Spring was approaching faster than I would've liked. Antonia and I were together almost all the time, her room or mine, it didn’t matter as long as we were at each other's side. Sometimes we’d stay up all night, talking and being intimate. Then the next day we’d be wrecked, longing for a good night’s sleep.

Not long after the march eighteen of our colleagues quit, four from our unit. Those who stayed worked harder than ever. We all wanted to join the mission that was scheduled for the early fall.

Otho was quite casual about the whole thing. He was merely happy he was away from his demanding father and needy mother. I never asked him if he wrote to them or if he received any letters. I thought it would be too much of a sensitive topic. I figured, if he wanted to talk about it, he would. His popularity with the girls was at its highest point. I never understood why as he wasn’t particularly handsome – at least to me – but then again what did I know? Antonia found his looks boring. Green eyes, odd haircut,

boyish nose. He was quite tall, so perhaps that was it? On one rainy evening, Cicera – she was in his group – trapped the poor fool in his room. She walked in while he was laying in his bed, closed the door behind, locked them and jumped into his bed. She climbed on top of him and started kissing his lips. He didn’t have a choice but to take part in her game. After a while, when she wanted to take her clothes off, he said:

“Give me a moment, I need to take a quick run to the downpours."

“Fine, be quick about it,” she said rather annoyed. He then ran out of the room, downstairs to the main hall, then to the library, where he stayed hidden for hours! Later he tiptoed back to his room, which by that time was already empty. I almost pissed my pants laughing when he told me this story.

“What’s wrong with you?!”

“I don’t know, I have a dizzy head when it comes to girls! I’m afraid I’ll make a fool of myself!”

“Well, too late for that!” I said, still laughing.

But the whole affair didn’t hurt his reputation, not one bit. For some reason it was invincible, despite his oddities.

I wrote back to Marius, telling him a few funny stories, what we studied and of Antonia. He never wrote back, but I didn’t mind it.

I began writing to my mother more often, which pleased her. She told me my brother met a girl from Stelarium and that it looked serious.

Then, with early spring, came the final day of our training. We would be sworn in to the Cohort, as pledges. By law we already were pledges, so this ceremony was completely of formal nature. A symbolic ending of our training.

It was a hot day. The sun was burning everything in its way. I was nervous and so was Antonia. We knew our chapter, at least to some extent, was ending. One of us would be chosen for the mission and leave Vetulonia. We were sitting in the classroom. All sixteen of us were silent. You could only hear a couple of flies buzzing their ways through the air. Then Kato, wearing a beautiful purple ceremony toga, came in and we all stood up. He waved his hand and we all sat down. He went to his desk, sat down and sighed.

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“It’s hot today, isn’t it? I hate the heat…” He seemed lost in his thoughts, something I found odd as he was always lucid and present. He then stood up, while we remained seated. He looked at us with tenderness of a master.

“I’m very proud of you. I wish we’d have more time to spend with each other, but as you all know, nothing lasts, everything flows. I hope you’ll live a full life. Hard times lie ahead, that much is known to some of us who everlastingly lurk on the events to come. But I’m more than convinced you’ll step up to the challenge, whatever that may be. Now, let’s move from doom and gloom to more pleasant business. One of you has been picked to be an entourage of the diplomatic mission that will start in late summer. The mission will be of highest importance. The League’s power is rising and it will be up to us to prevent that power from overtaking Helena. The mission will be lead by the Lord himself, as well as the Vicelord…”

My heart started pounding.

“It is Antonius. Congratulations.”

The world slowed down. Everything went quiet. I felt joy, confusion, relief and sorrow, all morphing together into an odd sensation of anxiety. At first I didn’t dare to look at Antonia, but then my cowardice made me ashamed. So I turned my head towards her desk. She was smiling at me, radiating warmth and love. I faintly smiled back and turned my head to Kato.

“Thank you,” I managed to utter with a shaky voice. Of course I blushed!

Kato continued:

“Others who’ve been picked are Otho, Cecilia and Flavia. That's it. Now go to the courtyard, where you'll be sworn in. Then you’ll pack your things and march to the Northern Temple. There you’ll drink the Elixir. After you sober up – ha ha – you’ll receive further orders. And that’s it. Any questions? No? Good! I wish you well! Antonius, you stay behind, everyone else, dismissed!”

They all stood up and started leaving the classroom. Some of them patted me on the back as they were passing me by. I smiled at them, although I wasn't happy. My stomach was in knots. When they all left, Kato asked me:

“Do you have any questions, Antonius?”

“Why me?” I uttered without thinking. I blushed as I found my question melodramatic.

“Why not?”

“Antonia - “

“Antonia was a close second. But I think you need this more than she does. This trip isn't a reward, you see? It's a lesson of sorts. And despite some of your talents, you still have much to learn. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I would. May I ask why Otho was picked for the mission?”

“He’s charismatic. And more important, he has an extraordinary sense of responsibility. The latter will come in handy in the times to come…”

“… Wars to come?”

“Yes.”

“I still cannot see it. Why would the League go after everything if they’re doing so well?”

“By the end of the mission, you’ll understand… It was a pleasure tutoring you, Antonius, I won’t forget you. Now go. It is time.”