Faithfully Yours Part 5: A Time in the Affairs of Witches   Chapter 41 "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."   Oscar Wilde

Therold came out of the shimmer in his cottage, clutching a startled and upset Phoebe. She stood there gasping a little while Therold, his face and bald pate red as a beetroot breathed deeply as his eyes were flashed dark deep almost black. Not so far from the demon.

He twitched his hands and Phoebe stood apprehensively watching him big brown eyes nervous, afraid as her dragged his breath.

"I will not let him hurt you" Therold told her his voice squeaking with anger and emotion.

'"Cole won't hurt me" Phoebe said gently "He never could, never would. That was just...passion" she explained with a small smile.

"You know little of the great magic and the depth of demon emotion" Therold said his voice still high but softening a little for her."

"I know more than I should" she told him, more firmly "I was the queen of evil. I am not as innocent as you think."

"You are sweet my dear" Therold said patting her arm" You saw a little evil" Therold told her "My friend Proctor watched and knew what you saw. You saw nothing of the true nature of it."

"I was the queen" Phoebe insisted getting  more than a little oncerned..

"A protected one " Therold soothed "and I will not let him harm you."

"He will not harm me" she said again. She put her hand out to him "Therold" she said "friend Therold "she said, smiling at him as kindly as she could "You need to take me back. I thank you for your kindness and your protection but better you take me back before Cole comes to get me. Better for you, better for me, better for the realm. Better for Cole" she said.

Therold patted her hand again "My dear "he said and Phoebe just managed to keep a wince inside. "You know little of evil and demons" he told her the emotion barely constrained in his voice.  "Violence is a way of life, it is proof of who we are, it is proof of what we can. If we can hurt something, it proves them weaker…and us…demons stronger" he said  "Females do not fare well at demon hands. Belthezor will hurt you because he can, because he must. "

"No" she started to say, trying very hard to keep her desire to scream at him under control.'

"These, these warriors" snorted Therold, flashing demonic anger as he thought if them. "I know them... I know how they behave, I know their ..need to fight to destroy. To prove their power by sword and by ... violence. So proud of themselves," he sneered "so proud to be warriors as if the power to smite to destroy .., to swing a sword took any wisdom." He snorted again and started to stalk the room building into a long rant "So superior, knocking those of us… those they perceived weak out of their way, using our… lore masters wisdom<, taking power from , those who seek the wisdom, holding us.. them in contempt, sneering destroying.."

"Therold "said Phoebe carefully, as clearly and calmly as she could "You need to take me back. Cole won't hurt me but he... when he is in a temper a demonic rage, he may not feel the same way about you.  You need to take me back before this gets out of hand."

"I can fight one such as him. I can fight …defend against the warriors" Therold informed her, his eyes flashing demonic black "I have spent years learning the secret of magic and lore, like all priest and I know how to defeat warriors, and my dear, I know how to protect you."

"Ï will get you some tea." He said

"Therold "she said determined "I don't need protection. I don't need you to protect me from Cole. She caught his arm "I am grateful Therold. I truly am that you that you should care But" she said "I am not .. I should not be ...an object of ...contention between you and Cole, between two guardians."

"You are sweet my dear" he said slowly, putting his hand on hers, his voice squeaking with emotion "and it does you proud but you must understand. You are an innocent."

"Barely" she said getting desperate "Therold that any creature of your magic could feel so much a need to me. I …"

"You do not have the wisdom and the understanding I do of the evil of these creatures" Therold reassured her patting her hand. "I will get you a nice cup of tea" he said "a special one."

"Cole is not evil" Phoebe said really desperate now. She had an inspiration.  "Take me to Arturo "she suggested smiling sweetly at him, and hoping that did the trick. If you cannot take me back. Take me to Arturo."

Therold to Phoebe's frustration shook his head, a forced benign smile around his mouth. "So Brother Arturo can lecture me about the joys and emotions of true love as if I didn't know the danger." Therold told her a touch resentfully "I read Lore" squeaked Therold "Do you know the most dangerous being to any female is supposedly her true love?. Do you know that most romantic legends and myth based on real tragedies mostly inflicted by males on females, then romanticised to.. justify it.. Do you know where Shakespeare found the basis for most of his tragedies? They were found in the lore of evil. If you knew the true story of what Othello did to Desdemona you would never sleep easy again."

Phoebe wondered if Therold was going to wag his finger at her.

"No" Therold shook his head "Take you to Arturo to hear such evil dismissed. You are sweet my dear but you know nothing of the emotion of evil. You need to be protected from it. I'll get you a very special cup of tea" he added.

"I do know" Phoebe all but sobbed, biting back the desire to tell him what to do with his tea. "Therold I will not be the cause of war between two great guardians." She forced a soft smile hoping the flattery would work.

Therold went red and smiled at her benignly, this time genuine.

Phoebe tried again, biting back her impatience. "I love Cole. I did not get him this far to become the cause of destruction and war between two great creatures. Please "she pleaded grabbing his arm "Cole won't hurt me."

Therold caught her hand "You are beautiful my dear but you are good." He insisted again with a bloody minded determination to humour her that was sending Phoebe near to doing something dire to make him listen, if she could think of anything dire enough.

Therold unaware of her frustration shook his head sadly "The original Desdemona was much like you. She said such things about Othello" he told Phoebe. "She was mistaken" he added. "A lover who believes himself wronged is the most dangerous vengeful, evil creature in the realms. A creature seeking cold vicious revenge. I know" said Therold "I read lore".

Phoebe sucked back a sob of genuine fear and frustration "Cole really ought to be here by now" she said. "Ï thought he was so angry he would follow straight away" she added with a regretful whimper.

"If history tells me anything, it tells me he is already hatching a colder, more deliberate revenge" Therold told her. "I will get you a nice cup of tea."

"Cole wouldn't" she started to say then she half screamed at the sound of a shimmer.

Therold picked up the athame holding it as if he knew how to use it and Phoebe flung her self in front of him, trying to clutch his arm and shield him at the same time.

Therold as gently as he could threw her away and she flung herself back in front of Therold.

"Cole don't" she started to beg.

"Very brave Mistress Belthezor" said the guardian watcher Proctor, as his thin dark figure appeared "but I have no sense of danger from my brother. No need to protect me." He said the smile on his face so satanic that Phoebe shuddered "I have observed your house guest comment on the worst of you. Mistress. Had he been here he would have seen the best of you."

"Why are you here?" she whispered, barely noticing the compliment.

"I observed the …drama unfold and thought I should see it closer" said Proctor his voice dry "I thought I should see it from a point so close to my friend Therold that Brother Belthezor could not approach. I have been close for some minutes" he added.

"So Cole cannot… come" whispered Phoebe.

"No "said Proctor "three guardians cannot be together.  The storm in the spirit winds is ….  far to….unbalanced." Proctor added.

"Oh "said Phoebe annoyed at herself for being so relieved that Cole absence was not...maybe from lack of trying.

"Just so "murmered Proctor to her and she flushed.

"This is not your business Friend Proctor" squeaked out Therold. "Do not interfere, and do not tell me there is anything here for you to watch."

"You are right as you so often are, brother" said Proctor a sly smile around his lips "but I will stay anyway."

"I know why you have come" Therold rattled "To please your ,.. to sooth her.. for your.. you interfere with my business in a.. because of he.." Therold took a deep breath his face almost purple. "You come to ingratiate yourself  with…"

 "Say no more friend" said Proctor demonic danger in his voice, "You know lore Brother But do not mistake it for life. "

Therold stopped speaking, to Phoebe's relief, some-one finally able to make him listen.  He swallowed "Brother I .I would not speak of…"

Phoebe watched him curiously, knowing some things she should not know because of the magic eclipse.

"Francesca "she breathed as orbs sounded. "Thank god"

"Francesca is an angel not a deity:" said Proctor his voice dry.

"Proctor "Francesca said and there was some relief in her voice to see him there, which he noticed. A small non demonic smile appeared around his mouth.

"Such a pleasure to see you" Proctor drawled then carefully removed a large grey Persian cat from a blue velvet chair. The cat thought about hissing but observing its quarry reconsidered, stalking off with an expression of disgust on its face. Disregarding the hair his black clothes Proctor sat on the chair leaning back with a satanic smile playing around his lips.  "You took your time coming" he said.

"I stayed to talk sense into Cole" Francesca told him opting to sit on the edge of Therold's desk. Four books fell on the floor as she sat, and Francesca glared at the untidy desk, disapproval all over her face.

"And Belthezor listened " drawled Proctor.

"You know perfectly well the spirit winds have been swirling as he tried to break in between you and Therold Proctor," Francesca told him.

Phoebe gasped "He did came after me."

And she could not hide a small smile of relief and a gleam of satisfaction in her eye.

"Just so Mistress Belthezor" drawled Proctor. "Belthezor has a powerful magic. It was necessary I come into the cottage to … stay close enough." he explained.

Therold put himself protectively between Phoebe and Francesca and Proctor.

"You are not going to fight Cole for his wife" Francesca told Therold school marm and Angel in place. "I do not need Durand here to tell you how wrong that would be."

"Do not talk as if I am not able to make my own judgement, when you are her to protect…him" snarled Therold. "Do not try and tell me Phoebe was not in danger" He glowered

"You should not have taken her Therold" Francesca said quietly.

"I fear this one is no more willing to listen than Belthezor was" Proctor observed.

Francesca nodded then frowned "Cole would not hurt Phoebe, Therold should not have taken her" Francesca said.

"There I disagree" said Proctor slowly.

Francesca half turned on him. '"Do not tell me, this is anything other than Therold and Cole choosing to prove their strength and Therold gaining some advantage stealing Cole's prize."

"Francesca."  exclaimed Phoebe.

"You know men dear" said Francesca and Proctor smiled, his mouth not quite a sneer.

"It is exactly that" said Proctor "as I observed. And for the moment Friend Therold "and he nodded to Therold "has thwarted the mighty Belthezor." Phoebe noticed how much Proctor enjoyed the thought while Francesca smacked he lips in irritation ."But I observed much of the events of this night" and he looked at Phoebe.

'"Oh "said Phoebe softly.

"Just so Mistress Belthezor" said Proctor  "and I know well that the affairs of witches are not the affairs of guardians" and his smile was so satanic Phoebe had to bite her hand to resist pushing Therold out of the way to slap Proctor. Proctor noticed this and the smile deepened.

"Are you accusing?" Therold started to puff up. "this innocent.. this.."

"Therold "said Francesca sighing.

"I do not accuse "Proctor said "Mistress Belthezor knows her business but demons thwarted can … search for a victim to release their … rage.  No matter the cost. Belthezor will not hurt his wife. This I have observed. Mistress Belthezor can you guarantee he would not harm any….thing else, no matter the cost."

"I have no fear of Belthezor" squeaked Therold. "I have my own powers."

"There are other victims" Proctor said not taking his eyes off Phoebe

Phoebe met Proctor's dark stare, chin in the air. "No "she said "I was not going to tell him of ... witches business from tonight. I made up my mind no matter what." Phoebe hung her head. "I care to much for him to do it "she said tears falling down her face when Proctor bowed to her.

"You are a heroine Mistress Belthezor" he said "But perhaps my brother Therold is right that you should be …protected until Friend Belthezor is more willing to accept this. More willing to understand the affairs of witches are not his business."

Phoebe swallowing hard nodded.

"What does that mean?" demanded Therold as Francesca narrowed her eyes.

"I believe the Geztalt are looking for a new honoured one" Proctor said dismissively. "I observed the…. decease and I take Mistress Belthezor's point, there are worse things than Friend Belthezor's irritation with her fantasies and it would be better if she is protected until he accepts and forgives any suppositions he makes or  better yet trusts her."

"Fantasies" blustered Therold "You cannot say.. you cannot… insinuate this innocent..

"I say nothing" said Proctor firmly "but Mistress Belthezor needs to stay away from her beloved until he can be convinced to be… reasonable and or …trust."

Phoebe's head came up.

Francesca looked at Phoebe and Proctor "I see" she said.

"So" said Proctor "provided Brother Therold can understand that he undoes what the fates have called him to do by….. seeking Belthezor out, "

Therold glowered at Proctor who remained unperturbed except for a slight movement around his lips.

"Belthezor cannot come here whilst two guardians are here." Proctor finished. "and a tragedy may be averted."

"Thank god" said Francesca

"I am not god either "said Procter and the smile became satanic as Francesca narrowed her eyes.

"Cole didn't come after me" Phoebe, deciding to feel sorry for herself now the choice was taken from here, told them "..before. So he probably won't try to hard." and she sniffed.

The sniff earned her Francesca's most severe school marm glare. "Patsy started to teeth" Francesca said in a no nonsense voice.

"I have to go back.. now " Phoebe said standing up.

"No" said Proctor and Therold.

"My baby needs me" Phoebe hissed spinning on them.

"Sit down Phoebe " Francesca told Phoebe in a voice that even Phoebe was  not going to challenge. "You baby has a father "Francesca said "who would be well occupied caring for him."

Phoebe swallowed and then with as much dignity as she could muster, removed a black cat from one of the chairs next to Francesca and sat down watched closely by Therold and Proctor.

"Perhaps you could make some tea Therold" Francesca suggested, daring him to argue.

After a few seconds huffing and sucking his breath, Therold turned on his heel into his kitchen.

Phoebe sat for a few minutes, patting the cat, her eyes darting from Proctor to  Francesca.  Finally she asked very sweetly "Francesca do you think you could check on Patsy for me "she whispered.

Francesca sucked her lips.

"And tell my sisters where I am and what happened" Phoebe added.

"Certainly dear. Anything else you need. "Francesca asked in a tone so dry Phoebe actually hesitated.

Then she whispered "Francesca if I have to stay here." She looked at Proctor and glanced at the kitchen door "I'm not wearing any underwear" she confided

"Oh my god "said Francesca. She looked at Phoebe severely "Even without a gift of the future I know this legend they will write about you will not include how you used your gifts to make the lives of those round you easier and more peaceful".

She orbed while Proctor lounged back in his chair, a smile on his face.

Phoebe turned her back, longing for a potion that would vanquish that demonic smirk.

………………………………………………

Piper and Leo had only got back from an extremely awkward night with Victor and Margaret as Cole had got Patsy to sleep. A long walk in high heels had given Margaret sometime to face the reality that she had overplayed her hand. She was confused enough about where she had ended up, at the bottom of the very high hill where she and Victor had a fashionable house at the top, to have serious doubts about what she had drank to give her the courage to confront Cole.

Margaret arriving just after Piper and Victor and Leo returned, was not confused however about what she wanted to take from the marriage. Fortunately she was also very certain she did not want to spend another night in the house with him and took herself off to an extremely expensive hotel, that she assured Victor he was paying for. She seemed to have a confidence in her legal rights to acquire the property of the marriage without being in possession that Leo found misplaced.

"Doesn't she understand Cole never gives damn about the legal rights when he goes after these cases in court" Leo asked as Piper shushed him.

Victor had talked for a few hours before he finally assured Leo and Piper he preferred to be on his own. They orbed back home. Leo decided he needed a few hours away time from the family headed for the British Library, while an exhausted Piper fell sleep within minutes of checking on the children.

So Piper was less than happy when a furious Cole, already thoroughly dishevelled from one assault through the spirit winds woke her to order her to look after the children because Therold had stolen Phoebe and he was going to get her. Then he shimmered before she had her eyes more than half open. She staggered out of bed and checked the children and then staggered into her sisters' rooms to discover both were absent. 

"Not good" she said out loud "really not good"."

Glock heard her moving and came out of his room to say that he had heard a huge argument and then he could say no more because Patsy work up and immediately started screaming and Marly's salve from the previous night seemed to have no affect. Piper was left with no choice but to walk the floor with him, and trying very hard not to let him feel her totally frustrated anger with her absent family.

Unfortunately Patsy also woke up Melinda and Wyatt, who joined in the screaming because he needed changing. Piper dumped a wailing Patsy on Glock and was just trying to find clothes for Melinda, who was already making muttering noises about chocolate, when Leo, turned up.

Leo had discovered a document he had found in the British library that was 1 16th century copy of a 14th century copy of a 9th century manuscript from a monastery that may have been visited by an obscure bishop who Leo suspected was a male witch charged with recording early magic in the dark ages.

He excitedly started to tell Piper and was cut off abruptly.

"Shut up about the god damned history" Piper roared at him "Therold abducted Phoebe and Cole has gone to get her , and I am guessing , just guessing, mind you a war is about to break out, like nothing before, so look after your daughter and keep her away from chocolate." she ordered.

Leo sucked his lip as if restraining himself Glock looked at him and his trunk twitched.

"Ï once read that the natural state of beings is war" Leo told Glock because clearly Piper was not going to listen "and sometimes when I come home... I am wondering if there is some truth to it"

Glock nodded but that was all he could do before Piper appeared again to order Leo to look after his children.

Then she stopped "Leo what happened last night?' she asked "anything from Durand. I mean.".." she trailed off. "The spirit winds?"

Leo shook his head but before he could say anything more, a ranting demonically angry Cole appeared. He had spent some time trying to pressure his way through the a raging storm in spirit winds to get to where Phoebe was, only to be turned back by huge gusts that nearly ripped him apart. Cole arrived back in a swirling shimmer mist, ranting furiously that Therold had stolen Phoebe.

"Why?" asked Leo dumbly.

Piper tried reassuring him Phoebe would be safe with Therold which was a huge mistake because it set Cole  off an a rant about Therold.

"God damn seers and priests" Cole roared , pacing up and down like a madman. "'you know who caused all the problems when I was the source, yeah the damned sages. Heads in books, always coming up with some cursed lore that means nothing can be done. Smart mouths pretending to be oh so humble bit laughing, getting their fun spiting demons, who at least had the guts to pick up a sword. When the vanquish spells are out, do you ever see a sage. To damned busy hiding" Cole' snorted "always thought they were so smarter, so better, so more.." and his whole face turned into a sneer "demonic than those who just fight for it" he ranted.

Glock shook his head as if he was going to say something and changed his mind Leo and Piper exchanging glances, and then sighed in relief when Francesca arrived to tell Cole precisely what he thought of his behaviour. Francesca's; lips became more pursed as Cole twice in anger shimmered away, then came back battered and his hair on end, then shimmered away again.

"He'll kill Therold' Piper whispered.

"He cannot get near Therold" Francesca answered crossing her arms with some satisfaction. "So all he is achieving is battering himself into a train wreck.

Piper, as she tried to sooth Patsy, who was now whimpering pathetically asked "Why did Therold steal Phoebe?" just as Paige orbed back to the manor looking as if she had pulled her clothes on, what was left of her makeup smeared and her hair had a comb dragged through it look.

"Therold stole Phoebe?" screeched Paige  "OMG '

"Why" said Leo. "I mean why did he steal her?

"Cole was pissed about George?" asked Paige "OMG. Did Therold take her because Cole was pissed?"

'"George?'" said Francesca. 

 "Phoebe's fantasy of the day "Gorgeous George' "explained Paige '"OMG I warned her."

"Then George must be…" Francesca mused

"George must be who?  asked Leo innocently

"I refuse to be sucked into this sort of conversation." Francesca said shaking her head.

"Why?" said Leo unwisely and earned himself a chilling school marm glance for his trouble.

"We need to see Phoebe" Piper said determined ready to fight even Francesca. "Even if it means getting on a plane."

'"Excellent idea" Francesca told her '"You can orb. Only guardians cannot get through'" she said "Phoebe is at Therold's. She needs you to take her some underwear. She isn't wearing any.'"

"Kay" said Piper calmly, because this was one more piece of information than she was able to absorb.

"She was wearing pyjamas when she left last night "said Paige. "So it makes sense.

"Therold stole Phoebe when she wasn't wearing any underwear" roared Cole shimmering in. "the bastard. The thieving…

'"Shut up Cole" interrupted Francesca.  She took a deep and annoyed breath while Glock and Leo caught theirs. "I have heard enough" She said crossing her arms. Look after your son, forget about your wife, and keep your mouth shut." She ordered him.

Patsy who had been mesmerised enough by the emotions around him to be quiet burst into tears about 3 seconds before Wyatt burst into his loudest WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

"Look after your son" Piper told Cole awhile he stood there opening and shutting his mouth. She thrust Patsy into his arms.  "You too" she said to Leo. "Wyatt."

Cole started to say no but Patsy settled a little as soon as he touched him.

"I guess he needs something demonic" Leo said picking up Wyatt while Cole ground his teeth but caught with his son's need, started to rock him.

"Í will break my fast' said Glock "and Melinda's if it will help"

"Choc'late Unca Glock" said Melinda who felty she had been ignored long enough.

"Muesli" yelled Piper a fraction of a section before Leo said it.

Piper caught Paige's arm and started to drag her upstairs

"George" Paige kept saying.  "She wouldn't have.. I mean reality…she would have stopped."

"Í know" said Piper. "Get Phoebe some underwear while I get dressed."

"Phoebe was wearing pyjamas under the coat when she left.'' Paige called out to Piper as she dug her way through Phoebe's underwear drawer. "I feel sorry for Therold.'"

"Why? " said Piper .

"Can you imagine being stuck with Phoebe in a tizz because she hasn't got any underwear." She laughed "I bet that kills the Madonna image."

Downstairs Patsy's angry father while comforting his son decided that it was Phoebe's absence that was setting Patsy off and Phoebe's absence was because of Therold. So suddenly Patsy's teething problems became Therold's fault.

"See what that bastard has done' Cole ranted at Francesca stolen … my wife. Caused my son to be in agony. Damned bastard would do that to a helpless child."

Francesca to throw her arms in irritation and exclaim "Shut up Cole" she said.

And she orbed leaving a furious Cole to glower at the space where she ha been.

Cole turned on Leo.

"Shut up Cole" said Leo definitely pissed  "Unless you want to hear some… sage words  about the way you are behaving.. from a sage" he added to make his point.

"He took her Leo" Cole said his voice cracking.

Leo shrugged with very little sympathy. "Well I've shared space with Phoebe in a mood " said Leo with a shudder "Just make sure Therold lives to regret it. And look after your son" he added as Pasty started to sob again.

Cole swallowed and with an effort turned his attention to Patsy.

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