Chapter 1
"Come on, sis!" Alexander said, almost pleading. "It's one place that they've never been to, and I think it would be great for them?"
He was a young man, twenty-three years of age, with thick, curly blondish hair and dark, thoughtful brown eyes. He was lithe and strong, with an athletic build. He shifted the large pack that hung over his shoulder and smiled expectantly.
"Come on, Xe?" he continued. "You've said you wanted to see Carthedge too, so why not? It'll be like the family vacations that we used to take when we were kids!"
Xena looked down at her younger brother skeptically. "I mentioned Carthedge two years ago," she said, smiling. Then her blue eyes darkened slightly with concern. "Besides, that's on the other side of the Med? There's no way mom would go for a boat trip that far? You and I? No problem!"
Alexander studied Xena's face for a long moment and saw the twinge of internal torment.
"She seemed to think it was a good idea when I brought it up a couple of months ago?" he offered.
Xena sighed and looked up at the sky. "Look," she began. "I traveled with mom, long before she was my mom. I've seen the way she handles sea voyages! It's never been pretty. As old as she is now, it could be fatal!"
Alexander smiled. "Isn't that just a bit melodramatic?"
Like his parents, Alexander knew about the unique circumstances surrounding his elder sister, and her previous life spent with their mother.
Xena shrugged. "I just don't think mom would be up to it?"
Alexander sighed.
The two of them continued down the rough path at a casual pace. Xena stood a bit taller than her brother, dressed in simple dark brown leather armor. Her hair was long and dark, almost black, and her pale blue eyes seemed to absorb her surroundings in spite of Alexander's continuous attempts to convince her.
On her right hip, hung her favorite weapon, the chakram that she had received from her mother, Gabrielle. She smiled as she considered that for a moment. The weapon had belonged to her in a past life. It had then been passed on to Gabrielle, and back to her when she was born back into the world as her best friends' child. To any other person, the sequence of events would have appeared strange, even maddening. But Xena had managed to retain not only a vast majority of her previous life experiences and memories, but also the life lessons that she had received from her current parents. As much as Gabrielle had been her best friend in the past, Xena was completely comfortable with the idea of calling her "mom".
Her last time around, Xena had not had the benefit of a father figure, her father having been killed when she was still very young. She smiled as she reminisced. This time, she had not only been blessed with a father figure, but this time, she had been able to grow up with him in her life. She smiled as some of the memories flashed before her eyes again. As much as she loved her mother, she truly cherished her father in a way that only she could understand. She had grown up as a "daddy's girl" and she didn't mind that at all.
Her introspection was interrupted by Alexander as they neared one of their usual camp sites.
The sun was nearly set behind the western hills, and they could see the glow of a campfire already burning in the little clearing.
"And what do we have here?" Alexander asked, his curiosity beginning to take hold of him.
From the small clearing they could hear several quiet voices and an underlying series of soft moans.
"Sounds like someone's in trouble," Xena replied. "Come on."
The two of them moved quickly through the foliage towards the site. When they emerged, they discovered a small fire, already crackling in the center of the clearing. Surrounding it was a group of several individuals, all of them lying on blankets. Two other figures moved about tending to numerous injuries.
"Robbers," Xena growled knowingly. "They've been busy in this area lately. Looks like they found some more victims."
A woman stood at the sound of her voice, wheeling to face them. Her eyes were wide and blue, filled with surprise. Another figure, that of a middle aged man in a long, dark robe, also rose, standing just behind the woman.
The woman was dressed in simple traveling boots breaches and tunic. On top of the tunic was a sturdy hide vest. Leather bracers covered her narrow forearms and she held two long pieces of wood in her hands. These were raised in a defensive posture.
"Who are you?" she demanded in a clear voice. She was older than them, about forty, with dark hair, only just beginning to lighten with the silver touch of years. Her face was soft, almost delicate in spite of the stern expression.
Xena froze in shock when she saw the other woman, as if she dare not believe what she was seeing.
"Eve?" she asked before she could stop herself.
The other woman's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How do you know my name?"
Xena opened her mouth to answer, but Alexander said quickly. "Long story. You look like you folks could use some help?"
The robed man put a hand on Eve's shoulder.
"It's all right," he said in a quiet, weary voice.
His face was pale and gaunt, almost skeletal in appearance. His eyes were deep and dark. He looked weaker than the people he was tending.
Eve tentatively lowered her weapons.
"We were hit by thieves earlier today," she said tersely. "These were the only survivors." Her eyes never left Xena, who stood, still numb with shock.
"Well," Alexander offered, stepping past his sister and giving her a surreptitious jab to snap her out of her stupor. "Let's make sure they stay survivors, okay?"
"Yeah," Xena replied, focusing on the task in hand. "Right."
They moved through the small group of people, treating their injuries. Xena noted some of the beadwork that they wore and nodded in realization.
"You're followers of Eli," she said knowingly.
"Yes," The robed man replied. "You know of the Elijans?"
Xena nodded and moved over to another man. Unlike the rest, he lay on a bier, unmoving, though his breathing was slow and regular.
Xena checked him, but found no sign of injury.
"You need not tend this man," the man said gently.
Xena noted the sickly yellow hue of his skin.
"But he's ill," she protested.
"He is dying," the man replied easily. "He has not been awake for many weeks now."
Xena looked at the gaunt man in confusion. He merely smiled.
"I shall tend him in my own way."
Frowning, Xena moved to the next figure and began mixing a poultice for a nasty gash on the woman's forehead.
They finished tending the wounded and began preparing food for the evening. The entire time, Xena couldn't keep from looking at her daughter, now a fully grown woman.
Some of the wounded regained enough strength to aid the others while they ate.
Finally, Eve could bear it no longer.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" she asked sincerely.
"Sorry," Xena replied, averting her eyes.
Alexander tore a small chunk of bread from a loaf. "As I said before," he offered. "It's a long story."
The gaunt man came and settled slowly down next to Eve, his dark eyes looking carefully from Xena to Eve and back. A small smile began to pull at his pale lips.
"I believe introductions should be made?" he offered.
He nodded his head. "I am Mystros. And this is Eve, Defender of Eli."
"Defender?" Xena's eyes snapped up again in surprise as she looked, once more upon her daughter.
"Of course," Mystros replied. His dark eyes never wavered as he studied the young woman across from him.
"I'm Alexander, and this is my sister, Xena," Alexander replied.
"Xena?" Eve looked at her with renewed curiosity.
Xena nodded.
"That was my mother's name," Eve said.
Again, Xena nodded. "I know."
Mystros watched Xena for a few moments, and his smile grew. "Amazing. Absolutely amazing."
Eve frowned. "What?"
Mystros's bony fingers stroked at his thinning whiskers. "You don't know?" he asked, gesturing to the young woman across from him. "You can't tell?"
"Know?" Eve shook her head. "Tell what?"
Mystros moved to kneel behind Eve's shoulder. He pointed to Xena. "Look into her eyes, my dear."
Eve looked across the flames at Xena. The younger woman matched her gaze evenly. Two pairs of crystal eyes bored into one another.
Eve's eyes widened slightly and her mouth dropped open in realization. It took a moment to find her voice again.
"Mom?" she asked in a voice that was barely a whisper. Her eyes bounced between Xena and Mystros, as if she were anticipating some kind of jest.
Xena merely stood, looking at her daughter. Her lip twitched nervously a bit as she stared at this older woman.
"Mom?" Eve also rose and stared at Xena.
Xena willed her muscles enough to nod her head.
Eve stepped around the flames and stood before Xena. She stared at Xena for a long time, seeking some form of confirmation to a silent question. Then she suddenly grabbed hold of Xena and held her with desperate strength. Tears poured from her eyes.
"It is you!" she managed to gasp.
Xena held her tightly, smiling as her own tears began to flow.
"Yes, honey," she whispered in her ear. "It's me."
When they finally parted, Eve looked Xena up and down in astonishment.
"I heard – " her voice caught in her throat. Then the questions poured from her. "I heard you were killed in Japa? How did this happen? What's going on? Where's Gabrielle? Is she okay? "
"It's a long story, baby," Xena said, rubbing Eve's shoulder.
"But oh so entertaining," Alexander added with a smile. He waved his arms across each other simulating a tangle of lines. "Our family tree has some rather tangled roots."
Eve practically yanked Xena down to sit with her. "You have to tell me everything!" she blurted excitedly.
Xena opened her mouth and then laughed quietly. She gave a helpless shrug of her shoulders. "I don't know where to begin?"
"I do!" Alexander volunteered, raising his hand.
Eve and Xena both looked at Alexander expectantly. He rubbed his hands together and cleared his throat before launching into the tale of their lives, including as much of his sister's history as he had been told. After a while, Xena was able to pick up the story and finish it out, though the moon had already crested the sky and was beginning to settle back towards the ground by the time she had finished.
Eve listened with rapt attention. When Xena finally fell silent again, Eve sat motionless for a few moments, letting it all sink in.
"Uh, wow," she finally shook her head in amazement. "So, my aunt is your mother?"
She began to smile as she ran the lines of the lineage through her head.
"So, my niece is my mother, on my aunt's side, once removed – "
"Please!" Alexander brought a hand to his forehead. "Don't try to make sense of it all?" he twirled one finger along side his head. "It'll make you crazy."
Xena smiled. "He's right. The whole family line gets a little tangled with your uncle and I?"
Eve laughed. "A little?"
Alexander shrugged. He looked over at Mystros and grinned. "Times like this, I'm so thankful that I'm normal."
Xena laughed and smacked him on the shoulder. "Whoever said you were normal, brat!"
Alexander looked across at Mystros. "So?" he asked cheerily. "What about you? Your life can't be nearly as nuts as my sister's and mine?"
Mystros's laughter faded and his gaze sobered. "You'd be surprised, my friend." He gazed over at the one figure still lying on the bier. "Unfortunately, we do not have the time for it now." He looked knowingly at Eve.
"Lucius is nearing the time," he continued. "I fear we will have to have the ceremony here tonight, instead of in the temple as we planned."
"Do you think that's safe?" Eve asked.
Mystros sighed. "It is necessary."
"What's going on?" Xena asked. Her smile faded as she saw the seriousness in Eve and Mystros's eyes.
"Again," Mystros replied apologetically. "We do not have the time to tell you now. In the morning, Eve can explain it to you."
"It's okay, mom," Eve said automatically as she looked back at Xena, then she smiled. "That sounds so strange. I'm old enough, now, to be your mother?"
"Yet another twist in the family tree," Alexander said quickly.
Eve smiled and turned back to Mystros. "I'll tell the others."
"Thank you," Mystros nodded.
Eve excused herself and went to speak with the members of their party that were on their feet.
"Tell the others what?" Xena asked, refusing to wait until morning.
Mystros smiled wearily. "The Ritual of Transformation."
"The what?" Alexander asked.
"As I said," Mystros said calmly. "It would take too long to explain now. Be patient, please?"
Eve stepped back to stand beside the gaunt man.
"They're ready."
Mystros nodded.
Xena and Alexander stepped forward to get a better look at what was about to happen, but Eve stepped up to them.
"I need you to stay here," she said gently.
"Why?" Xena asked. Then she looked down at Eve's manner of dress, and weapons. "And what's with the chobos?"
"More of that long story," Eve smiled. "I promise that we'll explain everything as soon as Mystros is done."
"So?" Alexander asked. "Why do we need to stay back here?"
Eve's smile grew and she looked sidelong at Xena. "Because I know how my mom will react to this."
"Ah," Alexander nodded. He leaned in closer to his sister. "You're about to object to something."
"I got that much!" Xena hissed. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the gaunt form of Mystros kneel over the prone body. "I just don't know what I'm going to object to, yet."
The healer closed his eyes and placed one hand on the chest and the other on the forehead of the unconscious man.
The trio saw the frown of concentration deepen, as if he were attempting to move a heavy load. A soft pale glow enfolded the healer – something that hadn't happened before – and slowly moved down the arms to cover the body of the man called Lucious.
At the same moment, a second glow also began to swirl in wisps about the sick man.
"What in Tartarus?" Alex commented.
There was a soft flash as the energy from Mystros flowed into the prone body. At the same moment, another soft burst of light shot skyward, vanishing with a subtle flash.
The gaunt figure crumpled, toppling over to lay motionless next to the bier.
Alarmed, Xena darted forward, kneeling at the healer's side. Her fingers felt along his throat. When she looked up, her eyes were wide in astonishment.
"He's dead!" she gasped.
As she looked about at the faces of the others, she was startled to see that none of them wore a similarly horrified expression.
Her horror sank to confusion. It was eerily quiet as the followers of Eli did not speak or move. They merely looked down at the dead figure with expectant or impassive expressions.
"Mom," Eve said gently.
"Don't you get it?" Xena asked, her temper flaring. "He's dead!"
Suddenly, a hand clasped her wrist. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the contact.
Lucious opened his eyes and smiled at her knowingly.
"Please," he croaked. He took a few ragged breaths and began again. "Please, do not concern yourself. I am not dying, merely transferring."
Xena leapt back to her feet and looked down at the figure of Lucious. The sick man's color was rapidly returning to normal, and his dark eyes fixed upon her with complete recognition.
Eve interposed herself between Xena and Lucious.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Very tired, my dear," Lucious replied. "But stronger now than I have been for months." He smiled. "In the morning, I can begin healing the others of their injuries."
Xena and Alexander looked at one another with identically confused expressions.
"Okay," Alexander asked. "Would someone please tell me what just happened here?"
Eve helped the healed man to his feet.
Gently, the man removed the robe from the corpse and put it on. Then the two of them lifted the gaunt body onto the bier and covered it with a simple white shroud.
After some quiet discussion, of which Alexander and Xena were uninvolved. The Followers of Eli settled in to sleep for the remainder of the night.
"Okay, Xe," Alexander asked quietly. "What's going on?"
Xena's eyes were locked on the robed figure. They narrowed in suspicion as she watched him move.
Eve and Lucious soon returned to the fire and knelt before it. Lucious stretched his fingers towards the flames, absorbing the warmth.
"What are you?" Xena asked knowingly.
The man smiled in return.
"It's not something most people understand," he said. "I am – or was – what you refer to as a lesser demon."
Xena and Alexander were on their feet instantly, though Alexander's rise was brought on by shock, more than alarm.
Xena's sword rang free.
The followers of Eli also jumped to their feet, as did Eve, who once again moved to stand between Xena and her target.
"Mom, wait!" she exclaimed, her hands out to stay her. "Just hear him out?"
Xena looked into Eve's eyes and then back at the robed figure. When she looked back at her daughter, she saw complete faith in those blue eyes. Reluctantly, she lowered her weapon, though she did not return it to its sheath.
"Please?" Eve begged.
Xena looked over at the man expectantly. He merely nodded and gestured for them to retake their seats.
"Your reaction is precisely why we did not explain our intent to you before," he smiled. "We knew you would protest."
"So," Xena asked icily. "That other man?"
Mystros looked back at the shrouded body and smiled in memory. "His true name was Galen. In his day, he was a great scholar and philosopher."
"Until you possessed him," Xena added.
"As I said," Mystros explained. "In his day. By the time I found him, he had succumbed to the wasting of his own mind. He was senile, little more than a vegetable. I conversed with his spirit, and he gave me permission to utilize his body, since my previous host was also near death."
"You conversed with his spirit?" Alexander asked. "Is that possible?"
"For me," Mystros nodded. "You must understand something, my friend. Even if the body fails, the spirit – the soul – if you will, remains intact and vital as ever. Galen was a prisoner within his own physical body. Unable to move or speak, he was trapped, hoping for a final release."
"Which you so graciously gave him," Xena growled.
"In a word, yes," Mystros replied evenly.
"Mystros isn't your true name, is it?" Alexander asked. His dark eyes fixed on the robed figure, as if he were measuring him out.
Mystros smiled and nodded. "Very astute, young master."
"So?" Xena asked.
Mystros looked at Eve. She returned his gaze and smiled. "You might as well. They should know everything."
Tensing, as if the very utterance of his next words would cause him pain, he stared into the flames. "My true name is Inures – Son of Indrajed."
"Indrajed!" Xena was back on her feet, her weapon ready to strike him down where he sat.
The followers also leapt up and closed on them. They moved to surround the demon, but Mystros rose and held his hands out. "No! Please! Do not do this! She must make her own choice in this matter! You will shed no more blood for me tonight!"
He turned and put a hand on Eve's shoulder. She had her chobos out and stood ready to intercept her mother. Her eyes were wide as the adrenaline surged through her.
"It's alright," Mystros said calmly. "You, of all of us, should not raise weapons against her. Please?"
"But?" Eve began.
"It must be her choice, my dear," Mystros continued gently. "Set them aside, please?"
With great reluctance, Eve lowered her weapons and stood aside.
Mystros stepped forward and let the point of Xena's sword touch his chest.
"I would not have you harm these people," he offered sincerely. "Nor would I have you raise weapons against your own daughter. Strike me down, if you must, but ask yourself one question. Are there truly creatures in the universe that cannot find redemption?"
"If you believe this, then you must strike, now, and swiftly," Mystros continued. "If you do not, then I ask you to hear my tale before you strike?"
"Xe?" Alexander said gently.
"You don't understand," Xena hissed. "I fought his father! I know what he is!"
"You killed my father, Xena," Mystros corrected. "I knew who you were the moment you stepped into this camp. I could have escaped, or struck you down, but I have chosen to tell you the truth instead? I have placed my trust and my life in your hands?" His dark eyes stared into hers unflinchingly. "Do as you will."
"Please, listen to him," Eve pleaded.
Xena stared into the man's eyes and saw something that surprised her. There was no malice present. No ulterior motives that she could detect. Not even a plan of escape. This creature truly was at her mercy.
Slowly, Xena lowered her weapon and, this time, she returned it to the sheath on her hip.
"Well?"
Mystros smiled and gestured to the fire.
"Sit, please?" he offered.
Xena, Alexander, and Eve all seated themselves about the fire.
In the background, the rest of the followers of Eli also settled in for the night, though few took their eyes off the confrontation at the fire.
"When the Avatar was brought to my fathers' palace," Mystros began slowly. "I was amazed at how little fear he showed. He was completely comfortable with the possibility of his own demise. I found him fascinating. Something within me was moved by this. I cannot place a label upon it. It was no one feeling or revelation. I just found it fascinating? His disciple also seemed at peace, though her fear could easily be felt."
"Xe?" Alexander asked. "Is he saying that he saw mom?"
Mystros's eyebrows rose. "Indeed."
He paused for a few moments before continuing. "Where my father reveled in the fear he created in others, I found the sensation curiously unpleasant. It was a part of who I was, of course. I was born to be many things, but primarily, a tormentor of souls. But, the idea of an existence where fear was the only sensation, to me, was strangely unfulfilling?" He shrugged. "Then I beheld the Avatar and caught a brief glimpse of peace? I felt the power of a healing heart, of self-sacrifice for one's brother. In that moment, I was transfixed. It was a sensation that far surpassed fear in its intoxicating qualities. I had to experience this more!"
"So you took up body snatching?" Xena asked, still unconvinced.
Mystros smiled. "As a lesser demon of what you would call the Plane of Fire, I was unable to take an actual physical form. However, since such an act was inherently harmful to whomever I possessed, I could not do it?"
"Could not?" Xena asked in surprise.
Mystros smiled. "The seeds of Eli germinate quickly. I already understood that I could not harm another being to sate my curiosity. Hence, I was left with an impossible conundrum. In order to experience, for myself, the sensations of peace and love that Eli professed, I would have to harm another being. But, because the very act of taking a mortal body went against those teachings, I could do nothing?"
He smiled suddenly at his recollection. "My salvation came in the form of a mortally wounded thief. I was sent to retrieve his spirit, and return with it to my father's palace. When I found him, dying from a knife wound, I beheld, not a merciless assassin, but a desperate man, trying to survive. His last years had been ones where he had eked out his existence by pilfering food and drink in order to stay alive. In his heart, he had been a good man. He had merely fallen onto bad times. He had been stabbed by a street vendor who caught him stealing a loaf of bread.
I was surprised when he saw me coming for him. Instead of taking his soul, as I had been instructed. We spoke for a long time and I learned about his life and his beliefs. While not a true follower of the teachings of the Avatar, he did hold to some of those principles? Enough, in my mind, to warrant his freedom. In the end, I told him of my plight, and he asked that I take his body and allow his soul to fly free. This I did gladly, though I knew not how long I would last with so terrible a wound? That was the first time I transferred into a mortal form. In that moment, I realized that I could focus the energy – the life essence of that body – into healing. I was able to heal the wound, though the strain of it took years off the life of the body. In that way, I escaped my father's domain."
"Why didn't you help Eli and Gabrielle escape first?" Xena asked sternly.
"I was forbidden to interfere," Mystros replied. "Besides, any assistance that I might have offered would have involved violence, which was the one thing I was not permitted to use? I honestly could not assist them."
He sighed. "In any event, had to move quickly when I discovered the thief. Once I had his body, I had to get out of India as quickly as possible."
"Why?" Alexander asked.
"Because of the Rakshasa," Mystros replied.
"Rakshasa?" Xena asked.
"They are soul hunters," Mystros explained. "Masters of illusion. They guard the Plane of Fire and prevent souls from escaping. My father sent one after me when he learned of my betrayal. I have been hiding from him ever since."
Eve nodded. "In one sense, his transferring from one mortal body to another has helped him stay away from the Rakshasa."
"Oh, I'm sure," Xena replied.
Mystros caught the implication in her voice and shook his head. "It has never been like that!" he explained. "I only take the body of a person when they give it to me freely. In fact, I was against performing the ritual upon him, so deep was my respect for he and his family."
Xena was obviously unconvinced. "I'm sure."
"Mom," Eve sighed.
Mystros sighed. "Am I so different from you, Xena? Really?" he asked with a touch of impatience. "You yourself have been given a new life? Why can it not be the same for me?"
"I haven't stolen this body!" Xena shot back. "I was born into it, just like anyone else!"
"Are you certain of that?" Mystros replied. "Are you certain that another soul was not destined to be a child of your parents, and you didn't supplant them? What about you, young man?" he turned and looked at Alexander. "Do you know for certain that you are the soul that was destined for your parents when you were conceived?"
He looked at them both for a long moment and then sighed. "The only difference between us is that I partake of my rebirth more blatantly, and more frequently than most humans. Also, that I am aware of the transference, and so is the person who's body I inhabit. I cannot take a body against their will. They must permit it; otherwise the effort would destroy me."
He gestured to himself.
"This body," he explained. "The body of my friend, Lucious, was the most precious of gifts. Lucious was one of the few people I have encountered that I could call both friend and confidant. I attempted to heal his sickness for months before he finally asked me to stop."
"He asked you to do this?" Alexander asked.
Mystros nodded. "It was his wish. Lucious was a man of high principles and great generosity. The last time we spoke together, was after my last attempt to heal his fever. For some reason, my treatment of him would alleviate his symptoms for a short time, a matter of weeks, and then they would return, and he would slowly sink back into feverish sleep. Unless I treated him, he would not awaken and eventually would have died. This went on for months. Finally, he asked me to stop."
"Mystros," he said to me. "There's no point in your coming back here every month, just to wake me up. My time has come."
"Nonsense," I told him. "It's just a matter of time before we beat this thing? It can't last forever?"
"No," he replied. "It cannot."
Then he looked at me with a seriousness that was so unlike him. As if he were measuring out the remaining days I had in Galen's body. "You have wasted enough of your energy on me, old friend. When the sleep falls upon me again, I want you to take this body."
"Lucious," I replied. "You've hardly walked the earth for more than forty years? That is far too short a time?"
To that, he merely smiled and pointed over to his home. It was a simple, modest structure, well built and homey. It was not to that simple structure that he was indicating, however. It was to the long, unused horse cart that rested along side.
"I don't know why I've kept that," he mused, looking at me. "My horse died off several years ago and I've never had enough money to get another one. Once the fever began hitting me, I never needed another horse. I could just break it up and use it for firewood, but?" he shrugged. Then he looked at me and smiled. "I suppose I keep it because I think it could still be useful. I think that, maybe, when I've passed on, someone on a horse might come by and find it?" He shrugged and looked at me again.
"Inures," he said, using my true name, which was something he only did when he was the most serious. "If my body was this cart, and my spirit, the horse, then it's painfully obvious that this horse is just about done in."
"Very metaphorical," I replied.
"And, no offense," He continued. "Your "cart" is looking a little worse for wear?"
"I'll be fine," I protested.
"I'm asking you," Lucious pressed me. "This frame will last you longer than the old men and women that you've endured in the past."
His eyes bored into mine, and something like a smile began to appear at the corners of his mouth.
"You know I'm right," he said with a nod.
It took several more hours of this kind of talk, but, in the end, I finally relented.
Mystros looked at Xena pointedly. "Thus, do I sit before you now, reborn, just as you have been?"
Xena looked deeply into Mystros's eyes. Unbelievably, she could find no trace of deceit in his gaze. Nothing – not even a twitch of untruth in his face, posture, or demeanor.
"So?" she asked. "What happens next?"
Mystros sighed. "In the morning, we lay Galen to rest, and you can watch me heal the injuries of the others. After that, if you decide that I am not worthy, you may use your weapon."
"No!" Eve blurted.
"Eve," Mystros held out his hand. "It is her choice to make, not yours."
He rose and nearly stumbled over. He smiled a little sheepishly.
"New body is like a new house," he laughed in embarrassment. "Takes a little time to settle in."
"I'm sure," Xena forced a smile.
Mystros caught the subtle insult, and his smile faded slightly. Then he gave them all another, more sober nod and went to the other side of the camp to sleep.
"Mom," Eve said in a stern whisper. "You have to promise me that you won't do anything to him?"
Xena looked at Alexander, who offered a shrug in reply, and then back.
"What?"
"Your word!" Eve demanded.
"Why should I –"
"Because I love him!" Eve whispered urgently.
"Whoa," Alexander gasped.
Xena's eyes went wide in surprise.
"What did you say?"
Eve fixed her mother with an icy stare that quickly melted into melancholy.
"I love him, mom."