Chapter 14

"Deploy the Pegasus sail and keep her steady, boys," Killian shouted to the crew as the Jewel of the Realm sliced through the water at top speed. Killian studied his sextant and adjusted their course as King David stood at the helm.

"I thought we were using the magic bean from Blue," David said.

"We will need it to get back," Killian said. "Liam and I have been looking for an excuse to use this sail for years, and now it will go to good use."

David was suddenly grateful that the rescue of his precious daughter was in the hands of such a capable man. Long ago, he had known that determination to save the woman he loved, and now David could recognize that same determination in Prince Killian's eyes.

The mighty ship lifted from the water as the Pegasus sail unfurled and filled with a gust of wind.

"A notch to port, Your Majesty," Killian instructed.

David turned the wheel ever so slightly and the ship made it's way to the second star to the right. The Jewel was the fastest vessel in all the realms. Killian and David shielded their eyes when the star of Neverland appeared in front of them.

"Hold on tight, we are in for a difficult landing," he shouted over the whipping winds. The ship lurched forward into the portal to Neverland, and hurled towards a glimmering sea. The ship met the water with a deafening crash and the entire crew was knocked off their feet.

King David was thrown backwards, and if it hadn't been for his quick reflexes, he would have been thrown overboard.

Killian heard the king's cry and ran to the edge. He gripped the elder man's arm and with all his strength hauled him back on the ship. "Easy there, your Majesty. I promised Emma I would bring you back alive."

David smiled slightly. "I hope you're a man of your word."

"Prince Killian, the island is just ahead," a crewman said.

The two men turned to see a dark island shrouded in fog. It did not resemble the sparkling oasis Killian's mother had described to him. Killian took the spyglass flipped to his belt and tidied the island. His heart sank and he suddenly had a terrible feeling that getting to the center of the island and returning unscathed wouldn't be as simple as he first imagined. However, he refused to lose Emma. He would just have to make the impossible possible.

David seemed to sense his apprehension. "We will succeed, Killian," he said. "I have no doubt."

"What makes you say that?"

"True Love always wins the day," David said. "If that was not the case, Emma would have never even been born, and the Evil Queen would have conquered the Enchanted Forest. Don't lose faith, son."

King David's confidence lifted his spirits. Emma was counting on him and he would not fail her. "Bring us in, lads," he shouted to the crew.

In a quarter of an hour, the Jewel was on the Neverland shore. The air was colder here, where Killian might have expected it to be humid. He buttoned his jacket against the chill. "The king and I will make the voyage to the center of the island," Killian said to the listening crew. "You all will protect the Jewel at all costs."

With that, Killian and David got off the ship, both armed with two swords and carrying heavy cast-iron lanterns.

Not far off from the beach was a dense forest. Killian suspected they would have to cut their way through it. "When we enter the forest, step lightly, your Majesty. There could be danger around every tree."

"I've been on my share of adventures," David said. "I can handle myself."

The two men made their way towards the tree line only to be called back by a devilish voice.

"It is not often I get visitors, and never are my visitors grown men. How curious."

David and Killian whirled around only to find a boy who looked to be about fifteen years of age, dressed from head to foot in varying hues of green. His ears were elfin, and an evil glint shined in is pale green eyes.

"That is no way to speak to royalty, boy," David snapped.

"Nor is that," the boy said mockingly. "I am the King of Neverland. They call me Pan."

"You are nothing but a boy," Killian said.

"And you are nothing but a lovesick fool on a hopeless mission," Pan said.

The color drained from Killian's face. How could the boy possibly know that?

Pan laughed. "And you are a failure of a father. What kind of man can't even protect their only child?"

"How do you know these things," David said through clenched teeth.

"I know everything in Neverland, and you are now in my domain, so now all of your secrets belong to me."

"Then you know why we are here," Killian said.

"Indeed, and you will never get a cure for your dying princess," Pan said. "That water is a deadlier poison than dream shade once it is off the island."

"You're lying," Killian said, drawing his sword.

Pan merely waved his hand and the blade was suddenly buried in the sand. "In Neverland we play by my rules. There is a way to save your princess, but only if you make me a deal."

"We will not make any deals with the likes of you," Killian said.

Pan smirked. "Have it your way then. You'll find your water at Dead Man's Peak, whether you'll make it off the island alive, well, that's a different matter all together." Then the boy disappeared.

Killian grabbed his sword and shook off the sand, cursing softly. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Don't let him get to you, Killian. We will need to focus fully if we want to succeed in our mission."

"You're right. Let's go," Killian said.

-/-

The trek through the Neverland jungle was long and miserable, but at long last they reached the top of Dead Man's Peak in the center of the island. It was too easy, Killian thought. Blue had warned them that this would be a dangerous voyage, but the only living should that they had come across was that demon boy Pan. His threat was playing over and over again in Killian's mind. However, he also knew that he couldn't let the boy rattle his confidence.

"Killian, I hear water flowing, the spring must be close," David said. He marched towards the solid rock wall of the peak, which was draped with thorny plants.

"I wouldn't touch those if I were you," said the familiar voice of Pan.

"Show yourself, boy," Killian snarled, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Killian don't," David said. He sliced through the thorns with his own blade and they fell to reveal a narrow crevice. They both could hear water flowing.

"Ah, so you do have some wits, your Majesty. Only one may enter there," Pan said, appearing in front of them. "You should go."

"Not bloody likely," Killian said, knowing full well that it would be much easier for him to enter.

Pan raised his hands and offered an insincere smile. "I'm only trying to help. Do what you will." Then he disappeared.

"I'm going in," said Killian.

"I am not sure that's wise," David said. "The boy is playing games with us."

"It will be easier for me to do it," Killian insisted.

"If something should happen to you in there, there will be no one to break the curse."

"Nothing will happen," Killian said. "I'm going. Keep watch."

Killian pushed past David with an empty canteen for the water. He entered the narrow opening and pressed himself against the wall, edging forward slowly. He emerged form the opening to find himself in a lush oasis. Water flowed from great obsidian stones into a sparkling spring. This water would save his beloved.

Killian knelt at the edge of the water and filled his canteen. He was surprised when nothing out of the ordinary happened to him. Pan's words were setting him on edge. The sooner they were off this island, the better he would feel.

He slipped back into the opening and made his way towards the exit, only to emerge to find that David was nowhere in sight.

"Your Majesty?" he called.

Before he could move, and arrow sliced through the air and landed in the center of his chest. Killian fell to the ground without a sound.

-/-

Back in the Northern Kingdom, Emma cried out in agony.

Lucy rushed to her side. "What is it, Princess?"

"Something has happened to Killian," she said, her voice shaking violently. "It's all my fault."