A/N: A long chapter (5000+ words) with loads of things happening, and we're amping up the action parts and the hurt/angst too. Hopefully I haven't made any too obvious plot holes.
Giving out a huge thanks to my wonderful beta ultraluckycatnd.
Enjoy.
Chapter 8Killian nudged his horse to move closer to Liam; they had traveled for three days now, and just crossed the border into Oz. Every strange screech or flapping of wings had him jumping in the saddle as the old memory of the flying monkey that had swooped in after Liam had fallen into the waterfall kept replaying in his mind. Glancing at his brother, it still surprised him how the deities of the realms had seen fit for them to find each other again. Even if the cost had been his hand and Liam losing his memory. They had spent their travels going over what had happened in their lives and Killian tried to give Liam a better understanding of their childhood. Liam had known about the darkness, how could he not as it seemed to control them both more and more? Especially now when they journeyed through a realm that was said to be ruled by a wicked witch, whose skin was fabled to be a shimmering green tone. Everywhere Killian had traveled in the past had whispered tales of how the Wicked Witch and the Dark One had joined forces in one way or another.
Their first stop in Oz was a small tavern where they slept in a bed for the first time in days. The barkeep was a crazy-looking man whose eyes had followed their every move as they ate their dinner. Killian kept a close watch on the man, he had a feeling that the ruler of this place had people who kept a close watch on any newcomers. When night fell, a young man slipped into the tavern and hid in the shadows, his travel cloak hiding his features. But when the barkeep shuffled to the kitchen with a stack of dirty mugs, the stranger slipped toward Killian and Liam's table.
"You will need to travel this land with care, the Wicked Witch of the West does not like strangers." He leaned over the table and Killian spotted a set of brown eyes that looked haunted.
"Who are you?" Killian asked, glancing towards the door where the barkeeper had disappeared.
"Name's Will Scarlett, at your service." He bowed his head with a small smile.
"Why are you helping us?" Liam wondered and glared at the man in distrust.
"I've been shifting back and forth over the borders of Oz and Misthaven and I know my way around this place." Will waggled his eyebrows as if to say that he could help them.
"What's your price?" Killian grumbled. He knew the likes of Will, always seeking some easy earnings.
Will pointed between the two brothers. "I know that people don't travel to Oz just for the fun of it, they usually have a greater cause for such ventures." He shrugged, leaned back in his seat, and folded his hands behind his head. "I imagine we could help each other."
"What do you seek?"
"Access to the palace, that green wretched place at the end of the yellow brick road." Will pursed his lips and wondered, "I would assume you're going in the same direction?"
"Well, you thought wrong," Killian grumbled, not caring for any help from someone they didn't know.
"What are you seeking at the palace?" Liam wanted to know as he ignored Killian's elbow giving him a hard push.
"An elixir." Will shrugged, indicating he didn't want to reveal more, but Killian didn't care.
"What kind of elixir?" He scowled at the young man, trying to project how he didn't want him to believe he could cloud their judgment with shrouded tales.
Will sighed as he cast a furtive glance at the bar. When no one was in sight, he breathed out through clenched teeth, "The Elixir of a Wounded Heart."
Killian blinked a few times as the name settled in his brain then he lifted an astute eyebrow. "Who wounded your heart?"
"Me sister died six months ago," Will huffed out, his eyes evading contact with either one of them. "If ya must know, I haven't been meself these months." He tapped his temple, "the ol' noggin is messed up." He sighed, "so ya help me or no'?"
Killian glanced at his brother. Liam seemed to trust the man but he still asked, "How do you know the green witch holds such an elixir?"
"I just do, the wench is famed for her bloody potions and elixirs," Will explained with a huff.
"And you think you can just steal this without getting caught?" Liam persisted.
"Aye, I'm a thief by trade and a con-man by heart. This is how I live my life, in the shadows," Will explained with a straight face. "I can see some kinship in the likes of you two." His eyes looked between the brothers. "I sense you have a certain code of conduct, yet you won't hold back on using whatever means necessary."
Killian gasped in surprise at how accurate the man had read them both. True, they had been living most of their life as pirates. Including the undercurrent of darkness that had followed them since childhood, it was perhaps as clear as day that they would not cower back from using whatever means were needed for a job.
"Perhaps you're right, but I won't discuss this here," Liam mumbled and nodded towards the back rooms. "I don't trust the barkeep."
Killian glared at his brother, it didn't suit him well that they would engage with an unknown man. Who knew if this Will fellow could be trusted? Anger flared inside of him, urged on by the darkness that seemed to have intensified the closer they'd gotten to Oz.
"Ol' Jefferson is not to be trusted." Will leaned forward. "Meet me two miles west of here in the morning. You can't miss it, it's where the yellow brick road begins." He tapped the table with his finger, then tugged his hood over his head and scurried out of the back door.
Moments later the barkeep, Jefferson, emerged from the back rooms, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something, or someone. Killian and Liam both feigned tiredness and retreated to their rooms before the man could question them.
The sun had barely risen above the horizon when Killian and Liam halted their horses at the crossroad where a long winding yellow brick road led further inland.
"The wanker is most likely late," Liam mused and looked around.
"Or this is a bloody ambush and we'll bleed out on that brick road," Killian grumbled; he wasn't completely convinced that Will would be able to help them.
"Give the man a chance, it did seem as if he knew a way into the palace. And we need to go there and find that dagger."
"I know." Killian swiped his hand over his mouth as the annoyance bubbled to simmering anger. They knew the dagger was in Oz, and since the land was ruled by the Wicked Witch of the West, she would know about the dagger.
Suddenly the sound of hooves came from a smaller path that led into the road they'd traveled on and when they spotted Will Scarlett on the horse, they sighed in relief.
"See brother he came," Liam said with a far too trusting smile. Killian reached for the cutlass he'd managed to find in August's workshop, he didn't trust the conniving thief that claimed he could help them.
"Ahoy mates." Will waved as he halted his horse, then pointed to the yellow brick road. "We head that way."
"How the bloody hell do we get into the castle?" Killian growled and glared at the young man.
"Look, whatever it is you seek in this realm, the best place to look is the palace." Will glared at Killian, fully aware of Killian's resentment of Will's involvement in this endeavor.
"Why?"
"The bitch has scoured the realms for any magical relic, potion, or other trinkets of value," Will explained with a sigh. "You don't want to share what you seek but whatever it is, you should consider if it's worth the trouble to get it."
"It will be worth it!" Killian bit out and glared daggers at Will. "We will win over a man vile and evil to his core and we will be…" He shook his head, he didn't want to share too much.
"We'll be free," Liam supplied and Killian turned in the saddle and glared at his brother, who ignored him and looked straight at Will. "You will perhaps understand one day. You seek to heal a broken heart. We seek to heal our souls."
Will's surprise was evident in the raised eyebrows and the uneasy way he shifted in the saddle. Killian felt his inner darkness smirk at how uncomfortable Liam's words seemed to make the young man.
"Still want to help two lost souls?" Killian asked with a satisfied leer.
"You help me, I'll help you," Will said but Killian heard the wavering tone in Will's voice and his eyes shifted to the yellow brick road as if he considered his options in this matter.
"We will help you," Liam said in a calm voice. Killian had no idea how his brother could be so calm, they were about to enter a witch's realm. A witch who had flying monkeys as her henchmen. Killian squinted at the horizon, down the brick road, hoping that they wouldn't be spotted.
Will nodded in resolution and said, "Let's get a move on then." He clicked his tongue and his horse moved down the yellow brick road.
Liam gave Killian a pointed look that he knew all too well. He was being told to behave and act as if they were on a joint mission to enter the Wicked Witch's palace.
"If I see one more bloody flying monkey…" Killian grumbled as he crouched down behind a crate in a dark corner of the large throne room. The room was decked out in vibrant green colors and the stone floor had an intricate gold and green design. They had battled their way into the castle and it had been a grueling experience. Once they'd been spotted all hell broke loose, and they soon realized that the place was heavily guarded by the flying beasts.
One scared chambermaid had informed them that her mistress was not currently at home and one menacing flick of his hooked arm had the young girl scurry away from them. This gave them time to look for the vault where the witch kept her treasures. Their search brought them to the area behind a gaudy opulent throne, where Liam pointed out a door.
Killian followed his brother to the iron door, it had carvings of flying beasts, and a quick pull on the handle let them know it was locked.
"Bloody buggering hell." Killian felt rage grow inside him, they were this close to finding that bloody dagger. They needed it to get to the Dark One, or they would have to travel the land aimlessly searching for the bastard who stole the Olympian Crystal from them. The darkness swirled inside him and his pulse quickened as he searched the area trying to find a way in.
In his despair, he hadn't noticed how Will had moved away and searched through the various trinkets stored behind the throne. "Oy will this help?" the young man exclaimed in a low whisper; they still couldn't be sure if new flying monkeys would find them. Will held up a long metal wire that he was in the process of bending into a curved shape.
"That might work," Liam said with a nod, waving Will over and the two men crouched down in front of the lock and tinkered with the wire. Metal grated against metal, the sound piercing through the quiet room, and cut into Killian's ears. The rush of his blood pumping through him had him on edge and he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. They needed to get that dagger out now.
"Hurry up," he growled and moved to stand beside his brother.
Liam looked up and glared at him. "We are doing the best we can here little brother." His brow was furrowed and a flash of annoyance shifted over his eyes.
Killian glared at his brother. "It's younger brother." His teeth clenched and he stepped closer and leaned over Liam. "I'm a bloody grown-ass man." He bared his teeth in anger and didn't even flinch when Liam rose to his feet with his eyes flashing in anger.
"We are doing the bloody best we can here." Liam pressed forward, making the brothers stand toe to toe. Their eyes were glued to the other, anger simmering under their skin, fueled by the darkness that had become more and more alive inside them. But neither paid no mind to this, all Killian knew was that they needed that dagger, and the sooner the better.
"Oy mates," Will's nervous voice pulled the two brothers apart and Will lifted his hand. "Look, whatever shite is happening between the two of you, you better save it for when we're out of this bloody palace. Alright?" He lifted an eyebrow cautiously waiting for them to calm down.
"Just get the door open, thief," Liam bit out and tore his gaze away from Killian.
Killian glared at the two men who returned to the task of getting the lock to open. Will had been a surprise help for the brothers, and it was even more of a surprise when he revealed that he had survived in much the same way as the brothers had, by plundering and conning his way through life, only his life was on dry land. But the young man seemed to know his worth and his skills had become quite helpful as they traveled to the palace.
Finally, they all heard the lock mechanism click, and Liam opened the door, its hinges groaning as if it had been a long time since it had been opened last. The room behind the door was pitch black and the dank smell had them all pull back.
"Is this the place the Wicked Witch of the West keeps the Dark One's dagger?" Will asked in disbelief. He shook his head. "That is bloody bonkers."
"Well, it would be the not-so-obvious place to store it so perhaps she is being a bit smarter than we thought," Liam mused and rummaged through his bag.
"What are we going to do now?" Killian groaned, but seconds later Liam had pulled out a small oil lamp. "Where the bloody hell did you get that?"
"I have prepared for this for a long long time, brother." Liam managed to light the lamp and held it high as the men peered into the darkness. The small lamp didn't help illuminate the vast room that was behind the door, but they would be able to see the area right in front of them.
Cautiously the men stepped inside and searched the area they walked into, the dank and musty smell pinched their nostrils, almost making them gag.
"Bloody hell this is just horrible." Will coughed and found a rag in his pocket to place over his mouth and nose. Liam and Killian did the same, and they walked further into the room. It was a very large room, and their steps echoed against the walls they couldn't see.
Killian felt his heart race and he clenched his hand around the pommel of his cutlass, making sure he was ready if they should be attacked by anyone.
Suddenly they saw a set of stairs in front of them, the faint light of the small lamp shone on the first few steps. Liam lifted the lamp and they had to squint their eyes as the light didn't even reach the top of the stairs.
"Wonder what's up there?" Killian mused, lifted his foot, and placed it on the bottom step.
"We'll find out soon enough," Liam said cautiously and followed Killian as he kept the lamp lifted high above their heads. Will followed Liam and Killian could hear the young man mumbling to himself about how utterly stupid this mission was. Well, Will was looking for his potion, which they hadn't yet located but Liam had made a promise to Will that they would help him find it. Right now they were searching for the dagger, the one thing that would help the brothers in their mission.
"What's that?" Liam suddenly asked and lifted the lamp higher and the three men squinted their eyes and saw the end of the stairs where a small stone table was located. Various bowls and other trinkets were scattered over the surface, and as they came closer they realized it was some sort of work desk.
"Is this the witch's old work desk?" Will asked as he stepped up next to Killian and Liam.
"I don't know, but it hasn't been used in ages," Killian said and stepped over and touched the thick layer of dust covering everything.
"Don't touch anything," Liam warned and pulled Killian away from the table. Killian whirled around and glared at his brother, then pushed past him searching the area around them. Liam held the light high as they searched for the dagger.
"Oy, look at this here," Will called from the end of the desk. He pointed to a black wooden box with swirling intricate designs sweeping over the polished surface. No spec of dust in sight.
Liam walked over, followed by Killian who placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, the tension under his hand showed him how his brother tried to keep a cool facade. "Be careful," Killian warned.
Liam lifted the lid carefully and the flickering light from the flame shone upon the curvy blade of the dagger nestled inside the red velvet lining the box.
"This is it," Liam whispered in awe and reached for the dagger.
"Don't!" Killian called out and reached for the dagger himself, he didn't want anything unforeseen to happen to his brother. He was the one the dagger should harm if such a thing should occur, not his brother. As his fingers clasped around the dagger's handle he felt the pulsing magic shift through him. His elven side had always reacted to magic, and he and Liam would always know if magic was involved. Neither of them had ever attempted to tap into whatever elven magic could be lying dormant inside them. Knowing that their elven side was infested with the darkness from their father, they never ventured into this side of their nature.
"Killian!" Liam exclaimed with an angry sneer. "You shouldn't…"
"Piss off, this is mine to carry. I don't want the darkness to infest you more than it does me," Killian rushed out.
"You really think so." Liam grasped Killian's wrist and twisted his hand upwards so Killian had to bend sideways so his brother wouldn't break his arm.
"Bloody hell Liam, let. Me. Go!" His words came out with anger seeping out between every syllable. When his brother didn't seem to respond, he lifted his hooked arm and aimed the point at Liam's neck. "This is my cross to bear, not yours. You lost your fucking memory and everything we've had together. I don't want your mind to be affected by whatever dark magic this dagger holds," he whispered, ignoring the blank open stares from Will, who shifted his gaze between the fighting brothers.
"Killian please," Liam begged. "I have lived the past thirty years not remembering you, not even knowing my own name. I finally found that missing piece of my heart." His eyes bore into Killian's. "I found you again." Liam gulped down the emotions that Killian saw flickering in his brother's blue eyes.
"Let me carry this," Killian implored, "at least for now." He felt Liam relax slightly and then let go of Killian's wrist. With a small nod, he stepped back.
"Bloody hell," Will whispered and shook his head and pointed between them. "You lot are some crazy blokes." He ran a shaking hand through his hair. "How the hell did I get tangled up with the likes of you?"
"You came to us." Killian grinned then nodded for the exit. "Let's go find that potion you wanted to find in this godforsaken place."
The group managed to sneak out of the dark room and they paused before venturing out into the throne room. Once they were certain that no guard or flying monkey was around they followed the curved wall to the exit at the other end of the room. The green light cast an eerie glow over all their faces.
They hurried down a corridor that they hoped was a way out of there. Each time they came to a door, they peeked inside and searched for a place where the witch might keep her potions. When they very nearly had given up they found themselves in a room lined with potions, bottles, and jars with labels on them. The three men spread out and search for the Elixir of the Wounded Heart. Killian perused the shelves in his part of the room, and when he saw a familiar label, "Phoenix Flower" he pulled the small clay jar from the shelf and slipped it into his pocket. With the dangerous mission they are heading out on, it could end up being useful. He'd seen Emma and Ruby administer the flower's healing powder on his wound, so he knew it could help them.
"I found it," Liam exclaimed with a whisper and rushed to Will who'd stayed near the door keeping watch. Will looked at the small flask and grinned as he tucked it into his pocket.
"Let's get the hell out of here," Killian suggested and rushed to the hallway. The group ran as fast as their legs could carry them, and made several turns before they finally managed to find a door leading out into a small courtyard. The coast seemed to be clear and they rushed over the cobblestones, heading for a small gate in the wall.
Suddenly a war cry was heard over their heads, followed by a crackling voice. "Who dares enter my palace?" As they looked up, they saw a group of monkeys flying in over their heads. The biggest and ugliest of the bunch carried a black-cloaked witch with a black pointy hat on her head. As she had her beast zoom in over their heads they could see her green skin reflecting the setting sun, her eyes filled with anger. "Kill them!" she ordered her flying monkeys, and in a joined group they all headed for the group of men.
"Run!" Liam bellowed and the three men swirled around. Will reached the small door first and yanked it open, his weapon drawn and ready to fight if needed.
Liam rushed after with his sword swinging at the beasts swooping in over their heads. Killian used both his hook and his cutlass to fight off their attackers. The flapping of wings came near and just as he slipped out of the small gate, he felt a small sting on his neck, but he pushed through the small gate and stumbled after his brother. The path beyond the palace wall led directly into a thick woodland area; this gave them the advantage of cover from the flying monkeys. But the shrieking voice of the witch let them know that she hadn't given up on her chase.
Soon they realized that she had gathered footmen to run after them, and shouts of orders were heard from behind them. This had the group speed up as they weaved in and out of the undergrowth of the forest. They ended up slipping down a steep slope that had led them close to a river, a quick exchange between the men made them choose to follow the trail down the river. To their surprise, it seemed as if they had managed to escape the guards chasing after them. Minutes later they let themselves breathe and slowed down slightly, and soon they even paused to take a refreshing drink from a nearby stream. Killian crouched down and used his hand to scoop up the sparkling water.
"What happened to you?" Liam's panicked voice cut through the tranquil silence around them.
"What?" Killian rose to his feet and looked at his brother.
"You're hurt, on your neck." Liam walked behind him and pressed his finger just behind his ear, making Killian wince in pain. He hadn't even noticed the cut as they'd run for their lives.
Killian moved his hand to the spot and touched the tender area and flinched, it was bloody painful. "How bad is it?"
"Eh, not too bad," Liam said slowly, and when Killian turned to look at his brother and their new friend he saw the lie on both their faces.
"What?"
"Eh, you might have some dark lines going out from that wound there mate." Will flinched at his own words. "Those nasty buggers managed to nick your skin."
"What the hell does that mean?" Killian bellowed and felt his blood rush even faster in his veins, making him slightly dizzy all of a sudden.
"Woah there brother." Liam grabbed him around his waist and held him upright and looked at Will. "What does this mean?"
"Well, from what I know of the flying beasts, it's best not to be wounded by them…" Will paused and looked up into the green canopy above them. The water from the nearby river swirled loudly over the rocks scattered in the water.
"What happens?" Killian asked wearily, his head feeling heavier.
"Ya become a flying beast." Will cringed when both brothers gasped and then narrowed their eyes at him.
"Bloody hell," Killian mumbled.
"Well the cut is small so perhaps there is a way to stave off the poison." Will shrugged but Killian could see the worry in his eyes.
"What can we do?" Liam asked and searched around them for a place they could rest. His eyes found a small bend in the river where a larger grass area was visible. "Come," he urged and dragged Killian along, not waiting for Will to keep up. As they got closer Killian could see that a small hut was located behind a small cluster of trees in the meadow. Smoke rose from the chimney and they could only hope that whoever lived there would be friendly and not allied to the Wicked Witch.
Several long minutes later they knocked on the door and were greeted by a brown-haired woman with a white apron over her blue checkered dress. "Who are you?" she asked cautiously, her hand holding the door only partly open as if she would slam it close if they tried to harm her.
"We need help," Liam begged. "My brother is hurt, he… got wounded by a flying monkey."
At this information the woman closed the door with a loud bang, her voice carried outside. "I don't want nothing to do with her kind."
"We're bloody well not her kind," Will said and banged on the door. "We ran from the witch, we… we got on some bad turns with the hag, so she got a bit pissed. Ya need to help my friend here." Both Killian and Liam were quite surprised to hear him beg on their behalf, they had just recently met the man, but it was clear that Will saw them as friends. It warmed Killian's heart, making his dark soul shake in the teeter that clung to his soul. As little as he believed a beautiful elven princess would ever fall in love with the likes of him, neither did he believe that anyone wanted anything to do with him and his brother if they knew their true dark nature.
Several long seconds later the woman opened the door and looked at them with a warning in her eyes. "If you try any funny business, I'll feed you to my lion." This had all three men share a puzzled look and when the woman laughed she said calmly, "well it's a friendly lion, but I'm sure I could get him to eat you up if needed."
Killian blinked but felt his focus slip as whatever vile poison was floating in his veins had him become dizzier. "We need to use this." He picked the small jar of Phoenix Flower out of his pocket.
"What's that?" Liam asked.
"Phoenix Flower." Killian shrugged. "Nicked it from the witch, and I know it's powerful; it helped heal this." He lifted his hooked arm in the air, he vaguely heard the woman gasp in shock so he mumbled, "No worries lass, I won't hurt you. None of us will." He tried to step forward, hoping the woman would let them in.
Her eyes flickered between the men shortly, then she sighed and moved away from the door. "There's a bed in the back."
Liam helped Killian inside the small cabin, a bed was located at the very back, and a curtain could be pulled between it and the main room. Killian gave the jar of Phoenix Flower to the woman as they passed her. "Boil some water and make a poultice out of this. Hopefully, it will help extract the poison from my blood system." The woman nodded and hurried to the hearth and she threw in a few more logs to the glowing embers.
Liam managed to help Killian to the bed and eased him to lay on the soft covers. "Thanks, brother," Killian groaned as the wound on his neck sliced open in a renewed bout of pain. He rolled to his side and mumbled, "How bad does it look?" When all he heard was silence from his brother, he knew it was bad. Perhaps not even the Phoenix Flower would be enough. He felt a pang of regret slice through him as he clasped his hand over his heart, his fingers brushing over the pendants at his chest. When his fingers touched the ring he'd received from Emma, he felt the metal burn warm in his hand. "Emma," he whispered and closed his eyes as he thought of the elven princess who might have stolen his heart. His soul called out to her hoping she would receive his cry for help.
He vaguely picked up the woman who offered to help them introduce herself as Dorothy, but he tried to only focus on evening out his breathing. He didn't want the poison to rush even faster through his bloodstream.
When he felt a warmth cover his wound, he knew that Dorothy had applied the Phoenix Flower. Now it was only a matter of waiting and hoping the magic flower at the very least could help stem the poison from infesting his whole body. As he drifted in and out of a dreamless sleep his heart thumped in his chest as he thought of all the things he still wanted to tell Emma, the elven princess of Misthaven.
