Sea of Lies

Chapter 7

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The mother gathered her children around the table. Denis slumped over in his chair and stabbed his fork into the wooden table. He looked up at his mother as she sat across from him.

"Why couldn't I go with Dad?" He grumbled and rested his head on the table. His mother sighed as she placed her napkin on her lap.

"You're 14 years old. You belong in school, not out at sea." She said sternly. "I told you. Once the school year is over, you can go with him." Denis groaned and stabbed at the table again.

The Oadrium with olive green skin walked over. He walked slowly, making sure not to trip on the ropes around his ankles. They were loose enough for him to walk, but if he took one wrong step he'd trip.

He pushed a freshly roasted chicken onto the table. He went back over to the counter and brought back plates, utensils, and other food.

"Thank you, Sub." The mother said. Sub nodded and stood off to the side as the family ate.

As Denis ate, he heard the Oardium's stomach grumble. He wrapped his arms around his stomach and kept his head down.

The front door opened. The father walked in. His wife stood up from the table and went over to him as he searched through a bag for something.

"I thought you departed already," She said from the other room. Her husband chuckled.

"I forgot something," He replied with a smile. They both walked away and went upstairs. Denis turned back around as he heard another chair move. His brother stood up. He got a napkin and placed pieces of chicken and green beans on it.

Noah went over to Sub and gave it to him. The Oadrium smiled and bowed.

"Leb uthphu et ysc, Blep Skur, (Thank you so much, Young Master.)" He said. He glanced out the door then back at Noah. He nodded and the Oadrium walked outside.

The one with orange skin was tied up against one of the poles that held up the roof of the porch. One of the father's crew was standing beside him.

He stuck his hand out as Sub walked over, but Noah came outside and gave him permission to let the one tied up be fed.

Sub crouched in front of them and removed the cloth from their face. They both smiled at each other before Sub held out some chicken for him to eat.

He stopped as the father walked back outside. He glared at Sub as he stood up, keeping his head down.

"Dad. I told him too," Noah chimed in. His father looked back at him and sighed. He looked into the house.

"Denis! Come out here," He called. The boy came out shortly after, wiping some food off his face. His father took a knife out from his belt. He pointed at Sub and his crew member went over to him after he put the cloth back on the other's face. He held onto Sub, one arm wrapped around his torso and the other forcing his arm out. The captain went closer and placed the blade of the knife right below Sub's chin.

"You only take orders from me and my wife," He said. He looked back at his oldest before looking at Denis. He handed him the knife and held Sub's wrist.

"Two," He ordered. "One for taking the blindfolds off and one for feeding it." Sub's eyes widened. He squirmed and tried to pull his arm away. The man holding him tightened his grip to keep him still. Denis glanced between Sub's terrified face and his father. He backed away and shook his head.

"For the love of God," His father groaned. He snatched the knife from Denis' hands. "Has everyone in this house lost it? I left this one here to help cook and clean. It's hard enough dealing with one out of control Oadrium and I don't need two because you both have gotten soft." He turned back to Sub and slashed twice at his arm.