMH4hryl
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6orajoe1Jh
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 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WIDPgpX46
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94PPjHQXNu
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAB4B9cRb3
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCOnLwOj0U
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ov88tgMk
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUwZvPFciJ
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 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs22eWYosWq
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Efi388gUH
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM46gMKT8o
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSuUrVWCuA
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3eVv9EAT9
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAZzFfoOVX
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkDoSxNw7M
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf418UlPenx
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTuUsMuqwD
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm8Tx6jJsC
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDkkiRbNQa
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXNfAg4hNo
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ldYcpqpG
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBbZK2sTLA
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixLT8YixTq
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgFcirdQBV
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJNOFmJ19C
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ2Pqnb3aH
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9QpRJmSbu
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHATrTs18OI
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKNQHPkiNf
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4eX1Tx22A
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbJUgcMm2c
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKZ40jO8Yp
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1L3TmGH0G
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhIW1QAzrd
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU0BQpM8Ee
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPFTMuMo9t
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bu6skm1ry
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSeieXaNZt
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAek5po1xUJ
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm5Oq5gCis
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqiZiLTfwn
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUGLnSdj4I
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrLkqxh7P4
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbySRKKML5
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSheG2kztg2
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprKRlYINzQ
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUN8H5KKIs
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCStw55Gn7n
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmE7CsE1OD
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIk4VLFcVX
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdfVv2evXw
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVrLKbNxnS
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyzB8LSvi1
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJwedkrPK3
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 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLuRvXiw4l
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFlmKlw0Hp
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Etf8rrWx
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 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddJPmgF6qQ
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaImN4h19I6
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NIDBr4hJb
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr3nCT3Y2M
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs6Yv69VjW
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWnHl0tsL9
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bu8iWNrYH
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrA9u01WvC
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FaouLIR9E
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHR1hYP4UB
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxePM45Gzgl
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxINyOxwJgL
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwe1e8zFrs
we leave?"
"When you are ready."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjE4QXv8r5
589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS76sdsKn6
and then Add to home screen.