Faithfully Yours

Part 6: War is hell

 

Chapter 51

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

As Glock started his march across Burvjara, far away behind the mountains, Cole could see the sky bursting into fire as some massive explosions took place.

 

He frowned and pointed it out to Glock. Before Glock could say anything one of the Burvjarians answered

 

"The others have come" he said calmly.

 

Cole sucked his breath in fear and he noticed Glock did the same. This was observed by the Burvjarian

 

"I fear they may have misunderstood what they were told about dematerialising near the pole" the Burvjarian laughed..

 

'"Not surprising, the find us ignorant and incapable of making coherent thoughts or explanations." another Burvjarian said maliciously

 

Glock nodded but his skin unde the hood went orange.

 

"Phoebe's; okay I can feel her" Cole told him. "Piper will be with her. Okay" but the sky sparked as he easily connected to Phoebe's aura.

 

Glock nodded "Be careful of your magic here" he warned.

 

With Cole beside and a little behind Glock, the Burvjarians strode through the rocky land that was just showing the slightest signs of recovery from the cycles of warfare.

 

Glock marched in front with the Burvjarian who had been the most doubtful of the first group they had met, struggling to keep the pace and stay beside him. Finally on top of a rise Glock stopped and stood, eyes covered with his hand, scanning a plain that seemed to have orange flame like light bursting out of it. The Burvjarian who had first approached him and had valiantly fought to keep at the pace Glock was setting, finally climbed the ridge then gasping dropped to the ground snorting the air through his trunk like nose and trying to find some normal breath.

 

Cole who had not found the pace Glock was setting much easier than the Burvjarian came to the top of the rise to hear the Burvjarian, his voice still gasping with the effort, tell Glock "You walk in front at a dangerous place, friend, It would be easy to find yourself alone when you set such a pace."

 

“Í have learned to choose the places to wait" Glock murmured while Cole hidden under his hood smiled.

 

Cole also took the opportunity to ease his breathing because not only was he struggling with the pace Glock was setting but the weight of his own magic which felt like a leaden shroud on him.

 

"I recall you telling me when we were last here that you walked more slowly now" Cole breathing deeply, trying to find some clear air and not succeeding.

 

“I feel enervated from my stay in your green realm" Glock replied.

 

"Or from the whitelighter healing you" Cole murmured, then he turned to stare into the distant ridges so he did not see Glock nose twitch in something very lose to fear.

 

Another couple of Burvjarians made it to the top of the ridge.

 

"I hear that Glock was a leader who walked in front" said one. "You almost convince me you are Glock arisen from the dead."

 

"I always walk a fast pace" Glock replied but he avoided looking at Cole. "Believe me or not as to who I am. I care not. I still go to rid the land of the enemies of Burvjara.'"

 

"That's why we come" said another Burvjarian making it up the mountain. "To see the invaders burn, to light their pyre. Makes no difference if you are Glock or not if you can do this."

 

"You have no weapon. It is unwise "said the another Burvjarian "to be so far in front. And I do not like the Ogre walking beside you."

 

"I have a weapon" Glock said indicating Cole "I keep it close. I fight with what I have."

 

They stood waiting for the dark robed Burvjarians who with their weapons slung over their shoulders, and hob nailed boots scrapping against the rocks, as they clattered to the top of the ridge. The group was now quite large. The word had passed that Glock or someone who claimed to be him had returned from the dead and was going to throw the others and the demons out of Burvjara. And many had come to see for themselves.

 

How they knew or heard they were reluctant to reveal. All they would say was that they heard about it in the stones and Glock each time accepted what they said. Cole once again wondered just what he did not know about the powers of the Burvjarians.

 

None of those who now followed Glock, seemed to be of his clan or even a friendly clan to him.  Most seemed to distrust him and were downright cynical when he declared himself to be Glock. All were openly uncertain of the unarmed Burvjarian who claimed he was walking to declare war on all and any invaders.

 

Not all the Burvjarians they met, walked with them. There were those who turned away saying let the invaders kill each other and we will kill those who are left.

 

Some looked at Cole at Glock's side and snarled "We heard the Ogres drove the Others out and yet they still come back. What is the difference now?"

 

"We always let the Others and the demons come back, to try an win our eternal battles against each other. Now we unite against them, not fight amongst ourselves. Burvjara for Burvjarians." he told them "walk with me."

 

Some laughed, and wished Glock luck, some said they would follow to pick up whatever was left when the battle was over. Some told Glock they could not walk behind him. Each time he said "Then walked beside me" and moved off.

 

And when they looked at Cole standing beside, him walking beside him they asked "The Ogre is not an invader?" they asked scornfully

 

"Which of the invaders do you fight with" "indicating Cole.

 

"I fight against the invaders who fight me" Glock answered. "This one walks with me. 'He does not fight me. I fight those who fight me." He said." Be my brother walk beside me." With various levels of uncertainty and unwillingness, many hoisted their weapon over their shoulders."

 

"Glock or not " they would say “A fight is a fight. Better to be part than watch" and hen they walked after Glock. And each time were hushed into silence at the pace Glock set.

 

Cole regretfully mused that any hopes he may have had that in Glock's absence the Burvjarians may have permanently laid down arms were premature

 

“You win this battle to get them to walk with you" Cole told Glock . "And when this fight is over, what then?"

 

“One battle at a time" Glock sighed "I fight those who would fight against Burvjara, those who are not my brothers."

 

Some of those that joined them had passed on news of the size of the demon army were at the pole and that the Others who had come, were also marching toward the pole.

 

"Although not with any ease" Cole and Glock were informed with some malice from the Burvjarians who told them. “It seems some have not survived the march."

 

Cole formed the word Phoebe but managed to swallow it down, then damned the risk to magic and connected to her aura, which lit up the air like a firecracker, knocking several Burvjarians near him down, fortunately only singing their robes, although one looking at a near ruined robe aimed a weapon at him.

 

Glock's nose twitched with irritation "Take care of your magic" he warned Cole

 

Cole ignored the irritation "Phoebe is okay… so far" Cole told Glock "All the girls will be" he added in response to a quick twitch from Glock's nose and his skin darkening orange. Cole walked on, Glock or a moment stayed behind then strode ahead. The band behind them followed mistrustingly lowering weapons, but not all uncocked them.

 

Glock with Cole at his side, and followed by an increasing number of not entirely trusting Burvjarians climbed the paths, hills and strode across the plains. All through the light, Glock barely rested , scraping over the ground in his hobnailed boots, ignoring the stones rocks and breaks in the ground that could have crippled any of them if they had tripped.

 

Half way up a high pass. they rested beside warmed rocks, when it became to dark to walk.

 

"If you are Glock "demanded a Burvjarian "where were you? No stones in Burvjara talked of your presence. There are those who swear on their honour they saw him die."

 

"I was swept over the edge. The other here used his magic to save mine" Glock said "I believe I have gratitude." He looked at Cole "Perhaps" he said gruffly

 

Cole smiled in the darkness..

 

"Where were you?" demanded the combatant,

 

"In a realm of the Others" Glock told him "a green realm where they sleep on soft beds, and keep furred creatures as companions, where food is there for the taking, and beds are soft."

 

"Paradise" snarled a Burvjarian sarcastically.

 

"If it is paradise the Others do not recognise it" Glock told the Burvjarians who ahs struggled up the ridge, "The more they have, then the more they fight for, with weapons more terrible than we can believe. They have no understanding that where fair labour should be exchanged for fair reward. The less they labour, the more they reward. It is a realm where imitation gold is currency and they rob and steal and abuse to have it."

 

Cole took a deep breath.

 

"They have a fairness there" Glock said "But not a realm of peace. They have an evil, a subtle evil."

 

"Hmm" said the combatant.' "The beds are soft"

 

"The shelters are rooved" Said Glock.

 

"Sounds soft "said a Burvjarian "why come back?"

 

"I missed the honesty" Glock said "of warriors."

 

Cole huddled in his mock Burvjarian robe and freezing despite the parka under it, ground his teeth

 

"The Others are a hospitable people" Glock told the Burvjarians. "Generous in many ways. Individually. Kind in many ways. They made me welcome."

 

"And now you wish to return the favour by throwing tem out of Burvjara" said one of the followers.

 

"Yes" agreed Glock and his nose twitched.

 

Several Burvjarian laughed.

 

"By god, maybe you are Glock" said one of the followers who had been standing by saying nothing, listening. "Glock never minded supping with the devil if he could steal their table afterwards."

 

"I'd steal the horns from their heads, as long as I keep my honour" Glock said.

 

The Burvjarians laughed "What did you steal from their green realm?“ one asked.

 

Glock glanced at Cole who pulled his hood further over his head. Glock's nose twitched and he pulled the Swiss army knife that Leo had given him and the scarf that Paige had given him out and the Burvjarians handed them around saying soft or sharp.

 

"I did not steal anything that was dishonourable'“ Glock insisted quietly to Cole.

 

"You didn't steal anything "Cole muttered.

 

"Better they don't know that" said Glock in a whisper.

 

"Tell me more of the green realms?“ asked a Burvjarian and Cole sitting  to one side of the group, half smiled to himself as he listened while Glock told the amazed, bemused and scornful band of credit cards and machines; of trolley cars and blue seas; and cats, spites and chocolate and gaols, until finally the bone weariness that Burvjara often brought on him took over and despite the discomfort and cold, he fell into an uncomfortable sleep.

 

Cole miserably dozed most of the night, worrying about Phoebe and her sisters when he was awake, and praying she was more comfortable than him. And then he became very aware of her aura just thinking about Phoebe. He shivered partly from realising ho this place took hold of his magic and partly, as he connected with Phoebe that he was aware she was far, far more miserable than he was in this place. The only consolation he took was that he could feel nothing in the connection that indicated she was at the level of distress he would have expected if either Paige of Piper was harmed.

 

Almost before first light Glock was moving and striding up the ridge and Cole found himself struggling to his feet to follow Glock up the very steep and rough pass where those who walked risked broken bones, falling down chasms and rockslides. The pass wound its way through the mountains for countless hard, painful strides, so many that Cole lost count of the time he walked at breakneck speed behind Glock who was striding along almost as if he did not notice the danger of the pass. Glock finally reached the top of the next ridge where they could look down on a crater like plain, which had vivid and almost painful orange light bursting from the centre and was covered all over by what looked like a transparent orange mist.

 

Cole made it to the top some strides behind him, struggling to breath, his lungs burning and his heart pounding. Behind him the group of Burvjarians climbed, some struggling, some with a huge effort managing to be fairly close to the top.

 

From high above the plain Glock his hand shielding his eyes scanned the plain below. He waved his hand indicating a high dust cloud going from the ridges on the other side of the plain,

 

"The Others do not have an easy time" he observed. They have not arrived even close." His nose twitched. "They chose a difficult path to the pole." he added his yellow eyes going dark.

 

"They tried to get closer" observed a Burvjarian standing slightly to the side of Glock.

 

"They head for the pole?" Cole asked squinting hard as he saw the blurred figures in ragged lines scrambling their way down the side of the ridge

 

"It would seem so" Glock observed. He strained hard to see "Not moving easily he said looking at Cole with a trace of concern.

 

"Phoebe's alright" Cole said. “I feel it as I breath since I connected that once.  My magic...it just comes. Piper will be all right" he added.

 

Glock nodded. "Better you keep you magic to yourself. " he said his nose twitching. "and better for all of us you don't forget your purpose here and rush to protect your love."

 

Cole nodded grimly "I know what I must do." he said. "And" he added "I will do what I must to protect all I must and it will be my choice."

 

Glock's nose twitched "Then pass the time while we march thinking of a defence when you become blamed for your love and her sister's painful journey."

 

Cole grinned. He strained his eyes to see the plain. He noticed, coming along the plain further away from the pole than either Glock's band or the Minions of Good another cloud as dust swirled in the air. He indicated the movement to Glock.

 

"My clansman' Glock said

 

"How did you call them?" Cole asked.

 

"In the stones "said Glock. "It is easy magic in this place."

 

Cole ground his teeth and Glock's nose twitched.

 

Cole looked down the ride at the group of Burvjarians following them up the ridge.

 

"They are not your clansmen, this could get nasty.' he said.

 

"They are my brothers" said Glock.

 

"I am trusting you know what you are doing" Cole said.

 

"Truthfully" said Glock "I am doing what your family do when they really have no idea."

 

"Winging it" groaned Cole. "OMG. You stayed to long in my realm".

 

Glock's nose twitched "This I told you" he said.

 

Cole put his hand over his eyes and strained to see what was happening below. In the orange light he could see dark figures moving. It seemed there was a funnel of light in the middle of the open plain and close by the dark figures were massed in formation.

 

"Demons at the light "he said "they have the pole" he frowned

 

"Yes said Glock.

 

Cole took a deep breath "Can we go around?“ he asked straining to see the land around. We.. you are going to have the .. Others between us and the pole if we go this way."

 

Glock started to reply but before he could a number of Burvjarians finally made it up the ridge, their boots making a grinding noise as they made the ridge, some openly gasping for breath.

 

A Burvjarian coming up behind Cole laugher scornfully in between gasping for breath.

 

"What?" Cole asked not enjoying the Burvjarians superiority.

 

"No we cannot go behind" the Burvjarian said straight faced and waited, taking the time to breath deeply.

 

"Why? Cole finally demanded realising they were going to make him ask

 

"The pole is a good place to defend if you wish to defend air and light and die for it" murmured another Burvjarian catching his breath as he reached the top and clearly enjoying Cole's ignorance. "The path is narrow" he added

 

"It's an open plain "Coe said

 

And the Burvjarian laughed

 

Cole looked toward Glock questioningly.

 

"It is seasonal" Glock said "where the land around the rim of the pole does not destroy those who tread. This season the path is here, as we approach it. Other season it is…"

 

"Not where it is now" said a Burvjarian.

 

"If it was easy to invade don’t you think it would have been done seasons ago" Glock asked.

 

"Yes" Cole agreed. He took a deep breath "If you go this way you will have to fight your way through the.. Others" Cole said  "Innocent others."

 

"No innocent if they invade another's realm, fight in another's place uninvited" said a Burvjarian

 

"We fight Others" murmured a Burvjarian who had climbed the ridge, cocking his weapon as Cole moved edgily

 

Glock took a deep breath and his skin turned orange.

 

"Burvjara is for Burvjarians. We fight all those who would stand in the way and claim it as theirs." Glock said "Others demons., archangels and pixies, witches. Those who come to control our land."

 

"You have a fine voice" a Burvjarian who was standing back warily watching Cole and Glock told him. "Maybe I will believe you are Glock.“

 

"If you do not believe he is Glock why follow him“ Cole demanded as a few more murmured their appreciation n op the comment.

 

"I will follow anyone who will lead me against he accursed Others" as the reply "and the demons. Better to fight these than … brothers. It’s a reason."

 

Glock smiled as Cole

 

“You think a few orange shrubs can change our souls?" he asked.

 

"What would you do if Glock had not come back" Cole pushed moving his hands as if to call fire, feeling all the pressure of his magic. “Let the demons have the pole.

 

The Burvjarian aimed a weapon at Cole. Kill any Others who come" he answered cocking the weapon. '

 

"Back off" Glock ordered Cole sharply.

 

Cole taking a deep breath. Then sucked the air hard before he nodded raising his hands and backing off.

 

"Glock knew how to stand against the Others and invaders, Glock knew how to give them orders." said a Burvjarian in admiration.

 

"I do "said Glock and with out looking back strode down the ridge.

 

………………………………………………………………………………………

 

The Minions of Good scrambled down the last ridge and descended into the transparent orange mist of the plain below. As they scrambled down the ridge was some murmuring as the magical minions found the full gravity of the pole pulling ion their magic, adding to their discomfort and the total pain of their long march. As the light crept over the horizon the whole land in front of them seemed to burst into a great orange fire that lit up the air around them. The flames reached high in the sky and then started shooting off streaks off orange and red and yellow that flew in the sky like fireworks out of control. The Charmed Ones were not the only ones who were staring at the display which seemed to set the whole atmosphere alight. All the Minions of Good stopped to stare at the display and then exchange nervous and awkward glances, awed into silence by the display.

 

Even the whitelighter warriors stopped and stared at the display, some shaking their heads in awe and some in fear. The display finally receded when the last of the minions scrambled into the plain and the air seemed magnetic taking on a fiery orange effect like a mist that was just hanging above the ground and the Charmed sisters became aware of the general unease of those around them and the tension that was coming through the assembled minions in waves that were almost overwhelming.

 

The orders came from the Elder warriors to move on. The Elder warriors striding out in suitable footwear and clothing, and apparently connecting to their own magic with just a thought seemed not to notice the heaviness the others were all feeling.

 

"No damn justice there" said Tisha. "They're not feeling it."

 

"Be careful about wishing for justice" Phoebe warned again.

 

"Why the hell aren't they feeling the pain?" demanded Edna.

 

"Riding on such an adrenaline rush of war they aren't feeling anything" Phoebe replied, "Including other people's pain."

 

"Is that a premonition?" Leslie asked quietly.

 

"Yes" said Phoebe “and it will come at a price."

 

"If there is any justice" said Matilda suddenly.

 

"There is justice" Phoebe said "Trust me."

 

A silence fell on the Minions of Good as walked floated and stumbled across the plain, wincing at the sting of the orange mist which stung like a sand storm.

 

As they moved forward, it seemed that the mist was only transparent in front of them and either side seemed to tower like a huge moving wall. A couple of witches moved off the lit path and screamed with pain as the mist turned into fire.

 

"You think the pole can protect itself?" Paige asked grimly. "Like the Book of Shadows. Like other magic things."

 

"Yes" said Phoebe

 

"Bugga" said Paige.

 

The path through the mist was now easier going for the Minions of Good, with softish blue soil underfoot and none of the treacherous rocks and crevices that could break bones when a careless step caused a fall. As they moved the whitelighter warriors, some crashing to the ground in pain at the strength of the telepathic message, were clearly given orders to organise the Minions into some semblance of an army and they found themselves in groups of fifty.

 

 Looking around at their companions there was some order where those who had powers to protect sister witches were on the edge and those who had the most lethal powers, like Leslie, were in the front ranks. Those with weaker non lethal powers were in the centre, almost as if they were buffers for the demons. Some of the witches, like the Charmed Ones whose powers seemed to be collective and based on incantations and other forms of activity were dead centre

 

"Funny this is the one thing they can do well" Piper muttered.

 

As they formed the ranks a whitelighter warrior walked with each group and the Elder Warriors marched themselves to the front of the army, forming a V with the leader in front and the lesser lights to each side.

 

"So" said Edna who was on the edge of the ranks "You think the demons are in front or behind, or both."

 

"Behind us "said Tisha who was also on the edge "Elders are in front."

 

"If the demons are in front, the Elders can easily step to one side" Piper said "Let us through to fight."

 

"Let us through to get killed" said a witch behind.

 

Paige answered. She whispered to her sisters "If we are going to … discourage anyone to fight, maybe this is a good time."

 

“Elders seem to be doing that job for us" Piper whispered back.

 

The transparent light that formed the path they marched seemed to be narrowing forming a funnel that pushed the army into a very narrow path. Even the Elders at the front had to form closer ranks as the witches and other minions walked shoulder to shoulder to avoid the fire of the darker mist on either side.

 

"It feels like it sucked the magic out of me and weighing me down at the same time" Leslie , ignoring order to maintain ranks slipped back to whisper to Paige. "I don't think I can stand it "she said looking around to see those around her hunched over as if carrying the weight of their whole lives. Leslie sighed straightened up and move to help a witch who was struggling to stand.

 

"Lean on me" Leslie told the witch and as Paige nodded approval. Walking along with witch leaning on her for support. Leslie turned to Paige "You were right" he said.

 

"About what?" Paige asked.

 

"They have me in the front to get killed first" she said "They're hoping the ones with lethal powers will kill enough demons before they get killed that the big powers like you, like the Charmed Ones, can wipe the rest out."

 

Paige sucked her breath and then nodded. Leslie shrugged.

 

After marching in the ranks and becoming less orderly and more angry with the Elders the longer they marched, the Minions of Good suddenly found the ground in front sweeping away and they were looking down at a crater more or less in the centre of the plain . Bright orange, red and yellow light , and every so often  cold blue and pink light was erupting, spewing from centre like red hot lava from a volcano eruption.

 

“I guess we've arrived" said Piper. "So this is what we came to protect. Powers that Be want to protect."

 

“I guess this is where we do something" said Paige. "Unless we want to die protecting it."

 

“I guess“ said Phoebe. "Unless we want to get a lot of innocents killed protecting it."

 

The Minions of Good stood on the edge and strained to see the magic pole of the realms they knew. They stood in awe as they watched the place that kept their magic in balance, the place where there was no big magic or small magic, just magic; the place where magic met and turned in on itself and restabilised and sent it back to those whose souls connected with it.

 

The pole itself was a crater inside the crater and it seemed to be the centre of all the light spewing from the plain, erupting high in the air all colours now, spectacular fireshowers raining down on the Minions of Good and each time the sparks hit one of them, nearly sending them crashing to the earth with the weight it added to their own magic.

 

"We're not meant to be here" said Matilda almost on her knees as several sparks hit her. "I wonder why they can't see it?" she asked indicting the Elder warriors who were purchasing on the edge of the crater almost dancing with glee. Matilda looked at Phoebe "because they are past understanding, hooked on the power of their magic" she said not waiting for an answer.

 

Phoebe grimly nodded.

 

Those near the front strained hard to see below and a slow pained gasp came from them.

 

"What can you see?" someone demanded.

 

"The enemy" someone answered.

 

A number of the Minions of Good saw the enemy the same time and a collective murmur passed through them, joined by the whitelighter warriors who stood squinting, trying to see the enemy better.

 

Paige stood high on a rock shading her eyes and using whitelighter sight to strain to see what was down their

 

"What can you see?" Piper asked her wiping her now blue dusty hair away from her face as it came out of its pony tail.

 

"Demons' Paige said, narrowing her eyes and straining "Black armoured, holding swords, forks and some spitting fire. Legions of them" she said. "Around the edge of the fire and further up. Walls of them" She squinted hard "Acid goblins, most of those types the Geztalt have been sending at us. Only…legions of them" she said "I think that is what the fireworks in the light are, their magic." She strained her eyes, "That's why the whole thing is erupting" She said as more multicoloured light spewed out in a fire shower that almost reached them. Paige squinted harder “I see razors, and some strange gorgon headed things welding forks." She took a deep breath. "Damn." She said

 

"What?" asked  Piper umping up beside but struggling to make out anything more than black legions..

 

“I see warriors, an army of them, in armour s with swords“ Paige explained then she laughed.

 

"What?" said Piper.

 

"I see the Geztalt" Paige said "Come to watch their minions slaughter the legions of good. From a safe distance well behind any action. I can see…. it likes like some sort of protected, bubble thing. They are in it, all nice and safe."

 

"Why isn't the pole killing the demons?" Piper asked.

 

Paige strained to see "I think it is" she said "I can see piles of bodies. I think that is how they got in, when we couldn't because the place is littered with dead, and broken… like glass" she struggled to see.

 

“I guess they used some sort of bubbles to get in" Phoebe said standing beside Paige but unable to see much more than blurs "and they exploded. Geztalt must be here for the show. They must feel safe. Must be pretty damn certain they are going to overwhelm us."

 

"The demons are using the magic of the pole" said a whitelighter coming up behind them.

 

"No kidding" said Phoebe.

 

'"How come they could get their bubbles in closer than us" muttered Matilda coming up behind them.

 

"They don't care how many die coming in" said Phoebe.

 

"Is that a premonition?" Matildas asked.

 

"They come easily here" Phoebe.

 

"Got any premonitions about how many of us will die trying to take them?" asked Matilda.

 

“I am trying not to“ Phoebe said.

 

"Maybe it would help if you did" said Matilda stoically.

 

"Listen to Matilda" said Piper.

 

The sky lit up in more spectacular light shows. Paige straining to see said "More demons coming. I can see transport bubbles. Half of them killed "she added seconds later as the pole exploded in light.

 

"How come they don't run, how come they stay when they see so many die?." asked Edna.

 

“Caught up in the adrenalin rush, can't feel anything" Phoebe said. "Only evil and Victory."

 

"Like the Elders" said Tisha.

 

"But the demons are evil" said Leslie.

 

"Like the Elders" said Piper slowly. "it would seem.'

 

"What the hell are we doing here fighting for one evil against another Evil?" asked Tisha.

 

Not even Phoebe answered her.

 

One of the whitelighter warriors turned away from the pole and strained his eyes to see behind the assembled minions of Good, then raised his arm pointing in the distance. Many of the Minions of Good looked back to where he was pointing.

 

They could see of clouds of blue/orange dust reflected almost florescent in the light of the pole. Some of the dust was directly behind them, and more could be seen coming off the ridges down into the plain

 

"Demons or locals?" asked a witch nearby.

 

Paige still high on the rock strained her eyes "Locals I think "she said..

 

"Glock "muttered Piper "Behind us and to the right.

 

"Friendly" asked a witch

 

The nearest Elder warrior nearby shook his head. "I would not believe it" he said truthfully. "Locals have switched between good and evil for years. One of the reasons this … invasion is necessary." the Elder added sanctimoniously.

 

"Í thought we were here to liberate them not fight them "said a witch, her voice vicious.

 

"Sometimes you need to fight them to liberate them" intoned the Elder sanctimoniously and raised a hand in anticipation of the fight, totally misunderstanding the concerned murmurings of the Minions of Good.

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