Diego's Lunch

The trip to the tavern was as it always had been – uneventful. The air was clear, and the sun was shining with such warmth. The mares were frisky and they let them have their heads. Alejandro had hung back, watching his son race his horse over the plains.

"Let's see who is the fastest today!" Diego's words echoed a child's game they used to play when Diego was still a young boy, slowly but surely developing his skills. Most of the time, Alejandro had let him win by a landslide, until he truly had the skills to be a match for him, and Diego knew that. He had been doing much the same thing with Felipe. Today he would revel in his father's amazement, and show him what he could do. Today he would relax just a little and enjoy a few moments of the day.

Diego grinned as he realised his father was pushing Dulcinea to her limits to try to gain on him. I am the better rider these days, Father, Diego thought. He let Esperanza open up to her full speed, and left his father in the dust. She easily and gratefully covered the distance delighted in being able to stretch herself.

Diego saw the sign for Los Angeles and hesitated. Showing off to his father was one thing, showing off to the whole town was another. Diego stiffened into his normal stance these days, disturbing Esperanza's rhythm and making her slow before he pulled her in. His father flew past him with such a look of surprise on his face that Diego almost laughed.

Esperanza fidgeted under him, annoyed with the ill treatment of her rider. He sighed and patted her gently. "I know, sweet heart. I know," he whispered.

He knew his father was staring at him with confusion, but he ignored him. The confusion would soon pass, and his father would shake his head and revert to his normal thought processes.

They tethered the mares at the doorway of the tavern.

"Diego," Alejandro began. Diego ignored him gently, by pretending not to hear him, and ran lightly through the tavern doors.

"Victoria, how are you this morning?" Diego greeted the tavern keeper. Victoria stopped what she was doing, and waved a little movement. She was busy with customers, but she sent a bright smile his way.

Alejandro unpacked the papers. "Diego, I do need some help here," he said with a smile. Diego turned to him, startled as if out of a dream. He was getting a little lost in daydreams, most featuring the beautiful woman with raven curls and dark eyes. He shook himself out of dreams, remembering where he was, and who was with him.

"Yes, yes of course." Diego put his mind to the task at hand. Numbers and facts were enjoyable for him, after all. The numbers would help clear his head, slow his heart rate. One day someone would guess his heart just by looking at his face. Perhaps even his very identity. Not safe, not safe at all.

"What will it be today?" Victoria asked, as she hovered near the table. She poured two juices for the men, and waited for them to answer her. Diego looked up, and savoured the idea of her being so close. He avoided her eyes, knowing that Zorro had the privilege of staring into those depths, but he did not. He treasured these lunches in the tavern, delighting in her smile, her words and her presence.

"Chicken tamales will do today," Alejandro answered for both of them. Diego nodded.

"Maybe some beef tamales as well. It looks like we will have a great deal of work ahead of us. These accounts are in a bit of a shambles," Diego said softly. "Maybe a glass of lemonade."

Alejandro nodded. "A bottle of wine as well."

"Well, sounds like a plan, gentlemen," Victoria said with a smile. She glanced at the bundle of papers Diego was leafing through and grinned. "I don't envy you at all, Don Diego."

"Oh, he enjoys it," Alejandro said dismissively. "Don't worry about him."

Diego sighed and grinned. "Actually the numbers are a challenge I enjoy." He felt his father looking at him in bewilderment. He shook his head, and Diego felt the sting of his father's disapproving glare. At least, thought Diego, his father hadn't caught the half lie in his voice. He hoped so at least. His father had been giving him strange glances all week.

Diego wasn't in a hurry to start, despite the very 'enjoyable' challenge before him. He spent a lot of time gazing at Victoria from a distance. He toyed with the tamales before eating a few. He played with the pencil in his hand, and the actual work only took a very short time. There were only a few sums that needed doing, and the brain work involved was nothing.

An hour and a half had passed before Diego declared the job done.

Ignatio de Soto entered the tavern. Diego flinched for a split second before he smiled politely and waved at the man. He hoped no one had noticed the momentary lapse of self-control. The Alcalde sat at his usual table, and ordered something complicated.

A rough couple of men entered, Diego noticed. He noted their attire and their demeanour, and he recognised the feeling of unease for what it was.

"Father," he whispered, and pointed in their direction. "Newcomers."

"Nothing unusual, Diego. You worry too much," Alejandro said, with a sigh. He looked up and saw the three men, and Diego was sure he saw his father shudder. One of the men turned and made his way to their table.

"Father…"

"Not now, Diego, I need to talk to someone," Alejandro said softly. "In private."

Diego's eyebrows rose. He didn't like the way the conversation between the men was starting, and he certainly didn't like the way he was being ordered away. Diego stood, and hesitated. Alejandro touched his son's arm as he turned to leave the table. Diego looked around at his father curiously, but his father didn't seem distressed or angry, so he relaxed.

Packing away the papers, he looked around for Victoria. It was near siesta time, and the tavern would close for the traditional rest. He wanted to chat with her for a while, and he left the table to move towards the bar.

"Is milk too much to ask for?" He asked with a smile. Victoria shook her head at his question.

"In this heat, Diego? I'll make you another lemonade," she answered. Diego nodded, and watched her pour the drink.

"Your father seems very intrigued by what that stranger is saying," Victoria commented, indicating the pair talking in a corner. Diego glanced across as he took a sip from his glass. He couldn't see the men's faces, but they were in a serious huddle. Diego stiffened and downed his drink.

Diego rose and made his way carefully and slowly across the room, keeping his eyes on the men. Alejandro's eyes met his, and the flickering of fear in his father's eyes made him a little angry.

"Do you understand what I am saying to you? What will happen if you don't do as I say? I could destroy you so easily, Alejandro," the man was saying. Alejandro almost threw the man against the wall. No one threatened him, no one threatened his family. Diego was at his side, and held him back until Alejandro regained control of himself.

"I won't even consider the idea. You can't frighten me. We can take care of ourselves here in California," Alejandro said firmly. He placed a hand on his sword hilt, which Diego saw and moved his hand over his father's.

Alejandro turned to look at his son. Diego slowly shook his head. "Father, are you alright?"

"Yes, yes. We were just finishing our conversation, Diego." Alejandro took a deep breath, and removed his hand from his sword.

"You have a fine son, Alejandro. The world is a dangerous place. Think it over," the man said with a growl. Then he turned and left the tavern.

Diego waited and watched the man leave. Diego felt the tension in his neck, as he clenched his jaw. He clenched his fists so tightly that he felt fingernails dig into his soft skin, drawing blood. He was having trouble swallowing his anger today already, and he didn't like the feeling.

Alejandro patted Diego's shoulder gently. He must have noticed some of the anger.

"It's nothing for you to concern yourself about Diego," Alejandro said softly. "Just old men with old problems. No danger there."

"Sounded like a veiled threat to me," Diego murmured. He turned his attention back to his father, and the tavern. Victoria had wandered across behind Diego.

"What a nasty looking gentleman," she murmured softly. "We get their kind regularly, I'm afraid. All bark and no bite, in my opinion."

Diego turned to thank her for the meal. "I'm going to find Mendoza. A bit of gossip will be nice after that turn of the books," he said brightly. "Can I have a bottle of Mendoza's favourite?"

Victoria handed a flagon over with a little shake of the head. Diego smiled, and gave a two fingered salute from the top of his head. Victoria frowned a little, and shook her head with a smile. Diego left the tavern with a spring to his step and headed off to the barracks.