The Saragossa Manuscript (Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie)

THE SARAGOSSA MANUSCRIPT

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Forward! After me!

We take you prisoner! Don't try to resist.

Hey! Do you hear me?

Just a minute, friend. I'm admiring these drawings.

What about the enemy?

Go after them.

Interesting.

It's a pity I don't know Spanish.

Look, it's about my grandfather.

"Count Ollavedez, who had not yet brought settlers to the Sierra..."

Captain!

We're being surrounded! What shall we do?

Close the door! It's drafty!

Where was I?

Here.

"... to the Sierra Morena.

This steep mountain range between Andalusia and La Mancha,

was inhabited by robbers and gyp..."

Thank you... gypsies.

"They were said to feed on corpses of killed travellers".

Will we make it before night?

Before night? It'll take three days to cross these mountains.

Where will we sleep? It gets dark quickly.

Sometimes you can come across a roadside inn.

It's usually deserted as devilish ghosts chase the innkeepers out.

- Once evil spirits pick a place... - Then what?

A traveller who comes here should be prepared for the worst.

I'm not afraid of ghosts. I can cope with them.

Sir, listen to Mosquito.

Saddle the mules and follow me. Hurry!

Sir, don't go. Demons rave there.

Invisible hands push people into the precipice.

Devils have goat hooves.

- Let's head for Extremadura. - It has better sights.

We'll go straight ahead.

We'll make a stop at the cork oaks to eat our provisions.

We'll stay overnight at Venta Quemada.

The next day we'll stock up and head for the mountains.

After three days, exhausted but happy,

we'll make a triumphant ride into Castile.

That's my plan! Nothing will change it!

It'll be the end of us.

Since King Philip V honored me

with the rank of captain of the Wallonian Guard,

it's my duty to find the shortest way to Madrid.

Maybe the king did honor you,

but your mind lacks reason.

I feel thirsty.

It's bad to drink water after eating fruit.

Where's the mule keeper?

I don't like it. He ran away with our provisions!

Don't say that. I bet evil spirits kidnapped poor Mosquito.

He ran away!

Damned thug!

He had these shrewd eyes.

Why didn't I listen to Brother Jerome De La Trinidad,

holy monk and preacher?

Mosquito!

He said Wallonian Guard officers were heretics!

Shut up, fool!

I'll get him.

I'll break his bones if he chickened out.

I beg you. Don't leave me alone here.

- Let's go! - I can't.

We'll talk later.

Mosquito!

He ran away.

Two foreign ladies staying in this inn invite you to supper.

Follow me, cavalier.

Senor cavalier.

Thank you for being so kind and sharing our modest supper.

Satisfy your hunger.

You probably haven't eaten all day.

Are you surprised to meet us?

My name is Emina. This is my sister Zibelda.

We live in Tunis. But we come from Grenada,

where our relatives secretly profess the faith of our fathers.

Our journey is a well-kept secret.

We believe in your honesty and want to confide it to you.

We expected you.

I want to tell you the story of our family. Listen.

Do you carry the image of your mistress in this locket?

It's a gift from my mother with a piece of genuine relic.

Why are you frightened?

Only evil spirits are afraid of relics.

We're Muslim.

Don't be surprised at my sister's reaction.

We're sorry that our closest relative has a different faith.

Me? Your relative?

Yes.

Your mother was a Gomelez.

We come from that family.

I never heard about it.

Aren't you mistaken, my dear ladies?

No.

I promised to tell you the story of our ancestors.

But I'll start with mine.

Sit down.

We've been waiting for you.

Had you shown fear and gone a different way,

you'd lose our respect.

You flatter me, but I never deviate from my way.

Why are you so preoccupied with my courage?

- We're preoccupied with you. - Me?

You won't be so flattered

when I tell you that you're the first man we ever met.

My sister speaks the truth.

We never had a brother.

We were locked away in a seraglio since childhood.

We had no idea men existed.

But nature endowed us with the ability to love.

- So we gave each other love. - How interesting.

We really love each other.

Our mother told us that

we would either remain maidens or marry the same man.

That made us feel better.

The head of the family gave us permission to marry one man.

As long as he comes from the Gomelez family.

- Is that man me? - Yes.

We like that idea.

But my religion, my faith...

- Don't you like us? - I do.

- Aren't we nice to you? - You are.

It's nearly dawn. Let's not waste time on idle talk.

We can't be your wives.

Unless you accept the Prophet's law.

But you'll be able to see us in your dreams.

If you keep it a secret that we exist.

Do you agree?

The chalice, please!

Remember what you promised.

My dear cousin, why aren't you a Muslim?

I'd be so happy to see you...

on Emina's bosom and be your wife.

Follow me, my son.

Woe to him whose heart is hard and refuses to confess his sins.

Don't spend the night under an open sky.

Beware of all temptations for the Lord has raised his hand.

I will do as you say, Father. But...

My belly craves food.

Think how to salvage your soul.

I'll take care of your bodily needs.

Strange things happened last night.

Did you spend the night at a deserted inn?

I was at Venta Quemada but...

I have my reasons for not wanting to talk about it.

Devils tempt us.

Beware of Satan's pride.

You're right. Beware of Satan.

Your courage amazes me.

Who are you, young man?

Who raised you? Do you believe in ghosts?

Me? No.

Don't be afraid.

He's possessed. I'm trying to get the devil out of him.

Pacheco...

In the name of our Lord

I command you to take the goats up the mountain.

It proves that the angel of darkness has power

over this unfortunate land.

I devote much time to him. I hope I'll save him.

He's making progress.

- He milks the goats? - Yes.

Satisfy my curiosity, son.

I asked about your life.

It's an honor to me. I'll tell you everything.

My family abounded in prominent men rather than in wealth.

My father, a colonel of the Wallonian Guard,

was a polite and honorable nobleman.

I'm a van Worden!

You'll pay for this!

A horse! I want a horse!

What are you waiting for, cowards?

This won't end well.

Senor, may I have a word with you?

- Please. - In private.

Senor, I don't have the pleasure of knowing you.

You will soon.

Senor?

After you.

Please.

Your carriage overtook mine.

It was an offense. I want you to explain.

My coachman didn't overtake yours.

Your coachman dragged behind.

I admit you're right.

It's a pity you didn't say that before I drew my sword.

I understand, senor.

Excuse me for taking up your time.

Don't mention it. May I?

Of course, senor.

Excuse me, I hope my roast isn't cold yet.

Water!

Why did he tell us to chop up his carriage?