Philandros had talked with Phobos once Eirik left with his and Spurius' bags, but had learned nothing more than the german had alsready mentioned--there was some reason that Idris thought the two should move, and said that Spurius was fine...Philandros longed to know more, but knew that was impossible until someone should visit--and wish to part with the information.

His thoughts turned in frustration to Eirik's parting riddle, but he knew it was too late for Grumio to be sent for: the man would rise before dawn and was usually one of the first slaves to retire for the night. He tried getting Phobos to enter a game of calculi, but the boy soon began to yawn, so Philandros sent the boy off as well. It was then that his thoughts turned to Olaf--the boy had a new friend he was eating with, but Eirik wouldn't say who it was, because he didn't know--or didn't want Philandros to know? The night was turning out to be a bundle of secrets and half-spoken words!

A noise from below caused him to fret--he felt strangely uncomfortable without Spurius or Eirik nearby--and that made him wonder what he would say to Olaf about his father's absence. Very soon he heard a soft tread upon the stair, and a large form appeared at his door, golden hair glinting in the soft light of a lamp. Philandros lay back with a sigh of relief--he knew there couldn't have been a thief in the house, for he had heard a key in the lock, but even so....

"Sorry to be so late, m...Philandros! Was much talk with dinner." Olaf pulled back the covers on his own cot, and removed his tunic to reveal a nicely sculpted physique tanned a light gold by the sun. "You want something before we sleep?"

"I've been taken care of Olaf...but I want to tell you something...a message came from Idris--you remember him from the party?--he said that Spurius and Eirik should find another place to stay..."

Olaf sat up quickly, and ran across the hall, finding the opposite room empty and dark. As he came back, his shoulders drooped and his head hung low. When he looked up, Philandros could see the blue eyes glistening with moisture. "He not stay to say goodbye? I not see him again?" His voice was raw with emotion at the prospect of losing his family all over again.

Philandros placed his good arm around Olaf's shoulders as the boy sank onto the bed, gripping the blond as tightly as he could. "He told me that they wouldn't be going very far--that he would stay in contact with us...and that he loved you."

Olaf leaned his head against the greek's, his throat clearing as he tried to control his sniffling nose. "He say that--he love me?"

Philandros ran his hand through the blond's mane as he pulled the boy's face closer. His lips lightly grazed the other's cheek in a gentle kiss. "Of course he loves you...and I am sure that once they find a new place nearby, he will send word! He won't leave Pompeii without saying goodbye in person!"

His mind's eye was full of pictures of a way which would prevent Eirik from doing just that--most of them involving the Emperor's guards--but he didn't say that aloud; he felt the large body relax a bit against his, and he continued to stroke Olaf's head as he tried to soothe the boy.

"Now, tell me--who is this new friend of yours? Is he a slave from Valerius' house? From one of the neighbors?"

Olaf settled himself into the red-head's arm, being careful not to make him shift his position with his broken limbs. He looked up into the green eyes and saw a certainty there which he himself lacked for the moment. If Philandros did not doubt that Eirik would return, then he wouldn't either!

"I meet him at market today...is why I was late coming home earlier..." Olaf paused. "You not too tired to hear?" When Philandros told him to continue, the young german did, his words coming a bit steadier now.

"He knows you...I not say his full name, is too hard--but he says to call him 'Giton'...."