It was the salt in the air that Gai noticed first, a sharp, briny scent that filled his lungs and stung his nostrils with every breath. It wasn't unpleasant—on the contrary, it was invigorating, like the air itself carried some untamed energy. The smell of the sea was like nothing he had ever experienced before, a heady mix of salt, seaweed, and something deeper, almost metallic.
"Do you smell that?" one of the boys in the wagon asked, his voice tinged with awe. "It's... different."
"It's the sea," another replied knowingly, though none of them had seen it up close before. Their voices buzzed with curiosity as they leaned out of the wagon's open sides to catch glimpses of the view ahead.
Each time their wagon crested a hill or rounded a bend, the boys craned their necks to catch sight of the deep blue expanse that seemed to stretch endlessly under the midday sun. It glimmered like liquid sapphire, tiny ripples catching the light and sending flashes of brilliance into their eager eyes.
Gai stayed quiet, his gaze fixed on the distant waves. The others were laughing and jostling each other with newfound energy, but Gai's thoughts were heavier. The lively mood in the wagon was a stark contrast to how their day had begun—at dawn, when everything had felt cold and sombre.
At dawn, chaos had erupted. Many children had not been ready when the guards came pounding at their doors. They were unceremoniously dragged from their homes, some still tangled in sleep, rubbing their eyes as if trying to wake from a terrible dream. One boy stumbled out barefoot, his shirt half-buttoned, tears streaking down his face as his mother clutched at his arm until a guard pried her fingers away. A girl screamed for her father as two soldiers hoisted her into a wagon, her heels digging furrows into the dirt in desperation. The air was thick with wails and protests, mixing with the clatter of armour and the snorting breaths of restless horses tethered nearby.
The boys and girls were separated into different wagons before starting their journey. It wasn't done with care or ceremony but with brisk efficiency; the guards barked orders while villagers stood helplessly by.
No explanations were given by the guards—not that any were needed. All the parents had already explained what today meant in hushed tones over supper tables or beside flickering lanterns late at night. This was no surprise; it was tradition, after all. But knowing it didn't make it easier to accept. Today marked the beginning of national service: Ten long years that loomed like an unscalable mountain before them. Boys aged fifteen and girls aged fourteen were taken from their families to serve a country that demanded their youth as payment for protection and prosperity. Some would return home—older, hardened by duty—but others… others would never set foot in their village again.
Lionel had stood stoically by as this reality unfolded. He wasn't one for grand gestures or tearful goodbyes; that wasn't his way. But even his usual composure seemed strained this morning. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted Gai's tunic collar—a gesture so small yet so intimate that it made Gai's throat tighten unexpectedly.
"You'll do fine," Lionel said finally, his voice gruff but softer than usual, as though he feared it might crack if he spoke too loudly. His dark eyes searched Gai's face for something—understanding? Reassurance?—before he added, "I'm proud of you, son." He paused then, swallowing hard, as if battling words he wasn't used to saying aloud. "I'll see you soon. Have faith."
"Look! There it is!" Louis's shout jolted Gai from his thoughts. Louis leaned forward, his arms outstretched in an exclamation of pure joy. The boy's face radiated excitement—a stark contrast to his previous time spent with Boris and Roland, who were in another wagon a short distance ahead.
The capital city of Arieruro stood tall and imposing in the distance, its magnificent great wall stretching across the horizon in a formidable display of strength and power. The grand harbour glistened in the sunlight, bustling with the activity of ships of all sizes, their sails billowing in the wind as they docked and unloaded their cargo.
This would be their home as they embarked on their years of national service.
The youths would face rigorous testing upon their arrival, each of them measured and weighed for potential like commodities at market. Those who showed strength of mind or body would be sent to military schools befitting their abilities, while others might find themselves in less desirable positions. This sorting was as merciless as it was systematic. There would be no leniency, no doing-over.
Lionel had made it clear that Gai must make an impression during these initial tests, a decisive first move that would shape his future. There would be no second chance. Where he landed after the assignments was anyone's guess, but Lionel had seemed almost certain that Gai's life would depend entirely on how well he performed.
"Wow, look at all the wagons," another boy from Gai's village exclaimed, pointing enthusiastically to the vast landscape spread out before them. The boys gazed across the rolling countryside where dusty roads wound their way toward the main thoroughfare they were traveling on. Wagon after wagon, filled with eager youths, began to merge onto the road, forming a seemingly endless line. Each wagon came from different corners of the nation, all converging on the city like rivers flowing into a great sea. The convoy stretched as far as the eye could see, a sprawling testament to the immense scale of the conscription effort.
Before long, further signs of civilization welcomed them. The outskirts of the city gradually unfolded, revealing beautiful stone houses adorned with intricate carvings and topped with elegantly tiled roofs. The streets, paved with smooth cobblestones, gleamed under the sun, meticulously clean and free of any waste. It was a stark contrast to the humble wooden shacks of home, where the smell of earth and wood smoke lingered. Only the guard house and the mayor's manor in Cemirini held a semblance of the sturdiness that was commonplace among the residences of Arieruro.
At last, the wagon came to a halt in front of the vast city walls, where a guardsman, clad in chainmail that glinted under the sun, stepped forward and raised an authoritative hand. "State your business," he called out, his voice firm.
"Cemirini village conscript," the driver replied, his voice steady as he gestured to the back of the wagon. "I have transport of twelve boys. More wagons to follow."
The guardsman scrutinized them for a moment, his eyes sharp. "Ok, do you have the required paperwork?" he asked. The driver, with practiced efficiency, reached into his leather satchel and handed over a neatly rolled piece of parchment. The guardsman unrolled it, glancing over the contents before nodding and gesturing them forward. "Take them directly to the stores. Do you know the way?"
The driver nodded confidently. With a flick of his wrist, the reins snapped, and the mule trotted forward.
The wagon trundled underneath the great archway of the castle gateway. Each side held a raised portcullis, poised to fall given the order. Beyond was a great yard of dirt and grass, threaded by a single stone pathway winding its way towards the castle keep, still some way in the distance.
"This place is massive, it's bigger than our whole village!" one of the boys exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe as he took in the sprawling scene. Meanwhile, Gai remained silent, absorbing the grandeur of his new surroundings, the enormity of the castle and grounds slowly sinking in.
He could hear the faint clopping of hooves echoing from one side, accompanied by the rhythmic pounding of hammers shaping metal. The murmur of voices grew louder as they approached, and empty wagons creaked past them, leaving the castle grounds with a sense of urgency.
The wagon came to a halt before a bustling throng of youths, their faces a mix of anticipation and exhaustion. The driver, a burly man with a grizzled beard, barked curtly, "Out you get, lads. Wait in line and collect your gear." As soon as the last boy stumbled off the wagon, the driver joined the queue of departing wagons, the wheels crunching over the rough stone path.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows when Gai finally reached the front of the line. His stomach growled insistently, reminding him of the meagre portion he had eaten earlier in the day. He was met with the sight of a stern woman sitting behind a wooden stall, her eyes scanning the line with practiced indifference.
"Your name and where you're from," she demanded, her voice flat and uninterested.
"Gai Lionel," he replied, enunciating clearly despite the weariness weighing on him. "From Cemirini." The woman shuffled through a stack of parchment, her fingers deftly locating his name before making a swift mark next to it.
"Proceed to the green barracks. Look for the doorway with green paint marking it. Inside, you'll find a map showing your assigned dormitory and bunk. If you can't read, wait in the entry until your superior addresses you." She barely glanced at him as she waved him away dismissively. Even as the light faded, the courtyard remained well-illuminated by large lanterns affixed to the buildings, casting a warm glow across the cobblestones. Gai hesitated, unsure of the barracks' location, and turned back to speak with the attendant, but she was already busy with the next boy in line.
He heard a familiar shout. "Gai!" The sound pierced the noise of the courtyard and drew his attention away from the indifferent attendant. It was Louis, his face lit up with relief as he weaved through the throng of recruits. "Where are you going to? What did they say?" Louis skidded to a stop beside him, breathing heavily, but his eagerness pushed him to continue before Gai could answer. "I have to go to the green barracks."
"Same as me." Gai's response was guarded. Even during their journey, the two had exchanged few words. There was uncertainty between them: Louis had been distant, his silence unusual, and Gai had noticed him casting awkward glances in his direction, his expression shadowed by some unspoken concern.
"Good," Louis said, his voice breaking with a stutter. "At least we'll be together. I think I know the way." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I saw a big sign on the way in that had coloured houses painted on them with arrows." He seemed to find confidence in the memory. "It's this way!" Without waiting for confirmation, Louis charged ahead, turning to beckon Gai with a wave.
Gai hesitated for a second, swept up in the suddenness of Louis's enthusiasm. He watched as the boy darted around clusters of recruits, who were milling about in confusion. Louis was faster than Gai remembered, cutting through the mass of new arrivals and swinging around slow-moving groups with agility. "Hurry up!" he called back, laughing as he urged Gai to match his pace. It was a side of Louis Gai hadn't seen since before Roland and Boris had begun their bullying—a side of him that was eager and free, unburdened by fear of ridicule.
They dodged through the crowd, Louis impatiently leading the way towards the barracks.