Chapter 2

A week after Alejandro had informed Diego about his surprise, Diego entered the tavern and ordered a coffee.

"So, what brings you into my tavern this early in the morning, Don Diego?" Victoria inquired, leaning against the bar while Diego was sipping his coffee.

"We're expecting someone with the coach from Mexico," Diego replied, sounding not very pleased.

"And who is that someone that you're in such a bad mood?" she asked curiously.

"My father has invited Pedro Diamante from Mexico," Diego replied, concentrating on his coffee, taking small sips as it was very hot. Realizing she didn't know who he was, Diego felt obliged to provide additional information. "Pedro Diamante is a famous fencing master and my father hired him for fencing lessons."

"Fencing lessons? For you?" Victoria didn't know what to think of it, considering Diego's well-known lack of interest in martial arts.

"Unfortunately, yes," Diego sighed. "My father had it arranged as a surprise for me, giving me no chance to talk him out of it."

"Maybe you'll like it, Diego," Victoria tried to cheer him up. "I think you do have a talent. Remember how well you held yourself up against Sir Miles Thackory, who was also a fencing master."

"We'll see," Diego finished his coffee, staring into the empty cup. He had been thinking on a strategy the whole week since his father had told him about Diamante's visit. From the beginning, it would be the best if he continued to pretend that he had no fencing skills. Maybe Diamante would give up in frustration when Diego made no progress in his lessons, or he could convince his father that he would better spend his money on other things than on fencing lessons for his son.

The coach arrived and the only passenger who emerged was a lean caballero in his late thirties.

"Excuse me, Señor," Diego addressed him. "I was expecting Señor Diamante to arrive with this coach. Do you by chance know him?"

"I am Pedro Diamante," the man introduced himself. "And, you are?"

"Don Diego de la Vega," Diego bowed slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. I expected someone .. different."

"You expected an older man, I guess," Diamante said, somehow jovially. "You're not the first one to think so. Because I have written some books and became famous, people think I must be older," Diamante grinned. "It's nice to meet you, Señor de la Vega."

"Do you want to continue straight to our hacienda or do you prefer to get some refreshments at the tavern first?" Diego offered.

"After the long drive in that sticky coach, I'm longing for a cool drink and some reprieve before I continue."

Diamante followed Diego into the cool and shaded tavern, taking a seat at a table next to the bar. Victoria came over to ask for their orders. "A lemonade for me, Victoria," Diego said.

"For me too, Señorita." Diamante said. "This will taste especially good when it is served by such a beauty." Diamante complimented her and Diego saw how she flushed slightly.

"My father awaits your arrival and he is happy you agreed to come to Los Angeles. You will be our guest at the hacienda." Diego said, trying to show a blank face.

"I'm sorry, Don Diego, but I must decline. I'm sure you have other things to do besides fencing all day. I'd like to stay in the pueblo and offer my teachings to all those who want to take lessons. Of course, teaching you will be my first priority and I will set up my timetable accordingly to yours."

"Are there any rooms available in this tavern, Señorita?" Diamante asked Victoria as she served the drinks.

"You are lucky, Señor, my best room has become free. Are you interested in one? I thought you'd be staying at the de la Vega hacienda?"

"No, I prefer to stay here in the pueblo instead of a remote hacienda." Diamante turned to Diego. "This is not meant as an offense against your hacienda and your hospitality, Don Diego. I'm happy to have come to such a lovely pueblo."

"Maybe you'll have some time in the evening to show me around, Señorita Victoria?"

A bit annoyed by Diamante's open flirting,Victoria rebuked him rather brusquely. "I'm sorry, Señor, but I have to work in the evening. Running a tavern means that the work never stops."

"Maybe you'll have time another evening when I have the chance to enjoy my dinner here." Diamante didn't give up and smiled at her charmingly. "You could still do me a favor and tell your customers that Pedro Diamante is in the pueblo and is willing to give fencing lessons to anyone interested."

"I will do that Señor, but you must excuse me now." Victoria left to serve her other customers.

"Would you mind, Don Diego, if I came to your hacienda a bit later? Now that I have sat down I feel more weary from the journey than I thought earlier. I'd like to rest a bit in my room and come to you after siesta."

"As you wish, Señor Diamante." More shortly than normally, Diego rose from his chair. "I'll send you a carriage to take you to the hacienda before dinner." With a short nod, Diego bid his leave.

Z Z Z

"Diego, didn't Pedro Diamante arrive today? I thought you were going to the pueblo to meet him when the coach arrived?" his father inquired as he returned alone with the carriage.

"Señor Diamante prefers to stay in the tavern instead of a remote hacienda," Diego quoted him.

"A remote hacienda?" Alejandro questioned him.

"His words, not mine, Father," Diego stated. "He also wants to give others lessons while he is in Los Angeles."

"I thought he'd come to give you lessons, Diego?"

"Obviously, not exclusively me," Diego corrected his father.

"Well, it doesn't matter, Diego. You can't practice all day anyway and this way you still have some time for yourself."

"Yes, you're right. And, he can find other pupils if he decides to give up on me."

"You're a de la Vega, son. I have faith that you will become a good fencer with the right teacher and enough practice," his father encouraged him, but Diego only made a face.

Z Z Z

In the cave Felipe inquired about his meeting with Pedro Diamante. Diego repeated the conversation and Felipe asked what he thought about him.

"I'm not sure, Felipe. There is something about him that I don't like."

'Because he is complimenting Victoria?'

"Yes," Diego admitted, "but there is something else that I can't define yet."

Z Z Z