Honestly I didn't know what to expect when my father brought me to the Grand Master's office. I had never handled merchandise of this type before. A few household sorts, and debtors destined to become such, but never something as high class as a pleasure slave. I hope my meager training would give them the start they needed in that area.

After waiting for a bit, we were admitted to see him in his office. Grand Master Osul, an older badger. One of a very few of his rank in the guild. Being but an apprentice, I kept my muzzle shut.

At first, the discussion was about seeking permission to enter them in the last auction, which was reserved for high value slaves. Such had to be approved. A simple description of what they were, what we had taught them, the restriction on their slavery, and so on. Osul was a bit surprised at what we had acquired, but I think pleased.

Then things took a turn I didn't expect.

My father was saying, “Grand Master Osul, I would like to request your seal on their papers, and the status of friends of the family for them.”

I'd heard the term before, in passing. It referred to private notation on a slave's contract that indicated that the slaves were special to the guild, and should be watched out for. I had never seen a slave with such a notation before, however, or even heard of one. It was rare, at best.

My jaw dropped. It was very undignified before such an important Slaver, but I was stunned.

Osul looked at my reaction, and then back to my father, saying, “Radam, you are full of surprises today. Now, if you would enlighten me as to why these slaves of yours should be important to the guild?”

He was blunt, and I found myself looking down at my hands as my father spoke. I... well, I don't think I could have said anything, I was too shocked.

“They befriended my son many years ago, Grand Master, and grew very close. I would go so far as to say as close as lovers, had misfortune not confused matters. They did so with no prompting, knowing full well my son was apprenticed under me as a Slaver.”

Now, slavers were always open about their relationships, sexuality, pretty much anything. We were in many ways outside of society, held at arms length by the common citizens of the Empire out of fear and distrust. As such, we didn't pay much attention to what they considered taboo. Sure, we had our own rules of conduct, but they were different in many ways.

Regardless of this fact I could feel my face hot under the fur, and my ears flattened back against my head. I don't get flustered and embarrassed often, but having such things explained to the Grand Master, well...

“Their misfortune was not their doing. Yet, they took this burden willingly to save their family. We have done what we can for them, what training and knowledge in the short time available. Still, it would ease both our hearts to know they had this boon.”

Osul had a presence to him. I could feel his eyes on me with out looking. “Apprentice, you know you and your father risk your reputation on these slave's behavior. Is this truly that important to you? Do you trust them that much?”

My throat felt dry, and tight. I swallowed hard. I had spoken to Osul all of once, and that briefly, doing an errand for my father. Having the attention of one of the most powerful Slavers in the Empire turned on me, on my wishes and feelings... My father was watching me, too, as if curious if I really agreed. Sometimes he can be so unreadable.

I looked up at him, I would not speak to him with out doing so. “Yes, Grand Master Osul. They are that important to me. And I know they would never do anything to betray my trust.”

We Slavers take care of each other. The Family refers to the guild, and we are all that each other has, save but very rare individuals. Like the twins.

Osul nodded, looking thoughtful. Then he called out to his attendant, “Bring these slaves to me.”

Shortly the boys were ushered in, and they kneeled, and I was thankful to see they remembered their training. Their posture was perfect. They also somehow had managed to take those poses with their shoulders and hips just touching each other. I had become used to that, seeing them touch in subtle ways. I am certain they drew strength from it.

Osul inspected them, and had some kind words to say about them. Then he said, “Leave me with the slaves for a minute.”

I was startled, and I could see the boys were scared. It's understandable. To me, Osul is a man of power, one who can change my life in the guild dramatically. To the boys, to slaves, he might as well be the Emperor.

We excused ourselves, and waited outside.

I looked at my father, who said simply, “They will do fine, son. You have done them well, and they are honest to the core.”

I accepted that quietly.

I wondered what they spoke of in there. We never did ask them, if Osul wanted us to know, he would have had us stay.

When they came out only a few minutes later, they were trembling visibly. I didn't get a chance to try and calm them, for they let us know that the Grand Master wished to speak to us again.

We headed back in, and he concluded the business quickly.

“Apprentice Kaust, I am sorry for your loss. The request is granted. Leave the papers with my assistant, and I will see it taken care of.”

We gave our thanks, and were dismissed.

I thanked my father quietly. I really could not say much more right then with the twins waiting for us.

He was right, it did ease my mind somewhat. As long as the boys where somewhere the Guild could watch them, it would be made certain they at least were granted the meager rights that a slave has. When in the guild's care, they would be cared for kindly, and sold only to those we believe would take decent care of them.

We delivered them to one of the auction stalls that a friend of my father's had a pleasure slave who could teach them some things we could not, and then went about our day.

The next few days all went about the same. I had business to attend to. Quite a bit of it. I sorted through the lots and brought to my father's attentions ones that seemed to deserve more though. He was usually right when we discussed a particular purchase, but I do take some pride in the the fact that I had an eye for some things he misses.

We slowly gathered up, auction by auction, slave by slave. Sometimes buying lots and then reselling the ones that didn't suit our area's needs, sometimes haggling deals outside the auctions, and so on.

It is the busiest time of the year for us, and I was happy to have the work to occupy me.

At each night, I got to spend it with the twins. We had two beds in the small room, and my father slept like the dead when he wanted to. Quietly we touched, loved, kissed. No more training, just spending time with each other. I was not trying to make my position clear to them, and they never gave me reason to. We knew these were the last days we had together.

We managed to make them happy despite knowing what was to come.

The last night before the boy's auction, my father said he had somewhere else to be. Hell if I know where he slept that night. Maybe he spent it in our carriage, but it would have been impolite to ask considering what a kindness it was. It let us have that last night alone together.

Honestly I'm not sure what to say about that night. We hardly spoke. We had said everything we could to each other by then. I'd say we had sex, but really, we made love. That was one of the harder things I had to face, I had never felt that before, and I was about to lose it so shortly after knowing it.

The most memorable words were simple ones. They came after we were spent, curled up together, one on each side of me.

“Tim, Tom. I love you both. I always will.” There is a tone you take with slaves, even when you don't address them as such. That was not in my voice this time.

Each, in turn said, “I love you, Kaust.” The fact they spoke for themselves rather than just one for both was special in it's own way. They too addressed me not as a master, but as their childhood friend and now lover.

I'm not ashamed to say it, we cried. Those words just opened it up. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears for all that we had finally been able to share, and for the fact we then had so little time to do it.

When we had cried ourselves out, we then spoke. We remembered. All the things we had done together over the years. The games we played, the silly things that children did together, swimming in the lake, admitting when we started to look at each other 'that way'. They confessed to me the first time they had touched each other. I guess they never had anyone to tell that to, and may never have again.

They shared with me one last thing. How to tell them apart.

It's a sacred trust with them. Their one secret. The one thing that they can always have, no matter what happens to them.

That secret I will carry to my grave.