331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN272STlL3d
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTtsbhh0Er
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb4Ir6QPhF
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GXe6sh4G2
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I035tDHr2
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X4ND2A7BV
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMlC1jlS6I
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVaQ1UQNOt
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYokqO44Kt
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbhyvusGSe
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrIJcItzr9
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF2eS5mB0f
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQNfED2jYv
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoC3KxBbuO
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJestcpZhGz
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeIl5eiQkA
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx5lHK8e1V
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOcKv0D0NU
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBXICZxB35
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3MTJTn2KA
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YoABj8Q3x
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKfmRt3LqN
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCVm63rjXg
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 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMpWbI5Fd4
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPLNYtVFGh
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXKaCgbMMg
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Rj8ScA7F
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuXTVDX7vL
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizIo1b1qIj
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 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKMzrmNr30
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8laZfPM9w
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q0sdIJ8Vm
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2sobtKswG
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1p4u1nTbr
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqmmX4NMZA
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4PvgDrHY4
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9k8DEdbs
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRDEWfAKKI
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D0xWnZ2Ux
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqGNtA8NuH
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMDWfh1tuW
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuWRzOzzww
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi5s0EUT19
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe11avr1hLt
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoVgJMrqz6
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnIKM6Lp2Z
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNNPKBgGyj
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxfmgT3tIA
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur63cNs5D9
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8B3HVhxd4
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKclVWUvfOs
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ82PhlX8EZ
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23yF2YDx0F
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4IExPKWri
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTLjIBkwUs
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFMZjnIaPq
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6yig2g6tQ
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QUzuIMsRV
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbT7ljKhSt
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KrTNQCdbR
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8aNeQJy4A
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn25ZAenOfI
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii6nr8sr2Q
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnHEZBHRdw
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJi6TMEDSH
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8xu5XcY5N
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHBVawXWIU
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC4XknnG6d
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPjnfNcMrd
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWnEIb6Hv
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vZ9xcqh0G
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3jL2FEFbd
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HdUjaFGrm
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnt7kHLS86
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzm9Ip21q6
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 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYez6oJKzvZ
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSREu2kVYIQ
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ub9005mv
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 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxHnVgiNTo
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4iicrx0wu
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvBaaXL5Lr
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWkOvzoy7P
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsAvpEzP68
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn3hdvSgPF
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUFiwnYFAs
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLkmdomSa
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzxgFUpELN
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZsypJzYM
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh65CPcvkou
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlPNzhDQpt
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE87qprwUg0
we leave?"
"When you are ready."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4LBFzjqzX
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL7XHJxlYE
然後按「加至主畫面」