"Master, I already know who can tell us where your sister is,... the wet-nurse." "No, no, Irene, no!" "So you left her there,... waiting for me all alone?" "I'll die of hunger before I'll sell my son." "Whoever wanted to kill Irene killed a servant instead." "Then you'll have to leave my house in a fortnight, and not a day more." "~ Arrest him!" "~ Let me go!" "I'm arresting you for murder." "First round for the town's donkey race." "You can win 100 reales, it's written down here!" "Get off the donkey, Father!" "Francisco Pulido is racing,... the village champion,... and no one ever beats him." "~ Where's Irene?" "~ I don't know." "He won't let you hurt me." "It's better for you if she shows up alive." "The goldsmith has kidnapped Cardinal Mendoza's niece." "The one who grabbed the medallion?" "I allowed myself to complete the scheme,... since it seems you forgot we're looking for a girl, not a boy." "Her name is Ana, she wore this bracelet." "I remember the girl." "A battalion from the front is arriving,... they're pretty beat up." "That's Juan's outfit." "Does anyone know Juan de Calatrava?" "If I had someone like you waiting for me,... no one could kill me." ""I love you, Gonzalo."" "This letter seem to be written by Margarita." ""I love you, Gonzalo."" "Here she wrote "I love you, Gonzalo"..." "No one looks for the living among the dead." "Will you deny a donkey to the Spanish Empire?" "I'll soon make this bond public, and you'll live with me at the royal palace." "The Cardinal's niece could be lying dead somewhere." "We meet again once more." "They said you had an opening for the job of executioner." "Sátur!" "~ Amelia Ayuso." "~ Here." "~ Francisca Gamboa." "~ Yes." "Come on, it gives me heart that we're going to get a letter." "You from Juan and me from Floro." "~ Asunción Manrique." "~ That's me." "~ Dolores Núñez." "~ Yes." "~ That's from the front?" "~ Yes." "~ Josefa Castro." "~ Here." "~ Raymunda Esteban." "~ Me, me." "Juan Antonio Núñez." "That's them all, sorry." "You're sure?" "Look once more, maybe with the grind of the road... one got hidden there." "Oh, no?" "And what about these?" "Employees of the crown are all alike." "Don't they care that they're just playing with the hopes of ordinary people?" "It's letters no one has claimed, they've been here for a while." "Well, it's a pity when you send a letter and it doesn't arrive at its destination... all those kisses and hugs are lost." "Well, who sent it?" "I'm desperate, since I don't know where to find something for Estuarda." "Look, everyone's the same, looking for a job... where none exists." "The seal was stamped by the Franciscans,... a certain someone named Augustín." "No, no, it's very bad taste to open other people's mail,... a letter is very intimate." "I already know it's intimate,... it was only to learn who he was,... it doesn't say on the outside, so maybe inside..." "That's very ugly, Catalina, very ugly." "Look at that, Master, look." "It's dated the very day of Augustín's death." ""Royal hunting field", this handwriting is unreadable, Master!" ""100 years old tree"." "A bit more..." "Again?" "Red Eagle!" "Master!" "Red Eagle!" "He's here." "What a scare you gave me!" "It's that." "Such good eyesight you have, I would not have seen the drawing even if it had bitten me." "Don't stick your hand in,... unless you want to go without an arm!" "I'm doing it." "This friar was a fool to hide something inside there, and in the royal hunting preserve." "Oh, and even more, to put it in a letter, given the state of the mail service..." "I'm touching something, Master." "Something's that's snared me." "Master!" "This may seem a bit strange, but... even in this weird pose, I..." "I'm the guard of the forest." "Arrest him!" "Let him go." "Don't do this to me ever again, Master!" "I know you like the suspense, and to appear at the end,... but in the meantime I've got my heart in my mouth!" "What thing is this thing?" "A parchment." "Let's go!" "Come in." "Your Eminence,... the commissioner." "Your Eminence." "I hope you have a good reason for interrupting me at my work, commissioner." "Of course, your Eminence..." "I come to offer you an agreement,... which will benefit both of us." "Let's hear it." "As you advised me a while ago, for a man in my situation... it would be convenient to form a family." "Well, I'd like to be part of yours." "I want the hand of your niece Irene." "You shouldn't drink so early,... it's not a good habit, commissioner." "Don't be afraid, I only do it at mass." "Then how dare you interrupt me,... with such an outlandish proposal?" "I thought you might be interested on something I wanted to offer in exchange." "Good day, your Eminence." "All right, tell me." "Where did you find this?" "The goldsmith who kidnapped Irene had it." "You know that a simple gesture would bring me men pouring through the door?" "I know,... that's why I haven't come alone." "Think it over, your Eminence, as this jewelry is rather too ostentatious for me." "But besides that, I don't know what value it might have for you." "And all you want is my niece's hand?" "And the means to support her in the style which she deserves." "The wedding will take place within three days,... then you'll hand over the medallion." "Your Eminence." "Hi." "Hi." "Ah, what a crappy visage!" "You didn't sleep well?" "Well, not much, Dad,... not with Aunt Margarita spending the whole night crying." "The poor lady meant to do it softly, but she failed." "I heard her, too, Son." "Dad, you should try to help her out more,..." "I don't know, keep her company, talk about things,..." "I don't know, Son,... maybe your aunt doesn't want to share certain things with me." "But why wouldn't she want to, she's a woman!" "?" "True, we men never say anything, but women,... but women chatter all the time, remember my mother?" "~ Hi." "~ Hi." "I'll get to work very late, so I won't even have breakfast, all right?" "Aunt Margarita, Dad says he wouldn't mind going with you to the palace today, right?" "Don't take the trouble, Gonzalo." "No, no problem,... before going to school, I have to look for some specimens, and it's on my way." "Shall we go?" "Oh, Dad, if you're a bit late, don't get worried, I'll keep the school in order." "Thanks." "I can't, Sátur, as much as I'd like to use Estuarda,... here there's no work even for myself, not even a single soul comes in to the inn." "But have you seen me?" "I have to cut roots so that Gabi has something to put in his mouth." "He's a child, not an anteater!" "Besides, you've always had someone helping you keep the inn, Cipri." "Not just a "someone", Sátur, my wife,... but thanks for reminding me." "We're hungry, please, we're hungry." "Bless me, Father,..." "Help us, your Highness." "~ Cipri..." "~ Innkeeper!" "Innkeeper!" "The bishop is looking for a serious and respectful woman for the job of housekeeper in his home,... do you know of anyone suitable?" "No, I'm sorry, sister,.." "at the moment no one crosses my mind." "Very well, but if you think of someone, let me know." "You call yourself a friend?" "Why didn't you recommend Estuarda?" "Get serious, Sátur, she said they were looking for a serious and respectful woman." "Yeah, so what?" "Well, in a bishop's house, Estuarda is..." "She's what?" "What is Estuarda, hey?" "It's not for me to say, Sátur, please." "To be a prostitute is a job, not an ailment, Cipri." "Your problem's that... you haven't had any necessity in your life,... you don't know what it is to be hungry." "Hungry, no, but with lots of hardship." "She's expected this evening at the bishop's house." "I'm concerned that you still don't walk very well, Nuño." "With all respect, ma'am, with the injury he has... we should give thanks to God that we can see him as healthy as he is." "Irene!" "Your Eminence." "Has something happened to your niece, is there any bad news?" "No, no, not at all." "A wedding is always a great event, don't you think?" "Irene's getting married?" "~ Well, yes." "~ Well, who's the lucky guy?" "Me." "~ No." "~ Shut up, Nuño." "But you can't marry her." "Nuño, retire this instant." "Catalina, go with him." "Let's go, young Master." "Children have their illusions now and then,... and they say things off the top of their head which they don't really mean." "And with regards to the bond: congratulations, commissioner, that's great news." "It is that." "It's certainly excellent news for everyone." "Good, but now if your permit,..." "I have to return to my duties." "~ Your Eminence." "~ Commissioner." "I don't get why you're looking at me like that, Lucrecia,... isn't this exactly what you wanted?" "I only suggested that it would be great business,... otherwise I couldn't care less." "You're jealous." "To be jealous, I would have to be in love with you." "What I don't understand is how you could pull this off without my help." "Not everyone in the world regards me as worthless as you do." "That's because they don't know you." "Good day." "Why are you laughing?" "Well, it seems strange to see you here,... but thanks for coming with me." "Yeah, well, I already had to go to collect minerals, and..." "Yeah, and making good use of the coincidence of me going the same way, then..." "Of course." "Margarita, it's that..." "Maybe I haven't been very attentive, and I should have said long before now,... well, you know you can count on me for whatever you may need." "Or even simply to chat." "You have too many problems, Gonzalo,... and besides, you've never been much of one to talk,... you're more used to carrying everything inside yourself." "Inside...right." "I mean you find it hard to relate your feelings freely,... you've got too much self-control." "Come on, you're not very spontaneous, as we say." "Oh, really?" "No, but don't take offense,..." "So you say I'm hardly spontaneous at all." "Right, then I challenge you to a race to that tree,... and besides that, I'll give you a head start!" "I don't need head start." "I've won you." "Because I let you win." "To be sure." "A knife." "What does it say, Gonzalo?" "The third infantry company... has fallen into the hands of the Portuguese." "That's Juan's company." "They're demanding a ransom from the king for their release." "I don't yield to blackmail." "It's the company of your cousin, Juan de Calatrava." "I know." "His death and those of the rest of the prisoners would be a small price to pay... for the good of the kingdom." "That's what war is." "I'll send a messenger with your response." "The king has been informed,... and you may leave." "Will he do something?" "Sir, does that he means to let those men die?" "Guards!" "I can leave by myself." "Your Majesty, please, don't leave those men to die." "Please!" "Who dares tell the king what he has to do?" "!" "With all respect, your Majesty,..." "I'm Gonzalo de Montalvo." "I, Felipe de Austria,... take you, Laura de Montignac, as my lawfully wedded wife." "Their royal Highnesses Hernán, Gonzalo:, the rings." "Soon I'll make this bond public and you'll live with me in the palace." "Let him go." "Estuarda, close up your neckline,..." "But what neckline do you mean?" "I'm clothed to my very ears!" "This bishop is well-known for his charity but also for his morality." "If he should find out that you've dedicated your life to pleasure,... your stay in the palace won't even last for hours." "Relax, I'm not stupid,... can you imagine I'm going to tell him?" "Stop wiggling, you have that sensual wiggling..." "Better not walk." "But how could I not walk, Sátur, I'm here to serve." "I can't do it, as he'll soon figure out." "It'll all work out, you'll see." "Only don't flash him bedroom eyes, that's a sin." "I don't even resemble a decent woman,... since I've been "exercising" so much." "Estuarda, you are so high-spirited a woman,..." "You're a mother from head to toe who does whatever she can to feed her little boy,... you can do this and a lot more, I assure you." "I don't know how you can be so proud of me, Sátur." "Go with God." "I believe you must be Estuarda?" "Yes, sir, to serve both you and God." "You're going to start right now --- what are your skills?" "Everything." "In all matters related to household tasks, of course." "And you, who are you?" "I'm the one who has nominated her for the job, nothing else, and I'm leaving right now." "May God be with you." "Your Excellency." "You will tell us, sir, when you want us to start?" "Right now." "With your permission, I'll stock up your firewood." "Are you all right?" "No, I'm not,... and you shouldn't be, either,... if it's Irene who's important to you." "Has anything happened to Miss Irene?" "Yes, it has: she's going to marry the commissioner, that's what... within three days." "Leave,..." "I want to talk with my son." "You ought to learn to control your emotions in public,... you're a noble,... and the nobility simply drips composure." "The commissioner's going to marry someone else, and it's your fault!" "Hernán made his own decisions." "Even if I wanted to, there's nothing I could do." "Yes, indeed, of course there's something you can do..." "He spends his whole life with us." "If you'd ask him, he would have married you,... and he'd be my father." "He's not your father, Nuño." "Yes, indeed he is." "I don't have a single memory without him... and everything I know he's shown me... but now he's headed off,... and he'll have a real family,... his own sons,... he'll forget me." "But that hardly matters to you!" "Dry your face,... and pull your socks up." "Never ever put us to shame again." "Come on, everybody get inside... and I'll tell you news, gossips!" "Father, Father, has the king received you?" "Good, well, that's not what's important --- instead, it's that he's promised to pay the ransom... so our soldiers will be set free." "~ Great!" "~ Good, then you've saved Juan, you're a hero!" "No, no, not a hero..." "And how is the king?" "Is it true he walks without touching the ground?" "And does he have a halo like the saints?" "Fool, how would he shine?" "!" "Kids, the king is a normal human,... he walks normally, he talks normally, and he eats normally." "He's a man, Dad, but not normal,... because he's the king." "Well, yes, he's the king." "Let's go." "To your seats, let's get the class going." "Gonzalo." "Yes?" "Thanks!" "That's enough of that." "I don't want even a whisper out of you." "Alonso, why doesn't your father marry your aunt?" "Well, because he can't manage to forget my mom." "Your Highness, someone's here to see you." "That should be my friend Antonio who's traveling to Rome." "I'm coming out." "We're finished here!" "Hey, Antonio, how are you?" "Estuarda, come along,..." "Bring me a letter from my desk that I've left there." "Yes." "What's up?" "You know that woman's a whore?" "What?" "Yeah." "Your Highness." "Take this, Antonio, give it to the archbishop with my thanks." "~ Farewell." "~ Farewell." "Estuarda,... to what did you dedicate yourself before working in this home?" "In truth I did a little of everything." "Of everything, like what?" "Tell me." "My Lord Bishop, I need this job..." "I know you're a good man." "You're a prostitute?" "!" "Please, don't throw me out, please... my son is dying of hunger." "God punishes sinners!" "I don't believe that it's a sin to try to live in this world." "You're a bitch!" "You'll be burned at the stake!" "You're a whore!" "Unclean!" "Sinner!" "What are you doing, don't touch her!" "What have you done, Sátur?" "You killed him!" "A clasp of amethyst with an array of five diamonds." "I never thought I'd have to get rid of this piece." "Think, ma'am, that it's in a good cause... that necklace will save the lives of our men." "And which of these men are important to me?" "I'm not doing it for them, but because of the king's decree." "A necklace of sapphire encrusted with gold." "It's hardly my fault that the royal coffers are empty... nor that the king manages the affairs of the kingdom with such ineptitude." "Ma'am, lower your voice, they can hear you." "Lucrecia." "If you're looking for your betrothed, she ought to be in the chapel, praying the vespers." "I'm not here to see her, I want to talk with you." "Leave us." "Ma'am." "What you're doing for your kingdom honors you, Lucrecia," "I know the king has asked for help from the nobility to help with the hostages." "And have you come to arrange to hand over your dowry?" "I've come to settle something with you... there's no reason for us not to continue to do business together as usual." "I gave you that." "Oh, really?" "I don't remember." "But now that you mention it, all the more reason to hand it over to your cause." "If you listen to me you won't have to do it." "It's very risky, but there's a lot to gain." "Yes?" "Excuse me, ma'am, the royal guard has arrived to collect your contribution." "Your pardon, Hernán, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot to do." "Lucrecia." "Master?" "Here, Sátur." "Master..." "How have you hurt yourself, Sátur, what have you done?" "I killed him." "Who?" "I killed him." "I was out of control, I don't know what came over me." "Let's see, what about your killing him, and who was he?" "The bishop, the town's bishop, he was slapping Estuarda." "~ Sit down." "~ She went there to work as a servant." "Tell me, Sátur, where did you dump the body?" "The body --- where did you leave it?" "In the bishop's house." "At last she'd found some honest work,... she only wanted a job, Master!" "If it weren't for me this wouldn't have happened." "Does anyone else know you both were there?" "No, no, not even Gabi." "She didn't want to tell him until the job was secure." "Are we going to hang?" "No, Sátur, no." "Think things over." "And take off that shirt." "Take it off, I'm going now." "Sátur!" "But, but what happened, why are you covered in blood?" "!" "No, this is nothing, I cut myself sharpening the scissors." "But, are you all right?" "Let me help you." "Yes, no, no, no, it's very flamboyant,... but I'm fine." "Off to your room, come on, let's go." "Let's rest, come on and lie down, it's getting late." "Where do you think you're going, Martín?" "Let me go in, please... they've told me that she's going to marry the commissioner,..." "I have to talk with her." "~ Martín, it's for the best." "~ Best for who?" "For everyone." "She'll get a wealthy husband, and she'll leave this house, and you'll forget her forever." "Not in 1,000 years, Aunt!" "I beg you, let me talk with her,... just once." "Martín, you don't have to drag firewood into this room anymore." "Commissioner?" "Isn't my fiancée in her chambers?" "Yes, sir, with your permission." "Good night." "Miss." "I only wanted to tell you that I'm going to be a good husband, Irene." "What's going on?" "What are you doing there, Estuarda?" "Leave me alone." "Go on, beat it." "Go on, this is clean." "I'll finish grabbing this, get off!" "What's he done to you?" "Hamfists." "Estuarda, leave by the back door and don't let anyone see you." "And now what, Master?" "And now what do I do, since I don't have the vaguest idea of where to start?" "We have to get the body out of here." "But how?" "They'll see us, and if they do...!" "My Lord Bishop?" "My Lord Bishop?" "My Lord Bishop?" "What are you doing here?" "Get out of here." "If they found you in my room, you'd be dead." "I'm not going." "Martín, please, don't make this even more difficult for me." "I'm going to get married." "Don't do it." "I can't refuse the desires of my uncle." "I love you." "You know... no one's ever done anything even vaguely like this for me." "Why are you so kind with me?" "A family is always there to help, Sátur." "It's ready, Sátur,... it's ready." "Let's go." "May God take him into His glory." "Let's go, Master." "Hernán." "What are you doing dressed like that?" "Where did you get this?" "The Red Eagle has intercepted the royal shipment,... and I've come to bring back your jewelry." "This was the business you were trying to tell me about?" "As you see, there was little for you to do." "Yes, I see." "Some of these pieces aren't mine, Hernán." "Accept it as a personal gift." "Are you asking for my forgiveness, Hernán?" "In that case, I forgive you... your arguments have convinced me." "I'm sorry, Lucrecia,... this piece isn't for you,... it's the ring for my fiancée." "What's to keep me from telling the king who plundered him?" "I want half of the value as my price of silence." "So are we back working together again?" "If you want to call it that..." "Where's the rest?" "In safekeeping." "You could have kept it all for yourself,... why did you told me?" "It's a farewell gift." "Hernán,... you'll be back." "That's fine." "I'm sorry to interrupt you, your Majesty,... but I ought to tell you some news of vital importance." "Go ahead." "The shipment of the ransom for the soldiers going to Portugal has been robbed." "It was the Red Eagle." "I want his head." "Nobody robs the kings of Spain." "Gonzalo,... are you here already?" "~ Yes." "~ I'm very much worried." "~ We haven't had a storm like this for quite a while." "~ Yeah." "Margarita, the king has already dispatched the loot to effect the rescue,..." "You can relax." "Rely on him,... and smile just a bit, hey?" "That's much better." "I'm sorry." "Sátur, go on, change those clothes or you'll get pneumonia." "Good night." "Good night." "Sorry I spoiled your moment, Master." "Have you spoken with Estuarda?" "Yeah." "I told her that everything was under control,... so she calmed down a bit." "I've got my heart in my mouth, Master." "Don't worry, Sátur, no one will notice." "No one will ever know." "I know it, and The One who's up there,..." "That One really knows it, indeed." "This is already dried out." "Maybe there you'll find the answers to all the questions you've been asking yourself for so long." "A shield." "Such a mess all about a shield?" "With a Red Eagle." "With your approval or not, I will do it... the killers of Cristina will pay for it." "Vengeance is dangerous, Gonzalo,..." "You know where to begin but not where it leads you." "It's not just a question of vengeance, Augustín,..." "I'll never have peace without justice." "But your life will be at risk,... think about Alonso,... if he should also lose his father." "I owe it to Cristina,... and to all the innocents who are killed every day." "Do you want to be the people's champion?" "That's a tough row to hoe." "I don't need your approval, Augustín." "~ Goodbye." "~ Wait." "The strength of your hatred is enough to get you what you propose,... but you're lacking something." "A Red Eagle?" "That will be your name." "Why?" "Because it will reflect back to your origins,... someday." "What does this mean, Master?" "This is my family's coat of arms." "Martín, what have we done?" "Nothing evil, Irene." "Irene?" "For God's sake, Martín!" "Tell me that this didn't happen." "Tell me that you came to say goodbye and that the night caught you here." "Leave, please, Aunt." "But, Martín, how did you dare?" "Miss, you're getting married in two days." "How can we keep this under wraps?" "Irene, are you awake?" "They've just brought the silk for your wedding gown." "Oh, Irene,... you've got to see these fabrics!" "They're just as pure as the bride who's to wear them." "What's going on here?" "Nothing, ma'am." "Good, I see you're no longer quite that little snip of a girl who arrived from the convent." "This room is totally stuffy --- open the windows, Catalina." "Has something happened with you?" "No, nothing, ma'am." "Irene, don't be late." "Get dressed and leave this room right this minute!" "Look, here's another one." "We already have lots." "I told you, when it rains, there are caterpillars all over the place." "We'll get fed to our very ears." "You'll see how happy it'll make your mother when she sees them." "She came in last night with a puffy face." "Yeah, well,...you know, your mother's work..." "She told me it was a mucus asphixiae, but mucus asphixiae don't look like that." "Yeah, come on,... let's get some more." "Look at that." "When did he find it?" "At dawn,... when he went out in the yard." "My dog found him." "It's the bishop." "What's he have on his neck?" "It looks as if from the tip of a pair of scissors, sir." "They stole his ring." "By the Holy Mother, where were you?" "Don't change the linen, we did that yesterday." "What's with you?" "Nothing." "What's wrong with you, Catalina, why are you crying?" "Leave it, you've enough troubles with Juan's matter." "Catalina, what is it?" "My nephew,... has deflowered Miss Irene." "She's about to get married!" "She's lost her virginity,... and that comes to light on the night of the wedding, you'd better believe it... and now tell me whose fault it'll be." "Well, something can be done, woman,..." "They say there are ways,..." "What ways could she have, what ways?" "I learned of one who inserted a quail's egg,... and the next day she was found dead by beating,... and everyone felt the husband was justified." "Aunt,... can we talk for a few minutes, please?" "Say what you have to say,... she's already in the know." "Excuse me, Aunt, please." "Don't cry." "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry." "Your sorry is worthless,... the same as your life --- if you don't leave this house." "If I leave they'll blame you, you know that,..." "I can't leave you hanging out to dry." "Whatever the price, I'll pay it." "Margarita,... they've robbed the shipment going to Portugal to ransom the soldiers." "What?" "They said it was the Red Eagle." "~ No." "~ Margarita." "Then we search in the books of heraldry for the shield with the eagle... and assuming Augustín wasn't preparing some other mysteries for us,... we know who your family is, right, Master?" "I hope so." "Be it known that the shipment of the ransom to Portugal... was stolen this very night by the Red Eagle!" "His Majesty the king will personally offer a reward of 100 ducats... to whoever brings him the head of such a vile criminal." "Come on, we've been deceived,... he's the people's hero!" "I hope you'll nab that Eagle, and personally hand that head to the king on a tray." "But what's got into all of you?" "Don't you remember what that man has done for you?" "Sátur, this infamy has just condemned our soldiers, that's what this has done." "I'd stick my hands in the fire for him." "Why would he do such a thing?" "Well, because he's surely a Portuguese..." "But what do you say, Portuguese --- he's Spanish!" "Yes, he is Portuguese, I tell you,... that's why he hardly opens his mouth... so as not to reveal his accent." "You aren't well, your brain's melted, and you haven't even noticed." "Portuguese." "Sátur, drop it,... the important thing is that they've foiled the rescue, and without it, our men are done for." "That's true, but... but to accuse the Red Eagle..." "Let's go." "What feeble historical memory there is in this kingdom." "Sátur, they've found the body of the bishop,..." "Calm down, Estuarda, we're already home." "I can't, Sátur, they've found the body and they could find us." "That won't happen." "We'll get out of this." "And what'll be Gabi's fate?" "They're going to burn us alive." "I won't allow it." "Trust me." "Where's the clothing, did you trash it?" "No." "I thought of washing it, Sátur,..." "I'm almost out of clothes." "~ Give it to me." "~ But not the scarf." "It's the last remembrance of my mother, she embroidered my name on it." "Give me everything,..." "I'll take care." "You've stolen it?" "Everyone knows this ring belongs to the bishop." "Did you steal it, Estuarda?" "I didn't realize I had it, Sátur,... and don't shout at me, please, don't shout." "Sorry." "We're going to get out of this, I promise you." "Trust me." "I'm going to get rid of all this." "Within a couple of days,... when they're dried out,... we'll ask Sátur to prepare us a good stew." "But, I'm so hungry,... that I wouldn't mind eating them right away." "How many could there be?" "I don't know." "Go to the kitchen, pick up a bowl, and we'll count them." "Fine." "What happened to you, you're covered in blood?" "I cut myself sharpening the scissors." "It looks like the tip of a pair of scissors." "Alonso, Alonso, is this one all right?" "~ Alonso, is this one all right?" "~ What?" "Let's see." "Yeah, yeah, this one's fine, fine." "And what exactly are we looking for, Master?" "Well, apart from the dead guards,..." "Where are you going?" "What's this, Master?" "It's the inventory of the shipment." "Almost everything was jewelry." "They're listed along with the names of their donors." "Topazes, diamonds,... three-carat emeralds --- three carats, no less!" "That would be about the size of a pinto bean!" "All this doesn't help us." "Give it to me, paper is always useful... that these times I got my butt... skinless." "Master, if we find the jewelry,... what do we do with it, who do we give it to?" "Because in this situation, in the middle of a war we can't just go to Portugal and ask for the hostages, can we?" "In the Portuguese's letter, they set up the exchange,... at the fortress of the Knights of Jerez." "Don't tell me you also know Portuguese?" "Yes, Sátur." "Ah, Master, you are a bottomless pit full of wisdom!" "Let's go." "Master, Master!" "Are you all right?" "We could have died,... ~ if it hadn't been for you." "~ Let's go." "Is everything all right, Nuño?" "Yes, yes." "What did you say to him?" "I told him he'd never stop being like a son to me." "Oh, why did you lie to him, Hernán?" "You can't act like a father when you're not around,... do you really think you'll be hanging around my palace when you're newly married?" "It was you who pushed for this marriage." "Look at me." "Why do you always reject me?" "We're not interrupting anything, I suppose?" "~ No." "~ Of course not, your Eminence." "You look darling, Irene." "Well, everybody's already here." "Margarita, are you all right?" "Yes, I'm a little dizzy, but it'll pass soon." "~ Are you sure?" "~ Yes, yes." "Can't you hear me?" "Ma'am, Margarita isn't feeling well,... could you excuse her?" "Now that she's not going to be ennobled, I don't think it suits her to lose her job." "Let's go." "Irene, I want you to accept this ring as proof of my commitment." "It's a magnificent piece, commissioner." "It looks like you're making good use of your dowry." "Now it's yours." "But it's too much for me." "Nothing is too much for you." "Margarita!" "Ma'am..." "Margarita, Margarita!" "Breathe deeply, for God's sake, breathe!" "Margarita, in God's name, breathe deeply." "She's with us again." "~ Gonzalo." "~ How are you?" "What happened to you?" "I'm fine, Gonzalo, I'm just a bit weak, that's all." "No, no way." "This very moment you're going home with Gonzalo, right?" "No, of course not, Cata, don't worry, the truth is I'm fine." "But have you eaten something?" "~ Yes." "~ How long has she been like that?" "It's been a while." "It happened when the commissioner gave Irene the engagement ring." "It's the biggest emerald I've seen in my entire life." "Stop, stop for the guard!" "No, let me go!" "I didn't kill him!" "I didn't kill the bishop, I swear!" "Enough!" "The jeweler you sold this to betrayed you." "Where are the scissors?" "What scissors?" "I don't know anything, sir,..." "I just found this ring lying in the road." "Drag him away." "This evening at midnight he'll be executed on the spike." "How could I be so blind?" "Why didn't I catch on to this before?" "What's going on, Master?" "It's about who stole the ransom." "Who hates me so much that he wants to frame me for the deed?" "Who?" "The commissioner." "Your brother?" "Are you sure?" "Sure." "Give me those papers we found in the gorge." "Is it true there's a giant emerald on the list?" "Yes, I think so, but let's double check." "What's happening?" "What's happening is that I think I've signed Estuarda's death warrant!" "I put everything in a sack to get rid of it, but... ~ What have you done, Sátur?" "~ I think I left it there." "Estuarda's scarf, the bishop's ring,..." "I'm just worthless!" "My head isn't on straight, Master." "And it's too late to cry about it, take the horse and get there at once." "Yes, yes!" "Where's the ransom?" "You should know, you stole it." "Tell me where it is." "Never." "Are you going to dare to this time?" "My feelings are a mess, Mother,... a big mess,... one of those which looks like it can't be solved,... because, if I stay mum, they'll kill this kid, and I know he's innocent,... but if I tell the truth, then, Sátur..." "I don't know what's more important, Mother... whether it's justice or love, I just don't know." "My God!" "What am I doing?" "This is too big for me to handle by myself." "Dad?" "Dad!" "Let the bag be there, for God's sake!" "Let it be there!" "Was it here where it fell?" "Or was I farther away?" "I just can't think straight..." "I just can't figure it out." "They've taken it, it's not around here." "My head's full of shit!" "What are you looking for, buddy?" "Out of here, let's go, out!" "What do you want?" "That boy." "He's innocent." "He didn't kill the bishop." "How do you know that?" "Because I know who killed him." "Well, speak up, I don't have all day." "It was..." "I don't know." "I don't know, I made it up..." "I only wanted to claim the reward, sorry." "Get out of here." "Beat it!" "Out!" "~ Sátur..." "~ Holy shit!" "Cipriano, you came in so silently I almost dropped dead, shit!" "I'm sorry, I just saw you come in, and... and I've got bad news, Sátur." "Estuarda and Gabi have left town." "When?" "More than six hours ago." "And you only just now got here to tell me?" "She asked me to, Sátur,..." "Estuarda said I had to wait until after nightfall before telling you... she doesn't want you to follow them." "Where are they headed?" "Sátur, I know how hard it is to lose a family." "Where did they go, Cipriano?" "!" "Tell me!" "Southwards, to catch a ship to the Americas." "The Americas..." "Leave us alone." "Irene,... you know that ever since you were born I've always treated you like a daughter." "I know, Uncle, and I'm very grateful." "I'm glad to hear it, since I've noted at times that you seemed unhappy... with the decisions I've had to make in this cruel world... but I assure you that I've made them with our best interests at heart." "I welcome your attitude." "Now rest a while." "I know how you're feeling." "You don't want to get married." "The bad news is that there's little that can be done about it,... but we will always have wine." "You want some?" "Drink, it'll do you good, I assure you." "More." "Drink it all." "Now nothing will bother you." "Dad!" "What are you doing here, what are you up to?" "Nothing." "And you, what's up with you?" "Nothing." "Dad, you, since you always know what's right or what's wrong,..." "I don't always, Son." "No, Dad, if I...if I... if I did something really wrong, would you reject me?" "You've never done anything that bad." "But if I did?" "If anyone in your family did something horrible, you..." "No, I wouldn't have the guts." "Well, that's what's happening with me." "What are you on about, Son?" "What are you talking about?" "I know that Sátur killed the bishop,... but I couldn't inform on him,... and that boy's going to die." "Here, Alonso,... go on home and then we'll talk, right?" "Go on." "~ And you --- where are you going?" "~ I'll be there in a minute, don't worry." "Dad, can I sleep with you tonight?" "I don't want to be alone." "Of course, Son,... go to my room and wait for me... and I'll be back before you fall asleep... fair enough?" "Go ahead." "Don't worry." ""To the Master, from Sátur,..." ""Master, when you read these lines,..." ""I'll be far away." ""I'm a traitor and a disgrace no matter how you look at it,..." ""the dregs of the human race." ""Master, I found the chest with the ransom,..." ""as if by chance,..." ""as if Destiny had put it into my path to tempt me,..." ""and I've succumbed to it." ""I'm sorry for the wrong I'm going to cause,..." ""mostly to Margarita,..." ""but I have another battle,..." ""that of my woman and son, against degradation and hunger,..." ""and I can't put up with that any more." ""I know God won't forgive me,..." ""nor do I hope for forgiveness." ""I'll bear this fault throughout eternity." ""Goodbye, Master"" "Catalina, accompany Irene for a medical exam." "What medical exam?" "So that our future spouses know that we're healthy and chaste." "We must go back and return the king's money... or else our soldiers will be killed by your fault." "I can't, Alonso." "This isn't a letter from Sátur, Gonzalo, this is a death sentence." "After the wedding I don't want you to come back here anymore." "~ Where are we?" "~ I don't know." "But if we're here, maybe it's to make an exchange." "To kill us." "I regret nothing, and I bear my disgrace." "For you it's a disgrace, for my nephew it's a hanging." "It's my last chance to have a family." "I've never failed you,... and I won't fail you now." "How long since you've seen Alonso?" "Last night, why?" "The property titles for your new land..." "I feel sorry for you, that's why I'm willing to help you." "I've decided not to pay." "Every hour ten men will die." "Aim!" "I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday." "Fire!" "Sátur!" "Sátur, please!"