I wake up the next day at dawn; it is not raining yet, but I expect some later in the day, as I see thick clouds looming above. I take care of a few chores before taking a walk in the town, business is slow these days and my father will not need me in the shop.

  About a hundred people live in Oblivis, which is sizable number considering the neighboring villages, but I hear that in capital cities like Caelistis or Fluminae there can be thousands of inhabitants. Oblivis is in the realm of Umbrosum which is part of the Empire with five other realms: Silvana, Maros, the Draconum Isles, Rocta and of course Initium.

  As I walk through the main market I can feel tension in the air, as if everyone is holding their breath waiting for something to happen. Curious I listen to the conversations around me, in front of me an old lady talks to a shop owner:

  " Did you see the band of riders that went to the town hall this morning? They almost scared me to death riding like devils with those armors and weapons. I thought it was Maroses raid." She exclaims

  "Com'on now, we haven't been raided by the Maros' people in a long time, ever since they joined the Empire actually." The merchant tries to argue.

  " Empire or not you will catch me dead before I start trusting these Barbarians" the senior woman states.

  He rolls his eyes and moves on.

  "Anyway, I did see those riders and by their look they are from the Umbrosum's legion. No idea what they're doing here. Can't be anything good though."

  Then the woman from the stand next to them joins the conversation:

  "Maybe they've come to recruit?"

  The merchant shakes his head.

  "Nah can't be. They usually come later in the year for this."

  Their exchange softens as I leave the marketplace not knowing what to think of the situation. The merchant's right about the recruitment period but in case of important events the legion could start recruiting earlier, it could be about supplies, but our small community does not have enough of anything to be useful for an army.

  'Anyway, it's not like it has anything to do with me.' I reassure myself.

  The rest of the journey is a blur, and I finally arrive at my destination: the Old Duck, the only inn in Oblivis which makes it the best by default. As I open the door the noise coming from the inside crashes over me.

  'Of course, I should have known' I was too taken back by what happened yesterday and forgot about the Adulthood ceremony that took place not long ago. The same Antonia was in.

  This event takes place three times a year and depending on when you were born you become an adult during the first, second or third round. I participated in the one before this one and therefore I am already legally considered an adult.

  Whenever a teenager becomes an adult, their parents, mostly the fathers, to be honest, stop working for a few days and show them what adults do, in this case drinking. The whole concept seems unnecessary because our day-to-day lives do not change one bit. but few would go against tradition and an excuse to get drunk. As I let the door close behind me, I see several fathers and sons cheering together and remember that my own father did not bring me here after my ceremony.

  " I cannot leave the shop unattended Scypion, but we can do that another day." He told me when I told him I wanted to go. Of course, he never mentioned it again.

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  A shout pulls me out from my thoughts.

  "Oi Scypion!!! I'm here"

  I turn to the direction the voice is coming from. There, a boulder of a man is waving at me with a big grin on his face, and several empty beer mugs in front of him.

  " Magnus! You could have waited for me, you stone heart!" I yell back as I approach his table.

  " What? These punny little drinks were just to get started! You still have the rest of the day to catch up, you little squirrel!" We laugh together and I sit down next to him

  " I told you to stop calling me squirrel." Trying to use my most menacing stare.

  Knowing full well that I am kidding, he starts laughing at the threat.

  " It is not my fault you're small and got gray hair!!"

  " Everyone is small compared to you, stone golem." Say back to him.

  As we talk, another shout coming from the counter makes my head turn.

  "Caeso, my boy, you take the usual right?"

  It is Magnus' father, Brutus. If the son is a boulder, then the father is a mountain, tall, broad and with a beard that could compete with those of the Draconum fisherman. He is the owner of the inn but before that he served quite a few years in the legion back when the empire was expanding. His old shield and gladius hanging above the counter are proof of it, as only the veterans get to keep their weapon when retiring, which is not common for obvious reasons. When he is not taking care of obnoxious newcomers that are looking for a fight, he mostly cleans the counter and serves clients drinks and food prepared by his wife Cassia in the back. I nod to him and go back to Magnus.

  "This brings back memories, doesn't it?" I ask him.

  Magnus lifts an eyebrow and gives me a smile full of teeth.

  " Sure does, if I remember right, you came here all alone the day after the ceremony and went sulking in a corner. I had to make you down about three pints before you gave me a real smile!" He says while patting me on the back.

  "Yeah, thanks for that, it was nice of you."

  Then Brutus brings us a few drinks and says:

  "Don’t bring up bad memories you two, better to just enjoy the moment! Ha-ha!!"

  I raise my drink high:

  "Cheers to that."

  We start drinking and the musician Brutus hired plays a popular tune.

  " So, what's new with you, Scypion?" Magnus asks.

  " Well not much, the shop runs well, no-one is sick. Ah yes, Antonia also invited me to her next party."

  Hearing me Magnus nearly chokes on his drink.

  "What!? Antonia Domicia invited you??" In disbelief he takes a few seconds to think and adds:

  "That's a shitty situation to be in, gonna have to be careful, you know how she is." He warns me.

  " I know, I know, don't worry."

  The next few hours go by quickly: we drink, we tell stories and laugh, we sing provocative songs, we dance to the rhythm of the music and play some dice. As I leave it is already dark and of course it started raining again.

  ‘Guess I should’ve brough my damn cape.’

  I start running down the street keeping my head down and covering the top of my head with part of my shirt. It is not long before I am soaking wet and starting to get cold. Just as I approach a street corner two silhouettes appear running and one of them crashes into me. Suddenly off balance I slip on mud and fall right into a small pond. Furious I start yelling at the two of them who are still standing:

  “Damnit, watch where you going you fuckin…”

  My voice trails off as I notice the metal plates making out a legionary lorica, the gladius at their side as well as the feathered galea: a traditional helmet for high-ranking officers of the legion.

  ‘Fuck I had to bump into the only soldiers in this fucking town’ I despair. It is my first time seeing actual legionnaires, sure I have already met a few lads from the local militia, but they are hardly anything like soldiers. When looking at them through the curtain of water I can see their scars across their faces and arms as well as the muscles rolling under their armor. I lock eyes with the tallest one and immediately feel as if his gaze goes right through me, like he is evaluating how much of a threat I am. I shiver without knowing if it is from the cold or fear. After what feels like an eternity, the other soldier bends down and gives me a hand.

  “Get up boy, you are going to catch something sitting in that mud.”

  I take his hand and hoist myself up. It is rough and covered with calluses, his grip is firm and almost crushes my fingers. As soon as I am up, I try to make an apology:

  “Look sir, I am sorry if I seemed impolite, I…” He interrupts me.

  “Don’t worry lad, all is well, you can’t see anything in this downpour anyway. Just show us here we can find a good inn to stay a few days, and we’ll be on our way.”

  I quickly give them some directions to the Old Duck and start walking away. But then the taller legionnaire calls out to me and asks:

  “What is your name boy?” Internally cursing my luck, I consider giving him a false name, however I quickly change my mind.

  “The name’s Scypion Ordon sir.”

  He simply nods and they walk away.

  I take several seconds to access what happened and while still being a bit overwhelmed, I go back home for the night.