The Anamur Gate (4/4)

read part one, two,three The men were excellent archers and the arrows speedily rained down on their target but somehow did not get there. When asked later, none of the men could explain what had happened despite having seen it with their own eyes. Every arrow that had been fired was laid in a neat pile next to Josephine. “What madness is this?” the leader roared, “Fire at will!” The arrows rained down again, all expertly aimed. Up until the last instant they all looked to have found their target, only to then settle into the pile with the others. The men, bewildered, fire again and again. Eventually, their stockpiles were depleted and they looked at the lone figure for the first time with fear. The pile of arrows was taller than her crossed-legged figure. She opened her eyes. “I seek an audience with Samos of Alanya. In return, I will give the guards of Anamur this pile of finely crafted arrows.” “You dare mock us! Such petty magic does not daunt us.” The guard turned to his men, instructing them before speaking to her again. “Run, or you ask for death!” “I’m quite comfortable, Captain—and prepared to be quite insistent.” “Fire!” She had made the leader angry but she needed him to become angrier still; angry enough to call for help. Explosions marked the firing of mortars, the payload heavy stone. She was surprised at the elementary nature of their defenses. She closed her eyes and prayed once again. The stones shattered long before the reach her, the small fragments coalescing behind her. She concentrated on the Captain—such were the markings on his clothes—and took in his figure. The shattered stone began to take shape: first a pair of boots, then loose pants, a vest of armor, and finally a face. Then, for a moment, silence. “A statue in your honor, Captain—to commemorate your considerable actions.” The men stared at their Captain, then at a perfect stone likeness. She hoped they would panic and beg for reinforcements—call attention to stranger outside the gate. Instead she saw the Captain confer with his men. He returned to the front of the tower. “You continue to mock me. Still your magic does not concern me. Let me show you why Anamur has stood for three thousand years!” Josephine closed her eyes and looked into the tower, searching for the men, for what they had in store for her. She was surprised to find them all facing her at the towers edge. They did not move and indeed looked peaceful. What came next she could not fathom and had it not been for years of waging war she would not have recognized. Every guard began to speak at once, opening their palms toward her. They had magic. In a land where those with magic were never found more than two or three at a time, here at Anamur gate were a dozen men preparing to destroy her. She recognized their words and knew that she could not stop them. Divine words of one kind were useless against others of another. She closed her eyes and prayed to the Other—praying she could still convince the darkness she was loyal. The light arced from the men’s hands toward her. She did not see, shutting her eyes as tightly as she could, begging the One Who Was Not He to enter her once more. “Enough!” she screamed, raising her hands and extinguishing the holy spell. “It is my intention to get an audience. I will not ask for it again. I came in peace and you have fired upon me. I will afford you the same consideration. I will tear this gate apart if necessary.” It was enough. The Captain yelled for a messenger and made sure she could see it. “I have dispatched a message. The Elder will be here soon. However, you must understand that we will not allow you passage even if it means our death.” Josephine nodded, wondering if now was the time to give concessions—what other weapons might these men have hidden and unexpected? She released her demons, standing up and noticing her exhaustion again. “Water and food make peace, Captain, if you can afford them.” Soon enough, a gourd with cool water was thrown, followed by a small sack with unleavened bread and fruit. She did not bother to check if they were poisoned. They would be fools to do so. She ate in silence and waited. Two hours later she heard something no foreigner had heard for five hundred years. The Anamur Gate was being opened. Next: On the 30th day...