Chevi

"Oh yes! Love it. A man can make himself a packet of money, if he knows what he's doing." As Calvunus talked on about his passion for the games (or rather, Theo assumed, the money he could make from a well placed bet), the three of them entered the tavern. Not even the kid was left outside, even if he had to sit between the two of them in the crowded space inside. The air was full of smells both good and sour, and eventually a woman found her way to the table, asking what she could bring. Calvunus shamelessly began to flirt with her, which made Theo chuckle. He was starting to get an idea of what kind of a man he was dealing with. "Some chicken for me, love, when you get the chance." "Domine, may I ask you, where did you learn the skills of a medicus? And how did you wind up working at a Ludus?" The boy seemed more excited to talk about the medical profession than about sizing up the woman. Theo chuckled, letting Calvunus flirt on as he answered the question. "You could say I was born into it... My father served in the temple of Asklepios, and my mother was a maia... a midwife, back home in Corinth." he explained "I joined the legions to practice more... to learn more. I served in the East, and then in Germania. And when I got my diploma, I..." he paused, not wanting to go into detail about how he'd lost his veteran's payment "... I came to Rome to work and learn. And the Ludus was hiring a medicus, so, here I am." @Gil

"Aye, some 'Gyptians have come to discuss... Grain or something. Funny thing is, they've brought a damn near Zoo with them! Snakes, little rodents, even some dreadful looking insects... Not only that, but did you know they put metal on their cats? Some chief brought one out covered in more precious stones than the Princess wore that day. Bloody absurd..." 'Grain or something' was not exactly political news, but then again, Aia was never going to get close enough to Roman politics to actually understand them. Decimus knew the kind of stories that were more interesting, especially when they involved people from faraway lands. Like Egypt. Between the two of them, Decimus' distrust of the Egyptians had been a running joke for years, and Aia chuckled, thinking about the expression he must have had on his face when the envoys showed up with their menagerie. And cats in full jewelry. "Wine, if you like." AIa nodded, accepting the wine skin. She did not bring any cups, so, after splashing some of the wine on the ground in libation, she raised it to her lips and took a few sips. It was not the first time they shared a drink like this, and she chuckled as she handed the skin back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Drinking like barbarians." she grinned, tasting the heavy, unmixed wine in her tongue "So, did you find out why they brought the zoo along? The Egyptians, I mean. Did the princess get any of the cats as a gift or something? Maybe a snake? You gotta watch out for the snakes..." @Sains

Aia did not know much about the princess, but she doubted she had orgies. Officially, anyway. And Decimus would probably not the the person she ordered to supervise them, even if she had. They sat on a bench, in the shadows of the mausoleum streaked by moonlight. It was more peaceful than eerie, which confirmed her initial idea that this was a good place to meet. "Oh no, just had to sort out some things for another party of her's... It's tiring work at the palace, y'know? Hardly like the carefree life of an interprex... I don't expect they've quite caught on to that northern tongue yet, have they?" She snorted at 'carefree.' Nothing was truly carefree in Rome when you were a woman. "Oh I don't think they ever will. The boy is interested in anything at this age, and he likes stories about scary barbarians... the girl" she shrugged "It's hard to convince someone living in the heart of the empire that they should be able to speak Gallic, let alone British. To tell the truth, I think even the domina only keeps me around because her husband asked her to. Which is good enough for me. The food is good." she smirked, taking a piece of cheese as well. "Anything new and exciting at the palace?" @Sains

Aius knew that her knowledge of barbarian languages would not be as immediately useful in Rome as it was on the frontier. She also knew that the Proconsul probably grabbet the first opportunity that came to his mind for getting her out of the camps without a scandal, and at this point all that she and the domina could do was run with the idea. She would not have been surprised if the lady was displeased with her, the arrangement, or both. It really was none of her fault. Aius stood patiently while Flavia Juliana thought about the letter. "Do you write? And what other skills do you have that would be useful within the household?" "I read and write, yes" she nodded. That was the easier question of the two. She paused as she mulled over the second one. "I... am also decent with numbers, and geography." she needed both in the legions; the former was useful for keeping track of money and supplies, and the latter was useful for not getting lost between Britannia and Rome. Also, she was definitely interested in the latter; fascinated by maps of the known world and all its provinces. The rest of what she was good at... she cleared her throat. "I'm afraid many of my skills are... not very useful for a household. Unless we are attacked by barbarians, or have to camp in the woods." that last part might have been too much. Aius dipped her head, and looked at the other woman a little sheepishly. "But I'm a fast learner." @Gothic

>>“I guess you’re right. But oh the men would just love a look into women’s lives, wouldn’t they? I imagine they have all kinds of… dreams about what women do on their own… and what they talk about. And maybe they’re right, and maybe not.” "Oh, you mean how behind closed doors we all sit around naked on pillows, oiling each other up, talking about who has the largest cock in Rome?" Aia grinned. Men had simple tastes and simple dreams - most men, anyway. Tits, asses, cunts, the fresher the better, until they were all dressed up and magically turned into respectable matrons capable of running a respectable Roman household. Or were purchased for personal use. Aia stretched her legs, sipping her wine. Doing both, especially right next to Cynane, in plain sight, made her feel like a rebel. She glanced up in time to see the wondering expression on the other woman's face. She smiled a little. "You can ask if you want." @Atrice

Theo meant it when he said that the boy looked smart. Also pretty, which explained why they ran him as a prostitute, but more than that, he had the eyes of someone who had not been completely broken by slavery yet. Theo wondered if Calvunus was stuck with him professionally, or if he was enjoying a day off. "Me? No. I brought him here to tend to some old fat fart who has a kink - likes to get his rocks off while he has the smell of blood in his nostrils or some such fucking nonsense. Maybe he was a soldier once, back before he was as big around as a barrel. I'm only playing nursemaid. Got to make sure no-one messes with the merchandise, unless they pay to. He's worth a bit, because he's so pretty, and very good manners." Professional, then. Whoever owned the boy must have been making good money off him. Theo shuddered at the idea of the old fat man getting his kink on at the arena, though. Such a Roman thing to do. Theo spent most of his life around the sight of blood, and how anyone could see that as arousing was honestly beyond his comprehension. Then again, he grew up in a different place... They made it to the popina, and while it was not the most elegant place to dine in, the smell of various foods made Theo's mouth water. He had been hungry before, but now that he was around food, he found that he was positively starving after the day of hard work. He allowed himself to be steered by Calvunus. "Come. Let's sit. I see a few stools over there. This is on me. A token of my appreciation for our future partnership." "Thank you." Partnership indeed. Still, Theo was not going to turn down free food. He followed the man inside and took a seat, looking up to see if the boy was following them. Slaves often waited for their masters outside, but for all intents and purposes, the boy had been working, and he deserved a meal as well. "So... you bet on gladiators often, then?" he asked Calvunus. Why was not a polite question to ask, gambling was a pastime many people engaged in "Do you have favorites?" @Gil

"I'm a slave, Aia... and a guard. They don't dress me up like a puppet, that wouldn't aid my job well." Like that ever stopped the Romans from playing dress-up before, really. Cynane was right, she had a job to do, and a very important lady to protect, so her purpose trumped her decorative abilities. Still, Aia had to observe, she would have looked stunning in a dress. That was probably another reason why her owner did not want her in one. "I'd like to see you with short hair. You never see women with short hair. And that does sound like a wise way to travel as a woman. Not that I ever travelled alone here, but I imagine if I did... I'd disguise as a male too. Just to be safe." Aia nodded. She had a lot of experience living as a man. It was not just the hair, but also the voice, and the body shape, and the way she carried herself around them. It needed a lot of practice, and a willingness to spin lies at a moment's notice. "It must have been interesting to take a look into the men's world." "Well, that's one word for it" Aia snorted, sipping her drink "I mean, yes, it was easier to get around, and to know things, and to be in places like popinas. But men, in general, are not all that interesting when they are left alone. Not the men I encountered, anyway, but then again most of them were not nobility." she shrugged "You know, it's funny, I have a friend who is just as intrigued by the women's world. I guess the other side always seems more interesting..." @Atrice

@kitty I'm so sorry, somehow I missed this post! Yes, I absolutely want to do a thread like that, if you are still game!

AZARION 16 | 2 April 58CE | Slave | Stable boy | Bisexual | Wanted | Aidan Gallagher <> Personality. Azarion is a defiant little shit. Pride has been beaten out of him, but he earned the concept of sarcasm and angst in exchange. His dry wit is mostly lost on other people due to his inability to speak, but his glares and grunts are self-explanatory. The boy is clever, and not entirely broken, but he has learned to expect the worst from people, and has not much faith in his own future anymore. He fears humiliation more than pain, although he had his fair share of both. He finds the Roman lifestyle strange, and still retains the beliefs and values of his own people, but he has learned to keep that to himself. He keeps most things to himself, really - thoughts, feelings, hopes - as a mechanism for survival. When he slips, he usually slips by wordlessly sassing off at the wrong people. He is a tough nut to crack, even for people with the best intentions. Especially for people with the best intentions. Those are inherently suspect. The only time Azarion shows another side of him is when he is tending to horses. He understands the animals well, and can care for them in surprisingly adept and gentle ways. Unlike Romans, he sees them as more than riding or pack animals, and in his own way, he even talks to them sometimes. He has a talent for calming them and getting them to do what he wants. The easiest way to find a connection with him is if the other person shares his passion for horses. Azarion has been mute since his tongue was cut out. He can make sounds, but he prefers to communicate through hand signs. He learned Latin while he was a hostage, but he has to re-learn the signs every time he has a new master, to be able to commuicate, and be understood. The signs are mostly made up on the fly, until some of them stick. Not being understood frustrates the boy, so he doesn't go into elaborate communication unless he has to. Appearance Scrawny doesn't even begin to describe it. Azarion is short for his age (5'2"), has been malnourished for six years, and even before that, he had the lean build of his tribe. His dark brown hair was cropped short when he went from hostage to slave, and it has been short ever since, usually in the worst possible ways. His eyes are green and his skin tans easily. His body carries the memories of his history; besides the obvious (missing a tongue), he has a deer tattoo on his left calf, a FVG brand is his right forearm, as well as various scars from cuts, lashes, and beatings. As stable boy, all he wears is a tunic his master provides for him, and is usually covered in dirt and reeks strongly of horses. It is not unusual to see him with straw in his hair. Family Father: Zarandos (deceased) Mother: Saruke (unknown) Siblings: 2 younger brothers (unknown) Spouse: none Children: none Extended family: none Other: Owned by Alucio Valens Lurio History 58CE: Azarion is born in Sarmatia, on the endless plains between the Danuvius and the Parthissus rivers. The Sarmatian tribes moved in from the East a generation earlier. Azarion belongs to the small tribe of the Saii, the People of Horses of Many Colors. His father, Zarandos, is the chief of his tribe. 58-66CE: Azarion is raised according to his station and the nomadic culture of his people. The tribes migrate for pasture along the rivers, keeping between the frontiers of the two provinces. The boy learns to ride as soon as he learns to walk, and learns to shoot arrows with the rest of the children. He receives his first horse when he is 6, one of the small, sturdy horses of the Eastern plains, and goes on his first hunt when he is 8. To commemorate his first successful hunt (he wounds and tracks down a roe deer), he receives his first tattoo, the pattern of a deer on his left calf. He is the oldest of three sons, his two brothers 3 and 5 years younger than him. 66CE: Pinned between two provinces, and having to move through the territories of other barbarian peoples to trade with the East, th Sarmatians are forced to make treaties with the Romans. Horse-riding nomads are a pain on the frontier troops when they raid, and their limited resources force the Saii and others to periodically cross the rivers, or attack Roman outposts on their side. To stop the raids and reinforce the frontier, the Romans make treaties with the Sarmatians. As part of one such treaty, the Sarmatians have to provide hostages to the Romans, in exchange for peaceful trading relations. Azarion is selected, as a minor chief's first son, and is moved to Carnuntum. He is 8 years old, but carries himself with all the pride and defiance of a warrior. He is a pain in the ass of his Roman supervisors. As hostage, he is treated fairly, but his comfort is kept to a bare minimum, and his movement is limited. 68CE: Azarion is 10 years old when the Sarmatians break the treaty, and go raiding into Pannonia. Zarandos opposes the plan, he is challenged for leadership of the Saii, and killed in a duel. His wife and children go into hiding, their fate is unknown. Once the raid is beaten back, orders are given on the Roman side to make an example of the hostages. Since Azarion has been mouthing off at the Romans, they take the opportunity to punish him by cutting his tongue out, in plain sight of the tribes across the river. Older hostages are executed at the same time. Azarion is kept alive for further torture, but one of his Roman captors takes pity on him, and as a form of saving his life, he hands the half-dead boy over to a slave trader. Azarion is taken to Aquileia before he has the chance to recover from his injuries. There, he is sold again to a Roman merchant. He puts the boy to work at the stables, and discovers that he has a talent for caring for horses. He also soon discovers that he has a talent for making trouble, when he tries to run away on one of said horses. He is branded on his arm with FVG (runaway), and sold off at a low price. 68-74CE: Azarion is passed from owner to owner. Most of them are cruel, and even the ones that are not soon lose their patience with the tattooed wildling who manages to piss them off even while mute. Most of them buy him because he is exotic, young, or because he works well with horses. None of that buys him much kindness on the long run. He is repeatedly beaten, starved, whipped, and abused. From the Aquileia merchant he goes to a villa outside Alba Fucens, then a rich veteran's house in the same town, then eventually to the stables of an inn and cursus publicus way station along the Via Flaminia. By this time, he is passedd off as a nuisance, and treated accordingly. He hates most people, but still cares very much for horses. 74CE: Good luck shines on Azarion, although he doesn't realize it yet, when after a severe beating by his owner he is purchased by Alucio Valens Lurio, mostly out of pity. He is taken into the household as a stable boy. It seems like he is finally in a decent place, but he is not brave enough to get his hopes up yet. Chevi | Central European | Discord

"And you presented yourself as a male while at the camp?" "Yes, domina." she paused, realizing that it might not sound like the whole truth "My father decided to dress me as a boy when I started traveling with him. It was safer that way. And when I joined the legions, I just... stayed that way." A girl alone, anywhere around a legion camp, would have been a dangerous thing to be. Aia knew that deception was also unacceptable, but she also would have rather dealt with guilt than harrassment. She was grateful when the domina changed the subject. "What languages do you speak?" "Gallic and Latin" she answered "Also, a few Briton dialects, and some German ones from the frontier. I only know a few phrases of Greek." @Gothic

"No... that wouldn't be very useful. At least I don't have to wear that." "Not even on fancy occasions? Lucky you." Aia grinned. She was still warming up to Roman female fashion. Stolas and tunics and pallas were hard to move around in, and they made her miss the military tunics and pants. They sure made a woman's life a lot harder, especially when she was trying to get out of the way of danger. Aia had long resolved to tear the bloody thing off the moment she had to run for her life. "What happened to your hair... if you don't mind me asking?" Aia shook her head. Her hair was slowly growing out, but it was still hard to explain. Not many Roman women cut their hair like that. "I... traveled here from Britannia, and decided it was safer to travel as a boy." it was part of the truth, but by far not the whole "My domina doesn't like it, but we'll just have to wait until it grows back." @Atrice

Theo was grateful that the conversation about betting got interrupted before he had made any commitments. He needed to gather his thoughts on the issue before the man could talk him into anything. And he badly needed some food and a drink. He headed down the street to a popina he knew, while they continued their new conversation with the boy. "The boy's sharp as a tack. He's literate, and numerate. Not quite sure why he's being rented out by the hour."  Oh. A prostitute slave then. He looked shy, but not much ashamed about it. "I was training to be a physician, sir. When I was very young. I...I didn't get very far, of course. But my first master, he was a medicus. I...I thought it was very...interesting." "Sounds like a waste of a keen mind" Theo noted with a good-natured smile, responding to Calvunus' words. Of course the boy was also not hard to look at, but prostitute slaves never fared very well on the long run, and he was clearly smart enough to be more. "Are you renting him, or you work for his master?" he asked Calvunus as they walked over to the place smelling of cooked food and wine. @Gil

Aia laughed at Decimus' reaction. He didn't yelp, fall or run - while that would have been amusing, she also did not really expect a praetorian to be that easily spooked. But he did back away, and draw a knife, which meant the prank was successful. "Aia?... Are you run mad?" "Just bored" she grinned as she stepped out of the shadows, wrapped in her palla. She was carrying a knife too, under the wraps of the cloak, for emergencies. She did not expect Decimus to walk the road at night unarmed either. "I'll get you back for that! Just you wait for the day." "Seems like I will be waiting a long time" Aia shot back with a chuckle, moving over to sit on the small marble bench, and offer a place next to herself. "What kept you so long? Princess having a late night orgy?" she undid a small bundle she'd brought, revealing some food she'd lifted from the kitchens for the road "Cheese?" @Sains

Gods existed beyond the mortal realm, and beyond mortal boundaries - therefore, they were known by many names in different corners of the world. The goddess that Theo grew up worshipping in Corinth was known as Athene, but among the Roman legions she was called Minerva. By either name, she was a goddess of keen minds and battlefield tactics, terrible in anger but benevolent to those seeking knowledge, protecting those who were faithful to her. Over the course of his years in the legions, Theodorus worshipped her and often prayed to her. She was not the only deity whose help he'd seek, but she was the closest to his heart, and in some moments, especially in those that could have ended in tragedy, Theo sometimes hoped the goddess favored him too. After moving to Rome, the medicus had a chance to worship the divinity in a whole new array of places. His favorite soon became the temple of Minerva Medica on the Esquiline, not far from the Ludus Magnus; in this place, Athene was worshipped as the great goddess of healing as craft. COnstantly seeking knowledge about medicine himself, Theo got into the habit of bringing his offerings to her occasionally, to remind himself of his times in the legions, and also to be alone to share his thoughts with the goddess. Today was a nice, warm early spring day as Theodorus walked up the Esquiline to the temple. Not many other people were around at this time of the day, so he could place his offerings and say his prayers in peace. He was almost done with his simple devotions when someone else appeared in the doorway of the shrine... @Echo

"Oh, I don't know. Perhaps I would speak about the weather or the family of the person I was speaking with. Clothing or fashion perhaps." Aia made sure her face remained neutral; rolling her eyes at her charge would have been bad form, especially since the young lady outranked her in every possible way. But smalltalk, really? Aia was not sure she knew how to do that. She knew how to talk, and how to make friends, but talking just for the sake of politeness had evaded her in her life so far. "Well, then" she nodded, bracing herself for the task "Let's pretend you are talking to me. I am from Gaul, after all. We will do this in Latin first, and then translate." @Echo

”Why, you could make a fortune Theodorus, with your insider knowledge. Surely you must hear and see things that would help a man make a few more coins.” The man was certainly interested in the games, especially the financial aspect, that much was clear. Theo knew that many frequented the arena to make some coin as much as just to watch the fights and the carnage. He knew that medical knowledge might give an edge to someone making an educated bet, but he also knew that his profession was not the knowledge of the gods... and he suspected what would happen if he gave the wrong man the wrong tip. "Someone would have to tell me what those things are good for" he admitted with a shrug. Someone with knowledge of the games. The young man behind them spoke up. Theo knew he was a slave, but he listened curiously anyway. ”I saw a child kicked in the head by a horse once. That sounds similar. He perished quite quickly though.” "It would be smiliar to a blunk weapon, yes. And children's skulls are more delicate" he noted with a nod, looking the young man over "Are you interested in medicine?" @Gil

Aia wondered if Cynane knew Decimus. Her ten years in Britannia had made it abundantly clear that Roman men did not prefer to fight alongside women - and Briton women at that. The thought of them having to put up with Cynane on higher order, and especially that she looked like she would be more capable than some of them, was definitely amusing. "It is strange, I suppose. But more for them. A woman, who is even a slave, is carrying weapons and has the rank of guard - sometimes walking with the praetorians. It is sometimes hard for them to accept. But I'm here and they can't tell me to leave." Aia chuckled at that as she sipped her wine. It was the worst fate to be a slave, but in this case, it also protected Cynane from the other guards running her out of the palace, or worse. "I should not enjoy it as much as I do, I suppose. But Rome is the men's world. And here we are." "And here we are." Aia nodded. In a men's world, as women, neither of them in a position that was ever designed as feminine. "But at least you don't have to wear one of these?" she added, tugging on the many folds and wrinkles of her own dress. "These things are a bother and a half." @Atrice

The hard part was done, now came the healing. At least the girl was mercifully unconscious. Justinia looked dazed and a little shocked, moving away to lean against the wall. Poor thing, she must have seen a lot of things in the brothel, but nothing like this. “Thank you for helping her, Dominus. She will be alright, right?” "Gods willing" Theo nodded, picking up his cloak from where he left it, and offering it to Justinia, politely averting his eyes. "You did well. Her knee is back in place, and I'm going to put it into a splint so that it can heal." he moved over to the small table, opening his oversized bag to rummage around for bandages and poultices. "I'm going to have to clean her cuts as well. Do you think we can get some clean water?... If you are not feeling alright, I can get someone else." @Sydney

Welcome! Looking forward to RPing with you!

Justinia braced herself and nodded, even though she visibly paled at the idea of what was going to happen. She was already doing more than what could be expected of her, given the circumstances. As long as she held a strong grip, Theo would do the rest, and she could calm her nerves later. First, they needed to deal with the other girl's leg. Jolting limbs back into place was something Theo had done many times before. Arms, legs tended to get dislocated in close combat, or even due to building accidents, both very common in the legions. Some of them tore or broke, which made things almost impossible to repair; but if one was very, very lucky, they would pop back into place, and heal relatively well. It was worth a try. Once Flora braced herself, and Justinia held the leg in place, Theo took hold of the lower leg in a practiced way, braced himself, counted to three in his head, then popped the knee in one determined motion. The wet popping sound it made when it jolted back into place was surpassed by the girl screaming through the cloth she had been biting on. Her entire body went tense for a long moment, then limp. Theo ran his hands over the injured knee, touching to make sure it was where it needed to be, before he touched her pulse. "She is unconscious" he noted, patting Justinia's hand "Thanks, love. This part is done." @Sydney

Kalends of April, 74CE Romans buried their dead along the roads so that they would be remembered. It worked. Aia had barely been living in Flavia Juliana's villa for a couple of weeks, but she was already familiar with most of the names that lined the road between the villa and the city of Rome. The larger, more elaborate headstones and burial markers were easier to read and remember, but even the smalls, simple ones were starting to grow on her. Women, men, children; Romans, provincials, nobles, plebs. It would have been very apt to muse about the great equality of Death - except, even in death, some were more equal than others. Caecilia Trebulla had been one of these people. Her mausoleum stood a few paces off the side of the road, almost halfway between the city gates and the villa, a few minutes' walk from the roadside inn nearby. It was the shape of a miniature house, but still larger than most of the grave markers around. The lady's family had some connections to Egypt, and she had been an avid follower of Isis, which meant that she had been buried embalmed, and not cremated by Roman custom. The small, house-shaped mausoleum guarded the sarcophagus with her mortal remains. Around the small building was a wall, lower than a man's shoulders, decorated with simple patterns. Insite the wall, around the mausoleum, there was a small garden planted with mint and other scented herbs and shrubs, a small votive altar, and a bench where travelers could sit, read the grave inscription, and visit with the memory of the deceased, thus keeping her immortal. This was the bench Aia was currently sitting on, in the shadows of some shrubs, having placed her small offering cake on the altar. She was not afraid of the dead - she had encoutered many of them much closer and more personal in Britannia. But it was only fair that if the lady was going to host her clandestine nighttime meeting with Decimus, she should be given appropriate thanks. Aia was wrapped in a dark palla, hiding her bright red hair. She waited quietly, keeping an eye on the surrounding landscape and the road in the moonlight, until she could make out the shape of the approaching man. She waited still until she could make sure it was Decimus, before she shifted out of the shadows. "Boo!" @Sains

The slave returned with drinks, and Aia took a cup of the sweet scented wine. Sharing a drink with Cynane made it feel like they were talking, woman to woman, in their little island of privacy, rather than as two people serving the nobility of Rome. Or two people twom the two opposite sides of the border. Aia wondered if Cynane had a family back in Britannia. “No… I didn’t get that far. I had lived 18 summers, when we fought the Romans and our party lost. If I had stayed, I would probably have a husband now and many kids. And there would no longer be weapons in my hands. But the gods didn’t send me down that path.” "Me neither." Aia sighed. She didn't miss marrying a man and making babies, or at least it had never really presented itself as an option on her life so far. Life as a soldier had been hard, but it was also... well, quite the life. "What about the other guards? Is it strange to serve along Roman men?" @Atrice

Yay If you think this could work, I'm happy to get a starter up @Echo

I have been thinking, and there used to be a temple or shrine of Minerva Medica somewhere on the Esquiline. Theo would probably worship there since it's a Roman equivalent of Athena, and temple to her both as goddess of war and goddess of healing. This is just my first thought, but maybe Gaius would relate since he had been injured in battle as well?... @Echo

Yay! Do you have an idea of where they would meet? It can be a simple casual meeting at a tavern or something, doesn't have to be a medical issue Or they can run into each other at some religious place, worshipping one of the gods that were popular with soldiers... @Echo