45 minutes later we were all awake and getting anxious for command to make the next call. Surely they're not planning to besiege this place, it's not like we've got forces to spare. But then everything changed in an instant.
Horns sounded in the distance, followed by the light clattering of hooves. Out of the distant woods behind the portal came ten rows of slender figures in bright silver armour, banners flying in the breeze.
"Slender, Green to blonde hair, silver armor with intricate scrollwork and pointy ears. Safe to say these have been assigned the name elves?" I asked Karl
"Yup, definitely elves" he responded, casting some sort of spell on his eyes. "We should go say hello, we're closest"
We quickly reported this new development to the rest of the attack group, making sure they didn't take any actions that might jeopardize our safety, then headed back to meet the Elves. Being sure to arrive fast enough that we were between them and the portal of course.
"Groeten aan jou die van het portaal kwam." The lead Elf greeted us and Karl looked back at me with a smile.
"What did Lala say when we greeted her, that I spoke the language of royalty though I'm not? I think her master might have been at least part Elf. These ones are speaking Dutch too."
Well, at least we didn't need to find an avid Tolkien fan to translate for us. But couldn't these beautiful beings have picked a flowery romance language? It just doesn't fit their image in my brain.
Being the only one of us who speaks their language, Karl strode forward with a bowed greeting and began a low conversation with the Elven representative. A few minutes later, he'd conjured a leather drink pouch of some sort and they were passing it back and forth, chatting like we weren't in the middle of a huge battle against an Orcish encampment. But what could I do about it? Nothing. Just stand here and wait, it certainly wouldn't do to insult an alien force that doesn't seem to be hostile.
Eventually their animated chat ended and Karl returned. "They say they've already encountered our planet through the portal. One human was nearby when it opened. He was unarmed and not hostile, so they interrogated him with magic, but he kept going on about lewd elf girls and how he could die happy. But he really didn't know anything"
Doing her best to speak normally Mary cut in "I presume this meeting went better and you weren't discussing lewd elf girls with him over a flask of wine?"
"You would presume wrong. We did touch on the subject. But more importantly, they had valuable information about the Orcish threat. These Orcs live for battle, all they want out of life is a challenging fight. The elves advise that now that we've won, we should break the encirclement and let them leave. They'll go home to tell grand stories of their valor and leave the area alone, likely until next summer. But if we kill them all here, many more will come, thinking the battle was so great or the opponent so formidable that all their comrades couldn't bear to return home."
Well, that's not what I expected. With a nod I had one of the Ramirez boys, who I now knew were brothers from their break time banter, relay the news to our allied forces, telling them to return to the base, flags flown high and prepare for a feast to celebrate, so the Orcs know what we're up to. Karl had invited the Elves to feast, promising plenty of vegan dishes to satisfy their dietary needs, and invited Narishma along to work out a deal with our new temporary allies on behalf of the base.
As the sun set, the celebration started. Drinks were poured, food brought from the base was served on huge tables. More vegetables than I'd ever seen were present to feed the 300 Elvish guests, as none of us were sure how big their appetites are, all we knew was that Karl assured us they were vegan. Within minutes of our celebration started we heard cheers from the Fort. It seems that the Elves were right, the Orcs are celebrating their loss with bonfires, deep throated singing and what smells like roasted meat.
"Let's dance to celebrate pup" Alpha Petros tells me, dragging me towards the open area that has become the camp's dance floor. "I'll be headed out in the morning, Pack business. I just had to stop by on the way to make sure that you were adjusting alright and not getting picked on. It's so great to see that you've embraced your Lycan form." The uncharacteristic level of sentiment from the usually stone faced and brutal Alpha brings happy tears to my eyes.
"It's not easy being away from home, but the people are good to me here. Thank you for putting in a recommendation for me Alpha." I try to stealthily wipe the tears from my glistening eyes, but Petros just laughs and pulls me into a tight hug.
"You always were my favourite, Katrina" he reassures me, patting my head as he extends the hug into the beginning of the next dance. He must be feeling sentimental, he's using my full and actual name.
The night passes quickly, with much drink and dancing. Before I know it, warm bright light is shining in my eyes and something warm has me squished against something soft, but uncomfortable. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I find that I'm asleep in the back seat of the Jeep. Leg up on the body tub, Mary passed out on top of me, covered in a green woolen army blanket. Finding that I'm thankfully still dresses, as is Mary, I decide that Elven wine is secretly evil. All I can taste is lingering notes of its sweet bouquet and I just know this hangover is not going to be pleasant. Hangovers are rare for Lycans given our healing rates, but I can already feel the throbbing in my head.
Then the clanging and stomping started. Oh, Moon Goddess, please make it stop. Groaning, I moved Mary to curl up in my lap and sat up to survey the camp. Most everyone was passed out, scattered across the camp. Only a few guards stood watch, and a couple early risers were starting to make breakfast over the embers of last nights campfires. Turning North I could see the muddied ground behind the fort, it seems the Orcs left even earlier than we are planning to.
The decision was made, in agreement with the Elves, to close this portal. They felt that it was better for their world not to be exposed to the technologies from our world, and our side thought the chance of the Orcs finding out that there was a great fight to be had beyond the portal was an unnecessary risk. Gear quickly packed, earth magic employed to leave no trace of our presence here, everyone got set to head back to base in high spirits.
As usual, Lala served as our welcoming commitee, happily greeting us as we entered the garage. But she looks a little off, dark circles around her eyes and her shoulders are a bit slumped. Not normal for the energetic little bunny. So, once everyone else had headed to the elevators I pulled her aside for a quick conversation.
"You're looking a bit rough Lala. Want to tell me what's the matter? I'm glad to listen, even if you think it's nothing important. We're not working you too hard are we?"
Lala shook her head, still looking down, her ears drooping. "I'm not sure how to explain it. Nothing's really wrong, but I just don't feel right."
"If you're sick, I can get a doctor to take a look?"
"No, not sick" Lala denied "More like I can't find a routine, I just feel lost and out of my element and I can't sleep."
Oh, this might be rather tough to solve. Hopefully she's got some ideas of her own. "Is there anything we could do to help you feel more at ease?"
"Well, um, there is something" Lala stammers, her ears now flat to her head and her cheeks blushing "could I maybe not sleep alone? I'm used to always having someone in the room where I am, and alone in that big bedroom feels very lonely."
I pull Lala into a big hug "Anything for you, my very favourite bunny"
"But I'm the only Bunny you know" Lala points out, finger poking my stomach.
"My point stands, feel free to sleep in my room anytime you want. I'm always glad for the company, I used to sleep in a Pack House with a roommate, I've been a bit lonely too, even if these rooms are absolutely amazing"
"Yay!" she cheers, grabbing my corset tight as she bounces.
"Maybe Karl can make me something that reminds you of home" I suggest "Like a replica of your favourite blanket, or a keepsake or something?"
"You think he would?" Lala looks nervous "Anything I wanted?"
"Of course. Let's go see him before lunch, since we're headed out again to take care of a couple small portals and you'll have our debriefing paperwork to take care of."
Karl, as usual, was relaxed in the lounge room, reading a book on spellcraft, Mary at his side, using the coffee table to study the assignment he'd set her. "No need to rush off today. The west team took the long way around and closed the smaller portals in the area, so we've got a day or two to relax" he greeted without preamble.
Ah, my favourite days. Days off. I'll have to go say goodbye to Alpha Petros and see what the werewolf teams are planning. Maybe they'll spar with me again.