Jason slumped beside Kira, looking stunned with tiredness, or perhaps surprised that they were still alive. They were sitting so close their hips touched, but that was all right, that was comforting.

The clomp of heavy boots along the deck announced the approach of the captain. He stopped in front of Kira and Jason, looking down at them, his clothing thoroughly soaked like that of everyone else on board, his face haggard behind the stubble of an unshaven beard, white salt crystals shining amid the dark stubble. The captain eyed the two for a moment, then spat over the side before speaking. "Don't get up, you two. You've earned some rest. I'll not deny when they first brought you both out of the hold that I thought you no better than unneeded ballast," he said, his voice hoarse with weariness. "Useless weight, I thought. But I'll admit I was wrong." He nodded to Jason. "You've toughened up well, lad, and yesterday you showed your courage when it counted. You did a man's work and you did it well. As for you, girl," he shifted his gaze to Kira, "you don't belong in the crew."

Kira looked up at him, bewildered. "I…I don't?"

"No. You're a ship's officer, you are." He inclined his head toward the forward part of the ship. "The first mate owes her life to you, and we all owe our lives to you for getting the crew up that mast. Many a seasoned sailor would've run below to hide while those sails tore this ship apart rather than face climbing the rigging in that weather, but you led them up and you got the job done. Then you got them on the pumps and kept them going through the night. Very well done, I say. You're brave and smart, girl, and more to the point a leader to be counted on when it's needed most. I'm happy indeed to have you on my ship. I give you my hand on it." He leaned forward and solemnly shook Kira's hand while she gazed up at the captain, astonished. "You'll be rated second mate on the ship from the day we left Caer Lyn and draw the pay a ship's officer merits. If you stick with the sea you'll be captain of your own ship before you're twenty, or I'm no judge of sailors. Now, if the pair of you want to stay on after Kelsi, you're more than welcome in my crew. Or if you want to move to another ship I'll be pleased to provide you references."

With a gruff nod, the captain moved on.

Kira just stared after him, unable to find words.

She heard Jason laugh softly and briefly. "I can't believe he offered me a job. Because of what I did. I earned it."

"You did," she said, remembering Jason following her up into the rigging.

"So did you. You're a ship's officer now."