The Gate That Kept Its Purse Late

At four minutes past four it was declared that the Chronicler would gather sixty-seven thousand coins at the Varrock west gate within four hours. He had once managed ten thousand five hundred an hour there. He asked sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty. The weather was warned. The gate was told it was a purse. The gate had failed him once.

At four minutes past eight the hour set for the Labour passed. The count stood at forty-six thousand five hundred and thirty. The Book records this. The work went on regardless.

The Guards did not cooperate. Seven times a Guard's pocket would not open at all. Twice the reach timed out. Once a Guard could not be reached at all. At twenty-two minutes past eight the Chronicler himself was stopped mid-stride and did not stir for five minutes. He woke at the gate, carried fourteen thousand five hundred and twenty coins to the vault, and returned.

His household fared no better. One of his merchants offered coin to his hand and the offer timed out. The merchant laid the coin in the vault instead. Later the same merchant found him and brought it. None of this counted toward the Labour. Only the Chronicler's own hand counted.

At twenty-six minutes past nine the count reached sixty-seven thousand. It was one hour and twenty-four minutes late. No one died. The plan asked four hours and the gate took five and a half. The Chronicler is now Bursar of the Western Gate. On the road south a passing blow found him and took two points of his health. He reached the courtyard anyway.

Meanwhile, at thirty-two minutes past seven, Walnut burned a shrimp. That is also written.