It was commendable how everyone rallied and helped each other regardless of rank or race. I observed the respect afforded by the Commander and his officers to all those arriving.

Alarri moved deeper into the camp, assisting with the injured as best she could. Listening to the soldiers as we walked through, the scale of the tragedy at the Dark Portal became clearer to me.

The Void Lords had lurked in another world; a place called Draenor, accessed through the Dark Portal.  These adversaries potentially had the power to wipe out entire planets. The soldiers were deployed to prevent Draenor being destroyed and to stop the foe from passing through the portal and destroying our world too. 

Their armies, however, were redundant against such an enemy, their weapons ineffective, impotent, and they ended up fleeing for their lives under the protective shields of practitioners of magic - mages and warlocks. But even those individuals had not been enough to thwart the enemy.

I listened in awe as they spoke of spirits, ghosts, phantoms which descended from the skies and crippled the enemy through the power of the Light - an endless, shimmering sea of energy situated outside the barriers of reality.

Enormous celestial beings, Naaru, also intervened, and together, they sent The Void Lords back to the shadows; to the Great Dark Beyond. 

As the soldiers' stories unravelled, the descriptive account of the battle affected me deeply. Whether the visions hurtling through my head were memories or just the result of hearing such a harrowing tale, I knew not. There was no doubt, however, these brave souls were lucky to be alive.

I took to settling under the eaves of Alarii's hut, leaving her to carry out her duties unhindered by an avian passenger, but I observed her closely. 

The heat in the swamp was severe, unforgiving, and never once did Alarii complain or take time to see to her own needs. She was dedicated, helping those who had suffered so much at the portal. 

Her calm persona and gentle voice had a very soothing and positive effect on those around her. The wounded expressed their gratitude with deepfelt sincerity, and she bowed, humbly, before moving to the next individual in need.

Commander Barrie was equally diligent in his duties, prioritising the health and comfort of his soldiers over himself. I could see he was tiring, being beaten down by the heat, but he didn't falter. His soldiers were important and that included Alarri. 

At one point, I saw him offer her water, gently pressing a canteen in her hands. She smiled, at first declining, but he ordered her to drink, and she had no choice but to do as she was told. He told her to rest and get some food. To ensure she followed orders, he called to one of her colleagues to accompany her to the canteen.

Curious, I followed. As Alarri entered the building, I flew in over her head. Her companion shouted in protest, but Alarii told her she wanted me to stay close until she determined I was completely well again.

Her friend made her sit while she went to collect two plates of stew and some crusty bread. I cawed.

"The beast looks perfectly fine to me," said Alarrii's fair-haired comrade, gruffly. 

Alarii smiled, patient. "He's a little edgy. The poor bird was attacked this morning by a green drake."

"Well, he still seems fine. Something kind of creepy about him if you ask me." She dunked the bread into the gravy.

Alarii laughed softly. "Dana, even a moth is creepy to you. With all the creatures in the swamp, I don't know how you've managed to remain stationed here without losing your mind."

The blonde woman smirked and stabbed at her food. She laughed a little. "To be honest, Alarii, neither do I." 

The two women laughed again -such a pleasant sound. I watched them intently from a rafter above, cawing occasionally. 

Dana gave me the evil eye again. "He just better not shit in my stew." 

I was most incensed that this Dana thought I would do such a disgusting thing; nevertheless, I sidled along the beam, so I was not directly above their plates - just in case I was caught unawares.

"Bloody hell! Think he understood that?" the blonde gaped.

"Quite possibly," Alarii replied. "They are intelligent birds, ravens." She broke some bread and placed a few loose crumbs at the end of their table. She glanced up. "Come," she beckoned me. "Eat."

"Naw! Don't encourage it, Alarii," Dana protested. 

I hesitated.

"Have a heart, Dana. He is lovely." Again, Alarii looked up and encouraged me to fly down. 

I landed at the far end of their table. Hopping closer, I snatched a bit of the pro-offered bread then returned to the far end. 

"See? He is charming." The Night Elf smiled at her friend.

Dana looked at me suspiciously but resumed eating her lunch, without further complaint. Alarii gave me a chunk of the meat from her stew. It was delicious! 

"What about the other Mr Charming then?" Dana asked.

The Night Elf choked on her food, coughing a few times into her hand. In a low, raspy voice she replied, "Hush, Dana. I do not want others hearing." 

I stood, stock still at the end of the table. The deep pink colour had returned to Alarii's face, and I knew it had nothing to do with her choking.

"Oh come on, Alarii. Don't you think everyone knows you fancy Jevon?"

Poor Alarii turned an even deeper shade. She lowered her head, her mouth hovering closely over her plate. "Please, Dana, do not embarrass me," she whispered.

Dana pushed her plate aside and took Alarii's hand. "I do not mean to embarrass you, my friend. But, you sit, night after night, sketching his face from memory in that book of yours..."

Alarii brought her head up sharply. "You know about that?"

Dana rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm your best friend Alarii, of course I know."

"I haven't shown you, though."

"You didn't have to; I see the reflection of what you draw in the mirror upon the shelf above your bunk, silly."

Alarii exhaled sharply; defeated, her delicate features flooded in deep pink. 

Dana patted her hand. "Don't worry; I haven't told anyone. But we can all see how you blush every time he is near."

Alarii whimpered. "I cannot afford him nor other people to know this..."

"Why?" Dana asked, sitting up straight. 

I had to agree. Why indeed?

"Because he is betrothed to a girl in Lakeshire."

"Martie Jainrose? Oh come on Alarii, that's rubbish. He is no more in love with her than - " She pointed to me. "Well, no more than that bird is with me!"  

I blinked. Well, I certainly had no such feelings for Dana, the comment, however, affected me in a way I could not even describe. Disgruntled, I stabbed at a crumb on the table. To my frustration, it pinged away and landed on the floor. Somewhat dejected, I shook out my feathers. 

"What makes you so sure?" Alarii asked. 

"Because Martie will flutter her eyelashes at any man who tends her pretty little garden. And that's all Jevon did! He dug her garden, ready for her planting her precious begonias. She's known for asking men to 'turn her sod'- if you get what I mean." She winked.

Dana took a drink before speaking again. "Do you know, she had one poor sap kill a huge boar which allegedly kept eating her crops and flowers?" 

Alarii's eyes widened. 

Dana continued. "And he paid the price for it! The darned beast gored him good. It took weeks for the man to recover. Nah," she said, shaking her head. "Jevon is not interested in Martie, not by a long shot. Just tell him how you feel, I think you may be pleasantly surprised." 

"Oh, I couldn't. I would be too embarrassed." 

I watched as a small, dreamy smile crept on Alarii's face. 

There and then, I knew how to reward her kindness. 

Once finished their meal, they cleared away their plates and mugs before heading back to their duties.

By the time most of the wounded had been given aid and granted leave, the sun had passed well to the west. 

The company's numbers left at the compound was a fraction of those who had entered the gates earlier that day. Burning the soiled clothing, bandages, and dismantling makeshift cots kept the soldiers busy until the first stars appeared in the night sky.

With peace restored, all retired for the evening.