Faithfully Yours Part 5: A Time in the Affairs of Witches   Chapter 43 "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."   Oscar Wilde

Phoebe had remained curled in the window seat since her sisters had left. Except for the numerous times the tea Therold kept bringing her meant she had to run to the bathroom and reminded her she was a pregnant woman. Proctor spent most of the time sitting relatively at ease in the chair appropriated from the cats. He appeared to be reading a large old leather bound book but Phoebe was very certain her was carefully watching her. Which was just as well because Phoebe was at the point where the only fantasy she could think of was being safely home with her husband and child. And if she had had the slightest chance of escaping she would.

Because the truth was Therold's incessant protection was sending Phoebe to the point where she was ready to call Cole and confess everything, confess anything to him, regardless of consequences. She was ready to confess all about his damned mother, all about George, all about potions t for helping Patsy and reversing spite dances and exactly where and how she got the information. She was even prepared to confess that she had caused Margaret to be besotted with Cole, if that got her out of the cottage.

Fortunately Therold was no where near as sensitive to Phoebe's moods as Cole or even Procter and had no idea his constant reassurances, tutting that she was sweet, and delicate, and by implication helpless, and his concern for her pregnant state , although he could not use the word pregnant, was nearly driving her to hysteria.

And she was certain Proctor knew it because every time Therold brought her something, reassured her that he would never allow her to be harmed or made a supreme effort not to curse Cole in front of her for fear of unbalancing her "delicate condition" Phoebe was sure she caught a satanic sneer around Proctor's mouth. She was therefore also starting to strongly empathise with Francesca annoyance with Guardians in general and Proctor in particular.

When orbs sounded in the cottage, Phoebe looked up hoping it was Francesca coming to report she had talked some sense into Cole, then caught her breath in surprise as Mark, his expression far form happy, appeared. He looked around the cottage, as if he was uncertain where he had landed. Then saw Proctor watching him. He sucked his breath as he recognised some great magic.

"This is Mark my whitelighter" Phoebe interrupted before either could say anything.

Proctor stood up, and Mark held his ground.

"Mark this is.. " Phoebe started to say.

Proctor considered Mark or an instant then interrupted her "I will inform my brother that he has a guest" he drawled and sauntered into the kitchen where Phoebe had discovered Therold spent most of the time he was not researching lore or acting as a guardian, experimenting with tea brewing and making special dietary concoctions for his cats..

"What the hell are you doing here?" Phoebe demanded. "Come to take me home" she said hopefully. And almost immediately Proctor appeared at the kitchen door, smiled sardonically then left again.

"Where the hell am I?" Mark asked "I just focused on you.  Why are you here?" he asked looking around,.

"Paige hasn’t..?" Phoebe asked.

"I haven't been to the manor" Mark said as Therold came into the room.

The monk like guardian looked Mark up and down "Another visitor" he said his voice strained. "Welcome" he added as afterthought.

"I'm Phoebe's whitelighter" Mark started to say "I just came to …"

"I'll get you some tea" Therold said his voice squeaking higher than usual.

"Thank you" Mark started. "I don't.."

"Have milk " hoebe interrupted quickly.

"That is something to be said for you " Therold murmured in a less than impressed voice "American?"  he asked snippily . "New York?"

"Chicago originally "Mark said quietly "But I moved around and travelled quite a bit".

"Mm" said Therold "That is something to be said for you. They have Starbucks in America" he said " Caramel coffee" he said.

"They sell that at Starbucks" Mark agreed quietly.

"Hmm" said Therold "I have a tea that will demonstrate how flavour, even caramel is better when its presence is a delicate aroma."

"I don't…" said Mark.

"Think you've ever had tea like that before." said Phoebe bestowing on Therold a huge smile "That's a lovely idea.'

"I hate tea" muttered Mark as soon as Therold bustled off to the kitchen

"Not here you don't" Phoebe whispered back.

"Where the hell am I?" Mark asked.

"England"  said Phoebe. "Cotswolds."

Mark looked at her his tongue in his cheek.

"You know that greater magic you don't want to know about" Phoebe said wincing

"Yes "said Mark shaking his head as he understood. "You're dangerous Phoebe" he said mildly "You trying to get me vanquished again."

'"No" she said seriously "I am trying to stop anyone getting vanquished. Don't you want to know why I'm here?"

"Guessing its some consequence of Cole finally getting completely pissed off with the spite thing" Mark answered dryly.

Phoebe thought about telling her tales of woes, decided that Mark was better off not knowing some things and asked "Why are you looking for me?"

Mark shook his head as if he did not want to speak. "I was ordered in no uncertain terms to tell you, and other charges with active powers that the Elders want witches to join the battle, unite against the great enemy, go fix the realms so they are finally safe. Take righteous control. Wrench magic back from evil, fight for the great cause. This is great magic the bigger picture " Mark said his voice getting drier with each word. "Oh and I am to remind you that they have some control over your magic.'

"That is propaganda" Phoebe said.

"Yes" agreed Mark.

"Burvjara" Phoebe asked "The magic pole" she said quietly.

"Well I am not told that specifically. But yes" Mark said "I assume."

Phoebe swallowed and then put her hand protectively across Pookie "When?" she asked.

"Today "Mark said "I was told to pass the message on, collect a few...vic.. troops. If Paige can't take you I can.''  he added. "Ï mean if you were crazy enough to want to go."

Phoebe pulled herself up. "You know" she said "I am getting damned sick of this magic thing running like a war and them treating us like soldiers. Shut up and follow orders, we shoot you or damn you if you don't fight. Fight who we tell you to fight when we tell you, interfere when we tell you. All in the name of the bigger picture, because us foot soldiers don't know enough to know better."

"I assume they believe if you had a choice you would not fight" Mark said softly.

"That isn’t true" Phoebe insisted "My sisters and I chose to fight all the time. To protect innocents."

"If you had a choice you would not fight where, when and how they want you to fight" Mark replied taking a deep breath.

"I'll bet they even worked out a casualty proportion against the need to win" Phoebe said bitterly. "Like evil."

"Not quite like evil" Mark admitted "Evil doesn't care how many losses are acceptable, they just keep more coming to fill the gaps. Like the Geztalt. Still" he said thinking about it "Evil will fight only of they believe they will win. Only if the troops believe the spin. So they have to spin even more than good."

"Hmm" said Phoebe.

Mark caught her hand "You have a choice Phoebe" he said.

"You going to tell that to other charges?' Phoebe asked him smiling, knowing the answer.

"Yes "he said simply. "I will tell them that and hopefully they will make the right one."

"Yes" she said "and it's always the same choice isn’t it. Protect innocents. "

"Which ones?" Mark asked "Burvjarians. Who. How many can you protect?"

"Cole says the Burvjarians aren't completely innocent" Phoebe shrugged "I will protect the innocents I can protect" she said looking at Mark with big brown eyes. "Not all whitelighters will say there is a choice. There are witches who haven't seen greater magic, the ones who haven't got so pissed off with elders that they can recognise propaganda when they hear it. The one who believe it, believe other whitelighters.

''To be fair" Mark smiled gently "I think whitelighters believe the propaganda too" he said "I think elders believe the propaganda." he said "I don’t think they are deliberately lying.. Because they believe in good."

"So it's okay because they are stupid, not evil" Phoebe said. "Witches will be just as dead. At least you aren't stupid" she told Mark.

"I'm a cynic and I had some people, like Leo, who knew about war to ask about propaganda." Mark told her "You have a choice Phoebe" he said.

"Not much off one" said Phoebe. "I have to protect innocents. Prue would come back and haunt me I didn't "she said.

"Phoebe just understand… this is not the Elders" Mark said. "This is the great level of a magic calling all troops. These are not the ones who will hiss and fuss and snigger at the Charmed Ones but let them have their way.'"

"Charmed Ones are just troops. I understand Mark " said Phoebe." I understand how greater magic works'. Better than most'" she said.

"'Then understand greater magic call what you are saying, mutiny Phoebe." Mark told her quietly

"Back at you. Í think they would call you a co conspirator for listening to me and talking about choices" Phoebe smiled.

"I think what I am doing is treason not mutiny" Mark explained with a grin. His grey eyes darkened. "I am not saying I disagree with your point of view" he said seriously "I am saying there will be consequences if you go that way. If you don't want to fight for them you have a choice not to go."

"Not if I want to tell the elders  to piss off on the future I don't"  said Phoebe.

Therold appeared at the kitchen door, carrying a beautifully decorated tray containing china teapots and cups an saucers. He made no pretence he had not listened to the conversation.

 "Your whitelighter has some sense Phoebe" 'Therold said in a squeak concerned, and to Phoebe, paternalistic tone. "There is a reason why mutiny is considered a worse crime than treason. You can trust me to know this" he said pompously "I have some wisdom in these matters."

Phoebe smiled softly at him "I trust you. I just have to listen to who I am" she explained.

"Phoebe dearest, you do not yes have to prove yourself a heroine."Therold said "I know you are a heroine."

Mark raised his eyes and noticed Proctor standing in the corner of the room, doing much the same.

Phoebe's chin came up "I do it to prove it to me' she said with just a  touch of Phoebe in her tone.

Therold , his eyes concerne  choose to ignore her tone He carefully laid the tray in front of Mark."

"This is a tea from Yunnan province in China" Therold explained. "It is a black tea grown at the highest place possible to grow tea in soil that has been fertilised from the Himalayan snows. It is flavoured with a Tibetan herb similar to rooibos  There are those wo describe the flour as caramel but I prefer to describe it as a sweet spice with a delicate after fragrance."

Mark nodded. "I visited Yunnan when I was finished college "he said his basic good manners taking over. "Beautiful place. Lovely people. One of the places I called a soul place."

"Really "said Therold "That  speaks well for you."

Mark smiled. "Truthfully though Ï mostly drank local spirits fermented from yak butter and occasionally yak butter tea. 'he said. "not real tea. The spirits had a kick like … a yak" he added

Therold nodded sagely. Yak butter tea is of course not reä tea but it has some interesting properties" he told Mark.

Phoebe shook her head, and sucked on her lips.

Mark drank a cup of tea never showing once a that  he hated the stuff, but refused  a second saying he had to go.

"To tell other witches they have a choice?" Phoebe asked.

"Yes "said Mark "and to have the same conversation with your sisters. Then I'll come back for you." he said. "You have a choice Phoebe" he insisted as he stood up .

She shrugged.

"Listen to your whitelighter" Therold urged her.

Phoebe shook her head.

"You do realise that there is also the Cole factor " Mark said "he is not going to sit around and let his wife, his pregnant wife get herself vanquished."

Phoebe looked up at him, brown eyes wide as Therold caught his breath at Cole's name. "I'm counting in it" she said "I'm counting on magic being balanced enough so that some-one who knows better recognises the injustice of sending innocents as vanquish fodder. Before they lose their innocence" she added. "Like happened in Burvjara before.'

Mark nodded and orbed.

"A pleasant young man" Therold commented as he packed the tray up. He stopped his face suddenly flushing "My dear I cannot interfere in your business. You are a good witch and must follow your heart. But there are things I cannot tell you, should not tell you" And he flushed red over his bald pate and face. "But I have to say this .. dearest Phoebe. If you must got to Burvjara stay away from your husband. Trust me in this."

"Therold Cole will never hurt me" she assured him.

Therold flushed red and snorted' You are sweet my dear" he said. "But there are things in magic you do not know."

……………………………..

Paige and Piper stared at the Book of Shadows. The page for spites was open and it looked the same as it had a week ago. No help there.

Paige swallowed. 'What do we do about the spites"? She asked leaving the real question hanging.

"You know working with evil is never good." said Piper frowning "Wasn't when we did the Apocalypse thing. Wasn't with the zoltar when we finally figured Cole was Belthezor. Never is."

"You know I hate it when you talk about things when I wasn't around" Paige snapped.

"Deal with it "said Piper with a grin.

Paige snorted "It's out of hand. Even if the Phoebe/George thing was not turning Cole into a ranting jealous loon, and putting Mark in danger of being recycled and me losing my job when I can really help people, and Melinda and chocolate. I mean she's three." Paige stressed as Piper nodded "It's out of hand. I mean look at everyone all going nuts, Leslie and her gay crush, Anne chasing Cole, the butch service station woman throwing herself at Cole. Nosy Mrs Taylor chasing Cole, Margaret throwing herself at Cole.

"Every-one chasing Cole" said Piper.' "I don't see what they fantasy with him."

"Great butt" said Paige without having to think about it. She smirked when Piper nodded "Fortunately living with him seems to cure any other fantasy for us" Paige added.

Piper visibly shuddered at the thought of fantasying Cole.

"Jean at work chasing Father Joe" said Paige "It's embarrassing, and those women Phoebe works throwing themselves at John Cotton."

"Women screwing around, wrecking families, not wanting to work at relationships, because god knows men won't " Piper said then flushed "Not that running out of time to do that is evil in itself, when you have two kids, three kids, four if you count Phoebe."

"No it just leaves vulnerable to …" Paige said her head ion the side".

"Yes "said Piper almost in a whisper. "Not that in itself other things are evil. If you just respect and admire, and of course never acted..."

"What do we do?" Paige interrupted "You want to let this go on ten years til it runs its course.  Melinda will be 13 and it won't be chocolate then" she said.

Piper took a deep breath. "We do what Cole's bitch of a mother said and summon the spite. Drag out the .. what they did out if it and reverse it. Make it in the little bastard''s interests to spill."

"Torture it' said Paige dubiously.

"Make it decide cooperation is in its best interest" Piper said slamming the spite Book of Shadows entry with a decisive whack. "What "she said "It can look after itself."

'So Phoebe tells me" Paige sighed "Let's go get him" she said.

She deliberately went over and shut the attic door then she stood beside Piper at the Book of Shadows and together they chanted the spell that summoned the spite leader. The spite's magic was clearly weak because the response was almost immediate.

The midsummer spite leader arrived in a flurry of dark translucent light and swirling robe, which when it settled down revealed a small almost bald lower ranked demon, myopically staring at them. 

"Charmed Ones" he squeaked then he puffed up his barrel like chest and in his high flat voice squealed "You don't scare me witch, witches "he said shivering nervously as Paige moved behind him. He swallowed and almost dry retched "There are only two of you" he whimpered, then he buffed himself up again reminding the witches of a frog trying to impress." I have powerful friends. My friends will fight for me," he announced "You would do well not to underestimate the power of spites."

"Is it possible for anyone to underestimate the power of spites" Piper asked dryly "Spite power doesn't impress us. And as for your friends, spites are just weak little sycophants to them" she to the spite leader. "You really think powerful demons would take one damn risk to help you. They just use you and get you killed" she informed the spite who shuddered in fear that she was probably right.'

The spite leader in panic tried to dematerialise with a small bling noise as he became transparent.

"Spite" Paige called and the leader was sucked back into the attic. "That was easy," she told Piper.

"You think spites are not powerful .You have fallen to the power for spites" squeaked the spite leader in a whiny accusation. He swallowed convulsively "Look at witches, look at the state of witches and the world at the moment." he added trying to sound grand but his voice rose in shrill crescendo.

"We're going to fix that" said Paige behind him "and you are going to help us.'" She informed him.

The spite shuddered convulsively. "Spites have powerful friends" declared the spite leader trying to puff up his chest but ending gasping for breath. "In the history of spites.

"Better call them then" said Piper crossing her arms "so what are the dance steps and the song" she asked pleasantly. "And shut up with the history."

"I'm not frightened of witches" declared the spite leader shaking like a jelly.

Piper lifted her hand and froze him.

"We need him to talk "said Paige.

"I'll unfreeze him half way down" Piper said. 'that always scares demons shitless. Figuratively speaking" she added.

She waved her hand and the spite half unfroze.

"Not to worry" she told the spite as its eyes rounded in fear "you're only frozen. I haven't used my blow up power…yet" she said and moves her hand toward his genitals.

The spite in fear moved his eyes so he could glance downward.

"What are the dance steps?" Piper asked picking up a note book.

The spite immediately started screaming for the Geztalt to come and help, yelling chants and pleading into the spirit winds.

Paige arms crossed and Piper tapping the notebook stood back and watched.

"I guess they don’t like your music" Paige said digging around in the chest the witches kept confiscated demon weapons "What do you think" she asked Piper "athame or serrated knife?"

"Serrated knife "Piper answered withal wicked smile "Slower" she said.

The spite leader began screaming for the Geztalt swinging his arms like a swimmer going nowhere.

"Looks like they aren't coming" said Paige fingering the edge of the serrated knife she had taken out. She moved toward the spite.

He shuddered and would have collapsed if he wasn't frozen. Paige took one more step.

The spite leader rattled off the steps and the words that went with it in a hissing rushed sentence, not stopping for space between his words.

"Slow it down" Piper ordered.

"You hold arms like spites to join the magic" said the spite leader, " and then you dance around infected witches, the more who dance the more powerful the magic, the more witches you do it in front of, the faster it spreads. That is the power of spites." He boasted then whimpered as Paige casually flicked the knife.

"Not that spite magic is anything to boast about" Piper muttered.

"How's your fantasy?" hissed the spite leader

Paige and Piper flushed.

"Its only 5 steps" Piper said. "That's all that did this"

"Spite magic is powerful "whimpered the spite leader. And screamed again for its Geztalt friends, then sagging in shivering half frozen heap as he finally realised they were not coming.

"As simple as that" said Paige shaking her head as Piper wrote down the words "Never underestimate simple magic "she said "When it is backwards, is it words or letters?" she asked.

"Words" squeaked the spite leader too frightened to lie.

Paige came over and looked at the paper. "What do we do with this?" She asked indicating the spite leader.

Piper half raise her hand to unfreeze the spite he started to scream "Don't kill me. Don't kill me please I beg."

Paige looked at Piper and she unfroze the spite who fell in a miserable heap on the attic floor.

"Don't kill me don't kill me" he begged covering his head with his arms, his robe losing its translucence and turning an ugly sooty black.

"Why not?" asked Piper. "You’re a demon, you're evil". She raised her hands.

"I am a friend of the Geztalt "screamed the spite "I can tell you about them" he whimpered looking up at the witches a sly expression on his face.

Paige put her hand out and stopped Piper. "What can you talk us about the Geztalt?" she asked "my sister may listen to me "she explained. "Maybe you help us and I can talk her out of killing you."

The spite leader gulped.

Piper lifted her hands

"Sometime she listens to me" Paige said. "In the beginning, before the bloodlust gets to her."

The spite leader half crawled to Paige and caught her leg. She shook him free in disgust.

"Ï can tell you about the Geztalt' the spite leader squeaked. "If I tell you about the Geztalt you'll spare me."

"Maybe" said Paige keeping her voice non committal.

The spite took its chances "Under the robe I saw them. I saw one." The spite squealed '"Without the mask, without the robes, you see there is nothing, just goblins, just miserable little goblins. Nothing, its all a .. mask "he whined. "Not like spites. Weak little .. like sludges. They just stole magic and used it to make themselves look like … they were real demons. If demons saw them under the robes..."His voice tailed off into a long whine.'

"And you were keeping this information about your friends to yourself because?" Paige asked sweetly.

The spite leader despite its fear smirked.

Piper looked at Paige. "So if we got them out of the robes" she said. "Goblins, sludges. Are you sure?" she demanded of the shrivelled spite leader

The spite leader whimpered " I saw them. Let me go. I told you" he cried.

Piper raised her hands and the spite screeched in fear.

"We can summon you again" Piper told him "If the dance does not work.'

"Really pisses my sister of when she misses out on a kill" Paige told the spite.

The spite leader made a small choking noise and as Piper deliberately turned to Paige he took its chances and flicked away.

"I guess you need to choose your friends wisely, or at least remember pissed off minor allies can destroy you": Piper said: "when you start a war. No wonder they call them spites. "

"Hmm" said Paige "Dance" she said.

"And sing "said Piper looking at the paper "Backwards"

"In front of witches" whimpered Paige." AHHHHHHH"

They both jumped as Leo walked into the attic with the phone in his hand. "What are you to up too?" he asked suspiciously.

"Fixing spite magic" Piper answered.

"How?" he asked. "Leslie "he said indicating the phone

"Witches' business" said Paige quickly holding her hand out for the phone.

Leo and Piper watched her as she uncomfortably moved her weight from one foot top the other, saying yes, no,  I understand, yes no. And the she spent some time making sympathetic  mmming noises.

She finally said "Leslie it's your choice, like all of us have to make in the end whatever the whitelighter says. And sometimes it's not what you chose but why you chose. I believe you" she said and finally ended the call.

"What "said Piper.

"That damned whitelighter of hers came to tell her, he was passing on the orders of the Elders who I take it are passing on the  orders of the Powers that be. The time for righteous battle against evil has come. They want witches with certain powers to go assemble as a force for good to once and for all wrest control of magic from evil. This will be the battle that defines the course of Good for millenniums to come. This will be the battle that finally frees all of magic from Evil's insidious…. Blah blah blah"

"Translation the Geztalt have invaded or are about to invade Burvjara and Good want to use the occasion to get control of the pole" Piper said. "Leslie does not believe that garbage?" she asked.

"Well to a certain point of view there is some truth" Leo pointed out. "Like most propaganda. She's going?"

"Yes "said Paige. She's going because if she doesn't some-one else will go in her place and she could not live with that. Her bad luck for being the eldest witch in the family. She says she's terrified to but she could not bear to think Charlie or someone else would get killed...in her place."

Piper shook her head "Her father must be beside himself."

"Says he will lock her up rather than let her go." Paige answered. "Leslie said she does not care what her father says, she is going because when it comes down to it, she is the witch. She's terrified though. She said some of the witches in her coven are excited, can't wait to go. Be involved in greater magic.  She thinks something must be wrong with her, to be so frightened."

Piper crossed her arms "She does not think she has to go because of some debt to her mother or something does she?"

"You know what her mother would have said.  'Its all garbage' and then she would have told the elders what she thought of their idea in language anyone could understand." Paige smiled remembering the witch Jade

"Then Jade would have gone" said Piper. "I wonder why we haven't been asked?" she said and called for Mark.

'"Leaving the hardest until lasted" Leo suggested. "Or decided he isn't going to ask."

"That's not his choice to make" Piper said crossing her arms. She went to the door. "Its damned quiet down there" she said.

Paige and Leo followed her downstairs. Wyatt was still having his nap and Patsy was thankfully asleep, not completely comfortable because he sobbed a little to himself and was lying levitated on his tummy with his fist in his mouth but at least he was not wailing.

"Where is his father?" Paige asked suspiciously.

She went downstairs and found Melinda was awake and showing Unca Glock how her cats played with their mouse toys.

"Cole has gone to retrieve his beloved." Glock informed them "this time he believes he knows how to break the barrier whatever that means."

"Unca Cole said some really bad words mommy" Melinda informed Piper brightly.

Piper rolled her eyes. She looked at Leo who nodded as Glock eyed them suspiciously.

"Good and evil are about to invade Burvjara" Leo said "To rescue the pole from each other."

"Others have come before "Glock said.

'"This is not at the invitation of Burvjarians" Leo told him.

"And Cole is more interested in finding his beloved" Glock said. "than invasions about Burvjara. I need to return" he said "And I do not wish to hear any more 'wisdom' about waiting until the right time.'

"What do you think you can do?" Piper asked taking his arm.

"I can tell the Others and I can tell any of my people who will; listen that Burvjara is for Burvjarians." Glock said. "And that which belongs in Burvjara belongs to Burvjarians."

"What is different from before?" Piper asked him. 'They did not listen to you before."

"Some did" Glock told them. "The difference is this time we have a common enemy.

"Witches could be part of that enemy Glock" Paige told him. "Piper and I could be part of that enemy."

"Witches are not invited "he told them bluntly. "You are not invited" and his yellow eyes flashed.  "Cole is otherwise occupied and I need to return" he said calmly.

Leo took a deep breath "I will take you" he said. "When do you want to go?"

Glock considered "Close to the time of Battle" he said "Limit the time they have to consider my absence."

"Are you sure you will be welcomed?" Piper asked worried. "This is a rushed decision…"

"No "Glock told her" I  doubt I will be welcomed but if Cole is right and there has been a cease fire over my… death, then this may be the only time I...have to… act."

His trunk twitched but before he could say anything orbs sounded and Mark appeared. His face looked strained and his eyes looked in pain.  The warrior nodded. "Its always rushed in the end. You wait for ever to go to battle and then you don't have time to think."

Piper nodded

As Mark appeared Paige smiled before she deliberately walked over to him, putting her arms around him. He held her tight and she arched against him as he rested his head on hers, then she reached up and kissed him.

"Took your time coming." She said finally.

"I had a few things to do" he said.

"Í know" Paige told him softly.  "Leslie called to say her whitelighter had visited and to say she was thinking hard about what he came for.'"

"I went to see Phoebe first" Mark told her. "Then some other charges."

"Therold?" Paige asked nervously.

"Offered me tea" Mark winced.

Mark half nodded then shook his head. "I've come to tell you what the Elders want me to tell you" he said quietly. "And then tell you that you have a choice."

"What did Phoebe choose?" Piper asked cutting him off.

"Don't you want to discuss it?" Mark asked.

"Did Phoebe discuss it?" Piper asked.

Mark nodded.

"And she said she's going to protect the innocents?" Piper asked.

Mark nodded.

"Well there you go" said Piper.

Piper looked at Paige.

"We're going to protect the innocents" Paige said "I know my sister" she explained to Mark.

"Mark you are not telling Piper, the girls to go fight some damned war in a foreign… realm that is about something so far outside… here." Leo started to say

Mark shook his head "I'm not telling them Leo" he said. "I'm not even asking them. But I am not lying to them either.  About what is happening.''

"I don't want you to go" Leo told Piper.

"I don't want to go." Piper said going to him and putting arms around him "you knew when you went to war, you had to go, had a duty to go, even when what they were telling you wasn't true." she said.

"I knew" Leo admitted and pulled her close to him.

"Listen to Leo, Piper. Listen Paige." Glock said "Do not come to Burvjara to fight me, to fight my people."

"The Charmed Ones will go to Burvjara to protect the innocents." Paige insisted looking at Piper.

"According to Cole, Burvjarians have long since lost their innocence." Glock told Piper. "There are no innocents. Do not go. Listen to Leo."

"There are innocents, going to fight" Piper explained. "And maybe this is the only chance we get to protect hem before they lose their innocence in a battle that should not happen. Maybe if some-one had been able to do it when Burvjara was innocent, what happened to Burvjara would not have happened." she said.

Piper looked up at Glock and saw his confusion. She turned to ward Leo sucking her lip a little as she realised his expression was one of pride in her.

"We are not going to fight you Glock" she said "maybe when you look for a common enemy it will help if you know who that enemy is. And who is not."

"And how will you stop what happened, happening again" Glock asked "When combatants and Others have not been able to do it in generations.

"Because we have no personal gain" Piper said and Paige nodded. She shrugged "We're the Charmed Ones, we'll figure something out."

"Phoebe was talking about mutiny" Mark told them.

"That's not a bad start" said Paige considering it.

"You do know you make a lousy propagandist" Leo told Mark.

"Never was one for the party line" Mark grinned for a second the strain on his face easing. Paige put her hand up and gently touched his face.

"How do I get there and when?" Paige asked him.

"You shouldn't know that 'there' is Burvjara" Mark reminded her "They are asking witches to assemble in the lower reaches of up there out of reach of evil in three hours this realm time."

"I'll get Phoebe" Paige said "At least Cole can't follow us to up there."

"You have to get some other charges?" Piper asked Mark.

He nodded "A few made the decision to fight when given a choice" he said "Not sure if that is a good or bad thing".

He took one last look at Paige, smiling softly before he orbed.

Glock turned to Paige and Piper "You do know that Burvjara is the most dangerous realm." Glock his nose twitching and his skin turned dark orange explained. "Everything is so corrupted by war. Magic .. your magic destroys everything around. Your powers are lethal to you and everyone, flame powers, any active power. Any dematerialisation and such can destroy you and anyone near you in the open."

"How do Others get in and out?" Paige asked.

"There are caves dark places" Glock told her said "they stink", the air is nearly unbearable but it is safe to use your magic there."

"How to we get any where" Paige asked

"Do as Burvjarians do "Glock shrugged "walk."

"And I wonder when the Powers up there are going to tell witches with active powers this" Piper sneered. She caught Paige's arm "we have kids to look after and things to do before we go" she said.

"I will prepare to leave" Glock told Leo.

"Tell me when you want to go" Leo replied keeping his voice casual.

"I am grateful" Glock started to say "as Cole is clearly lacking interest" he said not bothering to hide his anger.

"If you had been through as many dramas as we have with Cole and Phoebe, you would know that neither of them has any sense of proportion when it comes to each other" Leo explained. "Pisses everyone off" he added.

"Yet Phoebe is willing to fight in Burvjara." Glock said.

"That is the best of her" Leo shrugged "It had to come out sometime while you are here. I wouldn't completely give up on the best of Cole yet. He did put Patsy ahead of chasing after Phoebe. That is something."

Glock made a noise through his nose that was something between a snort and laugh and turned to go upstairs.

...................................................................