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Two years ago my father, the Count of Aguiar, died.
Mom had to take care of the problems of the manor house...
and our education.
I can still remember the murmur of her rosary
and the almost ghostly presence of her at the back of the room.
She was a typical southern woman.
There is no doubt that she could never get used to these mists...
much less to the loneliness that surrounded us.
I can't forget her hand caressing Beatriz and me.
Always wearing a black glove...
to hide the fact that she was missing two fingers.
That was my last winter in the manor house.
That morning...
as I was walking through the woods...
Where are you going so fast, young man?
I was going home, sir.
Aren't you Juan Aguiar, the son of Dona Carlota”?
-Yes I am. -What are you doing here so early?
-He was hunting birds. -Don't do anything to me, please.
-My mother doesn't know I'm here. -A Barbanzon cannot be a coward.
-Come on, give us the money. -I have nothing, I swear.
-So, why were you running? - I think you've seen the devil.
I saw it. He was hooded like a friar.
-So, you saw a friar, eh? - I swearr, sir.
-Was he leaving or coming? -He was coming.
If you tell the truth, we'll let you go. If not, we'll cut your throat.
I'm telling the truth, but he looked like a ghost.
Well, we don't give a damn as long as his bag is full.
-And where did you see him? -He was heading to the bridge.
Heading for the bridge, huh?
Let me go.
No, you come with us. Come on.
Father.
Father, you are sent by Providence.
A man is dying.
And he doesn't want to leave this world with his many sins.
Come, father.
Come.
He's coming!
Here.
Hurry up, father.
Spit it out!
God has sent a holy man, so you can cleanse your soul.
What are your sins, son?
He has many, father. Many.
And they are huge.
-Is he mute? -No.
So, let him talk.
I was a sinner.
I have killed, I have stolen, I have fornicated.
I have had bad thoughts.
I haven't done anything good in my life.
I am doomed.
But I regret it, father.
I regret.
Bless me.
So, you have killed.
How many have you killed?
So many that I don't remember their names.
I killed them all while they slept or relieving themselves.
What about women? What about those you fornicated with?
Well, I remember some of them. And I raped all of them.
I have traveled all over the world
but I did not have to overcome such great temptations.
Anyway father,
you better get on your knees and say a prayer for him.
We understand that you are tired.
-Do you come from far away? -I come from the Holy Land.
I thank God for bringing you here.
Kneel down and pray.
In the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit...
You can go, boy.
And don't say a word if you value your life.
You can't do a trip like this without a full bag.
And there is nothing better for a soul in danger than a sacrifice.
Lord forgive those who are going to die...
...and to kill!
Where do you come from, Juan? Your mother is looking for you.
You'll be ready when you get home!
And don't say you've seen me!
How is he?
He is sick.
Poor fellow.
The devil brings them and God takes them.
You speak like a priest. Don't forget that he is our son.
He is yours. I don't know if he is mine.
I'm going to see the healer. She will heal him.
Forget about witches and heal me.
No...
While my mother and those old women murmured their pleas...
a strange sensation overcame me.
One of those subtle feelings that fills your soul with restlessness...
and your common sense strives in vain to reject..
It was as if an unknown threat was lurking.
And that threat was looming over all of us.
Particularly about my sister Beatriz.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among all women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
What's wrong, Beatriz?
Nothing, mother.
I was cold.
I am Basilisa the 'Calinda’, Dona Carlota's maid.
My son is dying.
Come closer, daughter.
Come closer.
Your son...
he has a black cat in his cradle.
The cat's claws are scratching at his soul.
The boy is haunted.
He is going to die.
I can not do anything.
I'm old.
My powers have abandoned me.
I still have science.
But science is not enough.
Only the devil can save your son.
But you will have to offer him an innocent soul...
as a dwelling for the cat that scratches...
and scratches...
and scratches.
What can I do then?
I don't want my son to die.
I would give my soul to the devil to save him,
but my soul is already damned.
What I can do?
Listen to me.
Listen carefully.
At the stone of the door...
someone left a gift.
Take it.
Carry it.
Take it with you...
and put it in the person's pillow...
where the black cat must dwell...
when he leaves the body of your son.
Open the door.
May the peace of the Lord enter this house with me.
Countess, I would like to humbly propose to take care of your garden
in exchange for a bed and frugal food.
If you are sent from heaven, my house welcomes you.
Come now. What are you doing here?
Come on, go away.
Beatriz. Beatriz.
-What's wrong with you Juan? -I can't sleep. I'm scared.
What are you afraid of?
Yesterday, I went to the forest to hunt birds and I saw...
Come on, what did you see?
That friar is a demon.
He single-handedly killed three of Lorenzo el Quinto's men.
He has a very long sword.
He approached one of the dead, cut off his ear and put it in a bag.
-Poor Juan. - I saw it, Beatriz.
- I am very afraid. -You had a bad dream.
It was not a dream, I saw it.
His name was Fray Angel.
He had returned from the Holy Land.
He wanted to sleep with the servants,
even though my mother insisted that he had to live with us
because he was a representative of the Church.
I appreciate the generosity with which you have welcomed me,
but I do not consider myself a representative of the Church.
I am only a candidate to earn heaven in my earthly life.
Mr. Bretal, Mr. Bretal.
Hello, Juan.
-Have you reviewed your lessons? -Yes, sir.
Maximo Bretal, a student, came three days a week
from a farm near Monforte,
to teach me Latin and put the library in order.
It had been recommended to my mother as a charity,
by the priest.
The presence of the student at home eased my fears...
but he did not free me from the heavy chains of my childhood.
Latin by day, fear by night...
and that crooked-tongued friar,
barely intelligible to my childish mind.
When I heard him talk the whole world seemed like a mistake.
And I asked myself, why God had created it.
That's what my mother told him.
Because it is not a mistake, but a test,
but we, with our pride, we only ask questions.
We do not realize that creation is the question,
and we, despite our smallness, are the answer.
The friar talks a lot. Does he have so much to say?
Pulpit stuff.
He talks about plants, birds...
I don't know!
But Miss Beatriz is fascinated by what he says.
I've been told a lot about him.
He was one of those tonsured leaders who stole the silver from the churches
to help his faction.
After the war ended,
they continued saying mass for the soul of Zumalacarregui.
Flowers are his latest craze. Does it works?
Be careful. Be careful.
He says the world is rotten.
And it makes me happy to hear it.
With such dignity and purity, you would think that sin is unnatural.
And speaking of sins, how's your blacksmith?
I prefer real sins to simple thoughts.
What would you do to Miss Beatriz, if you were allowed to?
To her or to her mother!
Look at the small-time student!
You can fool Mrs. Carlota, but not me. I know you.
You have your books, but we are the same after all.
There you go
Satan!
I conjure you by my bad thoughts.
My bad deeds.
For all my sins.
Come without delay, and get that cat off my son's body.
I was looking for my cat. Have you seen it?
No, I have not seen it.
I can't find it anywhere.
Would you like me to help you?
I don't want to distract you.
Cats are very independent animals.
From time to time you have to let them live their own lives.
He'll come back when he's hungry.
When will you finish sorting the books?
In spring.
Or after.
Your mother wants a complete inventory, and that is not easy.
I'm glad you stay with us for so long.
And I'm glad you're happy.
Although, now you have some company.
That friar.
Well, he is different.
He is a man of God.
Listen...
Can't you hear him?
Can't you hear him scratching?
Well... well, no.
I can not hear anything.
He sometimes climbs the shelves and hides among the books.
He destroys them and sharpens his claws on the paper.
But that is impossible. I would have seen it.
And now, don't you hear him now?
No, I don't hear anything.
You're right.
He no longer scratches.
After all these years,
I still can't understand the strange influence
that friar exercised over us.
My mother listened to him with respect and devotion.
She was afraid of him as if he were not from this world.
The worst of all was that Beatriz seemed to be fascinated with him.
I was a child and could not understand that.
They say that in Galicia, the souls,
they still keep their eyes open for miracles...
and for terror, too.
What are you looking at, Juan? Is this how you study?
Why aren't you in the kitchen? It's cold here.
In the woods, I saw that friar kill three of Lorenzo el Quinto's men.
Beatriz doesn't believe me. That friar is the deuvil.
You are cold. Come on, come over.
That's it.
-Come on, tell me what the problem is. -He is the devil.
- You shouldn't think such things. - I am afraid at night.
I see him pray on his knees.
He is so still. I can't sleep.
The next time this happens to you, come to my room...
and I'll put you to sleep.
Lonely thoughts are not good.
Mom!
Mom, Beatriz is not in her room.
Her bed is empty.
And the cat is carrying the ear that the friar took from the dead man.
What are you saying, Juan? Come on, son, wake up. You're dreaming.
No, I'm not dreaming, mom.
You tell me I'm dreaming, but I'm not.
I Know you're not lying, Juan.
You think you've seen what you're saying. Take it easy.
Beatriz!
Take it easy.
-Calm down. Daughter! -I called you!
-Daughter! -I called you, you didn't hear me!
-Calm down! -I called you!
It's that cat! That cat! Get this cat off me!
Beatriz...
The boy is cured. He no longer has a temperature.
Father, I would like you to see Beatriz.
She is very sick.
I thought maybe you could do something to save her.
The only thing I can do Is to raise my prayers to heaven.
Mother...
do not leave me.
I'm afraid, Fray Angel.
Last night I came to believe that the devil had possessed her.
I was filled with fear when I heard her scream.
Leave. What are you doing here?
-Hello. -Hello, Juan.
-Good afternoon, sir. -What "sir" are you talking about?
I only see a child and a scoundrel.
And the scoundrel is called Maximo.
Tell me, what are you looking for?
-I'm looking for you. -Here I am.
That friar is the devil.
I have not met any friar who is not a devil
or a devil who is not a friar.
He killed three men, but no one believes me.
Well, I don't think that's amazing. I think you fall short.
I can't sleep since he arrived.
And my sister, as you know, she has fallen ill.
I would cure her with ham and wine.
And a little joy, that's what you need.
Yes sir. I thought that being a man of letters,
perhaps you have read about some remedy for my sister.
Do not look for remedies in books.
The wisest men only know they don't know anything,
so we can do without everything and speak like ignorant people.
So, would you believe me if I told you that my sister,
she was in the garden with the friar, and then she was screaming in bed.
And the cat was carrying the ear?
You don't have to swear, I believe you.
Well, I don't know what happened, but my sister got sick.
And if things continue like this, so will I.
It's not as bad as all that.
Everyone knows that the friars bring diseases.
And that books do not cure them.
The most important thing is to get away from the friars and books.
They say I dreamed it, but I saw it with my own eyes.
That doesn't make any difference either since the poets say that life is a dream.
Don't you think she's bewitched?
She is spellbound, because she wants to be.
The entire Santa Compagna could not put a spell on me.
I would talk to my mother, but she doesn't believe me.
I'm desperate, Mr. Maximo. I don't know what to do.
Well, tell your mother that I know a book about this case and the remedy of it.
And if she wants, we could use it and see what happens.
What book is that?
This.
"He will kill the strongest and healthiest men.
By his cunning he will make deceit prosper under his hand.
He will rise up against the Prince of princes.
That's what Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar."
Well, I don't know if that will work, but trying won't do any harm.
I have heard of a healer who cures desperate cases.
Bring her.
I don't know if I can bring her.
But I'll do my best...
to help...
Miss Beatriz recover.
My lady begs you to go see her.
I regret what I did.
My son is cured, and I don't want to lose him.
But I can't stand it either...
to see Miss Beatriz in that state.
So, get rid of the spell.
Take it off the pillow.
Miss Beatriz will live.
-But your son will die. -No.
My God.
What can I do?
Choose.
My son.
I'm doomed though.
Don't think you're killing her, or that you could prevent her death.
You are just a poor woman.
What should I tell Dona Carlota?
Tell her I'm old and I can't walk.
Lord forgive me.
You know my heart.
Mom.
She just fell asleep.
Mom, I want to talk to you.
I've talked to him in the library, and he says that he knows a book.
That book says...
that someone must die.
I will speak with Maximo Bretal tomorrow.
Mr. Bretal, I want to pay you what I owe you.
And I beg you from this moment to never set foot in this house again.
With your absurd stories you arouse my son's imagination.
You have outdone yourself.
Leave.
I just answered his question.
That's my only flaw and I'm ready to go.
But remember, ma'am.
When a child asks a question you have to answer him.
Wait.
What did Juan ask you?
He wanted a remedy for his sister.
And do you know that remedy?
-No. -So, you cheated him.
You made him believe that--
I picked up a book at random and told him what the book said.
And that is neither better nor worse than the words of a friar
or the prayers of an overly pious woman.
-You are insolent! - Isay what I think.
And Juan needs someone to tell him what he thinks
instead of telling him all those lies
that make you feel so alone in this house
where everyone is alone.
You lack love for life.
And now, goodbye ma'am.
Wait!
What you just said is very serious.
How dare you criticize my behavior, and the rules that I have imposed
and kept for many years in this house?
I don't want an order that looks so much like death.
-Goodbye. -Wait!
I owe you your salary.
Give it to the Church for the salvation of sinners.
Although, I doubt that with that miserable sum
you can save even an innocent person.
You are so arrogant!
I took you because you had nothing.
You asked me for bread.
And now you blame me for what I gave you
when nobody else listened. Well, nobody wanted to see you?
It was an act of kindness and God will reward you for it.
But don't expect me to thank you.
Mr. Bretal...
I beg you, don't go.
Juan needs you.
I apologize.
I am the one who should apologize.
If I can still be useful...
I will stay in this house.
Then eat your soup.
It's starting to get cold.
-Did you visit the healer? -Yes, I visited her.
-What did she say? -Nothing, ma'am.
She is very old, she has lost her powers.
She can't even move.
What did the doctor say in Santiago?
He has only been able to make her sleep as if she were dead.
But I see that he has not been able to prevent her from dreaming.
Our father who art in Heaven make my sister heal.
And I promise I'll behave like a man.
And I'm not going to hunt...
the birds in the forest anymore, or let Basilisa warm me.
Were you praying?
No, I was looking for a razor. It fell.
Come, let's have dinner.
-With the friar? -Yes, with the friar.
- I do not want to go! -What are you saying?
Out.
Come here.
Let's come here.
-Did you sleep well last night? -No, I didn't.
-Did you hear your sister's screams? -Yes, I heard them.
Why didn't you come to my room?
I wouldn't do anything to you.
Come on, come to dinner.
-So, you don't like the friar. -No.
Because?
I don't understand what he's saying or why he's here.
Your mother says that God brought him.
Well, if God brought him, she must take him.
I don't want to have dinner with him.
Come on, don't be like that.
You have to be an obedient boy.
Come on.
Father, leave me alone...
Father...
Yeah.
He has come here...
to my room.
I called you...
but you didn't listen to me.
I didn't want it.
Father.
Beatriz.
I want to talk to you.
I need you to tell me the whole truth.
It is useless to try to hide it.
Beatriz has spoken.
I hope you can convince me that it was just a nightmare.
It's a nightmare.
But it is also true.
Your daughter is possessed by the devil.
I can feel her calling me.
No, the devil is not her, but you.
If I am the devil to her, she is the devil to me.
Swear you haven't been alone with her.
I don't know.
-You have to know. -I do not know! I do not know!
I see her, I feel her! I've had her in my arms!
But I don't know if she was real. I swear, I don't know.
But I would like to know.
No, I'm not a saint.
I have never been a saint.
I was born for war.
I will leave tonight.
Stay still! I got you!
I was looking for you. I went to your room but I didn't find you.
I'm glad you came to see me.
- I didn't come to see you. -Is that so?
Well, what were you doing here then?
Were you eavesdropping on the adults' conversations?
-I'm going to tell your mother. -No, don't tell her.
Come, I want to talk to you.
You are shaking. Are you afraid?
I'm not afraid, I'm cold.
When you were little, I would let you sleep in my bed.
Come, sit here.
Come on, take cover.
I want to tell you something.
But you must promise me you won't tell anyone.
I know what's happened to your sister.
But I can't do anything for her.
A witch cast a spell on her.
Her room is under a spell.
You must go and pick it up.
I can't do anything for her because I am a sinner...
and God would punish me.
But you are innocent, and God will forgive you.
I am also a sinner, but I will do it even if God punishes me.
What are you saying? You have never hurt anyone!
And where is that spell?
-Did you know? -Yeah.
I know. It's inside the pillow.
Is it by chance the ear...
Fray Angel cut off from one of Lorenzo el Quinto's men?
My God! You saw it?
I saw him cutting it, and I saw that the cat took it away.
What? When was that? The cat?
The night Beatriz got sick.
I entered her room
and saw the cat carrying the ear in his mouth.
So, there is no spell!
And my son is healthy?
-It's true? -I swear I saw it.
I would do anything for you. Come on, let me...
Why didn't you tell me before? Why?
What for? Nobody believes me!
From now on, I will believe everything you tell me.
Come on, be an obedient boy. Let me.
Come here.
Come...
Stay still.
Still.
Juan...
stay still.
What are you doing, Beatriz?
Lie down.
Now, you'll be fine
and everything will go back to the way it was before.
A very angry man has arrived.
He's hurt?
Wounded yes, but not in my body.
- I need help. -You?
Help?
What can I do for you? I am a poor old woman
and you are full of strength.
That's the problem.
It is easy for the old to be virtuous.
Old age brings us wisdom and holiness.
But how can you stop your impulses when you are alive?
I have balms and ointments that can turn a bull into a lamb.
What virtues can God find in a handful of herbs?
What task awaits me?
I would face an entire army but...
I can't defeat myself!
Stop crying like a whore, and tell me what you want.
If you know it, you will get it, and I can help you.
But if you don't know, how can I help you?
I don't know.
But you have to help me.
Is she a woman?
Yeah.
Who?
She is a girl.
What is her name?
Beatriz.
I can cast a spell.
For what?
To make her come to you.
Do it!
Take the black bag.
Lie down and chew.
And dreams will show you the way.
Well that is good.
-Do you understand anything? -Nothing.
That's a bad sign, because neither do I.
Be careful, my mother is coming.
Excuse me, Mr. Bretal.
I'd like to talk to you in private.
I knew it was then that it was decided to send me to Santiago,
with my aunt and uncle.
Beatriz was no longer screaming.
She did not have hallucinations.
But she was no better.
The presence of Fray Angel had made her ill.
Though he was gone he seemed to have taken Beatriz with him.
My mother didn't know what to do.
Beatriz...
Father...
Do not leave me!
In the name of the desecrated rosary,
come without further delay and into the circle of Solomon.
Shut up, until I ask you for everything I have to ask for.
And you give what you have to give.
I don't want spells!
I don't want you to bring her to me!
-Well-- -When I have to do what I have to do,
I'll do it alone!
Do you want some herbs to sleep?
I don't want to go to Hell asleep.
Beatriz...
Beatriz!
What is this? A joke?
Come on!
Check it out.
If she screams, I'll cut her throat.
You will have to do everything we tell you, Countess.
And in silence.
To begin with, we want to eat.
We are hungry.
But first, get that sickle off my daughter's neck.
Untie her, and let her sleep.
She shouldn't be awake at this hour.
Come on, you heard her.
Fly away, little bird.
Open your beak.
Stay in your room, Beatriz. Put the bolt across and don't come out.
I will take care of these gentlemen.
Get that out of there.
Yes, Countess.
Stay still! That's mine.
What are you doing here, Mr. Bretal?
I was waiting for the rain to stop.
These gentlemen come from a party
and have wanted, like you, shelter from the rain.
And also like you, they are very hungry.
So, let's sit down and start eating.
You, move.
Well, Madam...
I think the rain is stopping and it's time for me to go.
For God's sake, don't go out in this downpour.
Stay with us.
What Mr. Bretal wanted to say,
is that he's going to get some wine from the cellar.
Go with him so that he is not loaded.
So, you are Lorenzo el Quinto's terrible men?
Are we so easily recognizable, ma'am?
Who else could you be?
We are, yes.
But ever since el Quinto died, we are nothing.
Winters are getting harsher.
And that forces us, like wolves, to go down to the villages.
We are not for serious misdeeds, if it is not necessary, Countess.
But we can be dangerous if we have to.
I don't doubt that.
And how did you come to visit me?
It is an idea that has been around our heads for a long time.
But you had that devilish friar...
and we waited until he left.
We were not afraid of him.
We just wanted to avoid complications, and unnecessary deaths.
A prudent measure.
But now that the friar is gone,
I am going to order three Barbanzon Mastiffs.
The friar is not far from here.
Where is he?
At the healer's mill house.
He lives there.
And one day we will give him what he deserves.
-The fire is going out. -Then throw the puppet!
Which one?
First, the friar and then the lawyer.
It's mine!
Leave it alone!
Forgive us, ma'am.
-Up and down. -It was mine!
We are vulgar people.
We are used to doing and saying what we want.
My husband sometimes praised Lorenzo el Quinto.
He admired the noble behavior of his band members.
Apparently, they could be quite chivalrous...
to the ladies.
Not always, ma'am.
It depends on the lady.
She should ask for respect, not us.
It's better for her, not for us.
Stay still!
Please, Mr. Bretal, behave yourself.
I can defend myself.
Meanwhile...
these men are still my guests.
If my presence here is not necessary...
and since it has stopped raining, I should leave.
-No! -Stay here!
We'll be the first to go before dawn.
We trust your discretion, Countess.
So, no one knows what happened here tonight.
That's not what we agreed on.
Let the children sleep, ma'am.
Tie him. We don't want a fight when he wakes up.
Be careful. What you do could cost you your life.
Don't worry...
Countess.
We have come to satisfy our hunger...
not to be clubbed.
I'm cold.
What are you doing?
Idiot!
Stay still!
If you water a plant, it grows.
You will have what you expect.
Do not hurry.
If you are the boss, stop your men!
And who's stopping me, Countess?
You want money?
Let go of me! Let go of me!
This flute does not play!
I spy with my little eye...
Set me free!
No! No!
Set me free!
No! No! No!
Careful!
No! No!
No!
No! No!
All right, Countess. We are leaving.
Goodbye.
My regards, Countess.
Bye.
Be careful, Countess.
A death never comes alone.
Get out.
Get out of here!
Get out.
He shouldn't hear you. Come on!
Hurry up! We must do it before she wakes up.
Come out, friar of the devil!
Here we are!
Get out at once!
Why did you come?
I came because you called me.
Get out of here.
Go back to your home.
Do what I say!
Coward...
Beatriz came home.
Two weeks later, I left the manor house forever.
I can still hear the last words of Mr. Bretal.
What's Santiago like, Mr. Bretal?
You'll like it.
You will meet all kinds of people.
And you will learn that the things you have to defend
are less important than the ones you have to get.
Goodbye, Juan.
THE END