"Khasan?" Imaani called, peering into the darkness. She waited for her eyes to adjust before closing the door and picking her way through the barrels and tightly wrapped packages. The air was thick with the scent of molding wood and dried meat and rum. "Are you here?"

"Go away, Imaani," his voice croaked, still further in the hold.

She hesitated. He had never sounded so defeated before. Even with the creaking wood and rushing current, she could hear his sobbing. "Kubra made some salve. She said it would help."

Khasan inhaled unsteadily, saying, "Bring it then."

Imaani proceeded and found her brother leaning against an open crate of rum. A bottle hung limply from his hand.

"Are you drinking?"

"I promised you I wouldn't."

"I understand if you do."

"If you're not here to help then go away."

"Do you have a candle? I can't work in the dark."

Khasan grunted and stood shakily, limped over to a box, and tossed Imaani a candle. She struck a match and stared at the flicker before holding it to the wick. It took too long to light, and when the flame reached her fingertips, Imaani dropped the match with a muttered curse before sucking the burn. Khasan stamped on the match and lit another.

"I should think you were the one flogged, not me," Khasan quipped, though he struggled to maintain his smile.

Imaani said nothing and watched her brother as he softened the bottom of the candle to prop it upright atop the rum crate. He held his breath as he sat down again, falling into his nest of rope and sailcloth and exhaling as the pain surged across his skin. Kneeling beside him, Imaani tugged on his arm to make him sit up so she could treat his back. Silence filled the musky air.

"It's not fair," Imaani finally stated.

Khasan winced as her sponge touched an especially sensitive scrape. "What makes you think so?"

"You had no other choice," she said. "What did Captain expect? You to leave our brothers behind? In the hands of the Usurper? That is a fate worse than death, and even his miserable pirate 'codes' should see your actions were right and honorable."

"But that is the point." Khasan grunted and held his face. "Could you not press so hard with that sponge? What is it filled with anyway, vinegar?"

"Rum."

He snorted, saying, "It didn't hurt that much when I used it."

"You shouldn't hurt at all."

"Imaani, I was not flogged because I made a risk. I was flogged because I directly defied his orders."

"His orders were terrible and needed to be defied."

"Perhaps, but if I went unpunished, soon, everyone would find his orders dismissible and mutiny would break out. Soon there would be no respect, no structure, and no order. Chaos and anarchy would prevail. That is why I was punished."

"It's still not fair that you were the only one."

"I was the leader, was I not?"

"But you could not have done it without me or Sarvesh. Why were we not punished?"

"Would you have gone if I had said nothing?"

Imaani did not answer.

"Do you see then? I led the rescue. I am responsible for the men I risked and the men I saved. That is why I alone bear the punishment. Besides—" Khasan turned to grin at his sister "—who would have treated my wounds if you were in the same condition as I?" He gasped sharply when she struck the bandages against his back.

Imaani allowed herself to smirk slightly as she said, "Perhaps you're right. After all, Kubra is far better at cleaning wounds."

"You mean scouring the skin from one's flesh?"

"Or perhaps Nabeel would tend to you."

"I would not trust him to boil water, let alone know which herbs will kill me and which won't." He winced. "Not so tight! I still need to breath. Jamal could be here any minute with my next orders."

"First they flog you, now they won't even let you rest?"

"We'll be entering the Storm Ring soon. Every hand is needed on deck."

"What good would that do if you fall ill from too much strain on your injuries?"

"You still think I am undeserving of this."

"How can I not?" Imaani sighed, her hands now idle as she stared at the knot that held the bandages in place. "The men look up to you even more than Captain. They must be questioning him right now just as I do. They must realize the unfairness in his actions and honor in yours."

"Then they must see me continue to obey and respect our captain." Khasan turned and took his sister's hands into his own, rough and calloused. "I do understand how you feel. But I do not agree with your mutinous implications."

"Mutinous?!"

"Yes, mutinous. Your loyalty to me and doubt for our captain will create strife among the crew. If a little sacrifice on my part is what keeps us all alive, then so be it."

Imaani crossed her arms and glared at the floorboards. "Fine. But just know that I won't hesitate to act if Captain makes you his scapegoat. There's a difference between punishment and cruelty."

Khasan smiled softly. "I would expect nothing less."