Kurt came to Talia with Hank, Tom, and Joe along with a sizable number of goblins, with an emphasis on Shamans.. They were going to try to take the wyverns.

The shamans for the most part weren't carrying their normal staff.

"Actually that purposeful," said Joe. "Our staff are meant to help us spread the magic but against wyverns, they will have gusts of wind making those mostly pointless. Beyond that the elves' attachments can make a staff quickly in a pinch."

"Also," said Hank "since the shaman will have to tame the beasts they will have to take a more front-line approach." Joe shook an abnormally large number of bags around his belt.

"It's especially difficult," said Tom, pulling out a blunted arrow, "because we don't actually want to hurt them too much. We could just cut their wings, but then they can't fly with us after."

"Hopefully the healing paste will work after," said Kurt.

The goblin warriors like Hank carried a lot more shields and clubs than usual as well, he assumed a bash from a shield or club was better than cutting them with a sword or axe. Though many had a sword with them as well on their belt or back.

A dignitary from King Luther came and approached Kurt. Talia was at the man's side making small talk.

"We are excited about this," said the man, "having some flying mount for Valentine will be welcome. Darien isn't exactly known for having passengers, present company excluded."

Of course, they would want some too. And they assumed they had first dibs.

"You will have to discuss that with Lord Darien," said Joe.

"What?" said the man.

"There is most likely a reason they are quite a distance from here, and it's most likely the dragon. And they know not to head in this direction from my reports. I would have thought you had gotten the same reports. I will talk to the crew and make sure next time."

The man turned towards Talia. She looked like she was unaware of the information as well. Or that they didn't see what would have been obvious to the goblins.

"We plan eventually guide them close enough for Layla to open a gate because we will fly around Valentine's area. With Lord Kurt as a mediator for Darien if he shows up."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Dragons eat wyverns."

"You mean they are scared of him?"

"Yes. Even tamed wyverns will be uncomfortable near a dragon's den. They won't do things that they think will absolutely kill them and they may not make a full nest in the area which is important to their health which would also make it impossible to properly feed them. Starved animals are always unpredictable and dangerous. Even if Darien allows it somehow, the wyverns are not smart enough to fully understand. Taming does not make them your slave, they are still wyverns, you have to take care of them."

"Ohh," the man said, wide-eyed at the goblin.

"I'm sure Lord Darien is a reasonable dragon but we don't intend on bringing them through his direct territory unannounced. Dragons are not known for caring if a creature has a rider or not, I'm afraid. But for now, I think we should bring all of them to Wellspring. Unless I'm unaware of some communication," said Joe looking at Talia and the man.

"Umm," said Talia.

"I wouldn't want Lord Darien to think they were an offering to him and you think they weren't," said Joe.

Thank the gods for Joe. He blocked the entire political push from Valentine. Of course, they would make a deal but if they couldn't keep them inside their domain because of the dragon that would cause serious problems for them. That instantly made their negotiating position better. And they would have to deal with Hamlet with a few most likely.

The man turned towards Talia with a disappointed look on his face. "We can ask at the next offering."

"I think that would be wise," said Talia, "but I'm sure Wellspring understands Valentine has a substantial claim."

"We do," said Kurt, "but we have a larger one, without us no one has any. I think it's best to focus on the matter at hand, taming as many as we can. The more we can tame the more that can be shared and so the more everyone will be pleased, No?"

"That's true," said the man.

"And," said Joe, "I'm not sure we can even leave any of them with you without someone to train how to care for them. I wouldn't want any of them to attack you by mistake. They would need an appropriate nest."

"Attack us?"

"Well, Jerry has told me that it's not uncommon for a horse to bite a finger off when feeding, or unexpectedly kick someone behind them. Especially if you don't know what you are doing. Do you blame the horse for that?"

"No, I can see that," said the man, "I've seen a horse kick someone before. It did not look pleasant."

"I can imagine."

"Don't worry, we plan on having them trained a bit as soon as we can. We can also make better saddles once we have them and know their exact sizes. This should help everyone."

The dignitary from King Luther didn't know what to say. He couldn't argue much. He had walked up thinking he had an advantage. But reality was in front of him, if they couldn't take care of the wyverns they couldn't keep them. And they weren't prepared or knew how to prepare to do that. This also gave Kurt an advantage as his people did.

There was an entire train and multiple cars to bring Kurt and the goblins to the edge of Valentine territory. After that, they would have to hike it.

Coming to the end of the train ride they had gathered all their forces to stay on their hike to the wyvern den. Kurt was excited to see them. Something new that wasn't so unimaginably strong and bossy.

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