Roman Water Lawas
The Romans implemented water-related laws, like the Twelve Tables, which included regulations for water use and distribution (5th century BCE)
Within the Twelve Tables, there were specific laws that addressed water-related matters.
These laws aimed to regulate the distribution and use of water resources within the city of Rome.
Water Rights: The Twelve Tables addressed the concept of ‘‘aqua publica,‘‘ which referred to water resources that were considered public and available for common use.
Water Theft: The laws contained provisions against water theft, making it illegal to divert or use water from public sources without proper authorization.
Aqueducts: The Twelve Tables recognized the importance of aqueducts in supplying water to the city.
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Pilgrimage
“Why the long face, Arvin?” Mason asked.
“Yeah, do you hate us being here?”
“What! N-No!” Arvin sputtered.
Mr. Covey, who was fixing himself coffee, let out a chuckle. “Don’t mind Arvin. Miss Lee next door sent us a notice that she’d be away on a vacation in Selvadorada. We drove her to the airport earlier. He’s been like that ever since.”
“AWWWWW, Vinny boy you miss her!”
“Kali!! Shut it!!” Arvin’s groans were muffled as he buried his head in his arms.
On the first week of Spring, Lavender received a letter from the Selvadorada Monastery, forwarded by the Union of Sages. It wrote,
“To Miss Lavender Lee,
I am writing to inform you that the Seekers of the Watcher designated our humble monastery to be Her Pupil’s pilgrimage site. We are honored to host this year’s pilgrimage, just as we are honored to have the Seekers reside in the monastery.
Please, write to me when is your intended arrival, so that we may prepare. We wait for you, Miss Lee.
Warm regards,
Chief Monicus Lawa Song
P.S. A monicus by the name of Lakandiwa Nasudi will wait for you at Puerto Llamante.”
When she received this letter, she felt ecstatic. She’s finally meeting with the Seekers – the people who had only communicated with her as whispers. Who would’ve thought they had faces, and not just voices in her head? I sound insane if I put it that way. She thought.
Lavender had been waiting for this. The Sages had told her before that there would come a time where she must meet with the Eyes of the Watcher. Sometimes, this meeting meant that trouble would come. Sometimes, it’s just meant for a Pupil to be trained by the Seekers. She doesn’t know what this year’s pilgrimage means. She hopes it’s just for training.
She stood in front of a statue of an old woman, in what seems to be a town square. She gazed at it. The imagery of the woman looked warm – welcoming.
“You must be Lavender Lee.”
“How did you know? I sure do hope my backpack wasn’t a dead giveaway.”
The man laughed. “We don’t get tourists at this time, kiddo.”
Lavender sheepishly smiled. “Yeah, I noticed.”
“I’m Lakandiwa Nasudi, a monicus of the monastery. Are you ready for another trek?”
Lavender gleefully nodded.
“You must be feeling nervous. This is the first time you’re meeting with the Seekers, no?”
“Yes…how did you feel meeting them?”
“They’ve been here since I came here, but to tell you the truth, it feels otherworldly to me. Imagine, Miss Lee, you’re walking along with the people touched by Her. It gives me so much faith and hope.”
“Is Selvadorada their home?”
“Yes and no,” Lakandiwa replied. They’ve reached the Belomisia trail. “They had complicated pasts, and they hailed from different countries…ancient countries. They chose to stay here in the monastery. The Seekers told us it’s because Selvadorada – and her people – are much closer to Her.”
“Oh yeah. I heard they practice the Omiscan religion, where the Watcher is a goddess, not the Smithsonian god. Is it true, Mr. Nasudi?”
“You’re the Pupil, aren’t you?”
She nodded.
“Then you must know.”
Lavender sheepishly looked down. “I’ve only talked to the Seekers…”
“Ah, then you must ask them.”
Lakandiwa spoke again after a moment. “I believe they chose Selvadorada as their home because Her presence is here. She is much closer here than any other parts of the world.”
She looked at him again. He continued, “There are nights that I feel as if she’d come down from the heavens. Those nights are the same nights the Seekers go out to commune.”
“What do you feel?”
“Love.”
By then, they’d reached a clearing where a building stood surrounded by water. Lavender gasped.
“Welcome to the Selvadorada Monastery, Miss Lee. Come!”
He led her inside, and when she got in, a view of a small courtyard greeted her. There’s a small structure in the middle, with incense holders and a plate of fruit.
Lakandiwa guided her to the stairs. “Come, come, I know you’re hungry.”
There were two women working at the kitchen. The younger woman noticed them. And this woman…She beamed. Holding out one finger, as if she’s saying, this will be quick!, the younger woman quickly placed the food she was preparing in a rice cooker. Then, she giddily went to them.
“Hello,” she greeted. “I’m Kashvi Argunas. You must be the Pupil.”
Lavender smiled. “Yes…”
She took notice of the woman’s eyes. Green, with hints of pink…like a salamander. Her ears? Pointy – like a vampire!
A vampire as a monk? That’s preposterous.
Lakandiwa must’ve noticed how her face twisted subtly. “She’s a vampire…if you find her ears peculiar.”
“I – uh – I can see that. I have quite the eye when looking at…uhm… the supernatural. I can see through their charms…so yeah…”
“Oh, but I’m not using any charms! I don’t hide.”
“That’s right,” Lakandiwa nodded. “Everyone here knows.”
“Every –”
The other woman suddenly said, “Kashvi, why don’t you show her the bedroom? Diwa, come help me.”
“You heard the Chief.”
Kashvi led her to the bedroom, “Follow me!”
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