DAY ONE – THE DAY AFTER
Early the next morning, Felipe came to Diego's room to see how he was doing and found him feverish. He put his hand on Diego's forehead, and it was very warm. He tried to rouse Diego, but couldn't. Diego responded somewhat to Felipe's touch, but not enough to become fully aware. Felipe's face registered panic. He ran from the room to get Don Alejandro.
Felipe found Alejandro in the drawing room, and signed with great animation. Felipe knew he looked panic-stricken, it was hard for him not to – this was Diego, after all. Unfortunately, the older man didn't understand at first, and thought Felipe was being playful.
Alejandro said, "Ah, Felipe. Good morning."
Felipe signed rather frantically, trying to explain the situation. Alejandro wished Diego were up and able to interpret for him. He felt a twinge of guilt for not having spent more time learning the hand signals.
Alejandro finally picked up the urgency, yet didn't really realize even yet. He smiled a bit as he tried to understand Felipe. "What? Wait. Slow down. I'm having trouble understanding you…Diego…not awake? Well, that's not unusual for this time of morning, especially after the day he had yesterday."
Felipe signed more frantically. Felipe put his hand to his head, twisted around, trying to convey 'fever.' When Alejandro understood 'fever' – his expression changed from amusement to seriousness within a millisecond. "Fever? Diego? He's ill? Oh – he's ill and you can't wake him. Show me!"
Alejandro and Felipe quickly moved to Diego's room. Felipe dragged Alejandro by the shirt sleeve. Diego sweated profusely, and quietly tossed and turned. Alejandro was concerned. He put his hand on Diego's forehead and felt the fever.
Alejandro was somewhat startled. "You're right, Felipe, he's burning up. Go get Dr. Hernandez. I'll get water and some towels. We've got to bring his fever down."
Felipe signed that he had something better. Alejandro says, "What? Wait. No doctor? Why not? You know of something better? A tea? Diego's concoction! Oh come now…Felipe this is not the time…"
Felipe signed again 'before.' Alejandro picked up on that word, and made a sentence out of it. "You're saying he's used it before and it works? All right, get it. Then go for Dr. Hernandez. I would still like the doctor to take a look at him. It will put my mind at rest."
Alejandro noticed a bump and bruises on Diego's forehead, and realized what happened. "Felipe, it looks like Diablo Canyon is beginning to show up. His mask seems to have protected him from cuts, but he probably has a whale of a headache as well as the fever."
Felipe signed "headache."
Alejandro answered, "Yes. Yes, he will. Now, quickly go!"
Felipe left, then returned quickly with a bowl and some towels. Alejandro started dabbing at Diego's face, wiping off the perspiration.
Alejandro gently, but with strength, shook Diego's left shoulder. He leaned over so that he was close. "Son, can you hear me? It's time to get up now! Wake up Diego!"
Felipe was right, he was not waking up, Alejandro thought. He shook his head and continued his ministrations.
Z
As he rode, Felipe saw the early morning sun shining across the horizon. He noticed the sun bouncing off the pueblo gate sign as he rode through it. He hastily dismounted and ran into the tavern.
Today, the tavern's regular "breakfast" crowd took up about two-thirds of the tables and chairs in the tavern. Felipe saw the white-haired distinguished doctor at one of the center tables. Dr. Hernandez was just finishing his breakfast, when Felipe came rushing in, out of breath. Victoria saw the concern on Felipe's face. She came over quickly to help the doctor understand what Felipe was trying to say. Felipe deliberately tried to go slow in his signing, to make sure Victoria understood it. He didn't want to take the time to repeat it. He signed "fever" then "arm."
Victoria asked, "What is it, Felipe? Diego? What's happened? A fever?" Felipe signed it again. "He's got a fever. You think his arm is infected…and there are head bruises? Don Alejandro asked you to get Dr. Hernandez?"
Felipe nodded and signed, let's go. Let's go! Hurry!
Dr. Hernandez quickly put down his eating utensils and wiped his mouth and hands. He turned to Felipe and said, "Felipe, run along and tell Don Alejandro I'll get there as soon as I get my things…no more than half an hour." He turned to Victoria, "Senorita, I may need your help. Would you come with me?"
Victoria nodded. "Of course, Doctor. I'll be along as soon as I've made arrangements here. I'll be along shortly."
"Thank you Senorita. The de la Vegas have a good friend in you."
"And I – have good friends in the de la Vegas. I would do anything for them."
Victoria watched from behind the counter as Felipe and the doctor left. A worried look creased her brow. She worried about Diego and what the day would bring. She wondered if his arm was infected. He said it had been taken care of yesterday, before they came into town, but he hadn't even changed into a clean shirt after his 'duel.' He had a funny smell about him, too, something she couldn't place. She wondered to herself, what has Diego de la Vega gotten himself into this time? She turned to her helper and said, "Pilar, please watch the tavern for me. I hope to be back by lunchtime."
Outside, Dr. Hernandez, went to his office across the plaza, and packed his bag with everything he would need to treat a fever. But he had also seen the young don's arm bleeding yesterday from across the plaza. He took along extra bandages, creams and ointments as well. He shook his head. What happened to young de la Vega this time? He knew Don Diego didn't like to bother him unless absolutely necessary, but that young man had more 'illnesses' and 'injuries' than were his share. As he climbed into his buggy, he wondered what he would find at the hacienda.
Z
Later that morning, Padre Benites had just prayed rosary, when he heard someone slip into the back of the church. He turned and saw Alcalde De Soto. The alcalde showed he was still confused, but sincere. He still sought answers. The short, stocky priest warmly greeted De Soto. He shook his hand and motioned for the alcalde to follow him into his study, where they could sit comfortably. Once there, the Padre asked, "Alcade. How are you this morning?"
Alcalde Ignacio De Soto gently stroked his beard as if still in deep thought. The events of the past week or so weighed heavily upon him. His world was shaken and he wasn't sure how to respond to everything that had happened. De Soto remembered yesterday's visit with Benites, where he confessed to killing the Emissary, and the desire to steal a horse. He admitted to fearing and hating the Emissary. He confessed the details of the hacienda garden shooting and what he'd heard there before firing his shot. He wanted absolution. He wanted to believe the death was justified. De Soto had killed in battle before, but this shooting was different. Risendo had to be stopped. Although he had no great love for Diego de la Vega, he reasoned that he couldn't let his old school "chum" be shot down in cold blood by someone who had no conscience.
De Soto replied with a sigh, "Padre. I am feeling better about things after speaking with you yesterday, but I still would like counsel in dealing with these killings. As I said yesterday, I've never killed anyone before – not like this."
"Of course Alcade. What can I help you with today?"
"Well Padre, I have also lied and covered up my actions in another killing in order to protect myself from the Emissary."
"Are you referring to Lt. Hidalgo?"
De Soto looked at Benites with shock. "Yes Padre. How did you know?"
"I guessed. Zorro never kills, and I saw the guilt and remorse in your face at the cemetery. It's a terrible burden to take a man's life. Only in God's forgiveness can we forgive ourselves."
"Lt. Hidalgo was an accident. I was shooting at Zorro, and missed. Zorro got out of the way, and the Lieutenant got in the way."
Benites saw an open door into the Alcalde's soul, and he walked through it. "Alcade, if you don't mind my asking, what will you do now, if you see Zorro again? Will you shoot him? Will you hang him? And yet, the issue is not Zorro, it is you, Alcade. You are a man who is responsible for his own actions. I believe you have a second chance to become a different kind of Alcade, sir. An Alcade with a peaceful pueblo. An Alcade who will rule with fairness and justice, not greed, ambition, or obsession – in trying to capture a perceived bandit. A bandit, I might add, who saved your life a few days ago."
De Soto thought for a moment, and answered, "Oh, he's saved my life on more than one occasion."
Benites replied with great authority, yet as gentle as a lamb. "Then why persist with this proverbial chase, the hunting down, the hatred? Do you not see what this chase is doing to your soul, Alcade? Each time you give in to your visions of grandeur and personal glory, you cut into your own heart, your own soul. You are killing the good in you – piece by piece. You yourself have now seen what happens to a man when there is no conscience left, only vengeance. Give yourself a chance to become the good Alcade I know you can be."
De Soto was quiet a moment, thinking, trying to digest all that Father Benites was saying. "Well, all this has sent me soul searching. The Emissary's behavior was unconscionable and frankly unfathomable. I couldn't understand the lengths he went to – to be in control of this pueblo and its people. I couldn't understand his personal vendetta against the de la Vegas until yesterday. That's why I came to you, Padre. I appreciate your kind encouragement. But as for Zorro, I – I don't know what I'll do yet.
Again, Benites felt a release to speak truth to the man seated in front of him, all the while knowing it was entirely possible he could be in jail awaiting execution by sunrise tomorrow – if the alcalde responded differently than he thought.
"Alcade, I believe that as you continue to search your heart, you will find that you do have a conscience, and if you will let it be your guide, you can become a truly great man. If you change your behavior, you will find that people may actually like you, Alcade. For underneath that scrappy young man who has fought his way tooth and nail to get where he is, I believe there is a true man of greatness.
De Soto let the padre's words wash over him. No one, no one had ever said these kinds of things to him before. He had been raised rough, not gentle. He barely knew what real love was. He didn't have much of a point of reference for what the padre was saying. He knew he wanted to believe everything this man said to him. He knew that at heart, the padre was perfect for this pueblo. He was a man of great wisdom and he knew just what to say to help others. De Soto was glad Benites hadn't let his initial brush with kidnapping stain his assignment to this pueblo. That was before his time, but he knew about it.
He answered, "Thank you again Padre. Your words of encouragement and kindness leave me much to think on. I appreciate it."
"Come back anytime you need to, Alcade. I believe that you can gain what you wish for, without losing your soul, by following the Golden Rule…"
De Soto thought a moment. "…Do unto others what you would have them do unto you…right?"
"Yes, Alcade."
As De Soto left, his heart was touched. Conviction flooded his soul. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, De Soto carefully deposited a couple of coins in the poor box on his way out of the church.
Z
Alejandro ushered Dr. Hernandez and Victoria to Diego's bedroom. Dr. Hernandez began unpacking his supplies. Felipe entered with a small bowl of the cactus tea, and left it on the night table, not realizing Victoria was in the room, or that she knew what it was. Diego's nightshirt was partially removed, exposing his wounded arm. Dr. Hernandez took the bandages off Diego's arm and examined it. He scowled as he saw the wound swollen and inflamed. He looked at the arm, turning it over a bit, and noticed a scar on the forearm, but said nothing about it. As he examined Diego, he noticed bumps and bruises on his neck and head. The white-haired physician set about re-cleaning and closing the wound as he talked with Alejandro and Victoria.
Dr. Hernandez said, "It's been quite some time since I've been summoned here for Diego. What happened this time?"
Alejandro quickly made up a story. He doesn't know if the doctor knew his son's secret. Until he does, Alejandro decided to cover for him. "Well, his arm was wounded by the Emissary during a swordfight in our garden yesterday. That occurred while I was inside getting my own cuts taken care of."
Dr. Hernandez snorted. "This is not a stab wound. It's a musket wound. And what about the head bumps and bruises?"
Victoria gasped with alarm. "A musket wound! It can't be? The Emissary didn't shoot Diego! How did this happen? Don Alejandro?"
Alejandro played along, as if in 'shock.' "Are you certain, Doctor?"
Dr. Hernandez "tsked' at them. "As you know, I've treated both of you for gunshot wounds before. I know a musket ball wound when I see it. Musket balls are slightly larger than ordinary bullets, and more dangerous. They can do more damage."
Victoria put a hand to her head, trying to take this all in. "But how did Diego get shot? He's never around that kind of danger." She looked in alarm at Alejandro. "I thought you said he was stabbed by Gilberto's sword."
Alejandro saw a desperate need to steer this question away from how did this happen to what he feels is the most important thing. He said, "Well, what is important now is that he recovers. How is he, Doctor?" Diego began to stir. Alejandro called to him. "Diego. Diego."
Diego opened his eyes, saw everyone, shook the cobwebs out of his head, then grimaced a bit – the bumps from the boulders left some residual pain as well. "What's wrong? What are you all doing here? Dr. Hernandez?"
Alejandro quickly apprised Diego of the situation. "Felipe couldn't wake you this morning. We sent for the doctor."
Diego blinked rapidly, yet his mind was still not clear. "Couldn't wake me? I must have been more tired than I thought. Yesterday's events left me exhausted."
Dr. Hernandez cut to the chase. "Diego, you have a fever. Your arm is infected. Tell us how you were shot."
Diego looked around and saw Victoria. He gulped, shocked that they know. "Shot?
"Yes, Diego, shot." Dr. Hernandez replies.
Diego squirmed. He saw he wasn't going to be able to get away with anything. "Father, can you try to explain? I'm really feeling quite tired."
Diego saw the way out when Felipe reached for the cactus tea and handed it to him. "Oh Felipe. The tea. Thank you." He eagerly gulped some, knowing he might be able to explain better later, when he felt better. For now, he just wanted to make the only retreat he could, back into sleep. Fever had fogged his mind, and he didn't quite know what to do.
Diego drank down a lot of it very quickly, and handed the bowl back to Felipe. Because it both smelled and tasted bad, his face scrunched up. Victoria caught a whiff of it, but before she could say anything, Diego said it for her.
"Oh, that truly is awful! But I know that what we like the least, does the most good."
Victoria got a thoughtful, yet very suspicious look on her face. That smell, that statement. Her eyes opened quite wide with recognition, then narrowed. Diego noticed her recognition, but in his state of mind, he can only try to cover up.
Victoria said with some consternation. "What is that Felipe?"
Diego quickly said, "Oh, just a concoction."
Victoria was very suspicious. "It seems I've smelled that 'concoction' before. And tasted it."
Diego's heart and head pounded, and he realized he was losing control of the conversation. He decided to take it back, anyway he could. He knew he wouldn't be able to do anything about it once the cactus tea took effect.
He fooled with his covers as he said to Victoria in a voice trying to be a little too nonchalant. "Oh really? You'll have to tell me about it sometime. If you will all excuse me, may I please have a moment with my father, then Dr. Hernandez, you can do whatever you need to do." He yawned.
Dr. Hernandez said, "Diego, first of all, what is that foul-smelling stuff?"
Diego heard the voices, but the tea was already taking effect. He felt himself getting drowsy. He blinked, trying to keep control, keep awake for one more minute, but it was proving to be very difficult. "It's, it's…an old Indian remedy…"
Victoria noticeably reacted, but only Diego was watching. She took a hard look at him, but he just watched her warily as he began to drift off.
Alejandro seized the moment. "Doctor, Victoria, will you please give me a moment with Diego?" After he herded them out, he turned to Diego. "Diego. Diego! Tell me – what do you want me to say to them?"
Diego talked through a haze of white, puffy clouds. He yawned. "You see, Father…how yarns are spun. Say whatever you think is right. I'll back you up later."
Alejandro knew he had to be quick. "And your head? Diego! What about the bumps, bruises?"
As he drifted off to sleep, Diego said, "Tell them Gilberto slammed me against the garden wall or something…"
Alejandro sighed, as he thought about what his son had been through being Zorro…the lying, the covering up. How hard that must have been, because one lie led to another, which led to another, and so on and so forth. He walked to the door, and brought Dr. Hernandez in. Victoria cornered Felipe in the hallway regarding the cactus tea.
Z
Victoria pulled Felipe into the Library to find out what's going on. Felipe dreaded what she would ask. He was not a particularly willing participant, but went along, knowing it would be futile to run away.
Victoria's expression was no-nonsense. "Felipe, tell me about the cactus tea. Is it Diego's "concoction" as he says?"
Felipe motioned for her to ask HIM. Victoria would have none of it. "I'm asking – YOU."
Felipe signed with desperation, but Victoria charged ahead.
"Felipe, I know you're trying to protect Diego. But just answer me yes or no – did Diego 'concoct' the cactus tea?"
Felipe's shoulders dropped. Victoria got the picture, and was somewhat confused and not a little irritated as she made connections in her brain.
"Gracias, Felipe. I understand, but wait until I get my hands on him! I don't understand why he didn't tell me?"
Felipe shrugged his shoulders and left, glad to "escape" Victoria's inquisition. Madre de Dios, it felt like the Great Inquisition Diego had taught him about, although he knew it wasn't anywhere near as bad. He felt sorry for Diego when he woke up and would have to face the wrath of Victoria.
Dr. Hernandez and Alejandro entered the large foyer that connected the dining room, library and drawing room. Dr. Hernandez reassured Don Alejandro. "I think Diego will be all right. Send for me if you need me further. Just see that he gets a few days' rest, and he'll be fine. Change his bandages at least once a day. Make sure he has no double vision. Headaches and a bit of dizziness are to be expected. I will be back to see him tomorrow. And Don Alejandro, tell him I want to talk to him about self-medication and self-treatment.
Alejandro showed Dr. Hernandez to the door. He turned to find a desperate looking Victoria.
"Don Alejandro, I'm terribly confused about some things, but I don't know what to do or who to turn to about them. How did Diego get shot? Where did those head bruises come from? And what about that "concoction" he says is his? Zorro gave me some of that "concoction" when...I hurt my ankle."
Alejandro gestured to the library, where they went in and sat down on the long couch. "Victoria, let's go in here a moment, shall we? Please be patient with Diego. I know he will want to talk to you, I just can't tell you when. He will be able to help you sort out your questions, so go directly to him.
Victoria put her hand on her hip. Alejandro recognized that look of obstinate stubbornness. "I'll come see him tomorrow."
"We'll send word to you when he's ready to see you."
"Don Alejandro, can't you please tell me what's going on? How did Diego get those injuries? I know you know. I know he told you the truth. I care deeply for him. I have my suspicions…"
Don Alejandro put a hand over the hand in her lap as a gesture of comfort. "Patience, Victoria. I know this is hard for you. I also know that my son will tell you what he can. But know this, there is more to Diego than even I knew…and I am very proud of him and what he has done."
Victoria let out a sound of exasperation. "This is very difficult. I have so many questions. I feel you are both hiding something from me, and I think I know what it is." She stopped to think a moment. "But you are right. I should speak directly to Diego about my questions."
She got up from her chair, resigned to waiting yet another day to find out if her suspicions are true. "Thank you Don Alejandro. If you need help with Diego, please let me know. Otherwise, let me know when I can speak with him."
Alejandro saw her to the door. "Try not to worry or be angry with my son, Victoria. He has had to do many things that only he has been able to carry the burden for."
"What do you mean?"
'Patience, Victoria. Diego will explain all when he can."
Victoria left, frowning. Alejandro closed the door behind her and stood with his back leaning on it, as if to guard from unwanted intrusion. He let out a big sigh. They had deflected the truth for now, but Alejandro shook his head as he walked back to check on Diego. How did he do this all those years?
ZZ