“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>The smell of freshly cut hay or Lotus blossoms. A chorus
of tree frogs and crickets making evening music. The splendor of a
sunset or rainbow after a storm. These were not the type of things
a Warrior paid particular interest to, but then Xena was not the
same warrior she had been a few years ago. The symphony was
interrupted as she neared the edge of camp and heard voices whose
tone had nothing to do with nature.

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>Benedictus had pulled her aside as she finished her
dinner and urged her toward the old building at the edge of town
where they had kept the horses secured. Bethany let him lead her
into the woods behind the building, knowing that he would be a
problem and that his voice could carry his ranting back to
camp.

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>He paced in front of her, the scar down his face
twitching in step. "What were you thinking, asking her to stay
in our camp? Do you know who she is? What she is?"

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>Bethany remained calm. In the year since he had joined
her patrol he had managed to throw a fit at least twice a mission.
She was used to his tirades and quickly becoming tired of them,
"Yes, I know who she is. I also know that she helped us and
without that help these people and some of us would probably be on
the way to a slave market or dead."

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>He stopped pacing and faced her, "Part of her plan
no doubt. Get us to trust her, invite her to join us all the while
her army is surrounding us just waiting on her signal. You've
let a viper into our midst."

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>"There is no army, Benedictus. Have you not heard
the stories of her helping people? She has changed. Even Hercules
calls her friend now. "

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>"Stories." He replied, anger causing the tone
of his voice to rise, "Do you believe everything you hear?
She's a demon who uses and destroys on a whim. I’ve seen
the aftermath of her attacks and that you of all people defend her.
You know better than any of us what she's capable of."

“http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/space.gif” width=”20″
border=”0″>Anger colored Bethanys features as she held up her
gloved hand to stop him, "That is the past and you'd be
wise not to bring it up again." She inhaled deeply trying to
soothe the anger, "That Xena no longer exists. She risked her
life to help us today and her friend was injured. We owe her our
gratitude and the very least I can do is offer them a meal and a
place to sleep."