Thanks for the kind reviews. I have to admit this story is a challenge. Somewhere in the story I thought it needed something else. Therefore I had this story turned upside down an rewrite a great deal, you have to thank my husband for this inspiration (big kiss), though this chapter wasn't as influenced as the next chapters. I only hope you will like this chapter. Your feedback really helps continuing writing. Nancy, I cannot express myself enough to thank you for your feedback and corrections. Now I only hope my next chapter will be ready soon.

~Z~

Part 2

A few days later Diego sat in the taverna mesmerising about his life, when suddenly sergeant Mendoza sat next to him complaining about the heat.
"Oh I can't understand the alcalde," a deep sigh followed and the good old sergeant wiped his forehead dry, "now, he want us to go after señor Perrez."
"Excuse me sergeant," Diego suddenly got back with his feet on the ground when he heard the words "go after".
"Señor Perrez seemed to have lacked paying his taxes for three months, the alcalde said. And I don't believe him."
"And why is that?" Diego inquired intrigued by Mendoza's revelation.
"As I can remember señor Perrez has paid his taxes every time I came to him to collect those taxes. I even looked in the books when the alcalde didn't see me looking it up and there it stood. I really don't understand, don Diego. Why would the alcalde tell me to get these taxes if they were already paid?"
"Good question indeed, Mendoza," Diego agreed, but in the back of his mind his instincts were telling him it was just a simple trap to capture Zorro.
"When do you have to go?" Diego inquired further.
"In two hours the alcalde will have his round through the area and then we will pass by. I really don't look forward to it. Somehow I feel trouble is coming." Mendoza really didn't look happy at the thought of riding in this heat, moreover bothering such a good man with things, which obviously seemed wrong.
"I am not envying you sergeant," Diego honestly said and offered him another juice. "Have one on me to keep you hydrated for this tour."
"Oh Mil gracias, don Diego," Mendoza was obviously happy with this small gift, "you really know what a soldier needs." In one gulp he swallowed the offered drink and almost choked.
"Mendoza!"
"Oh there comes trouble," the sergeant whined softly and visibly paled.
"Mendoza!" the alcalde was now standing in the doorway. "You are not here to feast! Get your lazy ass off that chair and prepare for our inspections!"
"Si, mi alcalde," Mendoza squeaked, but stood up and tried to behave as if nothing had happened.
The alcalde watched his sergeant standing up clumsily and getting ready to go. With a stern gaze he met Diego's eyes a short while and then left the tavernato to follow his sergeant.
In between Victoria had viewed all actions and almost unnoticed had stepped closer to the table.
"By the look of the alcalde, I promise you, trouble is on its way." Victoria shared her thoughts with her friend but only for his ears to hear. Diego still watched the door letting all information sink in. He raised one eyebrow when he got aware of Victoria's presence, "You are right, I am afraid the alcalde is up to something."
"Then it is time for someone to take action," Victoria sounded harshly and by her tone of voice she obviously meant Diego would be that person.
Diego faced her not sure what to do or say, but at least to be certain he understood her correctly. By her looks he couldn't miss her message, "I should go to my father now."
With a faint smile he was about to stand up, but was stopped when Victoria pushed him back on his seat. "Your father, Diego? How old are you?"
"If you must know, four years older than you are," Diego pointedly answered, but knew he would inflame the Escalante temper.
He was wrong. Victoria exploded and her eyes spit fire. "You really have to take responsibility Diego. You are a caballero and one with quite some influence. You have said it once yourself. Are you just too vain to help others in need?"
First Diego's eyes opened, but at the insult he frowned and his eyes hardened too. The people, who were at the taverna, overheard the interaction between the friends and suddenly stopped doing whatever they were doing.
"Excuse me," Diego slowly said and hoped to end this interaction gracefully, "I think I must be off now."
"Yes you do that," Victoria agreed feverishly, "but what will you do?"
"Think," Diego replied and got his mistake in time, "my father has connections …."
"Oh yes, hide behind your father, Diego," Victoria shouted, "You'll do that. When will you ever become a man?"
In the taverna some people were shocked at Victoria's open attack on one of the distinguished caballeros of the area and some muffled sounds and whispers were heard.
"We can't let Zorro do all the work, can we señorita." It wasn't a question and before Victoria was able to add some more fuel to the flame he took his leave.
"Ohh," Victoria growled at his retreating back, turned and left to the kitchen, where some shame fell over her.
What did I do? How could I make such a scene?
Deep in her heart, Victoria knew Diego was right, the people needed to stand up for themselves instead of Zorro taking care of everything. She wondered if Zorro had heard of the alcalde's plans.
She also hoped Diego wouldn't be cross with her for a long time. Maybe she should apologize to him when he crossed her threshold the next time. It would be better if she came to him, but somehow she felt awkward to do so.

-Z-

Meanwhile Diego hurried home while he thought about Victoria's behaviour. He wasn't sure what to think about it and figured it may be better if he just had let it pass. As for the moment there were other things more important.
At the hacienda he found Felipe and told him quickly what he was told in the pueblo, but he didn't mention Victoria's outburst. While he dressed, he made a plan for Zorro's job and Felipe got Toronado ready.
Within ten minutes Zorro left the cave and was on his way to señor Perrez. The middle aged man lived about a mile away at the south of the pueblo. Zorro doubted the alcalde was already there, but didn't take the chance to run into his trap by going straight to the farmer's house.
From the south Zorro approached his destination.
"Alcalde, how nice to see you visiting your citizens," Zorro spoke out loud, but everybody heard the sarcastic tone in his voice.
The alcalde just clapped his hands, "Well done, Zorro."
His smirk was even larger than his ego, "it's very good of you to stop by. You know what they say the more the merrier."
Zorro quickly searched señor Perrez's face to be certain he was all right.
"I doubt you have come here to party," Zorro replied amused.
"Actually I have," the alcalde replied very content with himself.
"Really?"
Señor Perrez immediately cut in sounding very desperate, "Zorro, he was going to have me pay the tax again. I have already paid it a week ago. I always pay my taxes."
Zorro faced the alcalde who was sitting at his horse now and grinned widely at his opponent, "Isn't that a nice party?"
Zorro sensed the invitation, fetched his sabre and urged Toronado towards the alcalde "why not let the party start!"
The alcalde wasn't fast enough to parry the black masked man and feared for his life when his opponent neared. For one second he closed his eyes, but opened them quickly as he realised he was losing his balance and would be hitting the ground shortly after,
"Ahhh," the alcalde growled, "Zorro I will have your head for this!"
Zorro laughed out loud, "Careful, you will have the rest of me too."
"Ohww, lancers, after him!"
"Alcalde, the party hasn't even started," Zorro mocked and continued more to his horse than anyone else, "must be tired already. Let's give the lancers a ride to remember."
With a quick nod he said his farewell to señor Perrez and left with about ten lancers chasing him.
Zorro showed them a large part of the southern territory of the pueblo. During this exciting ride, Zorro was having quite some fun, but was aware of losing the lancers one by one and after an hour he was able to return home again. He decided to check on señor Perrez again. He wasn't sure the alcalde would have bothered the farmer any further after his teasing.
Arriving at the small farm he noticed everything was almost the same as he had left. The only thing different was the alcalde and his men weren't there.
Señor Perrez had seen his visitor when he was inside and hurried outside to see if he needed to be of some help. He feared the hero must have been hurt.
"Are you all right, Zorro?"
Zorro stiffly dismounted his horse and turned to face the concerned farmer.
"Si, gracias," Zorro answered a bit confused at the obvious worry.
Relief floated over the man at the answer and knew his day was one of the best in his life. "The alcalde told me he was going to trap you, and since you have come I figured he would finally succeed."
"Don't worry, amigo," Zorro smiled contently being very sure of himself, "Am I not Zorro?"
"Si, you sure are," the man smiled brightly.
"I take it as the alcalde hadn't bothered you any further."
"No, he hadn't. He only kept cursing over you cutting his saddle belt and of course he cursed being in our lovely pueblo."
"Sounds like the alcalde," Zorro agreed and was also glad the farmer hadn't been bothered.
"Can I offer you something to drink," señor Perrez offered realising the hero had been on the roads for over an hour now.
"No gracias, I'd better be on my way now."
Señor Perrez wasn't insulted, but didn't understand why the hero couldn't accept his small show of respect of all his deeds.
"There is always something, you know," Zorro easily explained and inside he whished to go home and freshen up.
The farmer nodded understandingly and waved him off. "Adios."

-Z-