You do the rounds.

It takes you most of the day to visit the neighboring estates, spread out as they are. The first several are no use to you at all; absentee landlords, one elderly man who's terrified of the bandits but has nothing to offer you, and then some middle-aged boors who don't know anything further. By the time you get to the last estate on your list, you're foot-sore, dusty, and rather cross. The villa of this estate is up at the top of a hill; supposedly the home of one Cassius Artorius.

{if Adolphus Companion = True}You glance at Adolphus. The older man has kept up with you without complaint, though he's just as dust-stained as you are. "Do you know anything about this Artorius, friend?"

Adolphus frowns. "He's not much of a patrician - new money family, to be sure. Not much older than you are, either. His father died a few years ago, and Cassius has done a...passable job running the estate. A bit of a boor, and I've had to help him out with management once or twice, but he's kept things more or less intact."

You raise an eyebrow. Sounds like an interesting type.{endif}

{if Albina Companion = True}You look over to Albina. The long walk has left her with some of her hair sticking to her forehead from sweat, but she's kept up without complaint. "Well, do you know anything about this Artorius fellow?"

Albina scowls. "He's a boor. A little bit older than us, and not a good manager of his estate. Father's had to come to his rescue once or twice. And he's a drunk, too. I doubt we have anything useful to learn from him."

You frown. Well, this sounds like it will be interesting...{endif}

{if Polyxena Companion = True}You glance over at Polyxena. Sweat is standing out on her brow and neck, but she keeps her head erect, even as her eyes are directed more toward the ground as propriety demands. "Do you know anything about this Artorius, Polyxena?"

She shakes her head. "Not much. I've heard his name mentioned by Adolphus and the family, but...sounds like a rather louche fellow, but that's all I know."

You frown. Perhaps not the most responsible type, but so far he's the only possibility you have. He'll have to do.{endif}

Your knock at the door is answered by a well-dressed and made-up Egyptian ****, who leads you to a small receiving room. After a few moments, the master of the house emerges. Cassius Artorius is a slightly squat fellow nearing his thirties, who seems to already be rather far into his cups. "Lord Gaius!" he exclaims by way of greeting. "{if Adolphus Companion = True}And Adolphus! Good to see you again, man. {endif}{if Albina Companion = True}And...Miss Albina. Enchanting, as always. {endif}Heard so much about you, Lentillus. Sit sit. Tell me: what can I do for you, eh?"

You smile. "Thank you, Artorius. I'll cut right to the chase: I'm sure you've heard about the bandits who are plaguing the area."

Artorius snorts and takes a long swig of wine from a glass the **** has brought him. "Heard about them? I've lost some crops and a **** or two to them, myself!"

"Then you know what a problem they are. They're keeping you, me, and all the other landlords in the area from thriving - to say nothing of the threat they present to our estates and the people living on them physically. We need to do something - we need to take action. I'm here to see if there's anything that you can tell me about them."

Artorius frowns. "Like what?"

"Anything! Do you have any information you can share with me at all?"

Artorius shifts his gaze, not quite meeting your eyes. "I'm afraid...no. No, there's nothing I can tell you."

That doesn't quite seem true...