[Most went to the taxes. Most. There were definitely an elder or two who took things into their own hands. In some cases it was excusable or for a generally good cause. In some cases the money just vanished. Silas was, in Oscar's eyes, really a more proper Druid than the lot of them.]

How diligent of you, Silas! [he claps his hands together with some show of excitement] I feel right like I'm back in one of those dreadfully boring lectures.

[Now, it wasn't as easy with the lectures as the physical training for the elders to try and make him quit. They found ways, though. They found ways to make studying horrid and he found ways to still study. The memory catches him for a moment and he looks distant. Then,]

If I doze off, will you strike my hand with a switch? [In a flash, back to giddy masochism that was as comfortable as a second skin to him.]