I remained on Alarii's shoulder as the troops trudged through the gates. 

Glancing west I could see a sizeable swirling mass, like a whirlpool of colour. Soldiers were emerging from its centre, and I soon deduced the distortion was a portal - yet another snippet of knowledge which popped into my head.

Exhaustion, sadness, relief - myriad emotions were etched upon those battle-worn faces. As I listened to their warbled salutations, I discovered they were returning from the very place I had escaped earlier. They called it the Dark Portal.

I felt a strange tug at the mention of its name. There was something uniquely familiar; not just from my earlier experience, but I felt it had a deeper, more meaningful significance. It remained annoyingly obscure and I concluded there was an infinite gap in my memory.

Some soldiers were incoherent, burnt out and still in shock from whatever disaster they had survived. Others helped colleagues into the compound, shouldering their weight or carrying them on stretchers. Wounds, although some had been bandaged, were still requiring urgent attention.

I considered the healers at the Dark Portal. All were curiously familiar on a much deeper level, even the walking trees. Somehow, it did not seem quite so alien now.

I shook my feathers, but remained poised on Alarii's pauldron. I received some strange looks from the soldiers as they passed us by, but generally, I was of no interest to them.

From soldiers' salutes, and obvious respect, it dawned on me Alarii was no footsoldier. Her rank was higher; perhaps a lieutenant.

I glanced across the courtyard and saw the hairy-faced man. He was looking in our direction, silently watching as Alarri steered the troops into the compound, directing them to available bunks or the canteen. There was a specific look in his eyes; a look which I felt I knew.

I tapped my beak on Alarii's pauldron. When she paid no heed, I tapped again, and again until she looked at me. 

Once I had her attention, I jerked my head and squawked in the direction of the hairy-faced man. Her eyes moved beyond me to the subject of my interest.

She dropped her gaze, and a small smile played on her lips. "That is Commander Jevon Barrie. He and I were first to arrive back after the portal collapsed."

She paused to guide a group of soldiers to the infirmary. In a quiet voice, she then continued. "We have been readying the Watch for the defenders to return."  She sighed. "Commander Barrie is a courageous man, a good and fair leader and a skilled tactician. Some have even likened him to General Turalyon." 

Turalyon? Another stubborn memory remained stored deep. It seemed my mind was being selective in its recall and particular fragments remained behind locked doors. 

Alarii smiled, wistful, then turned her attention back to the soldiers coming through the gates.

I looked back at Commander Jevon Barrie. He spoke to other soldiers close by, who quickly responded to whatever orders he had issued.

A group of five soldiers, one severely injured, passed by and Alarii directed them to the left of the camp, where she remained, offering assistance if required. The soldiers were covered head to foot in dirt and dust and dried blood. 

With arms around his colleagues' shoulders, the injured warrior was carried to a cot which was hurriedly assembled. They lay him down, and the other two, both female, started to work on his leg, removing his armour. I watched, curious, as they all rallied together to help this soldier. 

"Stay still, Elias!" said one of the women.

"I'm tryin'!" The injured man hissed back. "You're not exactly gentle though, Carine." 

He let out an unearthly roar as she started cutting his britches higher up his thigh, the fabric adhered to his skin by blood. I could see an enormous gash on the outside of his leg, and a jagged metal spike protruded from the wound.

The two male soldiers knelt and pinned Elias' shoulders and arms down, while the second female held his injured leg steady.

"Now Elias," Carine said. "This is going to hurt, but the healer is on his way. He's just at the next cot, okay?"

The injured warrior stared hotly at the woman. "Just get on with it, wench!" He said with a half-hearted smile, tight, on his lips. 

Carine grabbed the metal spike and started to pull. The others' grip tightened as Elias roared. It sounded quite unlike that of any man. 

I watched in horror as his body started to sprout hair, the area of his injury being the first place to be covered. I flinched as his face distorted and his jaw pushed forward, elongating,  snarling, with massive canines extending from his gums. His hands contorted into deadly-looking claws.

I cawed and flinched, horrified, then I felt Alarii's fingers stroking my chest. 

"Do not fret, raven," she said, seemingly unperturbed. "He is a Worgen. His transformation lessens his pain and helps with the removal of the shard, but the priest will see to his wound properly," She pointed to the cot next to Elias. 

A man in silvery-white robes turned towards the Worgen. Holding a long chain on which a talisman of sorts hung, he started waving his hands above the injured soldier. Alarii explained, "The priest will help him, easing his pain and cleansing the wound. He will be fine, raven, I assure you." 

I watched the priest as he mumbled an incantation. A  golden, effervescent substance swept from his fingers and wrapped around the Worgen's injured leg. 

Elias started to relax, and his form gradually reverted to that of a human. His friends eased their grip as his body relaxed. 

Carine waited until the priest had finished then she started bandaging Elias' wound. 

Once it was bound, I saw her lean down and press her lips against his mouth.  A warm, sublime feeling washed over me, followed by a touch of melancholy.

Alarii's voice startled me. "Even amidst war, some find love."

I turned to look at her. Her eyes were moist, and they were staring beyond me, beyond Elias and his friends. I followed her gaze. 

Commander Barrie. He was still issuing orders and aiding the wounded. 

I understood then; Alarii didn't just admire the Commander for his military expertise, she had stronger feelings for him. 

She sighed, once more focusing on the gates as the last of the soldiers arrived.