There was a slight flash of light as the portal came online. I was glad there was no explosion, or apocalyptic ripping of space and time as the magic settled into place. Those weren't really expected options, but it's hard to not imagine the worst case scenario when you're working with new and dangerous technology.

"It's up," I declared, looking towards the ring shaped gate.

"I can see, are we ready to begin testing?" The captain said. He knew we had a few things we had to do first before we could declare the whole thing a success.

I got on the radio and we began. First was getting confirmation that things were working on the other end as desired, they were. Then we needed to contact the soldier near the gate, who'd taken shelter as best he could.

Hesitantly the man approached the gate. It looked the same as those back at the base, but this one was brand spanking new, and completely made by our people. First was a small cube, with a number of colors and writings on it's sides that he threw through from about as far back as he could comfortably.

"Is the cube through?" I asked Dras.

"Yeah, one sec, we'll check it," came the response.

This was the first test, were things completely scrambled? That cube wasn't anything magical or even special. It served to test if things were getting messed with on an easily detectable level, and the writings were just a few practice pieces for us. If the material came back out normal, as well as the ordering.

"Cube is right, proceed with test number two," Dras confirmed that it looked right, so we'd keep going.

Next came one of the aurochs, poor beast was led up to the glowing artifact. It had been well trained, and in the days leading up to our leaving had been taught that passing through one of these, one of Durin's, led to a bucket of treats. Therefore the soldier didn't have to press at all. The creature, seeing that it would be going somewhere with good food, and already unhappy in this wasteland practically dove for the gateway.

"Pfft," Captain Omar laughed a bit, "Nearly drug him through."

"Yeah, we're not at that test... yet," I said, a bit nervously. "Kind of feel bad sending him through. He does know this is experimental right?"

"Oh he knows," the captain confirmed. "This volunteer position is much like being at the head of the non-magical troops in a battle. He's getting a promotion, should he survive."

After a brief back and forth that the test animal was through I looked at the captain again.

"Is that how it really works?"

"Yeah, anyone brave enough to go at the enemy in the first row is given a rank up at the end. They're almost always all volunteer forces. Some of these men, like our friend out there, are low born, and really want to climb to a higher status. So while they can't do magic, if they can brave facing down the enemy a few times, and make it through, they rise," he explained.

"That sounds like suicide," I remarked.

"Well, in truth the first rank seldom has many survivors. Once you've been through a few times though you're an officer and end up with men under you, never having to do that again. Pay goes up too, a lot, and you may well be able to get that cute girl from your village to marry you after a few brushes with death. It's a risk men are willing to take." The captain had a look in his eye, like he wanted me to ask if he'd gone through it as well.

"So no pressure to see that he makes it then, thanks." I couldn't help but frown, the worry now even worse.

"We've got faith in you lot girlie. Word is that while your team is a bunch of weirdos you're really good at what you do. Hey, is it true that like five of you lot came back from a mission of over twenty?" He seemed curious.

"Yeah, well, seven, six originals and an elf we gained along the way."

I still hadn't seen Ulanion at all. Asking to go see him was also a bit on the risky side, once I got back though I'd take that. If he wasn't being mistreated it was fine, but based on the fact that the emperor himself had seemed bothered I couldn't say for sure he wouldn't be, and that worried me. Getting this done should be enough to let me check on him though, make sure he was alright.

"The auroch is alive, and our checks indicate it's in good health," the radio spoke, interrupting my thoughts.

"Final test then, captain?" I responded, then looked at the man.

I watched nervously as the sign to proceed, a small red floating ball was tossed up. The soldier marched at the gate like it was nothing and stepped through. All indications were that he'd be fine, but if this gave him some sort of magic turbo-cancer or something I wasn't sure I'd be able to forgive myself. Cancer was pretty curable though with priests around, and I'd do what I could for him if he did get messed up.

Minutes passed and as they did I was trying not to bite my nails, a lock of hair was being twirled nervously, but I could do with a curl or two more anyway. Just as I was starting to lose it the radio once more pinged on.

"He's through and confirmed right. We'll send him off to a priest for a proper check up, but looks like a success to me."

"That's great, we'll be there soon as possible then," I responded.

Captain Omar sighed, "You know, it's a real shame we can't use that thing yet. I am sincerely not looking forward to that trek again."

"Nor am I my good captain, nor am I. Why don't you tell me about your time in the army on the way back though, a story to pass the time." I deactivated the gate and soon the group started to get it, and everything else packed up. This was a lot less sensitive than the setup, and a whole lot quicker.

Two days later as we rode across the wasteland and the older man regaled me with tales there was a noise. It began as a creaking, before rising in pitch moment by moment until there was a screaming like pulling metal.

I was throwing up shields. As the beasts panicked and men scrambled into formation there was an explosion nearby. Ice flew in every direction and cracks spread like across glass through the frozen plain, something was rising from below...

Ulanion

I'd been here for weeks. No visitors, no real conversation except a few tidbits from the guards and a few people who'd shown up to interview me. After my little outing with Alana someone must have said something that spooked the higher ups, because I'd been restricted to my rooms.

Days later the interviews had come again, asking personal pressing questions. They wanted to know everything about me, about my home, about my relation with the team, everything. I couldn't answer much in the way of questions about the Atali military, as I'd never been a part of it, instead I was mostly a ranger and free agent.

That had gone on for quite some time and now I was in some kind of holding pattern. I'd done nothing wrong here, so it was sure to end some time, I hoped. At least the room was nice.

My room could have fit in well at an inn, and at request I'd been allowed to get some books to read. None of these were anything practical, just a few stories and the like, but it was something to do. As I lounged on my bed waiting on whatever would come I heard a knock.

"Yes?" I answered as I rose, moving to the doorway.

The door opened and I met a man who looked suspiciously like myself. He was bigger, huge with broad shoulders and grey-speckled black hair.

"Good afternoon. The investigators have cleared you, well as they can, but I have a few questions myself. You may call me General Verren." He stepped in, a small package in his hand.

"Certainly general, what would you like to know?" He had the air of a man who'd spent years at war, not one to play around with.

"First I'd like you to give me your story in person."

I spent the better part of an hour going over, once more, my interactions with the team. He asked a few questions here and there, but nothing nearly as prying. I got the feeling he was mostly taking my measure, seeing what I was like.

"And then we came through and ended up here," I finished.

"Excellent. I'm glad you and our people made it out alright, and from both their and your reports you were a great help there. There's one more concern that my son brought to me," the general responded.

"And what would that be general?" Who was his son? He was too tall for it to be Glen, and looked nothing like the twins. Dras perhaps?

His eyes lit and an aura like black flames filled the room, "What exactly are your intentions with my girl Alana." Who his son was clicked into place instantly, that boy who'd gone to yelling at her.

He spooked me with that, and he was strong, there was no doubt. I'd stood before King Justin though, and those wolves that would have sent many men screaming in terror. Not to mention many, many years of hunting the beasts of the elven lands. Could I beat him? Not at this range; if I had my bow and a good spot to shoot from, it would be a good fight.

I loosed my own aura, green vines springing forward against the black fire. They warred, and I pushed as hard as I could while keeping my face straight and hard. Backing down would only destroy his perception of me.

"Nothing ignoble, but I intend to pursue her in courtship," I said, locking eyes with him.

"Many others have tried and failed," he remarked, eyes hard and unforgiving.

"If she rejects me, so be it. I will accept that without objection, but I will still try."

The stare-down lasted only a few more seconds, until he cracked a smile. Both of us let our power fade a bit and he reached over revealing that his package had been a bottle.

"I like you, drink with me," he finally declared.

The next hour or so was spent with us drinking the most foul, awful liquor that I'd ever tasted. We both smiled the whole time, knowing that this was just another of his hazing tactics.