"Once upon a time many, many years ago there was a war, but it wasn't your usual war." "It had been going on forever." "No one could remember when it had first started and no one knew why." "In the two kingdoms that fought, one against the other nobody knew the meaning of the word "peace"." "Its significance was lost on the fields of battle." "As the two sides continued to clash without respite." "Year after year, month after month day after day." "No, have mercy!" "I'm just a poor soldier!" "Majesty, the big moment has arrived!" "Soldier, for today your life has been spared." "You can thank my regal heir who is about to be born." "Well, then?" "How much longer will I have to wait to see my son?" "Well?" "It won't be long now, your Majesty." "It would have meant a lack of respect had the child been born before you arrived." " What have they foretold?" "I want an answer from the foretellers." "Here they are." " What do the stones say?" " Here." "Quick, hurry up." "Yes, here we are." " Well?" " Yes..." "Speak!" "Here." "What do they say?" "A boy, Majesty!" "Your third child shall be a boy!" "The stones never lie!" "There shall be hell to pay if that isn't the case." "If it isn't..." "Pay them." "The truth has no price, Sire." "Now, let us look upon the flames." "Well, what do they foretell?" " Speak, or I shall" " No, Sire." "He is mute, do you not remember?" "The fire ate his tongue." "Though, the flame has shown us the colours of a boy." " Have you doubts?" "Would you like to see it again?" " No, no." "Where are the sacred snakes?" "Pay them." "I want my daughters." "Bring me my daughters!" " At lease he can't haggle." " What, so little?" " A bit more?" " No, no." "Come forward." "Children, always obey the will of the gods and that of me." "No, don't be afraid." "Look." "Look upon the prodigy." "The message in the snakes is clear, Sire." "Finally you shall have a heir worthy of you and your name." "Did you hear that, Caterina?" "And you, Carolina?" "The heir I have always longed for is about to enter the world." "He will be your lord and master." "You shall bow to him." "He who will one day end this war will soon be among us." "You two will have a brother..." "A sister!" "Who dares speak?" "Well, who dares speak?" "It was I, Sire!" "I cannot see her, give me light." "The White Witch." "I do not deceive you, Majesty." "I cannot deceive you." "Because with deception comes vanity." "Listen." "Listen." "It is a girl, Majesty." "And you will have to love her and raise her like the others." "You, White Witch go back to the rivers in which you were born!" "Disappear into the forest!" "Where the storm of your siblings gives your voice." "Or throw your treacherous self down a steep mountain and end up in that abyss that has given birth to your heinous slander, before I..." "Before I..." "Sire." "Here he is, my heir to the throne." "With his screams he declares your punishment!" "No, no, no." "Sleep." "There you go." "That's it." "It is a girl." "This is your fault!" "You have put a curse on us!" " General!" " At your command, Majesty!" " Arrest her!" " Arrest her!" "I pity the King who cannot accept the truth." "But I pity your subjects even more." "Death to her!" "Kill her!" "Obey your orders, kill her!" "Bar the doors!" "Do not allow her to escape!" "The cats!" "The cats!" "Ugly witch!" "You should be ashamed!" "Three against one!" "Get away!" "Go carefully, Majesty." "How is she feeling?" "I fear that she is at the end." " Does she know?" " No, she doesn't know anything." "You will get better, my love." "And very soon, too." "Is my lovely boy as strong and handsome as you wanted him to be?" "Don't speak, you will only tire yourself out." "Tell me who he looks like, please." "I don't have much time left." "From you he has taken..." "He has taken beauty, and power from me." "He is the heir I have always dreamed of." "So your wife has made you happy." "No." "Oh, no!" "No!" "She killed her!" "She will not outlive her mother!" "Her eyes are so lively, she's very pretty." "Yes, she's pretty, but I was beautiful." "More beautiful than her, wasn't I?" "No one is as beautiful as you." "No, Father, don't take her away!" "Father, have mercy!" "My sword!" "Here it is, Majesty!" "Go!" "Father, have mercy!" "Don't hurt our little sister!" " Don't take her away!" " Please, no!" "Don't take her away from us!" "Have mercy!" "If my terrible fears are right he has taken that poor child to the Cave of the Golden Rose." "The good gods will protect her." "Wicked demons after the mother you may claim the daughter." "She was not born in accordance with the will of the gods." "She is a creature of the Devil." "This is why I sacrifice her to the Sacred Beast that lives in this cave." "But if you wish to refuse this sacrifice give me a sign from above right now or never again." "Either the demons or the gods wish for you to live and I..." "I beg forgiveness for my horrendous actions." "And from now on no one in my kingdom shall ever again speak of the Cave of the Golden Rose." "...nor of the Sacred Beast who lives here." "And you..." "You shall have a name." "Fantaghirò!" "Fantaghirò!" "Fantaghirò!" "Fantaghirò!" "Where is she hiding now?" "Fantaghirò!" "Caterina, Carolina!" "Where is your sister?" " I don't know, she's not with us." " Thank goodness." "Don't speak like that, it's not nice." "She's your little sister." "It's not like I'm saying she's bad just that I prefer not to play with her." "She has no grace..." "Fantaghirò will have other qualities." "What qualities?" "Look what she does to her dolls." "All ruined, covered in scratches." "She has pulled them apart like a chicken." "Yes, she even ripped this one open." "But just to see what was inside." "Who cares what's inside a doll?" "They're pretty on the outside." "Listen, I've already made the dress for your one." "There it is." "But it's the last time." "I'm too old for dolls now." "But how will my dolls live without you?" "Now that you're so good at making them clothes, too." "Look how elegant they are." "Who goes there?" "What are you doing?" "Halt!" "What was that you fired?" "It's just the war, girls." "Haven't you heard about it?" "You're not in a war, but you are in trouble." "At least now you have a good reason to say bad things about me." "What are you hiding?" "Let me see." "I'm not hiding anything, look." "Look." "And don't try and catch me, because you're not fast enough." "We'll see!" "It's useless to run from us!" "Fantaghirò!" "Hold on, wait!" "Stop!" "Got you!" " What's this you have?" " It's a musical instrument." "Will you teach me how to play it?" "If you let me go, I'll show you." "She plays it with rocks, and kills my poor dolls!" "See?" "Fantaghirò, Fantaghirò!" "It had to be today, the day your father has returned from the war, didn't it?" "Who gave you this?" "No one, I made it myself." "You made this slingshot?" "It didn't take me very long, either." "You can keep it if you like." "I can always make myself another." "Is this how you talk to your father?" "Is this how you talk to your daughters, father?" "See?" "You made Carolina cry." "Fantaghirò, not another word from you, or..." "I know..." "Apologise." "Come on." "Down, on your knees, and beg for my forgiveness." "Well?" "Has the cat got your tongue?" "Talk, girl?" "Talk!" "I can't, you told me not to speak." "Put her down the well!" "No, not the well!" "I don't care, anyway!" "I don't care about anything!" "I'm not afraid, you know!" "I'm not afraid!" "I'm not afraid!" "Hurry up!" "There's no need to hold me." "I'm not scared at all!" "Go on, lower me down." "I'm not scared, I'm not scared." "I don't need to be scared." "I don't need to be scared." "I don't want to be scared." "Hello, little mouse!" "No, be quiet!" "Quiet, it's just a shadow." "Don't you see?" "Do you want them to catch us?" "Wouldn't it be better if we came tomorrow in the daytime?" "Yes, the would soon stop us." "Hi, little ladybird." "Fantaghirò, it's me, Carolina." "It's me too, Caterina." "We brought you something to eat." "Quiet, or you'll wake my friends the mice." " Mice!" "Mice!" " Cut that out!" "The mice are down there, at the bottom of the well." "Give me the packet." "Wait." "Do you promise not to hurt my dolls anymore?" "That's unfair, you're taking advantage of the fact that she's starving." "Yes, I might never get another chance like this." "Are you hungry, Fantaghirò?" "It's not for your mice, though!" "It's tasty food, you know." "Hurry up and take the package." "I have to pull the bucket back up." "Is it cold down there, little sister?" "Aren't you afraid?" "I'd have died already." "Fantaghirò, come back." "I can't see you." "Did you open the package?" "Fantaghirò!" "I didn't eat my chicken so that I could bring it to you." "And I saved you my dessert." "Well, some of my dessert." "But I saved you the biggest part." "Eat something!" "But if you carry on like this you'll be stuck down this well forever." "So, make sure you obey our father." "And don't make your sisters angry anymore." "The stop playing those boring games." "And tell our father to stop raising his voice so much." "What does he think, that he's fighting a war when he's at home with us, too?" "The enemy has lined up on the blue hill." "We await a grand battle." "A grand victory is what we await, General." "Peace!" "Hurray!" "Who yelled the forbidden word?" "Peace will come, but only with victory." "I will never allow my people to become a pack of slaves." " Sire, would you like him put in the stocks?" " No." "Instead, let me daughter out of the well but make her promise to behave herself first." "It is done, Sire." "For the kingdom, victory!" "Victory!" "Don't worry, I'll be back soon." "I'm ready, pull me up!" ""Do you promise to stop mistreating your sisters' dolls?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise not to speak unless you are spoken to?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise to obey..."" ""... your father, as a King..."" ""... as a father, and as a man?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise to obey..."" ""... your older sisters..."" ""... and Mr. Ciambellano?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise to behave, both in public and in private..."" ""... in a composed and modest manner..."" ""... to not walk fast, run..."" ""... and jump on things?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise to not play games..."" ""... sew, cook, and attend to a man's needs..."" ""...to learn the art of silence as a woman..."" "...the art of humility..." ""... and that of chastity?"" "I promise." ""Do you promise not to learn..."" ""... to read and write?"" "That's impossible." "I won't give up reading and writing." "And anyway, it's too late." "I've already learned it." "Then unlearn it." "But Carolina, if you know something, how can you unlearn it?" "And I don't understand why a woman shouldn't learn how to read and write." "Because it's a big mistake you shouldn't compete against the men you meet." "I don't have the faintest inclination of meeting any men." "Fantaghirò, careful how you talk." "Out father has returned." "Do you want to end up down there again?" "As long as I find another book, I've finished this one." "And I'll happily promise to never read it again." "It was a stupid, sentimental love story." "It's not my kind of thing." "I like the stories about wars, battles about daring and courageous knights." "Not about the boring kisses of lovers who promise to love each other forever." "Is your book really about that?" "I should have learned to read, too." "What are you doing?" "Don't cry." "Clear away those tears, Carolina." "Don't give him the satisfaction." "That's just what he's waiting for." "Your daughters, Majesty." "Up, on your feet, children." " It's not my fault, I can't help it." " Stop crying." "Carolina, have you still not learned that you cannot speak in front of the King unless given permission?" "She didn't mean to speak, Father." "I was talking to her." "Oh, really?" "And what was so interesting that you couldn't wait to tell her?" "I was telling her that she had no reason to cry." "That she's too sensitive." "It's a shame the same thing can't be said about you." "You and sensitivity are like..." "Caterina!" "Would you kindly refresh your sister's memory on the duties and status of women." "Of course, Father." "All women are inferior to men, by nature." "Both mentally and physically." "Yes." "Lies." " Continue." " Therefore, their only duty is to accept the degree of this inferiority and humbly submit to men showing that they are grateful..." " Lies!" "How dare you interrupt your sister?" "Because she was saying something false." "I've read that..." "What?" "You have been reading?" "Who gave you permission to read?" "Be a good woman and keep your nose out!" "Hey, stop!" "Wait!" " Where are you going?" " To the well, before you send me there." "I'm better off with the mice." "What do you think?" "That after months of bloody battle that it's a pleasure to hear thousands of..." " This is how I am, Father." " Then you will be made to change!" "And I have found the person that knows how to change you." "I am too old to maintain command of the war." "So from now on I entrust this duty to our valiant general." "But not for long." "I have received a marriage proposal for you three, my children, from the Princes of Assabel." "Three young and brave brothers." "With these marriages, the troops of Assabel will unite with our own." "And the supreme command will pass from the hands of the General to those of your young husbands." "In a few days, your future husbands will come here to meet you but in the meantime they send you these precious gifts." "A Prince that offers such a precious jewel as an engagement ring guarantees the well being and harmony of our beloved kingdom." "Father, I love you with all my heart." "Carolina?" "Oh, how wonderful." "The stone is the colour of my eyes." "If he's this kind before even meeting me what king of things will he give me when he sees that I'm so pretty." "Fantaghirò." "It's a ring to put on your finger." "Once again, you are deluded." "And I'm terribly sorry about that." "Put it on your finger!" "Obey me!" "No one can buy me." "Or sell me." "Get out of my presence!" "I don't even want to see your shadow until the three Princes arrive at this palace!" "And if that day you choose not to obey me I swear that I shall disown you as a daughter!" "Just what you always wanted!" "Hey, stop!" "What are you doing?" "Thief!" "Stop that woman!" "Don't worry, it's the King's daughter." "You shall have another horse." "Today is a great day, Tonino." "Do you know what it means to command an army?" " Yes, Sir." "More work." " No." "More power, foolish boy." "And more money." "What about after the Princesses.." "...get married?" "When?" "They will never get married." "The three Princes of Assabel are tied to one another." "Either they all get married, or none of them do." "And do you know what that means?" " What?" " That thanks to Fantaghirò I will remain the Supreme Commander of the army for the rest of my natural life." "Or at least until the war ends, General." "But the war will never end." "Come here!" "Obey me!" "Stupid beast, I bet that you're one of my father's horses that's why you don't like me!" "Don't worry, I forgive you." "But I have to vent my anger somehow." " Ouch!" " Who spoke?" "Hey!" "What are you doing to me?" "Why do you have to take it out on me?" "Where are you?" "Where are you hiding?" "I'm not hiding at all, I'm behind you." "And what's more, I know how to defend myself!" "Do you see?" "Come on, get up, don't make a fuss!" "You must belong to my father, Tree." "I only struck you once and you dropped an entire bushel of apples on my head?" "You could have killed me, you know." "I wasn't mad at you." "I just wanted to vent the anger I have inside." "Calm yourself, my girl." "Anger can hurt people." "Yes, that's right!" "Calm yourself, calm yourself..." "There, this way I'm not hurting anyone." "Would you cut that out?" "Oh, I..." "That stone only just missed me." "Please forgive me, Fish." "I'm not mad at you, either." " I won't throw any more at you, I promise." " What does that mean?" "That you're going to throw stones at someone else?" "No, I won't throw stones at anyone." "But where should I throw this one?" "It would be nice if you didn't throw me at all." "Even better, if you put me down gently exactly where you found me." "On the ground, okay?" "Okay, I'll put you down right away." "No, this wasn't where I was before." "Is that better?" "Well!" "Almost there." "A little more to the right." "You found me in the shade, if I'm not mistaken." "Here I have the sun in my eyes!" "Goodbye." "Where are you going?" "What are you doing?" "Don't leave me here!" "Please, don't eat me!" "Is everything alive around here?" "Why are you so surprised, presumptuous girl?" "Do you think yourself the only thing alive in the entire World?" "Everything around us is alive." "The animals." "The plants." "The stones." "The water in the rivers and lakes." "The air." "You will have to learn their language if you are to respect and live in harmony with them." "They understand our language very well.., ...but they only use it in special circumstances." "And they don't use it because they don't like it." "They don't like mankind." "And they're right to." "We only know how to be violent even the best of us." "Your father was violent with you." "And you were violent with this tree with the stones, with the fish in the lake." "If you really want to take it out on someone you should pick someone your own size." "Who are you?" "How do you know about my father." "People talk." "Then they must have spoken about me." " What did they tell you?" " That you're disobedient impulsive, wild." "That you take everything as a game especially with those who look to guide you." "That you run, jump, even read!" "And that this is too much for a woman." " Because that's what you are, no?" " Yes." "Unfortunately." "Why unfortunately?" "Because I hate the rules that they have imposed on women..." "To keep their mouth closed." "Appear stupid." "To cook, sew, serve men." "Who told you that's all women do?" "What else do they do?" "Hush now." "Let us watch the sunset." "It is a wonderful thing." "And only happens once a day." "Scrub, scrub!" "Ah, General." "Grave news, Majesty." " Regarding Fantaghirò?" " No." "A messenger just arrived from the battlefield, Sire." "The war may be over." " Have we suffered a defeat?" " No." "Good heavens, no." "We have experienced a victory, then?" "Prepare yourself." "The enemy King..." "Proceed." "Come on, out with it, what has my enemy done?" "He is dead." "Dead?" "How can he have died just like that?" " He must have died of old age, Majesty." " Old age." "He was younger than me." "Perhaps he died in an accident, then." "Yes, but why should the war be over?" "Who will command his forces?" "His son Romualdo will inherit the throne." " But he is just a boy." " A boy." "The years pass for everyone, my dear man." "Not just for us." "Romualdo will have, by now, arrived at his twentieth spring." "He is a strong young lad, valiant." "His father has kept him away from the war sent him to faraway lands to learn new techniques new methods of combat new strategies." "At his side, he keeps with him two brave warriors." "Ivaldo and Cataldo." "They are as able and intelligent as he." "Rather than facing just one enemy commander we now find ourselves facing three." "It's not Armour, it's a trap." "No, Sire, you must wear it." "It was the Armour of your father." "You must maintain the tradition." "Traditions are going to change, and this will be the first." "It's sacrilege." "From now on no one will ever cage themselves in this scrap metal again." "Ivaldo!" "Cataldo!" "Where are you?" "Here." " Your Majesty." " Always at your service, Sire." "Free me from this mess." "Right away, Sire." "It shall be done in a moment, Your Majesty." "You'll be in trouble if you continue to address me in such an absurdly formal manner!" "Very well, Majesty." "And enough of your laughing." "I've only just buried my father." "Of course, but just look at the faces of these dignitaries, Romualdo." "If you did, you would laugh as well." "Poor horse." "How did you ever bear his weight?" "They say that under him more than a thousand have died in battle." "I shall fight differently." "I don't need Armour." "This arm and this sword will be my weapons." "Take two ears of wheat." "Here." "No, this won't do." "Try again." "The stems have to be long and similar." "It requires a clean, precise strike." "Not a rough one that splinters the stem." "But this sword is heavy!" "It's not the sword that is heavy, it's your arm." "But if you don't wish to continue, it doesn't matter." "Remember, it was you who wanted to learn how to use weapons." "A sword like this is wasted as a scythe." "I want to learn how to fight." "No discussion." "This field must be reaped before sunset." "The enemy is each individual piece of wheat." "Come on, try again." "That will do for now." "But in a duel, only a few blows can be enough." " Do you want to try?" " Against who?" "I challenge you." "Take the sword." "On guard." "Hey, you!" "Take this!" "White Knight, call off your sword!" "An enemy will not stop at your wish." "How can I strike him if he's invisible." "Before learning to attack you must learn to defend." "Where has it gone?" "It's disappeared." "Look, behind you!" "To me!" "Only in learning how to defend yourself will you learn how to fight." "Bread shall be donated twice a day." "That's not possible Romualdo, flour is scarce." "With the men at war, no one has harvested the fields." "People shall die of famine." " Unless..." " The war ends." "But what is a King without war?" "It is not my war." "What sense is there in fighting a war when you don't understand the reason?" "Our people are exhausted." " There he is, he's coming back." " It's the King." "There is only one way to finish a war, and that is to win it." "And to win, we must fight." "Beloved citizens, listen to me." "Listen to your King and his decision." "This war has been going on for too long." "And I want it to end." "I will challenge the strongest enemy knight in a duel." "The winner will not only win the duel, but also the war." "Your hand and the chord are one and the same." "The bow is an extension of yourself." "And the arrow, a message that has to be sent as far away as possible." "If you fail, it doesn't matter." "The important thing is to try." "Pull it tighter." "Tighter!" "Tighter!" "Stop, Romualdo." "Don't go beyond that hill." "This is my territory." "Yes, but those hills are enemy territory." "Don't worry." "Choose a target." "Shall I hit one of these trees?" "Too close, send the arrow over the hill." "Strike the sun." "But that's impossible." "Things are always impossible unless you try." "Aim at the sun, and fire." "I'll never shoot it that far." "You can say that after you've tried." "Put the word "impossible" to the back of your mind, Fantaghirò." "Pull it harder." "Harder." "With all your might." "Even more." "Fire!" "Easy!" "Easy!" "After him!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Romualdo, you can't go that way." "It's enemy territory." "Romualdo, stop!" "Where are you going?" "Stop!" "Stop, Romualdo!" "Quick, on your horse." "They must not see you." "Hide yourself." "No, wait!" "You need not be afraid." "Please, stop, do not run away." "Where are you?" "Who are you?" "Do not flee!" "Got you!" "What would you do if I wasn't here?" "What are you looking for in my forest, young Knight?" "I didn't know it belonged to you, My Lady." "I am the spirit of the forest." "And I would not like for you to demolish the branches I that look after my secret with that sword of yours." "Please forgive me." "I was looking for a young woman." "Did she have with her, perhaps, a bow and arrow..." "And beautiful eyes." "And long brown hair." "From what I could see." "The girl that you saw is not from you world." "She is a nymph from the lake." "But she screamed like a human being." "She was expressing pain at being seen by mortal eyes." "Please, leave the forest." "I, too, suffer if I am around humans." "Go." "But, those eyes..." "Look for a woman among your own kind." "When you find her, you will have found true love." "Please, go." "And do not reveal what you have seen here today to anyone." "Nothing." "No one." "I didn't find anyone." "Perhaps we should return to the castle." "Yes, I shall prepare an embassy for the enemy King." "Now move it." "Hold onto my roots." "Go on!" "Here, I'll help you." "Can you do it?" "Thank you." "Come on!" "Thank you." "Thank you." "If it wasn't for you, I'd be in trouble." "And the White Knight?" "He had to leave." "But first he brought your horse back." " Well, I'll find him again." " It is useless." "He has left forever." "But he was my teacher." "And I was learning so well!" "He told me that you may continue alone." "But there are so many things I don't know." "He told me that now you know how to learn." "And you are mistaken if you hope to excel in everything so quickly." "You have to learn from life slowly." "Why did he speak to you?" "Did you know him?" "We've always been good friends." "He was the only one in the world who loved me." "Who bothered with me." "I've never felt so..." "loved, protected by others." "He showed me affection." "Don't cry, Fantaghirò." "This isn't the moment to lose yourself in tears." "You are not alone, you have yourself." "Now you must return to the castle and face life." "But I don't feel prepared." "Then you didn't learn anything from the White Knight." "No." "I learned how to fight." "To have faith in myself." "To talk to the world around me." "To know what it is I want." "Then go." "You are ready to overcome any obstacle." "Follow your heart." "And you will never be alone." "I don't know who you are, but I thank you." "If you see the White Knight, tell him that he didn't waste his time." "Goodbye!" "Not goodbye, Fantaghirò." "See you soon." "Very soon." "Oh, no!" " What is it?" "What's wrong?" " I can't breath!" "Oh, My God, Carolina!" "Untie it, quick!" " Untie me!" " It's like I told you." "Vanity comes at a price!" "How wonderful!" "Yes, much better!" " I didn't think it was possible!" " Better?" " Caterina?" " Yes?" "How long do you think the Princes will be staying for?" "An hour, more or less." "My darling, an hour isn't enough to show off the qualities you have inside." "The beauty of the road to marriage." "So you hope that they will like your promise?" "Hope only paves the road to disappointment, dear sister." "But to hold onto a dream is good for the heart." "I imagine mine to be blond, with eyes of periwinkle blue." "And very tall!" "I would prefer an intelligent, kind husband." "But one who is strong, morally strong." "Their highnesses, the Princes of Assabel." "I..." "Of course, yes." "Wait." "I am Issibil of Assabel, Prince of..." "I wanted..." "What did I want?" "Oh, yes!" "I wanted to modestly request your daughter's hand in marriage..." "What the hell was she called?" "Caterina!" "My memory is terrible." "Caterina?" "Is that right?" "Caterina, yes?" "Ossobol, Prince of Assabel." "I solemnly ask for the hand of your daughter, Carolina." "This isn't quite what I hoped for." "Please, not now!" "Oh, my God, your dress!" "Perhaps it's best if I die of suffocation." "Ussubul, Prince of Assabel." "I formally ask for your daughter Fantaghirò's hand in marriage." "The Princesses and the King are honoured by your requests." "Isn't that right, children?" "I hope, Prince Issibil, to be worthy of your preference." "To have in you, a good husband and above all a brave commander of the armies of my dear father." "Your... what's the word..." "wisdom precedes you." "Hurry up!" "I require a savvy and intelligent wife." "Hurry up!" "With much relief..." "Hurry up!" "Not just anyone, you see." "They speak of your beauty but even more of your daring imagination." "I cannot wait to take you back to Assabel and shower you with kisses!" "Thank you, Prince Ossobol." "Contain yourself!" "I don't think I look my best today!" "The voices I have heard about your daughter Fantaghirò have described her as rebellious and wild." "I like rebellious women because taming them is a pastime of mine." "Oh, really?" "Then where's your whip?" "You can't be a tamer without one!" "Fantaghirò!" "Is this how you present yourself in the court?" "Dressed in that manner?" "His Highness is not interested in what I'm wearing." "Just my rebellious nature." "And I'm afraid I would only let you down." "What do you find so funny, little girl?" "First of all, don't call me little girl." "As for the question, I was laughing more out of confusion." "But now that I see you, the confusion has passed because I won't marry you." "You don't like me?" "All in all, you're not bad." "But my poor sisters!" "I won't allow them to marry an idiot and a monster." "Do you really want to marry those two?" "Fantaghirò, silence!" "Prince Ussubul, consider your taming of women." "You said that a rebel wife would suit you." "She is much worse than a rebel." "She is impudent and bad-mouthed!" "You have insulted us." "How?" "Your proposals of marriage offend my rebel spirit her intelligence, and her beauty." "Give us the rings!" "Fantaghirò!" "From now on, you shall live in the kitchen like a humble dishwasher." "Get out of here!" "Here's your new skivvy." "Who is to be given the most awful duties." "Anything but learning to cook." "Keep your wits about you, Princess." "And if you don't want to cook, you'll end up cooked." "Right in the pot!" "With the geese." "For now, go and chop off their heads." "Hurry up!" "I wouldn't do that if I were you." "Why?" "Have you ever seen a talking goose?" "No, why?" "Isn't that enough for you to spare my life?" "You know, there are other geese that don't deserve to be alive." "Besides, I'm specialized in giving advice." "Then you can start right away!" "How can I keep that hag happy if I don't kill you?" "That's easy." "Look over there, you will find other geese who have already seen the cleaver." "Give her those." "And what about after that?" "Don't worry about it, you won't be in this horrible place for much longer, I assure you." "Romualdo!" "Where are you?" "What are you doing, playing hide and seek?" "Who knows where that arrow came from, but it seems to have sent him into a daze." "Come on, let's go." "He'll return to the castle soon enough." "Where is your good knight?" "What are you doing up that tree, Romualdo?" "Have you ever been in love?" "Of course." "And not just once." "Many times." "Really?" "What does that prove?" "How can I explain?" "It's not simple, I like all girls." "I fall in love easily." "I swear." "I'm..." "I'm talking of absolute love." "The kind that you can't stop thinking about." "That leaves you exhausted, deprived of all reasoning." "That leaves you wandering about without a destination." "With a stupid look on your face?" "Exactly." "How did you know that?" "All I have to do is look at you." "Are you in love?" "Yes." "With whom?" "I don't know, I don't know who she is." "What do you mean, you don't know?" "She must have a name." "You must have spoken to her, discovered something." "No." "Then you must have dreamed her up." "No." "But I hope to dream about her tonight." "I don't know what happened to you in that forest." "But this isn't the moment to think about love." "A war awaits us." "A war?" "It isn't a war, it's a duel." "Send an embassy to the enemy King challenging his champion." " It will be done." " Is that him?" " Yes." "There he is, quiet!" "The time has come to get some more money." "Will you be quiet?" "His Illustrious Lordship!" " Our Dear General!" " Commander of the Armies!" "The King has just received an embassy from the enemy King Romualdo." "In which he proposes a final duel between him and a champion from our army." "But we cannot let the war end." "When the King arrives it will be up to you to dissuade him from accepting the challenge." "Foretellers!" "Where the hell are those foretellers?" "Here!" "Here we are!" "Here they are, Majesty." "They will clear your mind of doubts." " Majesty." " Sire." "A goose!" "Get me another goose!" "And quickly!" "I've run out of dead geese." "What shall I do now?" "Go to your father the King's bedroom, hide under the bed and stay there for a while." "But how do I get out of here?" "Use me to create a diversion." "Skivvy, where is my goose?" "Where is it?" "Move yourself!" "Run!" "What do the Sacred Stones say?" "Four." "Two." "Four, idiot." "So, what do they say?" "My stones say that your armies there is no champion as strong as young Romualdo." "Then I will be the champion!" "No, Sire." "The colour of the flames tells us that if you accept the challenge, you will lose." "And your people will become slaves to the terrible King Romualdo." "No!" "That will leave my kingdom in ruins!" "Balordi!" "Goose, there's no danger!" "You don't have to hide." "Don't leave me alone." "Come out, where are you?" "Don't worry about me." "Go to the King's bedroom." "Yes, just as I told you in the kitchen." "Don't look for me now." "Hide yourself where I told you." "Don't worry, we will meet again." "Go, run!" "Don't miss your chance!" "Good news, Sire!" "If you want to continue the war..." "And not accept the challenge..." "Sooner or later, you will win!" "Did you hear that, Sire?" " We must continue the war." " No!" "King Romualdo is right." "We must have peace if we are to put an end to the suffering of the people." "His proposal is just and true." "What do you want, an ignominious defeat?" "Should you not listen to the clairvoyants?" "I haven't heard from all of them yet." "I'm waiting for one more answer." "And I shall have it!" "White Witch, where are you?" "Why won't you come back to me?" "Are you leaving me in silence just because I didn't want to believe you?" "What do I have to do for you to return?" "Speak to me!" "You have never lied!" "I am ready to obey your wishes." "Come and speak to me!" "If you will not do it for me, do it for my children." "For my people!" "Your people!" "Speak, I beg you." "Speak!" "Speak, Witch!" "My goodness." "You have called me." "Invoked me, with a repentant soul." "Here is my prophecy." "You will accept the challenge of Romualdo." "But be careful, and remember." "Only your offspring shall win." "Only your offspring shall win." "Only your offspring shall win." "Remember." "Only your offspring shall win." "Here is my prophecy." "But I only have daughters." "Daughters." "No, Fantaghirò!" "Just think about it." "We are women, it is simply absurd!" "To see the dead, all that blood!" " And think of the forest." " We know how to sew how to embroider, things like that." "We know not how to fight." "And who else can help him?" "Out father needs us." "He only has us for children." "Three daughters." "Perhaps the prophecy was speaking of a grandson." "I could provide him with one!" "Wake up, Carolina!" "We have no time to make grandchildren!" " The challenge is now." " You're right." "I see it now." "I shall go, as the oldest daughter." "And if they have prophesied that victory in this duel shall be mine, I am sure to win." "That sounds like the most reasonable course of action, Caterina." "I agree." "If a superior will is to guide you I suppose we must obey." "We will all go." "The prophecy said "offspring"." "Not first-born." "So who knows which of us three are chosen?" "What if it's you?" "Send one of you?" "To a duel?" "To fight against a man and beat him?" "To challenge a warrior?" "We may not be as strong as men but the prophecy is clear." "King Romualdo will be beaten by your offspring." " Yes." "Though female offspring do not go to war." "You do not have the strength of man, nor the courage." "We're just as courageous as they are." "Even more courageous, perhaps." "And I will show you right now!" "Fantaghirò!" "Your wonderful hair!" "Have you gone mad?" "What does this even mean?" "If I had the courage to sacrifice my beauty it's only right that you should obey the White Witch." "If the wish of the White Witch coincides with your own it forces me to concede my own." "Hurray!" "I applaud your decision." "We must make an agreement, however." "No one is to know that my champions are girls." "Only the General will know the truth." "But to the others, to everyone else meaning our soldiers, our people, the enemy you will be warriors found in faraway lands." "This way it's more comfortable." "All this scrap iron!" "How terrible it is to hide such hair in a helmet!" "Mine is so blonde, wouldn't it look better on the black of the Armour?" "No, nothing doing!" " Fool." " But..." " Do you want your enemy to realise who you are straight away?" "To drag you away by your hair?" "And then cut your throat?" "What the hell is this?" "Cotton wool, the Armour spoils my skin." "You should be more worried about the blade of your adversary." "From now on I don't want to see any materials for sewing." "Only one thing must occupy you." "That being the sword." "The time has come to bring an end to the war." "King Romualdo of the enemy kingdom has challenged a champion of ours to a duel." "The victor of this duel will also be the victor of our conflict." "We have welcomed this challenge." "But, there is a but." "The King Romualdo has not been worn out by this war." "He will be fresh and full of energy." "And I do not wish to send our champion into this duel strong and brave as he may be, if he has been reduced to a tired shell of his former self from a thousand battles." "Therefore, I have offered this task to three foreigners whom I have entrusted them with the defense of our kingdom." "May they fight to victory for the salvation of our kingdom and all of us!" "Please welcome the three champions." "Enter the first champion." "The Knight of Soriano." "For the will of my father and my people." "Enter the second champion, the Baron of Levriere." "For the will of my sister, and if I get away with this it will be a miracle!" "Enter the third champion, the Count of Valdoca." "Hey!" "It's your turn." "Are you having second thoughts?" "What are you saying?" "This is the greatest day of my life." "You exaggerate!" "What's so good about war, anyway?" "I might be a goose, but I'll never understand war." "Careful!" "To victory!" "I want it, and I will have it!" "END OF FIRST PART" "SECOND PART" "Why are you slowing down?" "Don't tell me that you've had enough already." "We've been in the saddle since dawn!" "We're so very tired." "Will we ever stop?" "I need a bath, and to see my reflection in a mirror." "Are you tired, Count?" "No, General." "But if you can't go on we can always rest for a while." "Help!" "Help!" "A bandit has captured me!" "Help." "Save me!" "Count of Valdoca!" "Stop whimpering." "I'll cut you down." "Fantaghirò, is that you?" "Oh, Carolina." "No one has captured you." "You just got stuck on a branch." "Fantaghirò cut it down." "Who is that?" "It's you, my darling." "Me?" "I'm the victim of an incantation, a terribly evil spell!" "Who transformed me?" "It's all your fault." "You convinced our father." "Look at me, I'm pitiful!" "Very good, General." "You were right." "Perhaps it's best if we stop and set up camp here." "No, it's blinding me." "Put it away." "It possesses a unique brightness." "You can even see your reflection." "Put it away." "It will only hurt my eyes." "What's wrong?" "You're not yourself today." "Do you regret issuing this challenge?" "Good news, Romualdo!" "Good news!" "Three knights are on their way." "We'll have one each." "What is it?" "Are you worried?" "What do you want to do?" "What do you have in mind?" "A proclamation." "Listen up!" "These are the words of our King!" "King Romualdo orders that all maidens at the age to be married are to present themselves at the castle today." "They are to be entirely covered in veils." "Not one piece of skin should be visible." "Apart from the eyes." "Don't whine, the soldiers will hear you." "Do you want them to discover our true identities?" "Don't speak that way to your sister." "The Armour ruins the skin." "Poor thing." "It's nothing, Carolina." "Your skin is still delicate." "But scabs will soon replace your sores." "And when they fall off, they'll be replaced by calluses." "Then the Armour won't hurt your skin anymore." "Are you happy?" "I've had enough!" "I won't put up with this hell for another minute." " I'm going home." " Oh, really?" "Do you know the way?" "It would be better to take two soldiers as escorts." "Me, alone, with two men?" "No, I don't think so." "I'll tell the General to take me home." "Good choice." "Even less trustworthy than a soldier." "But he's our father's representative!" "And what a representative he is!" "He's been paying the foretellers to say what he wants them to for a while." "I don't believe a word of it." "If you didn't spend all your time knitting, and you stopped looking at yourself in the mirror all day, you would both have realised exactly what goes on." "Well, we should tell our father." "It's not very loyal to be a spy." "So we'll have to keep it a secret." "Come on, promise." "Or otherwise..." "Don't tell anyone what you heard here when you two get back to the castle." "You two?" "Yes, Caterina." "It's better if you both go back." "There's nothing you can do against King Romualdo." "You could always challenge him to a duel in sewing." "And Carolina can take him on with one of her combs." "I let you come with me because they wouldn't let me leave by myself." "But now you're here." "And you're just slowing me down." "All I hear is lamenting and crying." "You're both completely useless." "You're mean, disobedient and cruel!" "Worse." "You're arrogant." "Though you're right." "It's better if we leave." "Though be careful." "Your arrogance will stop anyone from falling in love with you." "So what?" "I don't want to be loved." "Now go." "Farewell, Fantaghirò." "We'll leave right away." "I hate to think what our father will say to this." "They've finally given in." "Caterina and Carolina are going home." "Good." "Only the little Fantaghirò is left." "Soon we'll get rid of her and this stupid duel, too." "Goose?" "Are you hiding?" "Or have you left me, too?" "Why does everyone leave me and I'm always left alone?" "Why does destiny want me to be all alone?" "Wait!" "Carolina!" "Caterina!" "Forgive me." "I said such terrible things back there." "But it's not what I was thinking." "Or it was, but I don't think them anymore." "I want to go home, I'm coming with you." "Excuse me, Caterina." "You were right." "My arrogance gets the better of me." "I wasn't very nice, either." "And I didn't mean what I said." "It's a lie that no one will love you." "I love you, Fantaghirò." "Me too." "Then take me with you!" "Don't leave me alone." "But you won't be alone, Fantaghirò." "You have your courage, your persistence your strength of character, your anger." "Finally the time has come to test yourself and find out how much you are worth." "I have this fear that I won't live up to my expectations." "If you want to know, the only way is to try." "We've never had the wish to test ourselves at anything." "But you have." "And it's only right that you fulfill your wishes." "Have faith in yourself." "Our hearts will be with you." "We would only hamper you if we stayed here." "You can fight for all three of us." "Good luck, little sister." "Thank you, Carolina!" "Thank you, Caterina!" "Farewell." "Let us pass, noble knight." "Why should I?" "You move aside." "Or do you think that you have the advantage of being 3 against 1?" "If that's what you think, I'll take you on by myself." "No, don't do it!" "Now let me pass." "We are men of honour." "And you are profiting from the fact that we cannot accept your challenge, all three of us at once." "I didn't issue a challenge." "I was attacked." "Easy, Cataldo." "Men of royal blood like us need not make way for a common knight." "I'm not a common knight." "And I'll prove it to you." "Face me, if you dare!" "Leave it." "I'll take care of this in an instant." "Cataldo!" "Don't do it, wait!" "He tripped." "Let me help you up." "Give me your hand." "I won't give you my hand." "I can get back up just fine." "Who are you?" "I am the Count of Valdoca." "And I am here to accept the challenge of King Romualdo." "If you see him, tell him that the Count of Valdoca is here to fight him." "And that I hope I meet him soon." "Wait, Knight!" "You already met him." "Count." "I am King Romualdo." "He was trying to humiliate me." "He is barefaced, arrogant and a coward." "He didn't have the courage to finish me off." "Do you really think so?" "Of course!" "You blame him because he spared your life?" "It was a generous gesture." "And also chivalrous." "Close that beak of yours, or you'll end up roasted." "You can easily keep me quiet, but you will never keep your conscience quiet." "Inside you know very well that Romualdo is a brave warrior." "Then why do the other two fight for him?" "That's easy." "Because he's loyal and generous." "He's a barbarian." "Perhaps, but he's a handsome one!" "Get out of here!" "How dare you?" "What does a goose know about men?" "He's handsome?" "How is he handsome?" "He's not handsome at all." "No." "You're a lucky man." "The most beautiful woman in the realm is here for you, she's all yours." "How can you dismiss her?" "She is glorious." "Look at her soft neck!" "And those eyes!" "No, Romualdo." "You can refuse wine, food..." "But a woman like this..." "She will do anything for you, you don't even have to ask." "She's yours, Romualdo." "You can ask her anything." "So it's true." "I can ask you anything." "Yes, Sire." "And you'll hide nothing from me?" "Nothing." "Then tell me, what is a woman most afraid of?" "How foolish!" "How foolish of me!" "How didn't I think of that before?" "You could always announce yourself, General." "Forgive me, Princess, but I am forced to treat you like my equal." "No one must suspect that you're not a knight." "A message has arrived from our good friend the young King." "Ah, good." "When is the duel?" "There's nothing about the duel." "It's an invite to a hunt." "Has he lost it?" "How ridiculous." "Tell him that I refuse." "And you can add, on my behalf, that he should hurry up and fix a date for the duel." "My sisters have left." "I'm here by myself!" "And I'm starting to get impatient." "Wise decision, knight." "You are very much aware, I should congratulate you." "This hunt is just a futile excuse to try and humiliate you." "And what right does he have to want to humiliate me?" "It is said that this hunt will take place in the Gorge of Saint Elfo." "No one is stupid enough to fight the Sacred Beast on his own territory." "Even less a woman." "I'm not afraid of beasts." "Not even sacred ones." "Listen to me." "Follow your first instinct." "Refuse." "You're not cut out for hunting." "No, I will accept the invitation." "And we'll see who is humiliated." "This time I don't understand you, Romualdo." "Why here?" "You'll understand soon enough, Cataldo." "Be patient." "There's nothing to hunt here." "Let's go into the forest." "I didn't come to hunt animals." "Then what, will you tell me?" "Look." "Welcome, my lords." "But he's just a boy!" "I was defeated by a baby!" "No." "Not a baby." "Not even a boy." "Welcome to you!" "And welcome to our territory, Count of Valdoca." "You're just in time for the hunt." "And what will you hunt in the Sacred Forest where it's forbidden to kill animals?" "Are you going to dress your friends up as deer?" "All that matters..." "is that we hunt." "If the prey turns out to be a bear or a woman, what difference does it make?" "It makes a huge difference." "Bear can be hunted for food." "But women are not animals." "No, you misunderstand me." "I meant the hunting of love." "But perhaps your young ears are still too innocent to talk about such things?" "I didn't come here to chat, Romualdo." "Just tell me what I am to hunt and let's get moving." "What would you prefer?" "Lizards or butterflies?" "It's all the same to me." "Choose our prey." "There's nothing that I fear." "Not even the Sacred Beast?" "I don't fear animals." "Whether they are real, or legendary." "Where is the Sacred Beast?" "Take me to it." "How could you let this happen?" "We would never have succeeded." "If we had fought, now you would be a laughing stock." "I'm not angry because you turned down the challenge." "But because you left your sister all alone!" "You shouldn't have done it." "But Fantaghirò is perfectly capable of getting away with it." "She is the only one of your daughters that might succeed." "She is the youngest." "She is just a girl." "I must know what has become of her." "The foretellers!" "I will consult the royal foretellers." "What a useless waste of time." "They're nothing but traitors." " We promised Fantaghirò..." " What did you promise her?" "To keep a secret." "What did you promise your sister?" "Well, it's useless to keep it a secret now." "Fantaghirò found out that the General has been paying your foretellers to tell you whatever he wanted." "I knew that they were charlatans, boot lickers but traitors, no!" "Foretellers!" "Where are you?" "!" "Where are those traitors?" "Good day, Sire." "What can we do for you?" "Traitors!" "Traitors!" "You sold me to the General." "Now you will pay for your lies with your heads." "Forgive us, Sire." "We meant no harm." "All the General wanted was to continue the war." "What use is peace to a soldier?" "And what use are three charlatan foretellers to me?" "Who will tell me what's going on with my daughter?" "How can I trust you now?" "That's true, Sire, perhaps we are charlatans but "they" do not lie." "If you do not wish to believe our words believe your own eyes." "Here they are." "Juice of the viper!" " Soul of the garlic!" " Onion." " Onion." "Seed of the mandrake!" "Magic formula." "If it is for the images of Fantaghirò that you look open your eyes and read the bubbles like a book." "Boil?" "Boil." "How long does it have to boil?" "I don't know, why are you asking me?" "Please excuse us." "Here it is!" "Here it is!" "Here it is, finally!" "What is that?" "I don't understand." "What is it showing us?" " It looks like..." " It looks like..." " It looks like..." " It looks like..." " What does it look like?" " A cave." "A cave?" " Where is this Sacred Beast?" " In the cave." "Then what are we waiting for?" "Let's go!" "We cannot enter." "It is part of our territory, but only foreigners may enter." "Then I'll go alone!" "But not on your horse!" "You have to go on foot." "Dismount, we'll look after your horse." "While you go and pay a visit to the Sacred Beast." "You want me to kill it?" "There's no man that can kill it." "Bring us the golden rose that it guards." "Consider it yours." "What do you mean?" "I was just kidding!" "Wait!" "Forgive me, Knight!" "I didn't want you to go in." "I thought you would have refused." "And that your refusal would have been humiliating for you." "But now I see that you're so decisive I admit that you have proved yourself." "I'm not used to proving myself with mere words." "I said I'm going, so I'm going." "You're a stubborn, insolent, crazy man!" "Wait!" "Stop there, Knight, or it will be your end!" "Don't go in!" "I will do what you wish!" "You can decide the date and place for the duel!" "I beg you, wait!" "We will fight properly." "But this way your don't have a chance!" "Come out of there, I implore you!" "By now it's too late to implore me." "I hope not." "Alright, you asked for it!" "The Sacred Beast has never spared a human being." "Think what you're doing!" "What possessed you?" "I want proof!" "Isn't the bravery he has showed enough for you?" "Or does he scare you?" "I'm not scared." "Not of him, at least." "Of his eyes." "He has those eyes..." "Do you know what the dancing girl told me when I asked her what women most fear?" "Yes, the Sacred Beast." "But what does that matter?" "Here, drink." "We have rid ourselves of the third champion." "Are you sure, General?" "Where have they gone to hunt?" "In the gorge of Saint Elfo." "And what is in that gorge?" "Oh, my God!" "The cave of the Sacred Beast!" "And the beast, what does it eat?" "Do you know?" "Women, only women." "Let's go back while we still have the chance!" "Are you not afraid of the Sacred Beast?" "No." "The White Knight, my great master did not just teach me how to fight." "But also how to speak with all animals." "You know, the Sacred Beast is not like other animals." "And I'm not like other men!" "He's a woman?" "So, I was beaten by a woman?" "Those eyes, those are the eyes of a maiden." " But are you sure?" " No, I'm not." "That's why I want proof." "He's a boy!" "You've just been deceived by his young skin." "No." "It is my heart that has deceived me." "Why are you tormented by these doubts?" "Don't you understand?" "If the Count of Valdoca was a woman..." "Well, then I can't fight her." "Even winning would be humiliating." "If the knight is refused entry to the grotto." "No woman has ever been in there." "Then you've sent him to certain death." "The beast will kill him and there will be no duel." "You're right." " No, don't go." " I have to." "Before it's too late." "You'll see, I'll convince it." "You mean to say that you have no intention of killing it?" "No, I don't kill animals." "For food, or otherwise." "You're still alive, aren't you?" "I didn't kill you." "If you're afraid, turn back." "I'm not in the slightest." "Alright, I'll stay just this once." "Quick, another black stone!" "Put it in the cauldron!" "Come on." " But it's the last one." " Put it in!" "I have to see what has happened to my daughter!" " Give it to me." " No..." "But, where am I?" "I'm not afraid." "I'm not afraid." "I am not afraid." "Quiet!" "Don't touch it!" "Count Valdoca!" "Where are you?" "You've proved your bravery!" "Do not touch the golden rose." "Don't touch it!" "You can't touch it, no..." "No, you can't, you can't!" " Isn't it wonderful?" " Yes." "What's going on?" "Who dares touch me?" "Come on, show me more!" "There are no more stones, Sire." "It's impossible." "It's impossible." "No!" "I am the Count of Valdoca!" "And I mean you no harm." "I just wanted to touch the rose." "Really?" "I came here to talk to you." "Really?" "Is that the only word you know?" ""Really"?" "It's lucky you're a man." "Otherwise I'd have already devoured you with one bite." "Now I'll just please myself by killing you." "You only devour women?" "Yes." "Why?" "You hate them so much?" "I do not hate women." "On the contrary, I like them a lot." "That's why I eat them, they're much more tasty than men." " I'm going." " No." "Don't do it." "It's the cave of the Sacred Beast." "Our people are forbidden." "Do not make the same mistake as Romualdo." "But we have to save him." "If it's possible to be saved, he can do it alone." "Didn't you feel that shaking?" "I apologise." "But Romualdo wouldn't have let you." "Here he is." "I don't like talking to someone I can't see." "And yet you're looking at me." "Where are you?" "All around you, Knight." "Do you understand any of this?" "I told you." "I told you not to come in here." "Let's see if you can understand these." "Are you starting to realise where you are, Knight?" "In your cave!" "In your kingdom!" " In your..." " In my mouth!" "What's he laughing at?" "Father, what has happened?" "My daughters." "Fantaghirò..." "I fer she is dead..." "Do not be so sure, Sire." "There is still one hope." "And it is in the legend of the Sacred Beast." "No one has ever come out of its cave alive." "The beast kills men and devours women." "That's terrible." "But why, I ask myself, does it devour women without leaving a trace?" "Because once it was foretold that a woman would destroy it." "That woman could be..." "Fantaghirò." " Her?" " No!" " Yes?" " No?" "Yes!" "Yes, yes..." " I have an idea." " Tell me." "Take one of my feathers." "Ouch!" "Well?" "Have you decided in which way I am to die?" "Why, have you not died of fear already?" "No!" "Anyway, I know that you won't kill me." "You haven't told me what I'm supposed to do with the feather." "Why would I do something like that?" "Because I'm a woman." "A woman?" "If those are teeth and we're on his tongue what do you think the golden rose is?" "Then you're right, my sweet maiden." "I will not merely kill you." "But of course!" "It's the uvula." "That's the uvula!" "A woman, much worse for you." "I'm going to eat you instead." "I don't think you'll be able to eat me." "And you know why?" "Because you can't eat and laugh at the same time." "What's going on?" "Don't tickle me!" "We have to go inside." "If we find the body, then it means it was a man." "If we don't find him, he will have been devoured." "It'll be my fault anyway." "I shouldn't have suggested such a cruel test." "I'm coming with you." "It didn't devour you?" "I thought it would have eaten you." "Doesn't it only feed on women?" "I don't need any help." "First you expose me to risks, then you want to help me." "Are you afraid to fight me?" "I didn't mean for you to go in." "I just wanted to provoke you." "I thought you would fear the Sacred Beast." "Why should I fear a beast?" "It was nice." "We laughed a lot together." "I will await news from you." "My lords." "No!" "I will not fight a woman!" "I can't, I can't..." "I can't fight a woman." "Don't talk nonsense." "The beast didn't eat him." "But it didn't kill him either." "Then it's not a man or a woman." "Why don't you just admit that you're afraid to fight him?" "Say that again and I'll prove that I'm not too afraid to cut your throat." "What do you want to know?" "If it's a man or a woman?" "Fight, and find out." "I must know before." "I will pull out of the duel." "Because I love her." "I love her." "I love her." "And I can't think of anything but those eyes." "Oh, God!" "Does this not prove that it's not a man?" "You need a way of being certain." "And I have it." "You trust me, don't you" "I have a plan in mind." "Don't make that face." "Everything will be fine." "Why do you think he sent me to certain death?" "He's your enemy." "Does he hate me that much?" "Why?" "Do you love him?" "You're so stupid, Goose." "He's afraid of me." "But I'm not afraid of him." "I'd love nothing more than to stab him in the chest." "Then you can't allow him to put it off any longer." "Exactly." "May I come in?" "The duel must be settled now." "Another message from King Romualdo." "This time, however, you really must refuse." "Water, quickly!" "Bring us water!" "Speak, what news to you bring?" "Is the Count Valdoca dead?" "No, he lives." "He survived the Beast." "There was an earthquake, the cave has been destroyed forever." "Thank the Gods." "This must mean that the duel will take place today." "No!" "No, your Majesty." "King Romualdo has challenged the Count of Valdoca to a swimming race." "What?" "A swimming race..." "I imagine that he will have turned the challenge down." "No, your Majesty." "He has accepted." "We have to stop it." "If she gets undressed..." "If she gets undressed, everyone will find out." "No!" "Quick, let's go." "Wait." "It's useless, your Majesty." "You will never make it in time." "I rode all night long." "I wore out two horses." "Before you get there, it will all be over." "You're wasting your time." "You'll have to get undressed regardless." "I can tell them that I was wounded in the cave." " And keep the bandage on." " Yes, I'm sure." "They'll never believe you." "If Romualdo has come up with this kind of challenge it's because he suspects that you're a woman." "So he wants to see you naked." "You'll be put to shame in front of all those people." "Yes, but it would have been worse if I'd turned the challenge down." "What will you do, then?" "Why don't you help me out with one of your magic tricks?" "I can't." "I can only do magic on myself." "Not on others." "Then I don't have a chance." "Once he realizes that I'm a woman, he'll refuse to fight me." "And the war will go on forever." "Unless I..." "I want the fastest knight." "Where can I find him?" "Here, Sir." "What do you like the most in the whole world?" "Wine, Sir." "What else?" "If you follow my orders you will have wine from all the vineyards of the castle as your reward." "Look at that banner." "Yes." "When its shadow reaches that rock you are to mount your horse and gallop all the way to the river." "Where you will find me." "Ready to face off against King Romualdo in the swimming race." "You will have to appear desperate, destroyed..." "Your heart broken in pieces." "You will state that our King is gravely ill." "And that I have the obligation to return to the castle at once." " Is that clear?" " Perfectly!" "Swear that you won't make any mistakes." "And that nothing will you stop you." "What more could a man wish for than to serve his lord and his vineyards?" "Nothing will stop me." "I swear, on my honour." "I think you can do a little better than that." "If you fail, you will never touch another drop of wine." "Very well." "Our people are happy not to have to fight." "All wars should be decided with bloodless challenges." "King against King," "What will you do if you find out that the Count of Valdoca is a woman?" " I will marry her." " And if she turns out to be a man?" "I will challenge him to a duel." "A duel to the death." "No holds barred." "I will kill him." "With no mercy." "And then kill myself." "You won't be able to take the shame of loving him?" "I won't be able to take the pain of losing her." "My greetings, King Romualdo." "Welcome, Count of Valdoca." "You have accepted the challenge willingly, I see." "There was no reason for me not to." "My wise friend Cataldo will be my second." "The General will be mine." "Those banners show where the finish line is." "If the distance is too much for you we can always reduce it." "As far as I'm concerned, you can always increase it." "If it pleases you." "Good." "At this point, nothing remains but for us to get undressed." "Count, I said get undressed." "What are you doing?" "Before every important event, we must thank the gods." "Here we go again." "Sir?" "Sir!" "Sir!" "I have here a spicy wine from the orient." "Your famed knowledge of wine knows no bounds." "Do me the honour of trying it." "I would be happy to taste it." "Here." "On my return." "Now or never again." "My lord above all else." "Good day." "How much longer will these prayers take?" "Don't make me lose my concentration, Sire." "I am almost done." "Why aren't you looking at me?" "Don't tell me that you find the sight of a naked man embarrassing?" "What's embarrassing?" "It's just that I..." "That I imagined you to be stronger." " You're very delicate." " Really?" "I don't see this as the time to admire your muscles." "Do you need a hand?" "There you go." "How many jackets do you wear?" "Here it's much colder than in my lands." "I'm not used to it." "I wouldn't have thought you could be so delicate." "Come on, take off another layer." "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "What happened to you, Miss?" "I've been attacked by bandits." "Help me!" "I think I'm dying!" "You're very generous." "Your famed generosity knows no bounds." "As soon as I make it to the river, I'll send you aid." "No, now or never again." "I have a mission to complete." "And my lord comes before my generosity, good day." "I'm ready, let's swim." "You're still dressed." "In my lands we swim with all our Armour on." "Your clothes will only hamper you." "I can't allow such an advantage." "Take off your clothes like me, or the challenge is off." "But you must admit that you fear the cold." "I'm starting to think that perhaps you're hiding some kind of horrible deformity." "Help!" "Help!" "Help me, I beg you!" "I don't know how to swim, save me!" "Don't move from there." "I'll complete my mission and then I'll be back." "No, now or never again." "Your fame as a lover knows no bounds." "Show me that it is merited." "What are you waiting for?" "Dive in." "It's quite warm." "Take off your shirt." "Otherwise I'll be forced to think think that..." "Think what?" "That you don't know how to swim." "I swim very well." "What is it?" "Are you waiting for someone?" "No, no one." "If you are afraid of something, it would be best if you just confess." "I fear only that which I don't understand." "I came to fight a duel." "And instead, first you invite me to hunt..." "And then you challenge me to this stupid swimming race." "Are you trying to entertain the people or to win this war?" "You're not afraid to fight me, are you?" "I'm not afraid of anything." "Prove it!" "On guard!" "Here!" "Finally in the water." "Are you drowning?" "So it was true." "You don't know how to swim." "Oh, my God!" "I'm so sorry." "What's wrong?" "Can't stand the sight of blood?" "I'm sorry that I didn't kill you." "Then go on, try again." "Perhaps you'll succeed." "More conviction." "Not so close." "What if you get blood on you?" "Your blood doesn't interest me." "Finally." "At least the legs are naked now." "They're thin." "Without muscles." "You were saying, Romualdo?" "You win." "Finish me." "Kill him!" "What are you waiting for?" "Kill him!" "You cannot leave him alive, it would be without honour." "You've won." "Finish me, now." "I can't kill him." "Coward!" "Traitor!" "Your behaviour dishonors our people." "It is my duty to inform our majesty the King." "You can be sure of that, Count of Valdoca." " Sister!" " Stop that, are you crazy?" "My beloved champion." "I understand that you were about to win the duel." "But that you refused to kill the enemy King." "Why?" "I don't know, Your Majesty." "I didn't have the courage." "And whatever punishment you have in mind for me it will never be terrible enough to cancel out the pain that I feel in my heart." "Forgive me, father." "Forgive me, father." "Forgive me." "Forgive me." "I beg your forgiveness." "In consideration of your courage we will abstain from sentencing you to death." "You will atone for your crime with isolation in the tower." "Take him away." "But father!" "The only way to get Fantaghirò back is to get rid of the Count." "General, wait." "I have something to tell you." "Halt!" "Who goes there?" "Identify yourselves!" "I wish to speak with your King, I am King Romualdo." "Proceed." "Wait!" "I am the daughter of the King." "And I order you to leave us." "So that I can speak with the prisoner for a moment." "Don't try to save me, Caterina." "I got what I deserved." "As soon as you're alone, take this potion." "You will fall into a deep sleep." "Such that you will appear dead." "No one will be able to reawaken you for an entire month." "The people will say that the Count of Valdoca is dead." "And that Fantaghirò has returned from a trip." "But it was Fantaghirò that made the mistake." "Not the Count of Valdoca." "He has behaved with dignity." "With honour." "You have deceived us in a thousand ways." "Bribing my foretellers." "You have forced our people into a long and exhausting war." "Put of nothing but thirst for power and ambition." "I therefore condemn you to the penalty of..." "It is not I who deceived the people." "But you, Sire." "It was not my idea to send your daughter..." "King Romualdo!" "The Baron Ivaldo, and the Count Cataldo!" "Carolina, everything is settled." "Sire." "I am here to give you that which you have the right to." "Your champion has defeated me." "I put myself and my people in your hands." "I ask but one thing." "Be merciful towards them." "They do not deserve prison." "Nor to be punished." "And as for me my life is worth nothing anymore." "Your champion has humiliated me." "By sparing my life." "If you wish, you may decide his fate." "The Count of Valdoca has already paid for declining to carry out his duty." "As far as you are concerned..." "Don't stare at him like that." "He's supposed to be our enemy." "Considering the bravery..." "And I suppose the one you're staring at is our friend?" "I deem that you, Sire not only deserve my forgiveness but also the chance to reign." "But in order to ensure an everlasting peace between our two kingdoms, I ask that you marry one of my daughters." "Supposing that they wish to marry you, of course." "This is my condition." "You are free to accept it." "Or do declare a new war upon us." "Thank you, my lord." "You are more generous than words can describe." "But I have no reason to declare a new war." "Of course you do!" "You have no idea how much the King has humiliated you." "The truth is that Count Valdoca is his..." "Farewell, General." "He had it coming." " General?" " General?" " General?" " General?" "He's turned to stone." "Let's take him away." "Stop!" "Don't drink it, no!" "I don't accept orders from a mouse." "Presumptuous little girl, I'm a friend of yours." "Let's see if you recognise me." "Will you accept some advice, instead?" "Presumptuous little girl." "I don't know why you're wasting so much time." "Why didn't you come to the river with me?" "With you at my side, I wouldn't have made such a mistake." "But you didn't make a mistake." "You just followed your heart's impulse." "What do you know of my heart's impulse?" "More than you think." "Farewell, Fantaghirò!" "That's right." "Seriously..." "You!" "Do you really think that I would have abandoned you?" "This is my first-born, Caterina." "She is made for me." "My great friend Cataldo has confessed to me that from the moment he first laid eyes on your daughter Caterina he felt almost overwhelmed by the intelligence in her eyes." "And by her beauty." "Therefore it is on his behalf that I ask permission to marry her." "Say yes, Father." "Father?" "Yes, I just want to see you happy." "I am happy to give my consent." "This is my second-born." "The beautiful Carolina." "Intercede in my favour, I beg you." "No, Father!" "With your permission, I'd like to marry the Baron Ivaldo." "Well, at this point I believe that there isn't much to be done." "King Romualdo, what do you say?" "I agree." "I leave my throne to you two." "My loyal friends." "These marriages will join our two kingdoms in peace." "Forever." "Now please, dismiss me." "He could marry Fantaghirò!" "Of course, yes, perhaps he could." "No, my lord." "I will never get married." "Never." "My heart is lost forever." "But you haven't met Fantaghirò." "She is beautiful, intelligent, lively..." "Oh, my God!" "The potion!" " Quick!" " No." " Quick, come with me!" " I don't want to meet anyone." "You don't have to meet her." "You have to save her." "Let's go." "Only you can decide your destiny." "They are coming." "If you don't love Romualdo, drink the potion." "But I do love him." "Repeat it." "What did you say?" "I love him." "I love him." "I love him, unfortunately." "Then do not despair." "He is on his way." "But look what I've been reduced to!" "I'll take care of that." "Actually, not me..." "The witch from the forest!" "Yes, and the goose, and the mouse." "I have always been with you, even as the White Knight." "But that's enough about me." "Now we have a job to do." "Of course, your disguise is not easy to remove." "Then you need the full treatment." "Yes." "Wait." "If this is really about saving someone you can count on me, but I have no interest in marrying." "I will never be able to love her." " My heart belongs to..." " Wait until you see her." "It's too late." "But she was supposed to go into a deep sleep, not to vanish." "I haven't vanished." "Why are you blushing?" "I've never kissed a knight before." "Me neither." "From now on there will not be a single King to govern you." "The throne will be divided between my daughters and their proud husbands." "The two realms that have seen nothing but war for so many centuries, will be forged into one." "Between our two castles a city will prosper." "And all of you will have employment and food." "For you, for your children, and for your children's children." "I have been the King of war." "This is why I have decided to abdicate and to leave." "I will travel the world, telling people this story." "As a message of peace." "This throne will not remain vacant." "Queen Carolina and King Ivaldo." "You are even more beautiful than yesterday, my dear." "I hope that you say the same thing tomorrow." "Queen Caterina and King Cataldo." "Are we up to the great task that awaits us, my darling?" "If there is any doubt, we will ask the people what they think." "It is the people who will decide whether we deserve this throne." "And now she, who with her bravery and love, won the war." "Queen Fantaghirò." "The Queen is outside defending her geese." "Come quickly." "Excuse me." "Let us pass!" "I've told you a thousand times to not cook geese." "I even created a law to forbid it." "A law that recognizes geese as inedible animals." "And you will be in big trouble if you chase after another one with the intention of eating it." "Romualdo!" "But you're all here!" "You haven't started already, have you?" "I thought you had changed, but instead..." "I changed my ways, not my beliefs." "And besides, I was teaching them that they are to respect the laws." "Is that not a part of governing?" "Though today your duty as queen was to attend the investiture." "Yes, but what's the use of there being so many of us governing if we have to stay together all the time?" "Yes, you're not wrong though in this case your presence is essential." "There is but one crown." "And I believe that the people wish to see it on your head." "Hear that?" "Even the geese are happy." "THE END"