292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2gK0GfRAx
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgS3I59lcu
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEyx2TsLFI
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7fD43MmMa
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlHtuKZvLq
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORxnCEie91
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Jz5D4oMl
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkan8P5vdZq
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQGNJYOr8P
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gv4AkkK0j
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J5efPex5R
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY6SM9Ng2b
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpszTftjIQK
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2PXLILxPx
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvwYu1EW8H
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCRy12KUPi
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP96H9UPIG
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOwdLARGqb
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkr92a9uE2
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNBNyUMdED
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8MFt8rTVP
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhpKJT3xAB
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75h0gjshaO
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 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ6kRxDkHK
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH92SJq8Qna
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPilnlZNzlp
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy00wZiEtJ
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVOW3jgciD
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UUohJlzmx
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 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf3Ebzectq
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTClu4Hpta
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IvJpuUJCh
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2HDkB8Buz
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxUIrMizm7
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDpxZUTDv8
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKK65TNtE5
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirTGHC7jHx
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNAx8MV8XE
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqwLv0lmmq
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y7tFaCtsb
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPamePt2dsA
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlFtUT1dmu
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3erGQgDDa
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtXdgJbUSp
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgPlCtToG9
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jxTgBPfbn
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIoPKbpQfu
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgPBpHRCl
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZFwceLoxK
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIMO6fQmCx
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX46OZRSNI
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMC8dwxvDd
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpin17t8Hu
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEkqcI5qHj
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY7Q1h753x
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1iOxNyaYn
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dpQSKiytG
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66o0ej6XQT
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1PowGPyGB
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRo2ijFplK
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pctxeXEwH
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yQqhaqBa8
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrbHTrb7o1
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEssDjCi3I
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLemrOx8BW
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0F0shpqYq
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51qgL1CKqQ
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqe4jpAozc
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YZ5hZgYPx
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrlmlaoIpg
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9E6gVIGS9
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYg5E3EvH
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHiZTmR370
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKtz5J7eOX
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKIubuZD7q
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 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8XUhJqgPe
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5lhuc6735
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0BoYKDhDp
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 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymPIut1QR3
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGWVURBjBp
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGxUKFbc53
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBaIZMivrw
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaoLTsTCIK
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ98u3K3aV
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3IjKBGoTl
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk2vISt3hg
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPo2kIXFnN
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo11101koAw
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGGxoKN1ft
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJFhUIFqKo
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilKM11UifX
we leave?"
"When you are ready."292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW7u4cXfDS
292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIzCwLAbYR
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