Paying the Boards

Dawn seemed very late, I was up for most of it, but now I felt, at least half-way like I deserved to live. I don't know how long Coram had been sitting there, I hadn't seen him arrive, but now, as I looked up from where I knelt, I could see him in relief. For a moment, I thought he had fallen asleep waiting for me, but upon closer inspection I could see his mouth moving silently. He was praying.

"We will not make the Reef Captain."

"Pardon?"

"I do not want to lay more against you, but you do not hear the murmurs that surround us. I know we will not beat the Empire to deep water, and we cannot cross the reef as we are."

"The boy?"

Coram shook his head. "The boy asked it as payment. You could do no less. I speak of one unsworn to your boards, a cabin-boy."

"You mean the debt against you and the cabin-boy."

"Aye. It cannot be forgotten because I am your friend. It must be remembered because I am your crew."

"But Coram."

"Jalen, you know I speak the truth. And if we do face Empire blades, I would not have this ship brought low with my treason against it. You tempt fate and the Spira. And if that were not enough, you gamble with our souls as well, for the sake of friendship."