Esra of Aera

Description
Esra is the main protagonist and hero of The Summit Inside.

Esra is a young man born in the Bland. He lives with his father Petr, and his mother Ashe. Esra's tale is the topic of the novel and named: The Summit Inside. Esra's tale begins when he is visited by his first Summit during a search for his best friend Thea. Esra yearns to gain a better understanding of these creatures and so he sets off on a journey with Thea to find the answers.

Chapter I
Esra travels to the large trading town Hart with his father Petr, mother Ashe and best friend Thea. They travel from Esra's home in the Bland by a carriage that is hauled by Clyf, the family horse. Esra and Thea spend the continental holiday of Aera in the town, by viewing a parade there.

Esra and Thea discuss there thoughts about the ever nearing end to their days in academy, and what they want to do with their adult lives. On the return journey, Thea shows to Esra, a poem she located in town sometime before. The poem titled Here lies Alex and his, was written by famous poet Hart, of whom the town is named after.

Once back at his home, Esra offers to walk Thea back to her home in the Bland. They arrive to see her sister Fray who had been waiting for Thea's return. Fray explains to Thea the passing of their sickly mother Brea. As Esra takes instruction from Fray, Thea runs away unnoticed and goes missing.

Esra and Fray split up to search for Thea. Esra comes to a clearing where he sees an old tree at its centre. At this place, Esra is visited by a fox-like creature that appears in a blinding light. This is Esra's first encounter with a Summit, however he does not understand what is happening. The fox-like creature disappears leaving a trail of moonlit earth that leads Esra to Thea atop a hill on grassy plains. The chapter ends when Esra and Thea are recovered by Petr who was out searching for them riding his horse Clyf.