561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDnAeNdg5I
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeRKg1lLg0
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhgU0Qrubc
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY2X735H77
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBKQr8HLAp
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqUrZpltO
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGp7JVfCYr
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRopECYqLY9
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisHkbw2bTP
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrIQUeK4MT
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAF3cBk7Aj
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6qZmnIY6i
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQToZo3TpNZ
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvY2iRhgFv
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKqBd2E1TT
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdLxO1r4T9
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHnAEwyYJg
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiqLIeaVp6
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNndqdiAg4n
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrhvb8rCUx
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ47ILqZ5U
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1LBtuFJ8
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8xNdOXzbq
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 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4mosnLf3t
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CGon1QcKI
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog0IeyBl61
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjkUy4ekO7
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSrankrg5V
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X2A27zuHG
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 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4JiLoUDew
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIedKQsjMZ
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH8dEIVANz
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXatbX61xj9
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy80WEqoBw
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW0Rh4Blqe
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp34XRAndg
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj77BoVQSO
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLObbYti5xp
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM41aWUXHj
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyoOxU0FTt
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26Ctl1Pmf
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAwBZQmwH3
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV1Xe4DUKE
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeT6eW7ZJy
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJIVrpKwzI
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLy1JE9OEi
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddcxhdde6L
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq91FzTmItW
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17D0jIu1i8
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNlY1MSyVh
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGJiQwItvu
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa9YFVoTly
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjpIMEa8QN
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3viCmBJ2n
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvv5g1isrx
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0j1s70j6T
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz03gYulPYJ
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM9odWV5sg
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl9qMx1iw9
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6yLubXFaj
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj15eblmNg
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3pKcPpuep
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JrOZpuiPj
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu3rzDW6es
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWIemrGxYN
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagujuZznAk
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Km4x79mdB
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEdheV7F17
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GifWiDMvY
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrArqfFZzJr
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDUivk4hL
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpamlXzH1Yt
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB9lDXBgZP
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYycewPCXjY
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimamvCzovi
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 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21HrhFu2jp
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIn5dHqz4I
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6owkCMbzd
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 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbXtNI6C13
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Msia6c7I
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA5alL1jm2
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIT0uzh3C1
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdgQ02k5DY
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIqj4FpDiT
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7r3uFpRHm
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykmmWiyWbf
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyHGWEv3Ku
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE6H6ZvDF4
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHNtMFC6xN
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8NgO3PhrP
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOroy2xzxNE
we leave?"
"When you are ready."561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXqHDXS4sm
561Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH62nwcX1Gt
and then Add to home screen.