The dull sound of the waves drumming against the hull 
almost drowned out the ecstatic cries of the crew
as they headed into the port town.
Kilyan closed his eyes and took a deep breath,
reveling in the sting of the briny air entering his nose.
"Quadjreo," Kilyan called, "think you can leave and enjoy the night.
We'll start her repairs in the morning."
He tossed a reassuring smile his way.
The boy nodded and mumbled, "Thanks, Cap,"
before clambering down the gangway.
Once he'd turned the corner, Mani spoke again.
"So, what now?"
Kilyan took one last glance at the water's moon.
"Best to get going," he drawled,
moving in the same direction as the cabin boy.
"Xyrra's waiting."
A sharp peal of laughter ripped through the air.
"That mutinous siren?" Mani bellowed as he fell into step with Kilyan.
"Only good for -- "
" -- telling me where and how I can talk to the king -- " Kilyan tried to interrupt.
" -- singing the info you want to hear
and then singing about you to the next sailor, too," Mani persisted.
"Now I know you're swabbing the deck with me.
You'd let her know about your blood?"
Kilyan heaved a sigh.
"I don't like her either, but I need you behind me."
"You're abandoning her."
Even with the sudden halt of footfalls against the beaten pavement,
Mani's voice was near inaudible.
"You're abandoning the _Hanelyth_ for scraps of royal blood,
and you want me to help you?"
The lantern clattered on the cobblestones as Kilyan slammed Mani into a wall.
He pressed his forearm into his throat
and leaned in until he could feel Mani's breath fanning his face.
Their eyes locked together.
"I'm not abandoning anyone."
"No," Mani sneered, his voice thinned by the pressure,
"you're just running to the next fountain of power you can find."
He shoved him off and bent low.
"O king of pirates, I should have known that throne was far too easily given to satisfy you."
He rested his hands lightly on the rails in front of him.
"So, that's it?"
rumbled a thick voice to his left.
The wooden planks creaked slightly under Mani's weight,
betraying the __Hanelyth__'s age.
The lantern he was carrying swung loosely at his side,
scattering and gathering shadows in time with the water.
"You found out you could be land royalty,
and that's it?
You're just leaving?"
Kilyan tightened his grip around the rail.
"Of course, Old Man.
It's what I was born for."
Mani scoffed.
"Don't swab the deck with me.
Captain is what you were _raised_ for,
no matter what Crazy Cap wrote in that journal."
He reached for Kilyan's shoulder.
Kilyan shrugged him off.
"Cajmel raised me with the full knowledge
that I am a thronechild of Kirboda,
to take advantage of it even."
He tilted his head back down in search of the moon.
Its reflection flickered in the water, beckoning.
"Oh, to the depths with what she wanted!"
Mani erupted, this time actually grabbing Kilyan's shoulder.
"We call her Crazy Cap for a reason.
You believe her ramblings?
You really think that you're that legendary child?"
Rumors of the thronechild's disappearance had plagued the domain for over two decades.
The speculation about the cause had always been so outlandish
that anyone in their right mind dismissed it.
Mani's hand shook, fingers digging in,
but his eyes were steady,
searching Kilyan for a sign of anything other than what he saw.
The waves lapping against the ship swallowed their breaths.
The moon had cloaked herself in clouds,
calling for Kilyan to follow her to heights
he would never know if he stayed safe in the ocean's embrace.
"It doesn't matter."
He turned to meet his brother's eyes.
A shuffling sound drew both of their gazes
to the cabin boy who'd just emerged from below deck.
His dark eyes glittered wide in the lantern light.