"Just thinking about what we're doing next makes my hands tremble." "I assure you that I'll find out who I am." "I'm going to give you a husband." "I want you to marry Don Fernando de Ortuño, my Prime Minister." "~ Where is it?" "~ I don't know!" "~ Where is it?" "~ I don't know!" "~ It's Father José!" "~ My God, help!" "But who could have done something like that?" "It was a Moor." "May God take our confessions." "I'm going to ask for your hand in front of the king." "The Moor was sentenced to death by stoning,... for public entertainment and as a warning to others." "Why is he looking at you like that, it seems that he knows you." "Me?" "That Moor?" "~ I'm going to get married." "~ I always thought of the commissioner as a father." "Nuño, no." "Does anyone know who these Moors are?" "Well, some, they're disgusting because they never wash." "The Moors are Muslims who were born in Spain and were forced to convert to Christianity." "Then they were expelled from the kingdom." "Some Moors have entered the monastery where Murillo was observing the vigil for Father José." "The next time you come to the palace there will be another man." "I think we have to set that Moor free." "Why?" "!" "They're looking for something." "Where are your people hiding?" "There's something very odd going on here,... and this man is the only one who can tell us why the Moors have come --- we have to talk with him." "Before I grant permission, I want to get to know your fiancée." "Fernando de Ortuño y I are going to contract a marriage." "I will sign your permission." "We all thought you'd died." "Don't come back!" "I want the keys to all the doors of the palace." "You please me." "Hand over the gold you promised me and I'll give you the medallion... at the front of the church of San Felipe." "Tell the man who was with you yesterday,... that we won't forget him." "You shouldn't let anyone treat you like that." "~ What's all this about?" "~ They're looking for Sátur and they want to kill him!" "This morning I saw my mother in her bath,... and she was covered with bruises,... made by him." "~ Are you a Moor?" "~ No, not really, Master." "My uncle." "This woman appeared and she offered me some food." "She's my mother." "She took me home and I became one of them." "They stole our children from us." "Tell me where the Moors' children are." "They were orders from the Inquisition." "They've spent all these years working like animals." "You'll go to war." "You're free, run!" "Let's go, you're free!" "Watchmen!" "It's my mother, Alonso!" "The woman is innocent!" "Hey, check out the theater!" "Look what's coming tomorrow!" "It's a piece about the Red Eagle and the commissioner." "Pelayo and his family." "Hey, that's great!" "But I've certainly worked in this company!" "You?" "Who were you?" "The errand boy." "Well, no, Gabi, no --- even if it's difficult for you to believe it, I haven't always been a servant." "In my youth, I was an actor... and one of the good ones, you'd better believe it." "I began my career back then in beautiful Verona." "Those were great times!" "Excuse me, San Higinio Street is here, right?" "Well, no, ma'am, rather... it's over there." "Nevertheless, it's not right for a distinguished lady like you... to be alone at this time of day, or to be hanging around this neighborhood." "I'll escort you, come this way." "Freeze --- this is a robbery!" "Behind me!" "Take our money but don't hurt us." "Take the jewelry." "Step aside!" "Ma'am,... ~ Are you all right?" "~ I'm fine, yes." "~ Catch him!" "~ Watchmen!" "Watchmen!" "Happy birthday, young master Nuño!" "Where's my son?" "~ Catalina!" "~ I don't know." "Does anyone know where my son Nuño is?" "I'm here, Mom." "Were you horse riding at night?" "You know how dangerous that is, Nuño?" "Sorry, Mom, but don't scold me, it's my birthday." "This is not to be repeated." "Happy birthday, son." "Oh, I can't believe you're twelve years old!" "Sir." "Your present, sir,... on behalf of all the servants." "It's authentic thread from Flanders." "The initials I embroidered myself." "Commissioner, you remembered." "Sure, Nuño, sure,... but I'm afraid I wasn't able to bring anything." "No need for any gift, don't worry about it." "My son's right,... what's important is that you're here." "Thanks for coming, Hernán." "Ah, but I didn't say I didn't have a present for Nuño,... just that I couldn't bring it, since it's so big." "My gift's so big it won't fit into the palace?" "What is it?" "Tomorrow, Nuño, tomorrow, good things come to those who wait." "When that crook was going to rob that lady,... suddenly the Red Eagle appeared and saved us." "I don't know why, Mom, but the Red Eagle really loves me!" "Maybe he has a son, or at least someone who I remind him of,... since that's not normal." "Well, all right, but what I want to say is that everything is fine here." "Well, everything but the thing about Aunt Margarita, who's going to marry Juan." "I don't know, but maybe you could ask the Man Upstairs to do something about it?" "Well, if it's possible." "Master, if you hadn't have come, they would have left my face... smeared on the road to Ronda." "You have to go out more care, this town is getting more dangerous by the day." "But with our hang-dog looks, thieves won't give us a second glance!" "These ladies, they stopped to ask directions." "~ Good, out of natural courtesy..." "~ Yeah." "Did you notice the medallion?" "If I did, what do you think?" "It was really very much like the one we're looking for." "Except for having other jewels it was exactly alike." "It's clear it was made by the same hand." "God's hand is behind everything, Master!" "First thing tomorrow find out who this woman is and where we can find her." "I'm coming." "~ Morning, Doctor." "~ Hi, Sátur." "~ Hi, Gonzalo." "~ Juan?" "~ Is Margarita around?" "~ No, she's still in the palace." "Please, make her go talk to me, no matter how late it may be,..." "I have some news for her." "Juan, is it anything wrong?" "From his majesty, the King!" "Hello!" "Why are you so quiet?" "I'm being sent to the front the day after tomorrow." "A bit of a setback, you might say,... that's for sure." "No, but logical on the other hand,... no place needs a doctor more than a battlefield... so go for it, don't worry about anything,... you'll soon return with all the loot, decorations, and honors anyone could want." "The war...two days, and back home!" "Goodbye, Gonzalo." "Juan." "Well, are you ready to receive your gift?" "As you see, commissioner." "What a buildup, Hernán!" "Let's hope the gift lives up to the hype!" "It's for me?" "Sure." "Thanks very much, commissioner,... it's precious, it's the most beautiful horse I've seen in my life." "What's it called?" "That's for you to decide,... but do it quickly so you can begin your training in military horsemanship." "I name it General Santillana,... because this will be my name when I become the commander of the cavalry of Spain." "It seems you and my son have many plans for his future..." "Don't you think it would have been..." "NICE...to consult his mother?" "It was also a gift for you, I thought you would like it." "If I'd liked my son to have a horse, I would have bought him one myself." "If you don't want to wimp out your son,... you'll have to put his education in the hands of a man at the right time, Lucrecia." "Who decides when it's the right moment?" "You?" "You're not his father, don't forget." "Nuño, let's get out of here!" "~ Nuño." "~ What?" "I was telling the commissioner that you're too young to decide upon your path in the future... and I don't approve of the training he's suggested." "Mom, I'm old enough to know what I like and don't like." "By the Holy Mother, if your Mom says no, I'll take it back." "Mom, please, let me keep it!" "I'm sorry if I offended you, but horseriding is my life!" "Mom, please!" "All right." "The next time, ask me first before doing something which could affect my son,... clear?" "~ Master?" "~ Yes?" "I've already learned who she is,... the woman with the medallion." "It turns out that Paquita,... the niece of Antonio's sister,... the blacksmith who services our horses..." "Sátur, get to the point." "He told me that the old woman with the medallion... is no less than the Duchess de Valmayor,... and she has her palace in the town of Arganda." "Good, we'll pay her a visit this very night." "Can't we go tomorrow?" "Master, for once the authorities are doing something for the people." "Don't be fooled, Sátur, the authorities are only trying to distract the people,... distract them so they don't quite realize they're dying of hunger." "You're always so negative,... but I'm going to say something: the people aren't stupid,... no matter how much theater they give to them, they know who is on their side and who isn't." "Since I paid all my taxes, I'll watch the show for free..." "That's good!" "But you're stupid, Cipri?" "They let you enter the theater and you're happy to pay?" "We're being treated like sheep!" "All they want is to entertain us so that we don't cop on,... that we're dying of hunger." "Don't preach at me, Sátur!" "The theater entertains me, and at least for that moment I can stop thinking that Inés..." "That Inés left you?" "Yes!" "Then you're right, man." "Enjoy the theater, Cipriano." "All the money in that chest... is work and sweat stolen from the people." "Take this chest immediately to the hill of the Espinar,... where it will be collected by his Eminence, Cardinal Mendoza." "Carry on!" "Master, are we going to have a good time today?" "Exactly." "Margarita,... look who came to see you." "You and I are going for a walk in the field right now,... and then we'll eat, and then we'll go where you want,..., what do you think?" "I can't, Juan, I have a lot of work." "~ and the Marquesa..." "~ Yeah, and the Marquesa, don't worry about her, I'll come up with something." "Look, woman, forget the embroidery, you two go off on your own." "Oh, no, Catalina, I have to finish this mantel by today." "then we can go, Juan." "Margarita, why didn't you go with him?" "and don't lie to me about the mantel, I won't buy it." "Because I can't, Catalina,..." "I look at him and I feel like crying,... because I'm so scared he won't come back." "The Hell with all wars!" "I understand, Margarita, girl,..." "I'd feel the same as you,... but you have to live each day as it comes,..." "If not, what do we do?" "Surrender to our fears?" "In the end, death is all we have left." "No, you're right, of course..." "No, there are no "buts", what there are is two days, two days as bright as sunshine,... and you have to live them to the most, to squeeze out all the juice,... and then come what may, you'll still have memories." "Furthermore, hear what I'm saying,... that if I were you,..." "I'd throw the shawl over my head and bring a lantern,... that's what I'd do." "What lantern?" "Oh, you!" "Let's see,... me, tonight, I'll grab my Murillo,... and then the two of us will sleep with my cousin,... and you two can stay alone at my place... and do it...," "whatever you have to do." "Do you understand me or not?" "Yes, yes." "That's that, then." "And then at least,... the two of you will have a good memory,... as God orders." "Well, this is a pretty spot, isn't it?" "For a picnic, say,... now that Margarita is sad and lonely,... we ought to organize a day out or something near here." "Keep your eyes open, Sátur." "I am, I can look and talk at the same time,... but if you don't want to talk about your sister-in-law, that's another matter." "I don't want to offend you, but whenever you put on the hero suit,... it seems to me you hide too much inside yourself." "A comment, nothing more, but..." "What's going on?" "Coachman, this isn't the proper way,... coachman!" "How strange!" "That way doesn't lead anywhere." "Where is his Eminence going?" "We're going to find out right now." "It was incredible, commissioner, a perfect attack." "Well, there are many years of training... if you work hard it will be rewarded." "I don't mind how hard it could be,... but teach me ride like that so I can smash the heads... of those Goddamned Portuguese!" "I'm going to kill more enemies than anyone in the world!" "Nuño, war is a serious business,... sheath your sword." "I'm going to be the best general in the kingdom!" "Nuño!" "Nuño!" "Nuño!" "Hi." "What do you want?" "I've heard you're going off to war." "I heard that, too." "What's up, why are you looking at me that way?" "Because I want to beg your pardon." "Pardon, me --- why?" "Well, look, come, come." "Look, I know,... it hasn't been very easy for you to accept all this about the marriage between your aunt and me,... and to put it mildly, you've been less than sympathetic... but everything's fine." "I'm sure that sooner or later, you and I... are going to get along well enough." "But I'm not asking for your forgiveness for that." "No?" "How come?" "You can't do anything to avoid going to the war?" "No, I'm afraid not." "Yeah, well then... forgive me, please?" "~ But forgive you for what?" "It's not your fault I have to go into action." "~ Yes!" "It IS my fault, honest!" "Because I really wanted it,..." "I wanted it." "Forgive me." "The key, Cardinal." "I don't have it, I lost it." "Liar!" "Open it." "Stand aside, brother." "And now, let me go." "You already have the money... my bodyguard is about to arrive." "That's good,... they can accompany you to that Hell you talk so much about... and which you're about to get acquainted with." "Brother!" "Flee, flee, brother!" "I never thought I'd say this:... thank you, for protecting my life and God's money." "This money isn't God's,... it belongs to the people,... and it'll be returned to them." "What's going on?" "What's happening with my son?" "Nuño?" "What's happening with my son, Hernán?" "The horse --- it bucked and threw him from its back." "Nuño, my son, Nuño!" "Why won't he open his eyes, Hernán, why won't he open them?" "Tell the doctor, get Juan here immediately!" "Yes, ma'am." "But why a doctor?" "Son, son!" "But what's going on, why are you looking at me like that?" "What's going on?" "The young master is very active... and has frightened us to death, that's what's going on." "The next time we'll try it without weapons.." "Good, good, Mom!" "Leave off, I want to get up." "What is it, Nuño?" "Mom, I can't move my legs." "I can't move my legs!" "Agreed." "Tonight you're engaged to take the kids to the theater while I go visit the Duchess." "~ Agreed?" "~ Yes, Master, yes." "It's an honor for me,... that I won't want to be bragging, but... the theater is my strong point." "No, no, I already see it, you love it!" "No, it's not that I like it, it makes me crazy-happy." "That's why I wanted to ask you that now, during the lesson, to let me butt in,... so Gabi sees that I'm not quite so ignorant." "You can butt in whenever you want." "Thank you, sir." "Hey, boys, listen to me,..." "Line up there." "Very good, now look: one of the most important functions of the theater,... is to serve as a mirror of customs... and a way of teaching common people." "Right, Sátur?" "You, as an actor --- what do you think?" "Go ahead." "Well, I think that... yes, but then I also think not." "because when one is here, on stage,... playing, but you see that the public is sleeping through it,... excuse me, Master, it's neither a way nor a mirror,... not of customs, nor of its inspiration,... you entertain the public, or they shower you with shit,..." "I have suffered it on my own body." "Or should it be that the first purpose of the theater is to entertain." "Saturno García?" "Pelayo!" "But what are you doing here?" "!" "My old friend!" "It's great to see you!" "I say the same, Admiral." "Admiral...too right!" "He names me that after the great Christopher Columbus,... whom I was proud to play the role of." "~ It was stupendous!" "~ Good, yeah." "Well, this was done with an average wig,... you had to imagine it this way." "What's that I see,..." "Juan of the "thing"?" "Those are the Indies,... or something else?" "Thank you." "Well, with the wig is better, but..." "Kids, follow me." "We're going to go check out the back." "Pelayo, by your dead,... my son has never seen me on stage,... and he would be very pleased." "If you'd just shown up two hours ago,... you could have had the role of the commissioner." "Why, didn't you have an actor?" "We found him next to the camp this morning --- dead!" "You're not serious!" "~ A disgrace." "~ Maybe he used to get deadly drunk...?" "A fight." "Thank God that guy there showed up, like heaven-sent." "That guy there will be the substitute?" "Yeah, and maybe write me some lines?" "You'd do me a huge favor, more than anything for the kid." "Write yourself whatever lines you would like,... but don't spoil the thread of the story." "For God's sake, Pelayo!" "It'll be a pleasure to see you!" "~ I owe you one!" "~ That's what friends are for." "Master!" "Our men are to occupy positions among the public during performances." "They give us back my brother or not even God gets out alive." "Agreed, boss." "Your Eminence." "Do you think I'm here to waste more time waiting for you, commissioner?" "I had some personal problems to address, your Eminence." "The only personal business you have to attend to... is that which pertains to our negotiations." "Are you aware that this morning they stole the money... money that was so hard to collect?" "They just told me." "You should have been there." "I told you that I had some important personal affairs,..." "Your Eminence." "Recover my money... or forget your dreams of grandeur." "My brother will come for me, commissioner,... and he'll show you what it is to suffer." "Commissioner, if you go on like this, you'll kill him." "Redouble our vigilance,... if they come for him, they'll find us prepared." "Yes, sir, and what should we do with him?" "Let him die impaled, tomorrow at sunset." "in front of the people!" "Hi." "Hi." "Do you want something?" "Yeah, I want to tell you something so you won't worry." "Worry --- why?" "Well, because tonight I'll be a bit delayed." "Are you going to the theater, too?" "No, not to the theater --- to Catalina's house." "But, Margarita, you've been to Catalina's place a million times." "Tell me, why you make such a mystery of that?" "Nothing, nothings happening." "Margarita!" "What's up?" "Nothing, Gonzalo." "No." "No." "I want to spend the night with Juan." "Well, yeah, you've told me,... so I won't worry." "Gonzalo, he's leaving the day after tomorrow,... well, I only want you to know." "Sure,... nothing's happening." "Go on, you, too...!" "So clever on some matters, and on others so..., limited." "Pardon my frankness,... but, from the very beginning I was aware what the subject was." "Have you been listening to us?" "Sátur..." "What the heck, you already know I'm naturally curious." "Since I saw that Margarita was so excited when she asked about you." "Sátur, I don't know any other way to tell you that the matter with Margarita is settled... so please don't meddle in things which aren't your business." "~ Not my business?" "~ No." "But, how may I not care for your happiness and that of your son?" "!" "Are we crazy or what?" "Do something!" "Do something already, for the love of God..." "Don't let them live in sin!" "If they live in sin, well,... if they get together, they'll get together a lot, like limpets!" "I'll shut up now..." "Good." "Commissioner,... drink these herbs, they'll make you good." "I don't want them, thanks." "I'm sorry but I must insist, sir, but they are sure cure." "I said no, Catalina." "Let's see if they're going to tell us something." "How is he?" "It's too early to make a full diagnosis,... we'll have to wait to see how things progress over the next few days." "Juan, could he end up crippled?" "You don't have to think about that just yet." "Tell me the truth, Juan." "I'm deploying in a few days,... but I'll come visit him tomorrow,... and after that I'll refer a physician I can trust." "Lucrecia, show some spirit." "I'm very sorry,..." "I...just can't imagine..." "Go away!" "Get out of my house at once,... and never come back." "Well, you see this, half empty,... in no time at all it will be crowded, you'll see!" "and there, at the side of the stage,... that's where the magic of the theater is created." "Look!" "Well, then, what do we have here?" "The wig of Columbus himself!" "And here are his weapons." "You see this pistol?" "Pay attention,... note that it has plugged barrels,... it's sealed." "Everything in a theater is a lie but it has to seem real." "For example, in this scene, they kill me." "Yes, they kill me!" "And you have no idea how well I play the death... me especially." "~ Really?" "~ Yes, Gabi, that's right." "Dying is an entire art." "~ Do you want to see it?" "~ Sure." "Really?" "Well, you've got a grump on,... what happening with you?" "I did something that wasn't good." "Let's see, what did you do this time?" "I dispatched Juan to the war." "Hey,..." "Such great influence you have!" "I didn't know you had such contacts in the army." "Not in the army." "Where, then?" "In Heaven." "I asked Mom." "I told her... to do something to prevent him from marry Aunt Margarita." "Alonso, don't worry,... it's not God but the king who sent him to the front,... you had nothing to do with it." "You --- what do you know?" "What I asked for happened." "Do you think Margarita will forgive me?" "Of course she will, of course." "First notice." "Leave that, go sit down." "Gabi!" "The hat!" "Go into that bench, which is reserved for you." "Sátur, I'm going to see the Duchess." "Good luck!" "Thanks, Master, I wish you the same." "Cipri, keep an eye on him." "Sure, Teacher." "Make room." "Return to headquarters with all the men,... the Sánchez Gang is just waiting for a slipup to set him free." "But what about you, commissioner?" "I can't leave you without an escort." "~ Commissioner, permit me..." "~ You have your orders." "Young Master, let me help you." "Let me, Catalina." "Young Master, for God's sake," "I've seen you naked since you were a baby, you don't have to be ashamed now." "It's not that, Catalina, I want to do it myself!" "Shit!" "What's wrong, Nuño?" "!" "What did the doctor told you?" "He said you'll get better gradually." "Lies!" "What did he tell you?" "He said it was too early to give a firm prognosis." "If I can't walk..." "I don't want to live." "Never say that." "You hear me, Nuño?" "Never!" "As for you, why on Earth are you crying?" "Sorry, ma'am." "She's crying because she knows I'll never be a general,... and I'll never get married or have children,... and my name dies with me." "These titles so important to you... they will vanish away with me." "That's why she cries, Mom, that's why." "Look, it's Sátur!" "Look there, isn't that my Inés?" "No,... but let's watch Sátur, who's very funny, right?" "Poor guy, he's so hungry!" "I'll see if I have any money." "Although I'm an important man I have a great heart... and the poor I like to help." "Good!" "Give me the reales, or I'll skewer you!" "Take the money, leave me alive and well." "Liar, the Red Eagle would never do that!" "The authorities are already here, give back the loot." "What a poor theater piece!" "But Sátur played it well." "Don't shoot, please, I'm your servant." "Order that my brother be released at once, commissioner, and... and there'll be no injuries." "I'll never give that order, I don't cave in to threats." "Juan?" "Juan..." "Excuse me." "It's all right, I'm just changing." "Yes, but I should knock before entering." "Don't worry, I've just finished." "What a situation, right?" "Ready." "I'm sorry." "That's nothing." "Do you want something?" "Yeah, but now I'm repented." "What's up?" "I wanted to spend the night with you, Juan." "Well, if you want, of course." "Of course." "There's nothing in the world I want more." "You're sure this is what you want?" "I don't see anybody forcing me." "True, but we've always talked of waiting until after the wedding... why do you want to do it now?" "You're scared I'll be killed in the war, aren't you?" "No, no!" "Don't worry about it." "No, no, no, I already know you love me... and that you'll wait for me." "That's a good enough reason to come back, isn't it?" "You promise me?" "I promise." "Don't shout, nothing will happen." "I don't want to hurt you, Duchess,..." "I only want to know who made this medallion,... and where I can find him." "My husband sent you, didn't he?" "Answer me." "A goldsmith made it 20 years ago,... but I don't know anything about him." "It has a secret combination,... right?" "That's fine, Duchess, maybe I should talk with your husband." "No, wait." "Give it to me." "Who's he?" "The real father of my son." "Inés!" "Inés!" "Take care of those guys." "Come on, let's go." "I'll take care." "Thank you, sir bandit,..." "I only want to tell you... that you're wrong about me... ~ I'm a nobody..." "~ Shut up." "If I'm quiet, I can't explain myself,... and if I don't explain, I won't clear up the mistake." "I understand that you and the commissioner are natural enemies,... but I'm an ordinary person,... like you, but without weapons." "And what about you, nothing to say?" "Bastard!" "Here we also have little games like yours, commissioner." "I'm not scared of you, son of a whore." "I think you're not being wise, commissioner,..." "I've anticipated it..." "Get to the waiting room,... until your hour comes." "What hour?" "What are you saying about the hour?" "Whose hour?" "Go, go in there." "Get in and shut up." "What hour?" "Will you shut up, man!" "I'd like some water, Catalina." "Fine, don't be impatient and your mother will fetch some straight away." "But I like it fresh from the river and she never gets it there for me." "~ What the heck." "~ Please, Catalina, I'd go... if I could." "I'll be right back." "Nuño!" "What are you doing?" "!" "Catalina!" "~ Ma'am?" "~ Help me, hurry." "Let me go, Catalina!" "Where did you get to, you wretch?" "I just left, the young master sent me for water." "Go for the blacksmith,..." "I want him to put bars on this window at once." "Please, Mom, no bars, please!" "I'm not going to let you harm yourself,... have you got that, Nuño?" "Move it, Catalina, what are you waiting for?" "Where is he, have you seen my son?" "Cipri!" "What happened, what's going on?" "They stormed the theater,... and they seized the commissioner." "And Sátur, they grabbed Sátur, too." "Sátur?" "Cipri, was anyone hurt?" "Some, Doctor --- in the panic, some started to run,... and there was a stampede." "Don't worry, Juan, go with them." "You go home, I'm going to search out Sátur." "My love, let's go home." "Are you all right?" "He's my Dad, and I've never said anything nice to him." "Who would think: a commissioner like you and a nobody like me... waiting for death shoulder to shoulder?" "Life's strange." "Well, if that's how it is, let's have it as soon as possible... because these are things best not put off." "Shut up." "Do you know what really hurts me?" "That this has to happen now, just as I was starting to become happy... because I've led such a dog's life." "But now, things were looking up,..." "I was beginning to be part of the Teacher's family." "and besides that... besides that, I got to know my son, which is the best thing that ever happened to me in the whole world." "I don't know, you aren't even allowed to cry." "Crying changes nothing." "But it helps, buddy." "It unties this knot I have in the pit of my stomach to think that..." "I'm never going to see this creature grow up." "~ Sure, but you don't have any kids..." "~ Enough, already!" "Let me go, for God's sake." "Let me go." "I don't want to die." "You're not going to die." "You're going to negotiate the exchange of the commissioner for my brother." "Take it for granted." "I'm great at negotiating swaps." "Don't even budge unless I tell you to." "Sure, mister bandit,... thanks for the confidence you have in me." "You won't mention any of this to my men." "Why not?" "Because this swap won't be carried out." "Can't you see you're doomed?" "They'll put an end to you sooner than a singing rooster!" "That's not your business." "You want to die?" "Obey." "It's all right, my love.." "Why don't you drink this and have a little rest?" "You haven't slept at all tonight." "Come on, you'll see that when you wake up... here'll be your Dad with Sátur." "Dad!" "And Sátur?" "Neither hide nor hair." "But you looked under the bridge,... and in the caves in the mountain, and along the road to the convent?" "Alonso, yes, but I swear to you that I'll find him." "But what if you don't get there in time?" "~ I will." "~ And if they kill him first, like they did Mom?" "No." "Sátur!" "By the Holy Mother!" "Wow, when I saw myself with a foot and a half in the next world,... the boss bandit... let me go." "Why, do you reckon?" "Well, because he had an attack of conscience,... and it was like the old saying, Alonso,... it's better to fall into grace... than to be gracious." "And the commissioner?" "Are they going to kill him?" "Hey, enough with the questions, Sátur has to rest." "Alonso, off to school." "I'll be right along." "Let's go, I'll go with you." "Bye." "Sátur!" "Gabi is very worried about you." "Worried about me?" "~ Yes!" "~ Really?" "Now tell me what happened." "Well, nothing, except Manuel Sánchez, the boss of the bandits,... ordered me to go to the barracks... and offer an exchange:... the commissioner for Julián Sánchez." "If they accept, they're to hang a blue cloth in San Felipe from the church tower." "But the commissioner has given me other orders." "~ He countermanded it?" "~ That's right, yes... he won't allow... the exchange to go ahead." "Why not?" "I've asked myself that very question." "I don't know, he seemed a bit strange to me,... almost sad." "It seems to me that maybe he seeks his own death, Master." "But if he wants to die, let him die,... is something he should have done a long time ago." "Well said,... we can't forget he killed your wife,... even if later on he spared the life of your son... when the kid shot at him." "That's why I didn't kill him." "But now our debt is settled, he confronts his own destiny." "Let him face it --- no matter how much your brother he may be." "Let him face it." "Are you comfortable, commissioner?" "There won't be any exchange,..." "I've given the order not to accede to your threat." "I don't believe you." "Why would you order something so stupid?" "Everyone values his own life." "Your brother is going to die in a matter of hours." "I was going to kill you, but first, you're going to suffer." "Gabi!" "Gabi, son, I'm alive!" "Yeah, Alonso told me." "Oh, Alonso told you?" "Well, it's nothing much, you know." "~ My Gabi!" "~ Enough, kids, let's get to class." "¤ Attention!" "¤" "Wait for me inside, go on." "¤ Citizens of this town... ¤" "¤ Citizens of this town... ¤" "Be it known... that this afternoon... there will be a public execution... of the bandit Julián Sánchez via impalement,... at 7 o'clock in the main plaza." "I didn't say anything, Master,... but this stick is also planned for your brother." "It's exactly like this: if one is killed,... the other dies, too." "Pedro!" "Watchman, is there news?" "Nothing, Marquesa." "Lucrecia!" "What's going on?" "Nuño,... has had an accident on horseback, and he may never walk again." "I'm sorry." "Gonzalo, how can I tell him that the commissioner has been taken hostage?" "Nuño loves him like a father,... but when he learns about this he'll give up, Gonzalo." "Lucrecia, Nuño is strong." "Yeah." "I'm going home." "Did you ever notice that even bad people have people who love them?" "Friends, acquaintances,... though I do say one thing, Master,... what the head decides... don't let your heart spoil it,... so do what I say." "Margarita,... you just have to have something to tell me, right?" "What?" "Look, the price of saffron,... didn't I tell you?" "Ximena, those lamps!" "What?" "Well, woman...what happened last night between you and your fiancé?" "Look, don't get me wrong, I don't want the ins and outs... just kind of the general feel..." "Woman, for since my Floro left, I've lacked passion." "Well, with what I'm going to tell you, your temperature won't get much higher." "Don't tell me nothing happened." "That's it." "You're not more uninspired because you can't,... can you tell me why you changed your mind?" "Because he didn't want to." "You're telling me... that you surrendered to this man... and he turned you down?" "No, he didn't turn me down, Catalina,... he told me that if I was worried that he might not make home from the war, I shouldn't... that he'd come back to me." "He swore it to me." "Look how moved I get by nothing more than hearing you." "Because this affair of yours is such a great love story that... believe me!" " not even in the books can you find such a beautiful thing!" "~ Catalina." "~ Ma'am." "How's that cake?" "Almost ready." "Let's go, give it to me, hand me the chocolate." "We'll add a lot,... you know how much Nuño likes it." "Oh, Catalina!" "You remember when we found him sitting there... with the scoop of chocolate in his hand, how old was he?" "Nothing!" "Two years, he was maybe two years old." "and we lost sight of him for a moment, and the boy didn't appear..." "What a scare!" "We went back, and found him with all that chocolate... all over his hands... if he didn't eat two pounds then he didn't eat anything!" "Ma'am, Nuño refuses to eat anything." "he says he won't eat ever again." "Enough." "Catalina, order a carriage readied at once and dress my son,... we're going out." "Sátur!" "Master, control your impulses,... or one day you'll scare me to death,... from a scare or a heart attack, whatever." "Have you hung out the signal to the bandits that the exchange is agreed upon?" "Yes, Master, yes." "I hung up the deepest blue I've found, so it can be well seen." "Aren't they taking too long to arrive?" "Maybe they decided to take another route." "Why would they do that?" "Well, because life's like that,... it suffices that we make a decision to make life struggle to make the opposite." "I don't want your brother... weighing on my conscience, Master." "Let's go, hurry!" "Bye." "We're going to see if you keep your mouth shut when I cut you." "They've mounted the signal, Manuel,... they've accepted the swap." "Round up the men." "You're lucky that your eyes are still useful to me,... you pig." "I want to go back to the palace, I don't want to wander around." "Who said this was just an idle stroll?" "All right, I don't want to go anywhere." "~ Ma'am, are we visiting a renowned doctor?" "~ No." "It's unfair, he monopolizes the starring role,... he makes the show." "For a clown partner, that's Sátur role,... and even worst, clown partner of this guy." "Mother of God." "Let the horse free,... and I'll do the same." "No,... we'll do it together,... at my signal." "All right." "Brother!" "Kill him!" "No!" "Why did you save my life?" "And now, how do I get back?" "Stay here, Catalina." "But ma'am, I say that if this is to take a break... we could find a more pleasant place." "Who said this is a rest stop?" "Mom, what are you up to?" "Leave him here." "Leave him here, I said!" "But, ma'am, how can we leave this poor creature here,... it's a very dangerous place, can't you hear the wolves?" "And the problem is?" "Nuño has decided that he's had enough of life." "Get back into the carriage." "But, madam, for God's sake!" "I told you to get in." "~ Ma'am, are you sure...?" "~ Move it!" "Mom, please!" "Mom!" "Mom, don't leave me here, I want to live!" "My love!" "Mom!" "Do you feel something?" "I don't know,..." "I don't think so." "Very well, one step at a time." "Yes?" "Commissioner!" "You moved... you moved your foot!" "Nuño, yes, you wiggled your toes, Nuño, as soon as you saw the commissioner." "Do it again, son." "Come on, do it." "I can only do it a little." "Don't sweat it, Nuño,... tomorrow you'll wiggle some more, and much more besides." "You'll see." "Son!" "Master, you're more goodhearted than Jesus Christ." "Do you realize that today you spared the life of your worst enemy?" "No, I've saved the life of one man,... nothing more." "A bad man!" "What happened is the result of blood being thicker than water." "I know how important the problem of your roots is to you." "Just speaking of roots,... who hides the medallion owned by the Duchess de Valmayor?" ",... because with so much hostage taking and everything else, you haven't told me anything." "It holds secrets, secrets of the heart." "In prose, Master, in prose, at this time of the day, I'm not able... to decipher poetry any more." "It holds a small portrait of the real father of her son... who's not her husband, of course." "Hey, that old woman, she didn't waste time!" "Hey, and this means... sure --- that the medallion we're looking for... hides your father's picture." "Maybe." "Well, maybe the family was both large and scattered, but with this..." "Gonzalo's grandmother will reveal Gonzalo's father!" "Juan, Juan, wait." "You thought of leaving without saying goodbye?" "This isn't a farewell,..." "I promise to come back to you,..." "I'll be back FOR you." "Then I'll be waiting for you." "Note that I've never worshipped the Doctor,... but every time this man talks he touches your very soul,... that's the good thing about sharing one's feelings." "Well, are you coming with me?" "They mentioned a place to me on the road to Burgos... where there are some nymphs that make the Holy Trinity mystery stumble." "No." "I say it's always better to have a social life... than to devote yourself to handicrafts, don't you agree?" "Yes, well, with your permission, I've sent my little soldier to the front and so I'll go, no matter what." "I already told you." "Take a rest." "~ Juan is all right." "~ He's strong, he'll come back for sure." "Two days without food, two days." "Do you have smallpox?" "I don't know what we're going to do anymore." "I came on behalf of Augustín." "Is this for your girlfriend?" "I don't have a girlfriend, since I haven't found the perfect lassie." "Well, have we found your brother?" "Sancho, he was named Sancho." "He lives there nearby, we're almost neighbors." "You're stealing." "Forget her, Martín, forget her!" "I can't." "This piece is mine." "This isn't Gabi's mother?" "I'd like you to stop seeing my nephew." "Bites,... but no animal fires arrows." "Let me take care of you." "I've got a hunch we're going to find him."