“If it has four walls and a roof, it’ll be fine. After all the time we’ve spent sleeping under the stars, any shelter at all will do.”

“I’ll come by in a couple of days to check on your friend. But the way she came through I’m sure she’ll be all right.”

“That’s good to know. So – what do I owe you for the medical help, the room, and the food?”

“Is six dinars too much?”

Xena opened her money pouch and poured seven dinars into her hand.

“Here,” she said handing over all of it. “One dinar for your next visit.”

“You’re sure? What will you do for food?”

“Hunt, like I do when we’re on the trail. And I can always barter fresh game for whatever else we need.”

“Very well, then. I wish you both the best of luck.”

Then looking down at Gabrielle, he said, “Rest as much as you can. I have two potions I’m giving you. I want you to take them twice a day, at daybreak and at dawn. And I will see you in two – three days.”

“Thank you,” Gabrielle said.

“Yeah,” Xena echoed. “Thank you.”

The Healer helped Xena put Gabrielle back onto the litter and watched as they left toward the other side of town.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

“Well, he was right,” Xena said as they arrived the ramshackle, broken down hut. “Four walls and a roof is about all it is.”

“Let me see,” Gabrielle requested.

Xena helped Gabrielle sit up, then stand. Slowly, as Xena held Gabrielle around the waist, they walked up to the cabin.

There was neither porch nor overhang to protect the doorless opening. When they got inside, a single window let in the afternoon sun since the shutters had long since been torn off by the wind when the leather hinges rotted away.

It was a one-room hut with a dirt floor. A three-legged table barely stood on the uneven floor.  A single bench, with a broken leg lay on its side. Only the fireplace seemed to be okay, provided the chimney wasn’t blocked by nesting birds.

“If I can shore up the table, you can use for a bed until we can get you a real one,” Xena said as she helped Gabrielle sit on the good end of it.

“Don’t be silly,” Gabrielle  replied. “I can sleep on the floor just like we always do.”

“Well, we’ll see. If you’ll be all right, I want to unsaddle the horses and tether them near some grass. And I need to locate some water. Maybe there’s a well or river nearby.”

“I’ll be fine. Go do what you have to. I’ll see if I can get a fire started.”

“And just how are you going to do that with one arm in a sling? You still can’t even feel your fingers.”

“Okay! I’ll … gather some firewood. I can do THAT with one arm.”

“Just don't bend over too much, you’re still weak and could pass out.”

“Go tend to the horses. I’ll wait right here, not moving a muscle!”

“I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”

Gabrielle’s voice softened. “I know you are. I’m just not used to being so helpless.”

“Give it a month or so. You’ll be as good as new.”

“I know.”

T B C