A day later I was as good as new. The news spread quickly across the camp and I became a celebrity of sorts. A few followed my act and drank the tea, Antonia being one of them.
I spent most of my free time with her, walking through the forest and talking about our lives and ambitions. Conversing with her was easy. I felt as if we had known each other since forever.
She didn’t approach or kiss me, we merely held hands, but that felt nice as well. In a way I preferred to take things slow, more serene.
Late summer came. We were sitting in the classroom, waiting for Kato. When he entered we stopped talking to each other and stood up. He waved his hand and we sat down. He dropped the scrolls on his desk and looked at us.
“We’ve been debating and writing essays for two months now. Leisure times are over. So for the next two months we’re going to play a different game. How do long marches through the woods sound? Sleeping under the stars! Walking without water or food for days! Adventure of sorts! You'll also learn how to handle weapons, basic combat, strategy, hunting. Questions?”
Julian, a dark haired fellow from Stelarium, a city west of Lux, raised his hand.
“Yes?”
“Why?” he frowned.
“Why?”
“Yes, why? We’re future diplomats, why would we waste time with soldiering?”
“A fair question. Tell me Julian, what are your ambitions?”
“Master?”
“Do you want to get knighted or is remaining a pledge enough to settle your restless spirit?”
“I do want to get knighted, master,” answered Julian and blushed.
“Then what? Eventually becoming a Captain?”
“That would be… Optimal, master.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Optimal? What about becoming the Vicelord or the Advisor? Would that suit you?”
“It would, sir.”
“No doubt. Let’s go higher! One day, Julian, you’re the Lord of Vetulonia, dictator of the Cohort! What powers are you granted?”
“Absolute reign over the territory of Vetulonia and its government.”
“Let’s suppose another star falls on Helena, resulting in another long winter. How are you, Lord of Vetulonia, going to govern if you can’t even kill a deer or start a proper fire? Why should anyone listen to you? Because you’re well read? Is that it? You asked why? Because when you get knighted, you will all become a potential leader of this republic. That’s why.”
Julian blushed and didn’t say anything else. I as well wasn’t thrilled with the news, but I understood what Kato was saying. Being able to survive in hard circumstances, being able to defend yourself and those you love – these are foundations of freedom. There’s nothing noble in being harmless.
Another arm rose. Cassius. He was from Arabor, a city in the south.
“Yes?”
“Aren’t falling stars a rare occurrence?”
“You are missing the point, young man. Forget the falling stars. Fire. Plague. Drought. Earthquakes. And my favorite, war. All these can cause a civilization to fall and we’re right back where we started, beasts wrapped in darkness. All of you here are fairly well educated. Some more than others. Let’s entertain a thought. Vetulonia fell. All five of our great cities are burned to the ground. People enslaved. There’s nothing left of our ways, except for a few pockets of small communities, hidden from the enemy’s sight. You, Cassius, are a member of one of those communities. And you’re the most knowledgeable person there. What are your moral duties as that?”
“To serve, master.”
“I’ll need a more practical answer than that, Cassius.”
“Serve by spreading knowledge. Teaching everyone in the community of what I know and do my best that the knowledge I posses survives me.”
“A fine answer! Brava, Cassius! Now, let’s entertain another thought. One day, your village is attacked by an enemy force. Nothing overwhelming, only idle scouts, browsing through the country, mapping the area. Let’s say there are three of them and twelve of you. Three soldiers who fought in countless battles and twelve of you… Knowledgeable, yet harmless rabbits.”
We laughed, but Kato silenced us.
“Who would prevail, Cassius?”
“They would, master.”
“But how? There are twelve of you. Why haven’t you set guard? Hiding shelter? Where were your weapons? Why weren’t you able to DEFEND YOURSELF!?”
Cassius blushed even harder, but kept looking at Kato. He understood.
“Attention,” said Kato calmly and we all stood up.
“You’ll assemble in the main hall now. There you’ll receive equipment you’ll need for the next two months. A tent, a blanket, a few smaller pots and some hygiene items. We start at dawn, and don’t you dare be late. Understood?”
“Yes, master,” we answered in one voice.
“Dismissed.”