In dismay, he thought that she’d never lie to him, that she wouldn’t simply betray him. This felt like extortion from a grieving mother, that couldn’t just let go and move on. It seemed suicidal on her part, and maddening on his, as he wanted to protect her, but this broke his trust. He didn’t know what to believe, but she continued to plead, to ask and beg. She just wouldn’t shut up for a second, this made things only harder of him, as he couldn’t think clearly, her words cluttering his mind and disturbing it. One question kept popping up in his mind, asking himself, why she would lie about this and why should would lie about it now. He kept trying to ask her, but she just wouldn’t answer, just dodging and dodging every single time he tried to ask her why. Thus Olanus grew impatient, nervous, and saddened as she pushed her misery and her tragedy upon him further. He was a father to now a dead son, lover to the mother of said child, grief now struck him harder.

Alicaria seemed proud of herself, bringing such a man to his knees. He stood up, gently, took her in his arms, sat her on a stool and with a serious look on his face asked her again why would she keep this from him, why would she tell him all this now and to what gain. She now got scared, she never saw him this serious with her, and on that deep tone of voice. But she knew that she had to keep this up if she wanted to go with him to war. Since he might not ever return back to her. At least that’s what she was thinking. So she told a partial truth, saying that she was afraid of his reaction, knowing her reputation and just how people are. As to why now, she just told him that she wouldn’t want him gone, forever, she couldn’t bare to lose someone else this soon. Telling him that if he dies in battle, she wants at least to be there with him. He started laughing, and petting her head. Agreeing to her request to take her with him to war. A few soldiers enter and ask for Olanus, as the Caesar has become too impatient and needs him. He goes, leaving her behind, as she thought to pack a few other things with her on the way.

Once Olanus got to the Caesar, he sighed in relief, thinking that maybe some assassins had got to him. Or worse, that he had betrayed him and the empire. But this had made him calmer and happier, seeing on of his most trusted men there. Once they all met, Augustus told his generals, that once he crushes these insolent bastards and does what no emperor had done before and take over Dacia, he’ll maybe add two months to the calendar to celebrate it. Or have some column of some sort to remember his triumphs.

Thus in Greece…

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