Sea of Lies

Chapter 1

1730

The boom of horse hooves and the voices of soldiers echoed through the streets. People stayed to the sides in fear of being trampled. The soldiers chased after a horse drawn cart that weaved through buildings and crowds.

A man in the back of the cart sat up and turned to the hooded man controlling the cart. "Could you go any slower, Sub?" The man in the cart called, holding onto a leather tricorn hat. The hooded man glanced back at him before pulling the reins and bringing the cart to a complete stop. The man in the cart jolted forwards, almost tumbling out of the cart.

Sub jumped from the cart and ran away. The man in the cart quickly grabbed his hat and ran after him as the soldiers got closer. They disappear down an alley to avoid the crowds of people.

The soldiers stopped at the cart. They pulled the bags from the back of the cart and untied the rope holding them shut.

The general stayed on his horse, scouting out for the two that had disappeared into the busy town.

"General!" One of the soldiers yelled. The general looked at his men. They took feathers out from the bags. "The money, it's gone!"

-

A joyous cheer erupted on the deck of the boat. The crew of about fifteen men were gathered around a large table, enjoying a celebratory dinner for their heist earlier that morning. One of the men placed a foot on the table and lifted his wooden glass into the air.

"To our glorious Captain Denis!" He cheered. The rest of the crew cheered again before eating their meal.

The captain sat at the head of the table with his feet resting on the edge of the table, tilting his chair back. He lifted his cup in response to his mens' toast.

He turned to look behind him. Sub stood off to the side, another man beside him. Denis laughed.

"Both of you, sit." He called. He lowered his feet and motioned to the empty seats beside him. The two walked over.

"Sub and I were talking–" The man began as he sat down. Sub stood behind him.

"So you were talking to yourself, Cain?" Denis chuckled as he took a sip from his glass and fixed his hat. Cain smiled but it quickly faded. He turned to Sub.

"We'd like to speak to you in private." He stated. Denis paused and glanced over at the two. He put his glass down and stood up.

The three went into the Captain's quarters. Denis shut the door and turned to the two others.

"What is it?" He asked. Sub's hand stuck out from his long cloak. He held a scroll rolled up with string. Denis took it from him and untied it. His eyes shot back and forth as he read over the letter. He looked up at Cain and Sub.

"It's from King Thomas."

-

"I see you got my letter," The king said. He turned to Denis, who was kneeling in front of the throne.

"Yes, sir. I'd assume it was very urgent you saw me considering we weren't set to return home for another two weeks."

"I hope I didn't interrupt any of your plans."

"No, sir." King Thomas smiled. He walked over to the captain and placed a hand on his shoulder. Denis looked up at him.

"I have a very important mission for you. Come. Let me show you." He left the throne room and went to another room guarded by knights. He went over to a table and lifted up a sheet of torn up paper. There was a painting of a blue gemstone on it. The king handed the paper to Denis.

"That gemstone is rumored to be able to control all magic in the universe." King Thomas explained. "I believe it is called 'Ije Eibocomul' in the native tongue but in English it translates to 'All Powerful'. I think you understand where I'm going with this."

"You want me to find it?" Denis asked as he rolled up the paper again. The king smiled again and placed both hands on Denis' shoulder.

"No. I want you to steal it." His smile grew. "I believe the kingdom Igocia has it now. I want you to take it and bring it back to me." Denis nodded. He stuck the paper in his pocket. He knelt back down again.

"Of course Your Majesty." He said. His head shot up as he heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. He was met with a blade just inches away from his face.

"Don't let me down, Denis." King Thomas' grip on the handle tightened. "Or this'll be the last time you sail on these oceans alive."

Denis quickly nodded. "I promise." King Thomas put the sword back in the holster on his waist. He turned away and left the room.

Denis left the castle and returned to his ship docked at the ports. One of the men on his crew waited by the boat. The rest had gone to the town to eat or visit their families while they were home.

"You got stuck with watch duty Jodie?" Denis laughed. The man jumped and spun around to him, the braid his blonde hair was in whipping around and hitting his face. He stood up straight.

"What did the king need?" He asked. Denis looked around at the dock. He pulled Jodie back onto the deck of the ship. He took the paper out of his pocket and showed it to Jodie.

"We have to steal this gemstone from the Igocia Kingdom." He stated. Jodie looked over the painting and squinted.

"Why? I have a million gems that look like that." Denis chuckled and rolled the paper back up.

"It's magical. It can control all magic." Denis explained. Jodie's face lit up.

"All of it?" He mumbled. Denis nodded.

"Anything you can think of,"

"Even Oadriums?"

"Yes. Even Oadriums. Now, why don't you go visit your mother and sister? I'll watch the ship." Denis began to walk away to his room. Jodie's smile grew and he climbed back off the ship, running off into the town.

Denis stopped in front of his door as he noticed someone sitting on the stairs that led up to the wheel. They stood up, fixing their long earthy green cloak.

Sub pushed his hood back slightly and glared at the captain. He glanced down at the paper sticking out of his pocket.

"Calm down, Sub. It's not a big deal." Denis rolled his eyes and shut the door behind him.

-♕⚓︎♕-

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