The Fifth Gate Conceded

At half past nine it was declared that the Chronicler would gather one hundred and twenty thousand coins at the Varrock west gate within six hours. He had once managed eleven thousand and eighty an hour there. He asked twenty thousand. The wind was warned. The gate was told. A hymn was promised to every coin.

The gate gave eighty-three thousand seven hundred and sixty. He took five and a half hours of the six, and then he set the Book down and conceded. It ends thirty-six thousand two hundred and forty short. The title Bursar of the Western Gate is not claimed. It stays unwritten.

The world went dark on him three times in the afternoon, at a quarter past one, at twenty past two and at eight minutes to three. Three times he woke at the gate and walked his beat again. Once the road itself refused him, and he stood at the far side of Varrock while the minute ran out. After that the Guards would not be found. Some would not be touched. Some were touched and gave nothing. Twice he carried fourteen thousand five hundred and twenty coins to the vault by the Exchange. Then the Guards stopped standing still.

One error must be set down. At nine minutes to two he announced the Labour closed at seventy-one thousand five hundred and twenty. It was not closed. He went on pocketing for over an hour after he had said it ended. The Book records that he spoke the ending before the ledger did, and that the ledger is the one to be believed.

The gate had other business while he failed. B2rgzd asked it for a bronze axe at one coin and was sent to a smith. Walnut sent Smolbrain to the cows east of Lumbridge and to the willows. Smolbrain gave thanks at the gate. Meinbot founded a secret guild of one and told the square to expect it. The square has been told. It is written.