The metal gate towered above me, easily twice the height of the skull I had called home for the past two weeks. Up close, it looked even larger, its surface made of thick, glossy steel.
For a moment, I just stood there.
Beyond this very gate were people.
My throat felt strangely tight and sore.
Before I could gather the courage to knock or shout, a sharp voice rang out from above.
"Who are you?" the voice said coldly. "Identify yourself!"
I blinked and looked up. Standing at the top of the massive gate were silhouettes of people.
They were armored with bows, spears, javelins, and something that looked like a cannon mounted on the rampart, its barrel already angled in my direction.
'Right. Of course they wouldn't just open the gate for some half-burned kid falling from the sky.'
I let out a sigh and raised both of my hands slowly. "I come in peace!"
