A Bronze Rising: Smoke and Fire
It appears the situation will require more direct involvement from the Bronze.
The boy sat on a boulder, the saddle where his hands were bound out before him and between his legs. I walked stiffly over, the bolts where they pierced my flesh stung more now that the battle rage was passing. I didn't ask if he was injured because clearly he was, in addition to the bruises, I could smell blood on him. I said, "Do you need help with your bindings?"
Tobias nodded and then started coughing. It was then that I noticed the milky sheen of smoke in the air. The fire behind me was now raging well beyond my capacity to control even if I were so inclined as to attempt to put it out. I didn't particularly care, though. What would burn would burn and only a freak rain storm was likely to stop it now. Though the air was merely a bit dingy to me - dragons, naturally have a good resistance to smoke - apparently it was rough on the human lad as it was on deer and other soft mammalian creatures. I needed to get my servant away or he would soon perish. It irked me, however, that I needed to waste time before exacting my revenge on the coward Sir Ronald who foolishly thought to be rid of me with a mere ambush.
I lowered my upturned claw to Tobias. "I cannot free your little hands. See if you can use the edge of my talon to break your bonds."
Tobias nodded without speaking, his face pressed into his cloak. He brought his hands, and the saddle, up and began rubbing against the sharp edge of my talon. I kept it still as he worked. Eventually the bonds were cut free, but by then the smoke had grown even thicker. Tobias' hands dropped weakly to his sides and he was coughing constantly. Carefully, I cradeled the young man into my claws and carried him upwind and out of the fumes as swiftly as possible. Below me, the forest was an inferno.
Swinging around, I winged my way back south towards the estate with all possible haste. I felt every puncture in my wing membrane along the way, but the leather was strong and didn't rip despite the numerous little holes. I would need them stitched later and I did not look forward to having the bolts removed my flanks and back either.
The moment I landed just inside the cleared fields of the estate, an alarm was raised, but I didn't care. Tobias had improved somewhat on the flight over here, but he still looked pale and coughed occasionally. I set him on the high stone wall and looked him directly in the eye. I had only a couple moments. "I want you to witness as I claim this territory. After today, you shall be the new Knight of Devonshire and I shall be your lord."
Tobias' eyes were wide as I made the proclamation. Behind me, armored men were running to the stables. The startling passed momentarily, however and was replaced it was a cold determination. "This land will be yours, M'lord."
I smirked, "I already knew that." Then I turned, leaving Tobias on his perch on the wall and faced down whatever defense the humans were trying to muster. I decided to call out Sir Ronald