[Will is having a nightmare] Lars: He dreams of fire. They tied him to a stake, then burned his family while he watched. And then they placed a red-hot cross of iron across his face, because he would not repent. Lilli: What was his crime? Lars: He would not fight for their cause. Lilli: Who were they? Lars: Crusaders for the Church. Men of God. [pause] Lars: My face, it frightens you? Lilli: Yes. Lars: Scares me, too.

16-åriga Lilli får en elak styvmor – drottning Claudia. Avundsjuk på sin styvdotters skönhet, beordrar drottningen sin bror att döda Lilli. Men han slutför inte sitt uppdrag, utan Lilli gömmer sig hos några tjuvar i skogen. En svart version av sagan om Snövit.