"I come in peace, kind sir." "I am but a humble traveler." "I saw your fire and I was drawn to the smell of the meat you're cooking." "Nowadays, people don't help travelers like they once did." "Charity is waning." "I knocked on several doors, but no-one would answer." "My poor innards rustle and groan like an empty canteen." " You're hungry, aren't you?" " Hungry?" "My jaws creak as if rusty from abandonment." "I can't recall the last time I ate anything." "Would you like some meat?" " Could I have the wineskin?" " Here." "I was luckier than you." "The doors opened for me." "They gave me a loaf, meat and fine wine." "It was at a farm, about fifteen miles down that road." "A young married couple." "She's somewhat lame, but fair and polite." "He seems like a hard-working man." "Decent people." "And good Christians, no doubt." "But you're a chevalier." "You dress like one, and yet you're panhandling." " I don't understand." " I am of honorable blood... but I like to gamble, and so I've lost everything." "Land, money, honor..." "Even my horse." "This suit and my sword are all I have left." "I'm on my way to the royal Court to enlist in Gonzalo de Córdoba's army." "We'll be off to Calabria for battle." "I hope to reach the glory." "War is my last chance, and I don't mean to waste it." "I'm skilled with weapons, and I do not lack courage." "I was once a soldier too." "I conquered Granada, fought in the Canaries and later in Fedhala." "You certainly are a veteran." "But it seems the noble service has not invested you with much glory." "My luck left me in the end." "I was wounded in the chest during a battle." "The wound healed poorly and left me unfit for work." "I had to take to the roads and live off charity." " Life is ungrateful, wouldn't you say?" " That's quite a fable you've told me." "You were never a soldier." "I know what your problem is." "The same problem of nearly all who travel the road." "You simply don't want to work." "I don't like your words, libertine." "On second thought, I don't like you at all." "You're just a sorry bum and everything you say is a lie." "You filthy bastard!" "Nobody calls me a liar!" "I'm blind, you son of a bitch!" "Is this how you repay my charity?" "Not so poor after all." "It's gold!" "Gambler, you've lost again." "You have only one card left now, and that is Hell." "The Traveler." "The world is so beautiful." "I shall enjoy it." "You villain!" "You take advantage of my state to rob me!" "Keep shitting, you showoff!" "Take your time!" "Drop that melon!" "It's mine!" "You felon!" "I'll show you!" "You're dead, you criminal!" "You bastard!" "Take this, you bugger!" "Christ almighty!" "What a blow!" "He broke my skull!" "Oh, my brains!" " I hear water running." "Is it a spring?" " Yes, my lord Lucio." "A fine spot for resting." "I know eating and resting is all you can think about... but my feet are aching, and I could use a stop." "Help me." "Give me that." "We must eat thriftily, son." "Gluttony is a terrible sin." " A terrible sin." " Yes, my lord... but your rations are four times as big as mine." "How dare you?" "You cheeky bastard!" "I fished you out of the creek, I gave you clothes, a job, food..." " ... and this is how you repay me?" " I'm sorry!" "I'm sorry, master Lucio!" "Please, let go!" "You'll tear my ear off!" "Tomás. ¡Tomás!" "Is there anybody there?" "Unless it's a rabbit hiding in the bushes, I don't see anything." "Tomás, get me another pint of water." "The herring was salty as Hell." "Hurry!" "What's taking you so long?" "You lazy bum." "You're a bum, Tomás." "You'll never amount to anything." "What's this, you bastard?" "Instead of water, you give me piss!" "Are you trying to poison me?" "Me?" "I've been a father to you!" "Sir, stop that!" "He'll drown!" "He's drowning!" "Weren't you thirsty?" "Well, drink your fill now, you scoundrel." " Stop it!" " Do you want me to spare him?" " I do!" " After all the evil he's done?" "Sir, he is a bad man, but I don't want him to die!" "Fine." "May I join you, sir?" "If I stay with him, he'll kill me when he gets out." " Okay." "I'll be your new master." " Thank you, sir!" "My name is Tomás." "I am Leonardo." "You'll find, Tomás, that Man is the only true evil being of Creation." " That's why the Devil's work is so easy." " But there must be good men." "There are some, alright." "But it would be easier to find a flying mule than any of them." "If you don't believe me, think of what was done to you." "First, your mother leaves you." "Even the most wretched animal wouldn't do that to its offspring." "Then you're taken by a relative who feeds you leftovers from his pigsty." "He beats you and he makes you work until you drop from exhaustion." " They did give me a hard time." " Think about it." "After that, you serve wretched master after wretched master." "They beat you too, and they starve you to death." "They were bad people indeed." "The rich shit on the poor and suck their blood like leeches." "And then the poor slit their throats as soon as they get their chance." "That's humanity." "In this world all is ignoble and lowly." "There is a price for everything." "Everything can be bought and sold... be it a lady's reputation or a gentleman's honor." "But you're not so evil." "You could have killed that old bastard but you didn't." " Why?" " I was feeling generous." "Besides, it makes no difference." "That bugger's days are numbered, anyway." "I am certain he will go straight to Hell." "We'll be taken care of properly in this farm." "We'll have a hot supper and a roof to sleep under." "Some rascal I met by the road told me these were good people." " You're an early bird." " There's much work to be done." "I must tend to my Master's lands." "A whole day wouldn't be enough." "Your wife, Inés, seems like a kind and caring woman." "Yes, I am fortunate." "She is diligent and righteous." "I've noticed a slight limp in her right leg." "She fell down from the top of the dovecote about a year ago." "She survived by some miracle of our lord Jesus Christ." "She also had fevers and delirium for a while, but she healed eventually." "She remained a good woman, and the Lord's miracle gave her a limp." "His Will be done." "If you care for breakfast, Inés will see to that." "And if you chop that firewood I told you about last night, when I return..." "I will give you some money, as well as groceries for the road." "God be with you." "Until tonight, brother." "I thank you for your charity." "You benighted peasant." "Your wife is in heat and yearning." "You shouldn't leave her alone with me." "The Trumpets of Jericho wouldn't wake this one up." "Well, I'm going to get breakfast." "Maybe I'll even get a double serving." "Good morning, beautiful." "Good morning." "Are you rested?" "I'd been sleeping in the open lately." "Your stable was like a palace to me." " Do you care for breakfast?" " I'd be most grateful." "I have a ravenous appetite." " What about the boy?" " He's sleeping like an angel." "It would have been cruel to wake him up." "You'll like this." "Start by yourself, then." "I baked the bread myself." "Then the Muslims came, and beat us badly." "What kind of God aids the wicked when they outnumber the good?" " You have a good voice." " Did you like that?" "These are the verses heard in the Court these days." "I've never been there." "But I'd like to." "My husband wouldn't take me there." "He rarely takes me away from here." "You are a beautiful woman." "There is passion in your eyes." "If I were your husband, I would never leave you alone." "Please, stop that talk!" "Last night, I espied your fire." "You thirst for love." "I..." "Please!" "I'm a married woman!" "I must keep my grace!" "Who cares about grace?" "In a matter of hours I can give you the delights your husband has denied you for years." " Think of nothing else." " Mother, guard me from temptation!" "Besides, my leg will disgust you!" "I shall cover your wound with kisses." "Let's..." "Let's go upstairs." "Quickly." "Let's go upstairs." "We'll be alone there." "Oh, my goodness!" "The pleasure!" "I've never felt anything like this before!" "It's like... like I'm being possessed by the Devil!" "I'm dying!" " Will you ever return?" " I will, precious." "I always do." "By the way, I never work for free." "I've served you quite well." "Since you are fully satisfied, you must pay me." "Pay you?" "I don't understand!" "Tell me where you keep your savings or I'll gut you." "Don't hurt me!" "I'll tell you." "Come on." "Hurry." "Help me, Holy Apostles!" "The Apostles were not on your mind when we were fornicating last night." "Open the trunk." "Quick!" "A shabby loot." "If you only knew by whom you were had..." "Have mercy!" "They're many years worth of savings!" "We have to buy the seed and the sheaf!" "What will become of us if you take all of it?" "Down!" "Down, or I'll cut your throat." " My God, forgive me!" " Shut your mouth!" "Or I'll make you have gotten pregnant." "That way you'll finally give that husband of yours a child!" "Gimp or no gimp, I like to brand the cattle." "So long, slut!" "I don't mean to object to your ways, God forbid... but perhaps you were a bit too cruel to the farmer's wife." "She had it coming, the cheating whore." "Tomás, my friend, money is a fine thing." "As I see it, one is allowed to do anything for it." " Anything?" " Anything." "Even killing." "Religion, qualms, conscience..." "That's all loser's tripe." "One must even sell his soul to the Devil in the pursuit of success." " But then there's the punishment..." " Punishment, my arse." "Would you like to dress like a nobleman?" "To have servants and a fine dwelling?" "To lie in your bed with fair dames?" "Of course I would like to!" "But I don't see how I could." "It's easy." "You just listen to me and you'll live to be a rich man." "Tomorrow, we'll take our first steps towards the good life." "We will earn a few ducats." "I don't understand." "When we stopped at the inn, and you went to get some wine I heard two servants of a Juan López talking about a journey... they will go on tomorrow, to buy some lands." "It seems this López is the region's filthy rich man." "Apart from dealing in lands, he's a usurer and a moneylender." "And what does that have to do with us?" "Boy, are you ever slow!" "We'll ambush him and take every last maravedí." "I know just the place." "But he will be heavily guarded." "This won't be a robbery." "Through López's own greed, we will get the money without a fight." "Here's the plan." "On the edge of the road, next to some ash trees, there is an old house." "The floor has sunken down, leaving a very deep pit." "You certainly hit that peddler very hard in the head, my lord." "It made a noise like a hollow pumpkin." "You may have killed him." "I had to." "I needed his clothes to disguise myself and fool the miser." "I understand, sir, but that poor peddler..." "If he died, that's the best thing that could have happened to him." "Through that archway you'll find the pit." "You must drive them into it." " Understood?" " Yes, my lord." "Why did you have to come along, Blanca?" "Just to be a burden." "I know you too well." "You and your weakness for inns and waitresses." "I'll keep an eye on you, to the end of the world." "Damn the bloody cow." "Go." "Now." "Go!" "Stop here." "Stop!" "What do you want, boy?" "Why are you stopping us?" "You see, sir..." "That man there has found this bag full of ducats." "He's mad." "He gave me the bag, and he showed me where he found it." "He sure seems like an idiot." "And what can I do for you?" "Over in that ruined house is where the fool found the ducats." "I went in with him, slipped my hand under some rocks... and I felt there were more bags." "But I couldn't take them." "The rocks are too heavy." "I can't clear them by myself." "Several bags, you say?" "Yes, sir." "And I offer you a deal." "If your men help me clear the rocks, we'll split the ducats." "Ducats?" "Rodrigo!" "You, Roque and the Zamoran!" "Go with this lad and help him!" "Won't you join us, sir?" "I wish I could, but my gout won't let me walk." "Besides, you'll have Rodrigo with you." "And no tricks!" "Come on!" "What are you waiting for?" " I'm scared!" " He really is mad, Blanca!" "Stand down, Carlitos!" "Mad people are dangerous!" "Juan!" "Can't you see this bastard is touching my breasts?" "Your breasts?" "You mean your udders, you bloody cow." "He must be really mad if he enjoys such a thing." "You halter!" "You are a halter!" "And you are God's punishment, my beloved wife." "Carlitos!" "Don't come near!" "Anything can happen with these mad people!" "Easy, Blanca." "Easy." "And you, Carlitos, stay away!" "Stay away." "Juan!" "I can't believe this!" "He mocks me and offends me, in your presence!" "And you just sit there!" "Don't make such a fuss about a little piss, woman!" "He's just a poor fool with jelly for brains." " Can't you see?" " Yes." "Can't you see he's pitiful?" "It would have been such a sin to attack him!" "Look at him play with your necklace like a small child!" "Can't you see?" "Like a small child, alright, but with no small rod!" "My goodness, look at the size of it!" " Did you say something, Blanca?" " Nothing." "Never mind." "You never stop grum- grum- grum-... grumbling!" "What is it with me today?" "Where are the others?" "What's wrong?" "!" "Nothing, sir." "Don't be alarmed." "I've come only to tell you that it'll take a bit longer." "The rocks are hard to move." "The sham is over, milord!" "We'll take every last maravedí!" "Look!" "The usurer and his cow of a wife wear the finest clothes... and jewellery, while other people starve to death." "We'll strip them of everything." "Ducats, jewellery, clothes..." "Scoundrels!" "Looters!" "Villains!" "Perhaps." "But you're in your current state because of your own greed." "A boy and a madman should be easy to trick." "Right, Mr. Usury?" "You villains will end up in the gallows and go straight to Hell!" "I already am in Hell, you fat cow!" "It's you and the scarecrow you call your husband... who'll soon end up in Pedro Botero's cauldron!" "Night will fall and no-one will see us!" "Will we freeze to death or will we be eaten by vermin?" " Why did you have to pick this road?" " Because it seemed to be the safest!" "Well, good thinking, man!" "By the Holy Virgin!" "Why did I marry you?" "My mother warned me!" "Shut your mouth, you cow!" "I got the worst part!" "I'm a martyr." "A martyr!" "Shut up, you bastard!" "They were so keen on getting the ducats that they fell right into the pit!" "They must have broken every bone." "They were screaming like banshees!" "Pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth!" "Indeed it's easy to condemn a soul." "By the Devil, how easy!" " My Lord, is it a good booty?" " Master Tomás, we're nearly rich." "Heed my words and you will live like a nobleman." "I'll buy you clothes in the next town." "My servant shan't dress as a miser." "We'll knock on this door." "We'll spend the night here." "What if they don't want to take us in?" "Remember, we're rich now." "We can pay for our lodging." "We'll sleep under a roof." "I'm really tired." "I'll tie up the mule." "Good evening, madam." "Pardon the nuisance, but the road is long and we are tired." "I saw the light and thought that we might find shelter in this house." "Come in." "It is a sad time for us, but we've never sent away a traveler." " Tomás, take care of the mule." " Don't worry about your mule." "I'll show the boy to the stables." "Bring the luggage once you've taken care of the animal." "Follow me." "My husband wasted our fortune completely." "We used to be the most powerful family around here." "We had a coat-of-arms and we had nobility." "All I have now is my faithful maid Petronila... and two old servants." "He died in a duel brought about because of women." "The creditors ravaged me." "All I could save was this house and some lands." "A sad story, Lady Urraca." "I understand you." "But none of that would matter if I could only save my daughter." "I've talked to the best physicians." "None has given me any hope." "She will die soon." "Why have you confided me all this?" "I'm just a stranger." "And you... a fine lady." "You inspire my trust." "And I haven't talked to anyone in so long." "Would you mind if I took a look at your daughter?" " Are you a physician?" " No." "But my healing arts are better than theirs." "I've been to the Spice Countries, and learnt secrets from the people there." "Listen to me." "Let me see your daughter." "She's almost as fair as you." "What is her name?" "Berenguela." "Tell me..." "How much would you be willing to give for your daughter's salvation?" "Everything." "Absolutely everything." "Even my life." "Then I shall save her." "Count on it." "What do you want in return?" "I want you." "Only once." "But there is no other way." "I have not been with a man since my husband died." "What you're asking matters more than my own life." "You're asking for my honor." "That is my price, madam." "If my daughter is healed, then you shall have me." "Get me some hot water, and plenty of clean towels." " Do you have a herbarium?" " Yes." "Take me there." "I must pick out some herbs." "After that, I'll remain with daughter until dawn." "I cannot be interrupted for any reason at all." "Understood?" "My child." "Madam." "Your daughter is cured." "I've honored my part of the deal." "As I will honor mine." "I'll be waiting for you tonight in my chambers." "I've brought you some fruit." " You're young and you must eat." " Thanks." "Thank you very much, madam." "Your master has healed my lady's daughter." "Is he a sorcerer?" "Not at all!" "He's a very wise man." "He spent some time in the Indies." "He knows all the healing arts." "All the best physicians came to see Berenguela... and they all said that the child was beyond all hope." "Then along comes your master and heals her in one night." "I don't understand." "He saved her." "You should be glad." "I'm afraid that may come at a great price." "It looks like it will be a lovely day." "I am leaving, madam." "But I will never forget this night." "And I can assure you, neither will you." "Beautiful woman." "I can't decide which is fairer:" "Her body, or her soul." "A fine garden for my seed to grow in." "My lord Leonardo, you are lucky." "She is such a kind woman." "We'll buy horses and new clothes." "I have big plans." "Our look must be fitting." "Berenguela." "My child." "Berenguela." "My girl!" "My God, girl!" "Berenguela!" "Dead?" "She's dead!" "For this I engaged in deadly sin!" "For nothing!" "I knew that traveler was the Devil himself." "I knew it." "From the lessons I'm teaching you, you must have learnt... that friendship among men is just another deception." "But, my lord Leonardo, I think of you as a friend as well as a master." "And so do I. As long as I can benefit from it, quite naturally." "Yes, Tomás." "Men murder, steal, cheat, envy, hate!" "And where does that get them?" "Into the hands of the Devil himself." "My lord Leonardo, you paint such a dark picture of the world... that you even take from me my will to live." "On the contrary." "We must seek money and pleasure." "If we attain those things, then life becomes a precious gift." "A treasure." "Now, back to the road." "I want to stay at a certain famous inn, halfway between Burgos and Aranda." "By the Devil!" "This is a fine sword." "Pardon me, but I do not like weapons, my lord." "You know, Tomás, the hilt of a sword is like a little bird." "Grip it too tightly, and you'll throttle it." "It is a rule that every good fencer... should know." "I'll spend the night out." "I hear the miller's wife is quite a woman." "She cheats on her husband with some swaggering swordsman." "The miller went to Aranda for some grain and will be back tomorrow." "The lovers have a date, and I have the need for solace." "You're getting into a dangerous affair." "I've heard about that swordsman too." " Be careful, my lord Leonardo." " Don't worry." "And rest assured that tonight I will enjoy that woman's delights." "You're leaving me alone, my lord?" "Alone?" "Poor Tomás." "Haven't you learnt yet that Man is always alone?" "No more will you fornicate, boaster." "My love!" "What's taking you so long?" "You're finally here!" "Oh, my Muño!" "You're so good, you scoundrel!" "You like it better in the dark, don't you, my love?" " Yes, yes!" " Muño, you sound hoarse." " It's very damp outside." " Yes." "Yes, of course." " Muño, you're bigger!" " Herbs." "I've been taking some herbs I got from a witch." "Muño, I can't take it anymore!" "Give it to me!" "Now!" "María!" "María!" "Where are you?" "Holy souls in Purgatory!" "It's Ramiro!" "I thought he was gone to Aranda until tomorrow!" "Maybe the deal didn't come together so he came back!" "Mother of God!" "Hide!" "Quick!" "María!" "Where are you, María?" "Ramiro, my husband!" "I was up here, in the hayloft." "I come home exhausted and then I go crazy looking for you!" " Why are you back so soon?" " The deal didn't come together." "I could have stayed at the inn, but then, there's no bed like one's own." "Especially with such a fair lady." "I'm glad you're back, Ramiro." "But..." "Why on earth are you naked here in the hayloft?" "!" " Naked?" " Yes, naked!" "It was hot, too hot in my bedroom." " You can be so strange, woman!" " I'm telling you, I was hot!" "Well, I'm cold to the bones!" "And I want warmth, María." "I need warmth!" "A boot?" "A boot!" "And a spurred boot, too!" " A boot, you say?" " Well, of course it's a boot!" "How did this get here?" "Smells like a man." "I smell a man here!" "Good evening, you cuckold." "Sweet Virgin!" "That's not Muño!" "Gentleman..." "Sir." "This boot, this fine boot..." "It's yours, isn't it?" "Yes, of course it is." "It's yours." "Yes, it is mine." "Give it back, you cuckold!" " Turn around." " What?" "Come on!" "Turn around!" "Take your pants down." "Do it!" "Who are you?" "The Devil, you whore." "In the flesh." "As for your Muño, if you care, you'll find him in the woods, stabbed." "Berenguela, my child!" "I don't want to bear you." "You must not be born!" "It's been but two days, and I can already feel your strength in my womb." "Your strength... is hurting me!" "We'll stop at Burgos and then we'll continue on our way to the Court." "I never thought I'd go there!" "I told you, Tomás." "With me, the world could be yours." "If nobody helps us, we'll die of cold or hunger!" "I can't understand how they stripped us of everything!" " We'll have to start over." " This is punishment!" "Remember, my lord, what we did to the usurer and his wife?" "Punishment?" "By Satan and all his demonic legions, this is just part and parcel of the job!" "Tomás, someone's coming!" "Here, brothers!" "Help us!" "Here!" "Here." "Help us, brothers." "You have saved us." "May God pay you back." "We must be near that convent those friars mentioned." "The nuns will take us in, and we'll have hot food and a bed." "And maybe more." "We beat those pilgrims and stripped them of everything." "That's quite a sin." "Master Tomás!" "You've travelled with me for so long, and you still speak of sin?" "Come on!" "The convent must be near." "We were in Santiago." "It was a wonder to see so many pilgrims in the temple." "As it was to watch the stately swinging of the Botafumeiro censer." "Our souls, both Tomás' and my own, have taken great comfort... by walking the Holy Road in order to reach jubilance." "Pilgrims are always welcome in this House." "By the way, Mother Elvira... in a little village near Compostela, I had to exorcise a young girl... inside whom dwelled Beelzebub himself." "After a long struggle, I succeeded, and he spewed from the girl's mouth... transformed into a stinking black ball." "Do you possess the degree of Exorcist, Father?" "I do, Mother Superior." "And I've had some very difficult cases." " Very difficult." " Providence sent you, no doubt." "Praise the Lord." "Praise Him." "Are you having problems?" "There's a demon in the convent." "Three novices are showing signs of possession." "And I myself am beginning to feel its attacks." "He's constantly tempting me." "Sister Filomena!" "She's so old, the poor thing." "Her health is not the best, and she eats too many beans." "By the way she farted, she sounds like she's in excellent shape." "Do not suffer." "I will strictly study the case... and I will try to cast that evil spirit out of the convent." "The wicked one strikes at night." "He touches my breasts and tries to seduce me." "I can fight him with prayers and penitence, but he's getting bolder." "Tell me, Mother, what does he look like?" "Does he take one form, or several?" "I... never open my eyes." "I just feel his hands on my body." "The case seems complicated." "I will stay here for a few days, but we will cast out the demon." "It will be difficult, for Satan is a clever adversary... but no demon can defeat me." "A fine turnip." "Thick." "Long." "Yes, Father." "Turnips grow nicely in this orchard." " The secret must be in the irrigation." " Yes." "Irrigation is good here." " Who is he?" " He grew up in the convent." "They found him abandoned in El Torno one morning." "He was already here when I came to take charge of the place." "He's a simple soul, and he helps us with the hardest labors." "This orchard does produce good turnips, no doubt." " Did you say something, Father?" " I was just thinking about produce." "And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone to meditate." "As you wish." "The bell will ring when dinner is ready." "Who did that?" "!" "Don't move!" "What have I done to you?" "I don't know you!" "Why do you do this?" "For the next four days, Mr. Demon... don't even think about going again to the novices' cells... or Mother Abbess' either, or I'll cut off your dick." "For starters." "Then I'll slit your throat." "Yes, Father!" "Whatever you say." "I swear." "Tell me, Mother Superior:" "Does the Devil have a wife?" " No, of course not." " And yet... artists and people in general always depict him wearing big horns." "I don't understand, Father." "Do you think he has a tail shaped like an arrow?" "Maybe he has one, but in some other place." "Not shaped like a harpoon, and more tempting and pleasurable." "Father, please!" "The things you say!" "Most people, even wise men, claim he has hoofs, like a goat... that he's either black or red..." " ... and that he smells of sulfur." " That's what we all believe, my lord" "Father." "As an exorcist, I know him well." "You yourself could well be the Devil." "Or perhaps this man, or that other man." "Or even you, Mother Superior." "Or myself." "Or that old nun who snores and farts like an earthquake." "Tonight, master Tomás..." "Mother Superior will know what a real exorcism is like." "And tomorrow I'll take care of those sweet novices." "And what if there really were a demon in the convent?" " There's been one for years." " What?" "He's a young rascal who works with the nuns in the orchard." "By day." "By night, he amuses himself by visiting the cells." " Good call." " Indeed." "But, what do you know... the flowers he's been growing will be picked up by someone else." "Mother." "Rise." "Do as I say." "Take off your clothes." " All of them?" " You must." "You have to be just the way the Lord brought you into this world." "Stand as if you were up in a cross." "Here is the wicked one's favorite area to tempt you, isn't it?" "Yes." "Yes, it is." "And also... down below." "Vade retro, Satan!" "Vade retro!" "I'm the only cock in this coop, my brother." "My head is spinning." "Devil in Hell!" "What happened?" "Where am I?" "My lord Leonardo!" "You've been fighting death for five days." "You had such a fever, it was as if you were burning in Hell." "My poor neck." "How it hurts!" "I can't remember anything." "That gardener fellow from the orchard hit you so hard... he nearly broke your back." " Then he came looking for me." " Rascal." "Criminal." "He threatened me with a knife that Goliath himself would have found too big." "Then he came looking for me and took me to you." "When I saw you, I feared the worst." "You were bleeding like a pig, if you'll pardon." "Dirty scoundrel." "He snuck up on me." "He made me carry you, and he threw me out of the convent." "By the way, you're heavy as Hell." "My back still aches." " Where are we?" " In a whorehouse, my lord Leonardo." "No other place would take us in." "From a convent to a whorehouse." "Funny how the coin flips." "The matron is called Leonor, and she is a fine-looking female." "It seems that the foremost gentlemen of the nearby towns... come here for fun." "Even from Burgos, Aranda... and sometimes even from the Court itself." "Good, master Tomás." "That's good." "Seems like we're back on the good road." "This is Doña Leonor, the matron." "Sit down, boy." "I see you're back among the living." "I prayed for you, and the Saints always listen to me." "Madam, I don't know how to thank you for your kindness." "I'll never forget what you've done for me." "I'm going to clean your wound and change your bandages." "I was telling your friend there is work for both of you here." "Sometimes, hard-headed men come by... and only a strong man can get some sense into them." "Madam, do you have an orchard?" "No." "The fruits we offer are not the kind that grows in an orchard." "No orchard, no orchard boy." "Very well, madam." "As soon as I'm up, Tomás and I will work for you." "With pleasure." "Last night, after being with me, you went to the Palentine girl." "What's wrong with that?" "I was your first, and I can be very jealous." "I want you to be with me always." "Well, you woke up the bird, and now one nest is no longer enough." " My nest is the best, you hear?" " If you're so certain... let the bird try the others and it'll come back to yours." "They're fancy people." "We'll get a nice pile of ducats." " Will they bring servants and guard?" " Of course!" "The roads are full of bandits and raiders." "Well, I would know certainly know a bit about that, love." "Come on!" "Hurry!" "We have guests coming!" "We have to set everything up." "We can't complain about the life we're having here, master Tomás." "Resting." "Good food, and lots of it." "Beautiful women." "You have been quick in learning the ways of love." " Which nest awaits you tonight?" " I'm too tired." " Tonight I mean to sleep." " I'll get some rest too." "Tomorrow is the day those rich gentlemen arrive... and we'll have to be wide awake and sharp enough to empty their pockets." "I can already hear the sweet jingling of the ducats." "My lord, I'd like to..." "Though..." "I don't know..." "I don't know." "I see there's something you want to tell me, master Tomás." "Don't worry." "Speak and I'll listen." "My life has been short and wretched." "I've known nothing but hunger, pillage, death." "I do not like the times I'm living in, my lord Leonardo." "The past was no better." "Nor will be the future, master Tomás... because happenings are not the work of time, but of men... and men will always make the same mistakes and commit the same sins!" "The future!" "I'd like to believe in the future." "A time when all war and injustice and misery will be over." "The future?" "To believe in the future?" "You're tired and drowsy." "Come." "Sleep... and tonight you will see the future." "You'll be surprised by how much better the world will become." "You slept badly, didn't you?" "I had horrible nightmares." "Horrible!" " Did you enjoy the future?" " How did you know?" "No." "My dreams were terrifying." "It made no sense at all." "I can't believe those things are really going to happen." "Perhaps you're right, master Tomás." "My lord Leonardo..." "Who are you?" "I am no-one." "Well, just a humble traveler." " I knew you'd come, scoundrel." " Does it bother you?" "No." "I'm flattered." "Come in, and we'll see if your sword is up to the job." "You'll be amazed." "I'm a great fencer." "More wine!" "Leave me alone!" "Having fun, don Íñigo?" "Lust and gluttony, together in such a moving brotherhood." "This brings joy to my heart." "It's like I'm in ancient Rome." "You look like vestals!" "My mistress Leonor everything related to ancient times." "She says they were better than the times we live in." "Obviously, your mistress knows a great deal about pleasure." "Yes, sir." "I'm her best pupil, and, as such, a favorite." "That nice young man, what's his name?" "Tomás." "He hasn't been here for long." "He's handsome." "A bit rough, but very good-looking." " And I'm not good-looking?" " Yes, of course, but..." "He's handsome, yes." "Doña Leonor." " I'll pay anything for that boy." " The price is high, Don Íñigo." " Anything, I said." " Very high." " Name your price." " Well, at least..." " How much?" " One hundred ducats." "Done." "Your eyes sparkle as if you were hearing the jingling of gold." "Don Íñigo Crespo, that fat, pink man over there..." "The one who looks like a pig?" "That's the one." "He's very rich, and when he wants something, he'll pay anything." "And what our porcine guest wants is to hump Tomás." "I noticed, my fair procuress." "But the lad is my friend." "Sure, you old rascal." "That's what he wants, and he'll pay a hundred ducats... for the delights of your young squire's rear." "This Don Íñigo character sure is whimsical." "No arsehole on Earth is worth a hundred ducats, no matter the lad." "We'd split it fifty for you and fifty for me." "On second thought, no friendship is worth a hundred ducats either." " Then it's tonight?" " Tonight, my good bawd." "I'll tell "Pigface" there to take my place in my bed... and to have at least three of his men standing by." "The lad is thin, but tough." "He'll be hard to pin down." "So much work." "Tending the dinner." "Getting the rooms ready." "Taking care of the horses." "My bones ache." "I'll sleep like a log." "Let go of me!" "Wake up, my lord Leonardo!" "We are under attack!" "Who are you?" "Get his underpants down and hold him in position!" "What are you going to do?" "Let go of me, fiends!" "You're a fine-looking boy." "Don't fight against the sweet practices of love." "Relax!" "It'll feel good!" "It'll feel good, my boy." "All right, mighty villain." "As agreed, fifty for you, and fifty for me." "One hundred ducats." "Not a bad booty, is it, o sweet queen of the whores?" "And all for just one arse." "Surely, when you so kindly took us in, you saw Tomás as a good investment." " I am a businesswoman." " I can see that." "I will also tell you that, even though your face is not too fair... and you're a bit fat... you have really beautiful eyes." "I can have my whims too, Mr. Leonardo." "Myself, Doña Leonor, I love money... and a hundred ducats is more than fifty!" "You dirty thief!" "True enough." "I'll also take the horses that belonged to your illustrious guests." " You won't be able to wake them up." " Are you going to kill me?" "I should." "But you were good in bed, and that saves you!" "Now, drink!" "Drink to my triumph." "Come on!" "Drink!" "Keep drinking!" "Now that one." "Drink it!" "Come on." "My God..." "Why did You let it happen?" "It's a monster!" "Show it to me." "I..." "I want to see it!" "No, madam." "I think you'd better not." "That's my son." "Don't you understand?" " My son!" " It's Satan's son." "It's the Devil's spawn, and it must die." "Now, while there's still time." "I'm the sinner." "It's not his fault." "I've carried him in my womb." "Please!" "I want you to swear... that you won't hurt him." "He's my son!" "But we cannot..." "we mustn't allow it to live." "Swear to me that you will not harm him." "That you'll protect him!" "Swear it!" "I swear." "Burgos - 66 miles." "My dear Tomás... when we arrive, I'll introduce you to the finest people of the Court." "You'll meet the Majesties." "You'll have everything you want." "You'll be rich and admired... and when I die, you'll inherit my entire fortune." "First things first." "I want to find my former master." " I want him to remember me well." " My men will find him." "And if he took the main road, then we'll find him soon." "We meet again, master Leonardo." " You can't be apart from me, can you?" " Of course." "I've been hunting you for six days." "But I can assure you..." "I would have spent years looking for you." "I would have descended to Hell itself, if necessary." "May I sit?" "Sit up, my Lord." "I'm so distressed." "I must admit I'm astonished, my good Tomás." "I didn't expect you to like to take it up the arse." "I never expected you to become fat Íñigo's whore." "I thought you'd feel raped and try to get revenge on your piggish rapist." "That's how I felt, at first." "But then I thought about your wise teachings." "My arse's honor was broken, so I decided to make the most of it." "Remember that time when you showed me, in a dream... an incomprehensible and apocalyptic future." "I'd like you to tell me what awaits me in the Court." "I recognize that you have a strange ability to see the future." " Will you indulge me?" " Why, of course, master Tomás." "You'll have money, fame, glory!" "The most beautiful women!" "You'll practice every way of evil!" "You will cheat, steal, murder!" "You will die an old man, laying in peace and surrounded by loved ones... and then you will go straight to Hell!" "Good, master of all hoodlums." "I know my fate." "Now, you'll know yours." "Beat him until every bone in his body is broken!" "After that, do what you want with him." "Angels of Hell!" "Come and aid me!" "Get these men away from me!" "Wretched man." "You'll have an end you don't deserve." "Good Lord!" "How could You give your life for these pigs?" "I don't understand." "I don't understand!" "What are you doing?" "Thieves!" "Bastards!" "Sons of bitches!" "Villains!" "Bastards..." "Bastards." "Don't be afraid, brother." "I come in peace." "I was drawn to the smell of the meat you're cooking... and my poor, empty innards lead me here." "I couldn't go against them." "Charity is waning in the world, my friend." "No-one will help the poor nowadays." "Yet, you seem to be doing quite well for yourself." "No, nobody gave me anything either." "I stole all of this." "I need some company, and someone to talk to." "I'll share my food in return." "My loneliness is unbearable." "Let me tell you an old legend." "A tale about the Devil." "I'll be glad to listen to you." "I like legends." "Once upon a time, the Devil was getting bored in Hell." "And so, transformed into a mortal, he chose to visit Earth." "He accepted all the weaknesses that came with living in the flesh." "He could get sick, or even die." "He rarely used his powers, for he thought things would be easy." "He started off poor, so that he could move up through mischief and evilness." "What human could stand up to him?" "After all, he was the Devil." " I want to hear more, brother." " Of course you do." "I've given you food, so you must listen to every word I say." "Go on, I'll listen gladly." " You're a good lad." " Goodness is my only guide." "I shall proceed." "The Devil went through every felony." "He fornicated, killed, cheated, stole... and eventually became rich." "He was having fun." "He was happy." "He begat a son, and he loved." "But then his luck began to change." "He was swindled, mocked, robbed and ravaged." "Love made him lose his power." "He ended up in misery." "And the poor Devil found out that men were more wicked than himself." "What a sad moral." "Your story is sad indeed, but it lacks a happy ending." "Bastards!" "You will all end up with me!" "All of you!" "Gold?" "Take the gold!" "All you want is gold!" "Men!" "I curse you!" "I curse your evilness!" "I shall live inside you!" "Inside your souls!" "Forever!" "Forever and ever!" "The Traveler."