Selbat knew that there were people in the valley before he cleared the mountain. He smelled them. His concern for the safety of Doris and her family made him stop on a cave ledge where he could look down the mountain. There he could see without being seen. He could inform himself more fully regarding this situation if he had a place where he could watch. He was bound by Dragon Creed to do no harm to humans and had always followed the Creed without question. Smelling humans in the valley where there had been none on his last visit gave him pause. He needed time to observe, and decide what he might have to do about this. Landing high above the valley and slowly making his way to the ledge he began to think about what he might find, and he was not happy with his thoughts.

He did not think that Doris or her family would be large enough to fend off any intruders if they meant harm. There were 30 to 50 according to his senses, and with no idea where they came from he was not comfortable with this knowledge. Finally arriving at a spot where he could see without being seen he settled patiently to wait. At first there was nothing to see except the green meadows. They appeared to be more widespread than on his last visit. He could also smell water. That too was different. He was too busy worrying about Doris, these things would have to wait.

It felt as if he had been waiting for hours when he finally got a glimpse of Doris. She appeared to be fine, and she appeared to be in deep conversation with the man walking next to her. It took a moment before Selbat's dragon hearing could catch what was being said.

"Jacob, I'm not so sure that other dragons will not notice the changes here in the valley and investigate their cause. Our senses are much more developed than those of humans. The scent of the water will draw attention for sure" Selbat realized that Doris was correct, and he wondered what response Jacob would give.

"I know Doris, and it concerns me greatly. I wish to speak at length with your father, Selbat. I don't know that he will have any real solution, but if we all work together here as we have been doing so far, the Others may see the benefit of this undertaking and allow us to continue. It would be more than worth it if we could fertilize more of Earth than just this small section. I am no scientist, but a return of the natural order might go a long way towards allowing Earths environment to return to a state of health. We must live underground because of the excessive heat found on Earths surface. What will happen if we could again experience trees and grass? I don't know, but we have a unique opportunity to find out thanks to you, Zack and your children. It would be best if we have more evidence that this is changing something.

"Jacob, I believe you will get your wish to meet Selbat soon. I believe that is him I see on the ledge up there."

Jacob looked in the direction Doris pointed and could see nothing but a speck that appeared to grow larger as he strained to see what it was. A brief feeling of fear traveled his spine making him shudder as if with cold. Doris saw it but chose to say nothing. She knew Jacob had lived with the Darkwing dragons and would react to that until he got to know Selbat. She assumed that the Others were like him and and Selbat was a dragon of caring temperament. She knew he would listen to Jacob's theory with respect and that was all Jacob really wanted.

Sensing Jacobs fear, Selbat set down a distance from them and approached carefully and quietly. His mind had begun to process the changes he saw, once it got over the sheepish feeling of being caught eavesdropping. He knew what this valley had looked like when he brought Doris here and now he could smell the earth in a way that he had forgotten. Fertile earth has a rich loamy smell, it suggests to the senses that it is alive and nourishing to the soul. This small valley had that feel to it and it had the feel of something dead before. This interested him and he was hoping that Jacob could suggest a reason for this change. He also saw the respect that passed between Jacob and Doris, this was good, very good. Maybe the Darkwing humans were not like their dragon counterparts after all.

"Doris, I see you have some new friends" said Selbat.

"Yes we do Father, and I'm sure you were able to count all of them from your mountain perch. Were you in need of a rest before coming to see your Grandchildren? I know they are rather energetic for someone of your great age."

"I'm sorry that I resorted to such slyness, but I sensed the humans here and felt the need to examine the situation before fully involving myself. It's a bit unusual since they were not here last month." Turning to Jacob, he said, "I am Selbat, Father to Doris by adoption, I had a father's worry in case she had come to some harm."

Jacob responded, "I am a father myself and know that kind of worry indeed. I understand your concern sir and wish you to know we mean no harm here to anyone. We escaped from Laytons Rage before Medlik could annihilate all humans there. We lived in mountain caves, and foraged for our food. For some of us it was harder to feel safe with Selina and the new dragons residing there now and we left to come to a place where we could feel safe. My son encountered Doris and she allowed us to take what started out as a temporary rest here. However, now we wish to remain here in this valley. There are possibilities I would like to explore."

"I see", said Selbat. "I do see the changes here and am interested in knowing what brought them about, we need to have a talk, you and I, but first I should like to spend some time with Doris and her family. Suppose we agree to meet here in an hour?"

"Yes, I will take the time to gather my thoughts and wait for you here. I have no wish to take you from your family, my ideas can wait."

Lost in thought Jacob did not hear Selbat until he was standing next to him. He was startled that something so large could move that quietly, and thanks to his experiences at Layton's Rage a little frightened by that thought. He didn't know where he should begin to tell what he suspected was happening here, nor did he entirely trust Selbat to accept his conclusions without violence. Doris had said she was here because Selbat had broken Dragon Rule. Was he going to accept responsibility for his actions or would he try to hide them again by doing something drastic? Jacob thought there was only one way to find out.