Five years ago had been Lomadia's first visit to Everett.

Back then, it had been the center for all things cultural, from literary to fashion. People performed at almost every street corner. Women walked down the streets, wearing large hats and clothing, chattering to one another. Workers were busy paving roads with cobblestones and building new buildings. The 10-year-old Lomadia had stared at all of these things in wonder. Some women waved at her as she went by in the carriage.

She had loved every moment in that grand city. Even though they had been in the middle of the War, the city showed no signs of ever surrendering.

A great change had happened, though. Only two years after that wonderful visit, everything fell apart.

The King of the Humans had perished in the War.

May 22, 396 A.T.

Lomadia, 5 years later, again stared out the window of the carriage. This time, however, her eyes were filled with sadness, instead of the child-like excitement that they had held years before. Nobody walked the streets anymore; many shops were closed, the owners bankrupt or sent off to fight in the War. Only the youngest of children were outside, playing in the muddy streets that had never been paved.

The skeletons of buildings were everywhere. Half-finished, the builders called off and inevitably killed in this War. The rain coated everything in grey, making the city look like it was still mourning for it's lost king. It probably was.

Finally, the carriage stopped at the entrance of a large estate, in the aristocratic quarter of the city. The Duke had explained to her on the way there that they would be staying with a friend of his for the duration of their stay - a few days, at most.

Lomadia hoped that they could be out of here as soon as possible.

May 23, 396 A.T.

"This way, Sir, Ma'am."

The servant led them through a rather long hallway filled with expensive looking paintings of the owner of the house and his family, but mostly of the owner, it seemed. Whenever they passed by a room, Lomadia could see it was glimmering with gold - gilding on the furniture, ornate rugs either of exotic decent or of large animals. The owner of the house was so obviously trying to display his wealth that it was actually quite a bit to her dislike.

After the long walk through this hallway, the servant opened some doors quietly and the two walked in and took a seat on another piece of decorated furniture. There were about two dozen people in this room, most of them of fathers and sons. There were a few young men who were alone, but there was not a single female aside from herself that Lomadia could see.

Most of the young men were gathered around several large golden objects that she couldn't quite see clearly. They were all 'oohing' and 'ahhing' over it, but not one man was touching it. Some of the men seemed to have chosen one as their own in their head, paying the most attention to that one. The older men - their fathers - sat back on the chairs and couches, nodding approvingly at their sons' actions.

Nobody paid much attention to Lomadia. She felt invisible at that moment, but didn't mind that much; she was too busy taking in the environment and trying to find some book she could pick up and read. An older man, the host of this gathering, it seemed, sat down and whispered a few things to her father, to which he nodded briefly. The man then stood up and clapped for everyone's attention. Everyone who had been up went and returned to a seat, and all eyes were on him.

He cleared his throat and smiled at everyone. "Friends, let me introduce myself. For those who don't know me, my name is Marek. We have all gathered here for a very important reason. Recently, our group has been given three," he said, motioning towards the large golden objects Lomadia had noticed before, "eggs. As most of you here know already, these eggs are not the normal chicken eggs we eat at breakfast." A light chuckle went around the room at this comment. "These eggs... are dragon eggs."

Lomadia felt like she was the only one actually surprised at this news. Everyone else seemed to have a smile pasted on their face, nodding.

Marek nodded as well. "The reason we have gathered is so that our young sons," he motioned towards the younger men, "can see if they are the chosen owners of these dragons. It would be of great benefit if one of our first-born sons were able to help the people in such a way." A few men cheered, but he continued. "We will be doing this in an orderly fashion, in order for the eggs not to be damaged in any way. The old books say that the younger one is bonded with a dragon, the more powerful they both may become. Thus, we will be starting with the youngest man, and end with the eldest."

At this news, a small 7-year-old boy jumped up with a shout and ran over to the table that was housing the eggs. He looked at them for a while, and then started to pick one up, a larger one, when he dropped it with a look of disgust on his face. "Eww!" he exclaimed, running up to his father. "It feels all slimy and cold and gross!" When his father told him to sit down, the boy started to throw a tantrum. "But daddy... I wanna dragon! Make him come out for me!" The father shook his head, and the child started to scream. The father of the child had to drag him out of the room for the sake of everyone's ears.

"The old books also say," Lomadia whispered to her father, "that touching a dragon egg when you're not it's proper owner shows what you are inside, as well." She smiled wryly as her father chuckled.

Another boy went up and left, saying that it only felt cold to him. Thankfully, he didn't behave like the other boy had. To busy herself while more boys went up and left, she examined the shells of these dragon eggs, trying to find some sort of marking that was unique to a dragon egg, or something of the sort. As she was doing this, she felt a slight tug on her mind, and a soft, whispering voice. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the smallest egg, hardly bigger than a chicken's. It was the same golden color as the others, but it had small amber flecks in scattered on the shell, making it glimmer just a bit more than the others. She was only awakened by this trance by her father shaking her slightly, saying, "Lomadia."

"Hmm?" she asked, blinking a few times.

"It's almost our turn," he said briefly.

The last boy went back to his seat with a disheartened expression on his face, and the host said, "Paluné's son?" He looked at her father, and then around him a bit, not even seeming to notice Lomadia. "Sir, where's your son?"

Her father sighed. "I don't have a son, if you happened to forget. My eldest daughter, Lomadia, will be going up in place of a son." Lomadia smiled, but the host frowned and an older boy laughed.

"A girl? Surely you jest, Palunè. No girl could handle this sort of thing. Only the strongest can have the honor of having a dragon. A simple noble girl is best left to needlework and bearing sons," laughed the boy, and a few of his friends laughed as well. Even some of the older men shared a smile.

Lomadia stood up suddenly, eyes blazing, and took a few steps forward before her father held her back. "Why don't you fight me and find out who's the stronger one?" she growled.

"Fighting a girl? You must think me a commoner. I'm too honorable to hurt a small, defenseless being." Lomadia tried to rush forward, but her father pulled her back down in her seat. Nobody seemed to notice that the crystals they used to the light the room were starting to flicker and grow stronger, just like before a storm.

Lomadia still fuming, the Duke stood up and said nothing. He and Lomadia then headed for the door, but Lomadia took a glance back at the small egg. Closing the door behind her, she ran to catch up with her father. Once they exited the house, Lomadia sighed, and all the lights inside shattered.

Later that Evening

Marek observed the aftermath of this disaster with a cold gaze. The guest had left rather quickly after every single light-containing device had been destroyed. Only one remained - the foreigner, Komaj. Komaj hadn't moved an inch when all the crystals shattered, even though there was one right above his head. He simply moved aside as the frightened servants cleaned it up.

This was obviously the work of Paluné's girl. No one else in that room had that sort of power. And what was even worse, is that it seemed that one of the dragons had chosen this young girl. What sort of changes would take place is a noble like her were to gain a dragon? Marek shuddered to think about it. The sad thing was that he couldn't do a thing about it. No one would back him up having seen that display. All those nobles, after all their tough talk, were spineless. He would have to stoop down to the lowest level and actually speak to this foreigner.

Marek walked up to the small balcony where Komaj was sitting, slowly sipping a glass of wine. Komaj looked the part of the foreigner - he had dark tan skin and bold colors on his clothing, as well as wearing them in a rather peculiar fashion. His shirt was similar to a tunic cut down the middle, with two broad stripes running down the neckline and cut. The shirt was pulled together and held by a wide, blood-red sash. Komaj also wore various pieces of fine gold jewelery, and no shoes most of the time. The only thing that was similar between Marek and Komaj was their brilliant blue eyes.

Sitting down, Marek motioned for a servant to bring him a glass of wine as well. The servant quickly brought it to him, as well as the bottle if they would want more. Marek swirled the wine around in his glass. "So... Komaj," he started, butchering the name unintentionally. Komaj nearly spit his wine out in laughter, but regained his composure quickly.

"It's Komaj," he said, pronouncing it correctly. "Ko as in 'cocoa,' ma as the word meaning 'mother,' and the j makes a soft 'sh' sound. Co-mash." He smirked at Marek's responsive facial expression, and let him continue.

"Okay... Komaj. I have a little favor to ask you."

"What's in it for me?" replied Komaj.

Marek nodded slightly. "Always the bargainer, aren't you, Komaj. This is what I am willing to offer for your cooperation." Marek waved his hand to the room where everyone had been gathered before. "A dragon." Komaj's eyes widened.

"How can you do that? Don't dragons choose their owners?" asked Komaj, laying his head on hands clasped together, elbows on the table.

"There are certain... magics that can convince them that they are mistaken in their choice of owners. If you get the right mage, it's fairly easy."

Komaj smirked. "What do you want me to do in exchange? For that sort of prize there must be a hefty price."

"Oh... it shouldn't be hard for someone of your..." His eyes gazed at a servant girl who was nearly drooling over Komaj. At the first sight of her master's glance, she jumped and rushed into the kitchen. "...talents."

Komaj remained smirking and nodded his head. After this he changed into a rather businesslike expression. "I ask again, what is it you want me to do?"

Marek waved his hand in the air idly. "I need you to keep an eye on that Lomadia girl. You know girls that type. She won't give up that chance to grab a dragon egg. Keep her busy. Most of my women are infatuated with you without you saying a word to them. Surely a little 15-year-old girl wouldn't be too much for you."

"You're right, it wouldn't be too hard. However," Komaj replied, and started to look very serious. "She's a noble. If I was to go off and court her, and lets say she did fall for me, she would expect marriage and then little babies." He smiled wryly and chuckled. "The little babies part wouldn't be too hard, but marriage? That sort of thing is wasted on a person like me."

Marek raised his hands in the air in exasperation. "To put it simply for you, keep her away from that egg!!" He pointed towards a room attached to the hall they were in, obviously made for lower servants. "You will sleep in that room tonight. And by sleeping, I mean you will be keeping an eye out for any unexpected visitors in the middle of the night. You are dismissed."

Komaj finished up his glass of wine and lazily got up from his chair. "I am dismissed, then," he said, and walked up towards his room.

Late that night

A young maid scurried down the hallway towards the main hall, where the nobles had been gathered that afternoon. She carried nothing in her hands, and wore the standard dove-gray uniform of the maids in this household. The hallway was deserted as she walked through it - at this late hour, nobody would be awake.

She opened the large doors slowly and quiet, not wanting to wake a person in the house. A servant could be fired, or worse, if their employer was in a foul mood. The maid took a look towards a small room next to the door. Although the sole lamp in the room was on, the inhabitant of the room was fast asleep.

Knowing that the guardian of this hall was out of commission for the moment, the maid gazed around the dark room, taking time to let her eyes adjust to the slight darkness. Soon, she saw the fruit of her endeavors; a group of eggs in the corner of a room.

The maid looked around nervously, then dashed towards the eggs. She examined each one of them, still shining and glittering even though it was dark. Finding the one she was looking for - the smallest one - she wrapped it in a small piece of cloth. As soon as she touched this magical egg, it started to give off an unusual warmth - so different from the coldness the boys had described.

Again the maid looked around, making sure that no one was about, and then ran towards the kitchens. The kitchens were right off of this hall, and in them was an exit outside. She kept her eyes on the ground so not to make any noise, and finally found the door that led to kitchen. The maid opened it slowly and then rushed inside. In her haste, though, the door slammed shut, rattling the walls and filling the hall with the sound of echoing slams.

The guardian of the hall - Komaj, at this moment - jumped up from his sleep, almost immediately knowing what was. Komaj quickly ran through the halls and into the kitchen, where he saw a female rushing away with a bundle in her arms. He stopped for a moment and went back out to the hall, taking a glance at the table the eggs were housed at. Although not very noticeable, the smallest one was missing. Now knowing this fact, he knew who the person in the kitchen was.

That girl - Lomadia Palunè.

Komaj ran into the kitchen, and saw the door leading to the cellars ajar. Some rustling, as well as another loud thunk, came from down there. He ran down there, a smirk on his face, imagining what it would be like to have a dragon at long last. Victory was within his grasp. As soon as he reached the cellar, a large door leading to outside closed, as well as some noises from outside. He ran up the stairs leading to the door, and pushed all his weight against it and --

The door didn't budge. He pushed against it again - the door raised about an inch. Komaj sat down on the steps right under the door, tired out from this chase. He shook his head to regain his senses - he had enough evidence against her, so now all he had to do is report all this to Marek, and soon he would have a dragon for himself. Humming slightly, Komaj walked down the steps, ready now for a good night's sleep.

Lomadia, however, was far from calm. She had tripped on her skirt rushing out of the cellar, and dropped the bundle that held the egg. Opening it up, she found that there was a large crack in the shell. She could almost cry. Such a small egg... the dragon certainly couldn't be mature enough to survive in this world.

Suddenly, some smaller cracks spread out from large one. Lomadia could see the dragon trying to get out of it's tiny abode. She had read enough about dragons that she knew not to help them, unless it was life or death for the dragon. After minutes of apprehension, the last bit of shell confining the dragon was broken, and the small dragon, barely more than the size of a fully-grown parakeet, sat in the middle of the fragments. It looked around a little bit, looking confused.

Lomadia stared at the dragon, mesmerized. Although it was just a baby, the dragon looked to have thousands upon thousands of golden scales, sparkling in the sparse moonlight. It had a tail the same length of its body and several fancy looking longer 'scales', that actually look a bit more like horns, but facing backwards on it's head. The dragon also had two intense amber eyes. Lomadia reached out to touch it, just to make sure this dragon was... real.

As soon as her fingers touched the dragon's scales, it felt like a powerful light, more powerful than any sun or star in the sky, was shining straight at her. This light destroyed all of her surroundings - the house, the gardens, the dragon, even... herself. This light blinded her - filled the place with silence, utter silence. A silence that was so silent that it was deafening. A stream of a powerful magic wound its way through her bloodstream, filling every bit of her with this foreign magic. Suddenly, it all melted away, the sounds slowly returning, the house and gardens reappearing. Spots still danced in Lomadia's vision from the light.

Then, a voice in her mind:

Lom...adia...?