Disclaimer: Queen of Swords was created by Fireworks Entertainment, and is owned by ContentFilm. This story is NOT affiliated with the rights holders or the show's original creators. No infringement is intended and no profit is being made. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
The author would like to thank Robert Vincent for all his valuable support and input.
Chapter 1: New Arrival
Journal of Sergeant Lionel Williams, entry 2,098.
June 3rd 1818.
When you live through the hell I've been forced to endure and inflict; war, death, betrayal - all that horrible stuff that makes God shake his head over what his children have become - you jump at the chance for change if opportunity comes knocking on your door. Without question.
Maybe it's because you want to try and wash all that blood off your hands. To try and atone for your sins by cutting down the number of bodies that you rack up.
Or maybe…it's simply because you're hoping for what you've always wanted. A nice little abode for your family.
That's what I'm hoping for right now.
After losing family, friends and colleagues - more times than I care to count - suffering betrayal after betrayal, fighting corruption, bandits and Napoleon, I'm heading off to California as per the terms of the transfer. Would have loved to gone back to the good old U.S. of A, being honest. I loved Spain, I always have. And California is Spanish domain, so I'm sure I'll love it just as much. But America was where I was born. And personally speaking, I really could've done with going home, my true home.
Of course, I'm being far too sentimental. It's clouding my duty. Still got a job to do. Cancers of all kind to exorcise. I'm heading to a little town called Santa Helena, reported to be plagued by notorious corruption and crime. The stench of those things can never escape my nose, it would seem. No matter how hard I try.
Still, it IS a fresh start. That's what I was asking for and that's what my superiors gave to me after all my work. The governor of Santa Helena, Colonel Luis Montoya, is always on the lookout for more soldiers apparently, so I'm taking a platoon of hand-chosen men with me. Good, honest men who fought besides me and that I can trust with my life. Besides, smaller town means less fighting, less trouble and MAYBE a shot at quiet life.
Which for a soldier, that's all you can hope for. If you live long enough.
My wife, Maria…I see her look out to sea, her radiant ginger hair blowing, her beautiful face smiling as it welcomes the breeze. Those emerald eyes twinkling magically, even in the day. She got behind me the moment the chance came. Like me, she longed for a fresh start, just as much as I. New possibilities, new horizons, less chance for worrying…
More of a sane world for our daughter Theresa to grow up in.
All throughout our voyage, I've seen her sing pirate songs, dance along the deck, and shout 'Wow! Mommy! Daddy! Look!' every time she saw a dolphin jump out of the surface of the water. Six years old and this is the first time ever she's going abroad.
Her very first adventure…and my little girl has never been so excited.
Good.
One of the few things left in the world that makes me smile.
Maria had to be both mother and father while I was on the frontline. Whilst I was sacrificing nearly all of my heart and soul to stop the devil…my little girl had to cry herself to sleep wanting her dad. Another reason why the move to Santa Helena was such a good idea. She gets to see the world at long last, see if it's anything like her imagination painted out.
My gift to you, sweetheart.
Small town, small army. New life, new horizons. Not gonna be all fun and games, obviously. I'm still a soldier. But after Napoleon…what could be so bad about this Santa Helena?
"LAND AHOY!" I've just heard from the crow's nest.
The words of beginning.
"Land Ahoy!"
End of entry.
On the offshore of California, the ship came into view. The sun continued to shine beautifully, it's radiant light glistening on the surface of the sea. The breeze was cool and refreshing. The vessel looked truly magnificent and proud, bathed in the sun with its sails swelling in the wind. It advanced far away from the horizon's edge and drew ever closer to its destination. To a romantic, poetic man…it could herald the arrival of a grand hero.
But Captain Marcus Grisham…was as far from romantic and poetic as you could get.
He and his men had sat on their horses for half an hour, bored out of their minds and awaiting for the ship to arrive. As soon as Grisham had seen it come into view, drop anchor and the longboats head for land, he'd ordered his soldiers present to standby and receive. Obviously always better to let the grunts do the dirty work.
Grisham was bored out of his mind. Failing to stop the Queen of Swords during Montoya's latest extortion scheme, one that had been crucially important, had booted him out of the colonel's 'good books' (for the lack of a more accurate assessment of their relationship). For several weeks, the captain had experienced no more exciting action on the front lines, no more delightful manhunts or murders. Just demeaning tax collections (where all the people simply paid upon visit and that was that), escort duty and picking up Montoya's laundry.
And just when he thought he couldn't sink any lower, the Captain was now welcoming - what he personally viewed - a mere sergeant, with more grunts from Spain.
Whoopee-de-do, grunted Grisham. More brainless monkeys with glass jaws. The Queen's REALLY had it now.
The captain of the guard then looked at Sergeant Williams, his family and his men disembark from the boats. Grisham's men helped secure things and unload, with Lionel shouting orders to help them get the supplies and weapons out of the boats and into the wagons, assigning different men to haul and carry the barrels, weapons and rations. Williams then helped his wife and daughter step off onto land, before turning back to help one of his men get a keg of gunpowder off the boat and into the arms of another soldier, who subsequently took it to one of the wagons ready for transport.
Ah, well…thought Grisham, eyebrows raised in his attempt to try and salvage some fun out of this dreary labour. He IS an American. Should be a hoot.
He shook the reins, commanding his horse to ride on to greet the new sergeant. Williams helped another of his troops load his personal trunk onto a wagon, then turned to meet his commanding officer for the first time. Maria was standing with Theresa, out of everyone's way and just amazed to be here.
Grisham took a moment to observe the sergeant. He was quite tall and well-built. Slightly taller than the captain and with short brown hair, a small quiff at the front and quite tufted at the back, like it could be grown into a ponytail. He had a well-trimmed goatee, soulless grey eyes, short, proper nose and a face that had seen all the horrors of war and had both been scarred and toughened by them.
"Captain Marcus Grisham," saluted Lionel as he stood to attention, "Sergeant Lionel Williams reporting for duty, sir."
"Well, that's really pleasing to know," dismissed the captain, making it no secret how he couldn't care less. Noting the small number of new soldiers now conversing with those of Santa Helena, Grisham scoffed, "This all you brought with you?"
"All that could be spared, captain," Williams replied bluntly, deciding instantly that he disliked the lazy, whinging superior. "I believe the term is, 'eat it and like it'."
Grisham narrowed his eyes at the sergeant and cocked his head to one side. Through an icy voice, he replied back condescendingly, "Is that mouthing off to a superior officer…sergeant?"
"Just telling it like is, sir. Don't want to insult your intelligence."
Grisham stared at Williams icily for a few seconds. Maria fought the urge to kick her husband. That mouth of his had gotten them into trouble too many times. Eventually, though, the captain just burst into laughter.
"You've got brains and balls, Williams," nodded Grisham after settling down. "I like that."
Turning to see the confused little girl about to question what he meant, Grisham said to Maria, "Sorry, ma'am. Shouldn't swear in front of kiddies, I know. I blame my parents for that. Captain Grisham at your service."
"Charmed," nodded Maria, trying very hard not to make her return smile come across as false.
"My men will escort you and your daughter safely to your new home in the town," informed the captain, eyeing her as though he wanted to sleep with her. Then turning his attention back to Williams, he said, "Sergeant, your men will be taken for briefing and initiation. You're to ride with me to Colonel Montoya's Office."
"Right away, sir," nodded Lionel affirmatively, keeping his observation of Grisham's subtle eyeing up of Maria separate and buried under professionalism. He picked up his sack and rifle and turned to kiss his wife and daughter goodbye, promising to see them later. Lionel informed his battalion their instructions, then turned to mount himself and his belongings on the horse that was ready for him.
"Welcome to Santa Helena, eh, captain?" asked Williams, striking up conversation for no real reason.
"Oh, I think you're gonna like it here," grinned Grisham, thinking the new arrival could bring something refreshing along, aside from a lovely wife.
The two soldiers left their men to their own business as they rode off from the beach and into town with all haste.
As Maria and her daughter got onto a wagon to be taken to their new home…she knew from the way Grisham had glanced at her…that at the very least, she was going to have to fight off a foul-mouthed womaniser.
Not the kind of influence little girls should be exposed to upon entering a new world.
In the marketplace of Santa Helena, it was all busy, happy normal life for the townsfolk. Well, as normal as it could be whenever the corrupt governor wasn't oppressing his people. The beautiful intensity of the sunlight continued to shine down on the happy citizens who were just going about their lives, relishing in the latest fleeting opportunity to have peace. Trading, shopping, walking and talking, family and friends just thankful for being allowed to live.
Most people wanted to experience this paradise forever. Living an existence without fear of being attacked or worse.
Tessa Alvarado was certainly appreciating it right now.
"Honestly, Marta," she laughed, as the two smiling friends, baskets full of purchased foods and spices made their way round the various, buzzing stalls. "Just because I dream of dazzling swordplay and dashing heroes doesn't mean I can't appreciate…"
"Quiet time?" was the term the gypsy servant suggested.
"Really, Marta." Tessa nodded her head to random spots around them. "What's so 'quiet' about people just going about their business and being happy to do it?"
"Even in quiet, there is always something going on," conceded Marta, as they stopped at the next fruit stall. As she picked three of the best oranges from to purchase, the gypsy continued, "But even when things are hectic, there's always peace to be found and appreciated."
"And sometimes it can be appreciated by all," the aristocrat smiled. "Even by those…who yearn for something a little different."
"Or those who think they've earned a break, maybe?" Marta asked as she handed over coins for the oranges.
"Maybe."
Tessa then turned to the barrel containing the apples. She certainly could do with one right now. The aristocrat once again reached out for the fruit resting right on top of the pile…only this time, she didn't fail to grab it before Doctor Helm could snatch it, or snatch it before he could grab it.
This time, their hands touched the apple - and each other - at exactly the same time.
The noblewoman and the Englishman looked up at one another and simultaneously recoiled, both trying too hard to hide their embarrassment and regain some kind of false stature.
"Sorry, Doctor, where are my manners? I…"
"No, no, Senorita, by all means…"
They both just paused, cleared their throats, put on smiles of common sense, and simultaneously helped themselves to an apple each. A silent, smiling Marta (who had obviously observed the whole thing), walked up to Tessa's side to break the needlessly awkward moment.
"Doctor," she greeted cheerfully.
"Senorita," nodded Helm as both he and Tessa paid at the same time.
"So how are you?"
"Same as everyone else. Enjoying life for the moment."
The threesome proceeded to move out from the crowd and onto the open streets, chatting about recent events, such as the Queen's most recent exploit. Bandits had recently attempted to rob the church and its father, Padre Quintera, who had recently organised a huge fiesta for charity. Several members of the aristocracy (including Tessa) had donated for the event, to help the poor. The Queen had saved the Padre's life and other hostages from the bandits, as well as protecting the church and the money to help the cause.
"It's bizarre how it all coincided with the Colonel's recent…financial difficulty," remarked Tessa, feigning the inability to put two and two together.
"Yes, very bizarre," nodded the doctor, smirking slightly.
"We should all be thankful that the Queen was there to ensure no one was hurt," came in Marta. "And that the fiesta will hopefully be allowed to go off as God intended."
"Indeed so. Still, with our 'esteemed' governor too busy sulking at the moment, we shouldn't have much to worry about."
"Really, Doctor!" exclaimed Tessa, pretending to be shocked. "It's not at all like you to be so harsh and insulting!"
Helm fought the urge to groan over her blatant sarcasm and just gave a conceding smile in their latest tit-for-tat game. Before he could say anything else though, they all turned to see Captain Grisham and a soldier they'd never seen before ride hard into town. Their steeds' gallops soon slowed to a steady advance before they dismounted and led their horses to tie them to the posts and water trough outside the military headquarters of Santa Helena's governor.
"New soldiers from Spain," whispered Marta to Tessa, over the newcomer.
"No doubt," the noblewoman nodded back, her demeanour suddenly changing to reflect that of the serious Queen. "More will follow shortly. Montoya must be getting desperate."
Tessa cast a sideways glance to Doctor Helm, whose eyes just narrowed in cold contempt for Grisham. As for this new soldier, it was obvious that he couldn't care less.
"I don't know about you, Doctor," Tessa spoke up, breaking the uneasy silence, "but I think we should perhaps welcome this brave new soldier to Santa Helena."
Helm was immediately confused over why they should do that, but before he could question Tessa, she and Marta were already walking over towards Grisham and the new soldier. The Doctor couldn't stand to be anywhere near the captain unless it was to beat him to within an inch of his life or to see him hanged. And he had to get back to his office to get ready for his list of patients.
"Oh, the hell with it," muttered Helm, shrugging as he followed the ladies.
Grisham and Williams had just turned to go up the stairs to Montoya's office when Tessa had called the captain by his title, making them both stop to turn their attention. Grisham muttered an, "Oh, terrific," upon seeing the sight of Senorita Alvarado and her gypsy servant, no doubt to stick their noses in where they didn't belong. If the noblewoman just minded her own business more, Grisham would view her as perfect to sleep with.
Doctor Helm's presence instantly made him want to take his sword and just gut him, then decapitate him and put his head on a pike to parade all around town. He quelled his desire, remembering where he was, and put on a cordial face. The captain's distaste hadn't escaped the new sergeant's notice. Williams instantly understood that his superior personally knew those coming to greet them, and recognised that if Grisham couldn't stand any of them, then Lionel would probably like them.
Emphasis…'probably'. Trust was something else altogether.
"Senorita Alvarado," smiled the Captain, nodding his head in greeting. Turning to Helm, he greeted him with a short, sour, "Doc."
"Captain," he replied back, with equal contempt.
"Welcome to Santa Helena, brave soldier," smiled Tessa warmly, holding out her hand to Lionel, who shook it and nodded back.
"Thank you, Senorita," he replied amicably. "Sergeant Lionel Williams, at your service."
"This is my servant, Marta. And my good friend, Doctor Robert Helm." Tessa gestured to her sides, introducing her companions.
"Pleasure," nodded Williams, equally amicable towards Marta as he had been to Tessa. He then nodded his acknowledgement towards the doctor, who just looked right through him.
"Sergeant Williams," sighed the Captain, losing patience rapidly over this idle chatter, "Colonel Montoya really doesn't take kindly to being kept waiting. Take it from me, I…"
"Gosh, how exciting!" interrupted Tessa. "The colonel's requested you all the way from Spain! You must be really important!"
Lionel studied the young noblewoman for a moment, and rather cautiously at that.
You're much cleverer than you appear to be, the sergeant thought to himself, as he looked into Tessa's eyes. What's your game?
Smiling perhaps too quickly, the sergeant replied, "I apologise, ma'am, but my past and purpose here is strictly confidential. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course, how silly of me," Tessa answered back, maintaining her warm smile. The sergeant then turned to Helm and said, "It's excellent that there is a doctor present in Santa Helena. The world needs more healers, in my opinion."
Grisham rolled his eyes upward as soon as Williams said that. He was now about to think that the new transfer wasn't so likeable after all, when Helm replied back, "I wish I could say the same thing about soldiers who butcher and maim innocent lives for nothing more than the sheer savagery and joy it brings them."
Tessa and Marta both looked away, biting their lips. Williams just stared at Helm before getting right into his face and darkly asking, "Excuse me?"
Grisham liked the sudden turn of events, and grinned like an excited child. He became sorely tempted to order the sergeant to punch the arrogant prick right in the face, make him bleed and pick his teeth up off the ground. But the horrible image of a ticked-off Montoya caning him for not fulfilling his orders, made Grisham cringe and snap back to his duty.
"As much as I'd love seeing the showdown, sergeant," called out the captain, hands on hips, "duty calls."
"Apologies, captain," said Williams, standing down, not taking his unblinking eyes off Helm. The doctor informed everyone, "I must be going also. I have work to return to. Ladies."
"Doctor," nodded Tessa back. Helm then left without giving Grisham or Williams any consideration at all. Turning to Tessa and Marta, the sergeant gave the customary goodbyes and "Pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you again soon," before following his superior to meet his new commander. As Lionel disappeared from sight, Marta remarked, "Very clever and with good manners. Not at all like the brainless thugs Montoya has had under his command."
"Obviously," nodded Tessa in full agreement, resuming her analytical nature. "So much for trying to find out what he's up to now. Oh, well, plenty of time for that later. Let's go home."
In the office of Colonel Luis Montoya, Sergeant Lionel Williams was now sat down opposite his supreme commander, who was going over the reports and files on his desk. Grisham was stood at Montoya's side, raising a curious eyebrow over the colonel's impressed smile. Then the governor stopped flicking through the files to cast his captain a fierce sideways glance that meant, "Mind your own business". Grisham subsequently diverted his attention back to Montoya's ceiling.
"Your reputation truly precedes you, Lionel Williams," remarked the colonel in modest approval. "A twenty-year veteran in the military, having joined when you were eighteen, switching between the American and Spanish armies. Fighting crime and corruption. With personal, glowing commendations from the Spanish Government…and Sir Arthur Wellesley himself."
"You will get my best work, Colonel," nodded the sergeant affirmatively. "I assure you."
"I have very little doubt. After all, what can one expect from a man…who acted as a double-agent, risked everything to provide inside information to the Duke of Wellington, and ultimately helped the Allied Powers free Spain from the menace of Napoleon?"
Grisham's eyes nearly bugged out upon hearing all that. Surely, he must've misheard Montoya. A mere sergeant took Napoleon down from within? His face went baffled and disbelieving, and was about to question if the reports were genuine. But the Colonel's sideways look immediately intimidated him back into silence. Williams just cast his attention back and forth between Montoya and Grisham, soon surmising the nature of their relationship.
"Tell me, sergeant," smiled Montoya, intrigued. "Having studied your history, I know that the Duke himself personally promoted you after Napoleon was defeated. You have a glorious career ahead of you back in Spain, you are a hero to the people and for the lack of a better term, you 'have it made back there'. Why did you request a transfer to Santa Helena?"
"Spain has long been capable of recovering from it's wounds, sir," Williams replied. "I am no longer needed there. However, California still regretfully suffers from appalling crime and corruption. And where Spanish domain is being threatened, it's my duty to serve."
Montoya stared at Williams thoughtfully. Then smiled again, "You have brought your family with you, I have been informed."
"Yes, sir."
"And everything you do…you do for them?"
"What man wouldn't, sir?"
Montoya stared again at the Sergeant before laughing at the question. Williams had been serious in asking it, and made sure to note the colonel's reaction as…unusual at best.
"Indeed," the governor settled down, nodding with an amused grin. "What man wouldn't? It pleases me that you are nothing but loyal to your obligations, sergeant. I'm certain I can rely on that highly admirable trait of yours."
"Absolutely, colonel."
"Good. Because if my experiences have taught me anything…it is always that defying obligations, be it family or sense of duty…can create a path riddled with consequence."
"You don't have to tell me that, sir," replied Lionel, with a hint of bitter remembrance.
"Again, I'm delighted to hear that. Justification to what one already knows can do the soul a world of good."
Lionel was trying his hardest not to throw up. Good God, he thought to himself. Does he not realise just how corny he sounds?
"Now," explained Montoya, his demeanour changing from fawning platitudes to serious intent. "With regards to your first assignment…"
Ten minutes later, on the balcony outside of Montoya's office, looking over the square of the town, Grisham was following the colonel, whose mood had lightened enough to allow the captain back into private discussion.
"He's a golden boy, through and through," was Grisham's opinion.
"Precisely," smiled Montoya. "And that is why I like him. Honest soldiers are always easy to manipulate and control, they are remarkably efficient - as his background entails - and he sees the world in black-and-white. He knows who the enemies are."
"Yeah, corrupt soldiers and politicians…"
"And bandits, Grisham. Once I described the Queen of Swords to the golden sergeant, he merely set his sights on dealing with her, purely on her outlaw status. No questions asked."
"Do you really think Williams is gonna fit in?" asked a cynical captain. "Sergeant Lionel Williams with thumbs-up approval from the Duke of Wellington? In our happy little club?"
"It's not a matter of whether he will 'fit in', Grisham!" snapped the colonel, annoyed by the crude perspective of his captain. "It's a matter of him doing what he is here to do, and making sure he is as happy as possible."
"Yeah, well, obviously he's gonna have to bag the Queen's head, but…"
"There is much more to this game than reinforcements," explained Montoya slowly and patiently, as they went down the steps into the courtyard. "Aside from being highly proficient, Sergeant Williams is politically connected and an investment I must ensure pays off. Do you have even a chance at realising the scope of what the Queen of Swords has cost me this past year? Do you?"
Sighing and scratching his head, Grisham came out with a feeble, "Yeah, well it's not for the lack of trying to…"
"Because of her annoying interference," interrupted Montoya, not in the least bit interested in Grisham's two-bit excuses, "the people worship her and no longer have a reason to fear me. The Dons have become harder and harder to control. People are paying their taxes on time, I have lost significant funds and land to others who clearly do not deserve them, my aspirations remain halted and rutted, and most annoyingly of all, SHE-STILL-LIVES. And because of that, because of your recent, critical failure to replenish my holdings via the church, I have now been forced to embark on a high-stakes, all or nothing gamble."
The two had long stopped in the centre of the courtyard. A tense Grisham, slowly looked to his master, who was determined to make sure he understood the importance of the situation.
"I have had to pull a lot of strings, and carefully blackmail people to get the required reinforcements from Spain," said the governor slowly, emphasising the most important parts. "Given Williams' standing, it was imperative that he and his men come here. The Dons and the people have lost enormous faith and trust in the military over here. With Williams, I may be able to turn all that around and rid myself of the Queen at the same time. However, because of his own connections, and the precariousness of my own standing, he has also been sent here to investigate and uncover corruption. If anything were to happen to him or his family, the Spanish Court's attention would immediately turn to me. It is a true paradox, my dear captain. And one that must be handled with the utmost patience and caution if I am to survive this unscathed. From now on…no more mistakes. Otherwise, you will be sure to go down…with me."
Montoya then walked up to Grisham's side and coldly seethed, "Am I making myself clear?"
The captain of the guard quickly gulped and then grinned back at his superior, "Don't get me wrong. I like the golden boy. He's American, he's brought a nice woman with him, and anybody who calls Helm a self-righteous prick behind his back can't be all bad."
"I'm glad that you have at least a semblance of the spirit of cooperation, my captain. Now, the latest trap is baited and set. I take it Williams has been assigned the men pre-selected?"
"Absolutely," smiled Grisham, as they resumed walking.
"Excellent. Keeping Williams and his hand-picked men separate and scattered should quell any potential problems and thus make them easier to control. Now…let us wait and see how our new sergeant will perform."
Two days later, Marta looked all around her, then she tugged the reins sharply to order the horses to stop. Getting down from the driver's seat, the gypsy went to the back of the wagon. Then she took one final look around her. They were a very safe distance away from the hacienda, on the trail towards out of town. Same old dessert, occupied only be the same old sand, hills, cacti, rocks and rugged terrain.
And the occasional fleeting form of dashing life.
"We're clear," smiled Marta, as she pulled away the canvas sheets. "No one has followed us." The Queen of Swords then emerged from the back of the wagon and leapt down off onto the ground.
"Hopefully that should give us a head start," said the vigilante, as she walked over to nearby wild bushes where her horse Chico had been tied several hours earlier, ready and waiting for her. "Or at least get there in time to save them."
"It's easy to assume that no one will be the wiser to the Queen coming to the rescue," warned Marta gravely, "but Montoya doesn't plant gossip in his most talkative drunken soldiers for no reason. It smells of a trap."
"What choice do I have, Marta?" asked the Queen as she checked that all her weapons were present before mounting her steed. "Aldo Garcia was a good family man. His death left his wife and children in debt and their farm in trouble. And you know Montoya's not interested in excuses. He'll send his thugs in to arrest them, then hang them. He gets the land, remaining holdings and livestock to do with as he pleases. I've got to save them."
"You are aware of course that you may cross paths with the new sergeant?"
"Yeah, I knew it was gonna be inevitable." Tessa drifted away for a moment, thinking about his situation before turning back to Marta. "Two days ago, he seemed nothing more than a decent man who knew what he was doing. An honest soldier."
"But you still have doubts?"
"I've been fighting soldiers for a long time now, Marta. I haven't come across any to make me change my opinion of them."
"So is that why you befriended his wife instantly when you met her yesterday?" the gypsy servant asked incredulously. "Just to be sure? Or to find out what Sergeant Williams wouldn't tell you?"
"I wouldn't do anything like that," the Queen assured her best friend adamantly. "Maria's a nice woman; friendly, outgoing…and I kinda got the impression that she seeks thrills of her own."
"Two more people who hide behind masks, then," Marta pointed out.
"Maybe. But if Williams isn't corrupt…is he here to help me?"
"You will know soon enough. But I would wager he is here to help Santa Helena, not bandits."
Tessa's masked eyes narrowed coldly upon hearing that tone.
"The people who know you know the truth, Tessa. Strangers do not," explained Marta, soothingly. "And if the sergeant is honest, Montoya won't need to manipulate him. Just point him in the direction."
"Then he's just another enemy in my eyes, then," shrugged the Queen. "Same way they view me."
"Be careful," said Marta, smiling with concern and affection as she stepped back to give her mistress and surrogate daughter some space to ride out on.
"Always," nodded the Queen with confidence and return love. "Be back in time for dinner! Vamanos!"
And so, the Queen of Swords sped off on her horse to once again save the day, with Marta looking on with enormous concern and pride.
A few miles away and half an hour later, Sergeant Williams and his men were approaching the Garcia Farm.
A lot was certainly going through the sergeant's mind right now.
He'd only been here two days and he'd already made up his mind on who he did not like. The captain had instantly despised Grisham for eyeing up Maria and swearing in front of Theresa. Williams had no idea what the hell Doctor Helm's problem was nor did he really care. He had better things to do then bicker with some petty judgemental surgeon who evidently barked more than he bit.
Williams had been surprised by Colonel Montoya. He didn't despise him as much as he did Grisham, though he suspected that would probably change in due time. The way Montoya had been sucking up to Williams was doubtless a feeble attempt at manipulation, and the sergeant had read the well-disguised threats in-between the governor's lines. Montoya's laugh over Lionel's question over what man wouldn't do everything for his family had been interpreted as mocking, especially when the question had been serious.
But from the smell of his new commander, Williams also instantly recognised that Montoya was far from stupid. Perhaps the only military man in Santa Helena with a brain. And he knew how to use it. And use it in a way to make all those around him afraid of him. Lionel need look no farther than Grisham's nervousness around Montoya for proof.
Senorita Tessa Alvarado - despite her snooping and false pretences of naiveté - seemed like a genuinely nice person, as did Marta. Maria had met them the day after they'd arrived in California, in town after speaking with Father Quintera on enrolling Theresa into the school. Tessa had treated them to lunch at the café, and before long, they were all laughing like old friends.
Maria had always hated stuck-up aristocrats who ponced about, flaunting their wealth and fancy clothes to mock each other and those poorer than them, but Maria could instantly see that Tessa was not like that. Then Vera Hidalgo came along and Maria had now completed her social circle, already acquiring the new happiness that she'd come to find.
Theresa had been amazed by everything she'd seen so far. The mighty soldiers standing to attention, horse carriages rolling along in all their glory, busy, decent folk toing and froing, the beautiful white buildings, the galloping steeds, the children playing; long story short, she had never been more amazed in her innocent, early life.
Well, it's good that they're enjoying things at least, reflected Sergeant Williams, as he and his men rode closer to their destination.
After briefing and initiation, Williams and the men he'd brought with him from Spain had been introduced to the Dons. Lionel had met Dons before, some of them arrogant, stupid wimps, some of them proud, intelligent great men. It was the same in Santa Helena, a mixture of aristocrats good and not so good, with Montoya assuring them that, "These new soldiers are the future of law, order and peace in Santa Helena. I assure you all, gentlemen…your investments will reap mighty rewards."
Lionel had kept his boredom and distaste for several of the Dons completely buried. Only a few of them he'd actually enjoyed talking to, such as Dons Ricardo, Vega and Philippe. The rest he'd just put up with, like always.
Then came the plan laid out for his first assignment.
Montoya had told him what he'd wanted to do back in their first meeting. To bring in the masked bandit known as the Queen of Swords. As soon as the colonel had said 'bandit', Williams had respectfully and instantly said, "Say no more, sir. I'll bring her in."
Bandits, the sergeant grimaced. Gunshots echoed through his tormented mind over that word.
Then came the long discussion of the plan, laid out by Montoya. Aldo Garcia's widow, Esperanza and her family were behind on their tax payments and thought themselves above the law, given that they were traitorous allies of the Queen. The plan was to leak information of the arrest so that the Queen's spies would get word that her allies were about to be brought in, ones who could provide valuable information about her stronghold and operations.
The idea was to flush the Queen out into the open, where an ambush would be waiting for her at the Garcia farm.
The whole notion that a family of farmers, recently bereaved, were secret servants of a bandit sounded exaggerated and very flimsy to Lionel. His questions had been dismissed by Montoya's, "As you know better than most, sergeant…you must never ever underestimate the insidious nature of crime and corruption."
True enough, reflected Williams once again. Though there was still a lot he didn't like here, like how Montoya had separated and scattered his men throughout the colonel's ranks. The colonel explained that it was 'important and essential' that these brave, new men learn to acquaint themselves with others, so as to truly perform and learn the values of trust and teamwork.
Baloney, Williams had thought. You're trying to make us easier to control, so we don't cause you any grief. Smart boy. Just like me. But if you were gonna give me new men, you could've at least given me something other than THIS rabble. Smelly, stupid, undisciplined, contemptuous of my authority…the colonel's obviously trying to break me. Good luck.
The sergeant knew he had every reason to suspect both Montoya and Grisham of corruption. But he couldn't prove anything, so it was best to bide his time and exorcise these thoughts. Williams reminded himself that he was new to Santa Helena and it'd be stupid to make any mistakes on his first mission.
Time to focus on the task at hand, Lionel reminded himself as he and his men rode over the last hill to see the Garcia farmland before them. The sergeant's eyes narrowed in disdain at the sight he was seeing.
Bandits.
Williams realised that anyone who called herself 'The Queen of Swords' must be very sure of themselves to choose such a boastful title. And if they were very sure…they would be very good.
Right before the front of the Garcia ranch, Williams would see what had happened to the advance party of men that had gone on ahead earlier to arrest the family. There'd been four of them, all armed.
Two of them of them lay on the ground, hatless and knocked out. Williams halted his steed to observe the battle, to study the woman at work.
Long black hair, a beautiful face with brown eyes, masked by lace shawl specially prepared. A black blouse and bodice, black riding pants, black leather boots and gloves, and a long, red, silk scarf tied round her waist, bringing some much needed colour to liven the blackness of the costume.
The Queen had just kicked out hard behind her to wind a soldier, thereby allowing her to focus on the other grunt for the moment. All the while, Esperanza Garcia, her eldest daughter and youngest sons were huddled together in the porch, frightened but thankful that the Queen was here to save them.
The beautiful vigilante clashed swords wildly with the soldier, blocking and parrying when necessary. She got faster and more skilful, too much for the soldier and in the end knocked the weapon out of his hands, high up into the air. The bewildered grunt fell prey to a knockout shot from the Queen, who smiled, effortlessly caught the soldier's sword in her hand as it came back down, and then raised her arms, crossing the two blades in her possession to block an angry attack from the other - now recovered - soldier.
The Queen twisted her body round again, using her swords to grapple his own weapon out of his hands. The angry soldier roared and lunged for her throat. The vigilante just sighed, sidestepped and tripped him up. He landed on the ground, flat on his face like a fool, and was then clubbed into unconsciousness by the pommel of her sword.
Tessa smiled and then turned to the family, calling "Esperanza, are you alright?"
The mother's grateful expression then drastically changed into horror as she pointed, "Queen! Behind you!"
"Rush her!" ordered Sergeant Williams to his men. The ignorant bloodthirsty squad were only too happy to oblige. Williams preferred to sit back…and watch.
Okay, let's see just see how stupid you lot really are. And how smart SHE is.
The Queen just smiled. Eight men riding towards her.
Shouldn't be a problem.
She dropped her swords and snapped off two sets of bolas that she'd tied to her waist. A set in each hand, she swung to build enough momentum, then timing it just right, she threw the sets of corded weights at two of her new attackers. The boleadora wrapped around them, tying them up perfectly with their weights knocking them off their horses and onto the ground.
The Queen then looked to see two more riders, armed with lances now coming at her. She quickly picked up the swords by her feet and narrowed her eyes, knowing that her timing needed to be impeccable for this.
The soldiers were getting nearer. And nearer.
Wait for it. Wait for it.
The riders both smiled with savage glee, wanting to see the look on her face as she realised she was about to be speared.
Now! The Queen rolled forward at the last possible moment, narrowly avoiding the lethal jousts that sailed over her. Then swinging out with her swords in the correct fashion, she cut the straps of the saddles, making two more fall off their steeds and onto the ground.
"Go, Queen! Go!" cheered Esperanza's now excited children from the porch.
Sergeant Williams continued to look on. His remaining four men seemingly had more sense then their fallen comrades as they all dismounted from their horses to surround the masked swordswoman, their own weapons drawn. The sergeant couldn't care less about sacrificing these strangers for the sake of evaluation. If it was truly his own men, he would never have done such a thing. But given the circumstances, this was the best plan.
Lionel's narrowed eyes focused on the situation. Maybe this family were affiliated with the Queen. But the way they smiled…it was though they were all thankful for her being here. To save them from soldiers. The Garcia family looked more as if they were struggling, contrary to what Montoya had said, and the way the Queen fought…it wasn't at all like she was fighting to stop them from squealing anything incriminating.
It was like she was purely fighting for them.
Corrupt soldiers, Montoya's questionable responses and actions, Williams' own warnings of being careful who to trust; all these things tormented his mind.
Just like they had done his whole life.
Bandits, he seethed again.
The Queen, now with one sword sheathed, had soon put the 'reinforcements' out of commission. The sergeant had been made sure to note how she moved, how she fought. Quickly, expertly, almost humanely.
She knows what she's doing.
Tessa then turned to see the sergeant, the only one left riding slowly towards her, glaring at her. She immediately realised why he'd just stood there and sent his lambs to the slaughter.
He knows now what I'm capable of. He's good.
Williams then stopped and dismounted, approaching the vigilante. The Garcia family huddled each other extra tight, concerned over this latest development.
Both the Queen and Williams realised the same thing.
So I'm Montoya's trap for her. What a surprise.
So he's Montoya's trap for me. Figures.
The two combatants just stared at each other in tense silence. The wind subtly adding more poetic chill to the showdown.
The masked Tessa broke the silence with a smile and a formal, "Sergeant Williams, I presume."
"You presume correctly…Queen of Swords."
Williams then drew his pistol and pointed it at the Queen, who just sighed, unimpressed.
"Put down your weapons…slowly."
"Can I just say how nice it is to surrender to a gentleman for a change?"
"Don't push me, kid."
The Avenging Angel raised an eyebrow to that, a little bit ticked off over that condescending remark.
"Likewise, old man."
The sergeant cocked his head to one side, and with equal resentment, he replied, "Touché. Now surrender and disarm yourself at once."
The Queen beamed brightly and said, "No."
The gunshot was fast, instant. The bullet landed literally inches away from Tessa's right foot, making her jump and the Garcia family huddle and whimper even more. The Queen's concerned eyes then cast to the spot where the shot had landed and then back to Williams' cold eyes.
Sharp reflexes. Very sharp. And a warning shot.
"Like I said," warned Williams one final time, ready to fire his additional shot, "don't p…"
The whip cracked and uncoiled in a blur, wrapping round Lionel's pistol faster then he could react, and ripping the gunout of his hands, flinging it far away. The move shocked Lionel and brought relief to the Garcia family watching on. The sergeant watched tentatively as the Queen then twisted the whip to make it wrap fluidly back round her torso, so it couldn't distract her.
Sharp reflexes. Very sharp. Warning that she means business.
"And like I said," warned the Queen of Swords, icily, taking her whip off around her shoulders and tying it back to her side, "Likewise."
Williams cocked his head to one side, took his hat off, threw it to the ground and then drew his sword.
"Hard way, then."
The Queen likewise tilted her head and drew her own sword.
"So it would seem."
They both began circling one another, knowing this was going to be tough.
Don't think about his wife and child, thought Tessa.
Don't think about Maria and Theresa, thought Lionel. Don't think about 'whys' and 'hows' and 'what ifs'…
Don't worry too much about the Garcias, don't think about Montoya…
They both stopped circling, tensed their muscles and thought the same thing.
Just focus on the job.
The sergeant lunged forward with his sword, the Queen swatted it away and came at the soldier with an overhead attack. Williams dodged and then swung up with his blade. The Queen blocked it, and tried to shove him away, but Williams was too strong. Tessa then tried to grapple her adversary's weapon out of his grasp, but the sergeant held on and shoved her hard on to the ground.
Lionel came at her, trying to impale his sword through the Queen's chest. She blocked the death strike, then planted her boots into William's mid-section, throwing him right over her. Despite the impact, the sergeant still held onto his weapon, as had the vigilante. They were both soon back on their feet, stepping things up with fast and furious parries of the blade.
Both refused to make a mistake, refused to give the other a second to breathe. Knowing she had to change tactics, the Queen tried to twirl her sword to confuse Williams, block the strikes and get close to his throat. The sergeant wasn't falling for anything though, and just retaliated with powerful motions, lunges and triangles. The Queen was soon forced on the defensive, having now unwittingly given the advantage to the sergeant because of her failed gamble.
Williams increased his rapid movements, knowing that he'd caught her off-guard and would soon have her. But then he realised too late that he'd made a stupid rookie mistake, and that was get overconfident and underestimate his adversary. The Queen saw a small opening in the combination and expertly caught William's blade and managed to parry him away enough to mid-air cartwheel to safe recovery. Now with the required opening, she straight-kicked Williams hard in the spine. The sergeant grunted with the sharp, precise blow and then rolled to recover, surprising Tessa, but only for a moment.
Lionel quickly turned to rise and re-engage in the swordplay. This time, the Queen was coming in fast, with skilful triangles, swings and upward thrusts of her own, determined to get the victory quick.
But as the two fought, Lionel realised that even though this bandit could kill (and most likely had) with great efficiency, she wasn't trying to murder him first, ask questions later. She wasn't out for blood.
As the Queen upped up the pressure, to try and knock the sword out of Williams' hand, she remembered the warning shot, the fact that he was a professional and a good family man. He'd obviously taken many lives and was obviously biased against those who wore masks, but he wasn't ruthless or bloodthirsty.
Williams then suddenly ducked and tried to impale the Avenging Angel. She leapfrogged above the lunge, surprising Lionel. Acting on instinct, he pulled his weapon back and got it up in time as the Queen landed on her feet and came at him with another strike. The two swords were now locked together, with the adversaries grunting and grappling.
"You've evidently had professional training," remarked Lionel through gritted teeth. "And you possess natural athleticism and skill."
"Thanks," grunted the Queen, feeling the sergeant's strength slowly starting to overpower her. "You're not bad, either."
She kicked out hard, scoring on Williams' knee. He cried out in pain and fell to his one, hurt knee, yet still held onto his weapon, refusing to lose the grapple. He shoved Tessa hard to the ground, making her land hard on her back. She quickly rolled along to avoid the next few strikes, and then recovered to sweep Lionel's legs. Rolling to get back up, the Queen then saw the sergeant get up literally a second after her and immediately knocked the sword out his hand.
She slowly approached the sergeant, to try and get the tip of her sword to his throat, to get him to surrender. Refusing to do so to a bandit, Lionel quickly ducked and grabbed the short sword he'd noticed strapped to the Queen's boot. Refusing to let the surprise distract her, she managed to block the attack just in time, but found herself surprised again, when Williams used the smaller weapon to knock her primary sword out of her hands.
Tessa then kicked her own dagger out of Lionel's possession, now leaving it hand-to-hand. She landed a terrific right across his face, then a wicked left, but her third punch was blocked, leaving her open to a very hard fist to the stomach. Lionel then followed it up with a wild backhand to the Queen's face that sent her to the ground.
The vigilante was hurt bad by those vicious blows, making her all the more aware that she couldn't lose. As her adversary closed in, she kicked out again, connecting with the sergeant's ribs, making him back away and grimace.
Not on the first day, he winced. Not to a bandit.
The Queen got back up and threw her fist at Williams, who caught it and threw a punch of his own, which she likewise caught. They grappled and growled, like fierce dogs, equally determined not to give. They threw each other to the ground, in opposite directions where their weapons had landed.
Simultaneously, they picked them up, shot up to their feet, pointed their blades in the other's direction…
And stopped.
Stalemate.
Silent, tense stalemate.
"Ready to call it a day, sergeant?" asked the Queen, through gritted teeth.
"Not a chance in hell, kid," sneered Williams, with equally fierce determination.
"You sure, old man? You're looking a little tired."
"Save your breath. You're gonna be missing it."
Both combatants tensed their muscles to go at it again. Neither was even feeling tired after all they'd thought. And for all the chit-chat, the Queen and the sergeant were secretly acknowledging just how tough the other was.
And how the fight was only going to get harder the longer it went on.
They prepared to lunge…
"QUEEN OF SWORDS!"
Williams and the Queen stopped instantly and swung their heads simultaneously to look at the soldier with a bruised head, black eye and bleeding mouth, who had recovered. He smiled sadistically, his left arm wrapped round Esperanza Garcia's neck, and his right hand holding a pistol to the side of the petrified woman's head. Esperanza's youngest sons were crying and screaming, with her eldest daughter doing everything in her power to try and hold them back from getting themselves killed.
"Drop your sword on the ground…" shouted the merciless soldier, "put your hands in the air…surrender like the sergeant says…AND I WON'T BLOW THIS BITCH'S BRAINS OUT!"
Esperanza's tearful eyes met the Queen's shocked eyes, overwhelmed with horror and concern, and she could see that the vigilante was going to comply with the brute's demands. Esperanza shook her head slightly at the Queen, meaning, "don't listen to him." Tessa recognised it and shook her head back, meaning, "I'm not gonna risk your life." She was about to acquiesce when Williams, who had just stared at his soldier with utter disdain, came out with, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The soldier looked at Williams and smiled back mockingly, "Following Colonel Montoya's plan, sir. He wants her at any cost."
"The colonel's not here. And nobody threatens an innocent life to complete a mission under my watch. Release her now, corporal. That's an order."
"The colonel's orders override yours, sir! And that's final! I'll count to three, Queen!"
Tessa had become even more shocked upon Williams' reaction to this development. Truth be told, she had expected him to smile evilly and commend the animalistic soldier for 'sterling work'. But he was fighting for Esperanza, forgetting his mission to bring the Queen in.
Just when she thought she couldn't possibly get any more shocked, the Queen saw Williams quickly turn and take a loaded pistol from the fallen soldier near his feet. Then point it dead at the corporal.
"Drop the pistol now or you DIE!" bellowed Lionel's voice from the depths of hell. It rattled the soldier, and made Esperanza stare at the sergeant with overwhelming confusion and fear.
"You…you wouldn't dare…" challenged the corporal, his pistol-wielding hand starting to tremble. Lionel just cocked the gun and slowly started to squeeze the trigger, aiming for the man's forehead, knowing that it wouldn't harm Esperanza.
"I'll count to three," he mocked back. "One…two…"
The reality that Williams wasn't bluffing hit the corporal hard. Panicking, he tightened his hold on his gun and hostage, burying the pistol harder against her head, making her cry even more, adding to the torment of her family.
"I'LL DO IT! I'M WARNING…!"
The whip wrapped round the corporal's pistol and wrenched it away from his possession. The Queen had taken advantage of the infighting by quietly moving into a position where she could get close enough to disarm the soldier without harming Esperanza. And now the murdering animal had been disarmed, left surprised and wide open to Lionel rushing in and punching him hard in the face, breaking his nose and releasing Esperanza, who immediately ran into the arms of her crying family.
As the Garcias all huddled and wept together in total relief, Lionel turned his attention to the fallen corporal, looking at him with utter disgust and contempt. Then he turned to the family, clearly just an innocent family who wanted nothing more than to go on with their lives in peace. The sergeant looked at them with apologetic eyes, also wracked with sympathy.
And then the Queen…
Williams turned behind to see that the Queen was gone.
A bandit…saved a family's life from corrupt soldiers? No…she's a vigilante. She…my God are things THAT bad here that a woman has to take the law into her own hands? Can…
The sound of a horse's cry snapped him back to the present, doing nothing to relieve his torment. Chico, with the Queen saddled on top, sprinted over and halted before him.
"I think this family's been through enough for one day, don't you?" asked the Avenging Angel with a deadly glare.
Lionel could only stare back at a total loss for words. The Queen then smiled and took out a card which she flung casually at the sergeant's feet.
"Welcome to Santa Helena, sergeant. Where nothing is what you think it is."
The Queen then rode off at high speed. Lionel didn't even do anything to stop her. He knew there was no point now. He cast one last look to the Garcias, with Esperanza hugging her children tightly, whispering, "God bless you, Queen. God bless you." Williams had absolutely no idea what to say to them, what possible comfort or apology he could give.
He turned to survey his fallen, useless, murdering men and then spat at the corporal lying unconscious on the ground. Finally, he picked up the card that the masked Tessa had 'given' him.
It was a tarot card. The Queen of Swords.
The Garcia farmland had just become so much colder and lonesome for Sergeant Lionel Williams.