are decent opponents because we share a very close bond as well. Although we have only triumphed over them several times.
I tell Mother we will not be out for too long, and the four of us leave the cave. We make way toward the location where many squids are gathered and ask which of them would like to play with us. Some are shy while others are friendly. It does not take long before four volunteer. The fry and I swim to a large location where squid wars is usually held, a place devoid of fish and other sea creatures and where there are a lot of large rocks to conceal oneself from his or her opponent.
Fortunately, there are no other fry playing. Syd and Syndin hurry away with their squids, their heads bent together as they strategize. I take Zarya’s hand and lead her to a large rock on the bottom of the sea.
“No,” she says. “I have hidden here many times. Syd and Syndin are sure to search for us here.”
I scan around. We have played this game so often that there are not many places to choose. Zarya tugs on my hand and leads me toward a large collection of rocks. She wedges herself between two and attempts to pull me in. “I am much too large, Zarya,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen. “They are headed this way!”
I stretch my neck and examine the area. I do not see them, but I sense them. Zarya is right, they will appear at any moment. I place my finger on my lips and hide behind a rock next to the one she is wedged between. She is concealed very well, but I am not. When I am partnered with Zarya, it is my wish to be victorious, for I know how it delights her. As of late, she and I have not been the champions. Perhaps I am growing too old.
I catch sight of her waving her arms and pointing to the area behind me. The twins. With my squid in my hands, I tell it to be prepared, and spin around, aiming my squid at the twins’ faces. Ink shoots out, and I hear a groan. But the groan does not belong to Syd or Syndin.
I stare at a broad, familiar chest. Slowly, my eyes rise until they are on his face. “Father.”
He lifts his hand and wipes the ink off his face and neck. Then he looks at me with a furious expression.
“Father!” Zarya hurries over. “Have you come to play with us?”
Ink splatters me in the face and neck.
“Syd and Syndin!” Father shouts.
The twins float back to back, their squids held firmly in their hands, their expressions apologetic and somewhat frightened. Father, Zarya, and I are covered in the ink as well.
“We are sorry, Father,” I say. “Truly sorry. Everyone knows to be careful when swimming in this location, for there is a high chance a game of squid wars is occurring.”
“You are not a fry, Damarian,” Father says. “You should not play these games.”
My mouth closes as I stare at Father. Yes, squid wars is played by fry, but that does not state I cannot play with my younger siblings.
Father hands a small oyster shell to Syndin and says to him and his brother, “Take Zarya home. The journey is not far. Present Mother with the shell and tell her I have located the rare fish she had once feasted on as a fry. She will be most pleased.”
“Were you not at Eteria, Father?” Syd asks.
“Yes, but the Guards and I traveled out of the colony to deal with an issue involving the turtles.” He nods to the shell. “I have gathered enough for everyone. Tell Mother that Damarian and I will join you shortly.”
Syd and Syndin nod and are ready to leave, but Zarya says, “Can I not travel home with you?”
He touches her cheek. “There is a matter I must discuss with Damarian.”
“But they will not watch over me! I do not like traveling with them.”
He looks at the twins with a strict expression. “Mind your sister. Do not lose sight of her, as you had done four moons ago.”
“It was Syd!” Syndin says.
“It is not so!”
Father rubs his forehead. “Please, I beg you. I do not have the strength for this. Bring your sister home.”
“Yes, Father.” Each
I tell Mother we will not be out for too long, and the four of us leave the cave. We make way toward the location where many squids are gathered and ask which of them would like to play with us. Some are shy while others are friendly. It does not take long before four volunteer. The fry and I swim to a large location where squid wars is usually held, a place devoid of fish and other sea creatures and where there are a lot of large rocks to conceal oneself from his or her opponent.
Fortunately, there are no other fry playing. Syd and Syndin hurry away with their squids, their heads bent together as they strategize. I take Zarya’s hand and lead her to a large rock on the bottom of the sea.
“No,” she says. “I have hidden here many times. Syd and Syndin are sure to search for us here.”
I scan around. We have played this game so often that there are not many places to choose. Zarya tugs on my hand and leads me toward a large collection of rocks. She wedges herself between two and attempts to pull me in. “I am much too large, Zarya,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen. “They are headed this way!”
I stretch my neck and examine the area. I do not see them, but I sense them. Zarya is right, they will appear at any moment. I place my finger on my lips and hide behind a rock next to the one she is wedged between. She is concealed very well, but I am not. When I am partnered with Zarya, it is my wish to be victorious, for I know how it delights her. As of late, she and I have not been the champions. Perhaps I am growing too old.
I catch sight of her waving her arms and pointing to the area behind me. The twins. With my squid in my hands, I tell it to be prepared, and spin around, aiming my squid at the twins’ faces. Ink shoots out, and I hear a groan. But the groan does not belong to Syd or Syndin.
I stare at a broad, familiar chest. Slowly, my eyes rise until they are on his face. “Father.”
He lifts his hand and wipes the ink off his face and neck. Then he looks at me with a furious expression.
“Father!” Zarya hurries over. “Have you come to play with us?”
Ink splatters me in the face and neck.
“Syd and Syndin!” Father shouts.
The twins float back to back, their squids held firmly in their hands, their expressions apologetic and somewhat frightened. Father, Zarya, and I are covered in the ink as well.
“We are sorry, Father,” I say. “Truly sorry. Everyone knows to be careful when swimming in this location, for there is a high chance a game of squid wars is occurring.”
“You are not a fry, Damarian,” Father says. “You should not play these games.”
My mouth closes as I stare at Father. Yes, squid wars is played by fry, but that does not state I cannot play with my younger siblings.
Father hands a small oyster shell to Syndin and says to him and his brother, “Take Zarya home. The journey is not far. Present Mother with the shell and tell her I have located the rare fish she had once feasted on as a fry. She will be most pleased.”
“Were you not at Eteria, Father?” Syd asks.
“Yes, but the Guards and I traveled out of the colony to deal with an issue involving the turtles.” He nods to the shell. “I have gathered enough for everyone. Tell Mother that Damarian and I will join you shortly.”
Syd and Syndin nod and are ready to leave, but Zarya says, “Can I not travel home with you?”
He touches her cheek. “There is a matter I must discuss with Damarian.”
“But they will not watch over me! I do not like traveling with them.”
He looks at the twins with a strict expression. “Mind your sister. Do not lose sight of her, as you had done four moons ago.”
“It was Syd!” Syndin says.
“It is not so!”
Father rubs his forehead. “Please, I beg you. I do not have the strength for this. Bring your sister home.”
“Yes, Father.” Each
Similar Books
