246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRGq5gXFBl
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIPT7gGtdz
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwekS3qM5ZC
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOJUkaImly
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi2fPnPZoT
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHR3EufLlq
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqB2ey2E6z
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY5yeVsDfB
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM7sadOiWS
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLmEfVrFmC
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQsemb6qZX
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKK1jneF7l
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GuQudIRbj
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmXDVENidl
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUXa7Ok5y9
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2RixvF9Ml
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYuPusAE0
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1J00tiezF
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ipl9tj4N
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9BGK6UaPx
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAfs8xHEQB
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmESFy7xAY
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkquEOXXbj
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 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6zNG4Wwf6
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLOAEBNSRe
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuWKnAd3rn
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteOtAQEPQx
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYRow2reWY
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwTWJJndcD
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 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjo5m8dWid
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58W4H7J3wy
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSHFXhytaG
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh8VNSLd3A
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUECSwIM6P
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUkmmAeo6I
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkIn7PVyJ5
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5pfoaTbGk
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0HSzLWjNq
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfI61UNeBg
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Un0AIFm2
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4edr0ELHK
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxsyXFSAZG
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQE6p4XsbN
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxA7hqBCWE
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpmrCD8vsM
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt7Ykcn5si
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIvd6Zc6gD
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCWUmoLFQy
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0mnk9zYNk
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotpx4V9NXQ
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gKlCjIMeU
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y5Gflluvs
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKzqZtmarM
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7jWEASY2v
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ZUw41Yyc
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetvsa9Td5J
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMQhXL2hve
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQSDpsBjMR
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg0Ety6cyL
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCenldiZYs3
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4j2jTAoZg
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qjtWYZ8Ch
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IlHWoDjde
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm3H4fvbRT
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hgWVnorK0
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBtb1eiEBD
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnhR2DLOeW
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wmPqbAkSI
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoXqTJwzQI
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNhEC4OX8s
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPY1cBVAwj
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE17P14ZWK4
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5FgtyCUjz
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCReVn0vsgy
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjl4CplJsp
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 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMokekxtJpA
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmrDvvRaPM
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJLRJ6a4fY
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 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0VBzGrFFH
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQHAVFPxkp
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBfVmqzEAC
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5lu2e9Xdm
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HxyWU406j
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcd6aw1zfc
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPUpxkekTQ
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZNflRJz6L
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ2mxPMJin
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStIZQvgJ3s
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdaIUpwyaJ
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuMBtNfJvh
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZOPGeaUK9
we leave?"
"When you are ready."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNO8WqST1s
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBit14Ujbq
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