Even against Hank's best efforts Carla and Layla didn't offer much objection to the idea of Lilly observing a battle.

Hank had made as many objections as he possibly could. He just didn't have many that agreed with him, especially with the extra protections Kurt had suggested.

Mother Carla had sat Mistress Lilly down to explain how her orders may not be followed on a battlefield like she was used to. She was not to be a commander; she would retreat at the first sign of trouble.

Mother Carla had come to meet Kurt to explain it and expected Kurt to give her a report on how Lilly handled herself. Carla also expected Kurt himself to be present at the battle as another condition, he was planning on doing that anyway. And at all times she would be accompanied by a goatman who could expose shadows, he didn't object. Both were reasonable demands.

Kurt also knew Lilly would have little trouble convincing Barney and Harvey. Harvey for obvious reasons, loved any attention. Barney had demanded to fight himself, so a situation like this was what he was waiting for.

Betsy had started to make her negotiations with Lake Longbow and Dakota Springs. The best news he was hearing was that the rail project was running ahead of schedule. And it wouldn't be very long until a rail connected The Pillar, and the Dutchery.

The battle plan was simple, they would take out a smaller settlement to disrupt the larger one and get a foothold. It wasn't the most direct push.

The fortress was more of a rest stop along a main road than a true station. There were other similar ones to choose from. Fortress may have been too strong a word for a town with a wall.

He had been greeted in the morning by Betsy, Hank, Harvey, Barney, and a few dozen goblins on wyverns. With a smiling Mistress Lilly in front.

Kurt had set his anchor at a point close to where they were supposed to begin. He would bring them all at once.

"I know we are planning an advance today," said Betsy. "Should we forgo our usual daily meeting?"

"That would probably be best."

"Then I won't interrupt," said Betsy, pausing, "this." She smiled and took off to a wyvern that was near her and flew away. She had escaped her training for today. It wasn't like Kurt made many changes to Betsy's plan every day, he just wanted to be informed.

"Lord Kurt," said Lilly. "I believe we are ready."

"There are more on the ground," said Hank. "We should get them all."

This was earlier than they had discussed. It seemed Mistress Lilly was a bit impatient.

The front line the goblin had come to was a bunch of people waiting looking over a land with no one coming.

It was a line, but neither side had enough to actually ground the entirety of it. Coming through the gate Lilly rode on top of Harvey.

The plan was for Lilly to sit upon a cliff and watch the attack. She was never to actually be put into the battle. The small fortress, based on their reports and the force they were sending would be an easy win. It may have a heavy response the next day or two in the aftermath.

They had found their way in the woods. With a view of the town. They had noticed their presence coming, but they were not sending out people. Making a vantage point for Lilly easy to find.

"So this is the place?" said Lilly, "so small."

"Strategy is important," said Hank, "it may look small but its location can be disruptive."

"Still," said Lilly, "do you think they will put up much of a fight?"

"No."

Lilly was disappointed by the answer. It was clear to Kurt that she wanted to see a little carnage. The fort was defended. All towns are built to withstand an attack in one way or another.

The attack formation started its assault on the city. Most of the population moves quickly behind their walls.

It was t like everyone's town in their territory was filled with evil people. It's never like that in war.

"I hope they don't just give up," said Lilly, "we brought too many."

They watched as their forces came and surrounded the city. They had found a way to mitigate wyvern attacks with a simple shield.

"It's like they don't even want to fight back," said Lilly, "so disappointing. It just looks too easy. We already have the town surrounded."

"We are a large force," said Hank, "what options do they have?"

"Send for help? Or something, it just seems too easy," said Lilly. "Like they were waiting for us."

They watched as the goblin and allied forces seemed to easily come to the wall of the town.

"They actually are not firing back," said Kurt.

"Yes, what cowards," said Lilly.

"No, that's a problem. You're right. This is too easy. Like they were expecting this."

Hank looked at Kurt. Then around him wasn't in front of him.

To Everyone else in his surroundings. "Wyverns I need a bird's eye view of our location," said Hank. "Attack anything that you don't recognize. I need more fire from the Goatmen. Everyone else, form up."

They were looking down at the city. They had exposed their position to Hank's commands. That was not the original plan.

"There are not a lot of people there," said Kurt.

"Something is wrong," said Joe. "They should be, either sending out a team to surrender or attacking."

Kurt looked around the area, he couldn't see anyone in the surroundings, no light, nothing.

"Do you think the people on the ground noticed?" said Lilly.

"Send a caution flare!" said Hank. "Something doesn't feel right."

A shaman goblin sent a blue spell into the air that lit up the night sky. Kurt watched the flare as it flew through the sky. As it was coming down his eyes stopped following it.

Something was waiting for them.

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