Original subtitles

[THEME MUSIC - CLERKES OF ST. ALBANS ABBEY,

"CADFAEL OF SHREWSBURY"]

[singing in latin]

[whip striking]

Is it over?

His penance is complete.

Come along, Brother Adam.

You are absolved.

His soul has been cleansed.

His wounds are filthy.

Oh, Brother Cadfael, please.

Oh, so you can still feel pain.

I had to chastise myself.

My thoughts were so base.

Your thoughts were your own.

There was no need to own up to them in such lurid detail.

JEROME: Brother Cadfael.

Father Abbot needs you.

Oh, has he returned to the Abbey?

No, no, no, no.

He's still half a day from here but he sends word

that he requires your skills.

I suspect he means your balms and ointment.

Very well.

I had to confess my sins before the holy day.

The first pilgrims are already in the foregate, a dozen

at least, all of them lame.

Well, what else do you expect on Cripples Day?

Come on, Brother.

Ah boy, you won't cure them by staring.

[pained cry]

Oh, I'm sorry.

Sorry.

I'm being as gentle as I can.

I don't mind the pain.

It's what I've chosen.

I can bear it, Luc.

I can.

Why should you want to bear it?

Young Ciaran is returning home in penitential pilgrimage

with bare feet and a brave heart.

His brother Luc goes with him to offer support.

Moral or physical?

Luc supports me in every way.

When I fall, he makes me get up.

When I slow down, he urges me on.

I see.

On to where?

The Isle of Ynys Encli.

It's where I was born.

And it's where you will die.

Ciaran has a disease that has no cure.

While his body cannot be saved, at least

his soul will be purified.

Do you know the name of this disease?

Well, have you been to an infirmary?

He will die. That's all that matters.

Your cross.

Is it heavy?

The twine's so thin.

Part of his penance, Brother Adam,

and to be admired accordingly.

I wish that all our novices could witness this pilgrimage

for themselves, but sadly Ciaran's journey does not

take him to Shrewsbury.

I think it should.

These cuts are badly infected.

Can't we persuade you to come back with us?

And perhaps by the end of Holy Day, I--

I might have had time to heal some of these wounds.

A holy day?

With other pilgrims?

100 at least, all sick and crippled.

Then we'll follow you to Shrewsbury.

The guest dormitory is full.

Close the gates.

But there is still space in the courtyard, Brother.

Father Abbot would admit the rest, I'm certain.

While he is away, I will decide who enters

and who does not.

There are too many of them this year.

MAN: Gates are closing.

Father Abbot returns, brother.

Let me in.

We have pilgrims.

Out with them.

Bless you, Brother.

Bless you indeed.

Whoa there.

It's the bag there in the middle.

I'll pay you when I get the bag.

Or I could, um, drop my fee if you'll join me for some ale

tonight.

Is it just a cup of ale you want my sister to raise, eh?

Eh?

Get away from me, cripple.

I'll kill you for that.

Walter, please.

- My- my legs. - Sorry.

Here. Take your bag.

Let me help you.

There.

You're not hurt, are you?

Yes.

I must go to my brother.

Get up.

come on, Ciaran.

Come on.

The order of procession is complete.

Saint Winifred's reliquary is being prepared as we speak.

And the pilgrims?

Father?

Where are the pilgrims?

Well-- well most of them are in the streets of the town.

They should be within the abbey walls

enjoying our protection.

Yes, but Father, the guest dormitory is full.

Then put them in the courtyard and the storehouse.

But open the gates again and bid them

all welcome, Brother Prior.

You think I should line up with the cripples

and touch the holy relics.

Incurables have been cured.

Not me.

My fate is certain.

These wounds need cleaning.

Before I wipe away this blood, let me take this cross off.

No.

Leave it alone.

Well, calm yourself.

I meant no harm, Ciaran.

[banging]

I've not taken it off, not for a second.

Brother Cadfael will vouch for me, won't you?

Yes, of course.

But you must let me treat your neck where the twine

has bitten into it here.

And your feet are still bleeding.

You can't walk for at least three days.

We'll stay that long.

But Luc.

I said we'll stay.

This way, friends.

Give him a blanket.

There you are.

The warmer to your left.

One for you.

Bless you.

Welcome.

Take a blanket.

This way.

Now to your left.

Blanket for you.

Through here.

That's it.

Can I help you?

Oh, Brother, you startled me.

Well, do forgive me.

Were you looking for something?

Well, we're all looking for something, aren't we,

Brother, we pilgrims, we poor lost souls.

Well, you may well be lost, but you don't look very poor.

There's no sin in that, I hope.

And you're obviously not a cripple.

So why have you come to this particular holy day?

Ah.

No.

I have some relics you might find interesting.

Normally, I sell only to my fellow travelers,

but if you're interested-- - No.

Stop there.

Whatever it is you're selling, we have

Saint Winifred's relics here.

We need no others.

Thank you.

You're Brother Cadfael, aren't you?

I am indeed.

Simeon Bagot, merchant of Warwick.

Now until you can find room for some more inside the abbey

in the infirmary or the guest hall,

a fool told me I'd have to sleep in the courtyard.

The fool was right.

You misunderstand me, Brother.

I do not wish to sleep in the cold.

Nor do many others.

You wear my patience, monk.

You outstay your welcome, merchant.

Thank you, father.

Come closer.

Give us a coat.

Melangell, come back here.

Come here.

Stay away from them.

[interposing voices]

Father Abbott wants them to be warm and dry.

Why are you letting all of these people

indoors by the fire?

Come on, all of you.

In you come.

[chatter]

Come along.

There's plenty of room.

Plenty of room for all of you.

Bless you, Father.

Come along.

This way.

God bless you, Brother.

I'll pay you in the morning.

How about that drink?

Get off.

Brother Prior, they're in the warming room.

What?

[whispers]

Out. Out.

All of you out.

This room is not for pilgrims.

Wake up. [interposing voices]

Come along.

You have no permission to be here.

Now move out! - Come along.

Out of here. - Not in here.

Come on.

This is intolerable.

Mind your leg.

Watch your step. - Come along.

Out. Out.

All of you out.

Freezing.

If you need warmth, there's a perfectly

good brazier for your there. - Pilgrims.

It's freezing.

It's un-Christian!

I'm sorry.

Look at all these filthy sacks they've left.

Shall I fetch them back?

No, no, no, no.

Keep them out.

The warming room is for the benefit of Benedictines.

Those pilgrims had no right to enter.

What the-- what do they pack when they travel?

No, no.

It's this one.

It absolutely stinks.

The stench is truly horrible.

Get Father Abbot.

Yes, Brother Prior.

Who owns this satchel?

Who owns this satchel?

What?

Answer me.

Right.

I want you all out of here, out of these cloisters now.

All of you.

What is it, Brother Prior?

What-- what have you found?

It's unspeakable.

Unspeakable.

We don't know where to go.

Who is this man?

And how did you come to be here?

I'm afraid it's not going to be so easy to find out now,

Father, after what happened when he was found by Prior Robert.

I called for Father Abbot.

What else could I have done?

All I am saying is I think it's a pity.

And I'll put it no stronger than that.

But I think it's a pity you let all the pilgrims just

walk out of the room.

Well, I-- I should have kept them

locked up here where they have no

right to be in the first place?

Given there might have been a murderer among them,

it could have been a good idea.

What do you mean, brother?

Well, father, I'm sure you'll agree

it is quite unusual for someone to be

walking around with a dead body trussed up in a leather sack.

But before I can tell you more, I

must examine him more closely.

God protect us.

Forgive the lack of welcome, Hugh,

but we've discovered an extra guest.

You discovered him?

Yes.

Trussed up like a cooking fowl and stuffed

inside this old satchel.

Belonging to who?

A pilgrim, one of the many in the abbey.

His limbs look as though they've all been broken.

Yes.

The joints have been snapped.

Well, you can see the satchel isn't very big.

If the body was cold, how else would you

force the limbs inside the bag?

We must get this out of here and buried straight away w--

w-- with all due reverence.

Not buried yet.

It stinks.

That's because he's been dead for some time.

How long?

Well, a week, maybe more.

The weather's been cold.

Father, will you agree with me this corpse must be buried?

Father, we might have a murderer among us

here in the abbey.

Everyone must remain in the abbey till we know the truth.

Which only he can tell us.

If he's buried now, we'll never know what happened.

What are you proposing, brother?

[speaking latin].

What's that?

A vat is filled with vinegar and the body

is boiled inside it until the flesh separates from the bones.

I need to examine the skull.

It's out of the question, Brother Cadfael.

[latin] is for the highest in the land

who've died away from home.

We don't know his standing.

We don't know where he lived or where he died.

My point is, father, that bones can be buried with just as much

reverence as the whole body.

And [latin] will allow me to study this skull more closely.

What do you expect to find?

I think I can feel a crack at the back of the skull here.

A blow to the head.

Mhm.

That would fit with the blood and the mucus from his nose

dried around his mouth.

The longer we talk in such disgusting detail,

the worst the stink will become.

May I dispose of this now, Father?

Let me have my way and we will all be content.

We will honor this man's bones,

but I too should like to know more about him.

Very well, Cadfael.

Do it.

I'll await your findings.

Who are you, old man?

And how did you die?

[singing in latin]

The body of a dead, our fellow pilgrim perhaps,

packed tight in a satchel, deformed, decaying, horrible.

Shut the gates.

Bolt them.

No one is to leave.

But you can't do that.

Let us out.

And now we are-- they'll have us trapped here, not just

with a rotting cadaver but--

but with the murderer too.

Who knows which one of us will suffer the same fate

and end up bleeding.

- It's the devil's work, I say. - That's true.

SIMEON BAGOT: Gasping for air.

Die in a bag.

None of us is safe.

We must all stay awake and protect each other or else

be taken from this world and cast down

into the pits of damnation.

As for myself, I'll trust in God and the relics

that have kept me safe these five and 30 years.

Gather close and see what I have.

[chatter]

From the cold dead scalp of Saint Matthew of Harrogate,

who, as we all know, was struck down by the evil Lord

Tarristock as he tried to defend the little children

of his mistress.

Who wants to buy a lock of the martyr's hair?

[interposing voices]

The purse-- the purse.

You must give it back.

I'll take it to the old man if you can't face him.

Oh, I understand.

I'll give you the purse and you keep it for yourself.

No.

And then you tell every monk in the abbey

I'm a thief so they can turn me over to the sheriff.

That's not what I'd call justice as you will find.

For now, I want the old man to have his purse back.

The purse.

Nothing else?

Yes.

There's something I want.

What's your name?

Melangell.

My name's Luc.

Will you join me in prayer?

Prayer?

Murder seems likely.

See here where the skull has been split?

As I thought.

[latin] and you merely find what you knew already.

It confirms that this could have

been enough to kill the man.

From a blow to the head, which might have been an accident.

Yes, it might have been an accident.

But as I said before, why hide the results of an accident

in an old leather sack?

Of course, there may be other indications

here that it was murder.

I can't find that out until I've reassembled all the bones.

In the meantime, it is essential that all the pilgrims should

remain within the abbey walls.

Must we live in fear of our lives

until Brother Cadfael is done?

Father Abbot, the gates are now locked and guarded.

I urge you to keep them secure.

The pilgrims must go out with Saint Winifred

when her reliquary is carried from the abbey on Cripples Day.

If we prevent pilgrims from traveling,

they cease to be pilgrims.

Besides, there's nowhere to put them.

Then somewhere must be found.

I need to keep every suspect within reach

until I know who's guilty.

There should be room in the storehouse or the bell tower.

Their purpose is not to accommodate pilgrims.

Their purpose is for whatever Father Abbot decides.

Open the bell tower and fill the storehouse.

You have the rest of the night and the whole of tomorrow

to learn what you can.

But when the gates are opened for Saint Winifred,

they are opened for everyone.

There is something that I've found--

this cross.

When the vat was emptied and the flesh pulled from the bones,

this was found tangled among the ribs.

And yet when the body was placed in the bath,

it was completely unadorned.

How do you account for that, Brother?

I'm afraid I can't, Father.

Keep moving on the stairway.

Keep moving.

Come this way.

Go that way.

To your left.

Keep moving.

That's right.

Straight to the top.

Though we can't see up here.

Can't sleep up here.

Out of the way.

That's my space.

Can't you see my leg?

Walter, stop it.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

You'll have to excuse my brother.

That's all right.

Thank you.

Sleep well.

Sit down.

There's more room in the back through there.

There's a nice place for you.

That man with a beard is a thief, if I can only prove it.

What, Simeon Bagot?

Is that his chosen name?

It was John Poer when I last saw him.

Oh, where was that?

At a fair on the other side of the county.

Purses went missing and so did he.

So?

He's a thief.

But does that make him a murderer?

[singing in latin]

Well, we know that he was lame.

You see how the bones have grown crooked after being broken?

And the right leg is shorter than the left.

This is a very old break.

Look how it's healed after twisting when he was alive.

A lame man here for Cripples Day.

No.

You might have a suggestion though.

He was brought to the abbey despite being dead.

Why?

A final pilgrimage perhaps forced upon him by those

that were carrying him.

He might, of course, have been alive when he started out

and then killed on the way.

There are so many possibilities.

And then someone managed to drop this into the vat.

It's possible they might wish to have it back.

But they don't know where to find it.

If only I had as many facts to piece together as I have bones.

Well, how many facts do you have, Brother?

Two.

He's been dead not more than a week

and he was put into the satchel within a day of his death

when his limbs were still stiff.

Brother?

Father Abbott wants you.

He's allowing Ciaran to leave.

Boy, you'll stay here.

And don't leave those bones.

No one in the abbey is above suspicion.

Ciaran should be allowed to leave if he chooses.

His innocence is as plain as his penitence.

He is no different from any other pilgrim.

He sets an example that we would all do well to copy.

There can be no question that such

a humble and self deprecating soul could

ever be accused of a crime.

Certainly not one as horrific as murder.

He's a God fearing young man, Brother Cadfael.

Do you doubt that?

Brother Cadfael's opinion has been

affected by his investigation.

I believe Ciaran to be innocent.

And I intend to let him leave when he wishes.

Furthermore, I've decided to offer my own assistance.

I shall give him one of my rings.

It bears the device of the Bishop of Winchester

and should afford safe conduct through Wales.

[singing in latin]

Thank you, Father Abbot.

It offers you more protection than even

your brother could hope to do.

And does this mean I can leave the abbey?

Yes.

Your brother too, of course.

Your brother can easily walk away.

But if you insist on leaving now,

you must have more care to your feet.

Come to my workshop.

Oh, come in.

My brother Walter cannot rest.

It's the pain from his legs.

Will you give me a sleeping draft?

Why don't you let me look at them?

I can-- I might be able to do something for you.

Just leave that to St. Winifred.

Give me some poppy juice.

Please, Walter, for me.

Let him look at you.

Come sit down.

Have you been lame from birth?

From birth?

No.

Well, tell him, Melangell.

Tell him how you nearly killed me.

I tripped him as we played by a river.

The current took him and his legs were dragged over rocks.

I nearly drowned.

My legs were shredded and the bones were showing

white through the blood.

I nursed him as well as I could, spent weeks feeding him,

cleaning him.

But you couldn't mend my legs.

They're as useless now as when I dragged

myself out of the river.

I did what I could.

Not enough.

I can't look after myself or ever hope to.

It's my fault my brother was hurt.

I took away the life he should have

had so he has mine instead.

You took a vow with your hand on the true cross at Hereford.

You promised to take care of me.

And that's what I do.

Every day, every hour I'm with you.

What more do you want from me?

I thought your problem might have stemmed from your sinews,

but they don't appear to be knotted.

Just let me have some poppy juice.

I told you to come to me.

Perhaps your poor feet couldn't cover even that short distance.

I haven't tried to walk tonight.

Will you try tomorrow?

That's when you're leaving us, isn't it?

Ask Luc.

You said that you were going back home

to your birthplace in Wales.

Is that where your parents still live?

They died many years ago.

Both of them.

And you're going home to join them in death.

Well, I'm afraid that holds no attractions for me

even if it could be avoided.

I have no desire to become a pile of bones

like that body we found in the satchel.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Did I sting you?

A body?

It's bones now?

Oh, yes.

Just bones on a slab waiting to be buried.

Oh, forgive me.

You mustn't let my morbid thoughts

dissuade you from your purpose.

Yes, I--

I'm-- I feel my own bones will soon rot in the earth.

Where is the ring the abbot gave you?

- What? - The abbot's ring.

Where is it?

I don't know.

It was taken.

Taken? By whom?

I didn't see.

You didn't see.

This was a personal gift from the abbot himself and you

didn't notice who took it.

I was asleep.

When I woke, the ring had gone.

But it couldn't have gone easily.

Look I can see how it must have hurt you.

How could you sleep through that?

I don't know, but I did.

JEROME: Brother, Brother, come quickly.

The infirmary is not a place for pilgrims.

Has he said what he's doing here?

Not yet.

I was lost.

The truth now.

That is the truth now.

The truth is what I'll get from you if we're alone.

I'm just trying to find a way out of the abbey.

I'm afraid for my life.

You afraid?

There is a murderer inside these walls.

And you keep us imprisoned here with this lunatic

sent from hell to-- to slit our throats.

There are young children here, women too.

They do not deserve to feel their life blood

spurting from their necks.

Please, Brother, release us before someone else

is butchered.

That's it.

[bells clanging]

Well, you must have seen something

or at least heard something.

I was listening to God.

You were struck on the head.

You were robbed.

Your purse has been cut from your belt. Look.

You've lost your purse.

No.

I've lost nothing.

Then why were you attacked?

Well, the merchant Simeon said nothing.

His memory was lost the moment he left the infirmary.

Well, for last night's events, I'd say the most likely suspect

is that young man on crutches.

Well, you're forgetting what the merchant sells.

Well, he sells relics.

And silver crosses like the one in the vat.

Yeah, but none of the pilgrims went near the vat.

The only people in the infirmary were Benedictines.

But no one in the Abbey is above suspicion.

What else does a man like Simeon Bagot sell?

Bones.

Well, his sort always claimed to have the finger of one

saint, the rib of another.

So then.

So then?

Well Simeon Bagot gets his bones from the people he kills,

people like the old man in the satchel.

Oh, perhaps, but why carry a whole body around with you?

I mean, he could have boiled it down before he got here.

I suppose he could.

Right.

Double the guard on the gate.

Have you been on your knees with that God loving fool?

Luc's a good man, different to the rest.

But no better than the dozens you've had before.

Don't be taken in by his good looks, his firm, fit body.

Inside he is a madman.

Have you seen him this morning?

No. Why?

What's happened?

Have you not got anything for me today?

Don't you ever think of anything but stealing?

I can't afford to.

We can't afford to.

And stay away from Luc.

He's sent from the devil.

He'll have you seeing visions and speaking in tongues.

Never.

Never imagine because God already knows your sin

you shouldn't confess it.

You learn about yourself through the act of confession.

Only through true repentance can you find the way.

Do you understand?

Adam, come on, boy.

There's work to be done.

You will find no peace through work.

Peace-- peace is found only through the confession of sin.

We'll talk again soon.

Yes.

Yes, please.

Adam, are you unhappy with the rule of St. Benedict's?

No, Brother.

Do we teach you badly?

Would you prefer Luc was your tutor?

No.

MAN: Go on then.

WALTER: Put your money down.

Now I'm good at this.

50 50.

All right.

All right.

The dice.

Are mine.

Not just a cripple, but a cheating cripple.

Brother Prior, quickly.

This way.

This way.

What is happening here?

Gambling!

Gambling in this holy place!

Out.

Out all of you.

Go. Begone.

Begone!

Out of here, you vermin.

Go!

Go!

On your feet!

[music playing]

[singing in latin]

Now when you were brought in here and laid on this bed,

this ring was found in your purse.

This is Father Abbot's gift to a penitential pilgrim,

and you stole it, didn't you?

Stole it? Me?

Yes.

No, Brother.

You plied Ciaran with the poppy juice I gave you.

Then you pulled it off his finger.

I wouldn't go near that evil lunatic.

Well, how did you come by it then?

Simeon Bagot.

He must have put it on me to get me into trouble.

Yes.

And you must think I'm a fool.

And the monk knows we steal.

We have to go before he tells the sheriff.

And don't tell me you want to stay and pray.

Melangell, you know how much I need you.

I can't carry the bag alone.

Do you want me to starve and die?

Melangell, please.

It's all right, Walter.

I won't leave you.

Try and see what's behind those screens.

There's always somebody sitting there.

What's so valuable it has to be guarded?

Melangell.

Brother Cadfael.

Yes.

Now listen.

Last night I saw your brother follow

Luc as he left the bell tower.

I followed them both to the abbey.

And as the bell rang for lauds, I found Luc unconscious

and your brother gone.

Walter was already asleep.

When the bell rang for lauds?

Yes.

All of us in that hellhole woke up just as we have done

every night, Walter included.

Do you think he ran back from the abbey?

Yes, I do.

I think his legs are as strong as yours or mine.

I think he attacked Luc because he's afraid that Luc is going

to take you away from him.

You're wrong. My brother is a cripple.

Is he?

Brother, Father Abbot has summoned us.

Why?

Come with me.

But Brother--

Come with me now.

Melangell, you come too.

See.

He needs his crutches even when he's alone.

Now wait.

I left it in the infirmary.

I'll fetch it now.

Melangell, I--

You--

Melangell!

I'm free to go.

Yes, you are.

Father Abbot has made his wishes very plain.

So do you wish to leave now or will you wait for first light?

I'll wait a little longer than that, I think.

Yes.

I'll go when the time is right.

Does Luc know you found this? - No.

Not yet.

You won't have to tell him.

The ring is mine, to help me on my journey.

Whose idea was this pilgrimage?

I know you are the pilgrim.

But it seems your brother is the one who believes

in the power of penitence.

We both believe in that.

[music playing]

[singing in latin]

Well, you know, it's all God's purpose,

but I'd like to know why he would.

Right.

Right.

Yes.

Yes.

You're right, right, right.

--touching the saint.

Melangell, listen to me.

I've prayed long and hard.

I know what I must do.

What?

Just listen.

I'm going to die soon.

Luc is not.

He should stay with someone who can still learn from him.

He should stay with you.

He won't.

I know it.

He's taken a vow just as I did.

That vow must be broken.

Tomorrow, on the holy day, stay close to Luc.

As soon as the gates are opened, I'll be off to Wales.

On your own?

I have the abbot's ring to protect me.

It was lost, but found again now, a sign that I should go.

But not a word to Luc about that, not till I've gone.

Will you stay with Luc tomorrow? - Yes.

I'll stay with him.

Come.

It's the saint.

Oh, hallelujah.

Here she comes.

Hallelujah.

Hallelujah.

Time to open the gates.

Praise be.

Allow us to rest easy in our beds again.

The murderer will have gone, whoever you failed to catch,

Brother Cadfael.

[music playing]

[singing in latin]

All these years I've wasted on you.

Just listen to me.

No.

I've heard enough of your lies.

I'm going with a man who speaks the truth.

I walked only three steps.

It must have been the presence of Saint Winifred.

Melangell, I can't go on alone.

Melangell, please.

Luc, come to the front.

Let's keep close to Saint Winifred.

Where's Ciaran?

I saw him by the abbey steps.

Don't worry about him.

Stay with me.

We can be together now.

Luc.

Ah!

Adam, who's guarding the bones?

Everyone's out here.

I left you there for a purpose, boy.

Praise be to Saint Winifred.

Sorry, Brother.

I'm so sorry.

Be quiet.

Let me think.

Go and find Hugh Beringar.

Tell him what's happened.

Let's hope there's still time to catch the merchant.

The merchant?

Yes.

He was right after all.

Simeon Bagot's the murderer.

I thought you said it was Walter.

Well, I thought so until I saw him outside just now.

Well, he couldn't have taken the bones.

Now go on. Quickly.

Come on!

Luc!

Come back inside.

Not without Ciaran.

Where is he?

He's gone.

You can forget him now.

Gone?

Gone where?

The road to Wales.

He won't go without me.

He has the abbot's ring so he'll be safe.

And I can be your pupil.

Don't go after him.

He wants you to stay with me.

He said your vow must be broken.

Master Luc!

Bless us, Saint Winifred.

Amen.

Amen.

Pax vobiscum.

I'm cured.

It's a miracle.

I can walk.

Blessed Saint Winifred.

PILGRIM: It's a miracle.

He's cured.

Touch me.

Touch him!

It's a miracle, Brother.

What a miraculous holy day, Brother Cadfael.

Will it always be so?

Somehow, Adam, I very much doubt it.

Thank you.

Thank you, friend.

Thank you.

No amount too small or large.

Your money is blessed.

Here, feel.

I'm a living mir--

Your performance may have fooled these poor souls,

but I know the truth.

Unless you hand their money back,

I'll let them know just what an imposter your are,

And they'll tear you limb from limb.

He's an imposter.

He tricked us!

I am-- I am cured.

Give me my money back!

Give me back my money.

I want my money.

I'm sorry.

But-- - Imposter!

All right.

All right.

Just-- just--

I've been so stupid.

We all have times when we fail.

That's why we must confess our sins

and seek to purify our soul.

Luc would know what to say.

Luc?

Who do you think did this?

He hit me.

Luc's a good man.

So he'd make you think.

A kind man, wise and gentle.

I saw him helping your brother to walk.

When he was still a cripple.

Yes, he put his strong arms round Walter and helped

him walk around the courtyard, just as he

helped his own father to walk.

But his father died years ago.

No.

He's been dead little more than a week.

Did Luc tell you that?

And he was lame?

So he said.

A crippled father who died a week ago.

Where is Luc now?

Gone after his brother to Wales.

Did he have a satchel with him?

No.

He went with nothing.

Then Ciaran has the bones.

Adam, fetch Hugh Beringar.

Tell him to ride to the long forest

where it crosses the road to Wales.

I think Ciaran has those bones and the cross.

Come on.

Hurry up, boy.

No, Brother, you're wrong.

Ciaran does not have the cross.

I do.

That's orders.

All pilgrims bags to be searched.

Come on, empty it out.

PILGRIM: What are you looking for?

WOMAN: All our stuff is here.

PILGRIM: We've got nothing.

We've taken nothing.

We've stolen nothing.

Whoa. Whoa.

SOLDIER: How about that sack here.

Empty them out. Come on.

Come on.

I haven't got all day.

We've nothing of any value in there.

Step down before my sergeant pulls you down.

SOLDIER: All right.

You're good to go.

What are you looking for?

What?

Where are they, at the bottom?

Yes, I see it.

The bones of the man you murdered.

Do you really think you could escape from God?

Luc, please.

Forgive me.

You have been called towards evil and must be punished.

Forgive me.

Please.

It's not for me to forgive.

[clatter]

I haven't broken my vow.

Why kill me?

Why?

Why don't you answer your brother?

I found this outside.

I see you have the rest.

Did you kill him?

Well, everything I know suggests you did.

These bones show that this man had one leg deformed.

That means he was lame.

I heard Melangell describing how Luc used

to support his lame father.

Your father, Ciaran.

Did you kill him?

Where is the cross?

You've seen all the jewelry I have.

Strip him.

Look everywhere.

Your guilt suggests a mortal sin.

And why take the bones unless you want to hide them?

I want to bury them.

I want to bury my father in Wales where he was born.

That's what I vowed to do.

I was going to do it.

This was your idea, this penitential pilgrimage,

even this heavy cross about his neck.

My brother took a vow.

We agreed if he should break any part of it,

I would take his life.

It is not for you to take anyone's life.

How dare you play God.

Is that what you were doing when you removed the Abbot's ring

fro your brother's finger, the ring that Walter then stole

from you?

I-- I am doing God's work.

God's work?

You're not fit even to mention his name let alone

presume to act on his behalf.

Whatever Ciaran has done, you cannot decide his punishment.

But I deserve to die, Cadfael.

I killed our father.

This is not a man.

No, it's an ass.

As you are.

Lord Beringar.

Lord Beringar, come quickly.

Brother Cadfael needs you with him.

Come on.

Come on.

I pushed him.

He fell down stairs.

He hit his head.

You pushed your father down stairs.

We were fighting.

He said I was getting as mad as my brother.

But this was not madness.

This was the truth.

At last, I could see God's truth.

You finally came to me but Father would not.

And now he burns in hell.

Your father hit his head, you say.

Did he die straight away?

He was alive, but he wouldn't wake up.

Luc stopped the bleeding.

I went for help.

And when I came back, he was dead.

I killed him.

I killed him.

I cannot complete this journey.

Finish me now.

You won't touch your brother while I'm here.

Vengeance must be mine.

Vengeance belongs to God.

And justice is for Lord Beringar to administer.

Would you kill your brother while he

wears your father's cross?

This is not father's.

This is Luc's.

This is yours?

But this was found in the vat with your father's bones.

Did you put it there, Luc?

Luc!

He needed protection on his journey.

What journey?

Not the journey to Wales.

This wasn't found in the satchel with the body.

This was found-- unless this was inside the body itself.

Have I been very stupid?

The blood in his mouth didn't come from his nose, did it?

It came from his throat.

Am I right, Luc?

Answer me.

Yes, there was blood from his throat.

Better blood than the putrid bile of his blasphemy.

And you silenced him with this.

You thrust it into his mouth.

I gave him a token of God's love.

You choked him to death by forcing

this cross down his throat.

His time had come.

His time had not come.

He was still alive.

With this cross, you killed him.

You.

This pilgrimage was for nothing.

This pilgrimage was to teach him true remorse.

His whole life has been full of sin till now.

The sinner who wants to repent must be afraid.

And I made him afraid.

But you're the one who sinned.

You're the one who murdered.

What suffering has God reserved for you?

I will suffer when I have helped more wretched souls

like you to find the way.

Your time has come.

CADFAEL: Luc, don't!

Leave him!

LUC: Stay back, Cadfael.

How will you suffer?

Tell me!

I have the killer.

No, Luc.

I have him here.

You don't have to go on now.

I think I do.

If I had listened to my father instead of my--

instead of him, my father would still be alive.

The guilt for what has happened is not yours.

I have it though.

I always will.

[music playing]

[singing in latin]

Oh, Adam.

Have you learned nothing?

Luc said suffering and remorse lead to--

I'm not interested in what Luc said.

And you should forget everything he told you.

I sinned.

Then pray for forgiveness.

There are so many people in this world born to pain

they've not chosen.

Your prayers are enough.

Nothing more is wanted.

[THEME MUSIC - CLERKES OF ST. ALBANS ABBEY,

"CADFAEL OF SHREWSBURY"]

[singing in latin]