"Yes, Hirtius is receiving. Let me show you in."

The porter brought him to Aulus directly, who asked:"Labienus, it has been some time, no? What can I do for you? Or maybe it would be better if I asked what you could do for me. Would you like to stay on in my service?"

Labienus stood with both feet planted securely on the ground, his eyes firmly placed on Hirtius’ own, measuring how time sat upon the face since he had last seen it.

“Stay on?” His cheek twitched slightly. He had never served Hirtius before, they had served together. Oh well, not matter.

“I came to see what we might have to do for each other. I still have my pro-praetor imperium. Most of your legions have been removed to the east for other operations. The cavalry is virtually non-existant. What remains is of fairly poor condition. As you know I am an experienced commander in my own right, especially in arduous conditions. The northern areas still need to be conquered. We’ve worked well together before. Why not do so again, and train some new legions in the process?”