Chapter 3: Denied
Choice Day is, next to marriage, the most important day in the life of a citizen of Jasmin. Is when the Regent and the council define the attributions of your role to society. Young people, between the ages of 12 and 14, are queued by mentors from different professions, the most skilled have their designations more easily aligned with their personal aspirations. The city of Jasmin is the only one in which the Regent personally, or something close to that, assigns the functions.
At 12, I would never know what I wanted to be, I believe no one can, but it does not change the fact that I just wanted to leave the orphanage. After everything that day has given me, when I look back at it always escape a smile from the corner of my mouth, the kind that transpires more irony than nostalgia.
That morning I met Batuhan and Lisandra before we left this semi-open regiment once and for all.
"Prepared?" I asked.
"Unlike you, I was born ready!" As a guard dog, she had sniffed my insecurity, the joy of her voice only confirmed my suspicions.
"Give him a break, Lisandra. Just as we swear before, I swear again 'once brothers, always brothers'." It was the last oath I heard coming from Batuhan's mouth.
"Always brothers!" All of us shouted in unison.
It was early when we reached the administrative region. Peculiar is the word that best describes how this zone contrasted with the rest of the city. Jasmin, famous for the Gothic style and its multiple shades of grey, if alive would have tattooed on her skin the most requested trendy of the bohemian youth. There is no love in Jasmin. The administrative district was green, inhabited by domestic animals and exuded a passion for life that still causes me estrangement. After passing the main garden, we entered the waiting line and watched from there our future, almost two blocks away, we observed the Castle Heart.
The trees surrounded the castle, like great armies defending their citadel. Its armoured trunks stretched in the air protectively. This large expanse of green enhanced it and its constructions. Sentinels walked silently through the walls. Huge trebuchets were leaning against the towers, ready to release their fury.
Heart is older than any bone seven feet below ground. The rock, once smooth, is now rugged and marked. This old man on the hill knows how time is fleeting, how soon the present becomes the past and the important becomes irrelevant. In this sacred and ancient place, the Regent saw the centuries pass through the winds of each season and witnessed the madness of our struggles.
The water in the pit awaited the call of the wind to ruffle and move like molten glass from the deepest green. Grey stone rises from the earth, unapologetic and boldly to defy entry and protect what was entrusted to his care. Below the uneven stretches of grass are ancient arrowheads, broken sword hafts, and armours that failed to protect their masters.
Under the chorus of birds, I heard old voices, the clash of metal in the metal, and the clatter of hooves. I remain where knights were, saw what the Regent, Strings and peasants saw. On this pale morning, if it were not for the signs of time, it could be almost any century in the last seven hundred years.
After confirming our identity we entered towards the courtyard. We were promptly lined up and waited. As in an amphitheatre, the courtyard was in a coliseum format, we were the gladiators and the representatives the patricians. Soon they entered one by one, Carpenter, Butcher, Physician, Scrivener and more professions, and as they exchanged opinions, we heard a disembodied voice, croaky but not hoarse, androgenic, fruity.
"Welcome, my children. I know that many are nervous, but there is no reason this apprehension of yours. I have heeded you since creation and is with joy that I know that I am well-liked in your hearts. Without too much delay, I give the speech to the representatives and that the Choose begins." The Regent finished.
Physician stepped forward.
"Batuhan Erkihat, having seen your abilities presented to date, I summon you to receive the legacy of Medicine and honour the Regent's expectations" and thus continued to repeat the line for another 4 names and continued "Miguel Ugarte, seeing your abilities presented to this day, I summon you..."
"No. Another future awaits him," interrupted the Regent.
I felt everyone's eyes focus on me. Happiness and Terror. I could not decide what I felt. I was glad to have been chosen among the first and horrified to face the unknown. Never before had he taken such an attitude.
"Sir, I do not think it's..." said the Physician trying to bargain.
"Enough! Another future awaits him! "The voice thundered through the courtyard. I felt my ear buzz.
After a second of silence, the Physician stepped back. I was able to notice a red line draining from his ear. The Scrivener stepped forward.
"Lisandra Ankara, seeing your abilities presented to this day, I summon you to receive the legacy of Trivium and honour the Regent's expectations" and thus continued to repeat the line for another 11 names and continued "Miguel Ugarte, seeing your abilities presented to this day, I summon you..."
"No. Another future awaits him, "interrupted the Regent again.
The Scrivener stepped back and the next representative came. This process was repeated by all of them. By the end of the summoning of the last representative, I had been the only one left without a Master. Less than two steps from a mental breakdown, I could no longer stand the pressure of having my call denied.
"I hope you will become great Masters and exemplary citizens for Jasmin and the Empire. I know that at your age it may seem scary to have to face a new life, but it is because I believe in you I know that all are going to do better than I can even imagine. Dismissed," and before I could turn to leave, "Miguel Ugarte, I'll wait for you in the Great Hall."
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