The cart creaked monotonously as it was pulled lazily by a small mule. The sky was gloomy. The wind had become chilly lately, which meant that snow would soon fall.

In the cart there was a sturdy iron cage, in which, huddled in a corner, sat a girl. Wrapped in some tattered cloth, she was shivering from the cold. Two riders rode next to the cart: a knight and a pastor. The knight sat proudly on his war stallion, trying to stay alert and keep an eye on the situation. And the pastor... He only sighed quietly and looked at the girl.

The witch hunt was in full swing, and they were just taking one of them to the monastery, where she would be judged. She was a very beautiful young girl. Why was she accused of witchcraft? Because she was beautiful, her skin was clear, and her hair was soft as fluff. She must be the devil's mistress, that's why she's so beautiful. Not like the village ugly girls.

"Alejandro, we need to take a break. The girl is freezing," the pastor quietly suggested to the knight.

"Rudy, we've already had a rest... We've done everything we could. If we rest too much, we won't make it to the trial," Alejandro answered tiredly.

The pastor didn't say anything in a whine, he just cast a sad glance at the girl.

"But she's not a witch... I've read all the prayers, and nothing... Maybe we're taking her in vain? We'll ruin the girl..." Rodolfo didn't let up.

"May the Holy Virgin forgive your too kind soul..." the knight growled. "We can't. What if she's a witch? At best, she'll ruin us. At worst, they'll hunt us all three."

Alejandro didn't want to risk it and deviate from the rules. But... In some ways, he agreed with the pastor. This "witch" was too frail, too quiet. He had seen many devil worshipers, and they were all bold, impudent, swore and fought to the last. And not one in his memory was so quiet.

"Hey, girl... Are you alive in there?" the knight asked, but despite his attempts to look stern, there were notes of concern in his voice.