Kurt had gathered all of his forces just outside the train station he figured someone would come eventually. And they did. This was apparently Count Douglas's area. He arrived with some advisors and a few military officers. Not a show of force, but rather people in charge who would need to know everything.

"Lord Kurt," said Count Douglas, bowing.

"Yes," said Kurt.

"From what I've been told we owe you a lot of thanks."

"It was part of our arrangement, they could have just as easily attacked us in a way and we would expect the same response from you. I'm sorry the station took so much damage. It couldn't be helped."

"Yes but had they gotten much further who knows?"

"I'm not sure what the plan is from here," said Kurt, "we had to move quickly. Talia went left, we went right."

"Yes, we weren't expecting them to be on our train. Do you know what's happening at the gate?"

"No, the goblin that was with us should still be there on the train car, it would have arrived by now. They can translate their language, hopefully, that should get done quickly without much mess."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we had to jump the train to stop these, we never got to the gate ourselves."

"That's not good, and that light was Lady Talia?"

"I think so," said Kurt.

"The main problem is that this train is facing the wrong direction and we have no way to turn it around. Our station is more of a stop. So even if we wanted to go back to the gateway we'd have to go the wrong way then double back."

"I think we should do that," said Kurt, "bring the injured who can go on a train to the next place or whatever is the best place for them. Here or there or a combination. Leave and hopefully bring reinforcements on the way back. We don't have the time to think too hard, it is better to be on the way and not need it, than not be on the way and need it."

Douglas rubbed his chin then nodded, he turned to a subordinate on his side, and that person left. "I agree. Can't overthink it."

"Were there any more trains? We only saw the two."

"I don't think so," said Douglas.

"Let's hope it stays that way." Kurt looked over the distance and then up at Harvey. He wasn't going to take the train back. But now he was definitely big enough to ride. "Troublesome."

"What sir?"

"Well my troops, at least some, will have to stay here. The goatman especially as he has the fires. That can see them. But Harvey here. We are going to have to get over there ourselves. And we are the only ones that can communicate with both."

"Sir," said the Goatman, "I can understand them."

"Really?" said Kurt.

"Yes."

"Okay that works out," Kurt turned towards Douglas, "they can understand you. So nods for yes and shakes for no" demonstrating. "That can work for a bit right? We would normally have the goblins give you the ability as well."

"Yes I heard a little about that," said Douglas. "I just didn't know you had all this."

"Well there is only one Harvey," said Kurt.

So the plan was for Kurt to reinforce the gateway and keep riding Harvey there. And for the rest to stay here and wait for the train to move past and get to the place where it could turn around.

Harvey was overexcited about Kurt finally riding him into battle. A battle Kurt hoped was over already. Because there was a problem with Harvey's size. Kurt got onto his back and held onto one of Harvey's necks.

They started following the rail line toward the Gateway Keep.

"Hey, I saw you try that burst thing, good thinking," said Kurt.

"But it didn't work," Harvey said.

"I think it should have."

"It should have."

"But now we know. It won't."

"He cheated," Harvey said as they traveled along the rail. And Kurt let out a laugh.

"Yeah most of them do."

"Master cheated better."

"I didn't cheat."

"Master moved strangely, he cheated."

Kurt thought about that for a moment. How did he move strangely? What did that even mean? "I didn't cheat."

"Master in two places at once, cheated."

"No I wasn't. And you do that two."

"Master kills many people instantly."

"No I didn't," then Kurt thought for a moment. How long was that fight really? People did seem to move a bit slowly. And he was using a bunch of illusions."I just tricked them."

"Harvey smells, say no trick. Master appeared in many places. Master was not even trying."

"I'm just fast."

"Harvey fast," Harvey started to dash toward the Gateway keep. And Kurt had to grab on a bit tighter. Which made Harvey run faster. Kurt thought back and dozens of faces appeared in his mind, their last face alive. He didn't remember all that. He was in a flow but it was so quick, just a step. And a step morphed in his mind, no wait. Was he even trying?

Thud. Still there in his chest, still warm there. Thud. Calm. With the wind in his face. A part of him. Just another heartbeat. Rushing past the rails on their side. Harvey was pushing himself. The Gateway Keep approached them. It was starting to get dark, the shadow's element.

Fires were seen. Encampments. And a train stops before the station. The one Kurt was on. At least that was a starting point. Kurt pulled Harvey to move in that direction. And Harvey understood.

"We are going to have a proper saddle one day."

Harvey screamed out. Then started happily humming, "Master likes riding Harvey, Master likes riding Harvey." They started to trot as they got closer to the train car.

He saw a setup with fires from the goatmen. The goblins were set into a formation. As they approached Harvey gathered a lot of attention. But most of the goblins understood and recognized him. Kurt thought it best to keep him close to his people.

Kurt got off of Harvey and told him to wait nearby coming to the train car. He was greeted by a familiar goblin Tom.

"Sir," said Tom, "it's good you're here."

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