"Francisco!" "Are you feeling ill?" "I can't get up." "You've been fasting for too long this time, Brother Francisco, in seven days you've only eaten half a loaf." "Let's get him out." "Wait, wait." "I want to tell you something," "as I was praying something came to me:" "the Lord wants us to stay here." "For what reason, brother Francisco?" "I don't know." "What does the Lord want from us, here in this land?" "Just obedience." "Don't worry." "The Lord will show us our path." "Brother Francisco, if we have to stay here because God wants it, dying of hunger won't be any good." "We can look for work, but for the time being we'll have to rely on the charity of the people." "I'm afraid there are too any others looking for charity and there's not much of it around." "Charity can also corrupt, so let's set an example." "So, you have something to exchange, pilgrim?" "Yes, I think so." "What is it, a relic?" "My hunger for a loaf of bread, maybe?" "Show charity, for pity's sake!" "For the love of God, brother!" "In the Lord's name, give me something!" "A little something, for God's sake!" "In the name of the Lord, charity!" "I'm a pilgrim and I've come a long way." "This is the worst thing about pilgrimages, the poor, why don't they do something to stop them?" "Many years ago the Lord gave us the solution." "Peace be with you." "And with you too." "What do you want?" "Charity, in the name of the Lord." "You've come at the right time." "Master Mateo, head stonemason of the temple of Santiago, has just collected his salary, and he can give you a coin." "Master Mateo, I'm sorry, but I can't accept money." "That's unusual." "My mistress, holy poverty, has forbids it." "I just need a crust of bread." "I can't give you that, there are only stones here." "Never mind, your heart is good and that's enough for me." "God be with you." "Wait!" "Maybe I can give you something." "If you want to take some figs..." "Why not?" "You're welcome." "In that case, come with me." "You can take as many as you want." "I'll tell you something, these figs are the best in the neighbourhood, you can prove it for yourself." "Wonderful fruit on this fig tree!" "I told you so." "But the best ones, seem to disappear as if by magic!" "Someone must take them." "I've been looking for him for two years but I've never caught sight of him." "He must be a complete rogue." "If I get my hands on him, I promise you he'll remember that day for the rest of his life" "No-one gets the better of me!" "When I catch him..." "Look what they've given me, bread and nuts." "I've got figs, what about you?" "Forgive me, Francisco, I've eaten everything they gave me," "I was starving." "Well done, the gospel tells us not to save anything for tomorrow, so you've done just that!" "Don't worry, we'll divide this between us." "Hello!" "Hello!" "It's good to see you again, so I can thank you for not telling Master Mateo about me." "It would haven't been right after all your hard work picking the figs." "Oh!" "You really gave me a fright" "I nearly fell from the top of the tree." "What's your name?" "Cotolaya, the same as my grandfather, but woodcutters call me Cotolay." "Brothers, I have the honor of presenting Cotolay to you." "Hello, Cotolay." "Do you want some more figs?" "These are the fattest ones." "No, no." "Hey, don't be shy, you'll regret it." "Thanks, Cotolay." "You're welcome," "One good turn deserves another!" "Alfonso of Andrade, falconer to the noble house of Sotomayor, seeks the services of someone who understands hawking, and offers board and lodgings," "in addition to six marks and some clothes, and many other perks, will be granted him by his master, and lord." "There is no-one here who could carry out those duties and... wants to earn six marks?" "Jacobo!" "Master Tarna wants you to make an announcement for him." "How much will he pay me?" "If you come up with what he wants, two Leon marks." "It depends what he wants." "He needs four more woodcutters." "In that case, I can forget the two marks, because no-one will go." "You announce it, and we'll see." "Well, well." "Now we'll see." "Four woodcutters needed for Mount Pedroso!" "That forest is haunted!" "You'll be haunted!" "Anyone who goes there picks up a fever." "Those are just old wives' tales." "Come on, come on!" "Four wood cutters needed!" "Good lodgings, good food, good pay!" "You call a leaky hut 'good lodgings'?" "and the rubbish old Cotolaya cooks 'good food'?" "What are you saying about my grandfather?" "Nothing, nothing, but I was there for two months, and look at me now!" "Forget it, Jacobo." "I told you nobody would want to go, now you can see I'm right." "Hello, I've come to fetch you." "Can I ask why?" "You see, I have come to Santiago because we need woodcutters at Mount Pedroso." "You're not going say that you think we could do it?" "Yes, that's just what I mean." "Woodcutters?" "Us?" "Do you think we would do?" "Well, I thought..." "Anything is better than nothing." "Is it very far to the forest?" "No, not far, just over half a league between Valdediós [Valley of God] and Valdelinfierno [Valley of Hell]." "Valdediós and Valdelinfierno..." "We haven't had to wait long." "The Lord is showing us the way." "Are you all agreed?" "Yes." "We'll have live from our labour." "What are you laughing at?" "I'm thinking of Master Tarna's face when he sees you three." "I don't think he'll take us." "Well, here comes Cotolay, bringing reinforcements." "Hello, Cotolay!" "So you've carried out my orders?" "Yes, Master Tarna." "I've brought what you wanted." "I've seen some strange people in my time but as for these three..." "Believe it or not, I think they'll be good cutters." "Do you think so?" "Yes, brother." "Be careful, Tarna, they could be penitent thieves." "They are real pilgrims, and if they can do the job, nothing else matters." "Yes, yes, but I wouldn't trust them." "It's quite true what Vidal says, nowadays criminals are the only pilgrims who go around with a penitent spirit" "I would not trust them either." "Well, anyway, they have come, so it's only fair we talk." "How much you want as wages?" "We'll work just for food and shelter." "Do you see?" "Someone who doesn't want to be paid can't be trusted." "You've got to admit, they're the only ones who want the job." "The boy is right, my friend, we need labour and we can't pick and choose." "Right, let's give them a test." "Give them your axe." "What do you want me to do?" "Have a go at that." "With two men like you the wood would be as flat as my hand" "You're worth four ordinary men." "Martin, I think you've lost your job." "Let's see what you can do." "Not much, Master Tarna, except perhaps working in the kitchen, that's all." "But what I need are woodcutters." "You've already got what you need." "Where?" "You just said he's worth four men, so you don't need these other ones." "You little devil!" "He always gets his own way in the end." "I suppose you also want to peel thistles in the kitchen." "Why not?" "It's more or less our job." "Okay, you can stay." "Master Tarna!" "," "As you've taken them on, you owe me two Leon marks." "And why's that?" "You offered Jacobo that money to find you woodcutters, but it was me who found them." "Well, well, we'll talk about that later, now take them to their lodgings." "Grandpa, Grandpa!" "What is it, Cotolay?" "What's all the noise about?" "I've brought you a new woodcutter." "A new woodcutter?" "Excellent!" "His name is Francisco." "Francisco?" "And he's a woodcutter?" "Well, he'll help you in the kitchen." "Master Tarna wants you to give them somewhere to stay." "Ah, if that's what Master Tarna wants, they are welcome." "I'll do my best to be useful." "We'll see..." "Don't worry if he gets bad-tempered sometimes." "That is my cabin." "You're in luck." "My grandfather will treat you well." "What's wrong?" "Are you ill?" "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired." "Salt and vinegar, Grandpa swears by them." "Go on, put your feet in, don't be afraid." "It hurts a bit at first, but it'll soon go." "He knows all about it, he's forever with some part of his body in the bowl." "Is he that naughty?" "Since his parents died my peace is over, he gets into scrapes and drags me into them too, and when I try to scold him, he always finds an excuse, and I end up believing him." "It's the nature of boys to be naughty, but what is not right is to lie, Cotolay." "You didn't make much dinner, Grandpa." "There will be enough for everyone." "Don't worry about me, I'm not hungry." "You've just said it's wrong to lie." "Will you be with us long?" "I don't know, it's not up to me." "I'm just a servant." "Cotolay!" "Cotolay!" "Cotolay!" "You called me, Grandpa?" "How did you get into that state?" "Where have you been?" "I was hunting and I fell into the river." "Hunting..." "Guess what?" "If you hadn't called me, I would have brought you Quebo the deer." "And why didn't you bring him?" "He wouldn't let me get catch him." "Go and get dry." "You have to help Francisco, take the food to the woodcutters." "Off you go!" "Very good!" "What are you doing there?" "Weren't you told to go and get dry?" "I'm going." "What are you doing?" "Cotolay!" "I don't like these jokes." "Don't get angry, Grandpa, I just wanted to try out Francisco's sandals." "Don't get angry..." "Do you always do this to your customers?" "Not if they stand still, no." "Tell me, are these your own work?" "Yes, I don't want you to go around barefoot." "Tomorrow I will make another pair for Bernardo, and then for Juan." "Thanks, Cotolay, the Lord will repay you." "Hey, if I ask the Lord to let me catch Quebo, do you think he'll grant my wish?" "If you want it enough you'll catch him soon, Cotolay," "Unless Dimo gets there first." "Who's Dimo?" "A bloodthirsty wolf." "May San Diago keep you out of his way, he's a very cunning animal." "After he's got up to his tricks, he runs to Valdelinfierno to hide away in a swamp where he feels safe." "Go on, Cotolay, dry yourself off at once!" "You have to take the food to the workers." "Yes, Grandpa." "What's wrong with you today, Martin?" "Nothing." "Mind the tree!" "Hey, do you think?" "There it goes!" "Food!" "," "Here comes the food!" "Food!" "Good morning, Martin, how's it going?" "Go to hell, and leave me alone." "What's wrong with Martin?" "He's in a bad mood." "He bet a hen that he'd be able to cut... six more trees than Juan of Florence." "He's two behind." "Today I don't want stew." "We're going to eat chicken!" "The chicken from the bet." "How I'll laugh when I see the brute's face." "Hey, Martin, next time we'll double the bet," "One chicken isn't enough." "Martin will win the next time because I'll help him." "You'll help me, you toad?" "Do you take me for an old woman?" ", now I'll show you what I can do." "Just by myself;" "see if I need your help, look!" "Yes, me alone." "And now let him show us what he can do." "Get up, get up, come on!" "Juan, your strength comes from God, and if you received it from Him, why do you show it off?" "Forgive me, Francisco, I shouldn't do it," "I am a disaster." "Forgive me too, Martin." "That's enough forgiveness and bravado." "Get out of here, both of you." "Get out!" "Get out!" "Don't get too close to him, he got swamp fever." "I will really miss the brute." "Martin is strong." "Do you know of anyone who has got over the fever?" "Leave him, talking doesn't do any good." "Do not be sad, Juan, it's not your fault." "I'm sure it was the effort of the bet that brought this on." "No, Juan, the fever has nothing to do with the bet." "Keep your spirits up, he's not dead yet." "Cotolay, go to bed." "Let me stay up a bit longer, Grandpa, I want to know how Martin is." "You'll find out tomorrow." "Go on, Cotolay, do what your grandfather says, go to bed." "Well, see you tomorrow." "Goodnight, Cotolay." "How is he?" "Will he get better?" "Keep calm, everything is alright." "We just have to wait for the fever to break," "You can sleep at ease." "Follow me." "While looking after Martin I got a sense of what the Lord wants us to do." "Help me to ask him to enlighten us." "I believe the Lord has let me know his will." "As you know, we used to live in shacks made of reeds and mud in Assisi and from them we started travelling the world with our message of poverty and charity." "And we've ended up as woodcutters." "It's possible that the Lord has put us on this path to tell us... he wants us to stop being a wandering order of pilgrims... and to settle down." "We must found monasteries." "Monasteries?" "That's against our rules, we're not allowed to own anything." "Fear not, the Lord wills it, and he will find us a way of doing it without ownership." "Even more difficult." "His desire is that we found the first convent of my order here in Santiago de Compostela." "It can't happen, we have nothing here." "I don't see how we can build this monastery either, it's almost impossible." "Brothers, how little faith you have, if the Lord wants it, it will be built," "and I have to believe it will be built!" "Here it goes, men!" "Look, here comes Martin!" "About time too!" "What's the matter with you all?" "Have you never overslept?" "You didn't oversleep, Martin," "You spent two days and two nights with swamp fever." "You're all crazy, if I had been attacked by the fever I would be dead." "We all thought you were going to die" "Francisco spent the two nights and two days at your side." "It's true, Martin." "And maybe I was to blame for that stupid bet." "That's enough, and if anyone repeats that nonsense about the fever I'll split his head open with my axe!" "And if it's Francisco who asks you?" "Francisco, Francisco, bah!" "That Italian has cast a spell on you all!" "He can go to hell!" "Bernardo, Francisco, Grandpa!" "What?" "Martin has gone to work, he's better!" "Is that true?" " Sure!" " But up till last night he had the fever!" "It's true, I'm not lying!" "Francisco, haven't you heard?" "Martin is better, and he's gone to work." "Yes." "Did you already know?" "Hey, Francisco, why weren't you surprised by Martin's cure?" "It's because you were praying for him last night." "Am I right?" "Tell me, why do you spend so much time looking into heaven?" "I'm waiting." "For the voice you heard last night which told you about the convent?" "Well, I could almost imagine you had been listening in!" "I shouldn't have done it, I know." "But, you've really talked to the Lord?" "Yes." "He wants everybody to talk to Him." "And you're not afraid?" "No." "If it was me, I would fall... onto my knees." "Francisco, what do you feel when you talk to Him?" "I feel my soul fill with joy." "Shh, hush!" "What is it?" "It's him, for sure!" "Who?" "Look, there he is." "It's Quebo, don't let him see you." "When I go near him, he runs away." "Maybe that's because you're hiding from him." "How do you know?" "Quebo believes that anyone who approaches him secretively doesn't have good intentions." "Happy days, brother deer, don't run off, Quebo." "Cotolay wants to be your friend." "Hello, Quebo." "Quebo's waiting for you, Cotolay." "Courage, Cotolay, don't be afraid." "You see?" "This is how we can talk to the Lord, if we approach him with love and trust." "Quebo is my friend!" "Quebo is my friend!" "Grandfather, Bernardo, grandfather, Quebo is my friend!" "Just look!" "I would never have believed it." "How did you manage it?" "It wasn't me, it was Francisco, he told Quebo that I wanted to be his friend." "I never thought such a thing could happen." "For Francisco, nothing is difficult." "I just make my wish, and God does the rest." "Well, I think you're going to need His help with this convent idea." "We've been talking about it, and he says he knows a place where we might be able to build it." "That's right." "What do you think?" "It's not bad at all." "We could reconstruct part of it." "I was thinking of that when I mentioned this site." "Our convent should be small and poor." "I don't mind it being poor, Francisco, but as for size..." "As big as a simple cabin would be enough." "Don't worry too much about the future, Bernardo," "Be confident." "When our order grows in size, and the brothers start getting on top of each other, they will soon expand it as needed." "To be honest, I don't like this site." "Cotolay!" "I'd like a brand new convent, in a really joyful place." "Yes, but it would be more expensive." "That wouldn't be a problem, if it's true what they say, about there being a great treasure hidden here." "Treasure?" "Yes, they say it was hidden during the invasion of Mansur." "If we found it, we could build the convent, and much more!" "You may be surprised to hear, Cotolay, that last night I dreamt of treasure." "Treasure?" "Like the one Grandpa says is buried here?" "It was wonderful." "and the light hurt my eyes, so that I felt pain in them." "Sometimes it seemed like a material treasure, and at others it took on an unimaginable purity" "You see such weird things when you dream." "I'd like to dream about this treasure too." "I also dreamt that our little convent would be a joyful place, as Cotolay said." "I only have close my eyes to see it." "What's wrong?" "Are you sick?" "It's nothing, nothing." "Don't worry." "Grandpa!" "Cotolay, tell Juan, quick!" "Cotolay, don't go near Francisco!" "Get out of there!" "You shouldn't come near me, it's dangerous." "I'm not afraid, and you can't hurt me." "It's dangerous." "Juan and Bernardo will take you to Santiago, to the pilgrims' hospital, and there they'll cure the fever." "You'll soon be well again, Francisco." "Help me!" "No, no!" "Don't worry, I told you that they're taking you to hospital." "No, not that, Cotolay," "I have to fulfill the command of the Lord," "I must build my convent," "I must." "Don't worry about the convent, if you can't do it, I will," "I promise!" "I must build my convent..." "Help me, help me!" "Cotolay, I told you not to go near Francisco." "I'm sorry to leave you, friends, but we must go with him." "I understand, we hope he gets better soon, and if you want to come back to us, you can count on me." "Thanks, Master Tarna." "Cotolay!" "Cotolay!" "Ah, there you are!" "Come here, come here." "Closer." "What are you hiding behind your back?" "Nothing." "You've got something in your hands you don't want me to see," "Show me." "It's nothing, grandfather." "I said, show me!" "Blessed God, what have you done to your hands?" "Digging." "I'm looking for the treasure of Mansur, you said it was hidden in the ruins." "Well, that's what I heard." "Don't you think it's true?" "Francisco also spoke of the treasure." "Well, even if it was true, what makes you think you'll find it so quickly?" "Come on, let's go home." "we must get those hands better." "What a kid!" "So you think you can find treasure like that?" "Put your hands in, don't be afraid, it's only vinegar with salt," "It hurts, right?" "Yes, but I can bear it." "What you have to do is forget this treasure forever." "I need it to build the convent Francisco's convent." "Do you understand what you're saying?" "A convent..." "I promised him, and you've always said that a man should keep his word." "True, but only when his word is about something very serious, you understand, not about a fantasy." "It's not a fantasy, Grandpa." "Yes it is, sir." "Yes it is." "No, Grandpa!" "Tomorrow you must go to Santiago, and ask your friend Francisco to free you from your promise, and get him to understand that you're not a man yet." "I can't." "Why not?" "You said that I mustn't go near Francisco because he has the fever." "Alright then, you can tell Bernardo." "Well, I'll tell him, apart from the bit about not being a man, because that just isn't true!" "Very well, that's agreed my fine young man!" "I love you, Grandpa!" "Francisco!" "I thought I'd never find you." "Hello, Cotolay." "Why did you come?" "I have to tell you something, about grandfather." "What's wrong with grandpa?" "He caught me in the ruins searching for the treasure and he got angry, he says that this treasure does not exist!" "Yes, Cotolay, it does exist." "Is that right?" "You really say so!" "But this treasure is not hidden in any ruins, it is inside ourselves, and that is where we have to look." "Cotolay, it is our faith, love for God, humility, poverty, obedience," "all the things that lead us to the right path, that is our true treasure, do you understand?" "And with that you can build not only a convent, but the whole world." "But perhaps you're regretting having given me your word?" "Of course not!" "I came here to say that I already have an idea for the start." " Cotolay!" " Hello, Bernardo!" "What are you doing here?" "I came to talk to Francisco, and I'm glad I did." "I'm off." "I'll bring you some news before long." "Bye!" "Quebo!" "I have seen Francisco!" "Quebo!" "Where are you?" "Quebo!" "Quebo..." "Who did it?" "Tell me." "It was Dimo, right?" "Dimo!" "Dimo!" "Help!" "Get me out of here!" "Help!" "Grandpa!" "Hello, son." "How are you?" "I'm all right, Grandpa." "Herminio, the hunter, pulled you out of the swamp when you were about to drown." "Tell me, what were you doing there?" "Looking for Dimo, because he killed Quebo." "Oh dear!" "Stop thinking about it, it can't be helped." "No, it's not that," "I'm thinking about something else." "What?" "Tell me, grandfather, how can I get to talk to the abbot of San Martin" "Well, well, can I know what you want to talk about with the abbot?" "Now don't you start, Cotolay, don't!" "Are you back to this nonsense of hunting for treasure?" "Didn't you talk to Francisco?" "Yes, that's why I want to talk to the abbot." "Good morning, Cotolaya." "Hello, Herminio." "How are you, Cotolay?" "I'm fine." "Thanks for the swamp thing." "It was nothing." "The main thing is that you don't go back there." "That place is dangerous, as you saw." "Maybe you can return the favor one day..." "Do you want something, Herminio?" "Here, I want you to sharpen these." "Yes, of course." "And after what you did for my grandson I'll not charge you anything, absolutely nothing." "The other day I saw your grandson digging in the ruins." "What?" "Did he find anything?" "So you're another one who believes in the legend of the treasure?" "I'm just asking out of curiosity." "Take no notice of your grandfather, you and I believe in that treasure, don't we?" "Yes." "Perhaps we can find it." "I'm off, Grandpa." "Where are you going?" "I think that if you want to talk to someone important, you have to bring something to be well received." "If you're asking him a favor, yes, it's best." "Why do you ask?" "What sort of knock is that, what do you want?" "First, the good manners expected of a man in a cassock and secondly, to talk to the abbot." "Oh yes, it's that easy." "You just bang on the door and say you want to talk to the abbot and then talk to him, right?" "And can you tell me why you want to talk?" "It's a private matter between him and me." "In that case, get out, I've got plenty to do." "You again, son?" "Now what?" "I've lost..." "I lost it!" "What have you lost?" "Well, that!" "You knocked me with the door when you closed it, and I lost it." "If you tell me what you've lost, maybe I'll find it, and then you can leave me alone." "I've lost it..." "But tell me what you're looking for." "I'm looking for the abbot!" "Stop, stop!" "What?" "What is this?" "What's going on?" "Who is this boy?" "He knocked rudely on the door then brazenly slipped past me, trespassing my good faith." "You, boy, come here immediately!" "Come here, unless you want me to bring you by your ear." "Come here, I say!" "Hurry!" "Let's see, what do you want?" "Be careful, father, don't trust him, he could be bringing something possessed." "They are figs." "Well, yes, they are figs." "The best there are, from Master Mateo's fig tree." "Well, what have those figs got to do with you barging in here?" "They are for the boss here." "Well that's me." "You own all that land out there?" "No, that land is not my personal property, it belongs to the community." "To many people, then?" "Yes, certainly, but I represent them, unfortunately." "Anyway, I need some land." "And why do you need land?" "I need it to build a convent." "A convent?" "Yes, a convent." "Off you go, son, and take your figs with you." "Devil boy, what an idea..." "In all my life I never heard such nonsense." "A convent!" "How was the fishing?" "Bad, father, I didn't catch a single trout." "What a pity, today I could just have eaten a couple of them." "Oh well, another time." "How much land will you give me if I bring a basket full of trout?" "A basket full of fish for a piece of land?" "Doesn't it seem a rather unfair deal?" "Not to me." "No?" "Well, to me, it does." "Look, couldn't you even give me what I could enclose with a bull skin?" "You'll settle for so little?" "Yes, it's all I need." "Then..." "You won't go back on your word?" "Certainly not." "It's a deal." "Agreed." "Gee-up!" " Hello!" " What do you want?" "Do you like figs?" "Yes." "They are very good, do you want one?" "Yes." "Where did you catch all these trout?" "My father fishes for them up there in the Zarela." "And where are you taking them?" "I'm going to sell them in Santiago." "Hey, you know these figs are really good?" "Give me another." "If you want, I'll trade them all for a basket of trout." "How many have you got?" "I don't know how to count." "Give them to me, I'll count them for you." "Don't eat them!" "First you've got to give me the basket of trout." "Did you really think I was going to trade them?" "Get away." "Go, go!" "Don't be afraid, the wolf is my friend." "If he's your friend tell him to go away." "Go away, Dimo!" "He says he won't leave until I do." "Well, leave." "I'm not leaving until you pay for the figs you've eaten." "Is that right, Dimo?" "I was going to pay you!" "Take as much as you want." "Go on, take them!" "Go on!" "Come on, hurry!" "Don't touch me, man!" "Keep going!" "That's it." "So, can I go now?" "That's what I'd like to know too." "Can he leave?" "He says yes." "Thank you, Mr. Wolf." "God be with you, Mr. Fishmonger." "Thanks, Dimo!" "Good morning, Cotolay." "But where did all these trout come from?" "From the river." "And now, will you give me the land?" "Of course, a deal is a deal." "Where do you want to build your convent?" "Right here." "Agreed." "Now let's fix the size, you brought the bullskin measure with you?" "Here it is." "Is that really a bullskin" "Yes, Father, a complete skin, but I've cut it into strips so that it will cover more." "Well, I'll put the door of the convent on the missing piece." "That's it." "Just for the record, this is not what we agreed, but, alright, you can have the land." "Now what?" "Well, now I'll run to the hospital to tell Francisco." "Francisco?" "Francisco of Assisi." "And who is this Francisco?" "Someone important?" "He certainly is." "he came as a pilgrim from near Rome, and wants to found a monastery here, and as he is sick, I'm going to build it for him." "A fine promise, but how will you manage to build it?" "I'll rely on the Lord's favor." "What do you think?" "That if you were capable of catching a dozen trout, we would have avoided all this." "That used to be Francisco's bed." "He's in the back room." "I am ready, you can speak." "The fever has seriously affected your sight." "That means I may go blind forever?" "There is still a slight hope but I will have to burn." "Will it be very painful?" "Yes, I have to burn from your eye to your ear, will you have the courage?" "I fear I won't, but if it's necessary, do it, and do it soon." "We will have to hold him." "No, you will not." "If the flesh is not well burnt, repeat the burning." "It is not necessary at the moment, you can bandage him." "Francisco..." "Were you there, Cotolay?" "Yes, I don't know how you could stand it, but if it helps you to see again..." "Don't lose hope, Cotolay, the important thing is you've got the land for our convent." "Yes." "It's bad you can't see it, the abbot said it was yours, here it is." "No, Cotolay, this land will always belong to the Benedictines, with the freedom to make us leave if they see fit." "After we've done so well, and with all the work it has caused me..." "Don't get angry, Cotolay, we have taken a vow of poverty, and we can't do otherwise." "Bernardo, Juan..." "Speak, Francisco." "So that they can never said that this land is our property, we must be include in the legal documents the obligation to deliver to the monastery as rent... a basket of fish like Cotolay gave the abbot." "So be it." "Hey, are you in charge here?" "That's right, boy." "Me, when I want something, I always look for the boss." "That means that you're asking me for something." "You guessed it right away." "And what do you want?" "Because here..." "That's what I want, stones." "Ah, you want them for your slingshot?" "Well, take the ones you want." "I want these, big ones." "I don't know how many I'll need, but" "I reckon it's more or less a..." "Look, kid, listen, if that's what you really want, I'll tell you that these stones have a master," "Master Mateo, do you know him?" "Yes, he has a fig tree, very beautiful." "Well, if you want something, go to him with your story, his name is Master Mateo." "Hey, boy, what do you want?" "Where do you think you're going?" "You are Master Mateo, mason of the cathedral?" "If it's him you're looking for, you've found him." "I like your workshop, you have so many stones." "Ah, so you'd like to be a mason, eh?" "What they call a stonemason..." "What I like are the stones." "Go on!" "And what stones do you like?" "These big ones." "And the more the better." "And if not, some like those I saw in the quarry." "Well, you've been there to see the stones!" "I saw lots, more than I need to build a convent." "Very well, build it." "But, without stones..." "You're not asking me to give them to you!" "You said it yourself." "Ah hah, now I understand all the running around you have taken to get to this point, and let me tell you one thing: if you want stones, go to the quarry and pay for them." "But I have no money." "Listen, maybe you could give me some stones in exchange for something important." "No." "What if I tell you who steals your figs?" "I know you've been trying to find out for two years who he is, and I know." "And you'll tell me in exchange for the stones?" "Yes, but..." "I'd like to have the stones before I tell you." "Don't you trust me?" "It's not that..." "Just in case..." "What, you'll give them to me?" "Agreed." "Go to the foreman and tell him to give you all the stones you need for your convent." "Really?" "Yes, off you go!" "And if he refuses to give me them?" "He will have to deal with me, and he knows how I can get." "Listen, now tell me who the thief is." "Don't worry, I'll tell you soon." "Don't waste time!" "Hurry!" "Move!" "You, stop that!" "They must be downloaded from the carts, get going!" "Juan, Bernardo!" "He said the man's got to give me the stones." "Hey, just a moment." "What, you again?" "Yes, don't bother to download these stones," "I just spoke to Master Mateo, and he said you must give them to me." "Look, boy, we're not wasting time, go away!" "Come on, hurry up!" "It's up to you, but Master Mateo said that if you don't give them to me you'll have to answer to him, and you know how he gets." "I think it would cost you very little to find out whether the boy is lying." "Just ask Master Mateo himself." "Wait a minute." "Do you think there will be enough?" "I believe that with a little luck..." "Well, at least enough to begin." "Alright boy, it's your lucky day." "What?" "Yes, he said you can take them away." "Come on, give the order, we're in a hurry." "Take the stones where this boy says!" "Come on!" "Forward!" "Stop!" "Were you leaving without keeping your side of the bargain?" "No, no, I was planning to go and tell you now." "No need, my friend, I already guessed that the fig-thief was you." "Download the stones immediately!" "And you get down there, you urchin!" "That's not fair!" "Now I see why you didn't give me time to tell you, so you'd have an excuse not to give me the stones." "No, it's because I don't want you to take me for a fool." "Your idea of the convent seems fine to me, and to stop people saying that Master Mateo doesn't keep his word, the stones are still yours." "So what are we waiting for?" "Yes, they're a gift, but remember that we never mentioned using the carts, only taking the stones." "Ah the sun, what a pity I can't see it." "Do you know what?" "I love life," "I think that's why I love God so much." "Is it still far?" "We're getting close." "It's strange that Cotolay has not come to see me lately, and I want to surprise him." "Dimo..." "Be careful, Francisco." "In the name of the Lord, don't do us any harm." "Brother Wolf, I know you have sown terror among the people of these forests, everyone is angry with you, and they want to kill you, but if you promise me not to cause any more harm" "I'll mediate between them and you." "Tree goes!" "What's wrong, Cotolay?" "Hey, boys, here comes Francisco." "They are afraid of Dimo, Francisco." "Don't fear, Dimo has promised me not to do any more harm, and I have promised him that you will look after him." "Okay, Francisco." "Where is Cotolay?" "There." "Hello, Cotolay." "You look so sad, what's wrong?" "Nothing, nothing's wrong." "By the way, where did you get the money to buy the land from the monks of St. Martin?" "From nowhere, it only cost me a basket of fish." "Come on, Cotolay, I'm your friend, remember the swamp thing." "Tell me, where did you get it?" "I am telling the truth." "Do you expect me to believe that the Benedictines didn't want a single mark in payment for the land?" "I didn't pay them with money." "You're lying, Cotolay!" "I'm not lying, men don't lie, and I am a man!" "I say you're lying!" "The other day, you and your grandfather had a conversation about treasure, so tell me, where is it?" "Forget it, Herminio, and stop looking, the treasure isn't there." "Perhaps you've it?" "We've all got it." "What do you mean?" "Francisco says that the treasure is within us." "Don't try to mock me or I swear...!" "Where is it?" "Like I said, within us." "Where is it?" "I want to see it!" "Dimo!" "Francisco is here." "Come quickly!" "Don't be afraid, Dimo's my friend." "Come to me, Cotolay." "Come on, don't cry, why did you come here?" "Don't you want to see me?" "I was embarrassed." "I gave you my word that I'd build the convent and I haven't done it." "I can't be your friend any more." "In this life, Cotolay, not everything goes as we want," "God sometimes sends us joys and sometimes sorrows, to test our humility and obedience." "Come on, don't cry, lift up your face and smile." "Come on, smile!" "That's better." "So are we back to being friends?" "Yes." "Good evening, Master Mateo!" "Here again?" "Why did you come?" "The fig tree no longer has any figs." "I want to talk to you." "Certainly not." "Don't come to me with any more requests for stones." "Everyone says you have a bad temper, but I don't think so if it were true you wouldn't have built such a pretty porch for the house of the apostle." "We'll see, we'll see." "But what brings you here at this hour?" "I have to build my convent, and I want you to do it." "A convent?" "You have too much imagination, Cotolay." "Come on, let's go!" "Is it true that it's taken you a long time to finish the porch?" "A long time!" "I started it 30 years ago." "They say it's finished but you don't want to uncover it because you're afraid." "Afraid?" "Forget it!" "I haven't uncovered it because... well..." "Because it lacks some detail." "It's very easy to talk." "And when you're finished, will you build my monastery?" "Maybe..." "Although maybe I'll be so old" "I can't even hold a chisel." "What a pity, I'd have liked you to build it!" "Well, I'll think of something else." "Bye!" "Bye!" "Wait, there's a storm and you won't get back to the huts before dawn, why not stay at my house?" "If I stay, what will you give me for dinner?" "Lamb, goat and something else, if you like?" "Fine, and if you want I'll come back tomorrow too." "Cotolay, Cotolay!" "My porch!" "You wanted to see the finished porch and now you have, and I'll tell you, you were right, I was afraid, but now, now I won't touch a stone." "Then you'll build my convent!" "Yes, Cotolay, I'll build your convent." "Go on, Martin, go on!" "Another one, Martin, please!" "I knew we'd win the bet!" "You're right, man, no one can beat him." "He may be rough but he has won." "What you did was very easy." "You think so?" "Could you do it?" "Well, not me..." "So?" "But Juan could do something much harder than that." "What could the Italian do?" "I have seen him, he can carry a large load of stones by himself." "Anyone can do that." "From the cathedral square to the field in front of San Martin?" "If necessary, boy." "Don't you believe it, Martin, it's very heavy, and for a league and a half." "Then remember the difficulty of dragging the cart through the forest." "You need the strength of a mule!" "That's what Martin is!" "Well, will you do it?" "Like I said, with my eyes closed." "And me, me too!" "You can count on me!" "Well, what about Juan?" "Juan is ready and waiting." "Agreed." "Tarna, you can set the rules." "Anyone whose load gets stuck on the road will pay a bottle of wine." "Make it two, because we're going to be sweating watching them pulling their carts..." "Come on, hurry!" "Wait, Cotolay, I'm afraid of doing something that is not fitting." "Let's go with them?" "I can't believe a grown-up can be such such a coward!" "I'm not a coward, Cotolay, it's just..." "Francisco always says that the smaller the boss, the faster we must obey him." "Holy obedience commands it." "Well then, what are you waiting for?" "I'm small, aren't I?" "Alright, let's go, and may God forgive me." "We just need Him to give us a hand." "Right, men." "That belt!" "Courage!" "My friend, don't forget that I bet on you!" "Courage!" "And Juan?" "Juan, hurry, hurry!" "Look what you've got us into!" "Come on, Juan!" "May the Lord reward your efforts, Martin." "Bah!" "This time I'll beat you so badly that you won't want to look me in the face." "It will serve me right for getting involved in this." "All you've got to do is win." "We shall see." "It's just that grandfather bet his axe with Master Tarna." "I also bet two marks on Pedro." "On Pedro?" "And I bet on Juan with Antonio, as well." "and so I'll win both ways!" "And lose at the same time." "You're probably right!" "Off!" "Come on!" "Let's go!" "Come on, Juan!" "Come on, men!" "Hurry up, Juan, what's the matter?" "Get going!" "Spectators leave the cars..." "Everyone to the meadow!" "Come on, Martin, move, move, don't let me down!" "I've bet on you, Martin!" "Keep your spirits up, Martin!" "Courage!" "Forward, boys!" "Come on, you're almost there!" "Bravo, Martin!" "Vidal, now you've lost, nobody will pay the wine!" "No, no, that's not allowed!" "Vidal!" "Courage, friend, courage!" "This is cheating, it's not fair!" "So, why did you let everybody pass you by?" "A minor brother should always come last." "That's not a reason." "Well, I felt happy at the idea of you winning, because I know how much effort you put into this." "I've never seen a man as foolish as you." "I simply follow the advice of Francisco." "Can we be friends?" "I confess I have often thought," "I'd like to be like one of you." "Nothing is easier, why not start by helping us to build our monastery?" "Monastery?" "What monastery are you talking about?" "Well, it's just that all this has been a trick of Cotolay, to get you to carry the stones here." "Is that true?" "Cotolay!" "So all this has been your doing!" "Well, do you know what I think?" "If you want to build a convent, so do we!" "Let's build a convent, a convent as large as the cathedral of Santiago!" "Francisco..." "What is it, Bernardo?" "We have come for you." "Why?" "Just to have you with us." "Francisco is coming!" "Here comes Francisco!" "Master Mateo, here comes Francisco!" "Grandpa, here comes Francisco!" "Here he comes!" "Cotolay!" "Francisco, here's your convent." "I'll always have your name engraved on my heart, Cotolay, and I'll never forget... that because of you it was possible to build the first monastery of my order." "And thanks to all of you, my friends, the Lord bless you." "Hurray Cotolay!" "Run to our convent, and ring the bell in honour!" "I'm afraid it won't be possible." "Cotolay!" "Let's say goodbye here, Cotolay." "Do you remember the day we met?" "Don't go, Francisco, stay with me!" "I must follow my path, Cotolay, as the Lord wills."