DAY 6

It was late when Jenos knocked on the door of the Church of the Goddess's Womb. A few minutes later it was answered by one of the church's priestess, holding a candle. "We have been expecting you, M'Lord." She gave him a sad smile.

Suspicious Jenos asked, "How did you know I would come tonight?" He entered to find six other priestesses standing there with candles.

"We knew not long after Lady Alexis's death you would come to guide her to her proper place."

"You know what I'm about to ask? "

Another priestess spoke, "It is about the Bargain. You have come to make your choice about it."

"I have."

"And what was your choice?"

"Bring her home to keep her side of it."

The priestess gave him a sad smile, "I have made all the priests of the church sleep. They will not wake, no matter what we do. Come it must be done before dawn." All of them turned to walk towards the Idanian family chapel.

When they reached it Jenos found candles lighting the altar. The lead priestess stopped before it. "I must ask again sir, are you sure that you want to do this? This is both a blessing and a curse."

"I know. Go ahead." He offered the scroll case from Alexis's chest, and the lock of hair he took at her funeral to the priestess.

"Very well." She took the case and broke the seal. Inside was the spell of Resurrection. They placed the lock of hair on the altar, and began to chant. For ten minutes the chant went on, and as they chanted Alexis began to appear on the altar. She was not as she was before. Gone were the traces of gray from her hair, gone were the lines of worry upon her face. When she took in her first breath a sort of radiance seemed to encompass her.

When the priestesses were done they stepped back to let Jenos come near. He walked up next to her. She looked like she was sleeping, but as he laid an ungloved hand on her cheek her eyes began to flicker.

He gave her a watery smile as she looked up at him. His worries that she wouldn't recognize him were gone when she immediately sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Jenos!" In relief he held her tight, whispering her name into her hair.

They were like that for a while before one of the priestess cleared her throat. "I'm sorry to disturb you but we don't have much time."

"Indeed we don't." Alexis started to get off the altar when she realized she was only clad in the sheet that had been on the altar. She blushed slightly.

"I have garments for you M'Lady." One of them presented her with dark silken garment for her to wear. Blushing slightly Alexis went to alcove to change.

Jenos turned his attention to the priestess. "What you have seen tonight did not happen. Lady Alexis Idanian died six days ago, and her body is interned in that tomb."

"You have our vow before the Goddess that what we have seen tonight shall not be told to anyone with out our Lady's permission. We will keep your secrets." They all knelt at the chapel's alter.

Alexis walked over to them once dressed. "The Goddess spoke to you." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Yes, she did." The lead priestess looked up at her. "You are the protector of the Blood line, the guardian of the celestial guardian's greatest treasures, The Pythiaian Oracle"

"No one must know of me."

"We understand my Lady, and we will help you if we can."

"For the moment nothing can be done. The priests will wake soon. Our presence must not be known."

"Take this." She handed her a large parcel. "These shall aid you for now. Come, there are a pair of horses waiting. Take them if you need them."

"Thank you and we will return them shortly." Alexis hurried to the back of the church.

"Thank you," Jenos nodded to her.

"Hurry up tin man we have a long way to go." Alexis was already almost to the door.

Grimacing Jenos followed. As promised there were horses waiting for them. "Care to tell me where were we are going?"

"I know a place where we can hide for a couple hours, provided it isn't occupied." Alexis reined her horse and hurried out of the stable. Jenos followed suit.

"So can you tell me what is going on now?" Jenos asked as they rode.

"When I died for Cassandra to be reborn I made a bargain with the Goddess."

"What did you do Lexi?"

"I vowed that I would continue what I had been doing in life, after my death." She smirked, "The Goddess allowed me to live a mortal's life until the moment before my natural death. From then on I was to serve her as you serve her in the heavens."

"You can't fight those battles alone Alexis."

"I do not fight the demons that you do. My job is to protect the heirs of the guardians so that they have a place to come back to. All of you need a reason to fight for."

"Alexis…"

She reined her horse up in the middle of the street, and turned to him, "Would you rather that I die of old age, or the blade of an assassin? Would you rather followers of evil try to kill our children and grandchildren in hopes of persuading you to help them?"

"Of course not, but.."

Alexis nudged her horse back into it's quick pace. "You have your duty and I have mine. I can see you one month every year, just like always, only I can not set foot on the celestial plane with out permission for the Goddess herself." Alexis reined up her horse in front of a seedy pub down by the first wall.

"Here?" Jenos indicated the building.

"There is a small flat I can take you to, now hold still." She started to cast a spell on him, and then stopped," Jen, do I have permission to cast this spell on you?"

"Will it harm me?" Alexis glared at him in response. "Yes you have my permission."

Alexis cast a spell that caused Jenos's features to melt away into a different face. If he looked into the mirror he would have see Drell McCoy's face. "That should at least make sure you aren't identified. Follow me. "Tying the horses up, they went up some back stairs to a loft. Alexis stopped and checked the door, before saying something in an odd language. Jenos raised an eyebrow but Alexis waved it away, and went in the door. She was met by a blade thrust her way, which she avoided. Seeing the threat Jenos backhanded the attacker across the room. The man landed with a curse.

"Jenos!" Alexis went to help the man in black.

"What? He attacked you."

Alexis cast a healing spell and he came around. As he did so he looked up into her dark eyes. "Mum?"

"Hey Angel. We have a lot to tell you." Alexis looked down into Alexander's face.