Gabrielle, Goddess of the Unknown

"So where are we going again?" Xena asked Gabrielle.

"I really don’t know."

"If you don’t know where we’re going, then how are we supposed to get there?"

"I know where we’re going, I just don’t know the name of the village."

"So why didn’t you say that in the first place?"

"I thought I did."

"And we are going there because…."

"Because I can sense something’s not right. There is far too much fear. It’s like the whole town is afraid of something."

"Could it be they heard about an army heading their way?"

"No. It’s not that kind of fear. It’s like they don’t know what they are afraid of, but they just are."

"And everyone feels that way?"

"As far as I can tell. We should be there by tomorrow afternoon."

"If things are that bad, why don’t you just pop on over, and Argo and I can get there when we can?"

"I don’t think so. After you almost dying at the bottom of that ravine, I’m not letting you out of my sight."

"So now you’re MY protector? Like I can’t take care of myself?"

"Say what you will. Get all defensive if you want to, but you and I might as well be joined at the hip. Where you go, I go; where I go, you go."

"I wouldn’t have it any other way," Xena said, smiling affectionately at her best friend. "I was just poking a little fun."

"I know. Besides, I don’t think there is any real emergency. What I sense has been an ongoing thing. One more day shouldn’t make a difference."

<….>

Gabrielle and Xena arrived at the nameless village about an hour before sunset. But from the look of the town, it might as well have been midnight.

"Are you sure there is anyone living here?" Xena asked. "It sure looks deserted."

"They’re here, all right. It’s just that no one’s out."

"Let’s check the local tavern. If there’s one thing I’ve discovered, it’s that no matter what kind of crisis, there is always somebody needing a drink."

As the two approached the front door of the tavern, it suddenly slammed shut, and they could hear the bolt being thrown; they were locked out.

As Gabrielle started to talk about options, Xena kicked the door open, leaving it hanging by one broken hinge.