Chapter 15: The Oak Tree

Emma led Killian through a labyrinth of a secret passages. He was thoroughly impressed at how sure footed she was in the narrow shadowy confines. Clearly she knew exactly where she was going. He concentrated on following the blonde hair illuminated by the flaming torch she carried, while he had the sack slung over his shoulder and Emma's stuffed duck in his arms. The passage seemed endless and Emma, intent on her goal, didn't offer any conversation other than the occasional warning when they passed by one of the sharp protrusions that dotted their path. It spoke volumes as to her vast experience with navigating these hidden hallways that she didn't fail to warn him about a single one. After what seemed hours, but likely less than thirty minutes, Emma stopped in front of a dead end.

"This comes out behind the stables. I don't use this one much. The handle is up high and I have to jump to get it," Emma said and pointed to an old piece of wood that was roughly shaped like a baton.

Killian was a good three inches taller than Emma but he still had quite the stretch to reach the lever. He pulled it down as she put the torch into a bracket, and the stone wall that looked like a dead end, swung inwards with a groan. Their exit and the bright glow of the torch were shielded by heavy bushes.

"Come on. We can cut across the schooling yard. See the oak tree?" Emma pointed towards an enormous tree that Killian judged to be about a league from where they were standing. There was a neatly trimmed grass verge about forty feet wide that ran along the far side of the schooling yard where Emma learned to ride. The forest begun at the edge of the grass.

"We have to sneak past, Bendle and Gideon, they're the night guards for the stables," Emma pointed to a tall, thin dark haired man who walked with purpose along the path in front of the stables and a man with red hair walking in the opposite direction.

Killian looked at the dark forest that seemed to leer menacingly at him from across the way and seriously contemplated attracting the attention of one of the guards to put an end to this night time quest. All he had to do was 'accidentally' nudge the spade leaning against the fence next to him so that it fell on the rocks with a clatter and the noise would no doubt call Bendle's attention. For a few moments his elbow hovered indecisively next to the spade handle but Emma grabbed his arm and pulled him along in her wake.

It was a close call but they made it to the cover of the forest without discovery. Once they were well inside the tree line, Emma led Killian to the wide path that had been cut into the forest that led to the oak.

"We have lots of picnics under the oak. Papa makes them keep the path all tidy," Emma explained. She retrieved 'Henry' from Killian and took off at a jog, the duck's button eyes gleaming at him over the Princess' shoulder.

The full moon bathed the world in a silvery luminescence and made the path easy to follow; their feet kicking up small clouds of loose dirt as they dodged the odd rock. The children were about three quarters of the way to the oak when Killian felt the danger before he properly heard it. Every hair on the back of his neck stood up in the fear response. He put a hand on Emma's shoulder to slow them both down to scan their surroundings as he tried to determine if going forward would take them closer to the threat.

"We're nearly there," Emma said, brightly, and nearly dropped her duck as she reached for Killian's sleeve to urge him into motion again. He held his finger to his lips to indicate she needed to be quiet. Emma caught on quickly that he was very nervous about something and took a good look around her. The thick canopy of the forest blocked most of the moonlight, so the children were flanked by indigo depths on both sides; tree boles, knots and branches appearing as distorted faces.

It took Killian a few moments while his mind sifted through the sounds of the forest, but then he heard it. In the space of a heartbeat between the rustle of the leaves and the hooting of owls, there came a thrashing sound, as if branches were being pushed aside by fast moving bodies. Adrenaline flooded his system and his sharpened senses identified the noise as coming from behind them, Instincts honed from a rough childhood told him they were being stalked, and he had nothing to use to protect Emma. Everything in him screamed to run.

"Emma, we have to run as fast as we can, quietly as we can, to the oak. Is it easy to climb?" Killian asked in a whisper as he pushed them both into a run much faster than their previous jog.

Fear had begun to grow fast in the little princess, but she had the presence of mind to nod rather than speak. Killian cringed at how loud their footfalls sounded in the night but he only pushed them harder. Their pursuers, for there was clearly multiple feet following them, were gaining fast. A harsh growl and several canine like growls were heard, and Killian guessed it was a pack of wolves. Simultaneously he cursed their misfortune for they could never outrun them to go back to the castle, but he was thankful that wolves generally couldn't climb trees. If they could just beat them to the oak, they had a chance. The shadows grew more menacing as they flew along the path; the oak looming large as they drew closer.

They were nearly fast enough, but only nearly.

The had reached the oak with their hearts hammering and their breathing laboured. "Papa made steps," Emma said, and he followed her around the base of the huge tree. The lowest branches were nearly 8 feet above Emma's head, but David had cut shallow foot and hand holds just right for little hands and feet. Emma tucked her duckling under her arm and tried to climb, but the stuffed body of the toy would only compress so far. She couldn't hang onto Henry and reach the first handhold simultaneously.

"Pass him to me. I'll hand him up to you," Killian said as he virtually yanked the toy from her grasp. "Go!" He said, urgently, as he juggled the sack and the duck to get a better hold.

Just as Emma reached the first branch, two dogs, one brindle and one black, burst through the bushes. They were mongrels and not overly tall; only about the size of an adult labrador. They were thick with muscle, and both sported a multitude of long thin welts along their backs and on the crowns of their heads that looked like they'd been made by a lash or a whip. Under other circumstances Killian might have felt sympathy for them, as he well knew the feel of such beatings. As it was, he was hard pressed to see past the snarling, snapping jaws and the, oh so pointedly sharp, teeth the dogs were clearly intent on sinking into whatever portion of him they could get.

"Killian!" Emma called out, her terror evident. A stick flew over his head and landed on the black dog's muzzle with unerring accuracy. The dog flinched and ducked its head to brush a paw along its nose, but Emma's attempt to scare it off was fruitless. These dogs knew this prey was the young of its kind; juicy, tender and easily brought down. That didn't stop Emma from throwing as many sticks and acorns as she could get hold of. Her aim was true but didn't stop the dogs from advancing on Killian.

"Climb!" Emma shouted, but Killian knew better than to turn his back on the dogs.

"As soon as I try they'll get me!" Killian called back. He had to drop the duck so he could use both hands to hold the sack and, then he swung it at the brindle dog. The cakes in the sack connected with the side of its head with solid thunk; evidently at least one of the cakes Emma had pilfered was still in its metal pan. That did make the dog pause in its advance. It shook its head as if to clear a ringing in its ears, so Killian took advantage and hit it again. This time he was able to get in a much bigger backswing and the dog yelped in pain and backed up several steps.

Unfortunately it gave the opening to the other dog who attacked before Killian could take another swing. It closed its jaws on the sack and there was a tug of war which one small boy was never going to win in opposition with the solid muscle packed into the dog's heavyset shoulders. The other dog had recovered and, seeing its partner had hold of the sack which it was shaking viciously, it joined the fray in destroying the thing that had hurt it.

Seeing his chance, Killian dropped the sack and sprinted for the tree. His hands and legs were shaking so badly that his foot slipped from the shallow foothold twice. Behind him he could hear the snarling as the dogs absolutely destroyed sack and cake. He even felt a piece of cake hit him in the back as it was thrown free.

"Killian! Please, climb! They're coming!" Emma screamed. Fear had a solid hold on her now. Tears streamed down her face which was white as her mother's namesake, and her eyes were wild. Blood appeared on her bottom lip as she had bitten it so hard.

Forcing himself to slow his movements, Killian finally managed to get a proper hold and climb up towards Emma. The dogs had finished decimating the sack and looked up to see their prey was escaping. They ran to the bottom of the tree, barking and snarling. Killian had climbed beyond their reach and only had another foot to go when the unthinkable happened.

For one brief moment, Emma thought they were both safe, then Killian's foot slipped and his hand, slick with sweat, lost its purchase and he fell.

A/N - Once again the reviewers have astounded me with their generous words. Thank you all for the support you have given me. For those who are concerned that Emma will give up her stuffed duckling. . . um . . . !

(Seriously . .trust me . . .*wink*)