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Chapter Five

Arriving back in Rome, the shaken group immediately sought Mark Antony to assess the political chaos and determine their future actions. They found Antony worn, the lines of grief and weariness deeply etched upon his forehead—a true testament to his friendship with Caesar.

Mark Antony offered a faint smile, tinged with profound sadness. “Truly, none of you were slaves or servants in Caesar’s home, but trusted companions of my friend. I salute you for your faithful service. It is good to welcome you back, and without any loss of life.”

He then laid out his personal path and their orders. “I will soon be leaving on a campaign to bring justice to Caesar for what was done. I go in search of the cowards Brutus and Cassius, and will not rest until I have rid this world of these vermin.” He looked sternly at the assembled Guards. “Knowing you all as I do, please do not attempt to join me. I will take Atticus with me, but for the rest of you, go to Caesar’s home and become part of the Praetorian Guards stationed there to protect Caesar’s family, staff, and property. Olac, you especially, go to your wife, Berenice, for she has been greatly concerned about you. You are all dismissed. Go in peace.”

Atticus stepped over to Olac, embracing him with brotherly affection. “I’m not sure if or when we will ever meet again, but training and fighting alongside you was a delightful experience. May the God of War, Mars, always protect you and your family.”

Olac and Demetrius left with their band of soldiers, now fast friends forged by shared months of duty. Arriving home, Olac immediately found Berenice. Upon seeing him, she flew into his arms. With tenderness, he caught her, picked her up, and held her close.

“Did I ever tell you, you are pretty?” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Smiling through tears, she replied, “Not nearly enough.”
Just then, Calpurnia entered the room. Seeing Olac, she burst into tears. “It is good to see you, Olac. You were as much my friend as Julius’s, and it is a sad occasion for all of us that he is gone.” Berenice moved to comfort Calpurnia, understanding the depth of the loss she had suffered.

Where Atticus had been the primary guard, Olac now stepped into the vacant leadership position, instilling a sense of normalcy in the chaotic household. Though things were never truly the same—Caesar was a man of colossal stature who commanded respect and faithfulness through his very presence—Olac’s loyalty ensured the safety of his family’s legacy.

It wasn’t long before Olac was summoned from training with the news that Berenice was ready to give birth. He raced to their quarters, arriving just as he heard the first cry of his son. Impatiently, he waited outside until the midwife ushered him in. Beaming broadly, he took the infant, wrapped in a beautiful blanket, and walked slowly, amazed at the miracle. Giving the child over to the nurse, he went to his wife, hugged her, and declared in a barely audible voice, “Thank you. I love you.”

The boy was named Alaric and quickly became the love of Calpurnia’s household, who was the child’s official owner. Evil men from the Senate tried to seize control of Caesar’s assets, but they were met by the fierce resistance of the Praetorian Guards, bolstered by the authority of Mark Antony.

Years passed. Alaric, now a young lad, trained diligently with his father, while his little sister, Priscila, played with their mother. Olac received word that Mark Antony had fulfilled his promise: he had met Brutus and Cassius on the battlefield, destroyed their armies, and put them to the sword.

Sadly, Olac also received devastating news: Atticus was killed in battle. Word was he fought with incredible courage, going down fighting after being outnumbered by no less than eight men, killing three of his attackers before falling mortally wounded.
Mark Antony returned to Caesar’s home briefly, speaking with Calpurnia and meeting Olac, who proudly introduced him to his son. This was to be their last meeting, as Antony soon departed for Egypt to renew his conquest and pursue his love for Cleopatra.

Olac and Berenice lived out their lives in peace. They watched their son, Alaric, grow and achieve the rank of Roman Centurion, demonstrating the very discipline and strength his father had mastered. Their daughter, Priscila, was given in marriage to a prominent engineer working on the aqueduct system near Rome. Olac was finally content and at ease.

His life’s journey—from Prince to slave, from gladiator to emissary, and finally to father and protector—had been completed with honour and integrity. When he suddenly took ill, he became bedridden and soon succumbed to the sickness. Berenice was heartbroken but found joy in seeing her grandchildren. While playing with them, she told them stories of their grandfather’s exploits, Olac, the Gladiator.