Seven Gates

 

12 months ago subscribers to my Patreon got learn about the seven gates and how they are guarded. Now they are open to be viewed by all.

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Seven Gates

“What’s behind the gate sarge?”

It was her third day on the job. Forty-Eight hours guarding the gate, not knowing why. Pretty much what you might expect if you asked the sergeant.

“Another gate.” She looked at him eyes wide, head, it seemed, empty of all humour. He sighed internally. Turn down the sarcasm and cynicism. Be the caring, fatherly sergeant. “Look lass, the lieutenant should have briefed you when you arrived.”

She lifted her helmet and scratched her brow. “Well sarge, he said a lot of stuff about existential threats and tactical nuance, and that we should strive to excel in the profession of guardianship. I wasn’t sure what he meant, and when I asked, he told me that a curious mind was a useful attribute for a gate guard.”

Surely not. The sergeant had the required respect for the lieutenant, so this did not reduce his esteem for the officer. “Well then. Before us is the Oak Gate, banded in iron. The gate we are to guard. No one is to go through without permission.”

She nodded. This much at least was clear. Something to keep hold of in the months and years ahead. No one is to go through without permission, and command has not granted such permission for decades.

“Beyond is the Pine Gate, banded in steel. We communicate the changing of the guard with the guards of that gate, through the means of the signals.” The sergeant indicated the wires and flags of that device. “And any other necessary message.” Once a year, if that. “Then the Teak Gate, banded in brass. The Copper Gate, that has gold fittings. The Granite Gate, marked in silver. The Fire Gate, bound by steam. And the Void Gate, and there is no more I can tell you of that.”

The two of them looked up at the dark-varnished wood, decorated with swirls and spirals, the massive hinges and bars, the bolts and fastenings, the metal painted black to protect from the elements. It looked impregnable but they knew better. The lieutenant might talk of how human-assistance perfects a perimeter security. The sergeant knew that no door can stop someone determined, and that’s why you need guards.

“And past the last gate, the prison.”

“The palace,” snapped the sergeant. “Show some respect girl. For he within is the king after all.”

“But he’s imprisoned!”

“Well of course.” The sergeant drew himself up to attention. “Who would be so foolish as to allow something so great and terrible as monarchy to walk free?”