The journey home seemed to pass by quickly and uneventfully. Scarlett and William spent most of their time together, knowing the fate that was soon to tear them apart. They talked over the bulwarks of the ship, on the cots under deck and late into the nights. They spoke deeply about everything that had unfolded, their sister and what consolation they could find in each other's company. Yet, most of all, they spoke of the life set before Scarlett into the great unknown. She was scared and William did what little he could to comfort her. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but let the looming presence of Bastian hover in her mind. As far as they knew, he was still following them and could invade their ship at any unexpected moment.

However, it never happened. Two and a half days passed without any sign of threatening, unflagged ships and with the crew's unwavering, watchful eye, they sailed smoothly into the harbor of Scarlett and William's home. The man in the crow's nest called down to announce their arrival and Scarlett rushed above deck to see, her brother following close at her heels. Across the water in the near distance was that familiar and ever welcoming port. Scarlett clasped for William's hand in excitement as they caught sight of it.

The ship drew nearer and prepared to dock, the crew jumping into action to lower the sails and release the anchor. In a matter of minutes, the ship was secured to the pier and a plank was lowered down. They sat on the outer edge of the harbor as usual, providing a good vantage of other ships down the way. It was another busy day and her father would be hard at work, Scarlett mused.

“Well, this is it,” the Captain said, standing with Scarlett and William as they readied themselves to disembark. They had donned their coats but as Alexander took notice of their missing bandoliers, he added, “Where are your pistols?”

“We thought it would be best to leave them,” Scarlett said. “I don't want to frighten Mother.”

“I understand but I think it would be best if you took them. At least you, William, so that you may protect yourself in the future. I wouldn't want to send you on your way without any means of protection.”

The Captain then turned to Leslie, who stood off to the side and without a word, nodded in obedience and disappeared. Quickly, he rushed back up with William's bandolier and handed it to him. With an obliging nod, William took it and strapped it on underneath his coat.

“We will stay here for the rest of the day,” the Captain continued, “but tomorrow, Scarlett, we should leave.”

“Yes, I understand,” she said.

“William,” he added, extending his hand. “It was nice getting to know your acquaintance.”

William grasped the Captain's hand in return and Scarlett couldn't help but sense reconciliation between them. “Likewise, Captain,” he said. “You proved me wrong about pirates. Take good care of my sister, will you?”

“Aye, most definitely,” Alexander said. “And take care of yourself and your family. You have learned many things on this journey and I think you're on your way to becoming a fine man.”

“Yes, sir, thank you,” William said, giving the Captain a casual salute, which was reciprocated with a proud smile. “I'd have to answer to my sister, otherwise.”

“Oh, and we can't have that,” was the reply. “What a vengeance that would bring.”

“Alright, enough you two,” Scarlett said, unable to hold back the smile sneaking onto her face. “We should go.”

“Agreed,” the Captain said, clasping his hands behind his back as he watched them turn away. “Godspeed, love.”

Scarlett glanced behind once more in acknowledgement, emotions overwhelming her as she wondered if she was making the right decision. Now that she was finally returning home, was it wise to ever step back on his ship? However, as she looked at the tall, dark man clad in his long black coat, gazing at her with deep, meaningful eyes, she knew her heart couldn't resist. With a warm smile, she forced herself to tear her eyes away and disembark. Though she was eager to return home, she was even more eager to return to her beloved captain.

----------

The trek into town did little to clarify Scarlett's feelings, however. Tears brimmed in her eyes when she saw and heard the familiar sights and sounds of her home. They greeted those on the dock tending to their cargo, William pausing to speak to old friends and telling a brief, undetailed report of their journey before moving on. Then, they traveled further into the marketplace and didn't stop until they reached their father's bakery. They pushed through the door and breathed in the long-awaited scent of freshly baked dough. At the sound of their entrance, their father looked up from his kneading.

“Oh, my children!” George exclaimed, his voice faltering. “You are home!”

“Hello, papa,” Scarlett said, holding tight to her father as he ran over and squeezed them in a hug.

“Papa,” he repeated. “I haven't heard you call me that in years. Let me look at you, my beautiful child. Oh, don't you cry those tears. You are home safe and sound now. How was your journey? What did you find?” He paused, glancing out the window to see customers approaching his door. “Oh, dear, pesky customers. Oh well, you must be weary anyhow. You'll have to tell me all tonight. You both set off for home now. Your mother will be delighted!”

Their father ushered them back outside without another word and without hesitation, they obeyed and began to head home. Climbing the cliffside to their small cottage, Scarlett felt a flurry of nerves in her stomach. How was she ever going to tell them? How was she going to explain that they weren't safe and sound as her father said? How would she tell her elated parents that she would be leaving again very soon?

As they approached closer, they spotted their mother and Joseph in the garden. Catherine was hard at work pulling weeds but as she brushed the hair from her face, she caught sight of their figures in the distance. Her exclamations of joy erupted in the air as she leapt to her feet and ran to meet her children, embracing them in a round of passionate hugs.

“I'm so glad you two are finally home,” Catherine said, pulling away from Scarlett with tears in her eyes. “I was beginning to worry. Oh, come inside out of the cold--quickly, now. You must be exhausted from your journey.”

Everything looked the same as before when they entered the cottage. The fire crackled in the hearth and a stew hung boiling above the flames. The chairs were gathered close to the heat and the baskets of sewing were at their sides. Catherine dumped the freshly picked vegetables onto the kitchen table where they would soon be prepared for supper.

However, quickly abandoning her work, she urged Scarlett and William to change their clothes and leave their dirty ones for her to wash later. They left the room as instructed, both venturing in the direction of their rooms. Scarlett paused to watch her brother for a moment as he gave her a grim, knowing look. Now that their mother was out of sight, he quickly removed his bandolier and pistol and stuffed it in a drawer underneath his clothes. Only when he turned around to face his sister did she ask the question that had plagued her mind since their arrival home.

“When are you going to show them?” she said in a low voice.

“I don't know. Some day, perhaps when they’ve had time to get used to everything. Hopefully, I never will have to.”

“So you plan to leave it in the drawer forever.”

“I would like to, as long as I never have to use it.”

“Do you fear you may?”

William hesitated to respond, casting his gaze down. “Captain Jones made it sound ominous but I am confident as long as I lay low, I can avoid any suspicions.”

“I know but how do you feel about it?” Scarlett said, peering directly at him. “If you are fearful, you can change your mind and come with me.”

He shook his head immediately. “I've made my decision. I must stay here.” He looked up at the disappointment in his sister's face and then added, “We'll be alright, Scarlett.”

She nodded, though she couldn't help but worry about everything--not only the safety of her family but also how they would handle the news of her leaving again and this time, for good. Pushing her thoughts away for a moment, she didn't say any more to her brother and moved on to retrieve a clean frock. Once she had changed and cleaned up, she reemerged into the main room to join the others.

It wasn't long after they had settled back into the comforts of home that a blustery gust of wind came rushing through the door. George was home earlier than usual, shivering as he hurriedly discarded his frock and cap. When he turned around, a beaming smile spread across his face as he gripped a large loaf of bread in his hand.

“I closed early and brought some fresh bread to celebrate your return,” he said, placing it on the table beside the vegetables.

“What a wonderful idea, George,” Catherine said. “Oh, I'm so glad you're home. I'm anxious to hear of the children's journey but I've been so busy preparing supper and tending to their clothing that I haven't had much time to stop and visit yet.”

“Yes, I've long-awaited this myself,” he replied. Then he took a seat beside the fire, warming his hands enthusiastically as he gazed at Scarlett and William sitting across from him. “My, am I mighty glad to see you two back home safe and sound. We’ve all been wondering for days now what became of your journey, though I did rather think you would have been gone longer. Well, now, you might as well begin. What were the results of your journey? What did you find out?”

There was the question Scarlett had been dreading. The moment was now finally upon her and though she had mulled it over in her mind many times, she didn't know how to address it. All she could do was watch her mother, who still bustled about attending to one chore or another, and it only added to her uneasiness. How could she disrupt her peacefully ignorant family and awaken them to the same burdens she carried? Scarlett turned to William, who gave her a steady look and a single nod as he waited for her to begin. She took a deep breath, struggling to find a delicate way to utter the harsh words lingering on the tip of her tongue. Then, with tears brimming in her eyes, she opened her mouth to speak.

“Papa, Grace is dead.”