I retrieved a notebook and copied some of the runes from the remaining circle. My memory was good but I wanted to make sure to get them right. Magic was not very forgiving. Then, I studied the gate.

Most magical portals just appeared in thin air. They did not need a physical structure. The gate itself was connected to the ritual circle. Maybe it made the portal more stable? Maybe it reduced the amount of magic the ritual needed? Any ritual required fuel. Most of the time in the form of spell slots. But sacrifice was also an option.

I looked at the gate again. If this device would simply reduce the cost of a portal, I might be able to use it. I could power it with my magic and the help of others. While I did not need a portal right now, it could come in handy in the future. And my magical storage was sort of big.

“Lucy, can you help me loot the gate?” I asked.

“What?” Lucy replied.

“I want to tear it out of the floor and store it.” I explained.

“Uh, sure.” Lucy walked over and examined the gate. She seemed to ponder how to tear it out of the ground as a fox.

“You can fit this into your storage?” Sir Francis inquired.

The gate was an arch about three metres tall and five metres wide.

I shrugged. “It should fit, yes.”

“What are your plans for this gate? Are you going to use it to reach the fairy realm?” Lilith inquired.

“I don’t have a specific plan. I think the lady of the forest is still our best bet. But the gate might come in handy at some point.” I answered.

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“She is a hoarder! Maybe she is part dragon.” Lucy teased while starting to dig into the floor. Stone was no match for her paws.

“I am not a dragon but I would not mind meeting one. They are fascinating!” It was a shame that I had not run into a dragon yet.

“You are part cat though. Lazing around while I do the work.” Lucy teased.

I nodded. “True.”

“Come over here and help if you want your gate!” She shouted.

I smiled and walked towards the gate. While she tore open the floor I pulled at the upper part. Lily joined us as well and soon I had one shiny… slightly used and singed, gate. I stored it in my amulet without any problems.

Afterwards we searched the remaining keep. We did not find anything useful. They were rather thorough with the evacuation.

Then we returned to the army to plan our next steps. Dalroc, Ingrid, Bodil and Loriel were waiting for us.

“We found the high inquisitors, they were turned into skeletons and guarded a portal. We eliminated them. The portal is no longer working and was destroyed. All the death around here was used to power it.” I reported.

“That is disturbing. So Beria escaped into the fairy realm? Did you find any records, anything useful?” Dalroc asked.

I shook my head. “The place is trashed and abandoned. We only found a few undead, likely failed experiments.”

Bodil unrolled a map and placed it on the table we were gathering around. “I think we should focus on the demonic threat. The Inquisition and their rebellion is falling apart. We have demonic sightings near the wastes and…”

While she talked I contemplated the situation. Should we really deal with Ashmedai next? He was ultimately a distraction. Beira was the true threat. The Dwarven Kingdom had their army here and so far they did not even deploy their most powerful mages or fighters. They relied on us for the hard work.

“I think we will ignore Ashmedai for now. We can’t ignore Beira, she is the true threat. I trust that your forces can handle the remaining trouble in the Empire. I will take my people to the Dominion to meet the lady of the forest.” I declared.

“Ashmedai will be hard to contain…” Bodil said.

Ingrid interrupted her. “But we will manage. We are grateful for the help you have provided us so far. Ashmedai has not appeared yet and we don’t even know where they will summon him. Deal with Beira, we shall stop the demon lord, or at least contain him.”

“My wife is right.” Dalroc said. “You have done a lot for us and we will not forget it.”

“While I would love to accompany you, I will stay here with the dwarves. I am the liaison between our nations and my power might be needed.” Loriel said. “I could send someone with you though…”

“I think we are fine.” I declared. “Do you want to join us, Lilith?”

“It would be my pleasure.” She replied.

The dwarves actually looked relieved. I guess they did not trust her without me and Lucy around. So far Lilith had been rather reasonable, for a demon lord.

Anyway, it was time to finally travel to the Dominion!