Chapter 2

Don Alejandro, dressed as Zorro, rode Toronado across the countryside. The old don brought his magnificent steed to a halt. "Woe to thee, evildoers! We have a thousand wrongs to avenge." Toronado whinnied and pranced nervously at this sudden turn of events. He was unused to another rider on his back. "What's wrong with you, Rocinante, my valiant steed? You act as though you don't know me. No matter. Zorro rides!"

Inside the tavern, Mendoza played cards with two men. He put a card down on the table and smiled as he held up his right index finger. One of the men, an older man with a white beard, gave the sergeant a card. Mendoza put it with his other four cards with dismay. He threw his cards on the table. "You are a very lucky man, Señor," he stated suspiciously, "Where did you muchachos say you were from?" I have seen their faces somewhere. It will come to me...

"We didn't."

"You know, you look very familiar," the portly sergeant stated as Victoria appeared behind him, carrying a dusty bottle of wine.

"Mendoza! How many times have I told you no gambling in this tavern."

"I must get back to work. Please forgive me, Senorita Victoria," Mendoza faced the upset tavern owner. "Please excuse me..."

"We were just having some harmless fun, my pretty señorita." The spirited taverness was very pretty, he thought. No harm in having a little fun.

Victoria did not like the way the man was looking at her. She had seen that look before and knew that the man was up to no good. "In the first place, Señor, gambling is not harmless fun. And in the second place, Mendoza doesn't earn enough and has the card sense of a turnip. And in the third place, don't even think in your wildest dreams that I could be your señorita."

"I love it when they play hard to get," the older man stated as Victoria attempted to walk away.

"Uh, Señorita, my brother and I, we just had a little wager."

"I just explained to you that gambling is not allowed in my tavern."

"Si, si, you told us but you see, I have just bet him ten pesos that you would give me a kiss."

"Then I think you should pay him his ten pesos," she said disgustedly.

"We shall see," the bandit picked up a wine bottle that sat on the bar and extended his arm to its full length. The bottle shattered on the floor. "No one even a pretty senorita has the right to insult me. You're just a common barmaid."

"Are you crazy?" Victoria responded as she spun around.

ZZZ

Mendoza stood outside the alcalde's office as a lancer stood in front of a bulletin board covered with several wanted posters including Zorro's. Hanging on the wall was a poster that read 'Wanted Fernando Esteban, Dead or Alive, Reward 300 Pesos.' "Madre de Dios. The alcalde will want to know about this immediately."

"Well, these men should sufficiently be in their cups by now, Sergeant," DeSoto stated, "Prepare your men to surround the tavern."

"Oh, si, Alcalde," the sergeant hurried to carry out his superior's orders.

ZZZ

"Caution, Señorita," Esteban threatened as he held Victoria's right wrist with his left hand across the bar that separated them, "Is all this worth one little kiss?"

"Filthy heathens!" the masked avenger stated as the three men turned around and looked up.

"Zorro!" Victoria smiled.

"Remove your hands from the woman or I'll remove them from your wrists! Fly, Zorro," Don Alejandro jumped off the balcony and grabbed the chandelier which barely moved. "I'm sure this always. . .worked. . .before. . ..Aah!"

The two bandits thrust their swords at Don Alejandro's feet as the old don kicked at them. Victoria covered her eyes as the masked man let go of the chandelier and fell on top of the two brothers, knocking them both to the floor to her surprise.

"Victory!" he stated as he rose to his feet, "Lady. Are you injured?"

"No," a stunned Victoria replied. Something is not right here...This could not be Zorro...He seems different...

"I dedicate this victory to thy radiance which has kindled my inspiration." Don Alejandro turned around to see Esteban and his brother on their feet, waving their swords.

"So, this is Zorro, is it?" Esteban pointed his sword at Don Alejandro.

"At your service, Señor," the masked man answered.

"Let us see if your skill matches your reputation."

"Nay! I shall not blunt my sword against such unworthy opponents. You shall feel the sting of my lash!"

"And you shall feel this," Esteban ran toward Don Alejandro who tried to crack his whip at him but instead wrapped it around a post behind him. Don Alejandro tried to pull it free but was pulled off his feet instead. Esteban passed Don Alejandro and the tip of his sword lodged into the same post that the whip coiled around. Victoria uncovered her eyes in disbelief as Esteban tried to remove his sword from the post but was unable to.

"Zorro! Behind you!" The taverness screamed. She did not want Zorro or this man who pretended to be Zorro to be hurt...

ZZZ

The crowd gathered around in front of the tavern as Diego rode under an archway and into the plaza. I wonder what is going on...Something important must be happening. Diego dismounted and approached De Soto knowing that he would know exactly what was going on. I hope my father is not involved but somehow I know that is not the case... "Alcalde! What's going on?"

"Not now, Diego. The brothers Esteban, they're inside."

"The brothers Esteban? Then it's not. . . Where's Victoria?"

"Señorita Escalante's also inside," Mendoza responded worriedly.

"The brothers Esteban are ruthless cutthroats. . ."

"Diego, this isn't a surprise party, it's an ambush. Please stand clear!" The alcalde turned as Esteban rolled out the front door. The bandit got up to his feet, turned and faced the tavern. A 'Z' was slashed into the seat of his trousers. Esteban fell face down on the ground as the crowd laughed."Zorro is inside! And he's surrounded! What luck! Lancers!" DeSoto rushed toward the tavern followed by the lancers, the townspeople, and Diego. The crowd was amazed to see Zorro or who they thought was Zorro holding his saber against the younger Esteban brother's chest.

The alcalde grabbed the saber's blade and pulled it away. "At last it ends. The moment I've been waiting for. . . The moment that I've dreamed of since I came to this god forsaken pueblo!" he gloated as he removed the hat from Zorro's head.

Diego stood to Victoria's right, looking very nervous. He had hoped that his father would not get into trouble for wearing the outfit...

"Now everyone shall see the face beneath the mask," he lifted the black mask and pulled it off Zorro's head. The people gasped as Don Alejandro's face was revealed. Victoria fainted and only Diego's quick reflexes prevented her from falling to the floor.

"Don Alejandro! Can't be Zorro! We've seen Zorro many times. We've stood right next to him and Don Alejandro's been right beside us," Mendoza responded, "He cannot be Zorro!"

"It's a testament to his cleverness, Sergeant. The man is a master of deceit. He wears the mask and the cape...he interferes where he is not wanted. And now, I've got him. I've won," the alclade raised his fist into the air, "I've caught Zorro!"

"Do your worst. . . Oh ye of the woeful countenance," Alejandro stated as the alcalde escorted him to the jail.

Diego held the unconscious Victoria as he watched his father being led to the cuartel jail. Don't worry, Father. I will get you out of that jail. I promise.