(or, twice, maybe even thrice, who knows?)
This was a time of peace, nobody alive today remembers it, and scholars speak of it with a margin of unverifiable nostalgia.
The "Last Winter Flight" occurred. Knights of Dracano flew with their elder dragons one winter, and never returned.
Somewhere within the Korethean Tundra rose a mysterious group of humans. They organized into a small kingdom, and then expanded into territories unchallenged.
The "Golden Empire" was a unison between nine human kingdoms. The largest, Talaign, stretches from the temperate zones to the warm southern seas and holds the seat of power. The Empire strictly does not include any of the Tundra kingdoms (except for trade outposts) or the scattered tribal territories.
Dragons began returning in larger numbers, becoming bolder. Scholars made efforts to bring back the ancient methods of Dragon-taming. It was quickly out-lawed due to lack of understanding and the practice's unpredictable nature.
Dragons appear at a higher rate. Often, these sightings follow or precede reports of entire villages ransacked or small settlements driven to move completely. Curiously, the beasts (since appearing some decades ago), seem to remain in juvenile form.
With the dragons returning, and unconfirmed Knights of Dracano sightings, you are certainly living in interesting times!