I did not know for how long I slept, but the exhaustion was gone, first thing to do was to explore my surrounding area, when I exited the building I noticed the sun was already high above, the ruins of what I could tell used to be a town sprawled around me, it was rather large, and must had been abandoned for decades at the very least.

Nature has long ago started to reclaim this area, animals wandering around and running when they spotted me without any sign of intelligent life, launching myself upwards there was much the same, surrounding the ruins was an encroaching forest, already in the process of covering the surrounding farmland.

From here I could also see the vague silhouettes in the distance of the wall, choosing to go in the opposite direction until I found something of interest and eat something along the way.

After a while, of gliding further in to the forest I’ve finally found something interesting, a village, an active one, looking closely it was clear that it was not a human village, but a monster one, kobolds, if what the memories given to me with my name are correct, they should not oppose me.

Landing in the middle of the village on an open space trying to gather as much attention as possible, I may be small for now but that shouldn’t be a problem, kobolds were servants of the draconic after all.

They approached cautiously with curiosity, is probable that these lands haven’t seen a true dragon in a long time, I let out a roar, it might not have been as mighty as I have thought it would be, but it was one nonetheless, it conveyed a simple message “OBEY”, in that instant something twitched inside of them, something telling them that they should do as I command.

I now had the attention of every single one of them, good, whoever was their leader before doesn’t matter, with another roar I gave plastered instructions in to their minds, to go to the ruins, and start digging, who knows what can be in those ruins, forgotten treasures that were forgotten and buried under dirt, that was what I was hoping at least.

With that taken care off I went back to the ruins to properly mark it as mine, once I arrive I started placing my mark on the place running my claws against the stone surface of the ruins before the kobolds arrive, it would take some time but they will get here eventually, perhaps today, once the exterior buildings of the town were marked I went back to the building I claimed as my lair, and with instinctual knowledge I let out a spew of flames on the area surrounding it, scorching it until a circle was made around it.

As night came the kobolds of the village finally arrived, they noticed the claw marks and knew this must be the place, no other dragon was spotted around this area after all, soon enough they would dig their own refuge in any of these ruins, apart from my lair of course.

I spent the rest of the day to dig out more dirt and debris trying to clear out as much of the building as possible, conscripting at least half the kobolds to aid me, eventually after a couple of hours the floor was halfway cleared, I decided it was good enough for now and lay down to rest the night.

As the new day dawned the kobolds had already settled in, progress was being made in digging out the ruins, and already providing some small results, even if it was just a bag with a few dozen silver and bronze coins, it was still the beginning of my hoard, while this amount was negligible it would add up as more was eventually found.

The ruins were large and it’s impossible that there aren't more coins buried here, clearing more dirt out of my lair I finally reached something that I was looking for, stairs to the other floors, one leading to the second floor and another going downwards.

Deciding to go up first I went up the stairs, this was barely wide enough for me to fit in, I wouldn't be capable of fitting here once I grew and the upper floors would be useless except for perhaps future minions, maybe those who earn the right to be my honor guard of sorts, I saved these thoughts for later as I continued to the second floor.

Stolen story; please report.

Upstairs the floor was separated into multiple rooms, they were messy with junk thrown out into the floor, it seemed that whoever people lived here left as quickly as possible leaving behind many possessions.

The upper floors were already starting to look promising, not bothering to look more in to it as I won’t be going up there anytime, I went back down and went to the other set of stairs, I could eventually move my hoard downstairs for more protection but the stairs would need to be dug out and a ramp placed if this was going to be my permanent territory.

The basement looked like a storage room, anything that was here has rotted away with little to nothing being left. I went back up disappointed and quickly ordered some of the kobolds to search the upper floors.

With nothing else to do except wait for the entire thing to be cleared I set out to practice my firebreath, sure I used it to mark my lair but I would need to know how effective it is in combat and against live prey.

Heading into the deeper parts of the forest further in from where I found the village I started scanning the ground for any large animal to test my flames upon, eventually I found a bear wandering around, no doubt searching for prey as well.

I perched myself atop a tree branch so I could observe it, the bear was larger than me, I couldn’t be reckless and just dive for it, perfect practice.

I glided from tree to tree until I was on top of it at witch point I spewed a torrent of flames on top of it, the bear roared in pain as the flames stuck on it, it ran away in panic before starting to roll on itself attempting to extinguish itself, I chased after it and continued to throw fire at it, the flames grew in intensity and the sizzling of flesh could be heard and soon after the bear was dead.

It took a while before the fire extinguished itself and once it did I descended to dig in, setting your foes aflame proved to be a good strategy as it doesn’t matter much if they have tough hide or armor as they would be cooked inside anyways, it also added the benefit of panic, however I felt as whatever gland in my throat allowed me to make this fire was almost empty bringing a sore sensation on to it.

A mild annoyance compared to what it could do, finishing up here I went back to the ruins, slight progress has been made in the surrounding area, I landed just outside my lair and entered, the hoard growing ever so slightly, patiently overseeing the process, eventually one of my servants descended from the upper floors, carrying a decorated metal box, some sort personal vault left here, apparently no key in sight, probably lost to time or carried away without what it opened.

It was set down before me they seemingly not being able to pull it open, inspecting the edges trying to spot the hinges, spotting them shortly after, being as careful as possible I positioned myself closely and attempted to melt the side where the lock was and with a continued burn I weakened the metal holding the hinges together, ripping the door to the side, some of the slag flying away.

Inside, seemingly glowing in the darkness, a single gold bar, next to it a decorated silver dagger with something inscribed in the handle, their presence emanating a soothing feeling of comfort, I almost didn’t notice the bags inside, similar to the ones seen before.

Unlike the previous ones these did not contain different types of coins, but just a single one, sadly no golden coins, perhaps the only thing taken, maybe there used to be more? quickly shoving that though out of my head I swiped the vault sideways with my claws, the contents spilling out.

I was pleased with everything that happened in this short amount of time, briefly wondering what was happening on the other side of the continent and what were my siblings doing, perhaps they have dispersed west as well, but I doubted it, if anything they were competition.

As much as this was, it wasn’t enough, it never was enough, but this would have to suffice, this guaranteed me to get stronger, I just knew it, but I could already fight the wild beast with no thought of their own, and force those beneath me to obey, yet those humans, most seemed to not be affected and judging by the rags that were the ones at mother’s camp it was somewhat clear that only those desperate enough would kneel before one such as I.

It was odd if I thought about it, something that would have to be looked at later, my current priority was to get this place properly set up, there were treasures beneath rubble and soil that needed to be discovered, and more servants to acquire and something inside me told me I had just a few months before cold arrived, plenty of time to set things properly.

But more manpower was in need however if things were to be made in time after all.