La catedral del mar (2018) s01e05 Episode Script
Episode 5
A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES I'm here to apologize.
Let's get away from Barcelona.
I can't go, Aledis.
You know I'm getting married.
You can't! I'll tell everybody the truth.
Jaime of Majorca is trying to kidnap you and take you prisoner.
Arnau, I'm going to the university.
He thinks he's one of us now.
He'll never be one of us.
Arnau! Attack! I'm looking for my husband.
Arnau Estanyol.
He's a bastaix, he lives in La Ribera and is married to a María Cardona.
Can I help you, lady? An arrow killed him during the assault on the castle.
Arnau, please go before it's too late.
Ramón, Miquel and so many others.
There's no doctor that can save María from the pestilence.
- Death to the Jews! - Calm down! - Death to the Jews! - Silence! Silence! Calm down! I'm telling you the Jews are not to blame.
The bull is from Pope Clement VI.
They poisoned the wells.
The Jews are the plague.
The bull from the Pope is crystal clear.
It's a pestilence God has decided to afflict the Christian people with.
We can only pray and repent.
They poisoned the water our children drink.
- Death to the Jews! - No! Stop! Murderers! Heretics! Stop! They're Jews.
They're children.
Let them go.
They're Jews.
They killed Jesus.
They steal the consecrated hosts.
They poison our wells.
These children poisoned your wells? If you want to kill Jews, go to the Jewish quarter and fight with the soldiers.
To the Jewish quarter! Get out! Are you in charge of these children? I must take them to the Jewish quarter.
Not today.
Let's go.
Why are you helping the Jews? Come on.
Follow me.
Let's go.
- Get in.
- Here? Nobody will look in a crypt.
What are you waiting for? Get in.
No.
I must fight alongside my masters.
Or just bury them.
Are you carrying food in that pouch? What's your master's name? Hasdai Crescas.
- And yours? - Sahat.
When this blows over, I'll get them home.
May your God assist you, Sahat.
Christian.
What's your name? Arnau Estanyol.
May your God bless you, Estanyol.
Don't be afraid.
They're just dead.
They won't hurt you.
Let's go.
Are you siblings? Jucef and me.
Saúl is our neighbor.
And he's friends with Jucef.
My name's Arnau.
I'm Raquel.
You don't believe them.
Whom? They say we are to blame for this.
That we poisoned the wells.
I've seen many Jews on the dead-wagons.
Why would you poison your own wells? You're a good man.
You sleep now.
He won't last long.
You should get rid of him.
- Does he have the pestilence? - He doesn't, but he's very weak.
What will you do with him when he dies? I don't know.
I might die first of the epidemic.
Or you.
Yes, but I won't let him die in the street like a dog.
He saved my children.
I also have children, Hasdai.
And I'm taking a great risk.
What if the King's soldiers found me? Pay him.
And have him leave through the stable.
It's safer.
If it wasn't for him, all of us would be dead.
Why would he do that? He's a Christian.
He's just a good man.
Follow me.
The Guard's officer is a greedy man.
I shall bribe him when the Christian dies.
It'll cost me, but he'll keep the secret so there won't be any reprisals.
He's still alive.
Hasdai has faith in God.
We got a letter from Sicily's correspondent.
He's offering slaves and spices.
- The price isn't - I'm sorry.
I can't talk shop right now.
Leave me alone, please.
I went to your church and prayed to your Virgin.
She said you shouldn't listen to the doctor.
You are going to live.
She saved you from the plague because she wants you alive.
What are you doing here? You've entered a Christian church.
- We Jews are not allowed to.
- I lied.
I just meant to give him hope.
I'd go.
I'd even pray to his Virgin if I knew it would help him.
Keep the dorm room doors open.
And pay attention to anything that might happen.
In the name of the Council of the Hundred, let it be known that last week only 32 people died of pestilence in Barcelona.
Nine people have been cured, and their homes have been declared plague-free.
Master! The plague is over.
They just read the edict.
Only 32.
God be praised.
Alhamdulillah.
Water.
Children, kiss this man's hands.
God saved him from death, and He gives us the chance to show him our gratitude.
Do you know what he asked when he woke up? He wanted to know if you were all right.
Arnau Estanyol, I'm a rich man, but all my wealth is worth nothing compared to my children, the lights of my life.
Hasdai's gratitude knows no limits.
All I own is yours.
I'm sorry.
Leave.
He needs his rest.
Sahat.
Tell Sicily's correspondent we're buying every slave he's got.
All of them? There were over 500 of them.
I don't care if there are 1,000.
I want them all.
It's a lot of money, Master.
Cloth and spices sell much better these days.
Slaves, Sahat.
A lot of people have died.
Barcelona needs workers.
It pains me to see you leave like this.
I'm indebted to you.
You took me in.
You saved my life and fed me for months.
Surely, avoiding charges because of this cost you dearly.
Who is indebted to whom? There's not enough gold in the world to pay for what you gave me.
You're too weak to work as a bastaix.
Stay, and let us help you.
You already did, Sahat.
And I'll be grateful all my life.
My children are happy with you.
Jucef sees you as a hero.
Ask me whatever you wish.
I could even get you a title.
Half the nobles of Barcelona owe me money.
They went broke with their wars.
They live on Jewish cambists.
You've given me more than I deserve.
And I don't want to have anything to do with titles or nobles.
Every noble I have stumbled on in my life has made it miserable.
And tell your son I'm no hero.
I only went to war to run away.
From whom? From a treacherous, adulterous and unworthy man.
Utter his name, and he shall be my enemy.
That man is me.
I went to war to run away from my own sins.
When I got back, I only found death and devastation.
My wife, my friends.
All dead.
God took them and left me alive so I could know what being alone in the world is like.
I only have a brother left, and I haven't seen him in years.
You are not alone.
Here you have two friends who will be loyal to you until death.
Please let me I'm not worthy of such honors or this house, Hasdai.
Arnau Please accept these farewell presents.
I'm a penniless Christian.
I don't own a jewel that is up to your beauty.
But I'll give you something that will be useful in life, some advice.
Never give yourself to a man unworthy of you.
You must take care of yourself.
It's what your Virgin would like.
You've survived a war and an epidemic.
Your Virgin is sending you a message.
You still have many wars to fight.
There might be something you could do for me.
I'd be honored.
What do you need to be a cambist? Nothing I can't get.
A house, a guarantee, some money.
And a man who knows the business.
I can't accept.
I owe you my life.
Please.
My father was a farmer.
He gave his life to give me freedom.
I don't want any slaves.
If you want to come with me, you'll come as a free man.
Sahat is the best present I can give you.
Everybody knows Sahat.
He'll give you prestige, and I'll provide the money to start the business.
But nobody must know a Jew is helping you.
And nobody must know I gave you Sahat.
We'll say he decided to convert to Christianity, and, as Jews can't own Christian slaves, I was forced to set him free.
"by baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and teach them what I taught you.
" Do you renounce the Devil? I do.
Do you renounce all his works? I do.
I know you.
You are related to Agustí.
Agustí? Your wife's little brother.
It doesn't matter.
They're all dead now.
María was right.
About what? She said you were not going to die, that you'd come back and that you would have children then.
Well, she was wrong about that.
Mar.
I christen you Guillem, in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
This tablecloth is an insurance certificate from the town magistrate, for 1,000 silver marks.
Gold croat, Catalan.
Gold florin, Aragonese.
Bezant and mazmudina, Muslim.
Tours pounds, French.
On the first line, every bottom token is worth one, and the top token, five.
Second line, tenfold.
Bottom, ten.
Top, fifty.
Understand? Donaha can cook, and she's pure and discreet.
We can buy her at a good price.
I said I didn't want any slaves.
Someone has to tidy up and do the cooking, Master.
You can either get a slave, or a wife.
She'll get her freedom whenever she wants.
All right.
But don't call me "master.
" Take it.
Buying money.
I don't get it.
It's quite simple.
Today the King established that the gold florin is worth 13 silver croats.
But in Venice or Alexandria they couldn't care less about what Pedro of Aragon says.
They know the gold a florin is made of is not worth the silver in 13 croats.
Even a child knows that.
If we buy silver croats in Barcelona and sell them in Venice, with the gold we get off that we can buy loads of silver croats.
Then we sell them in Venice and we start all over again.
If it's so simple, everybody should be doing it, right? Not everybody has that red silk tablecloth, money to amass silver or correspondents in 20 cities.
We must do it quickly before the price changes.
Tomorrow the King might decide that the florin's worth nothing.
In that case, if I'd spent everything on florins, I'd be ruined.
That won't happen.
But what if it did? I won't let it happen, Master.
But what if it happened? What if a cambist can't honor the receipts? What then? The magistrate gives him six months to settle all debts.
What if he doesn't pay? He goes to prison.
For how long? Until the debts are settled.
How is he supposed to do that from prison? The magistrate sells his properties.
His properties? This house doesn't even cover a tenth of the receipts I've signed.
Should the properties not be enough, the magistrate would declare you abatut.
"Abatut"? Abatut! Abatut! Esteban Castelló.
In the name of the Magistrate, you are sentenced to be put to death by decapitation.
Cambists of Barcelona, watch.
Carry out the sentence.
Give me peace of mind, Mother.
Make those demons disappear, and I swear I'll be pure.
I will never touch a woman again.
Is that you, girl? We need more guarantees.
A hundred sous is a lot of money.
I'll have to go somewhere with my wife and kids.
Look for a humbler house.
Arnau, you knew my family.
You know I lost my parents and siblings.
I have no money.
He's an honest and hardworking bastaix.
He'll repay you in full.
Besides, when he gets married, the Guild will double his salary.
It's a lot of money.
You need more guarantees.
I wanted to ask you for something myself.
Mr.
Estanyol is already contributing without stint to St.
Mary's works.
I know.
The works go on thanks to Arnau.
But what I want to ask is not for the church.
Do you know her? She's a Fortuny.
Bastaixos, like you.
They all died of pestilence.
And now she's alone in this world.
She's been under my care for months, but that's not appropriate, - so I'm sending her to a convent - I'm not going.
Be quiet, young lady.
She'll start as a servant and, in time, she might become a novice.
No.
As you see, she has no vocation at all.
So I just thought getting her married later on, if I don't want to marry, and I don't want to be a novice either.
- Will you shut up already? - I want to live in Barcelona.
This is a sad and quiet house.
A child's laughter would be nice company.
I could adopt her.
I'd give her a stipend, she would eat properly and get an education.
Her parents couldn't have dreamed of a better godfather than Arnau Estanyol.
It wouldn't be appropriate, Master.
Why not? Because you're not married.
I vouch for this household's honesty.
I suppose a priest's word is still worth something.
Not in money matters.
A cambist lives on his reputation.
I just mean to protect you, Master.
I'll give her a dowry so she can marry.
Thank you, Arnau.
Let's go, Mar.
You taught me the trade, Sahat.
That's why I trust your judgment.
But there's one thing you haven't told me.
What's the money for? What is it for, but to decide freely? I just mean to protect you, Master.
Don't call me master when it's only you and me.
You're not my slave.
There's another thing I don't get.
How did we make so much money so quickly? Loans don't pay off that fast.
From now on, don't bring the slaves we buy to Barcelona.
Sell them in Majorca's market.
There's war in Majorca.
It's dangerous to anchor there.
And they pay less than here.
I have my reasons.
And we don't want any money.
We'd prefer a receipt.
Thank you for not asking any questions.
I wish to speak to your master.
You're not allowed to leave the Jewish quarter.
Yet you remove your badge and take the risk to come to my place in the small hours? Secretly.
What were you doing there? You think I mean harm to the man who saved my children? Where does all that money come from, Hasdai? You're buying slaves, aren't you? If you're not trading with slaves, other people will, Arnau.
Giving up those profits won't set them free.
I know I owe my fortune to your generosity.
And I'm well aware you know this world better than I do.
But I won't yield on this.
No more slaves, please.
Why is it purity so important to you Christians? It's not purity, it's freedom.
I once had to bow down before another man.
And that humiliation will haunt me forever.
I don't want anybody bowing to me.
Not even your enemies? With the money you'll make off the slaves, you'll become a powerful man.
That's why you wanted to be a cambist in the first place, wasn't it? To exact vengeance on the nobles that made your life miserable.
They will pay for their crimes.
But not at innocent people's expense.
No more slaves, please.
Father, come to my place tomorrow morning, and bring the Fortuny girl.
That child needs a godfather, not a convent.
And bring that bastaix as well.
I'll lend him the money he needs.
God bless you, Arnau.
You always pop up out of nowhere.
You're like a little mouse.
Get up.
I want to see you standing tall and with your head up.
one with a massive nose, and another one without an eye.
Breakfast is almost ready.
Do you know what the best way to hide something is? In plain sight.
If you hadn't tried to hide your hand, I'd never had noticed.
You must not play around with that.
It's very important to Arnau.
- It belonged to his wife.
- María.
It was a very sad time.
The plague ravaged the city, and took a lot of good people.
Fortunately, Arnau escaped the illness.
The Virgin loves Arnau and will never let anything happen to him.
And neither will I.
That's why you must not play with things that are important to him.
This ring brings him many memories.
Let her play.
It's all right.
You won't lose it, will you? And you don't need to sneak out to give your friends the leftovers either.
Can you smell it? Roasted goat.
Where's Adrià ? Mar! Are you all right? What is it? Did they hurt you? Your ring.
They took it.
Well It's all right.
Come in.
Sahat, pour her some wine so she can compose herself.
Sit down.
Tell me what happened.
It was my fault, Master.
I didn't lock the door.
Donaha always tells me to do it, but today it just slipped my mind.
Well, the most important thing is we're all fine.
There was nothing of great value in the box.
But your ring It only brought sad memories to me.
Don't worry.
A silver croat.
If you think it's not enough, sell it to someone else, you rascal.
You won't get more from me.
That's my godfather's ring! Give it to me! Please excuse me.
What happened to you? You're bleeding.
Tell him you found it.
And thank you for last night.
What did you do? Did you get in a fight? I fell down the stairs.
Mar, I'm back.
Is lunch ready? I'm preparing the meat.
Did you get the bread? Freshly baked.
- I'll go tell the master.
- I'll go.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER, 1356 You must go to that party.
Someone has to talk some sense into the King.
There's barely any grain left in our reserves.
If the crops are not good The King is well aware of that.
And he doesn't care.
All he wants is more money.
He'll listen to you.
He's invited you.
The King's invited me because, being the son of a farmer, he thinks he can handle me.
Nobles don't care about our problems.
They only want more money for their wars.
So we can't count on you? The Council of the Hundred would be very grateful.
Girl, what are you doing there? Don't even think about spying through that door.
Of course not.
What are you two doing here? Who's in charge of lunch today? Well? Aren't you going to ask? Let's walk.
Lunch can wait.
I know a party in the palace is quite appealing to someone your age.
And since you are old enough to get married, we might as well start looking for suitors.
I don't want to marry.
I just want to see the inside of the palace.
I know, and I understand, but I don't like the idea of having to mingle with those nobles.
Why not? Look at this beach.
You think the King or the nobles have spent a single sou to build a proper harbor? No.
They only spend on war.
And merchant's money.
When ships anchor here, they're at the mercy of the waves.
If a storm rises, they have to weigh anchor and seek shelter either in Salou or Tarragona.
It's such a waste of time and money.
Even worse, they can only get in through an extremely narrow channel, one by one.
The whole basin is surrounded by sandbanks.
An inexperienced captain and a windy day are all it takes to run aground.
And then the ship lies beached there, until the sea swallows it.
Such a mess.
That's why a bought a galley last year, to tug the lighter ships.
It's not a good business, but it's good for the city.
And what's good for the city is good for me.
Don't ask the King or the nobles to understand that.
Bloodsuckers, that's what they are.
Come.
What fruit are you bringing in, friends? Let us help you, Arnau.
I can walk.
I grew up with my feet in this beach's water.
All right.
- Thank you, Arnau.
- Thank you very much.
We'll go to the party.
And you'll wear a dress fit for a princess.
But remember, we are not like them.
We were bastaixos.
We get our feet wet.
Look at you.
You're just glowing.
Master.
A vessel has beached on the sandbank.
It's loaded with spice from Egypt.
The boss is asking for a tug.
You must go.
The party is of no importance.
They say a storm is coming tomorrow.
We cannot tug a ship in the night, especially in this wind.
Gather the crew and we'll tug the vessel in at daybreak.
Shall we? Estanyol.
It's you.
I'm Bernat de Cabrera, minister and counsel of His Royal Highness, King Pedro.
I'd like to welcome you and extend our most sincere thanks to you on his behalf.
Allow me to introduce you to doña Elionor, the King's pupil.
My goddaughter, Mar.
Felip de Ponts, King's knight.
Your servant.
Is it true you fought with the royal hosts at Roussillon? For more than four years, my lady.
A true patriot.
I should imagine you're proud of King Pedro's victory in Sardinia.
Who wouldn't be? A heroic deed that will be sung for centuries.
Isn't that so, Estanyol? It may be.
It will take centuries to pay for it, that's for sure.
This is not a conversation fit for a maiden.
Please allow me to show you the palace.
A gentleman of His Royal Highness should measure his words better.
I'm not a gentleman.
I'm just a cambist.
And I can say King Pedro's wars have been costly because I've partly paid for them, and because they filled the Mediterranean with hostile harbors for our traders.
But we're the victors.
Thank goodness.
But should somebody want to attack us now, with whose money would we pay for yet another war? Your Majesty, please forgive my impetuous tongue.
I just meant You just meant to tell the truth.
A hopeless undertaking these days, especially around these parts.
Truth doesn't pay well.
Much worse than flattery.
But I appreciate it, Estanyol.
As I appreciate your support, in spite of everything.
But let us not bore our guests with politics and finances.
This is a party.
Godspeed, Estanyol.
Sir, the young lady is waiting for you.
Mar? Margarida! The war is over.
It's about time we enemies made peace.
You are most kind, sir, but I must leave.
But I can't remember that word.
It's the same thing as "no.
" Coming from a lady, I seem to forget their meaning.
I must leave.
Please let me.
But it's still early.
What happened? Why are you so mad? I was right.
We don't belong here, and we never will.
Master! Grau Puig.
Look into him.
I want to know everything about him.
His businesses, his sons' and daughter's.
Friends, enemies.
Everything.
It doesn't have to be now.
You can go back to your prayers.
No, Master, I wasn't You don't have to pretend with me.
I don't want to be tugged.
I want to unload the cargo.
That's impossible.
We'll tug the ship clear, and then it will have to sail to Salou.
If I don't deliver the cargo today, I'll lose money.
You'll lose even more if the storm sinks your ship.
Sir, we cannot wait any longer.
The storm will be here before noon.
You must decide.
It'll take an hour just to get to the boat and two more to tug it clear.
Who owns the ship? - I'll talk to him.
- No.
All right.
Tug it clear.
I'll take it to Salou.
Wait.
Wait.
Stop.
What is it now? Guillem, what's the matter? Last night you asked me to look into Grau Puig.
He's the owner of the beached ship.
He invested all he had left in that cargo.
He's up to his neck in debt.
And so are his children.
So, "the war is over," huh? There will be no tug.
Have our galley set a course to Salou.
Right away.
What is this? What's going on here? The storm will be here earlier than expected.
Our ship would be in great danger.
What? What about my cargo? You heard me, we set sail for Salou.
All aboard.
Buy his debts.
Whatever the cost.
Ask for a loan, if need be.
But I want Grau Puig at my mercy.
Don't open the door.
Who's there? The owner of this building.
Open up, in the name of the Magistrate.
What does a nobody like you want from us? By order of the Magistrate, this building and all the goods therein are now the property of Arnau Estanyol.
Don't count on us kneeling before you.
We have dignity.
Mr.
Estanyol won't claim your farmhouse in Navarcles, where you can live from now on.
The rest of your possessions will remain in this house.
Those shoes.
They're mine.
Give them to me.
You wouldn't dare, bastard.
Years ago, I saved your life in battle.
I still wonder why I was so foolish.
Don't push your luck.
You'll leave this house barefoot or dead.
The dress.
That's also mine.
You wouldn't dare.
You took it off fast enough when you had something to gain from it.
I want you all out of the house today.
Pick up their shoes and burn them in the courtyard.
Have them take their clothes off and give them to the slaves.
If the Puigs want clothes, they'll get whatever garments the slaves leave behind.
Sell their furniture, horses and jewels.
Set their slaves free.
And seal this house up forever.
Father.
Let's go.
We won't give up, Father.
We won't! A YEAR LATER, 1359 It's just I had never in my life seen a girl like this.
I'm a wealthy man.
With me, you could enjoy the same comfort you now enjoy with your father.
If he consents, if he allows me to keep calling on you, I'm sure my feelings She likes this one.
Vidal Monader.
Thank you for your visit.
Thank you, sir, for your trust, Mr.
Estanyol.
You will always be welcome in my home and, God and Mar permitting, into my family.
So long.
Thank you so much, sir.
My master was desperate.
He thought nobody would ever marry her.
Why? She's a beautiful young woman.
Beautiful, and with a good dowry.
Splendid, in fact.
But her pledge It's a blessing that you don't mind it.
My master will write you shortly about the petition's arrangements.
Godspeed.
Hold on.
What pledge is that? She didn't tell you? She swore she would die a virgin.
She swore it in the Pedralbes convent before its very founder, Elisenda de Montcada, in exchange for her brother's pardon.
He was convicted of Well, that's a long story.
You won't be seeing him anytime soon.
Thank you.
How long will I have to keep making these stories up? I should go to a convent.
Arnau would never allow that.
He wants you by his side.
Then why doesn't he It's like I'm invisible to him.
It cannot be, Mar.
Arnau is your godfather.
Forget it.
So what should I do? There's nothing you can do.
I told you.
There's no prayer, sorcery or scheme that can get you Arnau's heart.
To him, you're not a woman.
You are his girl.
Our girl.
Let's get away from Barcelona.
I can't go, Aledis.
You know I'm getting married.
You can't! I'll tell everybody the truth.
Jaime of Majorca is trying to kidnap you and take you prisoner.
Arnau, I'm going to the university.
He thinks he's one of us now.
He'll never be one of us.
Arnau! Attack! I'm looking for my husband.
Arnau Estanyol.
He's a bastaix, he lives in La Ribera and is married to a María Cardona.
Can I help you, lady? An arrow killed him during the assault on the castle.
Arnau, please go before it's too late.
Ramón, Miquel and so many others.
There's no doctor that can save María from the pestilence.
- Death to the Jews! - Calm down! - Death to the Jews! - Silence! Silence! Calm down! I'm telling you the Jews are not to blame.
The bull is from Pope Clement VI.
They poisoned the wells.
The Jews are the plague.
The bull from the Pope is crystal clear.
It's a pestilence God has decided to afflict the Christian people with.
We can only pray and repent.
They poisoned the water our children drink.
- Death to the Jews! - No! Stop! Murderers! Heretics! Stop! They're Jews.
They're children.
Let them go.
They're Jews.
They killed Jesus.
They steal the consecrated hosts.
They poison our wells.
These children poisoned your wells? If you want to kill Jews, go to the Jewish quarter and fight with the soldiers.
To the Jewish quarter! Get out! Are you in charge of these children? I must take them to the Jewish quarter.
Not today.
Let's go.
Why are you helping the Jews? Come on.
Follow me.
Let's go.
- Get in.
- Here? Nobody will look in a crypt.
What are you waiting for? Get in.
No.
I must fight alongside my masters.
Or just bury them.
Are you carrying food in that pouch? What's your master's name? Hasdai Crescas.
- And yours? - Sahat.
When this blows over, I'll get them home.
May your God assist you, Sahat.
Christian.
What's your name? Arnau Estanyol.
May your God bless you, Estanyol.
Don't be afraid.
They're just dead.
They won't hurt you.
Let's go.
Are you siblings? Jucef and me.
Saúl is our neighbor.
And he's friends with Jucef.
My name's Arnau.
I'm Raquel.
You don't believe them.
Whom? They say we are to blame for this.
That we poisoned the wells.
I've seen many Jews on the dead-wagons.
Why would you poison your own wells? You're a good man.
You sleep now.
He won't last long.
You should get rid of him.
- Does he have the pestilence? - He doesn't, but he's very weak.
What will you do with him when he dies? I don't know.
I might die first of the epidemic.
Or you.
Yes, but I won't let him die in the street like a dog.
He saved my children.
I also have children, Hasdai.
And I'm taking a great risk.
What if the King's soldiers found me? Pay him.
And have him leave through the stable.
It's safer.
If it wasn't for him, all of us would be dead.
Why would he do that? He's a Christian.
He's just a good man.
Follow me.
The Guard's officer is a greedy man.
I shall bribe him when the Christian dies.
It'll cost me, but he'll keep the secret so there won't be any reprisals.
He's still alive.
Hasdai has faith in God.
We got a letter from Sicily's correspondent.
He's offering slaves and spices.
- The price isn't - I'm sorry.
I can't talk shop right now.
Leave me alone, please.
I went to your church and prayed to your Virgin.
She said you shouldn't listen to the doctor.
You are going to live.
She saved you from the plague because she wants you alive.
What are you doing here? You've entered a Christian church.
- We Jews are not allowed to.
- I lied.
I just meant to give him hope.
I'd go.
I'd even pray to his Virgin if I knew it would help him.
Keep the dorm room doors open.
And pay attention to anything that might happen.
In the name of the Council of the Hundred, let it be known that last week only 32 people died of pestilence in Barcelona.
Nine people have been cured, and their homes have been declared plague-free.
Master! The plague is over.
They just read the edict.
Only 32.
God be praised.
Alhamdulillah.
Water.
Children, kiss this man's hands.
God saved him from death, and He gives us the chance to show him our gratitude.
Do you know what he asked when he woke up? He wanted to know if you were all right.
Arnau Estanyol, I'm a rich man, but all my wealth is worth nothing compared to my children, the lights of my life.
Hasdai's gratitude knows no limits.
All I own is yours.
I'm sorry.
Leave.
He needs his rest.
Sahat.
Tell Sicily's correspondent we're buying every slave he's got.
All of them? There were over 500 of them.
I don't care if there are 1,000.
I want them all.
It's a lot of money, Master.
Cloth and spices sell much better these days.
Slaves, Sahat.
A lot of people have died.
Barcelona needs workers.
It pains me to see you leave like this.
I'm indebted to you.
You took me in.
You saved my life and fed me for months.
Surely, avoiding charges because of this cost you dearly.
Who is indebted to whom? There's not enough gold in the world to pay for what you gave me.
You're too weak to work as a bastaix.
Stay, and let us help you.
You already did, Sahat.
And I'll be grateful all my life.
My children are happy with you.
Jucef sees you as a hero.
Ask me whatever you wish.
I could even get you a title.
Half the nobles of Barcelona owe me money.
They went broke with their wars.
They live on Jewish cambists.
You've given me more than I deserve.
And I don't want to have anything to do with titles or nobles.
Every noble I have stumbled on in my life has made it miserable.
And tell your son I'm no hero.
I only went to war to run away.
From whom? From a treacherous, adulterous and unworthy man.
Utter his name, and he shall be my enemy.
That man is me.
I went to war to run away from my own sins.
When I got back, I only found death and devastation.
My wife, my friends.
All dead.
God took them and left me alive so I could know what being alone in the world is like.
I only have a brother left, and I haven't seen him in years.
You are not alone.
Here you have two friends who will be loyal to you until death.
Please let me I'm not worthy of such honors or this house, Hasdai.
Arnau Please accept these farewell presents.
I'm a penniless Christian.
I don't own a jewel that is up to your beauty.
But I'll give you something that will be useful in life, some advice.
Never give yourself to a man unworthy of you.
You must take care of yourself.
It's what your Virgin would like.
You've survived a war and an epidemic.
Your Virgin is sending you a message.
You still have many wars to fight.
There might be something you could do for me.
I'd be honored.
What do you need to be a cambist? Nothing I can't get.
A house, a guarantee, some money.
And a man who knows the business.
I can't accept.
I owe you my life.
Please.
My father was a farmer.
He gave his life to give me freedom.
I don't want any slaves.
If you want to come with me, you'll come as a free man.
Sahat is the best present I can give you.
Everybody knows Sahat.
He'll give you prestige, and I'll provide the money to start the business.
But nobody must know a Jew is helping you.
And nobody must know I gave you Sahat.
We'll say he decided to convert to Christianity, and, as Jews can't own Christian slaves, I was forced to set him free.
"by baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and teach them what I taught you.
" Do you renounce the Devil? I do.
Do you renounce all his works? I do.
I know you.
You are related to Agustí.
Agustí? Your wife's little brother.
It doesn't matter.
They're all dead now.
María was right.
About what? She said you were not going to die, that you'd come back and that you would have children then.
Well, she was wrong about that.
Mar.
I christen you Guillem, in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
This tablecloth is an insurance certificate from the town magistrate, for 1,000 silver marks.
Gold croat, Catalan.
Gold florin, Aragonese.
Bezant and mazmudina, Muslim.
Tours pounds, French.
On the first line, every bottom token is worth one, and the top token, five.
Second line, tenfold.
Bottom, ten.
Top, fifty.
Understand? Donaha can cook, and she's pure and discreet.
We can buy her at a good price.
I said I didn't want any slaves.
Someone has to tidy up and do the cooking, Master.
You can either get a slave, or a wife.
She'll get her freedom whenever she wants.
All right.
But don't call me "master.
" Take it.
Buying money.
I don't get it.
It's quite simple.
Today the King established that the gold florin is worth 13 silver croats.
But in Venice or Alexandria they couldn't care less about what Pedro of Aragon says.
They know the gold a florin is made of is not worth the silver in 13 croats.
Even a child knows that.
If we buy silver croats in Barcelona and sell them in Venice, with the gold we get off that we can buy loads of silver croats.
Then we sell them in Venice and we start all over again.
If it's so simple, everybody should be doing it, right? Not everybody has that red silk tablecloth, money to amass silver or correspondents in 20 cities.
We must do it quickly before the price changes.
Tomorrow the King might decide that the florin's worth nothing.
In that case, if I'd spent everything on florins, I'd be ruined.
That won't happen.
But what if it did? I won't let it happen, Master.
But what if it happened? What if a cambist can't honor the receipts? What then? The magistrate gives him six months to settle all debts.
What if he doesn't pay? He goes to prison.
For how long? Until the debts are settled.
How is he supposed to do that from prison? The magistrate sells his properties.
His properties? This house doesn't even cover a tenth of the receipts I've signed.
Should the properties not be enough, the magistrate would declare you abatut.
"Abatut"? Abatut! Abatut! Esteban Castelló.
In the name of the Magistrate, you are sentenced to be put to death by decapitation.
Cambists of Barcelona, watch.
Carry out the sentence.
Give me peace of mind, Mother.
Make those demons disappear, and I swear I'll be pure.
I will never touch a woman again.
Is that you, girl? We need more guarantees.
A hundred sous is a lot of money.
I'll have to go somewhere with my wife and kids.
Look for a humbler house.
Arnau, you knew my family.
You know I lost my parents and siblings.
I have no money.
He's an honest and hardworking bastaix.
He'll repay you in full.
Besides, when he gets married, the Guild will double his salary.
It's a lot of money.
You need more guarantees.
I wanted to ask you for something myself.
Mr.
Estanyol is already contributing without stint to St.
Mary's works.
I know.
The works go on thanks to Arnau.
But what I want to ask is not for the church.
Do you know her? She's a Fortuny.
Bastaixos, like you.
They all died of pestilence.
And now she's alone in this world.
She's been under my care for months, but that's not appropriate, - so I'm sending her to a convent - I'm not going.
Be quiet, young lady.
She'll start as a servant and, in time, she might become a novice.
No.
As you see, she has no vocation at all.
So I just thought getting her married later on, if I don't want to marry, and I don't want to be a novice either.
- Will you shut up already? - I want to live in Barcelona.
This is a sad and quiet house.
A child's laughter would be nice company.
I could adopt her.
I'd give her a stipend, she would eat properly and get an education.
Her parents couldn't have dreamed of a better godfather than Arnau Estanyol.
It wouldn't be appropriate, Master.
Why not? Because you're not married.
I vouch for this household's honesty.
I suppose a priest's word is still worth something.
Not in money matters.
A cambist lives on his reputation.
I just mean to protect you, Master.
I'll give her a dowry so she can marry.
Thank you, Arnau.
Let's go, Mar.
You taught me the trade, Sahat.
That's why I trust your judgment.
But there's one thing you haven't told me.
What's the money for? What is it for, but to decide freely? I just mean to protect you, Master.
Don't call me master when it's only you and me.
You're not my slave.
There's another thing I don't get.
How did we make so much money so quickly? Loans don't pay off that fast.
From now on, don't bring the slaves we buy to Barcelona.
Sell them in Majorca's market.
There's war in Majorca.
It's dangerous to anchor there.
And they pay less than here.
I have my reasons.
And we don't want any money.
We'd prefer a receipt.
Thank you for not asking any questions.
I wish to speak to your master.
You're not allowed to leave the Jewish quarter.
Yet you remove your badge and take the risk to come to my place in the small hours? Secretly.
What were you doing there? You think I mean harm to the man who saved my children? Where does all that money come from, Hasdai? You're buying slaves, aren't you? If you're not trading with slaves, other people will, Arnau.
Giving up those profits won't set them free.
I know I owe my fortune to your generosity.
And I'm well aware you know this world better than I do.
But I won't yield on this.
No more slaves, please.
Why is it purity so important to you Christians? It's not purity, it's freedom.
I once had to bow down before another man.
And that humiliation will haunt me forever.
I don't want anybody bowing to me.
Not even your enemies? With the money you'll make off the slaves, you'll become a powerful man.
That's why you wanted to be a cambist in the first place, wasn't it? To exact vengeance on the nobles that made your life miserable.
They will pay for their crimes.
But not at innocent people's expense.
No more slaves, please.
Father, come to my place tomorrow morning, and bring the Fortuny girl.
That child needs a godfather, not a convent.
And bring that bastaix as well.
I'll lend him the money he needs.
God bless you, Arnau.
You always pop up out of nowhere.
You're like a little mouse.
Get up.
I want to see you standing tall and with your head up.
one with a massive nose, and another one without an eye.
Breakfast is almost ready.
Do you know what the best way to hide something is? In plain sight.
If you hadn't tried to hide your hand, I'd never had noticed.
You must not play around with that.
It's very important to Arnau.
- It belonged to his wife.
- María.
It was a very sad time.
The plague ravaged the city, and took a lot of good people.
Fortunately, Arnau escaped the illness.
The Virgin loves Arnau and will never let anything happen to him.
And neither will I.
That's why you must not play with things that are important to him.
This ring brings him many memories.
Let her play.
It's all right.
You won't lose it, will you? And you don't need to sneak out to give your friends the leftovers either.
Can you smell it? Roasted goat.
Where's Adrià ? Mar! Are you all right? What is it? Did they hurt you? Your ring.
They took it.
Well It's all right.
Come in.
Sahat, pour her some wine so she can compose herself.
Sit down.
Tell me what happened.
It was my fault, Master.
I didn't lock the door.
Donaha always tells me to do it, but today it just slipped my mind.
Well, the most important thing is we're all fine.
There was nothing of great value in the box.
But your ring It only brought sad memories to me.
Don't worry.
A silver croat.
If you think it's not enough, sell it to someone else, you rascal.
You won't get more from me.
That's my godfather's ring! Give it to me! Please excuse me.
What happened to you? You're bleeding.
Tell him you found it.
And thank you for last night.
What did you do? Did you get in a fight? I fell down the stairs.
Mar, I'm back.
Is lunch ready? I'm preparing the meat.
Did you get the bread? Freshly baked.
- I'll go tell the master.
- I'll go.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER, 1356 You must go to that party.
Someone has to talk some sense into the King.
There's barely any grain left in our reserves.
If the crops are not good The King is well aware of that.
And he doesn't care.
All he wants is more money.
He'll listen to you.
He's invited you.
The King's invited me because, being the son of a farmer, he thinks he can handle me.
Nobles don't care about our problems.
They only want more money for their wars.
So we can't count on you? The Council of the Hundred would be very grateful.
Girl, what are you doing there? Don't even think about spying through that door.
Of course not.
What are you two doing here? Who's in charge of lunch today? Well? Aren't you going to ask? Let's walk.
Lunch can wait.
I know a party in the palace is quite appealing to someone your age.
And since you are old enough to get married, we might as well start looking for suitors.
I don't want to marry.
I just want to see the inside of the palace.
I know, and I understand, but I don't like the idea of having to mingle with those nobles.
Why not? Look at this beach.
You think the King or the nobles have spent a single sou to build a proper harbor? No.
They only spend on war.
And merchant's money.
When ships anchor here, they're at the mercy of the waves.
If a storm rises, they have to weigh anchor and seek shelter either in Salou or Tarragona.
It's such a waste of time and money.
Even worse, they can only get in through an extremely narrow channel, one by one.
The whole basin is surrounded by sandbanks.
An inexperienced captain and a windy day are all it takes to run aground.
And then the ship lies beached there, until the sea swallows it.
Such a mess.
That's why a bought a galley last year, to tug the lighter ships.
It's not a good business, but it's good for the city.
And what's good for the city is good for me.
Don't ask the King or the nobles to understand that.
Bloodsuckers, that's what they are.
Come.
What fruit are you bringing in, friends? Let us help you, Arnau.
I can walk.
I grew up with my feet in this beach's water.
All right.
- Thank you, Arnau.
- Thank you very much.
We'll go to the party.
And you'll wear a dress fit for a princess.
But remember, we are not like them.
We were bastaixos.
We get our feet wet.
Look at you.
You're just glowing.
Master.
A vessel has beached on the sandbank.
It's loaded with spice from Egypt.
The boss is asking for a tug.
You must go.
The party is of no importance.
They say a storm is coming tomorrow.
We cannot tug a ship in the night, especially in this wind.
Gather the crew and we'll tug the vessel in at daybreak.
Shall we? Estanyol.
It's you.
I'm Bernat de Cabrera, minister and counsel of His Royal Highness, King Pedro.
I'd like to welcome you and extend our most sincere thanks to you on his behalf.
Allow me to introduce you to doña Elionor, the King's pupil.
My goddaughter, Mar.
Felip de Ponts, King's knight.
Your servant.
Is it true you fought with the royal hosts at Roussillon? For more than four years, my lady.
A true patriot.
I should imagine you're proud of King Pedro's victory in Sardinia.
Who wouldn't be? A heroic deed that will be sung for centuries.
Isn't that so, Estanyol? It may be.
It will take centuries to pay for it, that's for sure.
This is not a conversation fit for a maiden.
Please allow me to show you the palace.
A gentleman of His Royal Highness should measure his words better.
I'm not a gentleman.
I'm just a cambist.
And I can say King Pedro's wars have been costly because I've partly paid for them, and because they filled the Mediterranean with hostile harbors for our traders.
But we're the victors.
Thank goodness.
But should somebody want to attack us now, with whose money would we pay for yet another war? Your Majesty, please forgive my impetuous tongue.
I just meant You just meant to tell the truth.
A hopeless undertaking these days, especially around these parts.
Truth doesn't pay well.
Much worse than flattery.
But I appreciate it, Estanyol.
As I appreciate your support, in spite of everything.
But let us not bore our guests with politics and finances.
This is a party.
Godspeed, Estanyol.
Sir, the young lady is waiting for you.
Mar? Margarida! The war is over.
It's about time we enemies made peace.
You are most kind, sir, but I must leave.
But I can't remember that word.
It's the same thing as "no.
" Coming from a lady, I seem to forget their meaning.
I must leave.
Please let me.
But it's still early.
What happened? Why are you so mad? I was right.
We don't belong here, and we never will.
Master! Grau Puig.
Look into him.
I want to know everything about him.
His businesses, his sons' and daughter's.
Friends, enemies.
Everything.
It doesn't have to be now.
You can go back to your prayers.
No, Master, I wasn't You don't have to pretend with me.
I don't want to be tugged.
I want to unload the cargo.
That's impossible.
We'll tug the ship clear, and then it will have to sail to Salou.
If I don't deliver the cargo today, I'll lose money.
You'll lose even more if the storm sinks your ship.
Sir, we cannot wait any longer.
The storm will be here before noon.
You must decide.
It'll take an hour just to get to the boat and two more to tug it clear.
Who owns the ship? - I'll talk to him.
- No.
All right.
Tug it clear.
I'll take it to Salou.
Wait.
Wait.
Stop.
What is it now? Guillem, what's the matter? Last night you asked me to look into Grau Puig.
He's the owner of the beached ship.
He invested all he had left in that cargo.
He's up to his neck in debt.
And so are his children.
So, "the war is over," huh? There will be no tug.
Have our galley set a course to Salou.
Right away.
What is this? What's going on here? The storm will be here earlier than expected.
Our ship would be in great danger.
What? What about my cargo? You heard me, we set sail for Salou.
All aboard.
Buy his debts.
Whatever the cost.
Ask for a loan, if need be.
But I want Grau Puig at my mercy.
Don't open the door.
Who's there? The owner of this building.
Open up, in the name of the Magistrate.
What does a nobody like you want from us? By order of the Magistrate, this building and all the goods therein are now the property of Arnau Estanyol.
Don't count on us kneeling before you.
We have dignity.
Mr.
Estanyol won't claim your farmhouse in Navarcles, where you can live from now on.
The rest of your possessions will remain in this house.
Those shoes.
They're mine.
Give them to me.
You wouldn't dare, bastard.
Years ago, I saved your life in battle.
I still wonder why I was so foolish.
Don't push your luck.
You'll leave this house barefoot or dead.
The dress.
That's also mine.
You wouldn't dare.
You took it off fast enough when you had something to gain from it.
I want you all out of the house today.
Pick up their shoes and burn them in the courtyard.
Have them take their clothes off and give them to the slaves.
If the Puigs want clothes, they'll get whatever garments the slaves leave behind.
Sell their furniture, horses and jewels.
Set their slaves free.
And seal this house up forever.
Father.
Let's go.
We won't give up, Father.
We won't! A YEAR LATER, 1359 It's just I had never in my life seen a girl like this.
I'm a wealthy man.
With me, you could enjoy the same comfort you now enjoy with your father.
If he consents, if he allows me to keep calling on you, I'm sure my feelings She likes this one.
Vidal Monader.
Thank you for your visit.
Thank you, sir, for your trust, Mr.
Estanyol.
You will always be welcome in my home and, God and Mar permitting, into my family.
So long.
Thank you so much, sir.
My master was desperate.
He thought nobody would ever marry her.
Why? She's a beautiful young woman.
Beautiful, and with a good dowry.
Splendid, in fact.
But her pledge It's a blessing that you don't mind it.
My master will write you shortly about the petition's arrangements.
Godspeed.
Hold on.
What pledge is that? She didn't tell you? She swore she would die a virgin.
She swore it in the Pedralbes convent before its very founder, Elisenda de Montcada, in exchange for her brother's pardon.
He was convicted of Well, that's a long story.
You won't be seeing him anytime soon.
Thank you.
How long will I have to keep making these stories up? I should go to a convent.
Arnau would never allow that.
He wants you by his side.
Then why doesn't he It's like I'm invisible to him.
It cannot be, Mar.
Arnau is your godfather.
Forget it.
So what should I do? There's nothing you can do.
I told you.
There's no prayer, sorcery or scheme that can get you Arnau's heart.
To him, you're not a woman.
You are his girl.
Our girl.