THREE

"What can you tell us about this Order of Tallock?" Phoebe asked Cole up

in their room.

"Let me think," said Cole. "They're older than the Brotherhood of the

Thorn but they aren't as powerful."

"That's the group you belonged to," Phoebe interjected.

"Belong to," corrected Cole. "Once you're accepted into the Brotherhood,

you're in for life."

"You mean they wouldn't have kicked you out even after betraying the

Source?" Phoebe asked.

"No," said Cole. "Outwardly, their allegiance is to the Source. But we

have a bond like no other demons. We're an elite group. Most of the members

have a stronger allegiance to the Brotherhood than even the Source. That's why

I didn't help you when you vanquished Trigg. I couldn't go against you because

I love you. But I couldn't betray him, either. It's kind of complicated."

"I think I understand," said Phoebe. "But what about this Order of

Tallock?"

"It was started several hundred years ago," said Cole, "by a demon named

Tallock. When it was discovered that witches were becoming more powerful,

Tallock convinced the Source back then they were needed. Originally their

purpose was simple. Destroy any witches that proved too great a threat to the

underworld."

"Did that change?" Phoebe asked.

"Little by little," said Cole, "as a lot of things do over time. Most of

the demonic leadership didn't want to turn over their most powerful underlings

to join this order. They were too afraid of giving up too much power. So they

only allowed moderate level demons to join. After a while it became clear that

the Order didn't possess the necessary power to combat most witches, especially

the most powerful ones. That's when the Source formed the Brotherhood."

"What about the Order of Tallock?" Phoebe asked. "What happened with

them?"

"When the Brotherhood was first formed," said Cole, "the Order was

reassigned to the Triad. The Order answers directly to the Triad while the

Brotherhood answers directly to the Source."

"Boy, I'll be that pissed them off," said Phoebe. "Sounds like a demotion

to me."

"It was," said Cole. "And most of them were very angry about it. But

only the most powerful demons were asked to join the Brotherhood. So there

wasn't much the Order could do about it. They didn't possess the necessary

strength to challenge the Brotherhood so there's been an uneasy alliance between

the two ever since."

"Which means they probably jumped at the chance to come after you," said

Phoebe. "Being a member of the Brotherhood they'd be able to take out some of

their frustration on you."

"Exactly," said Cole. "And with the Triad vanquished, the Order would now

be taking orders from the Source himself. At least until he decides to reform

the Triad. I imagine there are a number of demons in the underworld chomping at

the bit for those positions. Next to the Source, the Triad is one of the two

most powerful forces in the underworld."

"Two?" questioned Phoebe.

"Yes," said Cole. "The other is called the Order of the Black Thorn.

They and the Triad sort of share the political power of the underworld. They're

the ones who select who's asked to join the Brotherhood. That's where the

Brotherhood gets its name."

"Do we have to worry about this Order of the Black Thorn?" Phoebe asked.

"Probably not," said Cole. "They're a group of demons who live and

function on the Earthly realm, for the most part. But their responsibilities

are in a different area from most other demons. They don't usually concern

themselves with witches or other forces of good. They spend most of their time

formulating and executing demonic plans to subvert human authority. You might

say they fight on a different front in the war of good versus evil. The last I

heard they were operating out of Los Angeles. Something about trying to convert

a vampire with a soul to evil."

"I thought vampires were all evil," Phoebe said.

"Most are," said Cole. "Except for this one. Gypsies cursed him about a

hundred years ago or so. They restored his soul. Ever since then he's been a

major thorn in the side of evil."

"Okay," said Phoebe, "so this Order of Tallock is being sent by the Source

to kill you. You said that each has a different weakness. What are their

weaknesses?"

"I'm not really sure," said Cole. "As I'm sure you can understand there

isn't much communication between them and the Brotherhood, especially concerning

weaknesses. I only knew of Sona's weakness because we had worked together

before."

"What about a vanquishing spell or potion?" Phoebe asked.

"They might work on some of the Order," said Cole. "But like I said, some

of them are immune to vanquishing spells and potions. I can help Piper with

some that will work on some of the members. There's just no guarantee it will

work on any particular member."

"What about the Brotherhood?" Phoebe asked. "If the Source wants you dead

this badly, I'm betting he's going to get around to sending them after you

sooner or later."

"That's hard to say," said Cole. "None in the Brotherhood has ever been

tasked with vanquishing another. I'm not exactly sure how Raynor and the others

would react to an order like that."

"Raynor?" questioned Phoebe.

"He's the leader of the Brotherhood of the Thorn," said Cole. "I know

he's very devoted to the Source so I can't say how he would respond if the

Brotherhood were sent to kill me."

"Still," said Phoebe, "they are loyal to the Source. And you did betray

him. That would probably make a difference."

"You're probably right," said Cole. "None in the Brotherhood has ever

betrayed the Source before. It's sort of uncharted territory, so to speak."

"Well, don't worry about it," said Phoebe. "Piper, Paige, and I will

protect you. After all, you're just an innocent now. And that's what we do -

protect the innocent."

"I'll help however I can," said Cole. "I think I'll start by trying to

come up with a list of weaknesses for the Order that I can remember. It may not

be much but at least it's something."

"Every little bit helps," said Phoebe. "Every little bit helps."