Just to answer everyone asking me to upload more frequently, while I have written a number of chapters, I'm only going to post one chapter a week so I don't catch up to myself too fast.

Chapter Four

Ben woke quickly when he felt a nudge to his shoulder. Bolting upright, he saw it was his father who had woken him and just behind him his mother was getting up as well. Taking a deep breath, Ben got to his feet and brushed himself off before rummaging in his pack for something quick to eat, just as everyone else was doing.

They assembled in small groups for a few moments, his mother hugging him tightly, before a black raven fluttered down from the trees and transformed into a man before landing, the figure dropping a foot or so after transforming in midair. Diaval rose from the crouch he'd landed in and brushed some leaves off of his shoulder before saying, "We need to move quickly again. The distraction that was planned should still be in full force but best not leave anything to chance."

He led them further away from the road, which almost drew protests from some of the adults, until the group came upon a fairly well-used trail with greater concealment than the road they had been using the day before. The path was only wide enough for them to walk single file, so their parents positioned them so competent fighters were interspersed in intervals throughout the line.

Ben had trouble keeping track of the time as the trees allowed enough light to see but not enough to really tell the position of the sun and Diaval had asked them to turn their phones off so they couldn't be electronically tracked. When night fell, Diaval led them to another clearing just off the path and they set up another cold camp, although a different group of adults stood watch to allow the others to rest.

The next day passed in much the same manner until at some point that was the afternoon based on the sun, the group suddenly exited the forest and found themselves face to face with the wall of thorns that guarded the Moors. Several people, including Ben, let out strangled gasps as they realized just how large the wall was. They had only had a moment to gape before their attention was drawn to the sound and sight of a gap opening in the wall right in front of them.

The cloaked figure who emerged was slender and on the shorter side. They glanced around quickly before beckoning them forward. Diaval and the figure stood on either side of the opening and ushered everyone through, with the parents sending their children through first. Emerging out of the tunnel, Ben kept walking for a few more feet before he registered what his eyes were seeing and he stopped, staring at his surroundings while his jaw dropped in sheer wonderment.

Adam emerged with his wife to find his son staring and couldn't help but join him. The Moors were spectacular. Everything seemed so crisp and pure, giving off a slight sparkle or glow. He barely registered the sound of the wall of thorns moving behind him as Diaval and the figure who had let them in reappeared in front of them.

Adam gathered himself enough to start walking towards them as they spoke quietly for a moment before stopping again in shock as the figure pulled their hood down. "Audrey!" seemed to echo from around him as the children all spoke at once and Aurora and Philip moved forward to hug their daughter. Adam shook his head and stepped up to the small family, causing Audrey to glance up at him then drop into a quick curtsy.

Turning to face the entire group, she said, "We apologize for the secrecy, but the less people who knew my exact location meant I was safer. Welcome to the Moors. Godmother has offered protection and a base of operations, if you will, from which to launch efforts to counteract the villains." Adam's mind raced for a moment before he asked, "Is this where those mossing villains have gone?" his tone harsher than he intended.

Audrey's expression fell and she opened her mouth to answer when another voice came from the edge of the clearing they were in. "Aye, there are several reformed villains who currently call the Moors home, as well as a number of children who are unfortunate enough to call a villain their parent." Everyone turned to the accented voice and saw three teenagers standing there, two boys and a girl.

The girl had long turquoise and brown hair up in braids, wearing turquoise leather in pants and a coat with fringe on sections of it and pewter colored studs. Her boots were knee-high and folded over at the top and were brown and turquoise in color. One of the boys had shoulder length blonde hair covered by a reddish-brown bandana. His shirt was sleeveless and a reddish-brown leather, as were his pants, and his boots mirrored the girls but were just brown. The third boy had short dark hair and was wearing a sleeveless cream linen shirt with laces at the neck, dark brown leather pants, and dark brown leather boots. What immediately identified him as Captain Hook's son was the red pirate captain's coat draped over his arm and the silver hook he held in his left hand.

Adam was not the only one who stiffened minutely, nor was he the only one confused when Aurora and Philip smiled and moved to greet the three new teens. Audrey stepped away from him and began introductions, "Everyone, please allow me to introduce Harry, son of Captain Hook; Uma, daughter of Ursula; and Gil, youngest son of Gaston."

Adam felt himself bristle slightly before he noticed that the blonde Audrey had introduced as Gaston's son was shrinking into himself, as though ashamed. Belle's hand on his arm allowed him to relax completely before he stepped forward with his hand extended to the son of the man who had tried to kill him.

Gil stared at Adam's extended hand for a moment before glancing at Audrey, who gave him a small nod, which had him stepping forward to shake Adam's hand. Releasing Gil's hand, Adam saw the proud looks on the faces of his wife and son and the smiles on everyone else's faces, including Gil's two friends. Clearing his throat, Diaval recaptured everyone's attention and said, "If you'd follow us, we'll take you to the others." Walking forward, Diaval took the lead, followed immediately by Uma and Gil. Harry waited a moment for Audrey to take his offered arm before following, causing Adam to think while the rest of the group fell into step to follow.

The group was silent as they journeyed farther into the Moors, awed again and again by what they were seeing. Fortunately, the walk was only a few more minutes before they seemed to exit the trees completely into an ethereal meadow bordering a beautiful lake. Gasps escaped everyone not only from the scenery but also those who occupied the clearing. Adam also heard his son inhale sharply next to him but couldn't even begin to guess why.