Mother of Pearl

A lone, devout prince‑turned‑hermit sails across a strange sea on a swan‑drawn vessel, landing in the untamed Ardennes where wild beasts, unicorns and even dragons once roamed. The forest teems with ancient deities, mischievous fairies, and pagan rites that cling to every stone and stream. In this mythic landscape, the young missionary Berthold confronts a people whose world is ruled by countless gods and whose reverence for the virgin Diana clashes sharply with his own monotheistic conviction.

His journey leads him to a remote village, where curiosity and caution meet in the form of two sisters, Oliveria and Liberetta, daughters of the region’s wealthiest lord. Their meeting offers a glimpse of both cultural tension and the possibility of dialogue, as Berthold struggles to share his faith amid awe‑struck locals. The tale weaves together medieval spirituality, enchanted wilderness, and the first fragile steps of a cross‑cultural encounter.