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I rested in the yard as the humans scurried about their tasks. At first most seemed to mill about aimlessly, their usual routine completely upturned. It only took the humans living on the estate a short time to get used to taking orders from Tobias however, especially after he had found some nice clothes for himself in the house. The valuables in the house turned out not to be very impressive. Most of it consisted of various pieces of art, including framed pictures as well as a couple fine tapestries. Bolts of silk emerged as well as spices and casks of wine from the cellar. There were two chests of wealth which came at last from the manor. It was explained to me that the larger of the two - it was so heavy it needed to be carried by Tobias and another larger man - constituted the village's treasury as well as Sir Ronald's personal wealth; which the late knight had considered largely one and the same. Aside from the meaningless documents enclosed was a sizable quantity of jewelry and faceted gems; stacked below on the bottom of the chest were bars of gold. The small chest was filled to the brim with gold coins stamped with the profile of a large cheeked human female. This was the tithe to be sent to Lord Dominic at the year's end, or would have been sent, rather if the village hadn't come under new management. Most of the rest of the things that came out of the manor were worthless to me. Numerous sets of clothes for both male and female, taxidermy animals, lanterns, oil, towels and a dazzling supply of various sundry and minutae of daily life in the manor house. It was well known what was going to happen to the house shortly and after I instructed Tobias to begin distributing the various supplies freely among the servants, the humans began to be exceedingly through in cleaning out the house to the point where they were carrying out things obviously pried off walls and ceilings. I claimed a rich, golden chandelier for myself and let the humans sort out the torch holders, washbasins, chairs and tables. More than once Tobias intervened to break up a fight. With a dragon looming in the field behind him, it never took him long.

As for my injuries, the horse master came forth from the house and serviced me. He worked with a cold professionalism after a brief introduction. Grey haired and bespeckeled, the gentleman seemed almost as confident working on a dragon as his horses and livestock. I warned him too of the "poisonous" nature of dragon-blood, but he only grunted in response, intent of his work of removing the bolts. If he was rougher than Tobias had been, he was more efficient and cleaner with his work. He washed his instruments in a bucket and left. I didn't say goodbye, but the surgeon lingered in my mind more than the various other humans who came forth and attempted speech with me from time to time.

Once it was apparent that I was not about to fly into a rampage, the humans proved to be as curious as cats. Tobias was busy and was not able to intercept all of the humans who came forward to ask silly questions or just to stare. Usually all it took was the setting of my gaze on them to make them bid a hasty retreat. For the more persistent, silence was a better tool. Once I shielded my face with my wing against a boy younger than Tobias who just would not take a hint.

By the evening, the house had become a gutted husk, even the windows removed and left as open gaps. Tobias sent the artwork, bolts of fabric and more fragile bits of the valuables I'd claimed to his house along with the gifts for his family; the two groups clearly marked. I curled around the two chests of riches, the core of my new hoard. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction in their presence.

Tobias returned to me by horseback after seeing the wagon of treasure back to his house. I thought the return home might have proven emotional for the lad, but as he rode up he was grinning, not even showing much sign of fatigue. Power seemed to suit him well, it seemed. I lifted my head to let him know he was acknowledged. He started, "I have your things locked safely in the basement for now. I also spoke to the town crier. He's spreading the news of what's happened around the village. Everywhere is abuzz with your defeat of Sir Ronald."

I rumbled in my throat, "It was knight-lieutenant Richard who slew Sir Ronald."

Tobias seemed taken aback that I did not accept the "glory" of befelling my enemy. "I... I know that, M'lord. But I placed more emphasis on your own victory."

I growled and tore at the ground with a claw. The horse under Tobias shied away, but he kept it under control. "I told you to spread the truth. Let everyone know that Sir Ronald was killed by a grieving father whose son had been sent to his death by the man." Tobias still had much to learn evidently. I wanted as little emphasis on my own actions as possible. If the village could accept authority from an unseen coward in his manor, they should be able to accept it from an unseen dragon... at least in time.

"I... I will, Sir. I will revise the story at once!" Tobias said, turning his horse about.

I raised a paw, "Not quite yet. I want you to summon a wood worker here first thing in the morning. I want to disassemble this place while making the most of the wood left from it. I will also need to speak to a quarryman for I will have much need of stone in the future and also someone who can help with excavating this hill. Send them all to me in the morning and don't bother sending them if they can't be civil with me." By that I meant if they couldn't cope with speaking to a three-thousand pound dragon.

"Of course, M'lord, first thing in the morning. Shall I see about sending you some livestock?"

I thought about the dead soldiers I had left up in the forest. I didn't want to burn through the meat supply during this period of turmoil, but the bodies were likely burned beyond all virtue by the still raging fire. "Don't send something too large, a pig or a sheep will do."

"Very good." Said Tobias, again turning to go.

"Wait." I intoned and my servant came about willingly once more. "I have one last task for you tonight. I want you to locate Richard and see how he fares. He would be useful in reorganizing the militia if he were willing."

"I will do that, M'lord. I know where he and his wife live." Said Tobias.

I purred my pleasure. "...make sure he does nothing rash, Tobias." I said with a heavy glance. The man had seemed dreadful after he had learned about his son's demise.

Tobias seemed to take my meaning, "I will, M'lord." The young man, now my second in command and for most intents and purposes new lord of the village, walked his horse across the lawn and into the darkening night.