Kimber Silver's Reviews > The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate

"Coincidence and intention are two sides of a tapestry, my lord. You may find one more agreeable to look at, but you cannot say one is true and the other is false."

And so I entered the world of Fuwaad ibn Abbas, a merchant from Baghdad, who by coincidence (or intention) stumbles upon a wondrous metalsmith’s shop.
Bashaarat, the store owner, cordially greets Fuwaad. As he peruses the fascinating items on display, the craftsman casually mentions that he has something even more fantastic in the next room. Would Fuwaad like to see this extraordinary object? He wondered.

"Of course he would!" I exclaimed. "Take us to see this magical marvel at once!" My anticipation was electric, sparking like a molten blade in the process of being forged.

The clanging of metalwork faded into the background as Bashaarat spoke of his discovery — a gateway of seconds. He then stepped up to a metal hoop positioned chest-high in the middle of the room and gave a demonstration.

“Bashaarat thrust his arm through the hoop from the right side, but it did not extend out from the left. Instead, it was as if his arm were severed at the elbow, and he waved the stump up and down, and then pulled his arm out intact.
I had not expected to see such a learned man perform a conjuror's trick, but it was well done, and I applauded politely.
"Now wait a moment," he said as he took a step back.
I waited, and behold, an arm reached out of the hoop from its left side, without a body to hold it up. The sleeve it wore matched Bashaarat's robe. The arm waved up and down, and then retreated through the hoop until it was gone”

Fuwaad and I were both skeptical, but our curiosity was piqued, and we were eager to unravel this mystery.

The metalsmith shared with the merchant that there was more.

How could there be more? I pondered as I hurried after the two men as they entered another chamber. A large, polished metal circle waited silently — a gateway of years…

This is the best short story I’ve read this year! The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate is a brilliant tale that left me mesmerized. Take an hour to visit Bashaarat’s emporium. You’ll be glad you did.

Many thanks to my Goodreads friends for pointing the way to this terrific tale.
It’s free to read HERE.