He can

“Well, Joanna’s told me that I must,” Brenan’s reply made everyone except Davy’s two young sons look somewhat sheepish as they understood what he was implying, “and Davy’s only had good things to say about you.”

“So, we’re hired?” James asked.

“Probably,” Brenan scrutinized them both yet again, “I understand you’re good with a sword and dagger?”

“Good enough,” Julien replied, and looked eager enough to prove himself that Brenan doubted that he’d ever been in a real fight. It was with a tired resignation that he wondered if Julien would find it quite so easy to become the hero of young boys like Davy’s older one after he’d found out what it felt like to have someone’s life on your conscience.

“Julien’s the best!” Davy’s oldest peeked out from behind his father’s leg to declare.
“I’m sure he is, David” Brenan ventured to turn his lips into a thin but friendly smile and found that his efforts were met by David, Joanna had decided that their oldest son should have a given name similar to that of his father’s, remaining in place with the corners of his mouth quivering a little as though he was almost brave enough to attempt a smile.

“I don’t know if I’m the best,” Julien said, obviously pleased by David’s faith in him, and Brenan recognized that now was hardly the time to ask him if he’d ever been in a proper fight and if he’d ever killed anyone. Certainly not as long as David and Davy junior, Joanna had decided that their second boy should be named after his father, were within earshot.

“Boys” Davy took a step back and provided both of his sons with a few gentle, paternal pats on their shoulders, “why don’t you run inside to find out what’s keeping your mother?”

The two young boys scampered off, although Davy Jr. still made sure to keep a bit of distance from Brenan, and Brenan felt fairly certain as he heard their footsteps fade into nothing that they wouldn’t head back into the house, not when they’d seen his hiding place and not when there were grown-ups around to spy on.

“And what about you, James,” Brenan said nothing of his suspicions about the current whereabouts of Davy’s sons, reasoning that he ought to know what they were most likely up to as well and wishing for them to have a lot more enjoyable childhood than he had had, “you know how to read a map?”

“I try, I’m nowhere near as good as our grandpa, but I still tend to read them right,” James obviously wasn’t very keen on self-aggrandisement, and struck Brenan as being unusually calm for his young age, at least when it came to conversations. How he’d handle himself in a stressful and dangerous environment was an entirely different matter.

“My crew’s not all plain old ordinary men, boys,” Brenan explained, feeling satisfied with James’ reply, “and I need to know how you feel about Lantians. Two of my crewmembers have got Lantian blood in them, and I won’t tolerate anyone looking down at them for it.”

“We’ve got no quarrel with Lantians,” Julien replied, and it was pretty much the answer that Brenan had expected. Davy wouldn’t have recommended them if he thought they were bigoted towards anyone except the Veer.

“I’ve got a female first officer, can you boys work under a woman?”

“Yes Captain,” James hurried to reply, and Brenan wondered if he hadn’t just detected a little friendly sibling rivalry as he got the answer he was waiting for.

“You know what Davy,” Brenan allowed himself another smile, “I think I can use these two.”