"I'd like to speak with a soldier named Castor."

You inform the gate guard of your desire to speak with Castor, and the man frowns. "Castor...ah, yes. He's in drill at the moment, but should be done in less than an hour. Come; you can sit in the public mess hall while you wait. As soon as he's done with drill I'll inform him that he has a visitor."

You and Albina make your way into the mess hall - which is mostly empty at this hour, save for a few kitchen workers cleaning up, and perch on one of the long benches next to a dining table. You glance over at Albina, who seems mostly relaxed but is tapping one foot in a way that suggests nervousness. "How do you know this man, Castor?"

Albina chuckles. "Oh - he's the son of a neighboring farm's estate manager. We met when we were both about ten years old, and grew up seeing each other often. He's a good sort; honest, hardworking. His family's quite proud of him. I haven't seen him in a couple years, though. I hope he's doing well...I'll be curious to see how life in the Legion has changed him!" She seems, to your unpracticed ear, genuinely excited to see this old friend.

Twenty minutes later, a young man in the uniform of a Legion infantryman comes into the mess hall, looking around in confusion. When he sees you two, his eyes light up, visible even from the bench where you're sitting. "Albina!"

You and Albina stand as he crosses over toward you, and Albina embraces him with a grin. "Castor! It's been too long. You look well! Even sturdier than when you left!" She breaks away from him with a little laugh, and you have to admit that it's true; this man, your age-mate or close enough, is impressively fit. Beyond the norms of a Roman soldier, you expect...some people take to life in the Legion in an impressive way.

Castor is grinning back at Albina. "Thank you, thank you. They work us hard, but it's good work to be doing." He glances toward you. "And who is your, ah..."

"Oh! Forgive me. Castor, this is Lord Gaius Lentillus, the master of our estate. Gaius - I mean, Lord Gaius - this is my friend Castor."

Castor gives you a deep, respectful nod. "Lord Gaius. I've heard much about you. It's a pleasure."

You hold out a hand to him with a smile. "No need for formality; Gaius is fine. Any friend of Albina's is a friend of mine."

Castor takes your hand with a firm grip, though his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Likewise."

The three of you sit and indulge in idle chitchat for some time, breaking the ice and (from your point of view) giving Albina and Castor a chance to catch up. Albina is eager to hear her friend's stories of life in the Legion, and Castor seems to enjoy telling them - to her, particularly. You stay mostly quiet, and the longer you watch the two of them together, the more you're convinced: Castor is besotted with Albina. Perhaps absence has made the heart grow fonder, or perhaps this dynamic was always there, but right now, he wants her badly. Hopefully that leads him to open up...

After some time, you choose a lull in the conversation to broach the topic of immediate import. "Castor, it's been a pleasure meeting you, but we shouldn't keep you from your duties. Before you go, though, we had a question for you. You've surely heard about the bandit raids taking place in the region?"

Castor's face darkens. "Aye. The She-Wolf of the Tiber. It's a mess, that is."

You lean forward. "The Legion is moving a little slowly for my tastes, but I'm sure they've uncovered something. I'm taking matters into my own hands, and trying to gather as much information as possible before I make a move. Have you heard anything? Is there aught that the Legion knows that you can share with us?"

"Well..." Castor glances between you and Albina.