Sara had left immediately with Simon, their job was to happen as fast as possible, you can't be caught setting the trap, it has to be there when they come already. They had gotten some time for Kurt to try to explain what a Giant Lizard Ant was, which made her more horrified.
Kurt had joined Travis to some of the tunnels, they had gathered some meat from the goblin tunnels before they set off. Travis also had a Barbariape, and there were several four warriors, three scouts and two shaman goblins with them. They all had ram mounts. They all seemed very well prepared and able to take a missions
He had asked about Hank and Tom, and Travis told him they were in the main war party, Hank's mount was going to be especially useful. Joe was still up in the sky watching everything ready to give the information on movements where needed when it happened. Kurt had gotten used to journeying with water boots, and didn't require his own mount. But one day, Kurt thought, he'd learn to ride something. He was sure he could ask for a ram. Kurt spoke highly of all of them to Travis. Knowing Warlord Travis was their boss, explaining how the poison Joe provided was the deciding factor against the Horror rabbit, and how Hank and Tom were always on top of their jobs. And how expertly they seemed to work together.
"Enough, Joe is a capable leader, Hank is a strong warrior and Tom is an all round professional. I understand Kurt. The only question now is if they can train a new brood, being a good soldier doesn't always translate to teaching how to be one, but those that can teach effectively tend to be our best assets. Only time will tell us that."
"Sorry about that, it was something Joe said," said Kurt.
"Yes, I believe they think you deserve more of the glory, than themselves, and they were outsiders of the true battle after all, they are wrong. You wouldn't have won without them, they don't fully understand that. You already got that, you of course proved yourself that day, but so did they. Yes they ran, but that was their job, you went off mission much more than them, but of course you…are not usually under my command. and the results speaks for itself."
"The thing stopped me from escaping on purpose," said Kurt, "I tried to run and follow the plan."
"Don't worry, those three will do great things. They are much better than they know. I'm glad you believe in at least some of my kind, the three of them would have not been much help in that fight I believe, we are all very young."
"You seem much more pleasant company than the Warlord title implies."
"You haven't seen me in the face of my enemy, But should not the Warlord bask in his victory to come, the honor of his war party, celebrate with his comrades in arms," Warlord Travis's voice started to get louder, "and should he not be joyous upon warfare's arrival, and the glory it will bring, I feel more alive today than I have since we have arrived at the pillar, the calm nature before the storm gives me peace, the smell of battle is in the air, though our arms have not taken up, the battle has already begun, our present journey is testimony to it, most battles are truly won before they are fought after all. And I feel it in the air, in the ground, in my own bones, upon the sweat of my brow, today we are alive walking along the path directly towards glory," Putting up both his arms. Many of the goblins in the party cheered, and to be honest Kurt was inspired by the Warlord, he seemed to truly believe his words. As crazy as they may have sounded to Kurt, at least he was a man of some kind of code and principles.
They had approached the cliff quietly, this was the first time Travis would see them in person. They hadn't moved far, but it was in the wrong direction. Their towering forms seemed relaxed in their current positions, the six legged creatures had not noticed them at all. All three seemed about the same size.
"I see yes, this will be difficult, they are all full grown, I had thought we might have a smaller child third ,but we don't. Though that one is the most fearsome," Travis pointed to the largest one.
"This is the dangerous part because our goal is to let them see us, and want to attack us. Or at least the bait."
"What do you suggest?" said Kurt.
"Reverse course a bit, we leave one of the scouts here with something, but we go where we want and place bait along until we get back here," you two pointing at a warrior and scout, "find more meat, the fresher the better."
"You two," pointing at two scouts keep watch on the prey, " the rest of us will start where we want them to head out, except you two, start making a path to the canyon."
"What are you doing?"
"Making the path as quickly as I can, you and I shall lead and discuss where we think they will come up."
"And us?" said one of the two shamans.
"Hmm, one of you should come with us, the other should join the two on the canyon trip, provide support and help set up the trail, we want to have a path to follow. We are still waiting on Simon, he will give a signal or we will give a signal to him if it's too soon."
All of the goblins seemed to m ow what their leader wanted. Kurt was impressed with how much command Warlord Travis seemed to have over his troops. He was a good ally to have in times like these. But even so, would they be enough. Kurt might have been able to take one, if he could cut it.