GWHC04E Adventure of just married. Roy and Beruche

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After the wedding, Roy and Beruche had decided to leave in a long honeymoon for Europe. They planned to stay a month and visited several countries, the earliest days England, where they had time to make a tour through London, in the eastern part of the British capital, on the banks of the Thames, go to Tower Hill and enter the famous Tower, seeing the jewels of The Crown, which aroused in the girl a deep admiration.

-Why, they're beautiful! -  She exclaimed as they watched them.-

-Yes, the crown is very pretty. - Roy remarked with his characteristic humor. - I'll tell the little prince, see if he puts one.-

His wife laughed with amusement. She imagined Diamond with such an ornament on his forehead and shook her head.

-In Nemesis it was not accustomed to wear crowns - she explained.-

-Ok, with the name of the jewels all of you have I guess it was enough, ha, ha! - He laughed now.-

His wife smiled more clearly. This Roy was silly! Everything was suitable for him making jokes! After continuing the visit and reveling in that they did not miss the walk along one of the bridges that crossed the Thames to see the parliament and the Big Ben. Beruche explained to his attentive husband.

-It's actually called the Clock Tower. Big Ben is the name of the bell.

-Oh, I did not know. - The young man said nonchalantly. - Good thing it's not a conversation topic!

His wife frowned as when he wanted to make her angry, but it was impossible not to smile. A few pictures were taken, and there was the customary one next to the guards of Buckingham Palace, with Roy making all kinds of gestures, but that, without disrespecting the guy who stoically stood there and did not move.

-They already have merit these guys, - commented the admired boy. – They don´t move for anything. What if they get a fly on their nose?

-They're much disciplined. -  Bertie agreed with a smile.

-I have to thank all of this to Nephrite. For the offer he made us to come and visit London on our honeymoon. I think it is very difficult to live in this city for someone like me. This place has the same style between calm and elegant that he has. - Affirmed Roy.-

-Yes, as soon as we can, I hope we'll talk to him. He was so busy with his shop that he could not come with us. - Bertie lamented.-

-Don´t worry. We'll see Amanda and him later. - Roy said-

 -I want to stay with them and talk. - Bertie said, grabbing an arm from her husband to sigh. – We have missed them! Same as the rest.

-But little ice cube, we are of Honeymoon! Do not worry, we'll have a party of ours tonight. And with all together later, just as in the good times after the victories against some enemy.-

-You know that everyone is going to live at one end of the world. - She said with some regret now. - It will be difficult to see us all together as we were before.

-Well, do not worry about that, darling - He encouraged her, affectionately wrapping his arm around her waist. - We'll see each other more often than you think. To begin with, in two days we will travel to France. There, the little prince and Esmy are going to make us guides. LOL...

The girl could not help laughing with him. What a way to call their friends! In spite of all that had happened in their new life, many times she could not help but remember them as the prince and the Duchess of Nemesis, who were her superiors in the Black Moon clan.

-I would have liked to visit Italy and Germany as well. There are many wonderful things. – Said Bertie.-

-Well, you know that when we planned the trip we wanted to have a fortnight and decided to make the route to Western Europe and South Atlantic. - Roy reminded her - It consisted of staying in London for three days, Paris for a week and Madrid for five days. More than we can travel on our own in each country.

-It's true - she admitted, asserting with enthusiasm now. - The next time we travel we'll have to go to Lisbon, Rome, Berlin and Athens. How about that? That way we could have a good view of most of Europe.

-For me, if we can eat well in all those places. - He smiled affirming. – So, I'm already hungry.

Though his wife did not answer, she nodded again. This Roy was always the same! Then the girl turned her attention to the Parliament building they had so close and read in a tourist brochure she was wearing.

-Look, the architecture is mostly from the nineteenth century, but in a gothic revival style. Since the early building suffered a fire in the sixteenth century that made Henry VIII move his residence to another place.

-Hey! - There he put x, stick, x ... - commented jokingly he continued with the joke. - And here there is a stick, ha ha!

-Just nineteen, and sixteen, you fool - Bertie shook her head to plead amused. - You're even worse than my children!

His interlocutor shrugged, nodding with a smile. After seeing that great palace, they went away holding hands in the direction of a bus stop. They boarded the two-story classic for tourists, took a good tour of the city and returned to their hotel. There Roy could eat at last, leaving the waiters and the rest of the clientele stunned. Apparently oblivious to it, his wife commented thoughtfully.

-Tomorrow we can visit the outskirts of the city, maybe go to Oxford and Cambridge. See Stonehenge and little else. The day after tomorrow we have the flight to Paris.

-Fi ... efo - Her husband nodded and repeated the second plate for the third time.-

-Please. Do not talk with your mouth full. - Bertie asked, looking around stiffly - It’s not polite ...”

-Fi, forry little ife cufe! ... - He was able to replicate the questioned while chewing.

Bertie shook her head but she said nothing. Next days they did so after going through some of those places. Of course, the host cities of the famous universities were very beautiful. They had dazzling faculties and cloisters, but where they were paradoxically more impressed was when they visited the circle of stones near the Salisbury Plain. There they were accompanied by their friends Nephrite and Amanda. The journalist stressed.

-There has been a lot of digging here in the last few years. And very interesting things have been discovered. It is formed by metamorphic stones distributed in four concentric circles.

-Target stones ... what? - Roy said with a bewildered expression. -

- They are rocks that are formed from others, mainly due to the compression and the heat. – Nephrite explain to him. -

-Ok.  Like Superman squeezing coal to make diamonds. - His interlocutor replied.-

-Not exactly, but well enough. - Nephrite smiled.-

-This place was part of a much larger complex - Explained Amanda.-

-You're very much into it - Bertie flattered.-

-Yes, I had a research for a report that included this place. - The young woman smiled looking at her partner in an accomplice. Mr. Saint Join returned that wink, which went unnoticed to his friends. To which Amanda added. - A young post-graduate archaeology student who seems to be from around here, explained a lot of things to me. By the way, I worked with a Japanese girl who was also studying the same, I think she was in exchange. We started to chat and the subject came up. She told me. She was the girlfriend of a boy you know.

-A boy? Who? - Beruche asked her falling to guess whom she could refer. -

The journalist took a moment to try to remember, then smiled as she remembered.

-I think her boyfriend worked in a café where you used to go a long way with your friend Ami.

-Would not it be the Crown? - Bertie wanted to know now with a smile.-

- Could be. That kid ... I do not remember his name, but his girlfriend told me he had a very nice sister. Unazuki ... -Amanda added.

-Yes, of course! - Exclaimed Beruche with visible joy. - She was our waitress many times. We saw him less. But Unazuki told us that his brother's girlfriend was studying in Europe.

-And that girl who claimed to be his girlfriend, I think her name was Raika, or Reika. It was something like that. -Amanda commented. - Of course, how small is the world sometimes! Both she and her companion in the excavation, once Alannah, told me that this place seemed to possess a sort of magic halo around.

The others seemed to agree on that by nodding. It was Roy who stated in a more serious tone than his usual.

-Sometimes I have the impression that we have been in a place like this. - He could say thoughtfully contemplating those menhirs and dolmens. - It seems familiar in some way.

-I feel the same thing - agreed Beruche. - It must be some memory of our old lives...

Her husband nodded, and continued to walk that place. Meanwhile the blonde journalist offered more explanations.

-On the twenty-first of June, when the summer solstice occurs, the sun rises right through the axis of construction. The oldest part of the monument has been dated around three thousand one hundred BC.

-Yes, I said I need a makeover! - Roy said jokingly making his friends laugh, especially to Nephrite when he added .- It seems that the masters Son Goku and Piccolo would have been training here, in view of how they have left.

-Well, it is a patrimony of humanity since nineteen hundred and eighty-six. - So do not ruin it more than it already is. - He commented jovially his training partner.-

And his friend nodded in amusement. The group continued the visit for an additional hour. At last they returned to the British capital. They ate with their friends and after discussing their plans and plans they said goodbye.

-Give our best wishes to Diamond and Emerald on our part. - Nephrite asked them, adding with a funny gesture. - And of course, get some fun with the little prince for me...

-That's done, my friend. Roy smiled mischievously. - Especially the second...

And so they said goodbye. The next day, the newlyweds left for France. They had nothing interesting to report during the flight that arrived on time to Charles De Gaulle airport. There, as they had previously been, their friends were waiting for them. As they left the airport terminal after picking up their bags they could see a huge sign with the word Malden put on. Holding it was a smiling Diamond and clutching one of his arms, Esmeralda. The young couple of tourists immediately approached their friends and melted into each other's embraces.

-How was the flight? - Esmeralda wanted to know.-

-Well, London is very close, we hardly noticed - Bertie retorted. - By the way, greetings from Nephrite and Amanda.

-That's bad. - Diamond smiled, shaking his head in an effort to assert. - He's been promising me to come and see us for over three months.

-Yes, last time we met was really interesting. - Esmeralda agreed with a somewhat mysterious tone. - We had a good time.

-Well, you can see. Now we are going to have fun - Roy laughed, passing an affectionate arm around his wife's waist.-

- Welcome to the old continental Europe - declared the prince.

-Well, how are you going around here? - He wanted to know his pal patting the back of his friend.

-We cannot complain - he replied. - Now we've been able to take a few days off...

-Yes, Madame Deveraux is a really demanding woman - Esmeralda commented.-

-That's your boss, in the fashion house. Right? - Bertie asked.

-So she is ...- replied her interlocutor as they began to walk. - And boss is not only her position but also her nickname ... Good thing she gave me permission to come and receive you!

And while they continued talking they left the airport and after loading the suitcases in a taxi they left. On the way to the hotel they talked about inconsequential topics. Then, once they arrived and they loaded the luggage, they stayed in for a couple of hours. Bertie and Roy wanted to rest and get ready after the trip. At last, after that time. Your hosts were waiting for them at reception.

-Let's go for a trip around Paris - Esmeralda suggested, adding enthusiastically. - We'll make your guides.

-Great! - Bertie agreed, to declare with enthusiasm. - I'm looking forward to seeing the monuments...

-And I'm looking forward to eating. - Roy whispered to Diamond, grinned to him. - I'm hungry, man!

Luckily for him the two women did not notice the comment. They got into a taxi, Diamond was in the passenger seat and Roy between his wife and Esmeralda. The boy, unable to avoid another of his irreverent comments, smiled affirming amusement, without losing detail of the necklines and the legs of both ladies.

-I have the best views of Paris! - U la, la, la...

Now they all laughed, as soon as they were able to go down a little of that place.

-You'll see, La Cite de la Lumiere "will charm you." Emerald commented with visible enthusiasm.

-What did you say? - Roy wondered. - The Cite of what?

-She means Paris, you fool. - It's also called that, - Bertie said.

-The City of Light, - Diamond said. - It's true. At night you will understand why this appellation.

  And they walked towards the field of Mars. The first thing they could observe was the huge silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. They passed beneath her watching the various shopping complexes, elevators, and the great height she had.

-So this is the field of Mars. - Roy watched jokingly. - We'll have to tell Rei to come. She should run this place.

Everyone smiled at the penultimate occurrence of their friend. They walked there by the hand of their respective partners.

-It resembles a bit to the tower of Tokyo. - Commented Beruche.-

-Yes, but this one is taller and prettier - replied Esmeralda, who told them. - When it is night, the lights look beautiful from the apartments we have in the Deveraux house.

They continued to cross the Champs-Elysees, to pass under the Arc de Triumph, even though they had crossed a dangerous and wide roundabout with cars that circulated very quickly.

-No, if the demons couldn´t beat us, perhaps these drivers here can. I think they are more dangerous. - Roy sighed, once they were safe on the other side.

-Well, you'd better take a chance, my friend. - Diamond smiled at him with amusement. - Henry IV of France has already said, “Paris vaut bien a mise” -

-What did you say, little prince? - Roy wanted to know.-

-Well, it's worth a misa - Esmeralda translated - A religious ceremony.

-Yes, but not a funeral. - Bertie snorted as she breathed to recover from that race to cross that dangerous road.

-I'll tell you. And now that I think about it, I look like Jean Kelly, I'm an American in Paris, Ha, ha! - Laughs the husband of the girl – Pity, It is not rain to start singing...

The rest, however, stared at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what that might mean.

-You always with your jokes. – Reproved him Bertie affectionately. - You cannot stop, look how silly you are.

The group in the meantime headed for the Seine, after crossing some beautiful bridges and a long walk, they happened of course for the cathedral of Notre Damme. Esmeralda laughed, leaving them a little deaf to declare with humour.

-This is supposed to be my house. - Here lived another Emerald. At least according to the story of the hunchback.

- It's a beautiful cathedral. - Bertie said. - They started building it in one thousand one hundred and sixty-three and it took almost two centuries to finish it.

-In one thousand three hundred and forty-five, to be exact - added her hostess, adding. - It is Gothic. The oldest in Paris, here in the Île de la Cite. For many years it was the tallest building in the city.

 The girls continued to talk about it and this time, the boys listened with interest. Among Beruche's knowledge, who was studying art to teach in high school, along with other subjects, and those of Esmeralda, who wanted to start that career out of sheer interest, both Roy and Diamond learned many things from that sacred enclosure. The two women stepped forward to talk as they added more to the city. The boys joined them again and finally, once they finished seeing the cathedral, they decided to go to a restaurant on the Boulevard de Haussmann area.

-Let us visit the Galleries Lafayette. - Esmeralda proposed - I assure you that it is worth seeing the interior.

And, in fact, they entered in admiration of that wonderful and immense glass dome, under which there was arranged a richly ornate architecture.

-It's beautiful! - Exclaimed Bertie, genuinely astonished. - It looks like we were in a giant opera, surrounded by stages.

-It's impressive - Roy agreed, staring in astonishment in all directions.-

-There are restaurants here too. We can eat if you wish. - Diamante suggested.-

His friend nodded at once, smiling to assert.

-I thought you'd never say

-You're always thinking about eating. Is incredible! - Beruche could say with a veiled reproach, however, she was already accustomed to the voracity of her husband.-

-I'm sorry. A saiyan is what he is - Her husband shrugged. -

-Well, Diamond seems to descend from them sometimes. He has a tremendous appetite! - Esmeralda declared.-

- You should have seen us in the Time and Soul corner - said the prince jokingly. - This is nothing!

And after a few laughs they sat around a beautiful glass table. There they asked for lunch. The conversation continued.

-It's curious, - said Beruche. - But this architecture and that form of dome reminded me of Nemesis.

-Yes, some of the palaces and houses were made this way - Diamond agreed.-

- And I remember some stories that the queen told me. - Esmeralda sighed now with a touch of longing. - I think her grandmother was from Paris. Or something like that. That is why I was always very interested in knowing this city. And when we started our lives. Both Diamante and I had it clear. We wanted to come here.

-Well, my wife hits him, too. - Look what I've seen. - Roy smiled showing a sign with a rifle that looked like Berthier name - Apparently your name is also French ... like the grandmother of the little prince.

The rest smiled with the penultimate occurrence of that boy. Nevertheless, Diamond answered with a thoughtful gesture.

-I do not remember that very well. Although it seems to me that my great-grandmother had something to do with this city. My mother said something to me, but then I did not pay much attention to that. - He lamented. - I wish I had!

-I hardly remember mine. When we went to the Court we lost contact. At first we were talking on the screen, but then she ... well, I think my father had her being watched for doctors. She wasn´t ok… - Bertie could say, looking down and with tears to rivet. - My poor mother was upset when we left. Now I can realize how hard it must have been for her. She lost her mind. - She sobbed remembering - We never saw each other again...

-Hey, little cube! - Her husband tried to cheer her up in a soft tone while passing an affectionate arm behind her shoulders. - We are celebrating. With our friends. Put a smile on that little beautiful face you have.

-I'm sorry. - She mumbled, wiping away her tears as she smiled a little. - You're right.

Their hosts looked at each other with the pity reflected in their countenances. They could understand Bertie very well. The memory of their parents and all those people they wanted and who had to leave behind, victims of their obsessions of then, was still in their hearts.

-We pay a very high price, it is true - said Diamond added. - And I can never forgive myself for being so blind...

-We were all. - His partner hurried to say, laying one hand over another´s. - Do not blame yourself.

- Listen to me, guys. - Roy said. - All this is more than outdated, and if you look at it in perspective, it has not even happened yet.

Then his interlocutors watched him with surprise. The young man at once explained himself.

-That's supposed to be in the thirty century, right? Well, I'm glad to tell you that we're in the twentieth century. Your parents have not yet been born, not even the grandparents of your parents. They cannot be suffering. At least now. You should think about it.

No one replied, at least for a few moments. Roy was bringing his wife to him to comfort her, and both Diamond and Emerald looked at each other thoughtfully. It was the prince who finally answered.

-Technically you're right. And perhaps we have been given an opportunity to amend all that. If so, I assure you that we will take advantage of it.

-Of course - his friend encouraged him. - And soon we'll fill this world with little Roys and Diamonds, will not we?"

Those last words made the two women blush. At last they all laughed again. Beruche, grateful for her husband's attempts to lift her spirits, gave her a loving kiss on the cheek, declaring with joy regained.

-Sometimes you're a philosopher.

-Well, but do not get used to it, that thinking so much gives me a headache! - He laughs, making the rest imitate him willingly.-

Thus they finished the meal and spent the rest of the days visiting more emblematic places of France. Of course there was an extensive tour of the Louvre. Finally it was time to take the flight in Orly. Flights to Barcelona. His friends said them goodbye at the terminal wishing them a good trip.

-We'll see at home when we get back - Roy said.

-Ok. We'll visit you one of these days. - Diamond promised.-

- Take care a lot - Bertie asked.-

-We will, you will too - retorted Esmeralda.-

At last they had to board. The trip by plane was hardly a couple of hours. They landed on the Prat airport and a guide who was waiting for them took them to the hotel. After a little rest, in the city of Barcelona they visited the Sagrada Familia and the Olympic port, as well as the stadium of the most important football club of that region. Roy tried to test his Spanish and then approached a passer-by to ask for an address.

-Perdón, señor. ¿Dónde están las Rambas? (Excuse me, sir, where are the Ramblas?)  He could say with a more than acceptable Castilian.

However, this man looked at him as if he had committed some crime and walked away without answering. The boy looked surprised at Bertie, who stared back at him as she shrugged. At last the girl could guess.

-I don’t know. Maybe you did not say it right...

-I do not understand - her husband replied visibly disconcerted. - I would swear the expression was correct. I hope I did not offend that guy.

-Well, because I wanted to see those Ramblas and Park Güell - Bertie said consulting a map that was given to her in the hotel.-

-We'll ask another one - he said more unconcernedly.

So they did and this time they were informed without problems. They could see those that places and take a few pictures. The next day they went northwest, crossing the so-called "Cornisa Cantábrica". A day after, they set out for the capital of Spain. There, Bertie insisted that they should see as many museums as possible and the couple toured the Prado museum, the Reina Sofía museum and the Thyssen among others. Some photos of other monuments like Puerta de Alcalá and, needless to say, Roy was interested in visiting the sports stadiums, in this case of what he called soccer, the most important sport in Spain. In an area called the Castellana they were able to visit the trophy room of the club that had the reputation of being the most laureate of the world in that sport. In another part of the city they also saw the facilities of another club, near the river Manzanares, as they were told that it was called the river that passed through the capital of Spain. Curiously, both teams, bitter rivals, had two places in which they celebrated their triumphs, dedicated to two gods of mythology, Cibeles and Neptune. Nor did they miss a walk around the famous Plaza Mayor.

-Is not that great? - Bertie told her husband after consulting a brochure. - We have already seen the best pictures and the most beautiful monuments. I did not think there were so many wonders in this country. There are already a lot of things that we can tell my sister and Tom! Surely they will come with very interesting things to tell us about Hawaii too.

-Yes, and how well you eat here. - He enthusiastically nodded that he already indicated the proximity of a restaurant since it was going to be two o'clock in the afternoon. - And the best thing is that you are served at any time...

            Although his wife looked at him with a reproving gesture to remind him as they entered and sat at a table while the girl took out an agenda that consulted.

-Roy you wanted to try, if I remember correctly, the food called fabada de Asturias, the tumaca bread in Catalonia, the stew here in Madrid, and many other traditional dishes from each place where we stop. I pointed the veal of Ávila and the yolks while we saw the walls, or the suckling pig of Segovia while we visited its Roman aqueduct. You spent all day talking about how rich was that which is here called a lechal, in front of a construction in Roman stone of more than one thousand and nine hundred years. - Rivet it with a certain amount of reproach - It is a work so imposing that according to Legends attributed it to the devil himself. And you were thinking only of eating...

-Of course. - He smiled amusedly, who seemed to be enjoying himself as he looked at the letter, as he argued. - Look Bertie, gastronomic tourism is very fashionable in our days, and as I did when we visited the other countries I want to know about the typical foods. Just as you do with how much museum and monument we have seen. And this is also culture, you cannot deny it.

The girl had to shrug and smile. That was certainly undeniable. They ate of course very well and were late returning to the hotel. Now they wanted to continue their journey. They went to bed and the next morning early after breakfast in the cafeteria that was near the reception they were prepared. They still wanted to move to the southern part of the country. Roy, who spoke Spanish well enough, told Beruche the itinerary using a kind of local guide.

-What do you say we're going down the road to the south? - We can rent a car and tour the region.

-Do you think that will be interesting? - She asked, quite sceptical of that possibility. -

-Of course! - Her husband encouraged her - we can cross the region by road and stop at some parador.

-is that a kind of Hostel? - Repeated Beruche with an inquisitive tone because that was a term in Spanish that she did not understand.-

-They are a kind of rural hotels that are situated along the route - explained her husband. - You'll see, you'll like it.

-All right - she conceded, smiling. - If that makes you excited. Let's do it!

Roy nodded enthusiastically, his wife was amused to see him so happy, and he behaved like a kid who had been given a whim.

-I'll call for a car - he said as he picked up the phone to speak to the concierge. - Please send us a vehicle at twelve o´clock. Thank you, - he said, addressing Beruche very enthusiastically. - Now we just have to pack!

They set to work and packed the luggage. The car was waiting for them at the door at the agreed time and Roy drove it south, crossing the city and leaving the province of Madrid arrived in the province of Toledo. Making some stops at the request of the girl who did not want to miss the Transit Synagogue, the primate cathedral and the mosque of Cristo de la Luz, although there were many more remarkable constructions and monuments. She was visibly enthusiastic as she flipped through a booklet, reading the part in English, and reported to her husband.

-Did you know that this city was once the capital of Spain? Well, put that of the Visigoth kingdom.

-Oh, how interesting! - He remarked carelessly to whom his guts were already beginning to give him a serious warning. -

- I'd like to see a picture of Doménikos Theotokopoulos here. - She added, remembering. - When we were in Paris, Esmeralda left me some of her art books to consult and he was one of the most outstanding painters in Spain, along with Goya, Velázquez, etc...

-Are you sure he was a painter? - Asked her husband adding fun. - With that name I thought he was playing for the Nets, ha, ha...

- It is better known by the Greco, that is, the Greek, because it was of Hellenic origin. - Bertie explained to him shaking the head to size silly thing.-

-Well, let's ask - Roy agreed, eager to finish as soon as possible and head to a fine restaurant. -

After asking a little they were given the address of a church where they could enter, after a group of tourists who crowded in front of them. It cost them a little time to get in but the young woman sighed delighted to see "The Burial of the Lord of Orgaz" that was how they were told that it really was called that great painting. Famous representative of the Mannerist dark.

-He was related to Diego de Covarrubias, who informed him that Felipe II was looking for painters and artists for the decoration of the Monastery of El Escorial. He also had a friend in Toledo who commissioned him for a project in a convent. Thus, in fifteen hundred and seventy-seven, El Greco arrived in Toledo. This picture, for example…

Her husband was nodding mechanically without too much attention, but trying to get the camera out of his case. Beruche, oblivious to his lack of attention, continued to read fragments of his book as she watched the painting.

- It is a commission for the Church of Santo Tomé because the altarpiece had just burned. El Greco, free from the pressure of having to like Felipe II, looks for the subject in the local history. He painted it between one thousand five hundred and eighty-six and one thousand five hundred and eighty-eight. In the lower part he represents the miraculous moment in which Count Orgaz was to be buried and appear St. Stephen and St. Augustine who hold him to bury him. This book of Art Spain is very well.-  She concluded in so much she closed it to admire with more calm the painting.-

-Yes, I do. Very interesting, - Roy said dispassionately, to whom his guts already sounded. However he was able to add without overexposing it. - I'm going to make a couple of photos...

Although one of the guards gave Roy a hostile glance when he wanted to get too close to portraying the work. At last, satisfied Bertie's artistic curiosity, the two of them returned to the car and headed for the River Tagus.

-This place is precious - praised the young woman, describing him in admiration, - the river passes sunk around that castle. And it has a huge bridge. The one that is nearer with a kind of Round Square, is called the "Bridge of San Martín". And the other is the "Puente de Alcántara. And there in the distance the castle of San Servando. - She pointed to a fortress species on a promontory in the middle of a kind of island. -

- It's almost three o´clock already. Let's find one of those hostels and eat something. Then we could go on - Roy proposed that he already really wanted to engage in more prosaic activities - We have time and I'm hungry.

To Beruche that seemed good, satisfied her historical - artistic curiosity. It was already time more than advanced for the lunch, so she let Roy continue until arriving almost to the limit of the province. They halted at one of those inns and ate there. As usual with good appetite. They asked for meat and to Bertie's astonishment and her husband's rejoicing they were served two huge chops with abundant garnish of vegetables and chips. Roy of course ate his and part of his wife's with an expression of full happiness. In spite of that heavy lunch he did not ignore the dessert consisting of a large plate of custard. His wife sighed watching him eat. As much as she watched, she was still amazed. She even commented between amused and impressed.

-Look, Usagi ate a lot when we were with the snack girls! But at your side it almost seems to me now that she was fasting!

- You know this fact about my race. We eat well. - The boy smiled for all reply, giving the spoon and finishing the second pot of custard, given that his wife said she was done. – And listen, this is great...delicious.

After the copious meal, they decided to rest a bit, strolling some streets and browsing shops. Roy of course was delighted with the many trades dedicated to the sale of craft of swords and weapons. They even had them made to order. His hurried wife had to apologize when he started to play with one of those who were exposed.

-Die Freezer! - He shouted like a madman raised a sword with which he distributed to the air to the amazement of the clerk, gossip of some tourists and shame of his poor wife – Ha, ha! Now I disintegrate the bits. - He finished raising the palm of his hand and pointing to no particular place. - It had to be great doing this to that prick!

-Can I know what you're doing? - Bertie whispered, with her face red because of the shame. -

-Nothing ... I remembered a story that Master Trunks told me. About his version I of the future. He got rid of what was then one of the most powerful villains in the universe in a matter of seconds. Of course Trunks was a super saiyan...

-Yes - sighed his wife, making him notice how they were looking at them.-

-Oh sorry! - He hurried to apologize the boy leaving that sword -

The young woman was really going through a great deal of trouble. It was like taking a day-all kid out! But of course, this was a baby of almost two meters by two.

-I love that sword. - He could say. - It resembles the one that Master Trunks described to me that he had in that other dimension.

However his wife of course did not let him to buy it. It costed a lot and besides, what would they do with it to get on the plane? ...

-A pity. - He sighed, reluctantly leaving it on the display. - I could have given one to my brother. It's been quite a while since I gave him nothing for his birthday. In fact. An entire reincarnation.

-You already have two very large swords. - Reminded his wife thinking about the weapons they had displayed in some fighting, from their previous lives. - With those leftovers.

-That's true, baby. Hee, hee! ... - laughed the boy whispering in a rascal tone. - Tonight I'm going to attack you with mine...

Bertie flushed and bent her head. Her husband was always the same. Finally they decided to return to Madrid. The next day, they repeated the operation, this time reserving a vehicle for eleven o´clock and heading north. The reason was something weird. They were leaving the hotel and connecting the radio the boy heard a song from a Spanish group that recommended visiting Soria. He sang the chorus so much that Bertie, who did not obviously understand the lyrics, asked him to translate it.

Everybody knows it's hard to find

In life a place

Where time passes rhythmically and without thinking

And the pain is fleeting.

On the banks of the Duero

There is a city

If you do not know the path

Listen to this:

Slowly the leaves fall when passing

And the Cierzo begins to speak.

On a warm morning the sun is already

It does not get warm.

When you divide the Mount of Souls

Do not look at it, overlap

And continue walking.

Bécquer was neither idiot nor Machado a silly man

And for both you will know

That the forgetting of love heals in solitude,

It heals in solitude.

On the banks of the Duero

There is a city.

On the banks of the Duero

My love, I wait for you.

I'm going to Soria,

Where are you going?

There I am in glory

That I never felt.

I'm going to Soria

I want to rest

Deleting my memory

Betrayal and more,

Deleting my memory

Camino Soria.

On the banks of the Duero

There is a city.

On the banks of the Duero

My love, I wait for you.

I'm going to Soria,

Where are you going?

There I am in glory

That I never felt.

I'm going to Soria

I want to rest

Deleting my memory

Betrayal and more,

Deleting my memory

Passions and others.

Everybody knows it's hard to find

Slowly the dry leaves fall as they pass,

Becquer was not an idiot or Machado a silly man,

That the forgetfulness of love heals in solitude.

Camino Soria

Camino Soria...

Road, road, road...

Road, road Soria...

(Camino Soria, Gabinete Caligari author credit)

So, when her husband did, he told Beruche visibly intrigued.

-They say something about Monte de las Animas. The truth is, I have been curious. We could go get something to eat.

-What is that? - She asked.-

-We could translate it as the Mountain of Souls. Oooh! - Roy replied, pretending to be grim. -

-Is that far away? -  The girl asked, looking at her watch, it was already twelve in the afternoon. - I would not like to be too late.

-I think that according to the map, it will take us three hours from Madrid. - He calculated it leaving her amazed.

-So much! But perhaps you will not be hungry before? - Asked his astonished woman.-

-Yeah, but since we're here, let's go on the adventure. Don’t you think? Come on, baby. It sure will be fun. - He begged childishly. -

-It's no problem for me - Beruche said to remind him. - The one who always complains how he feels when is hungry is always you. And we have finished breakfast at ten. Pretty late by the way...

Her husband shrugged, but that eating, and more in this country, he loved. So, neither short nor lazy finally convinced Bertie. They left the hotel at twelve-twenty or so. After about three hours they had entered the limits of the province of Soria. They even passed near the ruins of an ancient city called Numancia. Beruche lamented that they did not have time to stop and watch them calmly, since they were going to be too late to eat.

-That city was a bastion of anti-Roman resistance. - She told her husband. - It took many years to them to subdue her.

-Those guys were tough, right? - Roy asked. - Because the Romans were not kidding when it came to fighting.

-Well, they must have been, yes. - Beruche agreed to add using the Spanish name of that people - The Numantinos preferred to die before being enslaved.

-That's the spirit of a saiyajin. At least that says my brother. - Roy nodded. - I think in Spain have a saying. When someone hangs around a lot, resistance numantina ... I remember that saying ... Now I understand.

Beruche nodded, hearing that with interest. It was exciting as popular sayings sometimes reflected historical facts. Especially in countries with such long traditions. And at least her husband was aware of some of those things. They were silent for a while. After driving along the road a few minutes later they found a sign that they could read both because it was also in English. The name of a monastery, of San Juan de Duero, could be read. Beyond it indicated the existence of a parador deviating a couple of kilometers by a highway of the interior. Roy took that direction and soon they saw a very beautiful big house, built in stone and surrounded by a part of Mediterranean forest and in another one of an extensive Castile wasteland that conferred an aged and even mysterious air to him.

-There we are, we've finally arrived - Roy announced. -

- It is a very beautiful place - recognized Beruche watching around, while sighing. - I hope you can also eat. Now it's me who is going hungry. - Confessed fun.-

- Of course, I'm crazy about ordering a good roast! - He exclaimed with a clear desire to devour everything that was put before him. - I'm so hungry!

His wife shook her head slightly, unable to avoid a half smile. This Roy was always the same! As good saiyan, the food for him was a passion. The same girl had to admit that, checking her previous list of cities and typical dishes, in this country she ate very well, so that she could not oppose anything and to tell the truth, she was also feeling hungry. So they parked the car in the parking area in an outside shed and left, the afternoon was cool in those strong latitudes and she threw a shawl over.

- Come on Bertie, it's time to eat! - Roy urged to hurry up. -

- It's quite late already. I do not think they feed at this time. - She objected that there was no service. -

- Do not worry about it. For the customs of this country, he did not smile triumphantly when, in fact, they saw, through frosted windows, activity in the dining room. "Oh! Me Love Spain, cubito. – Said him, translating into Spanish the nickname that he put to his wife - When it is time to show up, I always have time to eat! ... - He exclaimed in delight at the astonished look of his wife.-

They arrived at the entrance, decorated with a portal carved in noble woods that had engraved a heraldic shield. Knightly, Roy let Beruche in first, and they advanced along a long corridor whose wooden floor creaked slightly beneath his footsteps. The walls were adorned with armours and all kinds of medieval weapons hanging on its walls.

-Then I'd like to take some pictures of this for our collection - she said, admiring the ornamental richness she could not imagine contemplating the Spartan exterior. - It's just splendid.

-We left the camera in the car - her husband replied and more carefree, he added. - Well, never mind, after eating we will go for it.

They finally arrived at the beginning of a large room populated by numerous tables occupied by a large group of diners. The two looked around looking for one that was free, to their relief soon a waiter approached them and told them to follow.

-Table for two? - Asked the thin man, with dark hair and medium height, who was about thirty -

- Si gracias (Yes, thank you) - replied Roy, who was the only one who understood him. -

As soon as they took their seats, the waiter brought them a menu for them to choose. Beruche looked at something lost, it was in Spanish and she did not understand, that changed after turning some of the plasticised pages containing the menus. Relieved, she sighed. Then there was an English translation of those dishes.

-Good thing - she whispered to her visibly relieved husband. - I thought I could not ask for anything.

-Do not worry, cubito. - He smiled. - I would have translated for you myself. Good. What would you like?

Bertie decided to roast suckling pig and Roy decided to order the same. The waiter approached and he said it in a very courteous tone.

-¿Para beber, señorita, caballero? - He inquired immediately. -

- He questions us about what we want to drink - translated Roy to Beruche. -

-One of those bottles of Spanish wine so good - she smiled. -

- I will have to be careful with the alcohol rate - he worried, although well thought out, being a saiyan, did not think that would affect him much. - Bah! One day is one day, as they say here.

-Yes, thank you, señor. – Bring… vino, por favor - replied the girl, in a dubious Spanish, trying to pronounce it well.-

The waiter seemed to understand it and returned a brief smile of compliment. He went away reappearing with a bottle of red wine. Opening it promptly he served a little for each one.

-Very good, cubito. - Said Roy looking amused - That’s the way I like it. Learning languages. How many do you know already? ...

-The truth be told - she replied. - English was easy for me because something very similar was spoken in Nemesis. It must have been because many of our ancestors came from Anglo-Saxon countries. And Japanese was simple, since part of my family spoke it too. I liked French and I learned a lot in the Golden. The German, well, I have studied a little with Ami ... And although I know nothing of Spanish, being similar to French in many things, I hope to learn it soon. The same goes with the Italian.

-You look like a computer! - Roy said, staring at her. And I believed that, with knowing mine and Spanish I was already a genius.... Well, and some of the language of the Saiyajin.

-That does not have merit.- Your brother taught you with the translator. - Beruche reminded him. - Same as me or Setsuna.

-Okay, but still count as one,- he replied in a funny way raising one finger.-

Bertie smiled slightly. He tasted the wine now nodding approvingly.

- It's very good.-

-Well! - Like the one who drinks Diamond - Said Roy affirming - now I understand why he did not know anything in Nemesis, the Wise Man would be giving him bottles of these. The little prince must have been drunk all day!

-What a silly things you  say! Said Beruche, - Thank God Diamond can´t hear you.

- Well, he'd admit I'm right, ha, ha! - Her husband also laughed, pleading cheerfully. - Look, I'll give him a couple of bottles of this Spanish wine, too. So we thank Esmy and him for their welcome in Paris. Well, I do not know if it was going to make her very funny that the boy will fall asleep after drinking this, ha, ha ...

And  taking about funny subjects, making other jokes and remembering memories of their recent stay in the French capital, they waited. Bertie remembered the walks they had in the area of ​​the Latin Quarter, in the old part of Paris. Emerald and Diamond were very kind to teach them the most important areas. Then the usual photos in the field of Mars, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. That reminded her of the Tokyo Tower.

-I think this is a beautiful place.- Said Bertie as the model and designer told her when they walked something away from the boys.-You really want to live here. Do you?

-The first time we came to see Paris, I loved it too. In fact it was Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru who brought me. - Her friend said adding. - In addition, the museums are wonderful, we have to visit the Louvre mostly. So now I love this hobby of art, in fact I want to enrol to study that grade.

- Oh! - Beruche smiled encouragingly. - I also have an interest in studying that. In my master course to teach in high school I want to specialize in history and art history.

-What better than that to take advantage of your honeymoon to see the best museums in Europe.- Affirmed her interlocutor.-

-Yes, as soon as we leave France, we're going to Spain.- Her friend told her.-

-I am looking forward to going there.- Said Roy, who had gone into the conversation to tell them.- Dances, wine ... nap, party. It's going to be great!

-Well, you will tell us. - Also added Diamond. - As far as I know, Spain is a very nice country to visit. When Esmeralda and I get married, maybe we'll go.

Her partner smiled a little blush at what she had heard, however Beruche said cheerfully.

-Well, see if you do not take too long. Beware, ha, ha, even my sister Petz and your brother Safire are going to beat you being married before you are...

            That made Emerald and Diamond smile.

- I think they are very excited about thriving the store you have in Tokyo. Besides, they want to wait until my brother is stabilized in his job there ... - Diamond commented.-

-We want to do the same,- Esmeralda said, clutching at her boyfriend´s arm.

- In our case the thing is already channelled. Is not it true, little cube ? Roy said as he hugged his wife.-

Beruche smiled,  she remembered those pleasant conversations. Now of course Prince Diamond and Duchess Esmeralda were very changed, they had nothing to do with those proud rulers who in Nemesis would not even deigned to look at her. Although she had changed a lot too, of course. She was glad it was so. She left those memories watching her husband. With irrepressible enthusiasm, the young man was already clutching his knife and fork. Fortunately he did not have to wait much longer. After a while the food arrived. In two separate fountains of mud garnished with potatoes cooked in slices, various vegetables and a good portion of sauce, they saw a piglet with the unmistakable coppery tone that indicated the right point of the good roast. As an improvised tribute to Pavlov’s famous dog, Roy was dripping with the urge to push his tooth, while his wife was alarmed by the tremendous size of the tray.

-I will not be able to with all this! - She exclaimed in shock. - It's too much!

-Do not worry about that,- Roy replied cheerfully. - That's why I'm here!

Of course her husband kept his word and Beruche did not have to worry about it. The hungry boy ate all the food of his source and part of the one that she left, after being Bertie completely done. For the desserts Roy ordered a plate of rice pudding. The young woman, who did not know that dish, was convinced by her husband and asked for another.

- This is delicious! - she declared eating enthusiastically – I had never tasted it. It is very creamy and with a really delicious lemon flavour.

-Honey, you did not know what you were missing,- said Roy, who had already devoured his plate. -How good was everything! - He added, feeling his belly full with satisfaction, (which he certainly learned from his master in the hereafter) to sentence. - As it is eaten here, it is not eaten anywhere else.

-In France, too, We ate very well,-  replied Beruche. - Emerald and Diamond took us to very good restaurants ...

-And very expensive,- Roy said quickly. - But no point of comparison with this. There in Paris, much "la pomme de terre aux fines" whatever, but they would put a plate of nothing and much parsley above to adorn it. So much that you did not even see the food! You took more time to say the name of the dish than to eat it. And the fool of the little prince did not care, as long as they gave him good wine. But here is another thing, I prefer meals with substance, strong and abundant. For that I am a saiyajin, and surely my brother would enjoy as much or more than I do. Of course, even here they would not have enough food for him, ha, ha, ha ...

His interlocutor also laughed at the occurrence. It was funny to try to imagine Roy and Lornd together! Although it was undeniable they had eaten very well and now they were chatting relaxed at the table. They had not noticed that it was well past four-thirty. The people who had surrounded them eating had also gone away without even they noticing it, but they were in no hurry. Of course, it was a very pleasant change, after all their battles and adventures, being able to spend a quiet evening of inconsequential talk was simply wonderful. And when they wanted to realize in the dining room only one couple, young like them, was left to go. Roy glanced absently at a window on the wall to his left and realized that a storm had formed. The rain had begun to fall torrentially pounding the crystals with a rhythmic pounding and the lights of the rays with their subsequent echoes of thunder rumbled quite frequently.

-Bad business Bertie - he said to his wife, - we'll have to wait for this downpour to pass.

-What a shame! - She said, asking. - How long do you think it will last?

- I do not know, storms of this type are unpredictable, anyway, here soon after dark these roads are not very good without daylight, - he commented. -

The remaining couple were already out the door, Roy approached them to ask for some guidance because he was surprised that they were going away with that downpour that seemed to get worse at times.

-Disculpen (Excuse me),- he inquired in a surprised tone. – ¿Se van con este tiempo? (Are you going out with this time?)

-Yes,- replied the man, sensibly shorter than him, with short brown hair and glasses looking at Roy with astonishment and adding after realizing that he was foreigner - we would not stay here at night nor for a million dollars

-But the storm is very strong,- Roy objected, asserting with genuine concern. - Something can happen to you on the road.

- Worse would be if we stayed, look around well, there is no one here, even the waiters are going to leave.

-But why? - Roy asked him visibly surprised and curious. - What's wrong with this place at night?

-Do not you know?- The man asked, rather more surprised than his interlocutor. -

-My wife and I are foreigners, Americans,- Roy explained, - we are spending our honeymoon here and…

That man did not let him finish the sentence by warning him with a fearful tone ...

-I advise you to look for somewhere safer ...

- Safer? – That surprised his interlocutor. - We are staying in a hotel, in Madrid, that is quite well. We came here only in order to know the place.

-Then do not stay here for another minute,- said the woman, fair-haired and visibly frightened. – La Santa Compaña (The "Saint Company) wanders around these places and tonight is, La Noche de las Ánimas (the Night of the Souls)

-¿Santa Compaña? ¿Noche de las Ánimas? - Inquiring Roy with a surprised expression - what is that?

- It is a long tradition of our land, especially in the Castilian regions, explained the man - similar to Halloween in your country. During this night, the souls in pain of all those who died by these places wander around here trying to seize the souls of the living to take their place ...

-But what a nonsense!- Said Roy. - That's just traditions and popular festivals. Besides, what can happen to us if we stay here? I understand that this place has lodgings, by closing the doors ...

- You see, we are from here and since we were children we have heard all sorts of stories. This parador is built on the ruins of an old castle - the woman told him. - Long ago his lord, a count, was dead. I think in medieval times. It is rumoured that he fell into disgrace when he was assassinated while fleeing from a battle against the Moors. Since then his spirit wanders around waiting for someone to replace him. And it is said that he can only get it on the night of the dead. That is when they can contact the living again. That's why no one stays in this place when it gets dark on this day. Some who dared to come here and were able to escape told about terrible apparitions when the sun set and at this time of the year it gets dark soon. Also, I tell you that being the night that is, the powers of the underworld are stronger. Listen to us and leave!

-I'm not worried about a ghost - said Roy, dismissing all this to confess careless. - I've had to deal with much worse things, believe me.

-It is up to you. - The man replied, looking apprehensively at his watch. - We have already warned you, goodbye, and may God keep you save.

That said the couple got lost down the hall. After only a moment there was the sound of a car pulling up.

-Well go,- said Roy, laughing incredulously. - How scary they are around here!

Beruche got up from the table interested in the long conversation her husband had had with that couple. Although she was trying to listen, when the talk was in Spanish evidently she did not understand anything.

-What have you been talking about? - It seems to be something interesting. - She said. -

-As soon as I tell you, you're going to laugh,- her husband said -

And indeed, he made a brief summary. However his wife far from laughing seemed uneasy when she told him.

- Maybe we should listen to them and leave.

-Oh, come on!  "Do not tell me you're going to believe all that - Roy said with a slight mocking tone that made her feel a little silly. - Let's rent a room and spend the night here. I like these kind of places. Besides, Bertie, honey. I am a descendant of the warriors of space and you a justiciera, what is going to happen to us? – He said entrusted to sentence. - Do you know anyone foolish enough in this world to mess with us?

- In this world perhaps not ...- sighed his wife. - But ...

Roy smiled, now it was he the one who nodded in disbelief. And he added with a clear, provocative tone.

-I cannot believe that the Ice Lady, who has fought the most powerful and terrible beings, can be afraid of ghost stories. It's okay. Do you want me to bring you a teddy bear for you to hug?

-You're right -  Beruche smiled in return, regaining her trust, and even stung by that sort of challenge. - Ask them to get a room.

Her husband winked at her and motioned her to go with him. They came to the reception where the clerk was also preparing to leave. He was rather perplexed when they announced that they wanted a room for the night. The surprise passed to Roy and Bertie when the boy informed them that their stay would be for free.

-It is not Christian to charge money to those who endanger their soul in this way,-  he said shakily as he picked up his things in a hurry.-

-Hey, it will not be all that bad, man.- Roy smiled incredulously, shaking his head.-

-Here you have this book.- He indicated the guy who gave him a tome not very thick written in Spanish and English. - Better read it and you will see.

- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Mount of the Souls. - He read, while Bertie approached curiously and took away that copy. - Come on my friend ... this is just a novel ...

 -May the Holly Virgin Mary protect you! - Was the last thing the man answered before he came out whistling. - Take care!

When  her husband translated it to Beruche she began to worry seriously this time.

- Hey Roy, I do not like this, did you see what his face looked like? He was scared! And that of not wanting charging us.

- And he has not even given us a room, well, we will choose it ... - He said .-

And the boy stepped swiftly past the counter that clutched the reception and chose a key from the compartment of the double rooms.

- I'll read this. It seems interesting.- Commented his wife observing with joy that this tome was also translated into English.-

- Seem right. Go upstairs and take a look at that book while I pick up things from the car. - Roy asked. -

-You're going to get soaked ,- she objected, - it's pouring rain.-

-That is not a problem. With my energy, I'll dry right away,-  he answered nonchalantly. -

Beruche nodding did as her husband said, though not enthusiastically. That place, so pleasant and welcoming when they arrived, had become sinister with that storm of black clouds that did not show the sky. Besides, the little light that could penetrate that dark curtain had already fallen. The girl switched the light from the hallway, had to climb long spiral staircases upstairs. It was the long corridor to which they gave access until it stops in the number of the room that had the key that Roy had chosen. She opened it with a slight squeal that made her hair stand on end and she came in, groping for the light switch that was far enough away. She found it behind the bed and pressed it by lighting a night lamp that barely illuminated that room, leaving it in a somewhat disturbing gloom ...

-Here we go.- Muttered Bertie with some uneasiness.-

For his part, her husband reached the vehicle, opened the trunk and took out the luggage. In fact it soaked up and down. He returned to the inn and entered with his suitcases, draped to the bone.

-Well,- he said to himself after sighing. - I'm going up with Bertie. She must be impatient.

He was about to do it when a radio set drew his attention. It had a tape inside. Curious looked at him.

-Well! Here they still use this, I do not know, Let´s see that they have ...

He gave the play key and could hear a song in Spanish that he liked quite a bit, the interpreter had a magnificent voice. He turned off a reminder minute that he was to meet his wife. In the meantime Beruche waited with some impatience. After a few minutes, Roy reappeared, dripping with his suitcases. She had not even had time to start reading.

- I'm already here, uh !, how it rains! - he acknowledged - I got soaked just after leaving - and immediately took off his jersey and shirt and emitted some energy. As he had said in a few seconds he was dry - The instantaneous drying of the super warriors is ready! – Claimed with a funny voice  while he took off his pants to want to know. - What time is it?

-It is not yet six o'clock, but it seems like night shut,- replied Beruche. - With such a weather, no wonder this inspires so much fear to the people here.

-Come on, do not be so scary! - Roy teased, adding, - If you're going to shake with fear then I'll let you grab me.

-Do not be a fool,- she replied, somewhat annoyed. -

- Well, come on. Do not get angry, - he smiled as he loved to make her be on the edge. - Why do not you take off your clothes and we have a good time? - He suggested in a soft voice, - I assure you, that you forget all the ghosts of the world.

- That sounds good - Beruche smiled in the same tone. - Besides, this bed looks very comfortable. She added, pulling the sweater over her head to remove it as she sat on the mattress bouncing on it and ringing the docks of the bed base. - Let's check it out ...

Her husband did not answer, by the time the girl had taken off her sweater he was no longer there, she looked for him looking around the room.

-Come on, Roy, stop playing the clown - she said without addressing any particular point. - If you think you're going to scare me, you're very wrong - she added with a confident smile. -

But he still did not signal. Sighing, Beruche decided to let him be, surely her husband would be hiding outside, laughing. Better not to continue talking to give him more pitch, she got out of bed heading for a deep and deep closet. She opened the door and then something accompanied by a dull orange light jumped over her.

-Ah! - The apparition screamed, causing the girl to scream like a hysteric jumping backwards. -  I am the Scooby do Ghost!

Once the initial shock had passed, Beruche looked more closely. The appearance was none other than Roy, focusing a lantern to his throat making his face a reddish shade of light, as well as having a sheet tied to the body. His laughter echoed through the room as his wife grew redder with anger.

-Roy, you're a fool, an imbecile, an idiot!  She shrieked, throwing all kinds of cushions and utensils she could grasp. -

- It was a joke, woman! Do not be so angry,- he said, laughing as he braved the rain of objects to plead in a conciliatory manner. - Come on, give me a kiss.

-Do not come near, you fool! Anata wa baka des! She shouted indignantly, pulling herself up with her pillow. -

-But do not be like that - the boy asked mirthlessly. - Come on, have you been so frightened by this?  He asked in a mockery tone as he put the sheet on his head and lifted his arms. -

His wife appeared half-face behind the pillow with which she covered himself, squinting her eye and, with a severe gesture, she replied without knowing whether to get angry or laugh.

- You almost scared the shit out of me, you idiot!

Then Roy grabbed her from behind, lifting her in spite of Bertie's paws, then threw her on the bed and tried to take the pillow away. She resisted screaming with laughter. But at last her husband achieved his goal by lying down on her.

-Now I'll make it up to you for this - he assured her in an insinuating voice. -

Finally Beruche let herself undress by giving herself up to the game and both made love on the bed. They spent a long time lying down without talking until the girl said.

-Well, I forgive you, but promise me you will not startle me like this again.

-I promise,-  Roy said, raising his right hand as if to swear it over the Bible. - And thank you for forgiving me, - the boy said excitedly. -

-The truth,- she admitted with a faint smile of satisfaction, - is that you know how to make yourself be forgiven.

He walked over the girl and hugged her again. After a few moments of kissing Roy stretched himself out of bed.

-Well, since we were stuck here I've been wanting to explore this whole place, to see the ghosts.

-Leave it, you better stay here,- his interlocutor asked. –

-Ah, Bertie! - Roy groaned, - See, what has happened to us so far, eh? These stories are nothing but nonsense. Besides, all night we're going to be bored here, what time is it?

-Eight o'clock,- she said, looking at her watch. -

- Well, let's go for a walk, get dressed.

She did not have much desire but she was convinced by her insistent husband. Despite his promise she did not want him to give her another scare, so it would be best to go with him. The girl took that book because she was curious to read it. Once dressed they left the room along the corridor. The lightning flashes still came through some of the windows, it was raining but dim. The boy switched on the light of another room indicating to Beruche in an astonished whisper.

-Look at that ... I cannot believe it!

-What did you see?- She asked, expecting any supernatural appearance. -

-A TV! - Roy said loudly, raising his arms. - Good, I hope they have satellite channels! - And the boy connected it immediately giving a pass through the national channels. -

-Of course! - Beruche blamed him with her arms in jars. – Watching you throwing yourself towards a television, and that is something that you cannot say in a way that does not surprise me?

- Excuse me, cubito, but we have been lucky. - He could apologize.- We can watch something for fun.

Roy sat on a sofa that was a couple of meters from the device, Beruche did the same but decided to focus on reading. Although it was difficult for her to do so. On the television was an individual who walked in a very strange way, swaying back and forth, with his arms curled up and doing something like… jarl, jarl ..

-What does that man say? - Beruche asked, looking at him in astonishment. -

-He's telling a joke, I'll translate it now - her husband replied expectantly. -

This guy must have been saying some weird things, Bertie did not understand, but her husband was laughing.

-Ha, ha, ha, Dr. Grijander more! - Roy repeated as his wife looked at him strangely. - I was born after the pain ... ha, ha, ha! ... And "diche" ... ha, ha ...

-Who is that doctor? - She asked without understanding. -

- I do not know, but it is really silly and that the jokes are very bad. That is because I love it. - He acknowledged that he repeated some of the sentences of that type between laughter. - Coward, sinner of the prairie!

-Well, I'm not really happy about that,- Beruche said, folding her arms. -

-That's because you do not understand, wait and I´ll translate it for you - replied his laughing interlocutor. -

Although once translated the jokes his wife continued with the same attitude.

-Well, it's still not funny,- she said dispassionately. -

-Well, it's a rather peculiar sense of humor -  Roy admitted. - If you are not from here or are not a little aware of local customs and idioms it will not be funny for you.

-And how does it amuse you? - Beruche asked incredulously. -

-Well, I love that kind of humour - he said with a shrug. -

The show ended at ten, Bertie was bored and hungry. Roy also wanted to have dinner  so they decided to go to the kitchen. They walked around until they found the place. At last before them appeared many types of food.

- Spanish omelette! -  Exclaimed Roy delightedly, - and peppers ... there's also ham, we're going to have a proper dinner! - He nodded radiantly as he began piling all that up on a tray. -

- I think we have enough. At this time eating too much will feel bad - Beruche said while she was eating a bit of ham nibble to recognize pleasantly surprised - it is very good!

-Now let's drink - Roy said. - I hope they have something good ...

Giving a glance the young man discovered a bottle of cava and another of must, with that there was enough for both. Then Roy remembered that music machine and told his wife.

-Listen to this little cube.

-Any other of those nonsenses that makes you laugh? - She asked suspiciously and her eyes narrowed.-

-No, I assure you. It's a music tape. I pressed play for curiosity and the singer is very good. I do not know who he could be but he has a great voice. - He said with admiration.-

-Does he sing in Spanish? - She wanted to know with more interest.-

-Yes, but calm, I'll translate it for you,- her husband said.-

And after rewinding back a little and connecting the device both heard. Beruche had to admit that song was very beautiful. Her husband, true to his promise, translated it.

There is a house without light

Where I managed to hide

And so my sadness can cry,

Of a cruel and infamous yesterday.

A few hours there thinking

But I got nothing.

Suddenly in bed I was

And at last I fell asleep.

And among my dreams I saw myself

standing

On the new street

Looking for the door of love

And I no longer suffered

To see

That door opens.

Today I feel inside of me

love.

Content and no doubt I woke up

Remembering that street

Of a town called Libertad

Where I came to find myself.

I jumped out of bed, went down to the bar,

You were next to me.

Sorry I told you, I smiled,

You looked at me and I was happy

And among my dreams I saw myself

standing

On the new street

Looking for the door of love

And I no longer suffered

To see

That door opens.

Today I feel inside of me

love.

Next to the door of love

I found you and I got to kiss you,

My dreams are already reality, my love.

Next to the door of love

I found you and I got to kiss you,

I feel you inside me.

Next to the door of love

I found you and I got to kiss you,

My dreams are already reality, my love.

(La Puerta del Amor (The Door of Love), Nino Bravo, credit to the author)

- It is very beautiful song. It has enormous strength. Bertie said with a smile. - That man sings really beautifully!

-There is more, it must be a record of this singer .- Her husband added with visible interest. - Tomorrow when the guy at the reception returns I will ask. - And said that added more casually .- Well, I think now we'd better have something to eat ...

His wife nodded. They turned back to the room and ate supper. It was after eleven o'clock when they finished and they took the tray back to the kitchen.

-I think we should go to bed now,- Bertie said, - so we'll get up early tomorrow and we can continue our journey.

-It's not a bad idea,- Roy agreed. - We could go to bed first, and we'll sleep later. - He added touching the back of his wife who smiled. -

-You're always thinking the same thing!

-Maybe you are not! – He said amused. -

Beruche had to admit it, yes and they laugh. So they went back to the room where they began to caress each other.

-Wait,- she said, - I have to go to the bathroom.

The boy nodded as his wife headed for the loo that was only a few feet away in an adjoining room. It was just then when the light went out suddenly. Beruche knocked on the door of the room to call Roy, he came quickly, shining like a super warrior to light up.

-What's the matter with you, Bertie?- He asked, not without a funny sneer. - Some spirit is using the bath.

- Very funny. The light is gone and I see nothing. Can you bring me a flashlight? She asked after the door. -

Roy walked away, bringing hers and knocking on the door.

- Here you have it. - He said playing with the beam of light that he emitted. -

Beruche opened a slit, she passed a hand through, grasped the lantern and slipped inside again. After a few minutes she left.

-Oh dear, now the light is gone! - She complained. – This had to happened to me when I was right in the bathroom.

-Do not worry,- said Roy, adding funny .-  We are not going to need it.

- At least you do not need flashlights! - his wife laughed when she was finally ready - with that glare of yours the hallway looks very well.

And just walking in the light of Roy's glow they soon came to the room. Beruche lay down on the bed and invited her husband to do the same.

-Come on, big boy! - She chuckled. -

Roy was smiling and ready to jump when they heard some serious chime, twelve o'clock.

-How strange,- he remarked, now reflectively, - I have not heard a watch before.

His interlocutor did not answer, she heard equally astonished. They both waited until the twelve o'clock sound stopped, which seemed to be suspended for endless instants until it was extinguished.

-Where can that come from? - Roy wondered aloud. - I do not remember seeing any churches around here.

- Maybe the sound will spread a long way down here. Being this zone of plain. Better to let it be, - Beruche advised, feeling herself somewhat uneasy. -

-Wait for a moment, I'm going to take a walk.-  Her husband said, fixing the clothes that had not yet been removed. – I´ll see if  I can know where it comes from ...

- Please do not leave me alone! - His wife asked visibly nervous. -

He immediately stroked the girl's face to respond in a reassuring voice.

- Do not be afraid, also if you see or hear something strange scream and I will transport with you instantly .- He lit a candlestick on a small table to have his wife had light and encouraged her. - You're not in the dark with this. And come on ... woman, you're not a baby! With everything you've faced and now are you going to be afraid of the shadows?

Beruche could no longer reply, that last statement of her husband had embarrassed her a little. The truth is that he was absolutely right. She was too old to be scared of the dark, and more so with the amount of adventures and challenges she had been through. She nodded and her husband came out with only the flashlight. As soon as she closed the door, the girl curled up on the bed beside the candlestick. In the hall, Roy was advancing without finding anything. However, something strange was floating in the atmosphere, a weird atmosphere, more dense than normal, as if someone had put mist inside. Rare noises began to be heard on the other side of the corner where the hallway ended. The young man ran to turn the corner  with his guard up, but it was only the air that came through a crack in the window and whistled. For her part, in that guest room, the girl continued to try to rationalize that.

- This Roy, what a mania he has to investigate everything! - complained Beruche aloud, talking to herself to get rid of that silly fear that despite everything was loaded. - Surely it would have been the bell of some nearby town. In this country they are very religious, or so they said in the travel agency. Anyway he is childish. How come to his mind to leave me here alone, ...  this doesn´t mean that I'm afraid, but it's unpleasant.

The light from the candlestick seemed to glow now with more intensity, between faint and hazy. Bertie thought about trying to read something in its light, tried, but hardly could decipher the first few paragraphs of that book with difficulty. She finally gave up, that was not good for her eyes. Although the tone of the room was increasing. She stared into the back of the room and was silent. A shiver ran down her spine as she watched a large ball of light, a dull, ashen colour, materialize from the wall. Slowly that ball took on human form.

-Roy? -She asked, stammering in the unlikely hope that it would be another joke on him. -

But that did not seem to be her husband. The figure in question appeared more clearly showing an armour decorated with signs identical to those seen in the door of the inn, a chain mail and a gold pendant, a middle-aged face with a moustache and goatee. The face was pleasant in general ... but of course, it belonged to a ghostly apparition and that removed from the head any appreciation of beauty ...

-Ahh- Cried Bertie.-

Beruche's scream echoed through the inn, Roy of course heard it and was transported immediately.

-What's the matter? - He asked, standing guard watching his terrified wife pointing to the wall with one hand, using the other to cover herself with a blanket, and not being able to articulate a word. -What's up?...

The boy turned to discover that ghostly silhouette that startled him. Then he overlapped and snapped at him.

-¿Quén eres? (Who you are?) ¿Qué quieres? (What do you want?) Te advierto que soy muy fuerte (I warn you that I am very strong). Si intentas atacarnos lo lamentarás. (If you intend to attack us, you will regret it) - He stated in a very clear Spanish. -

The figure had transfigured itself in a sharper way, and to Roy's surprise he immediately answered it in a low, serious voice.

-¿Te atreves a desafiarme villano? Debes saber que soy el señor de este Castillo. Un jovenzuelo como vos no me llega ni a la altura de las espuelas. (How dare you challenge me, villain? You must know that I am the lord of this fief. A young man like you does not even reach my spurs).

Roy was perplexed, there were words he did not understand, but he more or less understood the fundamental.

-But what does he say? - He wondered aloud. -

- Sois un piernas señor, y un  malandrín, Habéis asustado a la dama. (You are a scoundrel, sir and a villain ... you have startled the maid)- The ghost replied pointing to Beruche who did not understand anything, between stunned and frightened. -

-But what does it say? - She asked Roy in a subdued babble. -

-I do not know exactly, he speaks in old Castilian and there are words I do not understand,- said her husband also confused. -

-Those evasions will not serve you with me rogue, villain, babieca! - Snapped the ghost, drawing his ethereal sword.-

-¡Me estás hartando, deja ya de insultarme! (I'm getting fed up, stop insulting me at once!) - roared Roy becoming again a super warrior and managed to scared the same ghost himself when he added with anger. - Spirit or you're not looking for it, you idiot! -

-Oh! , You must surely be an envoy from heaven with that golden radiance, - stammered the frightened ghost as he witnessed such a change. - Do you perhaps come in the name of St. Michael and his angels to punish me? Forgive me if I have wronged you, sir. - You really are a giant ...

The husbands looked at each other in amazement, it was true that the apparition was barely taller than Bertie herself. Surely the average height of that era had been much lower than the current one. And considering that Roy's height far exceeded the average of the twentieth century.

-Well, he was a coward, the guy, besides a plug, - Roy whispered to Beruche. – Bueno, no exáctamente (Well, not exactly) - he said to the ghost, adding in a more conciliatory tone. - But stop insulting me and maybe I can help. I think you need it, at least you will not give the can at this time.

-Would you?- Exclaimed the hopeful spectre. - Albricias! That would be magnificent!

-You are the Count's famous ghost,- Beruche finally dared to ask. - ¿Fantasma? ¿Conde? – She tried to said in Spanish.-

The ghost made a long, slow bow. To the astonishment of mortals he seemed to understand English now.

- So beautiful and angelic lady, to your feet there is this humble hidalgo that ...

-Okay, okay, - Roy interrupted dully to grumble, - and this is the ghost that was supposed to be so frighten, fuck! - It will be because of his speeches that it is .... he speaks more than Mamoru when it goes from Tuxedo Kamen. I'll call it the spirit of boredom.

- Roy, do not swear,-  Beruche reprimanded him in a more maternal and condescending tone than anything else. -

He grunted but was silent, the girl then inquired of the ghost in a kinder way.

- What could we do to help you, sir?

- I heard the beautiful song you put before. And I have been attracted by it, it is very much in line with my own circumstances. - The Spectre declared.-

-What are these circumstances? - Roy asked, not without suspicion, to translate that rant to his wife later.-

-I'm sure you have a very interesting story to tell, - she said.-

-For my faith it is. But this is a long story worth being told in somewhat less inopportune circumstances, beautiful maiden. - Said the ghost pointing to Beruche that after the initial scare had uncovered and was still in underwear. -

- Yeah, of course! - smiled the young woman who had not understood the words but the gesture, solved by putting on a gown. - Well, you will say.

The ghost took a few moments to respond and finally began his story.

- I am, or rather I was the Count Sancho de Villa Abril. I participated in the wars against the Saracens and fought with great value. Achieving many victories over the hordes of the infidel ...

-That's not the story they told us,- Roy said with some covert mockery, after explaining to Bertie all that spit of the spirit. -

-The rest are ill-intentioned deceptions, the result of deceptions of perverse and envious beings! Woe to the ruffian who scatters such infamies against my honour! Said the Earl visibly irritated. –

-Do not be angry, please,- Beruche said gently as she noticed the tone to add with visible interest - and tell us.

-Your wishes are orders to me, beautiful maiden with golden hair like the sun that ... But the spectre  interrupted his speech when he noticed the almost albino colour of Beruche's hair. - They are white, pardiez, that is a strange colour. You are not old but young. Magic creature you must be to possess! ...

- Do not speak too much, man! Stop yanking my wife, - Roy cut him off as he was losing his temper - and tell us what happened then.

-Strange words, you use a luminous giant, but I think I understand you, - the ghost replied, somewhat surprised to report. - I fought against the infidel but it was love that made me back down. I loved the beautiful and unparalleled Blanca de Nava La Sierra and I knew of tragic new ones that announced a disease that consumed her. Without wasting time, I ran to her, but that meant leaving my forces at the mercy of the Moorish leader. When I arrived at her side, the news of my flight and defeat had preceded me, and my beloved had died then. In my desolation I returned to the battlefield to redeem myself, but an enemy arrow struck me before I could recoup my guilt. I was cursed by my ancestors and confined to wander through this castle during all Nights of Souls in search of someone who can help me atone for my sins.

-I am sorry, my friend, - Roy said, adding. - There are not many Moors here nowadays, except for those who sell carpets. So to help you beat them ...

-Well, it will be enough for someone to fight me for the souls rope.-  The ghost replied. -

-The String of Souls? - Roy asked, surprised. -

-What are you saying? - Asked Beruche who did not understand anything of the conversation since everything was developed in Spanish. -

-I'll translate it for you," her husband said. - Please, wait a moment.

-The gentle damsel wants to understand me,- the ghost added, sketching something similar to a grin he added. - That is something I can get if my thoughts reach her heart. Do not worry, from now on you can understand our words. At least I have the power to make such a thing happen.

-Yes, I do,- the girl smiled. -

- But how do we get rid of these guys or whatever?- Roy asked, more focused on the problem, after giving a brief summary to his wife of what they had said before -

-The string of Animas is made up of wandering spirits who are cursed as I am. But in a much more horrible way, in their lives they were wicked that they attacked God and men. They are doomed to wander eternally on Earth until they can capture someone to relieve them on their journey.

-And what do these guys have to do with you? - His interlocutor wanted to know that he did not see the relationship. -

- They know that I wander through these places and do not allow me to leave these walls. I must elude them and reach sacred ground where my beloved lies to be able to join her, that would be another way to beg mercy to the Almighty.

-And what if you go out and get caught? - Beruche asked. -

-I would be eternally bound to his rope,- replied the ghost, who seemed to tremble at that  thought. - It would be my eternal damnation.

-Well, well, it's far past twelve, almost one o´clock Roy said. - I'm going to take a look around, if I run into those guys, I'll disintegrate them and that's it.

-There is nothing you can do against them if they are spirits, - Bertie warned, frightened, deducing. - I do not think physical strength does them any harm.

-The reason assists your lady, - said the ghost who explained. - To overcome them, you can only use the force that our Lord gives you.

- Look, my friend, I was already in Heaven and I trained there, okay? And I have killed very powerful demons. Roy replied with patience. - If I also endured the bad jokes of Kaio Sama I suppose that I will be able to manage with some phony ghosts. You wait here, I'll be right back.

He left the room despite Beruche's plea that he did not, the ghost turned to her and declared in disbelief.

-Your Herculean gentleman is noble and courageous, no doubt, but rather foolish and devoid of brains if he thinks that there will be anything against these spirits, except of course, in case he is an angel.

-I'm afraid he does not go so far - Beruche sighed uneasily. -

Her husband had left the inn and flew over the plain surrounding it, his car was still parked there, it was all he could see. He went down to earth, it was humid cold, and blasts of unpleasant wind stirred the place, but that did not affect him. With his golden glow illuminated that deep darkness. He listened and thought to identify a muted litany of songs, waited in his position. Far, a few hundred yards away, he could make out what looked like faint bluish flames. Out of the darkness appeared figures that seemed hooded marching in procession. The monotonous sounds he had heard faded as they approached him. Then Roy felt cold, but a cold much more intense than the environment. It would seem that his own soul was freezing as he felt the ever closer presence of these beings.

-They must be those guys, - he told himself, trying to keep his cool. - You will see that soon I finish with them. - Concentrated energy and threw blasts of rays against its objective. - Take that you clowns!  I'm sick and tired of hooded idiots.

But the lightning went through that entourage as if nothing, those beings were completely ethereal. What's more, they disappeared as if they had never been thrown. When Roy saw this, he was amazed ...

-Oh Shit, I'd better get out of here! - He told herself, noticing how cold he was. -

Though he was unable to move from the place, those cold beings dug into him what looked like coals burning on empty basins on their heads. They whimpered with a shrill sound that pierced the ears. Finally Roy managed to gather the little concentration that he had and was transported next to Beruche. He appeared panting alarmingly, his gesture disengaged by fear.

-Are you okay? - She asked, embracing him at once. -

-Yes, but I thought I was not going to tell it, damn monks or whatever! - He muttered, - my attacks did nothing to them.

-I warned you,- his wife reproved him softly. - But you're a mulish and you never listen to me.

-The only thing that can be done against these infernal creatures is to fight them with the sacred signs,- added the Count adding. - I keep some in the crypt where they buried me, it's in the basement of this place.

-And where is the basement? - Asked the young man interested in having something to employ against those sinister beings. -

-Follow me and I'll show you,- the ghost said, crossing the adjoining wall. -

Roy stood with his arms in jars visibly annoying to declare.

-This spirit is stupid, how does he intend me to do that? ... Do you want me to demolish the wall?

After a few seconds the ghost reappeared apologizing for his carelessness.

- So many centuries have made me forget that my condition of soul in penalty allows me to do things impossible for mortals. Go out through the door and surround this room. I beg you. –

And after those words disappeared behind the wall, Roy decided to listen.

-Wait, - Beruche said, - I'm going with you. -

-But we do not know what we can find, - he objected, - it can be dangerous. -

- Roy, you know that I have faced similar situations and I have come out of much worse dangers, so do not treat me like a child. - She answered, giving back to him his own argument of before and  feeling offended in her own esteem. - Besides, I do not want to stay here alone ...- She could add with some prevention.-

-Okay, but I warned you,- he said in a quasi-solemn way to sentence. - If you get scared or have nightmares then do not complain.

Bertie sighed resignedly and decided to become Justiciera.

-Pure Ice Heart, give me the power! - She shouted, holding the necklace with the stone that always hung at his neck. -

After the lights and flashes of her transformation, the girl appeared in her uniform of justice.

-I'm ready for everything, - she announced with a smile that extinguished as she tinged. - Well, almost everything.

-Then let's go there,-  Roy said, opening the door. -

Beruche left first and her husband followed her, they came to a wall where the ghost that was pointing to the ground awaited them.

-Strange and exotic attire, by the nails of Christ .- Affirmed the spirit watching in astonished the miniskirt of Bertie. - And quite scarce of cloth in truth ...

-Hey, man, - Roy said, catching the ghost's attention. - I understand that you have not seen a woman for a long time, but stop looking at my girl like that.

The spirit looked towards other way and changing the subject, he indicated to his interlocutor.

- The entrance is sealed here, you must open it. I will come down and I will be waiting for you.

The boy came forward and throwing a beam of energy controlled with his fingers was making a cut on the ground. When he completed a figure of about one square meter he broke an edge to put his hands, grab the stone and lift it. It weighed heavily but he was able to remove it without much effort. Glancing down as a super warrior, he tried to pierce that dingy, dank darkness that awaited them.

-Let me look with the flashlight,-  Beruche asked, curious to take a look. -

- Wait, - her husband advised, - I'd better go first. -

He stuck his head out only to find pairs of red eyes staring at him, Roy jerked away screaming.

-Shit, those suckers are there!

From the depths of the crypt came shrieks that were heading toward them, a multitude of forms flew to meet him while Bertie, who had stepped aside, said to the startled Roy ...

- They're just bats. Do not you see them? - She pointed to the group of animals that had hung upside down on a beam from the ceiling. - They're harmless.

- I knew it, - said the one who smiled stupidly. - It was to test your reflexes, cub.-

- Sure.-  Whispered Beruche, her eyes narrowed. – Come on my hero, let's get down! - She harangued Roy, who did not seem as determined as before. -

-This time I'll brighten up better,- he said, shining brighter so that he made the place visible as they descended a few stone steps that had appeared in the light. -

He carefully descended and his wife did the same. They both noticed that they were in a kind of stone cavern where the water dripping in the form of a faint thread on the ground. There was nothing more remarkable to mention except a varied fauna of insects that dragged in all directions and numerous cobwebs that were sticking to the face.

-What! This is disgusting! - Exclaimed Beruche, standing on tiptoe so as not to step on any of those bugs and at the same time detaching herself from the sticky threads with her hands and visible apprehension. -

-I warned you, - her husband crooned in a jocular way, thus taking revenge on the previous bats issue. -

-Can you tell me what are you waiting for? For the holy martyr San Ataulfo! - Exclaimed the ghost voice that preceded the apparition. - The night advances and I have less and less time until dawn.

-Come on,- Roy reassured him. - Where now?

The spectre preceded them, disappearing behind a wrought iron gate that was green from the rust of as many centuries as it had endured.

-Do not tell me anything, I guess I have to open the door,- Roy intoned loudly. -

There was no answer, and the boy, tired of so much mystery, asked again impatiently.

- I have to open the door, right?

- I remember you asked me not to say anything. - The ghost's strange voice answered from the other side. -

- It's a way of talking, so of course you have to tell me! - Said the boy, who was beginning to lose his temper. – This guy is stupid,- he muttered almost to himself. -

- You can break the lock in good time. - The ghost said. -

The interpellated jumped the bolt with a thin thread of energy and tried to open the door but was completely oxidized in its hinges and attacked in contact with the ground, it was not precisely easy to force. He finally managed to break the resistance, and the door creaked in a deafening way with the echo of the noise multiplied by the walls of the room.

-This makes more noise than my guts when I'm hungry! - Roy said, raising his voice as he closed his eyes and clenched his teeth in order to better withstand this annoying rumble. -

- Hurry up and open it all at once! - Shouted Beruche, too, covering her ears. -

And after a few agonies and endless moments, the door was finally open enough for both of them to enter, Roy advanced inside and his wife followed. Before them lay a large slab of stone that covered a tomb, there were inscriptions in ancient Castilian that the boy deciphered with effort.

- Here lies Sancho, fourth Count of Villa Abril. Dead in the year of our Lord, one thousand two hundred and ninety-seven. Roy smiled as he realized adding with humour. - It's been seven hundred years. Look at you, you don´t look so bad. For such a long time. Do you?

-That reminds me, - said the spirit who appeared beside them, startling Beruche. - Something prophesied to me.

-Well, see if he reminds you too that you must not suddenly appear!" - she reproached him annoying – You scared me.

-Excuse me, gentle maiden,- the ghost replied with a bow. - I beg a thousand pardons.

-Go on, - an impatient Roy asked, folding his arms. What prophecy was that?

- One of my ancestors told me that I would suffer eternal torment wandering like a ghost up to a hundred times the fatal period of the rupture of my reflection. Then a prince and a princess of distant lands would be my saviours.  “Only they will recompose the evil that you did, for your affront in person and image". Those were his exact words.

-Oh, well, what an ancestor you had ,man! he spoke like my friend Tuxedo, in riddles. - Roy grumbled. - What did he mean by that?

-I do not know,- replied the phantom, looking disconcerted. - But it may be related to what you have said.

-One moment,- Beruche interrupted. - Do not you understand? It's very clear to me.

-Well, explain yourself,- Roy asked, intrigued. - What is so clear to you?

-The fatal period of the rupture of his reflection ... must refer to a mirror. - Bertie guessed. - A broken mirror is seven years of bad luck and a hundred times that time, seven hundred years.

-You are the cleverest woman in the world! - Exclaimed her husband, kissing her on the nose. So what? - He added again, with an uneasy tone. -

-Well, - she said, too confused to address the spectre, - did not  you have any broken mirrors?

-Surely pardiez, by the beard of the unbeliever! - Cried the ghost, - I remember it, albricias and a thousand praises to your beauty and intelligence, beautiful lady.

-Get to the point of a damn time! - Roy asked, irritated by the continued peroration of the spirit. - Or it will be done by day.

- My beloved had a mirror of delicate work in gold where she liked to behold. They brought it directly from the distant lands of Katay. When she died I smashed it so that it no longer reflected the beauty of any other lady.

-Well, that sounds good to me, but what the hell does that it mean? - Roy asked, feeling impatient. -

- That mirror must have the answer - intervened Beruche who after a moment of reflection stated. - If we could find it we would give with the key of the whole mystery and I believe even with the solution.

-Oh, the mirror! - The phantom repeated in an affected tone, - I believe it was buried next to her. - For my beloved greatly appreciated it as you may guess.

-Great! - Roy spat with obvious sarcasm. - So all we have to do is dig up your lover, get the mirror, or whatever's left if there's anything left and meanwhile keep those hooded guys from the club Of Wise Man fans, from grabbing us. True? Is that? Did I get it right? ...

-You have made a brilliant composition of the situation, sir,- said the phantom, agreeing with enthusiasm. - That we must do. Although I do not know who are that Sage you are referring to ...

-You prick yourself! - His interlocutor exploded. - Not for all the gold in the world I go out there to see them again with those. Come on man, go now! ...

- Come on, Roy, there must be some solution,- Beruche said, trying to calm him down. -

- Yes, of course there is a solution, go to bed, wait for daylight and get out of here. - Sentenced him. -

-I beg you, for all the saints, do not abandon me here! - The spirit pleaded, kneeling before them to rivet with anguished tone. - I could not stand another eternity like the one I  had been suffering ...

Bertie looked with pity at that poor wretch, deep down he must have been suffering a lot, and she took pity on him. She'd been thinking about all those words of the curse, too. Now she thought she understood. So she went to her husband and told him for sure.

-Of course Roy, do not you see that this prophecy refers to us? We are a prince and a princess and from far off lands. We should not confront this as Roy and Beruche but as Asthel and Lorein.

-Okay, that's fine, - her husband said incredulously, wanting to know. - And how do we do it?

-First we have to find that mirror, - replied Beruche. - We'll worry about that later.

-You must protect yourself with the sacred symbols,- the ghost added to them. - I always pray for the forgiveness of my sins on this cross. - He pointed to a corner of the room where a golden foot stood with a cross of the same material and explained with pride. - It is a holy cross brought from Constantinople, gift of the Empire of Byzantium. Powerful stronghold of Christendom against the infidel, to my faith!

- What are you talking about now? - A disconcerted Roy asked his wife. -

-About the Byzantine Empire, - she said in a low voice so as not to interrupt the ghost's circumlocution. -

-Where is that? Will not it be here next door? – Asked Roy, because he was interested believing that it was important information. -

-What an ignorant you are! It was the Roman Empire of the East.  When the Emperor Constantine died, he separated the Empire between his sons Arcadius and Honorius, the first founded the Empire of the East.

- Great power of the Byzantines.- Said the ghost - although it has gone pale with time.

-Well, what should we do then? - Asked the boy, - go to that empire?

-I fear that the empire of Byzantium fell in one thousand four hundred and fifty-three, with the taking of Constantinople by the Turks. - Beruche said with a rather masterly tone adding fun. - Roy, I'm going to give you history lessons when we returned home.

-Damn Saracen infidels! - The ghost spat in disbelief. - Who could have knew that ?

- Well, that's nothing, now they have us caught by selling us all their oil. -Roy sighed, adding something annoying. - Anyway. And exactly where does this stupid argument lead us? This is absurd. We are wasting time.

-That's called a Byzantine argument, Roy! - Beruche laughed, amused by this coincidence, proclaiming. - And I'm not surprised, it has never been better comparison!

- The thing is that we do not need to carry that cross to protect us. Maybe just in case you can use it little cube. I have this too. - He replied that he took a pendant with another small cross around his neck, that belonged to his mother and that he always carried. – I am sure it protects me.

- Go then in good time and find the mirror - asked the ghost - I will wait here praying to the Lord for your success.

-Thank you, it's a help, - said the boy in a clearly ironic tone to address resignedly to his wife. -Come on, Bertie, and I hope this thing works for us. -

-You must truly believe in God and his mercy, if you don´t the cross is worthless to you.- Warned the ghost. -

Roy nodded and held the cross in one hand and Beruche with the other came out of the crypt and rose through the hole. Opening a window helped by his wife, they flew out into the cold, unpleasant night to recognize the terrain.

-We can hardly see anything from here,- she told him. - You'll have to go down some more.

-What are we going to do!- He said, coming down. -

-Look,- the girl pointed at him with one hand. - There, in front, there is a mound with a solitary cross on top.

-Let's see, that looks like a crypt-  her husband replied. - I'm going to land next to its base.

Taking soil and leaving on the ground the Cross and Beruche. Roy looked for some clue. Discovering a door almost buried by gravel and vegetation.

-Have you seen? Here is the entrance, - he said. -

Beruche approached the flashlight and discovered an inscription.

- And here is  something written, it is in Spanish. I do not understand, come here and translated it , please. - She asked. -

Roy came over to try to figure out the legend. He worked his fingers through the letters as he read.

- Here it says, crypt of Nava the Sierra, knight of the low region. I suppose that Blanca will be here.

-Well, what are we waiting to find out? - Said his wife with an unusual adventurous spirit. -Let's go there!

But Roy did not say anything, he heard again that litany of songs muffled by distance. Looking from afar he could see that fatuous fire of candles and those semi-opaque figures approaching.

-Shit! , They are here again. I hope we can have time.- He tried to open the door but he needed to use enough force because it was solidly nailed down the centuries. - Bertie, use the cross and try to stop them.

-I hope that turns out, - she said, beginning to feel a great chill inside her. -

Roy was letting the door go as Beruche, who already saw a few meters to that sinister procession, hid behind the cross praying to all the saints, believe it or not. The fiery carbuncles of these beings were fixed on her, trying to reach her by reaching out a few bony, ghostly hands. But when it seemed that they were going to capture it the cross shone with a golden glow causing them to retreat in a hurry.

-Back evil creatures, you must respect what this cross represents! - shouted the girl noting as if someone dictated the words to her while the cold was disappearing slowly of her interior. - Vade retro, Satan's beasts! ....

Frustrated, those evil spirits moved away. Beruche sighed in relief, a cold sweat still running through her body. In a few seconds Roy finished the mutism that weighed on the air with an exclamation.

-It is done! I opened it! He showed a gap that both could pass. - Come on, Cubito, you did it great, but let's go inside before those guys come back.

Beruche did not make herself beg and followed her husband inside. To their misfortune again, several bugs and spider webs, damp and roots crossed over the ceiling of the crypt, they had to be sorted out. At last they acceded to what appeared to be the holy sanctorum of it. Roy was able to read the names of members of that dynasty on a long row of stony tombs, and at last he stopped at Doña Blanca's grave.

-Here it is, - he said with a whisper as if he were afraid of waking those who lay there. -

-Well, I hope the mirror is near, - Beruche said. -

- I wish they did not bury it with her, because otherwise the tomb will have to be opened. - Roy responded half seriously in jest, but fearing in the end that possibility would come true. - And I do not think the lady is very presentable now.

-Do not say that, what a horror! - Bertie was scandalized, and suddenly she stood looking to the side of the tomb. -The mirror is here, - she smiled, adding as if it were an inspiration to explain. - It was buried near her when Count Sancho broke it.

Her husband dug carefully for a few minutes exposing a locked bunker with a box inside.

-How did you know It was here? - He inquired, astonished Beruche. -

-I do not know, I knew it, and that's it. -She shrugged. - Now you have to open the box.

-That will be easy for me! - Roy boasted. -

-Using your super strength, - his wife replied suspiciously. -

- No, with the key they left next. - He said, answered the question while waving a rusty key in his right hand of appreciable size while with the fingers of  his other hand he made the V. – Ha, ha! ... piece of cake

However, he had to make a great effort to put the key in the bolt that was obstructed by the rust, but at last it turned and he was able to lift the lid of the box. Before his astonished eyes and those of Beruche, it appeared shining with the golden tone of the energy that Roy reflected, a beautiful mirror segmented in three parts. Numerous gold bars clustered beside him.

-We have to fix it,- said the girl. - And then we can know what secret it hides.

She had not finished speaking when a luminous presence filled the room. Before them, the figure of a lady with blond hair and pale complexion materialized. She was short and looked very delicate, floated on the ground and looked at them with deep blue eyes like the sky.

-Who are you? - Roy asked, more in awe than startled. -

-You do not guess, Roy? - Beruche said with a smile. - She is Doña Blanca, who else?

The voice of the spirit sounded softly without seeming to take off the lips.

- Indeed, I am, and you must be those that the prophecy announced during this long time.

-It's her! , Her voice guided me to the mirror and taught me the words to use against those evil spirits, - exclaimed Bertie. -

- The curse must be broken tonight, I, who rest in peace for centuries I suffer nevertheless by the luck of my beloved - the spirit told them. - You can break the spell, take my mirror that you have so intelligently identified as the key that opens the answer.

-Yes, we were not bad,- replied the boy, who had to listen to his wife's clearing of his voice. - The truth is that it was you who was fantastic, my little cube. - He corrected himself immediately. -

-That's better, - Beruche smiled approvingly. -

-Then you must use the mirror,- said the spirit. -

-What should we do with him? - Roy asked with great anticipation. -

-First of all, to restore it as it was,- said the apparition. - Later, it will open the door to the dimension of the spirits. Through the door of love. My beloved Count must come to her to go in peace. But you will have to face great dangers.

-What dangers? - Interjected her interlocutor. -

- Those who besieged you in the world of the living have much more power in the world of the dead. You will have to resort to all your magic and the strength of your mutual love to get rid of them because they will try to prevent your access. I feel them outside, surrounding this place, they know that you are here and wait for you to leave. Unfortunately I do not have great strength and my protection is rapidly decreasing. Get out of here and take the mirror as soon as possible and the angels of God be with you.

-All right,- the boy replied, raising the chest. - Come on Bertie, we going to get out of here.

-One thing I must tell you, - added the apparition. - Sancho must do something of value to amend his lack of it in the past or everything will be useless.

-All right, we'll tell him. - Roy agreed. -

-Farewell Doña Blanca and thank you, - said Beruche to the spectrum that seemed to smile amicably. Then she followed her husband to the exit.-

In the depths of the night they both felt very cold. Even more than cold, that kind of freeze can entered into their hearts, those figures were only a few steps from the cross. Bertie, hesitant at first, took courage and took it. Roy, gathering energy, rose up holding her with one hand and the box with the other. They flew high enough to avoid such a horrible company and returned through the window of the inn to go back down to the basement where the Count's tomb was. He met them when they entered through the hole.

-Are you bringing it?- the ghost asked them anxiously. -

- Of course, what did you think? - Roy replied confidently, though he objected not without concern. - But it almost cost us dear, those little black habits were on our heels.

- Your beloved Doña Blanca, helped us a lot. –Said Beruche who told him what happened and the advice of this. -

-Oh my beloved Blanca!- Does my lady go on as beautiful as she was?- Inquired the excited ghost. -

- It was beautiful, that's true. - Roy nodded - blond and blue-eyed. With a very soft voice and a ...

There he fell silent immediately because he had noticed that his wife glanced at him in a somewhat annoying way to overdo it with flattery.

- It's for cheering the Count up a little. - He smiled at the girl who already nodded with reproach. - Come on ... it was a joke ...

-She was, no doubt, the wonder of wonders!- Sighed the ghost with a gesture of romantic longing. - How much I would like to meet my beloved at last.

- Well, as I was telling you, she helped us a lot, - intervened Beruche -, thanks to her we found the mirror without problems and we were able to leave of there. Now we have to fix the mirror.

-But how shall we do it? - Inquired the unhappy spirit. - That is the art of the master goldsmiths.

- Look guy, no problem. I have seen on TV the DIY at home. - Roy responded by giving himself some hype - this will be piece of cake. All you have to do is join the clusters, which are only three so ...

As he said it he took out the fragments of the box, later also went to remove the bars that formed the frame, but with the misfortune that one of them fell on the piece of glass major dividing it into another five. Beruche and the ghost stared in horror at this mess while Roy tried to justify himself with a somewhat stupid expression on his face.

- Well, it's okay, now there are seven, right? Then we'll hit the seven.

-Be careful for the effigy of St. Thomas sake!- The ghost howled, - or you will end all my hopes.

- Take it easy , man - the boy calm down using his hands to make a space. - That I'm a handyman. Okay? What has happened it was just an accident.

-We must hurry, it's more than four o'clock,- Beruche said, looking at her watch uneasily. -

-What time does dawn here? - Roy asked the ghost. -

-For this station about seven,- he replied, - but the cock crows at half-past six, and that's when I must disappear.

- Well, we have more than two hours to fix this mirror, it will not be so difficult.- The boy said with a convinced tone. -

- The mirror must remain as before, - reminded Beruche adding with prevention and some suspicious fear - so do not go do any fudge eh?

-Look, don´t be distrustful, honey. - Roy said disapprovingly. - Come on, we'll set the frame first.

The boy was putting the first bars and trying to assemble them, it was not clear enough, had it not been for the ghost's instructions it would have taken forever. At last, within an hour, that frame was mounted, which turned out to be a rather tall rectangle, to Roy's chin, held by a tripod.

-Well, there's nothing wrong with it,- he said aloud. -

-We only have an hour and a half,- Beruche reminded him, without giving him much time for triumphalism - and we must put the crystals on.

-Let's go there!- Roy said with a determined resolve. - This time will be easier

Luckily during the time he and the spirit had used to set the stand Beruche had entertained herself by marrying the pieces of glass. Her husband stuffed some of them by the edges of the frame, which he had to squeeze. However, this work was much more difficult than he or any of them assumed and the pieces were continually loosened by forcing them to catch them, and producing not a few scratches and cuts.

-Damn it! - He mumbled, wiping his blood. - How I hate this.

-Did not you say you liked it so much?-  Beruche reminded him with a sharp tinge. - Sir, handyman on television.

- Okay, okay, so tell me how to join the pieces because I cannot find a way to do it.- He complained now really upset. - Unless they sell glue or  anything similar around here.

-Try to weld them with your energy,- his wife suggested. -

-They would melt the crystal.- Roy objected.-

-Well, yes, it's a problem, - Beruche admitted, putting a hand to his chin to try to think even though it occurred to him. - What if I freeze them?

-Then the ice will cover the mirror and it will not reflect well.- Opposed her husband with the consent of the Count.-

- It is to be seen with total clarity, as in an unclouded night of the summer, - declared the ghost -

The group was thoughtful. None found the solution, it was then the chance that came to their aid, Roy again brushed against a rim of the glass and stained the blood that produced him by cutting him. He cursed angrily and put it next to another of the fragments and behold they both assembled perfectly.

-Blood! - Exclaimed the ghost, declaring. -Clear! The reproaches are washed with blood, the mirror was affronted by my cause and your blood will erase my dishonour.

-Well, well! - Roy said with a pointed sarcasm. - And it had to be mine, what a coincidence!

-You are my avenging knight, - the Earl explained. -

-If this comes to Avengers. Why do not you call Captain America?

Although he saw the pleading expression in the ghost's eyes and the desire to help him in his wife, the boy sighed with a shrug.

-Well, call the mobile UVI,- Roy said with his usual ironic touch to add. - I'm going to bleed for a while. At least I hope they give me a donor card and a sandwich when I finish.

It was said and done, the boy stained the edges of the remaining fragments with a little more of his blood and these fit perfectly. Everyone smiled excitedly. The mirror was finally complete and glowed like the sun returning the golden tones of Roy, transformed into super warrior in order to check the effect of his arrangement. They were exultant, they had succeeded !, But at that moment the alarm clock of Beruche gave the six, leading them out of their euphoria.

-We must hurry,- she urged, - only half an hour left.

-What shall we do then? - Inquired the ghost with all his interest. -

-Enter the world of spirits,- Roy replied. - That's what your beloved told us. And you must behave with courage once there or all this will have served no purpose.

-I will remember, for Saint George, I will! - Exclaimed the apparition, reaching for the hilt of his sword. -

-Well! - I thought that was a Welsh invocation,- interrupted Beruche. -

-Yes, I had an uncle who went to war there,- the count explained in a more relaxed tone. - He told me stories of Bretons and Gaels. Myths of a sword nailed to a rock, what silly things! ...

- Yes, we have already seen Excalibur in the movies, it is not bad. - Interrupted him Roy. - Come, now we must enter, - added urgently. -

-But she did not tell us how to do it,- Bertie said, looking at her reflection in that mirror. - She just said come in.

-Leave such work to me,- the ghost replied, approaching the mirror, he was the only one that did not reflect, nevertheless, he stood in front of the object raising his arms and looking at the mirror exclaimed. - O Almighty Lord and holy prophets and saints! You who watch for the eternal rest of my ancestors allow me, in a good hour, to meet at last with them and be worthy to probe me worthy in their eyes and yours.

Then something more than remarkable happened, the golden glow of Roy was replaced by a bluish one, Beruche as much as she stopped reflecting and it was the spirit of the ghost that reflected in a surface that seemed to undulate moved by a non-existent breeze. The spectre then turned to them and indicated them.

- We can go in now. Follow me in good time. -He crossed the mirror without hesitation disappearing behind the polished surface. -

-Come on? He is serious, is he?- Asked Beruche nervously. -

-What else can we do? - Roy replied, trying to calm his wife's restlessness. -

-Give me your hand and let's go together, - she said with a gasp. -

Roy grabbed her hand and the three of them in the mirror jumped into. They landed abruptly in a very large room, lit by black candles. The spectre of Don Sancho waited for them there, but it was denser in sight and it was said that they could even touch it if they reached out.

-Things are different here, - the ghost told them. - This is the entrance to the world of the spirits. Beyond this room is the door that leads to Eternity, where I can meet with my beloved.

-Well, what are we waiting for? - Roy snapped impatiently. - Let's look for that door, brother!

- I really appreciate you, and I appreciate your help, but I'm afraid we're not family.- The spectre declared. - I'm not your brother, sir.

Roy sighed, shaking his head, but Bertie smiled amused. Finally, they focused on what occupied them. The three of them advanced through that vast hall, which seemed to be lined with coffins of hard wood. Only after a few seconds did they realize that they creaked, the creaking of some hinges put them on guard, the ghost realized with horror what was happening.

-Do not tell me this is what I think it is ...- Roy managed to mumble out of the corner of his eye.

-They are the coursed souls! Stand guard here in this waiting area, they do not want to cross into eternity and they will try to stop me.

-Well, we're ready,- said his interlocutor, putting himself in combat position. - What are we going to do now, nail the cover of the coffins? I am sorry but I left my hammer at home.

- We have to escape from them or they will end my hopes and condemned you. - The count told them visibly terrified. -

-What can they do to us? - Asked Beruche frightened.- Kill us? How awful!

-Not only that, - said the ghost, - besides staying with your bodies to drink your vital energy, they would take over your souls to those who would torment eternally.

-It does not sound too good, let’s go - said Roy, raising his energy and urging their companions.-

But it was late, these wooden coffins had opened, and from them stood gaunt figures clad in rusty armours and tatters of cloaks, their skeletal hands were armed with rusty swords, and from their empty basins sprouted two glistening red eyes.

- They are the damn Templars! - Cried the Count with horror.-

-Fuck! - This sounds like a Bruce Campbell movie, - Roy exclaimed, wondering aloud with awe. - Let's see how we fight those cocoons. I could really use a chainsaw and a shotgun ...

Beruche wielded her sword of ice resting on the back of her husband. The skeletal beings had surrounded them without leaving them any chance of leaving, the smell of decay and death that exhaled saturated the environment. Roy threw it at them with energy beams, but they were going through them without making any dent.

-Shit, shit, and shit!- Yelled the young man. - It's like I'm focusing on the flashlight. There's nothing to do. Besides these guys has been left by the deodorant. How long have not they been bathed? -He asked in his typical joking tone even though the situation was becoming more and more desperate. -

-Now we are not for jokes, we must fight, I told you before, not like Roy and Beruche,- exclaimed his wife decisively, - but as Asthel and Lorein! Sacred nature of the forest of Rarel, give me your strength and power against the beings of death! She shouted as she raised her arms. -

Beruche's ice-sword flashed with a deep blue sky, and she was able to stop the first command that one of those beings had dealt her with spasmodic movements. Her husband then understood. Screaming in turn.

-Immemorial Sword of Aliance, come to my aid! - and to the point materialized in his right hand a superb sword that shone in golden tones. He now wore a white armour and she a light white cloak of gauze and light, whose aura repelled the evil beings who were harassing them. Roy Counterattacked by disarming one of them with a controllable. - Now you're going to see, clowns on a diet! This is something else. I've seen all the movies of Errol Flynt.

However, those terrible beings continued to advance, leaving the coffins as if their numbers were inexhaustible. The pair struggled bravely but their strength declined, they felt as if those beings were being snatched away little by little and the fleshless souls pushed them ever more toward the wall. Roy was looking for the ghost of Count Sancho without being able to find him. He had withdrawn from those zombies that seemed to ignore him for the moment, absorbed in obtaining the vital essence of mortals. The ghost then found that a door, which until then had not seen, was open and immediately recognized the entrance of Eternity.

-At last, after centuries of pain I have succeeded, now I will be able to join my beloved forever! He exclaimed with joy. - This is the door of love ...

Then he heard Roy's screams that even in this dramatic situation were full of sarcasm.

- That, you will not help us, right? You're going to stay there quietly waiting for the Sky bus to get on it. And you're going to let these disgusting people make us dumbbells.

The Count hesitated, these mortals had helped him risking their lives and even their souls for him. But time was running out, the cock was about to sing, if he did not cross the threshold, soon, very soon he would lose the opportunity forever. He thought for a moment, that door seemed to close. But he heard Beruche's cry for help, about to be disarmed by one of those skeletal Templars, and knew what his duty was.

-Wait, there you are, villains with no soul! - He shouted at those creatures, drawing his sword. -That it is a Castilian knight who goes to meet you, ruffians, cursed.- I am prepared to deal with you in unequal combat. By the Apostle James and close the Spains!

The Count fought with great force, shattering several of the beings that surrounded Beruche and Roy. The evil ones looked at their new opponent while the pair of husbands were relieved for a few moments in which they could catch their breath, counterattacked by eliminating their enemies. And it happened that above the head of the Count's spectrum began to shine a halo of light that made the remaining evil beings replete to their graves.

- Don´t run cowards and vile creatures that is only a knight who attacks you! -

The ghost of Don Sancho attack them after this cry of war as he unleashed. He even beheaded some of his adversaries who continued to flee even without their heads.

-That's what I call forgetting even your own head -  Roy laughed, relieved, - and the rush is not good-and the Count's phrase sounds familiar to me,- he added thoughtfully. Have I heard before?

-Look Roy ...- Beruche called out of his concentration. - Those beings are fading ...

In fact, the remains of armour of those evil beings fell to the ground, the clarity of the day seemed to fill that room, the Count stopped, knew what it meant, then heard the cock crow. Lowering his sword and head with a low expression, the spectre muttered.

-I have lost hope, finally and when I had it so close. I must resign myself to my eternal curse.

-Oh no! - cried Bertie, shocked and saddened. - How sorry I am! He could have left but he came back to help us.

The Count looked at the door that had already been completely closed. In spite of it he smiled and said addressing his interlocutors who looked at him in distress.

-It was my duty and I would have missed my honour as a knight, having left you in that dangerous trance without your help. Thanks to you Madame, and to you, sir, noble leader of my cause. You have risked your mortal lives for me and your immortal souls. I could not have been happy in Eternity without coming to the aid of such courageous beings of such a noble spirit.

-You've behaved pretty good. - Roy nodded regretfully. - I must admit that you were not a coward at heart, but a real gentleman. Surely you would give a good beating to the Moors even if that sounds politically incorrect. I'm sorry man.

- We will always be grateful for your help and sure that your beloved Blanca will be very proud of you. - Bertie smiled kindly. -

-Those words fill my spirit with joy,- replied the Count, lighting his face with another smile and adding resignation. - Truly, your courage, my gentle lady, will be a consolation for me in this eternal wandering that awaits me ...

Sancho had not finished the sentence when a potent white light was made in the room as the door opened again. Before his wondered eyes appeared the ethereal figure of Doña Blanca with a mantle of tulles waving with a wonderful glow.

-At last you have done it, my beloved and noble count!  You have broken your curse! - She declared in a jovial, happy tone. -

-Oh, my beloved! - He exclaimed excitedly. - After all this time I can see you again, what is this? Another cruel punishment to remind me for the coming centuries of the happiness I have lost without remission? ...

-None of that, my brave Don Sancho. - She smiled with happiness. - It is not a punishment but the reward for your noble behaviour, with salvation only a step from your reach you came  back to help your friends and that was the act of courage and sacrifice that your elders required of you. For you must know that the main cause of your punishment was not cowardice, which may be justified, but selfishness by leaving your vassals unprotected against the invader by worrying only about your own feelings. But now your gesture has touched them and they have lifted up their curse. You can now join them as the noble descendant of their lineage that you should never have ceased to be. Now you must come with me, I walk to Eternity, for your plight in the world of the living has ended my love ...

The spirit could not speak due to the emotion, Roy and Beruche also looked at him smiling, Bertie even let drop some tears of happiness.

-You've done it, - Roy told him at last to wish him, now without any sarcasm. - Many good wishes and good luck Sancho. You deserve it, my friend.

-Of course! - Bertie smiled, which seemed to have had a stroke of inspiration when she asked her husband. - Do you remember the song you put me before? What was it called?

-The Door of Love.- He said that he remembered well. Repeating not without being moved one of those stanzas ... more when he saw the Count's ghost and Dona Blanca's to give a kiss on the lips.-

Next to the door of love

I found you and I got to kiss you,

My dreams are already reality, my love.

The Earl turned to them, then knelt before them and replied emotionally.

- Thank you for all that you have done for the soul of this humble servant of the Lord. My gratitude will be eternal and do not doubt that someday I will return such a great favour to you. Be happy with your lives and on the day of your death I hope to see you in Paradise.

-You are destined to do great things,- added Doña Blanca with sweetness. - You and your children and the children of your children. You are all blessed by the Light. Remember it. Now we must leave you.

-How will we return to our world? - Beruche asked, feeling confused. - We will not know how to get out.

-You will return, you may believe me, - assured them that beautiful apparition. -

-What about those nasty guys?- Roy said worriedly as he remembered them. - What if they're waiting for us outside?

- Their power has been broken by the rooster and the dawn, nothing will be possible until the next night of the Souls.- The Count told them, rising to say goodbye. - Now my dear friends, I must leave you already ...

Walking towards his beloved he merged with her in a long and emotional embrace, so, together and seized by the waist they crossed that door that began to close. The last of them saw Beruche and Roy were the smiles of their faces turned to say goodbye. The white glow disappeared with a last brightness of intensity that forced them both to close their eyes. When they reopened, they found themselves lying on the bed of their room in the parador. They looked at each other in amazement, disbelieving to be there. The boy reacted as he got up quickly and looked at the clock he had on the table.

-It's seven in the morning,- he informed his astonished woman. -

-How did we get back here? - She asked. - Have you used the instant translation?

- No, I cannot use it if I do not recognize any family energy in the place where I want to go. Bertie they brought us here. - Roy replied, equally surprised. -

-I hope that Count Sancho and his lady Dona Blanca will be eternally happy. - She said with a sigh. -

- Yes, I hope so too. The truth is that they made a very good couple. - He agreed by putting an arm around his wife's shoulders to change gears and add with a smile .- At least we have fun. And in addition, the food, dinner and pension have left us only for five thousand pesetas.

- How much is that in dollars? - inquired Beruche whose head always worked to deal with business and domestic economy. -

-About $ 30 or so, - Roy reckoned, soon as he was satisfied. - It was a very economical stay.

-Shut up,! - said his interlocutor, embracing him to assure himself with good humour on this occasion. - I would have preferred to pay something more and be calm.

-Do you really think that, cubito? - Roy whispered to himself, convinced. - I think it was worth it, surely Tommy and Connie will not be able to tell us anything as exciting as this. Knowing the Kansas´ peasant  he will take your sister to see wheat fields, Ha, ha, ha!

-You're quite right, ha, ha, ha ...- His wife laughed in solidarity, trying to imagine her sister Cooan and her friend doing that.

-Come on, let's get up and see how everything is,- her husband said cheerfully. -

The two awoke and dressed for a walk on that cool morning, the sun was still a red pearl kissing the horizon and the clouds had that rosy colour that announced the clarity of the new day. They held hands watched that growing radiance. But first, Roy led his wife to the crypt, there, the hole unmistakably indicated the reality of his adventure. Separating himself from his wife, the boy lifted that part of the ground that had been pulled out to access the count's tomb.

-I think he'd like to be quiet,- he said aloud, receiving Beruche's approval. – See you forever, my friend. - He added respectfully and kindly, covering the hole with that large piece of stone that sealed with energy rays leaving it as if  it had never existed. -

-Let's go out for a walk, - Bertie asked. -

Her husband took her in his arms and they both flew out the window, how different was that spot to the hostile moor that had wrapped them in that cold darkness the night before! Now even the severity of their sparse vegetation seemed beautiful to them. And after taking a few turns in a circle to locate, they descended before the tomb of Doña Blanca. The door was still ajar, and he closed it again, welding it too, to prevent anyone from stepping on the eternal rest of the lady. So, the two walked along the road that separated them from the hostel, no one had arrived yet. The whole place was for them alone, so they decided to have breakfast well to receive the new day. Roy composed a delicious menu based on honey and donuts found in the kitchen. That was the end of nine in the morning and finally the first noises of motors parked outside. Soon a worried manager ran to check what happened with that misfortune couple. Their surprise was great to find them laughing and watching the cartoons of the television, by the way, they were about some fun miniskirts girls who fought for love and justice.

-Have you noticed? - Roy laughed, asking in a jocular way. - What does this attack sound like to me?

-Of course they are very funny!  - admitted Beruche riveting. - They will never change!

- See! That pretty girl in the bathing suit and the tall blue boots, who will she be? - He exclaimed jokingly to take a hit on his head from his smiling wife who replied amused. -

- Tsuki ni kawatte oshioki yo!

And in those jokes they were when the manager, followed by some of the employees, approached them with the anxiety reflected in his face.

-Are you all right?- He asked, in a dubious English. -

-Yes, thank you,- replied Roy, in a relaxed, relaxed Spanish, - Todo está bien.- (Everything is alright) -

-But have you spent the night here?- Inquired the man, unable to believe it. -

- Yes, of course, where else? - Beruche smiled in English. - And very comfortably, by the way. - She added visibly amused. -

- Except for some noise we had, we can´t complain - said Roy stating with care - but do not worry about that. We discovered the causes of the noise and solved it ..., definitely.

-Really? - the stunned manager stammered. -

-Tell us, how much is breakfast and dinner? - Asked Beruche. -

-Nothing, nothing, is on the house. - His interlocutor smiled that he did not believe what he had heard. -

- Thank you very much, now we have to leave, - said the boy getting up with his wife at the end of the cartoons. - Those who come now I know them pretty well, - he added pointing to the television, where a guy who glowed with golden hair fought a long-tailed bug on a planet about to explode. – Let´s go my friend! - He encouraged the golden guy who had his clothes torn and bleeding profusely. -

In this particular way the young couple of husbands left the manager astonished. But then another thing happened, something strange. The music machine apparently connected alone and reproduced another song by that artist.

He is almost twenty years old and

Tired of dreaming,

But behind the border is his home,

Your world, your city.

He thinks the fence is only

A piece of metal,

Something that can never stop

Their eagerness to fly.

Free,

Like the sun when it dawns,

I am free as the sea

Free ... like the bird that escaped from his prison

And can, at last, fly ...

Free ... like the wind that collects my lament

And my sorrow,

Road without end

Behind the truth

And I will know what freedom is at last.

With his love for the flag he left

singing a song,

He was so happy that he did not listen

The voice that called him,

And lay on the ground stayed

Smiling and not talking,

On his chest crimson flowers,

They burst forth without ceasing ...

Free,

Like the sun when it dawns,

I am free as the sea

... like the bird that escaped from his prison

And can, at last, fly ...

... like the wind that collects my lament

And my sorrow,

Road without end

Behind the truth

And I will know what freedom is ultimately "

(Nino Bravo, Libre. credit to author)

 -That song was dedicated to a victim of the Berlin Wall,- the employee explained.-

-It is so beautiful,- Bertie sighed with a smile as her husband translated what it meant. - And sad at the same time.

-Yes, although I think that this time I know who it's sounding for, cubito. And now for something cheerful. - He smiled and addressed the manager to ask with cordial kindness. - Listen, my friend. How much would you charge me for that cassette tape?

-You can take it if you want,- said the interpellated. - It's very old ...I even thought it was broken.

-The singer is very good.- Valued the boy, asking .- Has he edit more records?

-No, sir, - said the manager, revealing them. - He died in a car accident more than twenty years ago.

They looked at each other, not without regret. It was a pity that someone of such talent did not follow in this world!

-Maybe he wanted to help us somehow - Bertie whispered to her husband who nodded slowly.-

And after thanking that employee they went back to their room. After packing, they went out with them into the car. It took a while to start, as it had to endure the rigors of the night, but at last the engine purred and Roy was able to take the service road to get away from the inn.

-Oh, wow! , I forgot to take pictures of the place - complained Bertie. -

-What can we do! - Roy said jovially. But do not worry, when we get to the next scale, you'll do as many as you want. The important thing is that you enjoyed the adventure. I'm sure you cannot complain!

- It was a very nice experience. And I took the book of the Legend of the Souls of remembrance. - Beruche recognized, and changing gears, she immediately wanted to know. - And now where are we going?

- To Sevilla cubito, we are going to dance and to move, after the rest that we have had, it will suit us well - Answered humorously and ironically him. -

-Rest? You're crazy! Laughed his wife in amazement. -

Roy followed the laughter and sped into the main road southbound. He and Beruche were prepared to continue enjoying, as the boy liked to say, new experiences. They put that cassette in the car and the next song they heard seemed to be composed for themselves. So much so that, when her husband translated it, some tears appeared in Bertie's eyes, remembering episodes of her own existence. Her march to Nemesis, her new beginning on Earth with her sisters, the trip to the United States with Cooan to study and the adventures that there lived, culminated in the wedding with her husband and love reincarnated from a previous life.

"I will leave my land for you, I will leave my fields and I will leave

far from here

I cross the garden crying and with your memories I leave

far from here…

By day i'll live thinking about your smile

At night the stars would accompany me

You will be like a light that shines on my path

I'm leaving but I swear I'll be back tomorrow

To break a kiss and a flower I want a caress and goodbye

Is light luggage for such a long journey

The sorrows weigh in the heart

Beyond the sea there will be a place where the sun

Every morning shine more

Forge my destiny the stones of the road

What is dear to us is always behind

I'll find a place for you

Where the sky meets the sea

far from here

With my hands and with your love

Explore and find another illusion

far from here

By day I will live thinking about your smile

At night the stars would accompany me

You will be like a light that lights my way

I'm leaving but I swear I'll be back tomorrow

Breaking a kiss and a flower

I want you a caress and goodbye

Is light luggage for such a long journey

The sorrows weigh in the heart

Beyond the sea there will be a place where the sun

Every morning shine more

Will forge my destiny the stones of the road

What is dear to us is always behind

Breaking a kiss and a flower

I want you a caress and goodbye

Is light luggage for such a long journey

The sorrows weigh in the heart

Beyond the sea there will be a place where the sun

Every morning shine more

Forge my destiny the stones of the road

What is dear to us is always behind us. "

(Nino Bravo, Un beso y una Flor, credit to the author)

And Roy remembered his own life-long adventure. The struggle to be free from that demon that possessed him, his own death and his training in Heaven, dreaming of reuniting with Bertie. Listening to that was equally touched. Thus, with the chords of those melodies they reached their new destination. Once in the south, in Andalusia, there was a visit to places with the Giralda of Seville, the Alhambra of Granada or the Mosque of Cordoba. Nor did they want to lose any other Flamenco(Flamingo) party in which Roy almost loaded the “tablao”(table stage) trying to imitate one of those “zapateados” (shoe dance). Bertie could not stop laughing when they had to help her husband pull a foot out of the boards after piercing it due to his strength.

-What a great time you have with me, cubito!" - He said while he smiled funny. - You will not deny that.

-You are a case! The girl could reply with laughter. -I cannot take you anywhere ...

By all answer Roy made himself with a flower of a near vase and, cutting a little the stalk was put in the hair to his wife as it explained to her.

-Look, Bertie, this flower is a carnation. They say that a very important emperor make them to be sent from Persia to here. Spanish women often wear them on their hair. And the truth is that it suits you very well.

-Yes, it was Carlos First of Spain and Fifth of Germany.- She explained to him.- For his great love the Empress Isabel of Portugal.

-How much do you know cubito.- He smiled, really astounded by such a display of knowledge.- You are another Ami Mizuno ...

-I read something before arriving, when I documented about Seville and Granada.- The girl smiled glad to be compared with her dear friend.

-Look, look at you. You'll see how beautiful you are! – His husband encouraged her.-

The girl could see herself in a mirror and indeed, that pretty red flower made her quite happy. The two of them continued to enjoy the show and returned to their hotel at night. There Roy had taken care of organizing a night “rondalla” and gave a good tip to a group of university singers, (they called them Tuna in Spain) to give a serenade to his wife. Of course with him participating actively and singing and dancing with those modern minstrels. Beruche went out on the balcony delighted and amused by all that.

"Mocita (young Girl) give me the carnation,

Give me the carnation of your mouth,

Exp.

Much shame or little.

I will give you the bell,

I promise you, Mocita (young Girl),

If you give me that honey

That you carry in the mouth.

(Chorus):

Carnations, carnations,

Clavelitos (Carnations) of my heart.

I bring you some carnations today

Coloured like a strawberry.

If someday

I could not bring you,

Do not think I do not love you anymore,

I just could not bring them.

Music

The afternoon in the middle of the day

I saw your mouth of cherry,

I have not seen in Sta. Cruz

Another prettiest girl.

And then to see the carnation

That you wore in your hair,

Watching him i thought i saw

A little piece of heaven."

(Clavelitos song of Tuna, credit to the author)

And after this traditional subject of their repertoire they even sang one of the songs that Roy had heard on the radio of a group of the country that he liked a lot. He even dared to play a  Spanish guitar along with the musicians.

"At the end of the Rambla

I met the Black Flower

Who grew so beautiful

Of its sickly stem

At the end of the Rambla

I met the Black Flower

Where do you go black pink,

You give me your love

That your sorrow was only my fault

That my fault was only for love

That kisses, black flowers

Of the Rambla are

Or from a corner ... "

(La Negra Flor, Radio Futura, credit to the author)

At the end he was busy translating that song to his delighted wife. Then they said goodbye to those men. These, very nice and jovial, gave him a cape and a boot of wine and to her a flower, similar to the one they described in the song, but in red and white colours. The couple corresponded by inviting them to dinner. That was a nice way to end their stay in that country and finish their trip. The next day they returned to Madrid and took the plane back to the USA. Of course they would have many things to tell on their return and they were already looking forward to seeing their friends to share with them these experiences that would be beautiful memories for a lifetime.

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