Ignacio's Mask
Ignacio waited until the sun rose, before he stirred from his seat on the soft grass. He had watched his horse crop the grass for a while, dozing on and off as he waited for the day to arrive.
He mounted his horse, and turned the animal towards the de la Vega hacienda. He saw a lone horseman already riding out, and recognised him quickly as Diego.
"Ignacio," Diego said, a little surprised. "You couldn't sleep either?"
"The babies are unsettled?"
"The nursery maid will arrive sometime today. If we are lucky. The boys already have a bad reputation among the locals. No one applied," Diego said with a weary smile. "They are not the easiest little men."
"I wonder why," Ignacio said, with a smile.
"Nightmares again?"
Ignacio watched him guide his horse smoothly, to join him. He was a little annoyed that some of his secrets were shared with the man. He had discovered his true nature, and Diego had discovered his.
"She is in trouble," he murmured, passing the other man the letter.
Diego read it, and re read it, shaking his head a little. "I don't see it myself," he murmured.
"Think about her other letters. You write letters all the time and you receive them as well. What does she mean about the cactus tea? Would it help with a troublesome pregnancy?"
"It's a tonic, it helps generally. Strengthens and sedates basically." Diego read the letter again, and sighed. "Her friend may be in trouble, but there is no sign that she is."
Ignacio wondered for a moment. They had lain together, and that could lead to problems… Pregnancy related problems? He paled, and grabbed at Diego.
"Would she say her friend was in trouble, when she meant herself?"
"Why? She's not married," Diego murmured. He suddenly met Ignacio's eyes, and frowned. "Those accusations mentioned in the first letter? Ignacio, surely you didn't?"
"If she meant herself, then I am the father, Diego. Surely, somehow…you could help me," Ignacio said softly. "Diego?"
"I could ask around. Armand is in close communication with me. I could write to him, and ask about Gushing Stream's health…"
"What if she has told no one? What if she is alone and friendless? Diego…"
"Calm down. She may be perfectly fine."
"What if she isn't?" Ignacio said. His mount fussed under him as he struggled to regain his composure. "It's not knowing that is driving me mad, Diego. If I knew for sure she was alright. If I knew for sure she wasn't pregnant…"
If only he knew where she was. He wouldn't bother her; he just wanted to know she was alright. If she was pregnant with his child, then he wanted to know. Even then he wouldn't interfere with her and the child unless he was needed. He could even pretend to be unaware. She wouldn't have to know. He could sponsor them anonymously to make sure they lived well and happy.
He smiled a little. If she was pregnant with his child, then she would have her baby to hold. She would have someone to love and to love her. She would be happy.
"What could be wrong with her pregnancy?"
"We don't even know if she is pregnant, Ignacio. Pregnancy is not my sphere of interest, although it is an amazing subject. I am more interested in the prevention of pain in childbirth, especially where my wife is concerned."
"Well, she needs the tea, she says so. You may be allowed to visit her, Diego. You must try to arrange it," Ignacio urged him. "Please. If it were you, you would have to know."
Diego hesitated, and slowly nodded. "I will write to Armand immediately, and tell him about the contents of the letter. Perhaps Gushing Stream will allow me to visit." He glanced at him. "She will not be happy or comfortable with your involvement. If she is pregnant, she probably needs to remain calm and relaxed, especially if there is some complication of some sort."
"I know. I can't ever see her again. She said that in her first letter. Diego," Ignacio sighed. "I trust that you will help her. I can wait for you to deal with it. She trusts you and the tea. Help her."
"Or her friend…Ignacio?"
"Yes?"
"You cannot live like this. You need another interest. You need to court someone else," he murmured thoughtfully.
Ignacio shuddered a little. He shook his head slowly. "I can't. I dream of her every night. Most of the time it is good, sometimes it is devastating. I am too late, not fast enough. I am not there when she needs me. Please, Diego. She needs me now, somehow I just know it. Please, go and give her the tea."
The Alcalde paused, and sighed again. "As for another lady, no one would have me. I am not too good for them. I am not good enough. My heart is cold, unfeeling. I can't court anyone else."
"Marry for money then. Find someone, anyone."
"Goodness, Diego. You waited until you had your love in your arms," Ignacio said sharply.
"As you recall, it was not of my choosing. It was my father who arranged the marriage."
"You'd still be single, if your father hadn't discovered your secret?" Diego nodded. "Then leave me alone then. I am in love. Surely you know how it feels?"
"I understand the idea of being separated better than most."
"At least you got to see her every day. Zorro got to hold her in his arms, and kiss her. I am bereft."
"She had no idea who I was."
Ignacio bit his lip and thought. "Well then, perhaps I need a mask too, then."
"What are you saying?"
"A mask. Not a physical mask, but a mask of a different sort. If she doesn't recognise me, she can't get upset when I visit her," Ignacio said, as the men turned their horses onto the main road to the pueblo.
Diego shook his head. Ignacio often went into wild tangents planning how to woo back his lost love.
A mask? Surely that was what was needed. Diego was better than anyone for disguise and subterfuge.
"Diego, please."
"I don't think a glued on beard will trick anyone this time," Diego said with a soft chuckle. "Besides you already have a beard."
"I'll shave it off," Ignacio said with decision. "I'll be a beardless boy."
"Beardless boy? I think you are a little old for that disguise." Ignacio noticed that Diego was starting to consider the idea. "There are dyes that can dramatically change hair colour. There are stage effects that could assist with a disguise."
"I was an actor before, Diego."
"You'd have to be a good one, Ignacio. Gushing Stream is not a stupid woman."
"Unlike Victoria?"
Diego turned sharply in the saddle, and had automatically raised a hand to strike him, before he collected himself.
"Ignacio," Diego snarled, trying to control his anger. "Please don't refer to my wife in that manner."
"I'm sorry."
"Victoria had been swept off her feet by a hero beyond imagination. It tends to cloud feminine judgement."
Ignacio was wisely silent. Diego stared ahead and concentrated on his breathing. After a few moments, he was calm again.
"Everyone was stupid as far as Zorro was concerned. Most still are," Ignacio said softly.
"We may be able to arrange something, Ignacio. An eye patch, for instance, makes people uncomfortable, and unlikely to closely scrutinise faces. With the right dye we could colour your beard and hair orange or deep brown, and perhaps we could shave the beard off. You would have to act differently to your usual personality, or she would guess you a mile off."
"You will help me?"
"It certainly looks like it. We will have to arrange the garrison to be well protected."
"The lancers are getting better every day. Your training is doing wonders, Zorro."
He gave him a two fingered wave, and he smiled.
"Teach me how you swop over from one personality to another," Ignacio said softly.
"You will have to be more like Diego than De Soto, Ignacio. Bookish and boring to the ladies. Remember there is to be no wooing whatsoever or I will tell her outright who you are, and let the cards fall where they fall."
Ignacio nodded. "And I will have to scout out the territory first. We have to work out where she is, and how much help she needs," Diego said calmly.
