295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPNkEo4uLr
The wind polished the stones smooth. Wildflowers grew in 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kv2G1U5Pq
abundance, the air crisp and clean. Thin clouds streaked across 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTF56074nv
the bright sky on this day.
A few trees dared to grow. The handful that did were solid and 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6s5aHkwh9
stubborn, much like the people. In the distance, a formally shaped 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6SIN4jHqe
stone building stood in defiance of the wind. When all other 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Egk7QFot
structures were round stone domes, the Milborrow family kept the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzhYRU4fNp
traditional building.
A road to the lower valley wobbled past the estate. Stone walls 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy65xY5oZ98
telling the road were it stopped and the estate began. A vineyard 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUzLW4MHaL
poked around the corner. Soil brought up from the lower valleys 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV1ySYncO9
made a garden. A small stream hidden behind a stone stall for the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTqVyyvtIj
estate's horse dashed across the lawn only to disappear over a 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WGIpHk7QR
nearby cliff face.
Inside, fieldstone fitted together by quality masons define a 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn2mKufqBG
rectangular structure to create an estate of old. Timber, brought 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWf1Zio1wu
from the lower valleys, replaced portions of the stone. A 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKRytJT9n5
hexagonal fireplace offset from the centre of the room heated a 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpMkN5xBLm
stew destined for tonight's supper. A long oak dining table 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3hFXee6lZ
pushed against a far wall showed signs of formality slightly past 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8OQfFJD3x
its date. A large cat stretching across a chair fulfilling its 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejyDQQ4kZh
obligation of doing absolutely nothing.
The adjoining room appeared to be built by accident. The noise of 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4gSVSvQ7N
pots, pans, and opinions expressed overflowed into the main 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IVSzcchaN
dining area. Elsie Milborrow was finishing the process of making 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJGYLnir2W
her signature soap. She prided herself on using only the finest 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvngcOo8st
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 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyWaCl1Aip
when she was young, they both grew up together. Now Lord Auberon 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Snqjgx59
was taking the little one away, transporting him to a far away 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVIkAxRapL
land.
"I can put together a travelling kit for him. I will include 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd0wWsDpit
feeding directions and general care." She finished the statement 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIiOKSXksF
while rubbing her hands in a dish towel, her hands already dry.
"Good. You will need it," Lord Auberon sipped the last of his 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjLLqgQOc2
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 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YAsGOH89W
qualified to transport your friend to his homeland is you, 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoHRetZQvz
Estella."
"But I need to run the house. Aunt Ascelyn won't be back for 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdAeh7217k
another month!"
"We have made arrangements. I have spoken with your aunt 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtkNx8F7WO
regarding your trip. She is fine with the idea." The unusually 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFB4n9wsue
tall gentleman placed the teacup gentle back in its saucer, elven 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv0e6oHIeX
lineage showing in his movements.
Elsie patted her apron clean, "It's quite a trip." She paused 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw2E1CCgYt
while she thought. Glancing around the room she made a quick list 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1p7tJCeHC
of all the things that needed to be done, "but what about 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtEaCIgiwh
Katharine! She can bring the dragon home."
"The dragon almost ate her."
"Well there was that one incident," a furrowed brow, "but I'm 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf75OzYYC6n
sure they'll get along."
"We are not so sure." Auberon pushed the teacup and its saucer 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Urw4xCDzf
towards the centre of the table creating a space just large 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhOANIbNaz
enough for an envelope and then continued, "These documents were 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfRulcvH80
drawn up by the scribes. They are of the finest of writing as 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7ML4TkkWe
both elven and dwarven cultures demand it. You are to lead a 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuo3WaCI4u
expedition to the Silver Forest Fortress of Illytheria. From 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdWgTiOyW8
there, you are to gather a representative of the elven lineage and 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS2IHkw3l7
travel to the dwarven stronghold of Black Ironbear located in the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIKQE1Q4sw
Coppermines mountain range. You will present your expedition 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nbNbMS71q
papers and its purpose to the managing authority. Dieliununi 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhafF8X4rp
Mountainbane has recently passed and we are unaware of whom the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0oxGAzaXC
new leadership is."
"But why do we need the dwarves?"
"This is an issue for all Sapiens." Lord Auberon watched Elsie, 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC7tajDF5Q
"additionally, the expedition needs to cross their lands. Without 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoSa0kj9Jb
formal approval, we cannot travel over their mountains."
"Why not fly over them? Airships do that all of the time," 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU54PLT8E0P
Elsie was stamping her heal on the ground, there had to be some 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkQYZeXr6Y
way out of this.
"Trade. Dwarven made goods are highly praised. The merchant 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfryzwuszL
guilds would not sign on as support agents without that 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y7B9SjrNe
requirement. We must have dwarven authority to cross their 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46SPLEyWEf
lands."
"And what if they don't agree?" Find something in a pocket. Maybe 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclA5QdpDMh
the answer is in this pocket here.
"That is your responsibility." This stopped Elsie cold. "As 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjubCHJRq8m
expedition leader you will need to make your case to both the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91BnVE72Ym
elves and the dwarven leadership as to the validity and necessity 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbD0k5UHCU
of your cause."
"But the," she searched for the strange word, "elves have already 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdPBD3bcjK
agreed?"
"Mostly."
Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier Province was rummaging through 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmZ2Vm68gt
the towel in her hands looking for an answer. And found none. "I 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU2Nfsz5i6
am an 'expedition leader'?"
"Yes."
"But I don't know how to be an expedition leader," her voice 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooVT3teGdo
trailed off.
"We have assigned the Flying Salamander with its captain to the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNxRbmPaL1
expedition. The merchant guild of Kovale has funded the auditor 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfbemNpcSZ
Obadiah McNarlin. They will support you." Lord Auberon slid the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx18ba5p2pB
papers back into their envelope then left them on the table. "It 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08RJTKM6y7
is our conclusion that if this expedition fails, war is eminent."
"War?!"
"Merchants have noticed an increase to demand to supply soldiers 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYn9HaOGFM
in Lorfell. The previous time this occurred was before the 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgX0F95MUj
outbreak of the Athorn War. Additionally, the airship guilds have 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lWqfWk2xs
noticed an increase in dragon activity along the Boundary. 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mZs4GGDXQ
Several reports of dragons flying in formation have been 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQMyqSbBcX
received."
"Flying in formation? That is only done if they are regimented."
"Yes. According to the few books that we have, the dragons will 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC40wPsAbG
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 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWH0SQOGEg
two adolescent dragons all of the stone variant." Deep lines 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEI2T3g4ia
appeared across the elder gentleman's face as he spoke, "the lead 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1FOqn3lqs
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 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uIalMbwtI
established communication between the two sides have been poor." 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkc5wjQTKf
He watched as Elsie scribbled notes into a small journal. "We can 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW45x0ixvG
supply you with --"
"Most of what you know about dragons was from my aunt," she 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cmEgw76ap
paused, "I'll review this with our family records. Are you sure 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWpyZv0fwA
Katharine won't go on this trip?"
"The dragon tried to eat her."
"There is that point." Estellaese Milborrow of Oldfarrier 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbrKoxDRB7
Province which is located in the Shire of Greenspan Southlands 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWOruP00Jl
was of the bloodline that few nobles dared to cross. Her lineage 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFomZ5HNhfQ
was in every major battle and went back several centuries. Few 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKSvoPkncn
dared to be in a stone's throw of a dragon of any size, yet they 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHO7kJSDgw
looked at these creatures in the eye. Few could tame a dragon, or 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIm5GL8LU9
them.
The ancient fire of an old lineage travelled to the surface. An 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiueUqWMVp
energy that created the world leapt forth, "Okay, I'll go. When do 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJPnZlQ8u1
we leave?"
"When you are ready."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL3b6B9BDG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BwTPfJmqD
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