Spurius watched Idris head after his friend after exchanging a few hasty words with Philandros and breathed a sigh of relief. His own heart urged him to hurry after them as well. While Eirik had been speaking Hylas' hand had sneaked into the Roman's, and after seeing concern and compassion shining in the Greek's eyes, Spurius squeezed it tightly and tried to smile at Hylas. Felix tactfully remained silent, and though his composure was professionally detached, he radiated a quiet, sympathetic air Spurius was thankful for. It allowed him to collect himself. He felt so empty and could only imagine how Eirik would be feeling now. A four year's quest had reached its end, and though the most important goal was achieved – after all Olaf was free and in good health – it wasn't what the both of them had dreamed of during countless long nights or half asleep on horseback after long nights on stage, following the few traces Olaf had left behind.

The Roman forced his thoughts back to the present and gazed at the Sicilian investigator with an apologetic expression, but before he could open his mouth Felix nodded with a small smile. "You will want to leave as well", he observed. Spurius nodded thankfully. "Yes, very much so! But if you are inclined to stay for a bit longer, Idris will return to take my place here at the table. He's only seeing Eirik home safely." Felix nodded with a smile and gave Hylas a sidelong glance. "Once you stop clinging to his hand, he will actually be able to leave, you know …" "Uh?" Hylas blinked and pouted prettily at his employer. Despite the hollow feeling in his stomach Spurius couldn't suppress a smile and squeezed the young Greeks hand again before he let go. "Thank you", he said warmly. "It has been just what I needed." He glanced over at Philandros and Olaf. Out of the corners of his eyes he saw Hylas huff smugly at Felix, and Spurius smiled again.

When he looked at Philandros and Olaf again on his way out into the night he observed the same Idris had registered earlier this evening. Olaf might resemble his parents on the outside, but his heart did not. Though Spurius had never met Ragnhild in person, Eirik had shared a lot of tales, and from what he saw now he could almost envision the Greek and the young Northerner as brothers. On the other hand, try as he might, he couldn't picture Olaf on the road with him and Eirik, staying in one of those miserable taverns or even performing in front of a drunken, sometimes even orgy-minded crowd. Being with Philandros for so long had introduced him to the more refined things in life, material or not. Yet, Spurius realised this as well, it wasn't the reason for Olaf's choice; no, the boy was in love with his former master. Maybe, Spurius thought, it wasn't Philandros as a person; maybe the boy was in love with what the Greek represented: Safety and protection.