Free Skaia by Ayden Sadari

the country estates. Skaia accepted the separations with more grace than Glaucus, though his son ceased to argue as the years went by.
    Even when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon and almost all the patricians in Rome deserted the city, Thaddeus left Skaia behind with the handful of slaves who would see to the city home. When they returned from Umbria after many more months away than usual, Glaucus did not try to hide his glee at finding Skaia safe. Thaddeus frowned at the display, but Paulinus convinced him to leave the boys be.
    There was a more serious disagreement when it was time for Glaucus to visit Greece, when he was almost seventeen. He wanted to take Skaia with him, and Thaddeus was adamant in his refusal.
    Because Glaucus refused to let the matter drop, Thaddeus called both young men to his office. And when Glaucus raised his voice to his father, Thaddeus got up from his desk and struck him. Glaucus just became angrier, but Skaia fell to his knees. “Please, please don’t fight over me. Master Glaucus, I don’t need to go. You can tell me about your trip when you get home. Please sir, just go with your friends. I’ll be fine.”
    Glaucus looked at him, stricken. “ You are my best friend, Skaia. I don’t want to go without you.”
    “ It isn’t proper, Master Glaucus,” Skaia insisted, looking at Thaddeus. “I am just your slave.”
    Glaucus was infuriated at Skaia’s comment. “Fine!  Stay with my father then. I’ll go by myself.” He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
    Skaia hesitated only a moment before he rose to his feet and turned to Thaddeus. “I’m sorry, sir,” he whispered. “I don’t know what happened.”
    Thaddeus looked thoughtful for a moment before returning to his desk and sitting down again. “I sincerely hope my son is coming to see you for what you are. A slave to be used.” He shuffled a few papers without looking up. “Go back to Glaucus’ room and wait for him. He will need your help packing.”
    “ Yes, sir.” Skaia left, feeling that somehow, he was at fault. But he had no idea how.

    When Glaucus returned much later in the night, he was drunk. Skaia rose from his small mat on the floor and helped him to bed by the light of the single clay lamp that always burned at night. And when Glaucus vomited, Skaia lit another lamp and cleaned it up. “Master Glaucus, I have to take this away,” he ventured softly. “I’ll be right back. Will you be alright, sir?”
    Glaucus sat on the bed. “I’m fine, Skaia. Just get rid of my mess. And bring some hot water when you come back. I need to wash.”
    Skaia bowed and left. When he came back, he sat beside Glaucus on the bed and wiped his face with the warm cloth. He could hardly hear his master’s voice. “Skaia, I’m so sorry.”
    “ It’s nothing, sir. No worse than when you were a little boy.”
    “ Not the vomit, Skaia,” Glaucus said, shaking his head. “Well, I’m sorry for that, too.” He looked up, staring into Skaia’s beautiful eyes. “But I meant, about giving up on taking you to Greece with me. I failed you.”
    Skaia put his arms around Glaucus’ shoulders. “It’s nothing, sir,” he repeated. “Your father is right.” He forced himself to say the hated words. “I am just a slave. It was very stupid of me to hope for such a thing. I put you in a bad position, sir. It was my fault.” When he tried to stand up, Glaucus pulled him back and awkwardly kissed his mouth. Skaia allowed it and did not try to pull away, even though the smell of vomit was strong.
    “ Do you remember what my father said the day he gave you to me?” Glaucus asked, loosening his tight hold on Skaia’s waist.
    “ No, sir.”
    “ He said I could play with you,” Glaucus laughed heartily, no longer a little boy’s giggle. “And he told me you would be with me, forever.”
    Skaia met his eyes, as he always did with Glaucus, and smiled. “I remember now, sir.”
    Glaucus pulled him close again. “He