The three Saints glare at Afonso II.

“I did not do it. I couldn’t do it,” says Afonso II.

“Father, please don’t speak,” says Afonso III.

“We passed the phase of discovering if there has been a murder and concluded that someone poisoned Queen Urraca with Arsenic. Let’s now enter the phase of discovering who the murderer was. The question is: who murdered Queen Urraca?” says Afonso III.

“Why do we need to know who murdered my wife?” says Afonso II.

“Because murder is a mortal sin, and the person who did this should not pass into a state of heaven,” says St. Teresa.

A state of heaven… It must be a translation error my brain made.

“I will need to ask Queen Urraca more questions to find who poisoned her. King Afonso, our judge, do I have your permission?” I ask.

“Yes, you may go ahead,” Afonso III says.

I read my notes in my iPhone. Yes, the right evidence to start with.

“I wish to present three pieces of evidence. The first is the Chronica de El-Rey D. Affonso II by Rui de Pina. Mr. de Pina was the chief chronicler of Portugal from 1517 to 1522 when he wrote the chronicle of Afonso II,” I say.

“A Chronicle referring to me? That’s good. And what does it say?” asks Afonso II.

I detect a trace of vanity.

“Published in 1727, it describes your life, including the disagreements and ensuing battles with your sisters over your father’s bequeathals that required a legal ruling by the Pope. De Pina wrote how the Pope supported your excommunication by the Bishop of Braga. You needed legal representation from people that the Pope described as disrespectful frogs,” I say.

“Doesn’t he tell how I supported the battle against the Moors at Alcácer do Sal?” says Afonso II.

“Yes, he does, but its not relevant,” I say.

We look to the judge.

“I agree, not relevant, but Mr. Time Explorer get to the point,” Afonso III says.

“The last third of the Chronicle concerns the five Friars Minors who where martyred in Morocco. Who knows the story of the five Franciscan Friars?” I ask the court.

“I do,” answers St. Teresa

“I do too,” says St. Sancha.

“Our tutors taught us this story, and the priest gave sermons of the story,” says Afonso III.

“I wish to ask Queen Urraca questions relating to this story,” I ask.

“Please go ahead,” says the judge, Afonso III.

Queen Urraca floats forward. She’s glowing and I can see she is inviting with a slender body and long neck. The Queen moves with the rhythm of a flamenco dancer but with long blond hair because she’s a mix of Spanish and English heritage. Her mother was Eleanor of England and her father was Alfonso VIII of Castile.

“I said please continue… We have only until sundown before my aunts will have to leave and you have to leave too,” says Afonso III.

Now I’m feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I must be hungry. But I must ‘soldier on’.

Read Chapter 18 The Friars Minor