The Eagle's Gaze
The usual disclaimer: copyrights go to those who own them.
I've loved Disney's 1957 Zorro since I was little. I used to make up adventures where I was Zorro's little sister and would help him catch the bad guys. I still do make up adventures, except this time I remember to write them down. Of course, I love all of the story arcs, but my favorite is the Eagle storyline, particularly the ones where the Eagle himself (masterfully portrayed by Charles Korvin) is involved.
This is slightly AU, where he has a childhood friend and ally in curandera (somebody who cures using herbal and spiritual medicine) Esperanza Montoya (and yes, this is the same Esperanza from The Mask of Zorro). This fan fic is based on and set during the last few episodes of season one, where Jose Sebastian Varga (alias the Eagle) comes to Los Angeles to enact his master plan. With that said, enjoy and destroy (constructive criticism is appreciated, please and thank you).
Roll of Thunder
"Watch yourself, Esperanza," Diego de la Vega warned as he parried his friend's rapier. "Somebody can take advantage of you when you're not paying attention. Like this." In a swift move, he tucked his foot behind Esperanza's and tripped her. The young woman fell to the floor, allowing Diego to disarm her. "See what I mean?"
"Right," she said as Diego helped her up. "How'd you know I wasn't paying attention?"
"I felt it in the blade."
"Huh?" her freckly face tilted and dark green eyes scrunched up in confusion.
Diego laughed. "In time you'll understand." He patted her shoulder. "We're moving to the cave for your next lesson. At this rate, el Zorro is in more danger of being sliced into ribbons than of getting caught."
"And we don't want either to happen." Esperanza smiled. Of course they were referring to the outlaw known as El Zorro. Ever since Diego returned from studying in Spain almost a year previously, he had been masquerading as an outlaw, fighting the injustice that was troubling California.
He had intended on keeping Zorro's true identity known only to himself and his faithful manservant, Bernardo. This was to protect his family and friends from harm. Unfortunately, he had to include Esperanza. He might've been able to fool his father and all of Los Angeles with the pretend act of a milquetoast and pacifist scholar. But not Esperanza, she knew him too well. It turned out to be a good decision. Not only could Esperanza provide alibis for his many sudden disappearances, but her skills as a curandera had proved helpful on several occasions, such as tending to Alejandro after he had been wounded by Capitan Monastario.
Diego's bedroom door opened and Bernardo hurried in. The mute man's hands flew in frenzy. "Slow down, you say we have company?" Diego held up his hand. Bernardo's hands drew the outline of a circle before holding himself up like a lancer. "Sgt. Garcia?" He nodded and pointed downstairs. "And you say he's in the courtyard now?" Bernardo nodded. "Alright. Put the swords back in the passageways. I'll see what he wants." Diego left, closing the door behind him. Bernardo pressed a hidden button underneath the fireplace mantle; a wall creaked back, revealing a hidden passageway.
Diego walked down the outside staircase to Garcia. The chubby soldier paced around in the courtyard, only stopping when he saw the don coming down the stairs. He took off his hat respectfully. "Sgt. Garcia! What a pleasant surprise!" Diego smiled at his friend, noting that he looked nervous. "Come inside and have a seat, we'll have some wine."
"Gracias, Don Diego." Garcia forced a smile and wiped his stubbly face of brown hair. They went inside. Diego poured wine from a decanter into two glasses, giving one to Garcia.
"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Diego sat down with a smile.
"Well, the new administrado is in town and he wants to come to your hacienda." Garcia said, not looking at Diego.
Something was wrong, Garcia's hiding something, Diego thought. "Well, that's excellent news! Do you think I could persuade him to stay for dinner?"
"Si, Don Diego, but there's something I think you should know. Well, I mean, his house in town is undergoing repairs. So until it's livable, he needs a place to stay. And to think, out of all the fine haciendas in Los Angeles, he's chosen yours to live in."
Diego felt his blood begin to boil. To pay a surprise visit was one thing. To live in one's house without asking was another. "You mean he's going to live in my house without my permission?" He stood up, trying not to shout.
"I'm sorry Don Diego, but the administrado is insistant. Please put up with him." Garcia also stood up, holding up his hands.
"No! I'll fight for my home!" Diego yelled, ripping one of the rapiers off the wall. "He has no right to take over and you can tell him that!" The normally cheerful caballero's eyes glittered coldly.
"I'm sorry but I don't have a choice! Now please put that sword away before you hurt yourself!" Diego made a short lunge at Garcia, sending the portly sergeant running through the room and out of the courtyard. Diego paced like a caged lion. The rapier swished through the air, cutting a nearby candle in half. The cabinet opened, Bernardo stepped out. "I don't care about pretenses anymore! He's crossed the line!" Diego slicked back his short black hair. "I'm going to fight as Diego de la Vega! I'll fight them or die trying!"
Bernardo tapped Diego's shoulder, pointing to the wall and cupping his hand up to his ear. "Yes, I know you heard everything…!" Diego said angrily. Bernardo grabbed his shoulder again. He puffed out his chest and held his arm up like a lancer. Then he tapped his fingers together like somebody was talking. He finally pointed to himself and Diego before pointing at the wall again with his ear cupped.
"You mean we can eavesdrop on them?" Bernardo nodded. Once Diego understood the message, his anger dissipated. "Bernardo, you're a much wiser man than I am. In any case we have more questions than answers." Now calm, Diego placed his hand on Bernardo's shoulder. The sound of hoof-beats and rolling carriage wheels stopped beyond the hacienda's main door. "Alright, let's go." Diego put a smile on his face and stepped outside.
Garcia had now come back into the courtyard, still skittish. No doubt the administrado had refused to listen. He saw Diego, "Don Diego, the administrado is here…"
"I hope he finds our home comfortable." Diego said as he walked past a stunned Garcia.
Jose Sebastian Varga looked around, impressed with the elegant simplicity of the de la Vega courtyard. Perfect, he would find himself most comfortable here. Once he had finished taking over all of California and selling her to the highest bidder, he would make this place his own. He held himself up just like the mighty bird he had taken his alias after. This would make a fine eyrie indeed.
Garcia brought over Diego de la Vega. The tall athletic man had black hair and hazel brown eyes. Looks could be deceiving though. Varga knew from his spies that the young de la Vega disappointed his father. The young man was more interested in books and fine art than dueling and defending the family name.
The stupid sergeant began the necessary introductions. "Don Diego this is His Excellency, Jose Sebastian Varga, the new administrado for Southern California. His Excellency, this is Don Diego de la Vega."
"Your servant, Senor," the young man bowed.
"May I introduce my assistant, Senor Juan Greco?" Varga gestured to the bowed little man. He always considered Greco a sniveling little toady.
"You have a beautiful hacienda, Don Diego…" Greco spoke in a slightly groveling tone. Of course he had to prepare and give a little speech. Varga's mind wandered as he glanced around his new hacienda.
That's when he saw her at the top of the staircase. Dressed in a skirt and blouse. Pale face splattered with freckles. Black hair wound in a bun. Of course, this had to be Esperanza Montoya, Don Alejandro's ward. Varga thought with a smile. Esperanza saw him smiling and looked back. She put on a still face. Her green eyes were cold. Varga felt his confidence swell. She was going to be tough to break, unlike that spineless weakling de la Vega. But she would. He would see to that. And he was going to enjoy it.
Garcia, de la Vega and Greco noticed that Varga was staring. They turned to see what he was staring at. Esperanza's pale face smiled, no doubt forced and began walking down the stairs, her dark green skirt swishing. With a practiced air, de la Vega walked to the staircase, taking her hand. "Where were my manners? This is Esperanza Montoya, my father's ward. Esperanza, this is Senors Jose Sebastian Varga and Juan Greco, the new administrado and his aide respectively."
"It's a pleasure, Senors." Esperanza politely bobbed a curtsey.
"No, the pleasure is mine, Senorita," Varga kissed her soft white hand. He felt her hand give a slight flinch. Perfect, Varga thought as he ignored the warning look from Greco. Once broken, she'd be obedient. He was confident of that. "I see that I'm going to enjoy my stay here."
"Oh," Esperanza shot a look to Diego. "I wasn't aware we were expecting company."
"I've just arrived in town." Varga explained proudly. "And since my new home in Los Angeles is currently under repairs, we will be staying here for the time being."
Esperanza gave Diego another look, this one of annoyance. He ignored it. "That reminds me, I'll have my man take your things to my father's room." De la Vega signed to the short balding man standing beside him before turning to the lancers that were standing outside by his carriage. "My man will lead you to my father's room. And I should remind you, he's deaf and dumb. Now if you will follow me into the library we'll have some wine."
Esperanza stayed close to Diego as they entered the sala. She could feel Varga looking at her. The sala was usually cool in the late morning, but Esperanza felt a chill. The sooner she and Diego could get him out of their home, the better. "Oh, Esperanza, could you please get the wine from the table and bring it into the library?" Diego asked.
"Certainly," she found the tray of wine and picked it up. It was a good thing Papa was on business in Monterey, Esperanza thought as she went into the library. Alejandro was a kind and reasonable man but he had a fierce temper and was notoriously stubborn. He'd have a fit if he saw Varga coming in and taking over. Diego better have a good reason to let this arrogant snake into the house, she determined as she put the tray down and began filling the glasses.
"Gracias, Esperanza." Diego said while Esperanza sat across from Varga and Greco. "This is our own vintage," Diego explained as he passed out the glasses before sitting next to Esperanza. She sat upright, pretending that she didn't notice Varga and his stare.
"This is excellent." Greco said after taking a sip. "You have a wonderful library, Don Diego. I wasn't aware that Los Angeles had such a well-stocked library." At least Greco was making an attempt to be polite.
"Thank you, we are quite proud of it." Diego said, his large hand resting over Esperanza's. "My father is out of town on business…"
"Yes, we ran into him in Monterey. He insisted that he had a list of fifty men, ready to fight to the death." Varga snapped.
Esperanza's stomach dropped. This was a new development. For the past several months, Zorro had been investigating a mysterious group led by somebody calling themselves the Eagle. There had been attempts to take over California. Not to mention very close calls for all three of them. While Zorro and his allies had kept the truth from Alejandro, they couldn't stop the unrest that was going around. Alejandro had managed to convince the other dons to join him in a militia. He had taken the signatures to the Governor in Monterey. But he had left a list of the members with Diego if the need arose. Varga's words worried Esperanza and from the look in Diego's eyes, she knew he was too.
"I think what Diego meant was that you'd be more comfortable in Don Alejandro's room." Esperanza explained.
"I'm not speaking about that, Senorita." Varga gripped his glass. "Your guardian's actions might be seen as treason to the king, despite all outward signs of unwavering loyalty."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room before Diego put down his glass and stood up. "Excuse me, Senor, but I need to speak to the servants."
Esperanza also stood up. "Thank you for reminding me, Diego. I need to make sure that the cook knows to prepare some extra food tonight."
"Most certainly, we will see you both at dinner then." Greco nodded at their hosts. Varga smiled as he watched Esperanza and de la Vega leave the room and close the door behind them. So they were in on Alejandro's plot too. He saw it in their faces. They made poor liars. This was going to be easier than expected. Varga helped himself to more wine.
"Senor, it would be best to not arouse de la Vega's suspicions." Greco cautioned. Varga's anger sparked. Nobody was going to tell him what to do. Especially if it was coming from a little toady like Greco.
"Did I ask your opinion?" Greco wisely closed his mouth, saying no more. "I know all about young de la Vega, he's a young popinjay and a great disappointment to his father. He and his father are nothing but foolish dreamers. Once destroyed, they won't challenge us." Varga touched the back of the chair where Esperanza sat, still warm.
"I just wished to warn you about the Senorita Montoya."
"What about her?"
"They might be as foolish but they're protective of her. I saw the looks you were giving her and so did de la Vega. They'd sooner die than see her come to harm."
"So let's grant them their wish. And don't tell me that she'll remain loyal to her guardians. As soon as I'm through with the de la Vegas, I'll make sure she knows that she'll have nowhere else to go."
Diego paced about his room angrily, furiously untying his neckerchief. Esperanza and Bernardo watched him. Varga's presence had taxed his patience to its limit. "At least Monastario had a sense of manners! Varga's nothing but a pompous egotistical fool! I came within a half-inch of throwing him out the window!"
"Good thing you didn't." Esperanza tried to joke as she stood up from the edge of the bed. "Otherwise I'd have to make time for visiting hours at the cuartel. Isadora might be my duenna and your former nurse, but I highly doubt she'd be pleased if I visited you during her siesta." She offered a weak smile.
Diego turned to her. "How can you joke at a time like this? Especially considering the looks he was giving you? I saw them! They were like a wolf's when he sees a lamb!" Diego threw his neckerchief on the bed, groaning. He was sorely tempted to grab Varga by the collar and kick him down the Los Angeles.
Esperanza picked up the brown length of fabric. "Come here," she soothed. "Anger doesn't become you." Diego stood still as she straightened out Diego's shirt and folded the collar up. Laying the neckerchief around his neck, Esperanza began tying it. "So you'll have to play the pacifist host and uninterested bookworm. And I'll have to be the quiet ingénue shadowed by her duenna. It's not pleasant, considering whom we're entertaining. But what other choice do we have? It's only for a little while. We'll find some way to get our unwelcome houseguests out. It's going to take some time though. And Bernardo's right, they're up to something. Besides, it won't do anybody any good if you lash out. You'll be locked up or worse. Then where will that leave us? Los Angeles needs the fox. Bernardo and I can only do so much alone." She finished tying the fabric into a bow and folded down the collar. "There, that looks much better."
"Gracias" Diego had calmed down. He smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without you two."
Esperanza smiled. "For starters, you'd lose the war between your heart and your head." Diego chuckled as he kissed the top of her head. He had noticed that his feelings towards Esperanza were beginning to change. Their mothers often joked that thieves didn't have as tight a bond as those two. They played games together, got into mischief together, teased Garcia together and promised to write each other at least once a week when he left for Spain. And they had. Still, it surprised him how much she'd grown and changed during his three years abroad.
"Now to business," Diego turned his attention to his desk, where Bernardo was sitting. As if on cue, Bernardo held up a clipped feather. They had found dozens of them, calling cards for each activity the Eagle was involved with. "I don't have any proof, but I'm positive that Varga works for the Eagle. And we need to get stuff like this out of the room. There could be too many people snooping through drawers."
Bernardo opened the desk drawer and began taking out the feathers. A knock came at the door. He hurriedly closed the drawer as Diego opened the door. Corporal Reyes, a mousey man with wide eyes and a thin moustache, was standing there. "I wanted to make sure that you were here before I took up my post."
"Your post?" Esperanza asked.
"Si, I'm supposed to stay with you and Don Diego at all times to protect you." He shuffled his feet.
"Protect us from what?" Diego was confused. What was Varga up to?
Reyes shrugged his shoulders in confusion, "just to protect you."
Diego slammed the door angrily. He turned to Esperanza and Bernardo. "There, you see? We're prisoners in our own home!"