Four weeks later we were back in the camp. Although completely exhausted, I felt content, mainly due to Antonia's presence.
The thought of being chosen for the mission and leaving Antonia behind made my stomach hurt. Or her leaving me! I tried not to think about it much, rather focusing on each day as it came.
Some colleagues, about ten of them, quit the Cohort as soon as we returned. Another twenty were more than annoyed with the whole escapade and were thinking to do the same. Not Otho though. He looked relaxed, serene even.
“Gods, you look great! How is that possible?!” I asked flabbergasted.
“I don’t know… It was fun!”
“Fun you say? I was certain by the time we’d return you’d want to quit. You're not used to hard work.”
“Well, neither are you! And I don’t have the luxury of quitting, Antonius…” he said hauntingly and it almost brought a tear to my eye. I hugged him, which startled him.
“I’m glad you’re here with me,” I said and let go. He laughed it off and said I was mad and went to his room. Antonia came to me and asked:
“What was that all about?”
“Nothing much… I missed him. I’ll take a downpour and check if I have any letters… I’ll join you in your room later. Alright?”
“Yes, I’ll be waiting,” she smiled and kissed me on the cheek. I blushed. I always blushed. Like an idiot. You’d think at one point a person outgrows blushing. But not me.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The downpour felt good. The hygiene quarters were composed of thirty downpours, all separated by thin walls at their side and a thin curtain in the front. You'd pull a lever on the left and hot steaming water came pouring out of the wall. Usually I'd have taken my time to relax and enjoy the hot water, but now with everyone back the place was too crowded. They all talked to each other and over each other – their voices violently echoed though space. I washed up in a hurry and headed to the main hall. In front of a small storage room stood a guard, protecting the mail.
“Greetings, do you have any mail for me?”
“You are?”
“Antonious Catero.”
He went inside the room and came back with a bag with my name on it. He took a few scrolls from it and handed them to me. I thanked him and went to my room.
The first letter was from my mother, telling me in great details what was happening back at home (nothing much). She also scolded me why hadn’t I been writing. The second one was from my uncle, who’d heard from my mother I’d joined the Cohort. He told me how proud he was of me and how grandma would be proud as well. Then he went on and on about the political situation in Helena. He was a bore. The last letter cheered me up the most. It was from Marius:
"Dear – ha ha ha – Antonius!
I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your letters, but the training has been quite rigorous. But I’m enjoying it! You should see my muscles! I’m like a bull!
How are you doing?
Guess what? Come on, guess – ha ha! Fine, I’ll tell. I met a girl. She has long legs and a firm behind. Don’t get me wrong, she’s interesting as well– no, that’s a lie, ha ha. She’s in my unit and is a very skilled fighter.
I’ve heard from our master that you lot went on a march. How did you do? Write to me. I hope we’ll see each other soon.
Everything flows,
Marius"