Heartwarming / Brotherband

• The way the Ragtag Band of Misfits comes together as a Family of Choice, due to Hal's leadership.
• Erak taking Hal aside for a chat and telling him Thorn's backstory, as well as commending him on his ingenuity.
• When Thorn deals with Zavac for attacking Hal, he calls the young man "my boy."
• When Stefan makes fun of Ingvar, Ulf and Wulf actually agree on something—namely, that he, Stefan, is an ass. This is lampshaded, and Stefan apologizes.
• Slaves of Socorro:
  • After he beats Gilan twice in a row, Thorn makes it clear that he's not boasting or belittling the Ranger, but offers some respectful advice, and Gilan takes it onboard with sincere thanks. Given how often characters are subjected to Let's You and Him Fight in crossovers, it's nice to see two characters being appreciative of one another's expertise right from the start without macho blustering.
  • Hal assures Lydia he doesn't intend to leave Ingvar in the hands of the slavers, telling her that they're Herons and they don't abandon their brothers.
  • Despite their glee at the idea of Ingvar playing a slave (due to the frequent discipline they receive from him), Ulf and Wulf are adamant they have to get him back after he's actually Made a Slave.
• Scorpion Mountain:
  • Geoffrey loves the idea of spectacles and happily tells Hal he doesn't want any payment for the tortoiseshell, wire, and assembly work because the idea improving his sight is payment enough.
  • Ingvar's wonder and glee at suddenly being able to see normally after Hal gives him the spectacles. The other Herons are happy for him and gladly play "I Spy" with him during the voyage.
  • When Hal comes down to see the rowing slaves about getting the Ishtfana back to Tabork to finish off the plan, he sees a number of them have received injuries from the damage to the ship. Before doing anything else, he sends for Edvin to treat the wounded. He then asks them politely to row the ship back to harbor, promising to feed them and set them free once they arrive. Some of them are (understandably) still unsure. However, then Edvin arrives, and his gentleness and compassion as he treats one slave who had broken his arm convinces the holdouts to help the Herons by performing one last round of rowing.
  • The slaves getting to lay into the corsairs' stores of food and fancy clothing after their long mistreatment.
  • As irrational as it is, Wulf's initial refusal to let any healer but Edvin touch his wounded brother reflects the trust between the brotherband.
  • Ulf and Wulf's reunion after the Heron returns from Scorpion Mountain.