Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tress tells her parents of her decision to go after Charlie and save him. After thinking about it, her father, Lem, agrees. Her mother, Ulba, says it’s a foolish idea, but Lem argues that since Tress is the most thoughtful person they know, and since she never asks for anything for herself, she must have thought through every other option and found that nothing else would work.

Her parents help her work on a plan to get her past the ship and cargo inspector and onto a boat. Tress takes her time, hoping to balance the plan’s risk with thoughtful timing. One night, her father looks over her newest plan and says it might work. She points out that some of the men on the island would see through it, but Lem suggests they might be willing to help. When Tress goes to bed, Lem grabs his coat and cane and leaves.

Lem goes to the tavern that night and plays darts with some of the men inside who are his long-time friends. As they play, Lem asks questions and makes comments that subtly remind each of the men of how many times Lem has helped them in the past without asking for anything in return.