Chapter 14
A few days later, I finally reached the wall. It stood above me so high, that I could not see the top of it. What I could see where the billions and billions of Threads that made up the wall. They were more dense than any other structure I have ever seen. Dotted throughout the wall were small windows with a guard looking out onto the road. They seemed to thin a bit the farther they were from the road, but from what I could see, there were plenty.
In contrast to the wall, the gate in was little more than a few manned doors. Big enough to let carts and carriages through, but only one at a time. Surrounding the gate was about a dozen guards, but the windows in the wall above were filled with more. Each door had 2 individual guards looking at everyone and asking questions. Behind the gate, I could see a Pattern flare every time someone walked through.
I headed to the closest door to where I was, and fell in line. It moved slowly, but eventually it was my turn. I brought out the letter I had received. The guard began to read it. His eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and he read it again. Then a third time. He leaned over and whispered to the other guard. I made out "...Headmaster..... Weaver....." He then looked at me and said, "One moment, sir, we need to verify this. If you would, please step aside so we can let others through while we do."
As much as I wanted to argue, I knew I didn't stand a chance against them. There were too many, and I was sure there were Weavers mixed in with them. Much more accomplished Weavers. Ones who would likely know spells like Fireball, or a spell like D&D's Power Word: Kill. I wasn't about to push my luck, so I simply said "Sure" and moved aside.
About fifteen minutes later, a young man came up to me, looked me over, turned to the guards and nodded. He then turned around and went back inside. The guard looked over at me and said, "Welcome to Challenger, Apprentice Weaver, the Academy is the large Mansion in the center of the city. If you reach the Palace, you've gone too far. If the Headmaster himself sent for you, I shan't keep you waiting. Good luck!"
Stolen novel; please report.
I thanked him and strolled into the wall. I don't say into the city, because once I entered the gate, there was about 150 meters of pure Wall to go through. It was little larger than an American football field, goalpost to goalpost. I'm pretty sure you could fit a basketball court or even a baseball field, with stands, in this wall with room to spare.
Walking through the other side felt like entering an entirely new world. The sound of a full city surrounded me like a blanket, and suddenly, I couldn't hear myself think. I stepped to one side so others could get through while I gathered my thoughts and centered myself. After a few minutes of deep breathing, I was finally able to get control. I looked around me at the hundreds of people walking away from the gate. Several seemed to live or work in this area. I saw a few signs, but nothing that screamed business to me. I slowly entered the flow of traffic. The road I was, thankfully, looked straight, and I could make out a tower in the distance directly ahead. I saw roads come off this one every few houses, but those did not looked straight from what I could see. They tended to bend a little until what looked to be another road. It was hard to make out, though, so I put it out of my mind.
Looking towards the tower in the distance, I started walking. I wasn't sure how long it would take to get there, but this was going to be awhile. I took in as much as I could as I walked towards it. The houses didn't look much different than the houses I grew up in. Some were cleaner, others in disrepair, but none of a different make. Stone, wood, a little metal on some of the better maintained houses. Other buildings that could be businesses dotted the landscape, Mostly stone, some brick, they were a little easier to spot due to the hanging signs. Joron's Apothecary, Caro's Diner, Donder's Groceries. Most also had an image that depicted what they sold. I suppose not everyone here could read. A few hours later, I drew near the tower. I now see why he called it a mansion, and not a tower. The tower was one corner of the building. The rest looked like a giant hotel, bigger than any you'd find on Earth, in any major city. It was indeed a mansion.
As I drew closer, I saw a sign. The sign had an image of what appeared to be a spool of thread, but instead of a needle, there was a loom. Underneath in big letters "Weaver's Academy" was proclaimed. Under that, I saw something that took my breath away. In English, a language no one on this world should be able to speak, it said "If you can read this, the crew of the Challenger Space Mission welcomes you. Please tell Mr Smith or Mr McNair that you can. If you are from beyond 1986, Who won Daytona? Earnhardt, Wallace, or Petty? We still have a bet going on that."
