Faithfully Yours

Part 4: Toil and Trouble

 

Chapter 29

"The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means." 
 Oscar Wilde

Cole walked into the corridor of his  office door and loosened his tie. He had had a hard morning in court dealing with some of his former colleagues from the DA's office who took a special delight in making things difficult for him, believing him something of a traitor. And in front of Judge Fogarty, whose prissiness and irritation with Cole always added to the battle, although in his better moments Cole admitted he contributed to the situation by baiting the cranky judge for the sheer pleasure of watching him fall apart when his limited understanding of the nuances of law were exposed.

The client was an African American hooker who had had been picked up in an area where neither hookers nor African Americans usually walking. The girl had actually been thrown out of his car by a very rich client who resented her asking for payment in advance. And the client had compounded his sins by keeping her purse and what money she had when he threw her out the car. To be picked up by the police to whom she was known.

Cole had managed to argue her off any charges by defeating Judge Fogarty's knowledge of the legal definition of prostitution but he had spent another half hour unsuccessfully trying to convince the girl that suing for false arrest was not a good idea. He stopped when l she finally convinced him she had as much right to walk along any streets as anyone else when she was not  soliciting and he agreed to go the distance, knowing full well the chances of payment were limited.

He was very late getting back to the office and he was not looking forward to facing Eduardo's wrath at the string of missed appointments when he rushed straight to court. Nor was he really in the mood to be patient with the list of little old ladies, witches or Talbot the liquor importer who was inclined to be proprietorial toward him.

Cole pulled the office door open and jumped when it was pulled out of his hand by one of his more difficult witch clients who inevitably and suspiciously gave him a hard time over even the normal mortal business, and took a very patronising and intense attitude with mortals, even those helping her.

She was turning back into the office and profusely and happily thanking a very tall dark headed woman in her late thirties for all the courtesy, consideration and understanding and excellent advice. As she turned to face him the witch looked him up and down.

"You were late" she barked.

"In court" he said suspiciously looking at the dark haired women who was wearing a well tailored but far from new dark lawyer type suit and a blue blouse with an embroidered red cherry on either collar. It took him about half a second, observing the outfit, that this was the help Paige was certain he needed.

"Just as well you finally got some decent help" the witch told Cole confirming it "or I would have taken my business away."

Cole held his breath for a second or two, while the witch glared at him and the lawyer woman eyed him apprehensively

"Lucky I did get help wasn't it" he said pleasantly looking over both women's heads to Eduardo who raised his eyes. "Your business is important to me.'

"Indeed" said the witch client sarcastically, making it clear that the witch community was well aware that Phoebe's husband was a good lawyer but a lousy liar. As she moved off down the hall. Cole glanced at her, remembering her power was the ability to distort reality, just for a second regretting the fun he would have had baiting her if he was still a real demon. And then he blinked as she glanced back at him and made a kiss face.

Cole stood at the door eying Erin off and she shuffled a little apprehensively.

"Cole this is the lawyer Paige found to help out went you're not available. Piper fixed it up for her to start today because she knew how desperate we were for the help with you so busy and all." Eduardo interrupted. 

Cole stepped into the office a wry, cynical smile on his face.

Erin held her ground and then half shuffled back and Cole smiled.

"The lawyer whose exactly the help I need"  he said dryly holding out his hand and touching her aura as he did so. "I'm Cole Turner if you haven't guessed"

She jumped as if she felt something. And took his hand and shook it "not missing that he glanced toward Eduardo. "I guessed" she said awkwardly.

"I suppose we need to have a chat about our working relationship" he told her casually "now we've guessed who we are."

"Piper explained about you being in court this morning when I signed the contract" she said holding her ground but clearly confused about his reaction.

"Piper thought one member o the family company should sign before Erin started" Eduardo explained "seeing you were so busy in court'. He added a touch defiantly "Erin has been wonderful this morning "he said . "seen 6 clients, while you were in court." He said stressing the word court. "Paying clients."

"Good "said Cole as with a wave of his hand he ushered Erin into his office and shut the door.

She spun to face him "You have no idea who I am do you?" she demanded, "You have no idea I was offered a job, there is no job.'That contract was legal "she started to say "I should not have.."

"I have a very good idea who you are. Sorry Miss ….  Er… er Ms Er Erin  " he said as he realised he did  not know her name.

Erin bit her lip then stared at him defiantly

Going to his desk he glanced at the contract and a copy of her resume that Piper he assumed, had left on his desk on his desk.  "Do you mind if I have a look at the client notes you took this morning?" he asked.

"Its Ms garden" she said clearly embarrassed. "Is there a job?"

"Do you mind if I look at the client notes" he asked with a gentle smile glancing at her resume

She hesitated, then spun on her heel Cole watched her through the open door, glance at Eduardo who gave her a reassuring smile. She awkwardly pick up a note book and handed it to him bouncing in her toes as if she was getting ready to run.

"This is very embarrassing Mr Turner "she said

"Cole" he said glancing at them. He looked up "If you want his job you need to understand that all contact with my family leaves you embarrassed or confused or frazzled." he smiled.

"Is there a job?" she demanded as he studied her resume. "Do you want to know why I have not worked for two years "she said rubbing her ands.

"No I was not going to ask why you have not worked for two years." he said. He smiled "I'm a good guesser.

She eyed him carefully. "Is there a job.' She asked "Í am being honest here. I need the work and your sister in lawsaid…."

"Paige or Piper" Cole interrupted.

"Both sort of "she said 'kept saying it’s a small family business but you really needed me. And you were so busy that you did not have time to even fix the job. Were they making it up"'

"No" he said. "Just pushing me into making a decision.'

Erin sucked her lip. They had no right".. She started to say

"The contact's legal" Cole explained. "I had to make this office part of P3, Piper's club,  for tax reason" Cole said Piper really is senior manager. "

I'm a good lawyer "Erin said defensively "even if on paper it doesn't look it. 'My school stuff was not as good as it could be but that was….personal: "she said. "I worked for .. but I was good I did good stuff there. Only the contract…"

He shrugged '"Who suggested the salary?" he asked.

"It's not an unreasonable salary for a good lawyer" she said defiant as she saw the offer going away when he frowned.

"If you're a good lawyer you sold yourself short" he commented while she watched him. "You're a good lawyer " he said half waving the case notes. "I hope you aren't going to tell m you're a good litigator" he said looking at the notes

"I'm not "she answered defiantly. "Is there a job?" she asked "Paige, your sister in law, has put me in an embarrassing position."

"I'm a good litigator" he told "Brilliant even" he said

"You're sisters had no right to put me in this position." Erin demanded.

''How badly do you need the job" Cole asked "because if you need what they are offering, they can do what they like.'"

"Just because I had to get work through a community employment centre, just because I need the work, because have kids, they have no right to .."Erin bit out.

"You really are a lousy litigator aren't you" Cole smiled. "You need to keep the passion for moments when it demonstrates you are winning not losing."

Erin stopped talking

"You see I am such a  goddamn good litigator, I keep getting.. asked" Cole explained "to litigate for people who need a good one and can't pay. So did my sisters explain the only way you're going to get paid in this job is to earn it" he asked.

"Eduardo did" she admitted."Paige was very .. she was sure there was a job, a real one."

"Thank god for Eduardo" Cle told her dryly "You have to understand about Paige.  She had a bad teacher, some idiot who thought the end justified the means, if it meant 'helping' some one and  people who don't know what they want, need to be lead. The idiot got himself killed helping people and now she treats everything he taught as if it was scripture. You need a job and I need help. You think either of had a choice once she found that out."

Erin just stared at Cole.

"My family" he explained "you need to understand them. If they think I need something like oh help here they tend to disregard anything I might say. They do it for two reasons "The first one is because it really pisses me off. "

Erin caught the smile around his lips. "What's the second one" she asked slowly

"They really to love me and take care of me" he explained with a wry shrug.

"Oh "said Erin what does that mean?"

"It means there's a job" he said grinning.

Erin swallowed. Then pulled herself in a very professional attitude and said quietly "I look forward to working with you?"

"You know anything about me?" he asked.

"You weer not very popular not long before I left the other firm when you screwed them out of  a medical huge medical fraud payment.  Rowe case" she said

"Oh That "he answered it was fun "Cole swallowed "You saw Piper this morning "he asked "You know I'm happily married." he said carefully.

"It's none of my business" she said tightly, clearly keeping it professional

As she left the office Coe took another feel of her aura and all he could feel in the way of passion was a desire to make the job work. A woman who had been through so such she did not dare dream or fantasise. A woman immune to spite magic. Then he thought perhaps she just found him unattractive. He finally decided Erin was immune to spite magic.

'………………………………………

The guardian Therold, the hood of his robe pulled well over his head, stood amongst a small group of demons, mostly scribes and other minions huddling around the edge of the Geztalt hall. They were watching with some trepidation for their own well being, as the leader of the spites was being called to account and it was clear the faceless grey demons were not happy. Several of the lower ranked demons were trying to slip away, in case they were dragged into the scene or accused by association. Therold, as he knew would happen, was pushed to the front of the group.

The Honoured One, in demonic form with the faceless masters behind him, feeding his words and his anger, chastised the spite leader

"Your magic is not succeeding" he told the shrivelling spite leader. "The Charmed Ones were supposed to fall to their whims, they were supposed to lose interest. You said they would become vulnerable, make witches vulnerable. We need witches vulnerable, We need the Charmed Ones to fall."

"It is working" whimpered the Spite leader n a high whiny voice "Have you seen the way women are acting in San Francisco and its spreading. Witches are not answering calls, women are unfocused on anything outside their own hormones. It is working " he pleaded "Evil is gaining. All demondom gains."

"We are only interested in the Geztalt" intoned the Honoured One " And we do not gain. Do we see any change in the actions of the Charmed Ones? Didn't they turn up in full power to confront our minions and smit them as they battled the Brotherhood." and the Honoured One stopped as one of his masters moved slightly menacingly "in their battle" amended the Honoured One his voice cracking  a little with fear.

"Their call is strong, they are powerful witches, they have a strong resistance to evil." whimpered the spite leader. "But I promise you they have weakened. Have they appeared anywhere else? Are they on the streets seeking spites, are they preaching 'Face reality, look to what you trust, look beyond the dream' to free females of the magic. No they are staying safely in their lairs. Do you see other witches on the prow, causing pain and strife for demons? No they are to busy getting laid, indulging themselves, breaking up families and homes, seeking their fantasies and acting on them." The spite leader quivered as the Honoured One moved menacingly, prodded by the faceless grey demon behind him. "I promise you" the spite leader whimpered "the Charmed Ones  are weakened.

"This would appear to help our enemies, not the Geztalt" muttered one of the faceless ones behind the Honoured One. The Honoured One half turned, confused but with some direction continued.

"Then why has that accursed witch, the source's bane, refused twice to break her marriage vows, twice refused her fantasy, "sneered the Honoured One with something like real passion in his voice. "All her fantasies are fulfilled and she still refuses to take the step that will destroy her and her Charmed sisters."

"She's bewitched by stronger magic" all but whispered the Spite leader.

"Speak up "demanded the Honoured One

"She's bewitched by stronger magic" said the Spite leader more clearly but wringing his hands.

"And what is this stronger magic" asked the Honoured one reflecting the sarcasm of his master.

"Love" whispered the spite "real love, true love. She is bewitched by it and …it interferes with our magic. She fails to take the step. She trusts her love.'

All the demons in the hall snorted with disgust. Therold bit his lip and shook his head sadly, struggling to stand humbly aside while demons discussed his beloved's fixation with her husband. And for a second was consumed by a bitter envy of Belthezor.

"Fix it" the Honoured One ordered the spite leader. "Because if you can't, you will know my… the wrath of the Geztalt.

"We can fix it" the spite leader assured the Honoured One. He suddenly became quite enthusiastic rubbing his hands together. "You make the dance stronger" he said "And you keep repeating it . And you make movements so the weaker ones become vulnerable."

"The Charmed Ones are not weak" hissed the Honoured One.

"But the weaker ones prey on the strong ones' explained the spite leader. "If her true love is that  good a catch some-one else must want it, some-one else besotted by their fantasy must see her love and desire it. Or it wouldn't be worth having." The spite leader crept closer to the Honoured One "Destroy the bond, the faith, the trust. All the source's bane needs is to distrust even a small amount and she will fall."

"But it only works on women" Interrupted a faceless one "her lover won't be affected."

"All the better " explained the spite leader puffing up "That her lover sees her  distrust  when it is unjustified. Because he is justified in not trusting her. We have done this before. And the results.. well you see where Burvjara ended up. When we did that, destroyed a great love."

"You did that?" asked a faceless one interested.

The spite leader rubbed his hands together and seemed to grow an inch or two as he smirked. "We played on the distrust of leaders and lovers. Best results we had since Helen of Troy," he sighed remembering the good days. "Superstition and myth were working for us then though."

A few faceless ones started to nod, understanding how ignorance aided evil.

The spite leader thought about it "Relationship counsellors and psychologists do much the same job for us now" he added.

"And why did you not chose to do this in the beginning?" demanded a faceless one stepping forward to almost push the Honoured One out the way. "Why do you hide your magic from us, from your mast.. from your allies."

The spite leader shuddered "This level of …evil has consequences. Witches kill spites. It costs us. It's easy for the leaders to watch and order "he said "But it costs us and we have to… " the spite leader froze as the Honoured One stayed still but some of the faceless grey demons surged forward toward him. He shuddered fearful, looked up and just for a second as he looked up a surprised and sly look crossed his face.

Therold saw this and pursed his lips. He knew what the spite leader had seen.

The Honoured One was shoved forward, a little urgently, by the faceless ones who stoped surging forward

"Fix it" ordered the Honoured One pushed by his masters. "Our friendship is reserved for those who prove worthy" he added "Destroy the damned witch, destroy her damned sisters. And be worthy of  to call yourself our friend."

The spite leader understood the message. He shrivelled and bowed and shuffled back away, where his spite minions surrounded him and they conferred in a tense huddled group. But on several occasions the spite leader glanced at the grey faceless ones and he seemed to puff himself up.

The time now came for Therold to act. Hood in place, he  knew what he had to do.  As he just explained to the leaders of the Demon cult Brotherhood of the Thorn, he would explain to the Geztalt that demon wars were fought in demon territory. He would explain the consequence of exposing magic and the consequence to those who tried to change the balance of the realms.

Humble, small, hooded Therold approached the Honoured One. A guard tried to stop him but confronted by the power of Therold's magic simply stepped away, uncertain why and how he had gave way to such a nondescript small apparently weak demon.

Therold had taken this role where he confronted the powers of evil and warned them of the errors of their ways many, many times. He did it not as the great demons warrior brandishing and threatening but in the guise of the one thing that demons held in more scorn and fear and hatred than the upper level warriors. He did it as an anonymous and humble lore master who understood the great plan, the demon spirit and the true nature of evil. The warriors could brandish their swords and threaten and fight, but the lore masters knew what they knew, and what they knew could not be disputed, kill the master but the lore remained and every demon feared the power of their knowledge.

The Honoured One flanked by the faceless Geztalt , regarded him with rigid scornful stance as Therold in the guise of the lore master he had once been, humbly presented his views of what was written in lore and could not be unwritten. He presented himself as compliant, fearful of facing the higher orders and reluctant to say his words. They listened resentfully, angrily and fearful as they always were of such words unaware that the great power bowed meekly in front of them was forcing them to hear his words.

Therold made his case with a deference that only a creature of more humour than found in the underworld (except for the odd half breed mortal) would have recognised as mocking. He made it clear that the balance was not served by demon wars outside the realm, he used terms that even demons who believed challenging a higher authority was the natural order, would understand was beyond their power to change.

As had the leaders of the Brotherhood on his earlier visit, the Geztalt, threatened and whined and argued that the problem was their enemy and that they stayed within the bounds, and then they denied and then they called their own seers to quote scripture which interpreted events to their gain.  And Therold humbly listened to their arguments and yet remained steadfast in his course.

The Geztalt seers argued the validity of their case, that it was the way of demons to fight for their place, that demons had a right to protect themselves from all threats and to eliminate those threats from anywhere they originated, not just the underworld. They argued the danger to themselves justified any destruction protecting themselves caused anywhere. They argued the survival of demondom and the Geztalt was paramount to any other lesser creatures survival.

The logic was little different form that Therold had heard earlier when  the Brotherhood had bitterly complained that by bringing in the spites the Geztalt had crossed the boundary of their territory. It was the Brotherhood's role to use social change to empowerment, to use sexual profligacy as a means of manipulation and use human institutions to advance evil. Therold had laid down the law and the lore to the Brotherhood and now he did the same thing to the Geztalt. That it was the way of demons to fight  for power but demonic wars would not, could not t be fought in middle realms, the realms of the innocents.

He humbly declared that innocent souls were not the province of evil and the destruction of innocence was the destruction of evil itself. And he quoted lore and scripture to prove it. He meekly demonstrated the consequences to demons of old when they had involved innocents into demons wars. He explained when innocents were the victims of the battles, the wars became invasions, and that the demons after the first great victories, inevitably lost because the great power of innocence endured.  And it happened because innocents by their own nature were protected from evil.

"By witches" sneered a faceless Geztalt.

"That is the nature of the Great  Plan" Therold answered humbly. "In ignoring the precedents you hand victory to the least powerful. It is the curse of Evil. To gain victory, evil must recognise innocence." And he humbly pointed out the fate of the great demons warriors and sects who had ignored the privilege of innocence.

It was long list.

The faceless Geztalt reacted with by scorn and ridicule of his status as a creature of books and dark tomes by the Geztalt, For seconds, as always, Therold despaired the demon fear of higher powers and greater plans would prevail and his demonic nature gave rise to the need to retaliate and as always he resisted the temptation and played his game.

Eventually Therold was able to leave the seething Geztalt, blaming each other and cursing that they risked their fate because of the actions of their opponents. He left them to them to contemplate and argue their course and make their plans, sure that whatever the next battle between the Brotherhood and the Geztalt, their war between each other would be waged in their own battlegrounds. Sure that they battle would be waged where the wrath and whims of the Source could be called to arbitrate.

…………………………………………………….