The captain gives him an inquisitive look and says, “Why indeed?”

James turns to Miko and says, “Go get Jiron.”

When Miko has left, the captain says, “They know it to be suicide to link ships in this weather. They must want something, or someone real bad and are willing to risk their ship to get it.”

James just stands there silently, as he glances between the approaching ship and the captain.

“Is there something I should know?” the captain asks.

“They want us,” James tells him.

“I thought so,” Captain Caril says. “I’m not going to endanger my crew or my ship. You understand that?”

Nodding, James says, “Yes, captain, I do.”

Just then, Miko returns with Jiron and James says, “The warship means to board, and the captain here says that would most likely damage if not destroy his ship.”

“Why do they mean to board?” Miko asks. When he sees the look on James’ face, he says, “Oh, us.”

James nods his head.

“What do you mean to do?” Jiron asks the captain.

“I have to think of the safety of my ship first,” he explains. “You have to get off my ship.”

“What? In this storm?” he asks incredulously.

“I’ve got no choice,” the captain tells him. “If you’re gone, they’ll leave us alone.”

James looks over to the choppy seas and says, “That’s a death sentence!”

“We can lower you down in our dinghy,” the captain says. “At least that would give you some chance.”

“But what about the warship!” Miko cries out, realizing they’d be easy pickings sitting in a small boat.

Looking sad, but resigned to the situation, the captain says, “Not my concern, lad.”

“Alright, captain,” says James. “Lower us in the dinghy.”

“James, are you crazy?” Miko exclaims. “We’ll die!”

Turning on Miko, James yells, “If we stay, they’ll all die with us! I’ll not have innocent blood on my hands.” Then softly, as if to himself he says, “I already have enough as it is.”