Hello again! Quite a quick update, this, and quite a quick chapter too. However, this is now officially my most followed story, so thanks a lot for all the support!
The household, Tristan and Lynessa and their children and her children, gathered around the private harbour of Widow's Watch. Though the main harbour was where the Shadowcat had docked, there was a personal harbour, smaller, around the other side, big enough only for a rowing boat. A line of rocks surrounded the small harbour, which led to an easily-sealed, watched, and guarded stairwell.
The water in the harbour was calm, thanks to the rocky barricade, but Kennet could hear the crash of the waves; he had known worse, for sure, and it was a calm clear night. The stars above shone clear, and he remembered the stories he'd been told as a child, of the constellations.
The Ice Dragon gazed down on them, bright and cold.
Bryndon, as a baby, had been left in Widow's Watch, but Arnet and Dann were there, launching themselves at Kennet in a farewell akin to another wrestling session.
He caught them and held them up, looking one then the other, as best he could with the wavering torchlight, in the eye. "Farewell, be strong, and the best of luck to you both," he told them. They nodded in unison, and he lowered them again, ruffling their hair.
Next, Iseult stepped forwards, but Theo butted in and barged past, so she remained next to Dann and Arnet for as long as it took for Theo to shake him by the hand before turning to Ser Mandon, who stood behind him.
Kennet stepped forwards to meet Iseult's hug, pulling her up into his arms and whispering to her, "Mother and Father can tell you the whole story soon, if this plan works, and when I see you next I'll explain it all. Stay safe."
She nodded vigorously. "You too, brother. Stay safe." She held him tighter for a second, and he lowered her to the ground.
Before he let her go, he whispered again, "Love you little sister."
She smiled, he kissed her on the head, and she rejoined her place in the line from which Kara now strode.
"I don't know what you're leaving for," she said, "but I know it's important. Best of luck."
She extended a hand to shake, solemnly, which he took with a nod. "Best of luck."
Next, his father stepped forwards, pride on his face and love in his eyes. "You know what to do. I know you'll fight for it. I lost the family honour and you can regain it, I know you can." He removed his sword-belt, passing it to Kennet. "Keep them."
Tooth and Claw, in beautiful scabbards, hung from the belt. Kennet took it, wordlessly, staring at them, before strapping the belt on quickly and hugging his father, with the words, "Thank you so much, father," and almost sobbing, but he gritted his teeth and breathed deeply, and he did not weep. His was a mission of hope, not sorrow, and he would see it through.
"It is no more than you deserve," Tristan stated, releasing Kennet and retreating.
His mother was there next, and she kissed his forehead. "Stay safe," she told him. "Don't die."
Kennet held her close. "I won't."
After a few moments, they separated. Kennet looked to the rowing boat and the old boatman, and glanced at Ser Mandon too, before looking back at his family.
"Farewell," he said, and there was a quiet chorus of replies in kind, before he turned to the boat that would take him and Ser Mandon past the row of rocks and out to the waiting Shadowcat, where four lanterns indicated the locations of the prow, the stern, and the rope ladder they would ascend.
Glancing down, he stroked the hilts of Tooth and Claw, before touching Lady Wynafryd's token for luck, and then Kennet of House Resquin stepped onto the boat.