You come across a problem when you are almost within sight of the Gate

The first hour of your ride goes by without incident. The second fares the same. The third, as well. Then the fourth. The fifth. The sixth. The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh. Eleven whole hours elapse without any dangers presenting themselves to you.

You are honestly quite amazed that nothing has interrupted your ride so far. It is almost as though the western mountains of the Vale are totally devoid of all life. It could be possible that they actually are. On the other hand, you have been focused on the road for the majority of your ride. You have only stolen occasional glances at your surroundings. Thus, it could be possible that the mountain clansmen and beasts of the Vale were somewhere above you, and you just did not notice them.

All the same, you choose not to question your good fortune. The first eleven hours of your journey may have passed without any type of calamity, but you know full well that all it takes is one second for your circumstances to change for the worse.

The first half of the final hour of your trek proceeds much like the rest. After that, the Bloody Gate is finally within your field of vision. Even from this distance, you can tell that it is heavily guarded. The sentries do not appear to have noticed you yet, but soon enough, you are certain they will. After all, the Bloody Gate has withstood every invasion that ever fell against it. It could not have lasted so long if the men guarding it were negligent in their duties.

When you are just ten minutes away from the Bloody Gate, you finally encounter an obstruction. What?