 The series centers primarily on events involving Temeraire (the titular dragon) and his handler, Will Laurence.The first book of the series tells how Laurence, formerly a Captain in the Royal Navy, becomes Temeraire's handler, and of their early training in preparation for battles against Napoleon's aerial fleet.In the winter of 1804 ("the year four" as the characters call it) or thereabouts, during the War of the Third Coalition, HMS "Reliant" under Captain William Laurence seizes the French "Amitie", a 36-gun frigate.