“Miracles are not bestowed on the tightfisted!” the magician announced. He pointed to a man dressed in rags who had let the pouch pass him by. “Surely you can offer a small token for these wonders performed before your very eyes?” he taunted. The young boy returned to the man and shook the pouch. The poor man hesitated before dropping in his last half-shekel.

When the magician heard the jangle of enough coins, he proceeded. “Blessings for your generosity!” he said. He then roved within the circle, pushing the people back. “Give me space!” he cried. “I need space in which to draw down the magic!” When the circle had widened, he threw a dramatic hand into the air and cried, “Bring in the afflicted!”

The onlookers gasped and fell back in horror as two men dragged a crazed young woman into the circle. She spat and foamed at the mouth. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Her matted hair clung to her face. She hurled obscenities at the quaking children in the front row.

“Behold a woman possessed!” the magician roared.

The woman screamed and lashed out at the audience. She struggled against her captors. The crowd drew back as if from a swarm of bees.

“Fear not!” the magician cried. “There is no demon who can defy this magician’s powers!”

The men twisted the young woman’s arms behind her back and forced her to her knees. Her head swung madly as the magician approached. He pressed a palm against her forehead. “Evil demon!” he cried. “Identify yourself! What is your name?”

The woman’s eyes closed. “I am Korgina! Queen of Darkness!” she spat.

The magician appeared unfazed. “Korgina!” he commanded. “You do not belong here. Be gone from the innocent and return to your wretched queendom!”

The woman’s body shook in a series of mad convulsions. Her eyes opened wide, unseeing.

“Be gone!” the magician cried and snapped back the woman’s head with a sharp thrust of his palm. Seizures contorted her body and then she let out a bloodcurdling scream. She dropped to the ground in a boneless heap.

“Silence!” the magician warned the crowd. He knelt next to the fallen woman. He offered her a hand. The woman reached out and stood with his assistance.

“Where am I?” she asked in a sweet voice.

“You are among friends,” the magician answered. “But tell us, what is your name?”

The woman smiled. “I am Rachel, daughter of Loch,” she chimed. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Hidden from view, Judas frowned at the spectacle. Disgusted by the magician’s performance, he felt the sudden desire to dispose of the man’s life.

Was there no end to such imposters?

But, for the time being, he had set his sights on the new healer and so turned his back and continued on his way.