"Confession?" the Bishop questioned turning back to his assistant. "I thought we show leniency when the accused wishes to avail herself of the sacrament of confession?"<br/><br/>The assistant could only say, 'She's probably lying! Witches are known to lie. Suffer not a witch to live!"<br/><br/>Finally, the Bishop held up his hands as if he were ready to speak to the crowd. He asked his assistant for a lit torch; when he gave it to him, the crowd seemed intrigued as to what Julian was about to do. He spoke in a loud voice: "I have made my decision. All prisoners, except Ms. Manuela, are to be given to Rome. Let Rome decide what they want to do with people who have not had a fair trial; they're the ones who brought them to me. Except Manuela."<br/><br/>He lifted the torch high above his head. "Bring me a royal stead!" Bishop Julian exclaimed. In a few moments, a royal white horse had come to him; plopping on top of the royal stead, he circled around the audience and then the victims. "Free all these prisoners and send them back to Rome except Ms. Manuela!" The guards did as they were told, leaving only one person still tied to the stake.<br/><br/>"Guard, take my assistant and tie him to the stake." The Bishop was serious and the crowd gave a hush as it appeared the Bishop had gone mad.<br/><br/>Soon he circled both victims until his horse stopped behind Manuela. He got off his stead and slowly approached the stake and slowly whispered to Manuela. "My church, St. Maria's Church of Roses chimes every morning at 6:00. If you wish, you may visit the confessional with me then. Be sure you are the last in line."<br/><br/>With that, Julian untied Manuela's arms and legs, still with one torch in his hand.<br/><br/>"Ms. Manuela, accused of witchcraft, but having no real evidence against her" he shouted "shall be placed under house arrest to look further into her case. However, since the Bishopric feels they will find nothing, notwithstanding - she will be given this torch to defend herself against her enemy. If she chooses, she may light the fires under my assistant's feet to punish him for the cruelty showed to her without trial. May this be a lesson to those who make accusations with no evidence."<br/><br/>"Manuela" Julian said, turning softly to her.  "You are not a regular woman; regular women do not come to the attention of the Bishop's office. I hope to see you tomorrow morning at confession."<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/j/9/T/4/U/W/torch-b-w-hi.png">[ img ]</a>