Ryan Rodrigues watched the news with his wife of twenty years, god he loved this new world. One story in particular caught his attention, the anchor was going on about American citizens dying abroad. Despite everything one thing was clear, they were breaking the law when they died, breaking and entering was a crime in the US and those caught doing it risked death as well so Ryan couldn’t understand what had the Anchor so indignant.

Then he caught it, “Hey love, did you hear, that dungeon we’re booked to visit, it has two setups, what do you say we get some friends from the SCA and see if we can access the real thing.”

His wife smiled at him, “You do that, but first I’ll give Manny a ring and see what he can find out.”

The conversation resumed on the next day.

“Manny tells me that the dungeon has three settings, the one we booked is the safest with, its loaded with safety features and perfect for tourists, then they have a beginner setting that some ten year olds aced but was responsible for that news story that was aired yesterday and then there is the training setting that can vary a bit depending on circumstances. The latter level can only be accessed with the agreement of the local Adventurer’s Guild.”

Ryan was excited, a real challenge like his fantasy books, “I’ll start calling the guys, see if we can get a party together. Did Manny say how much it would cost?”

Ellen grinned at her husband’s enthusiasm, “you already know the standard version is a flat twenty euro a head, the beginner setup is sixty euro a head or two hundred and eighty euro for a party of five or six. The training setup just requires joining the Adventurer’s Guild and clearance by the local guild.”

Ryan grinned wider, produced his mobile and started in on his calls to their friends in the Barony of Carolingia.

* * *

The underwater gate was established at the agreed upon time and place. The first person – being – through was the representative of the Oceanis Adventurer’s Guild. Hir – hir for hir was a egg laying hermaphrodite – looked something like a twenty meter long cross between a sea cucumber and a boneless eel with three multi-jointed limbs emerging from just behind its gills, each limb ending in three fingers.

Silverfin blinked in surprise, “welcome to Midgard.”

Hir looked around with interest taking in Silverfin and his scanty entourage, not missing Jezebel and her two chief cohorts lurking in the background.

“Day, is this as deep as we can set the gate,” then waving one of hir’s limbs in the direction of Jezebel, “You lack trust, assure you I do that we wish good relations.”

“Jezebel is here on the dungeon’s behalf, this gate is at the deepest point in the dungeon. I believe Antonio has plans to go deeper but it won’t be that much deeper,” explained Silverfin.

“Well many will be disappointed, but those of us that dwell in the upper waters will be pleased. Who amongst you will be coming to Oceanis to establish this portal, I admit to being fascinated by this application of portals and domain.”

“That will be Isabella, Jezebel’s daughter, please forgive the girl if she should give insult for she’s very young but given the size of the gate only the young of her kind could fit,” explained Silverfin.

Isabella jetted forward exuberantly, « Hi, nice to meet you... um what should I call you? »

“You may call me Glow at Darkening, or just Glow for short,” Glow answered benevolently. “The other end of the gate is deeper, under more pressure,” hir warned.

Isabella followed Glow through the gate while Silverfin waited.

* * *

Major Alexander Manukov halted the column when he saw the scouts return with a visitors. Lieutenant Vasili Novosiltsev was riding beside a haughty looking elf who was wearing what looked like showy but impractical armor.

Sabotin was glad for the rest but he was frankly worried when he realized the cause, there beside the second in command of these elves was an officer of the Emperor’s guard. Nothing good came of getting involved with his haughtiness the emperor of the high elves.

Evandarian couldn’t believe his eyes, how was it possible to find so many high elves willing to rough it like these – soldiers. Yes they were all soldiers of one type or another, and they were all young! The Emperor would be pleased, at least Evandarin hoped the Emperor would be pleased otherwise things could get very unpleasant.

Green’Tor kept an eye on that useless pompous windbag the court had foisted on him hoping that the fool wouldn’t antagonize their hosts. Almost uniquely for high elves, and yes they were high elves down to the la di da accent and over elaborate word use, they looked tough and dangerous. They had a severe lack of warriors, most were rangers, a few healers and artillerists. The strangers were professional, they had a temporary camp set up in no time flat and provided an entirely adequate lunch.

The beer was good but that vodka stuff they seemed quite happy drinking was not.

Evandarian was happy to share a bottle of wine with some of the more civilized amongst these barbarians. One sniff of that vodka was almost enough to make one gag. Discussions proved easy, he could understand where Duke Alexander stood, his ruler ordered the mission and he was honour bound to comply. So Evandarian obtained the information needed to make contact with this new realm on Midgard.

Green’Tor spoke with the handful of humans accompanying the foreign elves and found that all bar one were Russians and saw themselves as equal citizens in the realm. The exception was a shifty eyed fellow called Sabotin who had been foisted of on the patrol as a guide, in other words spy.

Evandarian and Green’Tor watched the Russian force depart a few hours later, they would reach the world gate they wanted within the day.

“My orders from the Emperor are clear, I have to return immediately to give a report. Green’Tor take the human mercenaries and head for Midgard. You heard the Duke, you know what to do don’t you?”

“Yes my lord, I’d better take Sharp’Spur as well, he’s...”

“Here take this letter, it’s from the emperor and destined for his counterpart on Midgard. Good luck, I’m afraid you’re going to need it.”