(no subject)

The guardian stood and watched the gate. Today all was quiet, as it had been the week before, and likely the week after; although there were flurries of snow blown against the gray nothingness beyond the gate.

*

The guardian sat in meditation; his awareness at the gate, as was proper. He could smell the cooking fires of the Heavenly city behind him and the snow of the mountains before him. The way from K'un Lun, as ever, shrouded in shadows and clouds.

**

The guardian waited and watched at the gate, but nothing was there to guard against. He looked up into the sky and saw a hawk flying. Following its path into the valley below, the guardian realized the way was open to the world.

***

Danny turned back at the gate to gaze once more at the Heavenly city before he turned to find the home he'd been taken away from fifteen years before.

Duty had less of a pull than home.