I sighed heavily. I had attempted to put this moment off for as long as possible given the circumstances, but there are some things you can’t avoid without consequences.

Firus deflated somewhat, realising belatedly that the musket that had been in the rack was in his hands and pointed at me. He turned away to put it back.

“What does the Major have to do with this?” he asked, quietly.
I looked him in the eye and saw what might almost have been hurt, hidden under the anger.
“Before we get to that, what do my colours matter? Have I given you any reason not to trust me fully?”
“Of course you haven’t, you’re a -”
“Haven’t I followed your orders in their entirety?”
“Yes, but-”
“Done my duty above and beyond your expect-”
“Enough!” Firus bellowed, and I fell silent. “The fact still remains that you did not make me aware that you were spying on this ship! On me!”
“That was never part of it.” was my quiet reply. “The Major sent me to watch your back, sir.”
Firus started inflating again.