They kept on talking for some time and would have talked on, if not for the sudden arrival of a messenger in their tent who told them that Archmage Khadgar wanted to talk to them.
As soon as they entered Khadgar's tent, Zelgadis fell back into his role as the silent, if sometimes gruff, chimera hero of the Alliance, and Minako - even if reluctantly - into her role of the clumsy apprentice of Lina Inverse.
Gourry wasn't with them this time, as he was receiving orders from his superiors, but Amelia and Kurdran were present, the latter looking at Minako with a steely glare.
Again Minako wondered where Amelia's father might be. He was usually present in all military actions of such a degree, but she had no chance of seeing him ever since she arrived at the camp.
"What happened?" Amelia asked. She had arrived only shortly before Zelgadis and Minako. "You seem to be worried, Lord Khadgar."
"Rightfully so, my princess," the Archmage said grimly. He gestured at Minako. "It seems the girl told us the truth. Kurdran has returned, and from what he told us, everything Minako said was right."
"Well, did you have any doubts?" Minako asked in a huff.
"You only talk if you are told to," Kurdran snapped. "How often do we have to tell you, girl?"
"Leave her be, Kurdran," Khadgar sighed. "He is right. And I don't think it's her fault that she didn't learn much about respect. When I listen to her, it's almost as if Lina Inverse was talking."
"Well, they did spend much time together," Zelgadis was quick to say. "So, what did you discover? Did you find the camp? Is it really the Burning Blade Clan?"
"Yes, and how things seem, I would say all of them," Kurdran said with a scowl.
"What do you mean, all of them?" Amelia asked.
"Do you remember our last discussion about them, Your Highness?" Kurdran asked. "You were wondering why we never could find a single trace of the clan. We were able to hunt down various, scattered members of all the other Orc clans we know about, the Blackrock Clan, the Grinning Tooth Clan, the Bleeding Hollow Clan... But not a single Burning Blade Orc." He sighed. "Now we know where they are. They are all gathered there in the mountains, the whole clan. Five hundred warriors, I might guess. I couldn't get close enough to count. Those damn Orcs brought at least two dozens of dragons with them, and my brave Sky'ree could never take on that many at once."
"And the prisoners?" Minako asked.
Kurdran shrugged. "As I said, I couldn't get close enough to see any details, but I saw some kind of... tower."
"A KIND of tower?" Khadgar asked.
Kurdran shrugged once more. He seemed to be quite agitated for some reason. "I wasn't able to see it clearly. It looked very strange. Just like everything within that new land. It seems... unfinished."
A very thoughtful look appeared on Khadgar's face. He looked at Kurdran, then watched Minako with a very unnerving expression. Nervously, she looked down at the ground.
"Whatever is in this tower, they are guarding it closely," Kurdran continued. "Whatever may be in there, it must be of great value for them."
"Or very dangerous..." Zelgadis murmured. He seemed convinced. "It must be them. Why else would the Burning Blade Orcs come here? There's nothing to find out here."
"How would you know?" Amelia asked. "Have you already been here?"
Zelgadis shook his head. "No. But she was!" He nodded towards Minako. "What she told us about the New Land is identical with what Kurdrans scouts have seen."
"But she didn't see what was behind the mountains..." Kurdran murmured. He shivered. "And by King Magni's beard, I wish I wouldn't have either..."
"Whatever could be so terrible?" Minako asked mockingly. "I thought dwarves were fearless."
Strangely, Kurdran didn't even react to that insult. He still was very pale as he whispered: "Maybe that was what I have seen... nothing!"
"How could you have seen nothing, Mr. Wildhammer?" Amelia asked and scratched her head. "I thought you were scouting the area..."
"I don't know how to explain it, princess," Kurdran said quietly. "I didn't tell you everything. After the dragons attacked me and Sky'ree, we had to flee into the mountains to shake them. You know how easy those scatter-brained reptiles are tricked. But when I came close to the other side of the mountains, I could see what was lying behind them. Something is there! Something... something that felt as if we all were made of it, see? Good and Evil, Light and Darkness! I'm sorry, but I can't describe it otherwise..."
"Maybe you saw creation itself..." Khadgar murmured with awe.
"If that is true, than it is much different from how we are imagining it," Kurdran said.
Everyone within the tent seemed awestruck. Zelgadis coughed. "Well, but this isn't why we are here, right?" he reminded the others.
"Yes... yes, you are right, Sir Greywords," Khadgar muttered. He seemed to gather himself. "From what the scouts told us about Doomhammer's troops, they are approaching the camp from various directions. An enormous army... and I don't want to figure what would happen if they join up with the Burning Blades."
"I don't think that's going to happen," Zelgadis said. "Doomhammer said it himself, he doesn't want to take any risks by letting these brutish Orcs live. And he most likely will want to have those 'gods' for himself."
"Which means a big battle will be happening," Kurdran said grimly. "So much the better: Let them bash each other's heads out, and we'll take care of the tired victors."
"Somehow, we have to get those three strangers out of that camp," Amelia decided. "Before the battle occurs. If they get hurt during the fight, our efforts will have been in vain."
"And how do you plan to do that, princess?" Kurdran asked. "We don't have enough men to fight both the Burning Blade Clan AND Doomhammer's army."
Suddenly, an attractive, elven women who was dressed in a ranger's garb entered the tent. She saluted and said: "Excuse me, Princess, but... I believe we captured a spy."
"A spy?" Khadgar asked. "Who is it, Alleria?"
"A goblin," the elven woman replied. "I think... He seems... strange."
"Then drown him in the river," Kurdran grumbled. "Or wait, I'll do it myself!"
"Now wait a minute, Kurdran!" Amelia protested. "A captured spy would be of more use than a dead one, right?" She looked at Khadgar, who nodded.
Amelia looked back at the elf. "Bring him in!"
Alleria Windrunner, Elven Ranger General of Quel'Thalas, saluted again. "Right away, princess!"
Shortly afterwards, she returned. Two of her elven rangers were accompanying her, dragging the bound prisoner after them. Minako wasn't too surprised when she recognized him.
"Why is he gagged?" Amelia frowned. "That's no way to treat a prisoner, goblin or not! Take it out!"
Alleria hesitated. "Princess, I believe..."
"Now, or I'll do it myself!" Amelia commanded.
"Excuse me, Ame... um, I mean, princess," Minako spoke up. "But I think it's better if we don't..."
It was too late. Alleria had reached down to the goblin's gag and removed it. He spat the piece of cloth to the ground, and the next second, the tent shook under his yelling voice:
"YOU DIRTY SCUM! NO ONE TREATS GOBBO THE TERRIBLE LIKE THAT! WHY, IF MY HANDS WERE UNBOUND, I WOULD TEAR YOU APART, ALL OF YOU!"
Amelia paled and took a step backwards. Kurdran winced and pressed his hands on his ears. Alleria quickly knelt down, picked up the gag and put it back into Gobbo's mouth.
It went silent again.
Khadgar cleared his throat. "Well, it seems you can speak our language. When I remove the gag, do you promise not to yell at us anymore?"
"He can't do that," Minako spoke up.
Khadgar wasn't the only one to look at her in confusion. "Why?" Amelia asked.
Minako shrugged. "Because I know him. And he can only yell and shout. Don't ask me why!"
"How would you know him?" Alleria asked. A hint of mistrust appeared on her face. But she didn't show it as distinct as Kurdran did.
"Because she speaks the truth!" the dwarf grumbled. "Now I remember him. That's the greenskin the girl saved from my men."
"Is that true?" Khadgar asked.
"Yes, that's Gobbo!" Minako nodded. "But I don't know how he got here."
She approached the bound goblin. Alleria was going to stop her, but Amelia gave her a sign to let her be. Minako knelt down in front of Gobbo. "I will now remove the gag, and when I do it, you will try not to be as loud as before, okay?"
Gobbo nodded. Minako removed the gag, and he once again started yelling: "YOU TRAITOR! IS THAT HOW YOU KEEP YOUR PROMISES?"
"I told you!" Minako shrugged and pushed the gag back where it belonged. "He can only shout."
"And why is he here?" Zelgadis wondered.
"I wish I knew," Minako replied. "I know Doomhammer gave him the order to watch me, and maybe he took his job a bit too far."
"But how did he get here?" Kurdran asked.
"We can ask him," Minako suggested and moved to free the goblin from his gag.
Khadgar quickly intervened. "No, that won't be necessary," he said hastily. Turning to Amelia, Zelgadis and Kurdran, he said: "This prisoner can be of use to us. Maybe he knows about his master's plans? We could learn much from him."
"Only if he doesn't deafen us before," the dwarf grumbled.
"I'm going to remove your gag again, Gobbo!" Khadgar said. "But if you start screaming again, I will put it back. So please, only reply with a head shake or a nod. Can you do that?"
Gobbo nodded.
Khadgar grabbed the gag, pulled it out and winced, as if he was expecting the same loud yelling as before. But surprisingly, Gobbo didn't say a thing.
"Well then, how did get here?" the Archmage asked. "Did you get here by yourself? Or are others of your kind around?"
Gobbo shook his head. Minako groaned mentally. How was he supposed to answer if the mage asked him two questions at once.
Khadgar seemed to realize that, and he asked: "Is Doomhammer nearby? Does he want to attack the camp of the Burning Blade Clan?"
"HE IS HERE AND HE WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!" Gobbo screamed. Everyone jumped in surprise. "YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE HIS WRATH! THE BURNING BLADE CLAN WILL BE WIPED OUT AS SOON AS THE SUN RISES!"
"So he really is here?" Alleria asked in surprise.
"But why are you here, Gobbo?" Minako wondered.
"I'M FOLLOWING MY ORDERS! THE WARCHIEF TOLD ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOU! I TOLD YOU, YOU WOULDN'T ESCAPE FROM ME!"
"And what about the so-called gods?" Zelgadis asked. "Are they there as well?"
"THEY ARE INSIDE A TALL TOWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR CAMP!" Gobbo yelled. "THEIR MIGHTIEST WARRIORS ARE GUARDING THEM! AND A TERRIFYING MONSTER!"
"So then it's settled!" Zelgadis said with a grin. "Kurdran Wildhammer - prepare to saddle your chickens!"
"My what?" the dwarf asked grimly.
"The gryphons, of course!" He chuckled. "Just a little joke. I mean we should..."
"We shouldn't listen to the lies of a GOBLIN!" Kurdran growled. "What if it is a trap? What if he's lying?"
"I don't think he's lying," Minako said. A small voice in the back of her head told her to be quiet, but she couldn't resist as she added: "Sometimes it is better to listen to someone before you chop him down with an axe!"
Kurdran gasped in outrage, then he stormed at Minako, violently grabbed the front bow of her Senshi fuku and was just going to smack her in the face, when Zelgadis held him back.
"No, Kurdran! Don't!"
"Let go of me, Greywords!" Kurdran shouted. "This time, the little brat went too far!"
"Stop that at once!" Amelia shouted. "I won't have any of this while I am in this camp, do you hear me? Now put that girl down!"
Kurdran grimaced, then he shoved Minako backwards and let go of her.
"My father and King Terenas didn't form this Alliance so its members could lash out at each other anytime they want," she said with authority in her voice. "He died for the ideals of the Alliance, and I won't let his death be in vain. As long as King Terenas is back in the capital city, I am the leading commander of our troops! And won't have anyone under my command who can't control himself! Did I make myself clear, Wildhammer?"
"Yes... yes, of course, princess..." the dwarf muttered.
Minako gasped at the sudden outburst of the princess.
'What did she say?' she thought. 'She is the leading commander of the Alliance's forces? And... Lord Lothar is DEAD?'
Archmage Khadgar was sitting in his tent, alone. In front of him, a small crystal ball was placed on a small table. In the middle of that ball, he could see a bearded face.
"Well, how is the situation in Dalaran, my friend?" Khadgar asked the figure within the crystal ball.
Kel'Thuzad of the Kirin Tor shook his head. "Chaotic at best, Khadgar! Since the king's visit, I had no quiet moment for myself."
"I hope you aren't still looking for more of those questionable books I once caught you with, do you?" Khadgar frowned.
"They were only a couple of books regarding Necromancy. I... I thought it would help us to deal with the situation, now that the Horde has been using those Death Knights... but I barely manage to get my usual work here done. Since the king has arrived, I have been busy all day long."
"But why?" Khadgar wondered. "I thought Antonidas would lead him around during his visit."
"He does. Still, he can't make all decisions by himself. At formal meetings, all of the present Kirin Tor have to be present. But that's not the worst thing about it... King Terenas brought his son."
"Prince Arthas?" Khadgar wondered. "Why would he risk taking his son through a war-shaken country? Arthas is still a child."
"It seems he pestered his father long enough until he allowed him to come along," Kel'Thuzad sighed. "Dalaran isn't that far away from the capital, after all. And now I have to make sure the prince doesn't get into trouble while his father is inspecting our progress regarding the Orcs' magical abilities..."
Khadgar had to smirk as he replied: "Aren't you a bit strict with him? I mean, he is just a boy..."
"But the most arrogant boy I've ever seen," his colleague shook his head. "I swear, that little runt is going to be the death of me someday..."
Khadgar heard how someone knocked against the wooden poles of his tent. "We'll talk later, my friend! It looks like I have a visitor."
He dropped the connection to the other crystal ball Kel'Thuzad was using in far away Dalaran, and turned around to face his visitor.
"Princess Amelia! What can I do for you?"
The princess looked around nervously, before she answered. "I wanted to talk to you before we leave for the Burning Blade camp. Can... can we sit down? This make take a while..."
Khadgar nodded. "Of course!" He offered the princess a sitting cushion and sat down in front of her.
"It is about that girl, Minako," Amelia said.
The magician nodded. "I already figured as much. She is an intriguing person, is she?"
"Yes, and a puzzling one at that. I really wonder if what she tells us about her origins is true..."
"Well, your friend Zelgadis seems to trust her," Khadgar pointed out. "And I can't feel any evil or demonic energies within her."
"That's not what I'm worried about, Khadgar," Amelia said. "It's just, well... You know, whenever I look at her... I have the feeling I would look into the eyes of someone else. You know who I am talking about?"
Khadgar stroke his chin thoughtfully. "Lina Inverse..." he muttered. "So I am not the only one... How intriguing!"
"It's not just her eyes, Khadgar," Amelia said. "But her whole behavior, the way she talks... it's just as if Miss Lina was standing in front of me. And the way she talked to Kurdran..."
Khadgar smirked. "Yes, I remember! Miss Inverse had the loosest tongue I've ever seen. She always said her opinions out loud, no matter who was present. She had absolutely no respect for authority."
"What... what shall we do? I told you what powers Miss Lina showed us when we fought the Orcs at the Dark Portal." She sighed. "Why is she doing this, Khadgar? If she really is Miss Lina, why doesn't she reveal herself? Why is she playing this game with us? And if she has those powers, why didn't she use them earlier?"
"We know by now that she has to be a visitor of this outer world... the same world the prisoners of the Burning Blade Clan are coming from. And if all of them have such powers in our world, who knows what they would be willing to do with them?"
"But... there is one thing I don't understand, Khadgar," Amelia said. "Miss Lina... she would have never shown mercy for a member of the Horde. No matter if it was an Orc, a Troll, an Ogre or a Goblin... every time she saw one of them, she ran at them and killed them. I was always shocked how she could do it so easily. And when I asked her, she only told me: 'The only good Orc is a dead Orc!' or 'One Troll kill a day keeps your worries away!' or even 'If the Goblins blow themselves up, why not save them the trouble?' But now..." The princess sighed. "Miss Lina would have never shown a Goblin mercy like Minako did. Is she really Miss Lina or is it just a big coincidence that the two of them are so similar?"
"I can say one thing for sure," Khadgar said after a while. "If there is a world outside of ours, who says there can't be countless other worlds? Remember what Kurdran told us about the strange void behind the mountains? I wish I and my colleagues had more chances to research it..."
He then shook his head. "I would be glad to talk to you more about this subject, princess, but we still have a battle to fight, and I have to prepare myself. And you should look after your troops."
Amelia nodded. "Of course! Thank you for your time, Lord Khadgar!"
She gave him a courteous bow and left the tent.
Meanwhile, Zelgadis was guarding Minako and Gobbo in a small corner of the camp, where they were able to watch Gourry and the other Paladins getting ready for battle. Gobbo was still bound, and Zelgadis had bound him to a wooden pole that was sticking in the ground.
They watched how Amelia was coming out of Khadgar's tent.
"We should be careful," Zelgadis said. "Those two know something. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already seen through my charade as well."
"Amelia doesn't trust you anymore?" Minako asked in surprise.
"Well, she still sees me as her friend, I believe, but we had our difficulties ever since that battle at the Dark Portal. You didn't see her that day, after I threw you through the portal... how should you? But she got very angry at me. For a while, I was afraid she would throw me through as well, one of these days."
It took Minako some time to realize what Zelgadis' words meant. "Wait a minute... are you saying the Dark Portal still exists?"
"Um, sure!" Zelgadis replied in surprise. "Didn't I tell you? Khadgar tried destroying it with his magic, but there was still a small opening left. Some powerful force was keeping it open..."
"But don't you see?" Minako said excitedly. "This is what we have been looking for: A way back home! When I fell back through the portal, I found myself sitting in front of my father's computer. The Portal must be a passageway between our two worlds as well."
Zelgadis was surprised. "Wow, I never thought of that possibility. Minako, you are surprising me. Normally I am the one who gets all of the good ideas."
Minako smirked. "Well, maybe it's because Zelgadis' Intellect isn't exactly the highest of his attributes."
"But still, your plan has a flaw. The Dark Portal is too far away from here. Even with a fast horse, we would need at least a week to get there."
"Then we'll take a gryphon!"
Zel snorted. "Sure, we just go to Kurdran Wildhammer and ask him nicely if he can lend us one. Can you fly a gryphon? I know I can't!"
"I CAN DO IT!" a loud voice next to them proclaimed. Minako and Zelgadis jumped in surprise... they had nearly forgotten that Gobbo was there. Minako wondered how many of the things they had talked about he had noticed... and more important, how many he had understood.
"What are you saying?" Zelgadis asked.
"I CAN RIDE A GRYPHON!" Gobbo shouted. "MOST GOBLINS CAN!"
"Not so loud," Minako said. "What do you mean, most Goblin can do it?"
"WHAT DO YOU THINK HOW MOST GOBLIN MERCHANTS CAN TRAVEL ALL OVER AZEROTH?" Gobbo yelled. "ON FOOT? NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD A ZEPPELIN!"
"And you... they would listen to you?" Minako asked.
"GRYPHONS DO WHAT THEY WANT! BUT I CAN TRY TO CONVINCE THEM!"
"That means we can get away from here," Minako whispered. "We can get home, Ami!"
"Sssshhhh!" Zelgadis hissed. "Let's not be so hasty. Or are you forgetting the reason why we came here in the first place?"
Realization dawned upon the Senshi's face. "The prisoners..." she said.
Zelgadis nodded before turning back to Gobbo. "Please, only answer with a nod or a head shake... If we help you escape, would you help us with a gryphon?" he asked.
"SURE!" Gobbo shouted so loudly that Zel winced. Then he nodded hastily. "SORRY!!"
"Okay," Minako sighed. "Then please go over to one of the gryphons and try to convince him to carry us out of here. When you are done, give us a sign so we can follow you."
She released Gobbo, and he sneakily made his way to the gryphon pen. Zelgadis and Minako watched him nervously. They looked over to the practicing Paladins, and to Khadgar's tent, but no one was looking their way.
Finally, they could see the goblin standing at the edge of the pen. He was waving and gave them the sign to come over. Minako gave her friend a nod, and they quickly went over to him.
"So you did it?" Minako whispered. "You found a gryphon?"
Gobbo nodded and gave them the sign to follow them. They followed him around the muscular bodies of the gryphons. Minako felt a bit uneasy when she saw their majestic wings and sharp beaks.
And when they finally reached the gryphon Gobbo was talking about, her eyes were ready to pop out of her sockets.
"You... you aren't serious..." she muttered.
"WHY?" Gobbo screamed. "YOU WANTED A GRYPHON! THAT IS A GRYPHON! AND THE FASTEST ONE YOU COULD IMAGINE!"
"But... but this is SKY'REE!" Minako protested. "Kurdran Wildhammer's personal gryphon!"
"SURE!" Gobbo nodded. "NONE OF THE OTHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH HER!"
Minako blinked, then she leaned over to Zelgadis and whispered: "Did you know that Sky'ree was a female?"
When he shook his head, she nodded. "Okay, that's what I wanted to know! Thanks!" Turning back to Gobbo, she asked him: "And why do you think Sky'ree would do what you tell her?"
"BECAUSE I TOLD HER THE TRUTH!" Gobbo yelled. "THAT WE COULD PREVENT THE BATTLE IF WE MANAGE TO SAVE THE THREE GODS! DO YOU THINK THE GRYPHONS ARE DUMB AS ANIMALS?"
Minako didn't know what to answer, so she just sighed. "Well, then what are we waiting for? Get up, you two!"
