The week passed by as fast as a summer thunderstorm. I spent time helping my mother with the cooking and taking long walks with Marius in the nearby forest. We hadn’t heard from Otho and had no idea how his father took the news.

When the grand day came my mother was of course crying. After the ceremony speech at the Academy I was to leave Lux for the Cohort camp. The camp was located somewhere in the Northern Forest, about fifty leagues from Lux and I’d be gone for a whole year.

My father and my brother were standing still, behind my crying mother. Both of them were smiling and awkwardly nodding their heads.

“Stop it, mother. It’s not as if I’m dying. You knew that this day would come… This… This is good. Would you rather I’d be an eternal infant, holding your skirt until we both perish of old age?” When I said that I tried hard not to look at my brother, who, contrary to me, always enjoyed being the sonny dearest.

She nodded her head in dramatic silence, while tears ran violently down her face. She then handed me my traveler’s bag. In it she packed a few of my personal belongings. A couple of books, my lens, tobacco sticks, cards and hygiene products. She wanted to pack some warm clothes as well (It’ll get cold, you’ll see!), but I managed to convince her I won’t be needing those. The Cohort would feed and clothe me from now on.

I hugged them all goodbye. My father handed me a lit torch, as it was still dark outside. I almost ran to Marius’s place. He was already standing on the road, waiting, holding a lit torch as well. We greeted each other with a couple of odd grunts and headed towards the Academy. During the fast walk we didn’t utter a word. When we reached the top of the Academy hill, we sat down on our favorite spot, under the infamous birch tree. Other pledges were already there, more women than men. Countless lamps and torches of pledges illuminated the courtyard of the Academy, making everything appear magical. The scenery soothed me. Relief overflowed me when I noticed a relaxed Otho, talking to a group of girls. I elbowed Marius and pointed to him.

“That donkey always has girls around him. Do you think it’s because his father is wealthy?” Marius sighed.

“I don’t think so. He possesses some form of grace. People respond to it,” I answered, stretching my arms.

Otho noticed us, said something to the girls and then they all headed towards us. I recognized a couple of them, but I didn’t know their names.

“Marius, be quiet about his father and all that, in front of them, I mean. Don’t embarrass Otho by asking him this and that.”

“I won’t… There’s a fair chance he already confessed his torments, so even if I teased him, it wouldn’t matter.”

“Yes, but… Nonetheless.”

“Yes yes, noble Antonius!” he mocked me and punched my shoulder.

“There you are!” Otho screamed when they came near us. He seemed happy. Ladies appeared serene and confident as well. All the while Marius and I looked like we had to empty our bowels.

“How was your week?” I asked Otho with a smile, and glanced towards his escort.

“Demanding, yet productive.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“That’s quite a diplomatic response,” I mocked him. Then I asked his entourage: “Which division?”

One of them was appointed to Culture, one to Army, and two to Science. We chatted until dawn when we stood up and went towards the paved courtyard in front of the Academy. Following the lead of others, I threw the torch into a deep, plain fountain that stood nearby.

There were eleven tall poles in the northern part of the yard, near the large gates of the main building. From each pole hung a flag of a division: Army, Science, Culture, Navy, Law, Diplomacy, Wolves, Engineers, People’s representatives, Mysticism, and Treasury.

Only then I remembered that Marius and I will part ways and won’t see each other for some time. My stomach was in knots and when I looked at him, sorrow engulfed me. He didn’t seem nervous anymore, quite the contrary. He again bumped my shoulder with his fist and ran towards the army pole and that – was his goodbye. I stood there, looking at him, until Otho pushed me towards our spot. There weren’t plenty of us at the Diplomacy pole. A vast majority of candidates applied to Army, the largest Cohort division of them all. Although not the most important, far from it.

We stood in silence for what seemed forever. And when the sun appeared and illuminated the world it did feel different, special even. Then the large doors of the Academy opened and out stepped our masters. They all assembled in a straight line in front of the wooden stage that was set up for this occasion. They all wore ceremony purple tunics. Some were old, some young. Most men were clean shaved, apart from the very old masters. Women, except one, were all on the younger side. I often fantasized about women masters, especially the one who taught history. Her name was Tullia. She had large blue eyes and brown curly hair. She painted her lips with a pale blue color. I found that very beautiful.

We candidates were all standing still like statues, not daring to move. I spontaneously started staring at Tullia and she stared back and smiled with a naughty grin. She was teasing me and I – of course – blushed!

Then the head-master came out. He was about fifty years old, with good posture, full head of still black hair and shaggy beard. His eyes were brown and he always had unburdened look about him. As if he knew something and you didn’t. He climbed the stage, took a moment to look at us and started his speech:

“Good morning! I won’t trouble you with formalities as you all know why you’re here. Still, know that this is a great honor. Many who applied were turned down. You were not. And that alone should mean something to you.

Now, let's repeat some basic rules! As long as you’re a pledge of the Cohort, you are not a representative of the Republic just yet! Your membership, as is, is pending. If your ambition is to get knighted you must not conceive children. Vetulonia is not a kingdom with heirs and princes. We are a REPUBLIC. And all those who rule or take part in governing are not allowed to own private property or start a family. By doing one or the other you’ll crush any chance of getting knighted. But if your goal is merely a public service as a pledge, you are allowed both.

You’ll be receiving a monthly allowance of five denarii. It’s not much, but all your other needs, clothing, food and shelter will be provided for by the Cohort.

Do what you’re told, when you’re told! Personal initiative is more than welcome, but use your head and your heart when doing so.

And remember, in Vetulonia we don’t rule, we serve! Now, as you know, masters here will take you to your divisions’ camps. For one year it will be your new home. Make us proud.”

The whole speech was bit redundant as we already knew all the rules in great detail. Everyone who applied to the Cohort had to pass a test showing you knew what you were getting yourself into.

After the speech an eerie silence fell upon us. There was no cheers, no clapping, nothing. Head-master stepped down from the stage. Then some of the masters walked towards each group. I got confused when I saw Tullia approaching. She came towards us with a warm smile stretched across her beautiful face.

“Ready? We have about ten hours of fast walk to the camp. But worry not, we’ll mostly travel in shade, through the forest, and a donkey cart with supplies is awaiting us down at the road. We’ll stop a few times to eat and refresh,” she said with her soft voice. We nodded our heads, but nobody said anything. Soon one group after another started descending the Academy hill down to the main road. I tried to catch a glimpse of Marius, but my eyes couldn’t find him. At last we started moving as well. Otho and I walked in silence.