 According to the legend of El Cid, in his youth Rodrigo came across  a leper sinking in quicksand crying for help, but none of the  bystanders dared touch him. Rodrigo pulled him from the bog, clothed  him in his cloak, housed him in a barn and went to get him some  food. When he returned, he found the leper had transformed into an  angelic figure that identified himself as St. Lazarus. He said "For  your bravery and kindness you will enjoy success as a warrior. You  will win battles upon battles and never know defeat". In a nice nod  to the legend, the film contains a scene wherein the banished  Rodrigo encounters a thirsty leper who begs a drink. After  unhesitatingly offering his own pouch, the Leper thanks him by name.  "Who are you?" asks Rodrigo. "I am called Lazarus." The leper  answers. Then he crosses Rodrigo with his staff. "May helping hands  be extended to you everywhere you go, my Cid."