Not What I Expected

After finishing her communique with the elder McKenzies, Kit made her way further in the cities, towards the docks. If she had calculated things correctly, the K&K should have returned to port in Greynor. Hoping none of the party would see her departing the area, she pulled up her hood and disappeared down a darkened alley.
 
The day was turning out to be far more anxiety inducing than she had anticipated – and more emotional. The relief she had felt at Arathorn’s return had quickly shifted upon their portalling to Greynor, and receiving word that their writs indeed were real. The McKenzies were free of all charges, and their parents were to be released.
 
She should have been overjoyed. Filled with relief. But instead, well, she couldn’t quite assess how she felt. There was hope and excitement at seeing her parents, but also fear and apprehension. It had been more than 15 years since they had spoken or seen each other. More than 15 years of the twins growing up, changing. And of becoming what they were now; Killian with all his changes brought on by Asmodeous, and Kit with her contract. Selling herself to be a pawn of the devil to save Killian’s life.
 
Their parents, pirates as they were, had never been the murderous kind – not that they didn’t kill. The McKenzies were pure-blooded pirates after all. But not like Kit, whose pure existence now served as an assassin for Asmodeous. Would they be disappointed in her? Would they see Kit and Killian as failures for the way they carried out their pirating career? And what would they think of Arathorn, of Kit’s – well, she wasn’t quite certain if they were at any point to define a relationship but, having a romantic interest in a lawman?
 
Kit’s stomach was in knots as she finally emerged towards the docks, immediately spotting the high mast of the Kit and Killian beckoning to her. She was finally home. Kit took off in a sprint, passing the dockmaster who shouted at her for credentials.
 
“I’m Kit McKenzie, and I’m going to my fucking ship. You need credentials, you can seek’em there,” she shouted as she ran past, half-elated that for once, she could holler her name without recourse.
 
Of course, logically she knew the local law enforcement wouldn’t know that yet, but it wouldn’t matter. She had the signed and sealed paper clearing her name of all crimes.
 
Kit came to a dead stop at the ramp, looking up at the ship as tears filled her eyes. The wave of emotion she felt standing at the foot of the only place she had ever felt safe was deeply overwhelming.
 
There was a whistle from one of the crew, alerting the others as she began to climb up, feeling her usual confident sway return. She tipped her hat to the small gnomish woman and flashed a wide grin.
 
“CAPTAIN ON DECK!” the gnome hollered, and Kit sighed.
 
This, this was what felt right. What felt normal. She felt her soul stabilizing for a moment as the crew turned and showed their respect.
 
The current first mate, a dragonborn, ran forward and bowed. “Captain Kit, will Captain Killian be along soon? Should we prepare for departure?”
 
Kit held up her hand.
 
“No need Diedrich. We’ll be stayin’ in port for now. Perhaps a while longer – I’m not sure what the plans are yet. You may all remain at ease for now.”
 
Diedrich nodded and motioned for the crew to return to what they were doing.
 
“And Captain Killian?”
 
Kit shrugged. “He may or may not be by. I just needed some time to check in, see our baby.”
 
Diedrich nodded, then bowed again, and moved back to his work.
 
Kit went straight to the bow, standing at its peak, allowing the ocean air to move through her hair, smelling the sea, inhaling the saltiness and hint of fish and sea life scent it contained. She ran her fingers along the wood railing, trailing over where Kit and Killian had carved their names as children.
 
They had only been gone several weeks, but so much had happened that it felt like an eternity. After standing there a few minutes longer, Kit turned and made her way below deck and to her cabin. It felt strange, being in such a large bedroom again after sleeping in tents and outdoors for so long. She had missed her big bed, and for a moment, she felt childish glee again and leapt onto the bed, flopping over onto the back and staring at the ceiling. She pulled the soft, thick duvet around her and snuggled it.
 
As she lay there, eyes closed, it dawned on her – the return of their parents meant the ship technically no longer belonged to Kit and Killian. It was, after all, legally and otherwise, their parents. And that meant this room, if they chose to take her back on the high seas, belonged once again to them.
 
It gave her a sinking feeling of sadness in the pit of her stomach. Begrudgingly, she stood, fixed the duvet cover, and looked around the room at her belongings she had collected over the years. Her gaze lingered at the wall of trophy rings and walked over, pulling a wooden box out from a shelf. One by one, she removed the rings and placed them in the box, then closed the lid and took it up to the deck. She motioned Diedrich over.
 
“I’d like you to take this box to the local jewelers and sell the contents. Do not let them swindle you. Take 10 per cent of the gold for yourself and donate the rest to the local orphanage.” She paused, eyeing Diedrich. “I’ll be checking in to see how much was sold to you and how much was donated. No offence, but you know, pirate.”
 
Diedrech chuckled. “Aye, I’d do the same t’wer it me given the order Captain.”
 
Kit nodded and disappeared back below and to her room once again. This time, she sat on the floor, just inside the door, leaning against the wall. Her thoughts weighed on her, and the feeling of discontent continued to rise in her chest. She didn’t like there being so many unknowns in this situation, so much to consider.
 
Five days – that’s how long Pa had said it would take to reach Greynor. Five days until their reunion.
 
Kit pulled her knees in close and leaned her head against the wall, trying to keep herself from anxiously spilling tears.