Disclaimer : see chapter 1
CHAPTER 8
After the group adjourned to the great hall within the castle in the interest of safety. The discussion resumed immediately.
"What were those things?' asked Edmund, repeating his question from earlier.
"I can answer that if you give me a few minutes," responded Phoebe as she set down the bag she was carrying and opened it up. She withdrew a large leather bound book that seemed to show great wear from age. She then sat down on the floor next to the bag and placed the book on her lap and started to flip through it.
"While she is looking that up, tell me just how bad has it been here? How often do the surprise attacks tend to occur/" asked Piper.
"For the passed month things have been getting progressively worse here. There has been hardship and suffering in the kingdom as well as the ones that border it," answers Aslan
"This is the first time that they have come so close to the castle though," responded Caspian.
"Are the attacks the only things that have been happening?" asked Paige.
"No, it has not," answered Caspian.
"What else has been happening here?" asked a concerned Susan from where she stood at Caspian's side.
"Well at first we were not sure if the two were connected at first, but shortly after the attacks first started it was noticed that the days started getting darker earlier and earlier. As unseasonable as it was, we were all so concerned about the sudden appearance of these attacks and what was to be done to stop them that the subtle encroachment of the darkness passed relatively unnoticed.
When the news from both the fawns and the centaurs brought word of how unnatural it was for the time of the year, it bought great worry to all. There was nothing we could do to effect the course of the sun, or the nature of its habits. So we stood by helpless as the days grew darker, and darker with the passage of time. As the darkness grew so did the frequency of the attacks.
Until about two weeks ago where the day slipped into this twilight state and has yet to emerge.
The citizens live in a constant state of fear now, cause those things attack at random and frequent will," answered Caspian.
"What of the citizens? what actions have been taken to protect them?" asked Peter who had been looking over Phoebe's shoulder on her left side, but had walked over to join the conversation.
"Well those that could have taken refuge in the castle. until today none of those things have dared come near the castle. For the ones that could not, we try to have guards on hand, but there is so little they can do against them. So the people stay hidden within their homes," answered Caspian in a very disappointed tone.
Susan took his hand in hers and squeezed it lightly in a reassuring manner. This small gesture of affection and comfort went almost completely unnoticed by all the others in the room except for phoebe who had glanced up at the others to listen to the answer of the question. She smirked and went back to flipping thru the book.
Piper looked to be deep in thought, "Doesn't make sense does it?" she asked her sister Paige.
"what doesn't?" Paige answered piper's question with a question of her own.
"What is going on here. I mean why go through all the trouble of getting here just to cause a little random chaos? On a place this vulnerable why is the person behind this working on such a small scale?/ Piper replied to her sister, explaining her thoughts through more questions.
"Well who says this is all of it? What if this is only step one?' Paige once again responded to her sister's questions with one of her own.
"You man things are going to get worse?" asked Lucy. Who was standing next to the great lion.
"More than likely. If I am right, everything that has happened so far has just been to put us on the defensive," answered Piper.
"But why?" asked Lucy.
"Cause when your acting defensively your not thinking offensively," answered Peter. "It was one of the first things we learned when Orieus was teaching us battle strategy. It is a way of getting your opponent off balance to gain the advantage," Peter went on to add, in answer to the puzzled stares he received from Piper and Paige.
"You both might be on to something," Commented Phoebe from her place on the floor.
"Cause from What I've found here the things that attacked us were all lower level demons, and relatively low on the food chain ones at that. the only one who could have been a problem is the one that left as son as he saw us," phoebe continued on to say.
"Okay, and who was that? " asked Paige.
"The warlock Zigwill. He has the ability to shimmer, throw energy balls, and Invisibility. Is most often found working as a spy in the service of others. Is able to be vanquished with a simple potion.." Edmund read from over Phoebe's right shoulder, before she had a chance to answer.
"So if the guy is a spy, I am betting that his next move was to run straight to whoever is in charge and tell him or her or them that we are here," said Paige.
"Which would mean that he would most likely be sent back to keep tabs on things. Which means if we can trap him we might be able to get him to tell us who is exactly behind all this. Cause the sooner we know that the sooner we can figure out how to vanquish him or her or them," piper said continuing on the thought that Paige started.
"How do you catch someone who is invisible?" asked Caspian.
"We can write a spell to fix that.," answered Phoebe.
"You said that all that ha taken place up to now might be a distraction. A distraction from what?" asked Susan.
"Good question, not quite sure about that yet, answered Piper.
"You said that the darkness started descended after everything started, but you didn't pay that much attention to it till later on right? " asked Paige.
"Yes, that is true," answered Caspian.
"What if that is what you were supposed to miss? Or at least part of it? " remarked Paige.
"Or it is a side effect from what is really going on. What if someone is pulling something from the land, and the drainage is causing the darkness? " Asked Phoebe, picking up on where Paige was going with her train of thought.
"Is it possible that someone is trying to drain the magic out of the land as an attempt to weaken you, So that you will be an easier conquest? Cause that would be the only thing something from our world would want is power. " Piper asks.
"Or maybe use that boost in power to over power the power of three?" asks Phoebe.
"Or both? I mean why stop with just one?" remarks Paige.
"It would be very hard to do so, but with the right amount of power, it is possible. Cause anything put into the land can be taken back out," Answered Aslan.
"While we are on the subject, I noticed our powers had a noticeable boost, when we used them before. Why is that?" asked Piper.
The lion smiled at this before answering , as if he were expecting this question. "For this world is Different from yours in the fact that not only is magic more freely abundant here, but as this world is closer to nature than yours is your powers are stronger here."
"Because our ties to nature through our powers?" asked Phoebe.
The Lion nodded his head slightly in an affirmative response to her question.
"So it still doesn't explain why they attacked us all earlier?" asked Paige.
"Well from a purely strategic stand point, there were all the people that made up the leadership of this country all in one place, and out in the open. It would have been madness not to strike at that," answered Edmund.
"What they didn't know or count on was you three," commented Peter.
"That makes sense, but why have they never struck near the castle before?' asks Paige.
"I mean a strike here would have been a bigger distraction, then a hundred little ones spread out over time right?" Paige continued on to ask.
"Well it is possible that it is too big a strike. That they weren't ready for an all out fight, just looking to stir up enough trouble to keep people confused," answered Piper in a tone that just screamed uncertain guess.
"Or what if it was Aslan's blessings upon the castle that kept them at bay," mentioned Lucy.
Where as everyone else took this as the obvious answer, the sisters still seemed a bit surprised at this idea, not even have considering it.
"Regardless of the reason of past actions, what can we do to protect the castle currently?" asked Aslan.
"We can surround the castle with apples and sage, creating a circle of protection. It's not fool proof but should keep out most bad things." answered Piper.
"Does Sage grow here? Cause I don't think I packed enough to cover a place this huge," asked Phoebe.
The great lion chuckled at this before answering, "Yes young one, that herb does grown in this world. I believe you will find as much of it as you need to encircle the castle, Apples as well."
"Good," answered Phoebe.
After much more discussion they all broke off to their assigned tasks. Piper and Paige where off to the kitchens to work on gathering and preparing for the protection circle.
Phoebe to work on writing spells that they are going to need for any up coming fights that would be coming in the near future. She was carrying the bag with her.
The four Pevensie siblings went to change clothes before the girls went to join Piper and Paige in the kitchens, and the boys joined up with Caspian to discuss how might be the best way to utilize the military forces id need be. To strategize the best possible places foe the battle if it came to that, and other such details.
While Caspian left to talk to his professor after a short discussion with Aslan.
As Susan stepped out of her room dressed in a sapphire colored gown. Which had gold embroidery and trim around the neckline and down the front of the bust of the gown as well as the cuffs of the sleeves. Her hair was pulled back off her face in a partial up do, but still had enough left down for it to pool around her shoulders.
As she started to head to the Kitchens to meet up with Piper, Paige, and her sister Lucy to help with the preparations of the protection circle. She started to think about how good it felt to be back in Narnia. To feel the softer fabric of narniain clothes against her skin. To breath in the much cleaner and crisper narniain air. For her eyes to once again feast on the beauty of the land that used to be her kingdom. It was like going from living in a black and white photo to living color.
Then she remembered the reason why she was here and all the suffering that was taking place, and she started to feel guilty about being so happy. She didn't have long to deliberate on the matter cause she suddenly heard her name being called.
"Susan!" a voice called out from behind her. One she would recognize anywhere from how often it haunted her dreams.
She turned to see Caspian hurrying to catch up to her. He stopped a few feet from her and took in the sight of her, even in such a simple gown she was beautiful, and she took his breath away.
"Was there something you wanted Caspian?" she asked him.
This seemed to break him out of his trance as he took a deep breath and replied, "I wanted to give these to you personally. I had them brought up from the treasure room." As he handed her the ivory horn and the quiver filled with red fletched arrows and her bow.
"Your siblings things should be delivered to there rooms soon." he commented in a slightly awkward tone, just for something to say.
"Thank you," she said as she took them gently from him and slipped them easily into place.
"I appreciate the effort, and trouble you went to, but why?" asked Susan.
"In truth, I wanted to come see you, and this was the only reason I could think of to justify it,"' he answered.
She smiled at his words and replied, "I'm glad you did. Would you care to escort me to the kitchens?"
Now it was his turn to grin at her as he answered, "I would be honored to."
As he offered her his arm and she quickly accepted it. They both traveled down the hallway, he turned to her and said, "You seemed troubled. May I ask to why?"
She looked at him and sighed, then said, "For as happy as I am to be here and be with you, It saddens me to know that the kingdom and its people are suffering so. That my happiness has come at such a high cost has me feeling the slightest bit guilty about it. "
They were silent for a moment as they turned the corner and started down a new hallway to the left.
Then he suddenly stopped and tuned to her and said, "I understand how you feel. Cause it hurts me to see my people so pained, and not be able to do anything about it. To even think of being happy at this time seems most strange, but because of you I find myself feeling just that way as if a burden has been partially lifted from me.
I've come to realize that some of the great things in life sometimes emerge during of adversity. For it was the adversity of war that first brought you to me. As much as I want peace and prosperity for my people, if adversity keeps bringing you back to me then I welcome it if it keeps you by my side."
Her eyes watered slightly at his words and the sincerity behind them.
"I agree most heartily with that statement," she replied and then reached up to kiss him on the cheek.
Afterwards she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. He cupped her cheek with his free hand and the pulls her in for another kiss. As their lips gently meet the kiss was soft and sweet, but it became more heated fairly quickly. As it grew more passionate and intense as the moments passed. As their arms found their way around each other and held on tightly.
"Ahem!" came the sound of a throat being cleared from directly behind them.
They both jumped apart to find Phoebe smirking at them with the duffle bag slung over her shoulder.
"Sorry to break up the party, but could one of you tell me where to find Piper? Cause I realized I have a few things she might need." said Phoebe with unmistakable amusement in her tone. Which matched the mirthful yet mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"She in the kitchens. In fact I'm heading there now, if you would like to come alone with me,"' responded Susan. Her tone and speed of her voice reflected the embarrassment at being caught in such a public display of affection. As well as the slight blush that was starting to grow across her face.
"I see you are in good hands Susan , So I really must go meet your brothers in the libraries to discuss strategies ," replied Caspian who at the moment sounded more like an awkward teen who just got caught by his parents then the king that he was.
As he turned and walked off back into the direction they just came from, Phoebe swore she could just make out a matching blush spreading across his face. She couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself at how adorable the innocence of first love was.
Soon after he had left and Phoebe was sure he was out of hearing range, she turned and commented, "You really love each other don't you?" Even though her words were in the form of a question, her tone made it sound like more of a statement then anything else.
"Yeah," was all Susan could come up with to answer Phoebe, but with so much emotion crammed into that one little word it was more than enough, and all the answer that Phoebe needed.
"Is it that obvious?" asked Susan.
"Sort of, but then I've got an inside track on these kind of situations/" answered Phoebe.
Which earned her a confused and puzzled look from Susan.
Phoebe smirked at this before saying, "Sorry, I should probably explain that. One of my powers, my newer ones, is that I am empathic. Which means that I can feel other's people's emotions as if they were my own. What I get from the two of you is stronger than anything I've felt from anyone in a long time. Something like that is worth fighting for."
"Really ?" asked Susan, in such a way, where her wistful yet hopeful tone implied much more than she actually said.
"Yeah, love is one of the few things that are," answered Phoebe.
"I have to ask why did you leave if you love him so much, she asked the young queen.
"It wasn't my choice, I wanted to stay here, with him, but Aslan told us it wasn't meant to be . That we came to the end of our time here that it was best for the people here if we lead those who wanted to lead into our world. That we would not be returning, we learned all we could here and it was time to live in our own world. I had finally found what I wanted in life, and it was take from me to live in a pale empty place where I was looked at as just another silly young girl. I want the chance to love him properly, but I don't know how long we will be here this time. As soon as we fix this problem and save the world we will be cast out again and I don't Know if my heart can bare it again." Answering Phoebe's question with a raw and brutal honesty that she never voice to anyone before not even her siblings.
Phoebe didn't need her powers to tell her just how the young woman in front of her was feeling, the haunted look in her eyes said more then enough.
"You should really talk to Piper about this, she has a lot of first hand experience when it comes to rocky roads in relationships," Phoebe said to her.
"You mean her and Leo? they had a hard time of it? " asked Susan in a strangely hopeful tone of voice.
" Epically so ! Their love broke all the rules. Leo used to be our whitelighter, which is sort of like a guardian angel for witches. Well it was forbidden for whitelighters to become romantically involved with their charges, but they couldn't help falling for each other no matter how hard they tried not to. No matter how hard his bosses or anyone else for that matter, tried to pull them apart it just didn't work. After all the fighting and hardship they finally were able to prove that what they had was real enough last to all those who doubted, and that It wouldn't get in the way of their duties. It took a long time, but they won out in the end, and were given the chance to be happy," explains Phoebe, as finished her brief summary of Piper and Leo's romance..
"So as log as you don't give up there is hope?" asked Susan.
"Yes, that is what I believe ," answered Phoebe, and was amazed at how Susan seemed to lighten upon those words. As if burden had been taken off of her.
"So are we almost there?" asked Phoebe.
" Yes, just two more hallways and a flight of stairs," answered Susan with a smile.
Phoebe couldn't help but notice how much that smile brightened up her face.
"I'm glad I could help you," commented Phoebe. "Even if I did break up your private little moment." phoebe added.
"It's okay better you then one of my brothers," smirked Susan. "I'm glad you were able to help as well." she added.
After a few moments of walking along in contented and comfortable silence Phoebe remarks, "That is a beautiful dress."
"Than you," responds Susan.
"What's that made of?" asked Phoebe as she reached out to feel the material of Susan's sleeve. As soon as her fingertips wrapped around a small pinch of cloth phoebe felt the all too familiar feeling of a premonition staring to grip her body.
Her sisters and herself standing in the courtyard in front of the big tree they arrived by. It was a bright sunny day and there was a crowd gathered. With Susan standing in front of them and Aslan, Caspian, and Susan's siblings standing a few feet behind her. Phoebe and her sisters were all holding hands as if they were casting a power of three spell, as Susan was drinking from a small potion bottle. Then Paige tossed Another bottle at the space right in front of Susan's feet. Then there was a blinding flash.
The premonition ended dumping her back into reality as quickly as it ripped her out of it. Phoebe recognized what she just saw as the same vision that had gotten in the kitchen of the manor before leaving for Narnia. Having a repeat premonition was a new experience for Phoebe. She knew that this was definitely important if she was seeing it twice. From the looks of it they were casting a spell on Susan. But why? phoebe puzzled over in her mind. She knew she was going to have to talk to her sisters about this.
"Are you all right?" asked Susan. "Did you see something?" she asked before Phoebe had a chance to answer her first question.
"I'm alright. Yes, I did, and before you ask I'm not exactly sure what I was seeing or what it means," Phoebe answered, not wanting to divulge her premonition till she was sure what it meant.
"Okay, " Susan responded, not wanting to push too much. She knew she tell her when she was ready.
"After we get the circle up, and the castle protected, maybe we can talk okay?" asks Phoebe.
"Sure thing Phoebe." Susan answered.
They walked the rest of the way in silence and deep within thought.
After several hours of slicing apples and adding sage leaves and tying the apples back together, among other preparations, like creating a spells that might be needed and a vanquishing potion in case they across the demonic spy. Even with help of Lucy, Susan, and the rest of the kitchen staff, it took a long time to get everything ready for a place as large as the castle grounds. They were finally ready to begin. At the insistence of Peter, Edmund, and Caspian the sisters, the queens, and those helping to tote the massive amount of apples were accompanied by a small group of guards. The group consisted of a few men and a variety of narnian creatures.
As they all went about their work of spreading the apples and sage around the grounds, Susan and Lucy entertained the Halliwell sisters with stories from the golden age. In exchange the sisters shared some of their experiences from their time as witches.
As the time passed smoothly by without incident they managed to get three-fourths of the castle grounds surrounded.
When a lull in the stories and conversation in general finally emerged, Paige took the opportunity to ask her sisters, "Isn't there any way to possibly fix the lighting problem here? I would think that if our individual powers were boosted them so would the power of three, so we should have enough power to fix this."
" I have been working on a spell for that, but I don't think our being able to it is the big question here," responded Phoebe.
"What do you mean?" asked Paige.
"What I think she means is that we may not be ready for consequences of that yet. Cause once we do, who ever is behind us is going to bring the fight to us," answered Piper.
"How do you figure that?" asked Lucy.
"Well remember how you told us that the white witch held Narnia in a prolonged winter? What happened when your arrival broke her spell? She sought you out and a big fight happened right? Well, whatever is causing this perpetual evening, is obviously a side effect of whatever magic those who are behind this are using. So when we go to fix this problem, it will more than likely destroy whatever magic they are using to take what they came here for. At that point retaliation is inevitable," answered Phoebe.
"So it is all a matter of timing?" asked Susan.
"Pretty much," answered Paige.
"Unless something happens to force our hand, it is better to wait for the right moment," added Piper.
"How much farther do we have left to go?" asked Paige.
"Out of everyone here, why are you the one complaining?" asked Phoebe, while trying to suppress her laughter and not quite pulling it off.
" I'm not complaining,, I'm just asking," Paige responded a little too quickly.
At this remark and the way Paige sounded a little too defensive in tone while saying it caused Piper to laugh and shake her head.
"What?" asked Paige.
"Your starting too sound like Wyatt," Piper says.
At that statement Phoebe broke down and started laughing out loud. Even Susan started to laugh slightly at this.
"Who's Wyatt?" asked Lucy. Evidently confused as to what is so funny.
"Wyatt is Piper's eldest son. He is only 5 years old," Susan replied in answer to her sister's question.
"Actually he is 3," says Piper interjected.
"Oh!" said Lucy as her eyes lit up with mirth as she caught on to the implied joke. As her giggles started to bubble up from her, The slight blush on Paige's face starts to deepen, from light pink to bright red, from Lucy's exclamation.
This in turn, caused them all to laugh even harder. Even Paige started to laugh about it herself.
"Your in luck Paige, we are almost there! I can see where we started off in the distance," replied Lucy.
Nobody missed the humor in how she emphasized the words almost there. In fact the mood between them all was so light and cheerful even Phoebe almost missed the sudden shift in the surrounding area. A sudden, and severe chill that swept in on the breeze, and drained away all the joy of the past few moments, and replaced it with an uncomfortable tension, and sudden sense of dread.
"Piper..." Paige called out, then trailed off.
"I felt it too Paige," answered Phoebe.
"Lets hurry and get this done, I've got a bad feeling," remarked Piper.
"I agree," responded Phoebe.
So with a quickened pace that was just short of a sprint they managed to cross the final few yards and close the gap. As the last apple fell into place the air around them actually shimmered, as they could feel the sudden surge of power, as the magic of the circle took effect.
"Susan, Lucy, get everyone back behind the line!" ordered Piper.
"What ever you do don't step on the apples!" added Paige.
The queens acted without delay on the Halliwell's words.
Phoebe took a slip of paper out of her pocket as both Piper and Paige took out little glass bottles filled with an olive hued liquid and clutched them, ready for anything.
Phoebe unfolded the paper and then read aloud:
"Being of cruelty,
who hides himself from me.
We pierce the veil,
that shields you form from thee."
Shortly after the words left her mouth, the spell went to work. As if a giant wind had blown through the area, and blew a large sheet off a long covered piece of furniture. Suddenly a scaled covered lizard like creature, no more than 4 feet tall, in what looked like a 3 piece suit appeared before them. It looked at them in sudden shock, but before it could shimmer away, Paige stepped forward and thrusting her free hand out and shouted, "crystals, encircle"
In a sparkle of blue and white lights the crystals that the sisters used to form the crystal cage appeared around the creature and activated. A translucent light appeared and created a sort of bubble around the creature preventing it from going anywhere.
"He almost looks like the lizard from the insurance commercials." remarked Phoebe.
"Phoebe!" scolded Piper.
"What it does," replied Phoebe.
Piper just rolled her eyes.
"Is this the spy?" asked Susan.
"I think so," answered Paige.
"Should someone tell the others we caught him? Aslan may want speak to him," inquired Lucy.
Good idea," says Piper, and with that one of the guards was dispatched to do just that.
As the sisters stood in front of the cage outside of the circle, the rest stood within the bounds of the circle watching and waiting for what would happen next.
"Well now that we got him what are we going to do with him?" asked Paige.
"I vote for getting him to talk," says Phoebe.
Both Piper and Paige nodded in agreement to Phoebe's suggestion.
"Are you Zigwill?" asked piper.
The creature's eyes widened in surprise, but said nothing.
"I'll tell you witches nothing! I don't care if you are the charmed ones." spat Zigwill.
Phoebe looked at piper and asked, "do you think the truth spell would work?"
"It might but aren't there too many people around for that one?" answered Piper.
"Not if we could modify it to only effect him.," responded Paige.
"It's worth a shot," said Piper.
"Do you remember the spell?" Piper asked Phoebe.
"I remember it," answered Paige.
"Okay give it a shot," replied Piper.
Paige took a deep breath then started to speak aloud:
"For those who want the truth revealed,
open hearts and secrets unsealed.
From now until it is now again,
after which the memory ends.
Those who now are in this cage,
will speak the truth, and be are aid."
The crystals glowed brighter then they already were or a moment then went back to normal.
"Did it work?" asked Piper.
"one way to find out," answered Phoebe.
"Who do you work for?" asked Phoebe.
As soon as she finished asking the question his mouth started to open. Even though he fought hard against the spell, after a few minutes a very strained and stammered answer spilled out, "Direllnix."
As the name slipped out, actual fear spread across his features. He tried to clamp his scaly hand across his mouth but it didn't help.
"is he working alone?" asked Piper.
"No he is not ," came another strangled answer from Zigwill.
"Who is he working with?" asked Piper.
"The little toad and the ice lady dressed in white," he answered.
With each question his ability to fight against the spell became less and less. A loud gasp was heard from heard from behind the sisters. The three turned to look back and see both Susan and Lucy had shock, worry, and disbelief, written clearly across their faces.
"It can't be!" mumbled Lucy, just loud enough to be heard.
"She supposed to be dead," replied Susan, in much the same way as her sister had.
"You know who he is talking about?" asked Paige.
"The only one who fits that description is the white witch," answered Susan.
"You mean the one you fought and defeated the first time you were here?" asked Phoebe.
"Yes, unfortunately," answered Lucy.
"Well that explains a lot. Since this Direllnix managed a way to either accidentally or deliberately bring her back would explained how they knew of this place," reasoned Piper.
"What is his plans for Narnia ?" asked Paige.
"Drain, distract, conquer," stammered the spy.
"Could you elaborate on that?" asked Phoebe.
"Drain the magic from here so he could gain strength enough to overpower and defeat the three of you. Distract those here so they don't know what is going on. So they contact The charmed one, who will be too distracted helping here so they don't notice what he is doing. back in their world. Then use the power gained here to help power his attacks that will allow his to conquer both worlds," he answered unwillingly.
"Why is she helping him? What is she getting out of it? asked Piper.
"If she helps him, conquer that world, he will in return her to power and give her this world in return. at least that is what he promised her, but Direllnix is not know for keeping his bargains, " he answered.
"What was wanted of the queen of Narnia? " asked a deep rich voice.
They all turned to see the great lion approaching, accompanied by the three kings.
Zigwill noticeably started to shake, when recognizing a power greater than even the charmed ones, or the boss approaching him.
"Her blood was the key to opening the door. Then later she was to serve as both bait and lure," Zigwill almost stuttered, but this time more out of the fear, then from defiance of the spell.
"looks like if we would have waited a few minutes we wouldn't have needed the truth spell," Phoebe whispered to Paige who smirked and softly snorted in agreement, as a response.
She then noticed the kings make their way over to the queens, who were inside the circle.
Phoebe was glad to know they were safe.
"Bait and lure for what?" asked Aslan.
"Bait to influence the king here into total surrender of his kingdom, and a lure to draw out the other 2 kings and queen. So they could be given over to her, to be done with as she pleases," replied the quaking demon.
"Who is this woman?" asked the lion in such a tone, that even thought it was outwardly calm, it sent chills through everyone there.
The effect on Zigwill was much more intense, and he could not take anymore, and promptly passed out. The sisters all exchanged "what now?" expressions between them.
The answer to the lion's question came from an unlikely source.
"It's Jadis! He told us earlier an ice woman dressed in white. Who else fitting that description would have know about this world?" remarked Lucy.
At this name Edmund shuddered slightly, in an involuntary and unwanted reminder of his past actions, and painful memories that he prefer never to revisit if he didn't have to. The action and the correlating feelings did not go unnoticed by Phoebe who turned to see who they were coming from. She gave him a supportive smile as she briefly made eye contact with him before turning back to her sisters. Just before she had the chance to ask her question, of what was to be done next, the mouse Reepicheep rushed forward from behind the safety of the circle, with blade drawn, till he was in front of the three sisters, paused yet ready for action.
A moment later the snapping of a breach could be heard and suddenly a rush of varied demons and warlocks swarmed the area they were all standing. They all stopped a few feet short of the group's location, by a mighty roar from Aslan. As all the other guards and kings drew their swords ready to advance and fight.
"Piper!" called both Phoebe and Paige almost simultaneously for their sister to freeze the scene before them. Cause if the fight were to happen it would end very badly, with much life lost. With a sudden flick of her hands, Piper froze everything. Again, just as before, as far as the eyes could see in any direction nothing moved, not even the wind.
"Okay, what next? what ever it is it better be quick, cause I don't know how long I can hold this many even with a power boost. " remarked Piper.
As the sisters looked around at what looked to be at least two dozen bodies crowding around them.
"Phoebe the spell you said you said you were working on earlier, you think it could help?" asked Paige in a hopeful yet stressed manor.
"I don't see how it could hurt," responded Phoebe as she flipped the paper the visibility spell was on over. The sisters joined hands, as they normally would for a power of three spell. After a quick glance at the paper they started to recite,
"As the dawn expels the night,
We three now call upon the light.
To reach out into every corner, every crack,
to find the darkness and sent it back."
As the last word was spoken, a blinding wave of light surged forth in all directions. Just then the freeze ended, as the screams of their would be attackers were heard, as their filled the air around them. The light burned through each and everyone of them turning them all it to pillars of flames as they were vanquished and quickly disappeared. As the light continued outwards it also shot straight up, and in an even stronger and brighter flash of light lit up the sky.
Once it finally receded and everyone could see again, the first thing they all noticed was that the sky was no longer held in the shadows of early evening, but burned brilliantly with the glare of the mid day sun.
The second thing was that on the ground all around them was littered with heavy dark marks where it looked like the ground had been severely charred.
The bright sunlight was such a welcome sight after it not being seen in so long, it was almost blinding. A heavy silence hung in the air around them as everyone was speechless as to what had happened. The moment was shattered when one person cheered, then they all joined in.
As the kings and soldiers were putting away their weapons, you could hear the jubilant words passing between all that were there.
"That was incredible!" said Peter, as he walked over to the sisters along with his other siblings and Caspian.
"Is that what you meant by waiting for the right moment?" asked Lucy.
"No, I think that is a better example of having our hand forced," answered Piper.
"What happened to the spy?" asked Edmund.
the sisters looked over at the place where the cage was and saw it empty.
"Oops!" said Paige.
" I guess the energy from the spell passed through the crystals and over charged them," said Phoebe .
"Which means the same thing that happened to all the rest of them, he was vanquished," Piper answered.
"We got more then more than enough information from him," said Paige.
Piper and Phoebe took the change to look around the area beyond the crystals and saw just how far the scorched earth extended out. for at least three yards in every direction, except behind them.
"Wow! We were really in trouble there weren't we?" Phoebe asked her sister .
"Yeah, I'm just glad the spell worked," answered Piper.
"What should we do about the ground? we can't just leave all these scorch marks here," asked Piper.
"I think I know of a spell to fix this," answers Phoebe in a doubtful tone.
"There will be no need for that young one," stated Aslan.
Then he walked over to where the scorch marks started and bowed his head down and gently blew upon the ground. Then he took a step back standing up fully. Within moments, fresh new blades of green grass started to grow up from the ground, in the span of about five or ten minutes, the grass had filled in the scorched parts of the earth so completely, that it is to the point that it looked like nothing had ever happened there.
"Wow, that was remarkable!" said Paige.
The Lion merely smiled in response. "It seems that you were correct in your decision. Come now for we have much to discuss," stated Aslan, as he turned to head back inside the castle.
The sisters had no need to ask, for they knew which decision he was referring to, just hearing this made them feel strangely lighter.
Paige paused long enough to collect the crystals off the ground then hurried to catch up with her sisters. For she knew that Piper was going to want to get her hands on the book of shadows as soon as possible. They were going to have a lot to discuss now, and try to figure what the next step was going to be.