941 Words this Chapter. It's really short, for dramatic effect.

Chapter Twenty-Nine, Alive

They went back inside the crypt. "We need to change you back," he said to Beau and the Arrows. "I'd rather have you out of my way."

"I am sorry, Master Robin" said Beau. "We have failed you."

"No, never." Robin smiled at him, then at the Arrows. "Do not fret. We shall continue to fight. Even in your old form, you will do me service. I promise I will try to avert your destruction."

Beau nodded.

Dag had taken a small knife and approached Bull's Eye. He laughed at Robin. "Oh, you can fight me all you want." He sighed. "You will, I know...heroes," he snarled with a scoff. "I shall have to you all killed." He looked at Killian. "You included."

"No!"

"I am sorry, Gilly. I did offer him a chance."

"I know why he refused," said Gilly.

"Now, hold still," Dag said to Bull's Eye. He tried to cut some hair, but the Arrow struggled against him.

"I don't really care if I cut you, you know!" Dag yelled with a laugh.

Killian, Robin, and Regina, as well as the other humans all struggled. Steel looked on with indifference.

Gilly stood alone and unguarded. "I am sorry, Killian," she said. "I hope some day you'll forgive me."

"I doubt it," said Dag, with a ridiculing chuckle. He still struggled with Bull's Eye. "Come on, now! You will give me your precious golden locks!"

Gilly looked at the pirate, then the other captives. "I will have to make a new start."

"That's the spirit," said Dag. "You don't need him."

"No, I do not," said Gilly. While Dag was occupied and Steel distracted by watching him, she moved closer to the pot. "However, I will not let you kill one human, Dag. Not one."

He laughed. "Tell me, Gilly, how will you stop me? You need Emma, remember, or you'll die."

She looked at Killian and smiled. "I am truly sorry." She then lurched forward and pushed the cauldron over.

"No!" screamed Dag.

The potion ran out, distracting Dag. Bull's Eye head-butted him, pushing him backward. With no commander, the skeletons and statues were not controlled and the captives were able to break free. Steel lurched forward, but Regina stopped her with a wall of flame.

"We must go!" cried Robin.

Killian was already running. Gilly ran after him.

"I can't leave, not without Text!" cried Regina.

Killian stopped in his tracks. "Henry."

He looked back at Regina and Robin. A silent nod went between the men and they ran to the back of the crypt.

"You're coming with us, Mate," said Killian, pulling the man off his stump.

"No! I must paint! Leave me be! I don't care who wins this fight. I only wish to observe and record."

"If we leave you here," said Robin, "Henry will be in danger. Do you wish for that?"

"Not really," said the former book. "I like the boy. He's my best audience, but I cannot interfere. It's not in my nature."

"That's OK. It's in ours," said Killian, pushing him along, with the help of Robin.

Text struggled. "But...my paints!"

"Forget them old man," cried Killian.

Regina waited in front, ready to hold off anyone, but no one ran after them.

Inside the crypt, Steel coughed, looking for a way through the fire. "Dag!"

"The potion, the potion! No!"

"We must go!" she cried, crawling to him. "We will burn if we stay!"

"I was so close! No!" cried Dag.

Outside, the others had ran from the cemetery, escaping. "Where to we go?" asked Flint Arrow.

"Back to camp," said Robin. "It is closest."

"Not with her," snarled Killian, glaring at Gilly.

She hung her head.

"We do not have time to debate it," said Robin. "We cannot risk her falling into Dag's hands."

Killian sighed and nodded.

"We will guard her," said Aimee Arrow. Tip nodded.

"Very well," said Killian. "I will be watching her as well."

"Then let's go," said Robin, and he led the way to his camp.

Once they were inside the guarded perimeter, Killian stopped. "She goes no further," said Killian, nodding to Gilly.

"Agreed," said Robin. He nodded to the Arrows. The girl Arrows took her to the side, to some stumps and sat her down as they stood watch. The other Arrows joined other guards, securing the camp.

"I'll increase the protections," Regina said. "I'll use the generic ones I've been using out here. They should keep out the inanimate army. Closer to the tents, I'll guard specifically against Gilly, Steel and Dag. Better do Text too, for Henry."

"I thought you needed something of theirs?" asked Robin.

Regina smiled. "I do." She then opened her hand. Hair magically appeared. It was from three different sources. "I used a magic removal spell to 'cut' some from Steel, Text, and Dag. They never felt it. It's a tricky spell. You have to be close to the person. I was." She laughed.

Robin sighed and looked to Killian. "They'll be safe now."

"Will they?" He looked toward the tent. "We don't know if destroying the potion helped."

"It should," said Regian. "With the potion gone, the spell is undone. They should be fine."

"Unless they...succumbed...before it was destroyed," said Killian. His heart beat fast and his hand trembled. He moved to the tent, dreading what he'd find. He walked inside and his heart dropped. The sleeping bags were empty.

End of Chapter Twenty-Nine