Season Of The Witch Page #2

and a mountain pass.

This forest is called Wormwood.

It's not a place to be trifled with.

Men have lost their way there,

never to be seen again.

Tell me, priest, have you ever

made the journey yourself?

- No.

- Naturally.

DEBELZAQ:
But these are

the best maps in the land.

But we would do better to have a guide.

You know, someone who

has traveled from here to there.

Tax collector perhaps, merchant.

There is someone, but...

Ah, visitors.

What can I do for you gentlemen?

Perhaps you'd like to pelt me

with fruit or kick me in the groin.

You're Hagamar? The swindler?

Yes... I mean, no!

I'm Hagamar,

but I never swindled anyone.

I sold relics. Genuine relics.

Where did you sell your trinkets?

Everywhere. I have happy

customers from here to Prague.

- And Severac?

- Yes, the monks.

I sold them the tail of an ass

ridden in the flight from Egypt.

At a bargain, I'm sure.

Then you know the way to the abbey.

Like the back of my hand.

I'd be happy to draw you a map, only...

The bailiff is prepared to pardon you.

On one condition:

you serve as our guide to Severac.

Condition accepted.

If I were to release you, however,

and you attempt to flee...

Such thoughts are beneath you, sir.

I swear by all the saints,

may they strike me dead, were I to lie.

They would have to

get in line behind me.

Do we understand each other?

DEBELZAQ:
The witch is unconscious.

She was given a powerful sedative

in her food last night.

Open the cell.

We'll be removing the witch

for transport.

She's just a girl.

Don't be deceived.

BEHMEN:
Felson!

Hold her! Hold her!

The sooner we get her

to Severac, the better!

Now she's sedated.

Who's that?

- The witch.

- Witch?

Nobody said anything about a witch.

Why did you think we were

going to Severac, to sell trinkets?

- WOMAN:
God in heaven...

- MAN:
Kill the witch!

WOMAN:
You gave us this affliction!

MAN:
You brought

the wrath of God upon us!

Take the witch out of our midsts,

and take the plague with you!

She's watching me.

Put your mind on something else.

She's trying to frighten you.

It's working.

How did you come upon this girl?

She was found just outside

of Marburg, wandering.

Muttering strange things,

words no one could understand.

This makes her a witch?

No, but it's a sign.

Within a fortnight of her arrival,

the plague had swept over us.

It was the same

for every town she passed.

There was no talk of such a girl

passing through my village.

Yet, the plague came.

She's stronger than she looks.

Do you believe she's a witch?

You felt her strength.

Would you say it was that of a girl?

I've seen girls destroy men

without lifting a finger.

How many times do we need to go over

this? We were in France, for God's sake.

The things she did in the bed chamber.

- She robbed you of a year's wages.

- Yes, but...

...she gave me so much in return.

Look at us. Barely a month out of

service to the Church and here we are...

...deserters in service to the Church.

You know we're being followed.

Let's give him a royal welcome.

Come off the horse.

Who are you?

Why are you following us?

FELSON:
Hyah!

I asked you a question, boy.

He's an altar boy

in service to the cardinal.

My name's Kay,

and my father was a knight.

Jurand of Vollenbad, he also fought at

Imbros, perhaps you've heard his name?

- What do you want?

- I want to come with you to Severac.

Easy, boy.

To pledge myself to your service.

In exchange for which I ask your word

that you will vouch for me

upon our return,

so that I may be knighted.

The services of an altar boy.

I feel safer already.

I would have you know

I've ridden in the lists twice.

And won flags for valor.

This isn't a tournament, boy.

Go back to your mother.

This is a free road, old man.

And I don't need your

permission to travel it.

Give the lad a chance

to retract the remark.

My sincere apologies.

Not to me, to him.

That I cannot.

He insulted me first.

I'm going to teach this one

some manners.

Go easy, Felson.

Use the other hand.

I don't want him dead.

Just send him on his way.

- Be quick about it.

- With pleasure.

Not bad for an altar boy.

What the devil was that?

Stand and fight like a man,

you little jackrabbit.

Enough!

Perhaps you can be of service.

KAY:
I heard what the cardinal said.

About your heroism in the Crusades.

I would have gone too,

but I was too young.

You're one of the lucky ones.

Well, tell me about it.

Where did you enlist?

It was a priest who came

to Felson's village.

He told us whoever went on Crusade

would receive blessings from the Church.

Remission from sin.

It was the part about sin that

perked young Felson's interest.

- That's not true.

- BEHMEN:
So he asks the priest,

"What sins would be forgiven?

Would they forgive adultery?"

The priest says, Yes...

...for a two-year pledge."

"What about theft?"

"Yes... for a three-year pledge."

So Felson mulls it over

and says to the priest,

"Better sign me up for ten."

Brought you some food.

And warmth.

You're not like the others.

You're kind.

Was it Debelzaq who hurt you?

This place you're taking me.

What will happen to me there?

Your innocence or guilt

will be decided.

There was a girl in my village

who was suspected of being a witch.

They put stones in her pockets

and cast her into the lake.

If she drowned, they would

have known she was human.

But she didn't.

She lived.

They called it proof of magic

and burned her at the stake.

Nothing of the kind will happen to you.

You will be given a fair trial.

You have my word on that.

She say anything?

- Why do you ask?

- I only mean to caution you.

The witch is a deceiver.

She'll turn one man against another.

Who's to guard the wagon?

Guard the wagon? The girl is caged.

-And I'm tired.

- I will go.

Perhaps someone else should

take the first watch.

I'll go. I'll go. Don't worry, lad.

There will be plenty of time

between here and Severac.

Eckhart, be watchful.

I came to relieve you.

You're not tired?

No, no.

I don't sleep much these days.

I was thinking about how much the girl

reminds me of my own daughter.

I'm sorry for your loss.

What was her name?

Mila. Her name was Mila.

Tell me, Father...

You say the cardinal has given his

word that she will have a fair trial.

But has he not also given

his word to end this plague?

What are you suggesting?

Can you imagine

the reaction of the people

if she were not to be found

guilty of witchcraft?

No, Father.

You know as well as I the Church

cannot afford that. Not now.

No, no. Our responsibility

is to deliver her for trial.

The monks will decide her fate.

Exactly.

The monks will decide her fate.

And I will not be a party to this.

Nor will the others, hopefully,

when they have heard what I have to say.

Wait! Please don't go!

- Please don't leave me alone with him.

- You fear him.

- Listen to me.

- Eckhart!

I'm not letting them...

GIRL:
Give me that key!

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