Landis had officially fallen. After a siege on Kalthof, our capital, President Fördern had signed the unconditional surrender of the country, which was then absorbed into the Archadian Empire. I was reading the news everyday hoping that it would not happen, that it would not be true. Yet who was I to wish for a victory without battle? For the safety of a country I was not living in anymore? I was only a coward who ran away with his mother, and who only survived because she was Archadian. That mere thought was crushing my bowels and bringing more tears at night than I could admit.

Sometimes I dreamed of Basch; once, he was the savior of Landis, and another time, he came with a sword to end my suffering and kill the remainder of the village. Mornings were both a release and a torture, as I had to find something to eat without spending too much of Thembeka's money. I soon learnt that Archades was ruled by a secret rule: the rule of information, and that I could earn gil, items or respect by prowling in the fancy streets and exchanging a few words with the so-called high-class citizens. It wasn't the most entertaining way to spend my days, as the ladies' simpers and the men's suspicions did not help me feel better, but at the end I always had some goods for my mother and I, and that's what mattered.

Several weeks later, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner when my mother appeared, laboriously leaning on the doorframe and trying to smile.

'What are you doing?' I said, almost annoyed. 'Please go back to the living-room, I will be done soon.'

'I… wanted to talk.'

The previous weeks had been spent rather apart from each other. Mother was spending much of her days with Thembeka, who came daily to visit, while I was away in the city. When I came back, I was tired and just had time to cook and eat before falling asleep. Mother and I did not speak much during dinners. But that evening, she wanted to talk.

'Then at least sit down on the chair', I said, helping her doing so.

She sighed and lowered her head while I decreased the stove's fire level.

'I thought about what you told me the other day. I can totally understand how you're feeling and the fact that you want to work. But as a mother, my heart leaped with fear at that idea. With your constant cleverness and law skills, it was easy for you to try to work in… in our homeland.'

She never said the word 'Landis' since we arrived in Archades and it made me furious.

'But', she continued, 'in this reckless town, finding a job is neither easy nor safe for someone who doesn't know the rules and the people. That's why I reacted this way. That's why… Oh, Noah, I'm sorry…'

Hearing my name for the first time since Landis, along with her sobs, made my heart melt. I rushed at her side and took her in my arms.

'It's alright, Mother. I know about it. It is I who should be ashamed of my behavior. I hope you can forgive me.'

But Mother gently pushed me away, shaking her head and smiling.

'It is never a bother', she said. 'We are here together to try to find solutions and move forward. It's just… I have no idea of a position that could allow you to prosper while keeping you protected from the Archadians' implacable rumors and judiciary system. After reading in the news what happened to Attorney Vopiscus, it seems that local law offices are more purgatories than workplaces. You are just not prepared for this…'

I turned off the fire and closed my eyes. Some words had to be said – at least shared with the most precious person I had.

'There may be a way. Do you remember the viera that helped us cross the border?'

And I told her my queer encounter with the tall 'Cal' in detail. My mother seemed shocked and delighted at the same time.

'That viera must certainly live in the Palace and serve high-level guardians. Other races than Humes do not survive long in the Empire in ordinary circumstances. What she says makes sense. The best way to avoid being a victim of an established order is to be part of it. What say you, my son? Do you feel you could become a… an Archadian soldier?'

Just as before, the mere thought of it brought disgust and horror to my mind. But what about my chances in the Empire? I was lucky enough to not get caught as an intruder until that moment, but who could tell what would happen afterwards? They could imprison me… and worse than all, imprison my mother. That ought not to happen… ever! Yet I was so weak, unable to hold a sword, and would stand no chance against an Archadian soldier, let alone a Judge. Therefore, as wearying as it was, the only key to open the survival box was to… become that soldier myself.

'I do not want to become an imperial', I replied calmly. 'But if something can allow us to live peacefully… to lessen the burden of this existence, and most of all, to protect you… I would do it, no matter what it is.'

My mother opened her mouth, teary-eyed and holding her hands, before smiling immoderately, tears flowing down her hollow cheeks:

'My son! Noah…!'

'I am Gabranth now, right? You said it yourself. I shall remember all the advice you've given for our safety and come back every evening with money. I will take good care of myself, you'll see! You ought never to worry about anything starting from this moment.'

Something was louder than her sobs as I was hugging her again. Louder than the noise of airships and the Sky Train traversing the imperial atmosphere. Louder than all my doubts and all their threats. There was something I needed for so long, and that a position in the Imperial Army would be able to give me. I was about to acquire power. Strength. Might. I would not let Basch surpass me any longer. I had to be ready for the day I would meet him again.

'Could you please show me the Road of Glory?'

The man I had asked frowned and called out to another rich-looking person next to him.

'To the Glorious Road he goes! No less!'

'He? This lad?'

'As if he had some business to do there! Hahaha!'

'I do', I said with a mean look. 'My colleagues from the Second Battalion are waiting for me as I'm coming back from my first mission, which was located in the inland provinces!'

I was lying, of course. I just knew the Second Infantry Battalion was under Judge Bergan's command – which was enough to completely transform the two men's faces.

'The… The Glorious Road is the one starting at the right of the Imperial Palace. Here's how to get there without being subject to all the Palace protocol…'

And I memorized the men's indications before heading to my new office.

The Road to Glory was ostensibly a road to composure first. After walking under the big arch, the sight of the palace alone was enough to unsettle me. It was a stately construction of at least twenty-five floors above the ground. The clouds met its upper levels in apparent harmony. The path I was in had nothing in common with the rest of Archades. It was extremely large, serene, and empty. Street lights were shedding a comforting gleam on the brown pavement, on that quiet cold Gemini morning. Continuing my route through a shortcut at the right of the palace, I noticed a few men walking at the same hasty pace as mine – probably soldiers beginning their working day. After an awe-inspiring walk of almost two kilometers, I finally reached another impressive building, less high than large. The second best-guarded one of the Empire. All around it, drab fields hosted several airships, smaller buildings, and groups of soldiers.

'You there! This is the Imperial Akademy. Turn back!'

'I want to enroll!' I screamed to the guard shooting at me with his voice. 'I am new!'

'What's your name and age?'

'My name is Gabranth and I am seventeen years old.'

The soldier paused a moment before saying:

'We don't take anyone under eighteen. Come back later.'

'But I have heard there is a special program! Someone in there talked to me about it!'

Lying once again, I was certain that the guard would dispel me for good. But to my surprise, he walked to his colleague and both opened the fence.

Peering left and right at the huge fields, I kept going until reaching the main building. "Judge Bergan's lair", as the gaudy Archadians called it.

Inside, a whole administration inside the administration was taking place. Soldiers, soldiers everywhere, they were running in all directions and talking from the deep voice behind their helmets. Several desks were on the right corner, while the left one was filled with doors and stairs leading to the upper floors.

'Hey! Are you new?'

I soon realized that I was the only armorless person in the building. Too noticeable to be incognito.

'Yes', I answered to a soldier coming in my direction.

'Then you seek the Second Bureau. It is located on the first floor. First door on the right.'

I thanked him and turned left to the stairs. The Second Bureau was literally a small room with a desk where a soldier was talking to a group of others on the other side. The group of soldiers had a different-looking helmet and armor style. Where they Judges?

I waited until their discussion was done to knock on the open door. Alone after the group's departure, the remaining soldier behind the desk didn't seem to notice my existence. I waited a full minute before I found the strength to knock again.

'Come in', he said without raising his helmet at me.

I gulped and put a foot inside before standing in front of him.

'Your name.'

'Gabranth.'

'Your age.'

'Seventeen years old. Born in Aquarius.'

'Young.'

He suddenly stood up and stared at me:

'Too young. I cannot do anything for you, young boy.'

'But…'

And I clumsily began to explain that I needed a job to support my mother, that I was brave and ready to fight for the Empire. The soldier listened but shook his head in negation.

The hell with those imperials! Why were they so stubborn? I was about to give up when I remembered Cal's words.

'I was told that I could enroll by the viera.'

'The viera?'

The soldier put his hand on his chin, visibly confused.

'Which viera?'

'The viera that works here.'

I remembered my mother's words as well:

'And lives in the Palace.'

'The viera?' he repeated, astounded. 'But how could you meet her? She never goes around patrolling… Oh well. Please wait a moment.'

Full of hope, I let him pass the door and leave the desk. He came back few minutes later:

'I don't know if there's anything for you here, my boy.'

We kept on discussing for a long time before the rabbit ears appeared behind me:

'Let him do his service here. He can apply.'

'You? But…' said the soldier.

'Gabranth is a promising young man whom I met at a civil training. His performances were good.'

Lies! Was it possible to get anywhere in that empire without lying?!

Still startled, the soldier hesitated, then eventually asked me to sit to proceed to my registration.

The viera was present during the whole process. At the end, she winked at me and left the office before I could ask her anything.

'Please wait in the main hall. I will come and fetch you in an hour with your signed registration form. You will need it to begin your service next week.'

I nodded and obeyed. The hall was still filled with soldiers, bustling with agitation. I leaned on the wall while thinking about my future. Thoughts were shuffling in my head, leaving no rest as the sun was rising up in the sky. What did the viera think about my change of mind? After a year of thinking – already one year spent in this damned empire! –, she was looking perfectly relaxed, as she had guessed that I would come someday despite my initial protest. Suddenly, I noticed a figure in the hall that was unknown to me, yet piqued my interest. The only figure without armor – with the exception of myself. He was wearing expensive but simple-styled clothes, and his round head with short-cut hair was sharply arguing with a group of soldiers.

'No, it's impossible. We cannot enroll you without this paper', said one of them.

'But it is my utmost right, as citizen of this empire, to join the ranks of its army! Look at that lad right here, for example', retorted the blond gentleman, pointing at me. 'Did any of you ask him such a paper? Of course not!'

'But he's certainly a minor. Your situation is different, my Lord.'

They kept talking for a few minutes before the gentleman gave up, visibly disappointed. He looked at me again, then walked the distance that was separating us with a smile.

'Sorry for bringing you into the discussion… I know nothing about you. My name is Vitu Palnissen!'

And he held out his arm to me. I shook his hand and replied:

'I am Gabranth.'

'Oh, Gabranth… This name sounds familiar, but I haven't heard it since a long time. Do you want to join the army as well?'

'I do.'

'It should be a formality for me, you see… Yet those guys from the Second Bureau are so hot-headed! They denied me the registration on the pretext that I have been working. What does my job have to do with anything? I didn't bring a work certificate with me, and here I am.'

I did not know what to tell him.

'I… I hope you manage to join.'

'I sure will! I have a dream that I need to fulfill. What about you? How old are you?'

'Seventeen.'

'Oh, then I suppose you applied for military service first. Several seventeen-year-olds do this trick to obtain the soldier position right afterwards, without a test. Do you know someone?'

It took me a few seconds to realize what he meant. Was it risky to say the truth? Probably, but I said it:

'I do.'

'How lucky! I'm twenty-one myself, and know no one here. I'll probably have to enter service too. Well, Gabranth, it seems your registration is ready… Congratulations! I shall meet you there!'

And he left with a smile, as the Second Bureau employee was back with the paper.