"I hear him, and I can smell his fear. It’s like an over-used outhouse."

"Whoever you are," Gabrielle said. " Please, come out. We aren’t here to harm anyone."

Slowly, out of the backroom, a poorly dressed man timidly came forward. 

"Hi there. My name’s Gabrielle, and this is Xena. I’m so glad you came. You don’t have to be afraid. Please, sit down. Would you like something to drink? Or eat? What’s your name?"

The man shook his head, but with trembling hands took the cup of wine Xena offered to him. He turned it up until it was empty, and then held it out for more. "M-my name is Milos, I have a farm a quarter day’s walk from here."

"Can you tell us what’s been going on?" Gabrielle asked him.

"Are you really a Healer?"

"Is there someone who is hurt?"

Milos nodded, "My daughter."

"What’s wrong with her"

Milos shrugged his shoulders. "No one knows, she’s been like that ever since it happened."

"Been like what? Since what happened?" Gabrielle asked, becoming slightly annoyed. "I can’t help your daughter if I don’t know what is wrong with her."

"She’s not the only one. There have been others, three others. They’re all the same."

"We’re not getting anywhere like this," Xena said, becoming aggravated with the farmer. "Maybe if you took us to see her, then Gabrielle could find out what is wrong with her.

Suddenly becoming terrified, Milos cried out. "No! No! We can’t go out at night! It’s not safe! We can’t go out! We can’t!"

"Milos," Gabrielle said in her most reassuring voice. "Believe me, there is nothing out there that can harm either me or Xena or you."

"No! No! We can’t go out there! IT’s out there!"

"Taking Gabrielle aside, Xena half whispered to her, "Maybe a little demonstration of your powers will convince him."

"What kind of demonstration?"

"Do the fire trick, that always impresses them."

Gabrielle nodded, then walked back to Milos. "Milos, look at me. Look At Me! It’s true that I am a Healer, but I am also a goddess. I have the powers of the gods, and nothing can harm a god."

Milos looked up at her, a blank look on his face. Then slowly it began to sink in what Gabrielle had said. "A god? You’re a god? No! You can’t be! No!"