The next morning, Ramon and Star took Lisbet to see one of their companions, an angel named Cass. Cass would make the alterations to Lisbet to change her appearance. Star remained with her, but Ramon left and returned to the chateau. The chateau was very old. It hadn't really 'been in his family' for ages. It was in fact built by Ramon upon the ruins of an old fortress from pre-Roman times. He'd simply altered himself through the ages, posing as his own ancestors. The parts Lisbet had seen were built in more modern times and he'd had to make many alterations to it as the times progressed. Still, it retained a sense of it's antiquity. He went now down to the oldest part, an octagonally shaped room whose orientation was to the quarters and cross-quarters of the compass. Upon each wall hung a portrait of the guardians for each quadrant. He went without hesitation to the western wall and stood before the image there, muttering strange words that no mortal could ever hear or understand to summon the western guardian, Zuleica. She appeared in a blinding flash of light before the image. "You rang?" she smiled as Zuleica was wont to smile. There was always something predatory and feral in her eyes, voice and expressions. Then again, she was a Kerub and from the ancient land. Contrary to the perceptions of many humans, kerubs were not cute, pudgy little children with tiny wings. They were and always had been guardians of gateways, and as such they were extremely deadly and wise. "I had a feeling you'd be summoning me soon. I see you found her again." "Actually, she found me this time. Hello Zu. How are you?" Zuleica sighed and shrugged. "I'm good. Better now that I'll have something to do. And just what will that be?" "Come upstairs with me. We'll have some lunch, a little wine and discuss it." ***** The lady here is my Ursala, who is also in the Brown Eyes picture and was previously the Queen of the Undead. She is also my avatar figure. Zuleica is an Arabic name which means 'fair' or 'beautiful'. I did the 'painting' of her behind her as well. Jim, I hope you like her! It seems Ramon has arranged to have someone to look after Lisbet, but as Zuleica asks - just what will they be doing that requires such protection? Thank you all so much for coming by, for your comments and favorites dear friends! They mean a lot. Cheers Ray