Faustus welcomes the arriving tribal heads and directs them to quarters prepared for them outside the town. He spends his days speaking privately with individual tribal heads on a one-to-one basis looking to find out what they seek to gain from the gathering, any problems they have with the Roman authority, and also any tensions they might have with neighbouring tribes.

The nights are filled with feasting and Gallic frivolity. Faustus is present but will not be drawn into 'business' explaining that these nights are 'to get to know one-another'. The official meetings will not occur until later in the month. In these evenings, Faustus is very carefully watching for rivalries between the tribes.

When not occupied with private talks, Faustus is drilling Legio V in the field adjacent to the tribal quarters. Tree-felling continues with the logs so obtained being used to shore up defenses around the town.

Regarding the Insubres and Friniates, Faustus wants to know whether the couriers returned after the specified three-day maximum wait and, if so, what they had to report. The Praefectus Alae of Legio I Cisalpina is also queried as to the frequent reports expected from the turmae of cavalry sent with the courier and ordered to remain in the vicinty of each of the tribes. What are their movements? What was their reaction? Did the couriers and/or cavalry return at all?

On the matter of the Insubres, Faustus quizzes his legati on the previous report that the Insubres were to be found in Liguria. This information is contrary to the maps available to Faustus, which place the Insubres north of Mediolanum, so he wishes to verify the information before issuing further orders. He is, however, indicating to the legatus of Legio I Cisalpina that he must be prepared to force march at a moments notice.