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Fall, 1302
After the visit by the fey things changed at the Haight household. Suddenly, the idyllic life that Draco had been living at Wobegon Hall felt stifling, like a gilded prison. The little dragon mulled over the conversation again and again: the pixie was right-Draco was a dragon. He could fly. There were things to see and explore in the World beyond the walls of the manor. Was he supposed to live with humans-even kind ones that treated him well and fed him full and kept him safe? The dragon began to question his identity and his role in the world.
A few weeks after the encounter, Draco broached the question before Lord Haight while the latter was writing some documents.
“My lord, I’ve been wondering.” The little dragon started as he suddenly walked up.
Jonathan put down his parchment and wineskin. “What’s bothering you, my boy?”
“When I grow up, will I be allowed to go back into the Wild?”
“Now why would you want to do that?”
“I’m a dragon right? Shouldn’t I go back to the Wild and join other dragons?”
The Lord of Cael laughed and leaned down to rub Draco’s forehead. “Perhaps one day. Right now you’re too young. Run along and we can talk about it when you’re older.”
That settled matters for a bit. The dragon continued to read, to learn with Lady Jane, to go on his evening walks with Lord Haight, and to hunt with Castellian Jakey, Talbot and Collie. However, if Nigel thought everything had been resolved, the next year showed that the idea was still on the dragon’s mind.
Lord Haight was reading when Draco came up to him eagerly. The dragon had grown noticeably since the previous year and was now the size of a mastiff.
“My lord, can I go visit the Wilds now?”
The master of the manor sighed quietly and closed his book. “Why?”
“I’m a dragon. I want to be where dragons go.”
Jonathan Haight laughed. “Dragons fly among the highest peaks and hunt through the roughest weather, Little one. It’s tough and tiring.” He pointed to the dragon’s paunch. “You’re getting a little plump, Draco. Perhaps you could get stronger and faster and healthier, and then we can see if you’re able to go out next year. ”
The little dragon did not seem particularly happy with that response, but nodded. “I will try sir.”
That bought another cycle of the seasons. Draco worked hard, chasing harder with the hounds, running greater distances, and climbing trees. The dragon learned to keep himself soaring in the air- his short, hopping glides gradually becoming actual flight. His youthful chubbiness did gradually go down, and after a few months the dragon began to look sleeker, more powerful.
More dangerous.
After about another year, Draco, even larger and stronger now, appeared before Lord Haight while the latter was alone in the Great Hall deep into his drink one summer evening.
“My lord, I’m interested in going out. Can I go visit the Wilds soon? I’ve been preparing.”
Jonathan was tired and frustrated, and his mood was not improved by yet another repeat of the dragon’s request. “What is that, my boy?”
“I want to see the Wilds. I want to be like a dragon. I’ve been preparing, my lord. I feel I can take on anything that comes up.”
The Lord of Cael sighed and shook his head. “I regret ever humoring that dream, Draco. You can never leave Wobegon Hall.”
The dragon was taken aback. “I’m sorry my lord?”
“If you leave my protection, Draco, you will die.”
“What?”
“There are evil things out in the world.”
“I can survive! I’m strong!”
“And go outside my protection for what?”
“So I can be a dragon! So I can be free and see my own people!”
Lord Haight took another swig of his alcohol and sighed, running his hands through his hair.
“I never figured out why creatures desired freedom. You have everything you need here: caretakers, friends, and a safe, warm and comfortable home with plenty to eat and enjoy yourself with. Outside in the real world there is hunger, coldness, loneliness and death. You will have to suffer; to kill or be killed. I say this all in interest for your safety and happiness. I saved your life and welcomed you into this family. Are you certain that you want to abandon all of that for something as vague as freedom? You won’t care for that when you’re hurt, when you’re freezing in the rain or snow or starving.”
Words were running out of the dragon’s mouth.
“I’m willing to try!”
“I don’t think you do.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen the world, little one. I’ve seen how terrible it is. I know you suffered when you were younger, and I don’t want you to do so again.”
“Let me see that!”
“I know what’s right for you.” Lord Haight got to his feet, looming over Draco. Despite himself, despite his size, the dragon took a step back.
“I am your master. For all your speech and human demeanor, you are still only a pet.”
“I’m not a pet! I’m a dragon!”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Draco! I taught you respect!” Jonathan snapped.
The dragon flinched. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry my lord.” Draco finally responded meekly.
“Good.” Lord Haight took a final swig of his drink and headed towards his bedchambers, giving the dragon a not-particularly reassuring pat on the head as he walked past.
“Now run along, Draco, and I hope you quickly get over these foolish fantasies.”
And with that, the bedchamber doors slammed shut.
Now alone in the Great Hall, the dragon frowned.
Cat Stevens/Yusuf-Father And Son
Work courtesy of
Axelon!
Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48524331/
After the visit by the fey things changed at the Haight household. Suddenly, the idyllic life that Draco had been living at Wobegon Hall felt stifling, like a gilded prison. The little dragon mulled over the conversation again and again: the pixie was right-Draco was a dragon. He could fly. There were things to see and explore in the World beyond the walls of the manor. Was he supposed to live with humans-even kind ones that treated him well and fed him full and kept him safe? The dragon began to question his identity and his role in the world.
A few weeks after the encounter, Draco broached the question before Lord Haight while the latter was writing some documents.
“My lord, I’ve been wondering.” The little dragon started as he suddenly walked up.
Jonathan put down his parchment and wineskin. “What’s bothering you, my boy?”
“When I grow up, will I be allowed to go back into the Wild?”
“Now why would you want to do that?”
“I’m a dragon right? Shouldn’t I go back to the Wild and join other dragons?”
The Lord of Cael laughed and leaned down to rub Draco’s forehead. “Perhaps one day. Right now you’re too young. Run along and we can talk about it when you’re older.”
That settled matters for a bit. The dragon continued to read, to learn with Lady Jane, to go on his evening walks with Lord Haight, and to hunt with Castellian Jakey, Talbot and Collie. However, if Nigel thought everything had been resolved, the next year showed that the idea was still on the dragon’s mind.
Lord Haight was reading when Draco came up to him eagerly. The dragon had grown noticeably since the previous year and was now the size of a mastiff.
“My lord, can I go visit the Wilds now?”
The master of the manor sighed quietly and closed his book. “Why?”
“I’m a dragon. I want to be where dragons go.”
Jonathan Haight laughed. “Dragons fly among the highest peaks and hunt through the roughest weather, Little one. It’s tough and tiring.” He pointed to the dragon’s paunch. “You’re getting a little plump, Draco. Perhaps you could get stronger and faster and healthier, and then we can see if you’re able to go out next year. ”
The little dragon did not seem particularly happy with that response, but nodded. “I will try sir.”
That bought another cycle of the seasons. Draco worked hard, chasing harder with the hounds, running greater distances, and climbing trees. The dragon learned to keep himself soaring in the air- his short, hopping glides gradually becoming actual flight. His youthful chubbiness did gradually go down, and after a few months the dragon began to look sleeker, more powerful.
More dangerous.
After about another year, Draco, even larger and stronger now, appeared before Lord Haight while the latter was alone in the Great Hall deep into his drink one summer evening.
“My lord, I’m interested in going out. Can I go visit the Wilds soon? I’ve been preparing.”
Jonathan was tired and frustrated, and his mood was not improved by yet another repeat of the dragon’s request. “What is that, my boy?”
“I want to see the Wilds. I want to be like a dragon. I’ve been preparing, my lord. I feel I can take on anything that comes up.”
The Lord of Cael sighed and shook his head. “I regret ever humoring that dream, Draco. You can never leave Wobegon Hall.”
The dragon was taken aback. “I’m sorry my lord?”
“If you leave my protection, Draco, you will die.”
“What?”
“There are evil things out in the world.”
“I can survive! I’m strong!”
“And go outside my protection for what?”
“So I can be a dragon! So I can be free and see my own people!”
Lord Haight took another swig of his alcohol and sighed, running his hands through his hair.
“I never figured out why creatures desired freedom. You have everything you need here: caretakers, friends, and a safe, warm and comfortable home with plenty to eat and enjoy yourself with. Outside in the real world there is hunger, coldness, loneliness and death. You will have to suffer; to kill or be killed. I say this all in interest for your safety and happiness. I saved your life and welcomed you into this family. Are you certain that you want to abandon all of that for something as vague as freedom? You won’t care for that when you’re hurt, when you’re freezing in the rain or snow or starving.”
Words were running out of the dragon’s mouth.
“I’m willing to try!”
“I don’t think you do.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen the world, little one. I’ve seen how terrible it is. I know you suffered when you were younger, and I don’t want you to do so again.”
“Let me see that!”
“I know what’s right for you.” Lord Haight got to his feet, looming over Draco. Despite himself, despite his size, the dragon took a step back.
“I am your master. For all your speech and human demeanor, you are still only a pet.”
“I’m not a pet! I’m a dragon!”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Draco! I taught you respect!” Jonathan snapped.
The dragon flinched. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry my lord.” Draco finally responded meekly.
“Good.” Lord Haight took a final swig of his drink and headed towards his bedchambers, giving the dragon a not-particularly reassuring pat on the head as he walked past.
“Now run along, Draco, and I hope you quickly get over these foolish fantasies.”
And with that, the bedchamber doors slammed shut.
Now alone in the Great Hall, the dragon frowned.
Cat Stevens/Yusuf-Father And Son
Work courtesy of
Axelon!Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48524331/
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Doodle
Species Western Dragon
Size 1105 x 1105px
File Size 467.1 kB
Listed in Folders
I don’t imagine it’s entirely a simple matter for Lord Haight. It seems concern for Mera’s safety is legitimately there, but he’s also confusing love and possession. On one level, he looks down on Mera as a pet, he also comes across a bit like a father who can’t accept that his child is growing up.
(Some of it kinda reminds me of ideas I’ve had for Ridley)
(Some of it kinda reminds me of ideas I’ve had for Ridley)
Yep. Lord Nigel is not a bad person and he genuinely cares about Mera (and also is mostly correct in his prediction), but he is also patronizing (as consistent with his peerage) using the dragon as a display of his wealth and prestige, and uses taking care of Mera as a mental crutch for his war trauma. His drinking habit (also a product of said trauma), which slowly increases over the years, brings out his worst.
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