After the world wars and the discovery of dragons, people decided to start anew, as they had already caused too much destruction to the earth. The destruction of so many creatures made it difficult to determine whether life on Earth could continue. They even decided to start over with a new year, calling it New Beginnings, or NB. With this decision, they destroyed most of their technologies, machines, and buildings that still remained. The war claimed many lives, but it did not wipe out everything. They planned to build new houses, towns, and cities for a fresh start, leaving only basic tools and transportation in place. Medical knowledge remained, but it didn't help as much when they didn't have the correct tools or machines anymore. But life was more peaceful and simpler.
It was now the year 608 (NB).
Admiring the beast before him, Esmond scratches at his drawing book with his pencil, sketching out the sleeping dragon. It wasn't the first and probably not the last time he had drawn his mother's dragon, but he couldn't help but feel admiration and jealousy. He probably doesn't even need to see her in person anymore to draw her. He knows her too well. She is a raven black dragon, characterized by a long, sleek neck, a jagged beak, feathers adorning everything except the membrane of her wings, and a long tail curled around her as she sleeps. Not many dragons have feathers, usually only the smaller ones, but Miasma is an oddity, it's probably what makes her sometimes have a bad smell. This is one of the reasons why she is called "Miasma the Foul" but Esmond doesn't like thinking of the rest. He decided to pass this sunny afternoon by sketching out this sleeping dragon before him, which lies under some tall trees. It brings him a sense of closeness to the dragons, and he harbours hopes of one day inheriting Miasma from his mother. However, he is well aware that his older brother and his children will be the inheritors, not him. After finishing up the final parts of his drawing, he closes the book with a sigh and leaves the Wyvern in peace.
Almost getting to the steps of the mansion, Esmond looks back once again at Miasma, wondering if he will ever have a dragon to call his own. Usually, there are three different ways to obtain a dragon. You can find a dragon on Dragon Island Sanctuary, a protected neutral area where you risk your life to see if it accepts you. The second option is to hatch a dragon using your own blood. The workers on the island collect any and all dragon eggs; eggs are not common, so they're simple to find and keep. Anyone of noble standing at the age of one gets to spill his or her blood over some eggs to see if they will hatch, if they do, they come home with you. It is considered the closest bond you can have with a dragon. The third way is more rare, after a dragon's human dies, they usually fly back to the island, but sometimes they will stay where they are to be inherited by a family member.
Esmond has explored all possible avenues, excluding inheritance because it would require him to kill his brother, a decision he is unwilling to make. He has spent a significant amount of money returning to the island to try spilling blood on new eggs or exploring the wilderness to see if any dragons would accept him. Although this has nearly cost him his life several times, it has greatly enhanced his understanding of the layout and how to read dragons' body language. He has often had to flee when a dragon sees him as a meal, but he believes it's a risk worth taking. This is also why he is adamant about staying fit and healthy. Although he wasn't a dragon knight, he is a knight in his house and the best one currently. His father used to be a dragon knight, but he no longer practices the art, instead focussing on helping his wife, Esmond's mother, become the head of the house. Because of all this, Esmond decided to become a knight, which helps keep him busy and distracted. Though most wars now are small scuffles with neighbouring countries or lords, no dragons tend to be used in these fights as they're mostly little jabs at each other and dragons would cause far too much destruction and deaths. Before he was born, though, his family was involved in one of the bigger wars that involved dragons, but they were settled before Esmond was even born, which is why there is a big age gap between him and his siblings.
Going into the house, he almost bumps into some housemaids who were busy cleaning the entrance. "Sorry," he says, but the maids just smile and bow their heads, both making comments on how it's okay and that they should have kept the door open to show they were working. He attempts to take large strides to avoid scuffing the spotless floor, giving the impression that he is walking foolishly. After passing by, he ascends the main stairs and makes a right turn to head down the hallway to his mother's office. He knocks twice on the door. He waits for a few seconds before he hears his mother say, "Come in."
Going in, he could see his mother, Rena, sitting at her desk, surrounded by paperwork, with one of the butlers hanging by to help her out. Esmond walks over, opening his sketch book and tearing out a page of his latest work. He passes it to his mother, who holds it up to take a look and give a light smile before opening a drawer at the bottom of her desk and putting it in with a stack of other Esmond drawings. "Let me guess, you're going to head over to that damn island again?" She says with a defeated sigh that she knows him so well that he doesn't have to speak. Esmond's gift of a drawing of her dragon speaks volumes for him. He has repeatedly done this over the years to lift her spirits before risking his life for a dragon. "You're eighteen now. It's very rare for someone who has been actively trying to get a dragon. Maybe it's time for you to move on a bit." She says it with a pleading look on her face.
"Mother, there are people older than me who have gotten their dragons later in life."
"Yes, but it's usually because they don't want to risk their lives at a younger age. You have been practically trying since the day you could say dragon."
"Every other noble who wants a dragon manages to get one. How come it's only me, mother? I have been dreaming every day, hoping that one day I will finally feel that bond." Esmond says, sadly. He does not understand why it seems to only be him, he doesn't even mind if it's so small that he can't ride it. He knows he can handle himself well on the ground, anyway. He only wishes to have a dragon of his own.
"Must I lose another son to fucking dragons?!" Rena speaks loudly, on the verge of standing up from her chair, but she pauses, sits back down, and apologises. Edward was Esmond's younger brother by two years, he died two years ago at 14 years old and was still a touchy subject in the household, mostly to his mother. Just like Esmond, Edward was dragon-mad and had yet to find a dragon of his own.
Their mother would let them both go to the island together to search for their dragon. She used to join them, but as they got older, it seemed unnecessary to constantly babysit them. Esmond was an adult at that point, and Edward was coming close, so they would always go together. However, on a fateful day, they found themselves lost on the island, unintentionally venturing beyond the designated safe zones. Usually dragons who want a human companion will go to the lower half of the island, it is called the safe zone as dragons tend to be at their most docile and relaxed, not holding any territory in that part of the island, but the boys had ventured past that point. It was getting dark, and the boys couldn't find their way out of the forest. When they finally found an opening, it was on unfamiliar grounds that looked to be a marsh-like area. Knowing that this area would probably not take them back, they were about to leave when a big, dark brown drake came out of the marsh, covered in plants. It had smooth skin, a big head with warthog-like tusks, and an almost Komodo dragon-shaped body. It was fast, and it came running straight for them with no second thoughts. The boys tried running into the forest to lose track of it, but it easily weaved between the trees, gaining ground on them both. Edward tripped over a tree root and tumbled down the steep hill, coming to a stop a few meters down. Hearing Edward's piercing screams, Esmond spun around, only to witness the dragon slowly gnawing at his legs as it attempted to pull him down its throat. Esmond did not see what happened to him afterwards, for the first time, he felt pure fear and ran away to save himself. It was only in the morning that he managed to find his way back to the safe zone, where people were out looking for both of them. For weeks, people searched and waited, but it was always evident to them that they would never find Edward alive. Some dragon riders went out looking, but they found only a piece of clothing.
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Though it was a traumatic experience for Esmond, it only fuelled his desire. Since then, he embraced his role as a knight with utmost seriousness, dedicating himself to daily training until he received assignments or missions. In his mind, only the strong can have dragons, especially powerful ones. That day showed him how small Edward was. He was never prepared to ride a beast as powerful as a dragon, but that's only what his mind tells him as a way to cope. Unfortunately, he knows exactly what happened that day, even though he told others differently.
When his mother, Rena, beckons the butler for a Treasury withdrawal form, it pulls Esmond out of his reverie. Fills out her part and gives Esmond the rest. "It's coming out of your pocket this time. I am not funding you to your death anymore, but I can't stop you either." She says all this without looking at him. She knows better than anyone that there's no use arguing with Esmond. While she wants her family to be safe, Esmond is an adult and can make decisions for himself. Looking at the burn mark on her hand, which peeks from under her long sleeve, brings her back to memories of when she was younger. Esmond is just like her, and nobody could have stopped her from going to any battle on Miasma.
With a smile, he thanks his mother and fills out the rest of the form at the bottom. He then passes it to the butler, who carefully takes it in his cotton-gloved hands and makes his way out of the room, bowing his head before he leaves. Esmond is about to follow before he looks back at his mother one last time. "I will come home with a dragon this time, no matter what. If I must, I will stay there until I find one."
"Stupid boy." Rena says this, shaking her head.
A couple of nights later, the family was eating dinner in the dining room. Even Esmond's sister and her family joined them, staying over for a week to visit, as she hasn't had many opportunities to visit the house since her marriage. Just like the rest of the family, she was a Briar Cyneheard, with Briar being the house they were born in and Cyneheard being the family name. She was now Briar Whittemore, taking on her husband's family name as he was the heir to his house, which he took over after his father passed away last year. She had two kids of her own now, so she wasn't looking as youthful as she once did, but she still had a regal appearance. She took after their father, Eadwine Tristen Cyneheard, with his straight brown hair and brown eyes. All of the other siblings took after their mother more with the black, wavy hair and grey eyes, though the eldest brother, Nicholas, always had his hair that it was difficult to tell. Nicholas' wife and children don't often eat with the rest of the family, either. They prefer keeping to themselves, even though they all live in the same house. Despite living in the same house, they frequently stayed at their vacation home, giving the impression that they didn't share the same home. Esmond always hated how short Nicholas' hair was, so he always kept it at shoulder length, though the almost curly hair sometimes looked messy.
This was the last meal Esmond had with his family as soon as he would be setting off to Dragon Island that very night. Though it would take a few days by horse and carriage and then a day by ship, it was easier on him if he started his journey by sleeping through the night on the first day. Though his mother didn't like that, he would do that as it was more dangerous to travel at night. The dining room was filled with chatter, talking about family life and work, only Esmond remained quiet, giving a smile or nod ever so often. All he could think about was the upcoming trip. While it doesn't have to be his last trip to the island, life is only getting busier, especially with rumors of another great war on the way.
Esmond eats his dinner fast, like it's a mission. Having already packed and prepared everything for his journey, all he needed now was himself on the carriage. He gets up from his chair, and everyone around the table stops eating to look at him, his farther. Eadwine scowls on his face and remarks about how impolite it is to leave the dinner table while everyone else is still eating, but Esmond dismisses this, almost rolling his eyes. It's not like Eadwine himself hasn't done the same before. "Sorry to interrupt you while you're eating, but I want to avoid making people wait." Esmond apologizes sincerely, acknowledging that he only stayed for dinner at his mother's request, as it had been a long time since the family had been together. "I am glad to see you all again, Nicholas and Gabriella, and your families, but I am already late for my travels."
Gabriella, who was forever understanding, gets up and hugs Esmond goodbye while wishing him luck; the rest remain seated. To them, it was a common occurrence for Esmond to leave on trips, whether that was for the dragon island or for his duty as a knight. His father had pretty much given up on Esmond and barely talks to him anymore, especially after the incident with Edward. After saying his goodbye, Esmond makes his way out of the dining room hall and meets the butler at the doorway, who already has his coat ready for him to put on. The butler then leads him out to the horse-driven carriage, which is already waiting at the steps of his house. They know him well enough that he would not stay long for dinner, so they have everything already waiting to set off.
A coachman holds the carriage door open for Esmond to get in. As he steps up into the carriage, he looks back at his home one last time. A sense of sadness takes over him as he thinks this might be the last time he has seen his family. He knows this time he will take more risks than he has ever before. Turning his back away, he gets fully into the carriage as the door shuts behind him, and soon after, the carriage starts its journey towards the coastal city of Reddcome.