Joel
**Captain Jules-Minnow Lanterns
Court of Skulls, Tonate Proper**

Jules seemed unaffected by their reaction. In fact, Lella had done just as Jules had hoped: she'd revealed her own sisterly prejudice with her outburst. "I don't come t'claim 'is birthright, Lella," She said right away, squashing the accusation with the disgust of crushing a roach underfoot. "I don' want our brother dead an' I'd much rather see him as Lord than me. Bu' we're sittin' here like asses expectin' our kid brother to fix a whole island in crisis an' keep our mother an' our younger sisters an' every other person on that island safe, all while 'e's got numbered days. An' while I want t'think he could do it, he just ain't shown us any reason t'think that 'e knows how." 

She knew she was on the edge of Bradai's patience so she quickly moved onto the ask. 

"This is m'request. I ask ya to take Mykolas as yer ward, Yer Majesty. Keep 'im safe. Teach 'im. Let me lead the Isle a' Lanterns in his stead, get it stable again, make it safe. Then, if'n he makes it t'fourteen an' you think 'im fit to lead, I'll step aside fer him. Mykolas-Reed will come back with experience an' knowledge to an island that ain't a mess."

She said all of this with true earnesty. Mykolas didn't know how to command people and he didn't know how to fight off invaders. But besides all of that, the boy had never had a chance to live. She pitied him every time she saw him. He reminded her of a mouse, and maybe if he spent time at Tonate Proper he could learn to be a man. But Jules also believed in her mother's prophecy, which is what gave her the confidence for the next part of her ask:

"Bu' if our mother's right an' Mykolas-Reed dies at thirteen, I ask tha' you name me lord. I'm second oldest, second only t'Lella who's busy here in yer court. I'm a proven leader, a proven fighter, an' I love that island fiercely. An' if you 'ave any reason t'think there was foul play in his death, or if y'think I've done a bad job, ye've still got the authority t'give it to someone else."

Jules knelt again and bowed her head. She knew it was a lot to ask of the Pirate-King - to personally take on a ward, especially one with a death sentence. She wasn't sure anything like this had ever been done before. But it was the best way she could imagine to keep her claim to the island clean. She braced for ridicule or dismissal.
Rhonda
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Court of Skulls, Tonate Proper

"I do not fink you'd kill 'im," The Pirate King began, "The punishment for kinslaying is _terrible._" He rolled his eyes, as to emphasize the damnation that would come from both above and below. "And it would be _much_ worse vhen giving the Isle of Lanterns to a trusted associate, believe me. It would mean... Well, my wife is 'ere, and I would not spoil such a fine day wiff such terrible talk." 

The Pirate King looked down at Captain Jules-Millow with a wide grin, his three golden teeth on full display as he leaned forward behind his desk. "No. Not in my Isles, any'ow." He narrowed his eyes, inspecting her closely. 

"Hnnh," He groaned, and leaned back in his chair with a heavy thump. "My concern is vhat 'e might kill _you._ I would, if I was 'im. 'e 'as 'is favher's men, I do not doubt. You call 'im weak and well, sure maybe you're right. But I find it's often the weakest men vhat'll go and 'ire some big man, maybe an unscrupulous member of your very crew, to come in the middle of tha night and bash in your little 'ead wiff a mace or a—" His hand spun upon its wrist, summoning up the right word, "Well, it would not be pretty, whatever vhey decided to use. And vhen what, aye? Vhen I've got cut out little Mykolas' eyes, 'is tongue, 'is fingers, 'ang 'im from my 'arbor." The King shook his head solemnly, "It would make me sick. I just might puke again. But vhat is sometimes tha price uff peace, eh?"

"And you all love me," He continued, "Or maybe you love peace. So why would I choose? Mykolas or you, your favher's wishes or good old fashioned security and fate? Vhere is no way to choose wiffout setting a precedent, aye? So 'ere's what I want. I want 'im here, Captain Jules-Minnow. I want Mykolas in my court, and you want you bofh to talk wiff me. Your family 'as served me well and now I am involved in your succession. Vhere will be compromises aye, but I did not become King by making poor compromises."

"Will vhat suit? Or 'ave you any objections to my request?"
Joel
**Captain Jules-Minnow Lanterns
The Court of Skulls, Tonate Proper**

Jules lifted her head. It wasn't what she wanted, but perhaps she could still make this work in her favor. *If* Mykolas would even come, she doubted he could prove himself in any meaningful way. "Nay, no objection," She said. "I thank ya for the time an' wisdom, Yer Majesty." 

She stood again and gave a wordless nod to her sister before turning on her heel and making her way swiftly out of the court. He did have a point, but it wasn't Mykolas she feared would send a killer.