The next few days were quite similar. We spent almost all of the time with the Pulido family. My father helped Don Ignatio in his hacienda, and I entertained Rosa and Don Carlos. Good, that there was no work for Zorro in those days, as it would be quite difficult for me to find a private moment and play in black.
I would have never thought that welcoming one's childhood friend returning after the years would be so time-consuming. According to her wish, we visited all the places Rosita remembered. I didn't recall that they were so many. Have we really ever reached Capistrano and Santa Barbara? It was very reckless of me to take a little girl for such long escapades. Now I have to pay the penalty. All these trees we climbed, lakes we swam, stones we played with seem to be uncountable. And all these stories she recalls and gladly relates...
"You must have been quite active youths!" grumbled Don Carlos through clenched teeth.
"There is not much to do in Los Angeles." I answered peaceably.
Those days must have been quite difficult for him. Don Ignatio wanted him to help in the renovation of the hacienda, but he never risked letting Rosa and me ride on our excursions alone. As a result, he was only undermining the backing of his potential father-in-law and didn't to seem to gain the favors of my pretty friend. I personally would gladly go to help my father, and leave them alone, but whenever I tried to offer him my company, Rosa reminded with disappointed face about some escapade I promised her. My father of course immediately replied that he didn't need my assistance, so I had no choice.
Evenings weren't different. We usually sat all together in the sala or on the patio and I would play the piano or the guitar. I could play them to dance, but Rosa preferred to sit near me and listen, so I had to sing her something. I wanted to sing some merry English songs by which all can play and clap their hands – but when my repertoire of that kind of tunes was finished, I had to sing her something more… let's say: Californian. She beamed and looked so lovely, that I never finished with one song.
Don Carlos certainly didn't enjoy it as we did. He sat silent in the far corner of the room and looked at me with such a dark, gloomy expression on his face, that I would certainly be scared off - if I could be afraid of darkness.
"Bravo Diego! You are really skilled singer. Do I guess properly, that you spend most of your time practicing?" he asks mockingly, with clear intention to offend me.
"There is not much to do in Los Angeles." I answer again with cheerful smile, pretending not to notice the hostility in his voice.
No senor, I am sorry. You will not gain the senorita by the spectacular duel with me. I do not fight.
Finally all stories are told, all stones and lakes are visited and properly honored. Then we went to the pueblo, where Sergeant Garcia welcomed me with a wistful glance. Poor sergeant, the last days must have been very dry for him...
To make up for it we went to the tavern and I gladly listened to all the gossips our sergeant has to say (not that I hadn't heard them earlier from Bernardo...). And then our beautiful companion noticed this nice poster, with the name I have chosen for my alter ego long ago – and the price of 2000 pesos for capture "dead or alive".
"Zorro? The Fox? Who is he?" she asked.
"You don't know, senorita?" exclaimed Sergeant Garcia. "He is the most famous bandit in the whole California! He rides in the night, in mask and black cape, on the magnificent black horse and protects the people from violence and injustice!"
Thank you, dear sergeant. Perhaps next time when you see me "in mask and black cape" you will congratulate me? I'm afraid I will instead hear "after him, after him!" once more. Not that I would mind congratulations.
"So is he the bandit, or the hero? And who is he fighting with?"
"Well, bandits, thieves and... other bandits... and... uh... tax collectors... lancers..." Sergeant Garcia finishes rather weakly.
"And you cannot catch him? And do not know who he is?"
"No, senorita. He always wears the mask."
"Well, you must look for someone with inclination to bad lectures! Black cape, black horse! Only a ham actor would choose such a dramatic image for himself!" laughed Rosa.
My sweet lady, you have really hurt me! What is wrong with black? Would you like me to hide in shadows wearing – let's say – a green caballero suit and white sombrero? Sergeant Garcia was equally outraged by her remark and started to protest.
However in that moment two strangers entered the tavern and my attention was distracted. In the moment I saw them, alarm rang in my head. Trouble. There will be trouble with them soon. The conversation on the bad taste in clothes of my alter ego was getting more and more interesting, but I stopped listening and watched them carefully behind my glass.
Soon Sergeant Garcia noticed them also and immediately approached them with his usual "acting-commandate-few questions-and luggage" talk. To my surprise, they answered politely. Two vaqueros from the mountain village Santa Chiara, searching for better jobs and better entertainment. Nothing strange. There may be not much to do in Los Angeles, but even less was in Santa Chiara. And in two days we will have a fiesta of Nuestra Senora de la Paz, there will be many visitors in Los Angeles.
They didn't pay attention to us, until we wanted to leave the tavern. I stayed by the table a little longer, searching for a few more pesos for a pretty Maria. My companions were already near the exit, when Rosa stopped to read my favorite search warrant once again. She was wearing some simple – and a little dusty – dress this morning and a simple – although very becoming - hair-do this morning, so in fact at first glance she could appear as the common vaquero's daughter. The two wanderers from Santa Chiara must have got that impression and apparently didn't notice Don Carlos – or maybe they didn't want to notice him?
Anyway, when she stopped to read the poster, one of them called to her: "Such a pretty woman doesn't have to catch banditos to get the money! Sit and drink with us, bonita, and you will see that there are things in which we are better than the fox!"
Don Carlos charged on them roaring something like: "How dare you to insult the Spanish woman, you scoundrels!"
I moved quickly toward them as well, although I wasn't sure whom should I… uh... calm down first. The vaqueros faced him with challenging gestures, but Don Carlos managed to thump that one who accosted Rosa, so that he fell on the floor. The second one was just about to attack. I tried to get between them and stop the tussle before it would get worse, but the vaqueros misunderstood my gesture, thinking – how wrongly – that I am Senor Conti's friend.
"Onto them!" shouted the first one, gathering himself from the floor and throwing himself on Don Carlos, while the second one attacked me. He moved so quickly that I barely noticed the knife in his hand. What could I do? Only run away, of course! I jumped back, but so clumsy that I tripped on the table. I fell on the floor and - accidentally - knocked my opponent so that he fell also. I was even more clumsy - in a vain attempt to regain my balance I grabbed the chair, but only overturned it so unhappily, that it hit the vaquero directly in the head and he lost his conscious. And that was all - fun over.
Don Carlos however fought like a lion, like a real caballero... he and his opponent were now at the plaza, rolling in the dust and pummeling, to the great delight of the gathered crowd. I was however a bit worried – the fight looked quite dangerous and could end in a tragedy, if anyone of them would be unnecessarily wounded or even killed. I run to Sergeant Garcia, who stared at them with the others lancers.
"I am sorry Sergeant, but don't you think that you should stop them? It is not a duel, only a fight in the middle of the plaza, the peace of the pueblo is threatened."
"You think so, Don Diego? Then I must intervene!" The good sergeant jumped and tried to separate the fighters, but was only kicked by one of them and landed on the ground.
Well, it seems that if you want have anything done in this pueblo, you just have to do it yourself. I waved for Corporal Reyes and Bernardo and while they catch the vaquero, I grabbed Don Carlos. We pulled our fighters aside. Don Carlos was furious, he tried to break free, but I kept his arms from behind. It must look quite funny – I am taller, and he hanged in the air like a little kitten. I could see that Rosa was laughing, although she tried to hide it. When I thought that he had cooled down and let him go, he turned and tried to punch me. I ducked and he felt on the ground so awkwardly, that he hit some forgotten boards and lost conscious.
Finally quiet. My first thoughts run to Rosa, but she seems to be fine – and looks neither offended, nor scared.
"Don Diego!" Sergeant Garcia runs to rescue me, "are you all right?"
"Oh, yes, sergeant. I managed to avoid their punches."
"I must admit Don Diego, that you are quite dangerous when you avoid the punches. They are both unconscious."
"Well sergeant, if someone doesn't know how to fight, he must at least know how to dodge." I laughed.
I knelt near Don Carlos to wake him, but Rosa gently touched my arm and pulled me aside:
"Let me do it. It will be better if my face is the first thing he sees, not yours."
It is the first time I notice her touch. Her hand seems to be so warm, that it is almost intoxicating.
Rosa waked her unfortunate suitor and Don Carlos slowly gathered himself from the ground. When he noticed me, his eyes burnt with such hate and fury that I was surprised. I guess that it was not because of the fight - only because, when he was a little stunned, he didn't manage to hide his true feelings.
"Don't you ever try to stay in my way, de la Vega, or else..."
"I was merely trying to help," I answered calmly, but not as friendly as I intended. There was something in him I didn't expect, something that I didn't not like very much.
"You helped two scoundrels that offended the lady! Had it not been because of you..."
"Had it not been because of him, either you, or this vaquero would be dead now, and any of these deaths wouldn't delight me," Rosa interrupted him, her voice strong and cold. And here I thought she is nothing but sweetness and charm... It is definitely a day of surprises.
Don Carlos turned now towards her, and I definitely do not like the way he did it. I moved gently between them, just to remind him about my presence, nothing else - but it must have looked as something different, as Rosa put calmingly her hand on my arm.
I am again totally distracted by her touch.
In that moment my father and Don Ignatio entered the plaza, and saw the whole picture: gathered crowd, two vaqueros, one still unconscious, the second one kept by lancers, Don Carlos in a battle posture in front of me and pale Rosa. Don Ignatio wanted to intervene, but my father stopped him. I realized that he hoped for a confrontation between me and Don Carlos, and it immediately cooled me down. I withdrawn a little, just to show to Carlos that he is the winner - the bravest caballero in the whole - small - pueblo and smiled as friendly as I was used to:
"Such unpleasant situations may leave bad impressions if they are not quickly washed with a just amount of wine. Why don't we go back to the tavern - and invite Don Ignatio and my father? And of course our brave sergeant, who once more had to risk his life, protecting the law and peace in the pueblo?"
Good sergeant Garcia reminded himself then that the law and order has been distorted. At first he wanted to arrest all the participants of the incident, but I managed to persuade him that it was not the best idea, because he would also have to arrest me – and then who would invite him for a glass of wine? And if we were free, I thought it was only just that the vaqueros would be free also. Don Carlos tried to object, but as it is me, who buys the wine for Sergeant Garcia, military verdicts in Los Angeles are usually to my liking. So the vaqueros were allowed to go their way. When the one struck by me regained his conscious, he behaved quite calm, but looked at us with a quiet threat. When they left the plaza, I silently gave Bernardo the sign to follow them.
Older dons were very discontent with that little affair. Don Ignatio behaved as if was the fault of his daughter and rebuked her so harshly that she had tears in her eyes. I tried to defend her, but I was in disgrace as well, because I didn't let the vaqueros be punished properly - and for Don Ignatio it probably would mean the no less than the gallows. Only Don Carlos is the spotless warrior. My father sat in gloomy silence and I could read in his face that he regreted the lost opportunity. Certainly he hoped for a moment that de la Vegas, temper would take over me and I will confront Don Carlos, taking his place by the side of Don Ignatio's daughter.
Well, I hope there will be one benefit from this adventure. I hope that now, when Rosa saw me so clumsy, so weak and passive, it will be the end of this little crush she has on me. It was sweet, but... unnecessary and troublesome. I cannot deny the impression she makes on me, so I would prefer not to be tempted again.
After that adventure we invited Sergeant Garcia to dine with us at the hacienda. The conversation was rather gloomy - until Senor Pulido started to ask about el Zorro.
"What makes this man so unique? He is an outlaw and yet everyone in this pueblo seems to love him. And how is it possible that he manages to keep his identity hidden for so long? That he is never caught and unmasked?"
I scarcely voice my opinion when it comes to Zorro - no one is a just judge in his own case... And my father also is very carful with his words. So, the task of praising the Fox went to our dear sergeant...
"Senor, that man is a real hero! He is brave, cunning and agile. His horse is faster than wind. And he always knows the troubles in the pueblo. Every oppressed man can count on his help - and he never fails!"
And do not forget, my dear sergeant, that you can always count on him when you need someone to invite you for a sip of wine...
"Nevertheless, sergeant," I stop him, although reluctantly, "he indeed is an outlaw, there is price on his head, and one day you will get it!"
"Oh yes, Don Diego, I will! But," the languorous face of Sergeant Garcia clouded, "after the day I will catch him, I will not feel so safe as before..."
"It may be fancy to sneak in shadows with the sword," Rosa suddenly took voice, "but grown up men have other ways to serve the society. To serve with their knowledge and wisdom, not tricks. As Diego, for example."
I choked on the wine I was just drinking. Diego de la Vega is rarely compared to Zorro, and even if, the result is never to his favour. "Thank you, Rosita, but I must admit that in troublesome times such as these we have now, men with swords are of better use."
"I don't think you really believe it! If you did, you would take one yourself."
I wanted to mumble something about my lack of experience, but luckily in that moment my clumsy Bernardo, who just entered the sala, broke a pot, drawing everyone's attention. I jumped to help him gather the remains and he quickly made two signs: "talk" and "Zorro" and ran away to the patio.
"Poor Bernardo, he is so embarrassed! And it was only the old clay pot! I must show him, that everything is all right," I explain and run after him, hearing my father talking something about the great attachment his son has to the goofy deaf-mute servant.
When we were outside, he started to picture with his hands. Two vaqueros. Talk. Don Carlos. Anger. Revenge? Woman. Oh, Rosa. Stunt. Capture? But then something more. Four people. They have friends? Four strangers? No, together six. So, our vaqueros from Santa Chiara have four more friends and together want revenge on Don Carlos. And on Rosa.
"Do you know when?" I ask anxiously.
Bernardo points the sun and then the horizon. So tonight.
When I return to sala, dinner is almost finished and Don Ignatio already decided to go to his house and spend his first night there. Don Carlos says he will go with him and Rosa, and then take her back to the de la Vega hacienda, as it is still in no condition for a woman to sleep in Pulido's rancho. He says strongly "I will go with Rosa" and throw me a challenging glance. Obviously I am excluded from this escapade. Well, I will not insist to accompany them. Who could oppose the hero of the plaza? And it happens so, that I may like to probe my tasteless black clothes tonight. However...
"Maybe you should take a few of our vaqueros with you? This man who attacked us in the pueblo may want to take revenge..." Why do I have to be so fair? I could keep the whole play for myself and let him be humiliated with the rescue from Zorro.
Luckily Don Carlos in blinded with his pride: "They didn't attack us, only me and Rosa. And I do not need vaqueros to protect her and me."
Very well, senor, just don't complain I didn't warn you. My noble Don Carlos, with each minute I dislike you more and more! Do I foresee the big "Z" on your fancy suit? Stop, stop, Diego! Grown up men do not behave so... Although it is tempting...
Later that night I keep watch near the Pulido hacienda. Wind struggles with my cape and I can feel Tornado shiver with excitement. It's been a long time since he had an occasion to ride with me through the night.
"I missed it too, my friend," I whisper, and he understands.
Finally a little carriage leaves the hacienda, heading to the da la Vega rancho. I follow them, hidden in shadows of the mountain. In such moments I feel that I am who I was born to be. No one sees me, but I see everything. No one expects me, when I sneak in darkness. I am the Fox.
And I see six men lurking in trees. Three of them attack the carriage. I have my pistol ready, but I leave them to Don Carlos. If I am not mistaken, he will be able to cope with them - especially when after the short fight they run away - and that idiot follows them, leaving Rosa alone in the carriage. Then the other three approach her. She has a pistol and shoots - bravely but rather unsuccessfully, as she only wounds one of them in the arm. It maddens them even more. However, by that time I am already by the carriage.
The whip is such a useful, comfortable weapon. Fighting with the sword would be much too honorable for such scoundrels. The whip is quick, has a long distance - I almost do not have to move. And it is painful. Soon they run away in the darkness, yelling with pain. Good. Next time when they will arrive to the new pueblo, they will behave themselves.
Rosita stays near the carriage, very pale and tense. She must be frightened, but she does her best not to show it.
"It is all right, senorita - you are safe now. Your companion will be all right as well. They only wanted to pull him away from you."
"Gracias, senor," she says with a voice that almost doesn't tremble. Almost.
"Come on, senorita, I will take you to the de la Vega hacienda." I reach my hand to help her get on Tornado. To my surprise she refuses.
"No thank you. But if you could go to the hacienda and tell don Diego that I am here... I will gladly wait."
My sweet lady, so you want me to ride to the cave, change my clothes, run to the hacienda and then ride back? And leave you here alone for at least an hour?
"I am sorry, senorita, it would be too dangerous to leave you here. Please – you may trust me."
"I will not go any where with you!" She folds her hands and sits on the carriage.
"Senorita, por favor..."
"Go away and leave me alone!" she almost screams.
My pretty but not-so-sweet-anymore friend, I didn't know you have such temper... I am loosing my patience as well, so without further discussion I grab her and pull on the saddle. At first she tries to break free, but then sits stiff as the offended queen. When we reach the hacienda and I want to put her on the ground, instead of "thank you" I get only a strong slap in the face. I am so surprised that I do not manage to dodge it. Then she runs to the hacienda without even a glance back.
Not that I am vain, but most women in Los Angeles and Monterey would be delighted with a night ride with el Zorro. I stay stunned in the darkness before the hacienda for a moment, before I jump to look for Don Carlos. It would really be a shame if our hero would get lost in the darkness…
I found him near the empty carriage, quite panicked, I must admit. "Oiga, senor!" I shout. "Your friend is safe in the de la Vega hacienda! Next time watch your lady first, and then seek revenge!"
He is furious and mumbles something that definitely doesn't sound like "thank you".
Now I have to rush to the cave. Tornado is delighted and flies faster than wind.
When I am finally in the hacienda, I can already hear the loud voices. I enter the sala - in my fancy blue nightgown of course, and with my hair disheveled, as if I have been just awakened - and I find myself in the middle of the hellish wrangle. The main source of the noise in my father, who reprimands Don Carlos for being reckless and stupid. Don Carlos has not much for his defense, but nevertheless he shouts in the air something about the honor of the caballero. Rosa looks like she embodies Fury and shouts at Don Carlos something about incompetent defenders, leaving her in the hands of bandits of the night. I am not sure, if her last word weren't referring to me.
"Diego! Finally you are here! Diego please, ask him to leave!"
"Whom, Don Carlos? But why, for God's sake? What happened!"
"I just want him to leave!" she screams and I have an unpleasant feeling of deja vu.
"Ugh... Don Carlos," I turn toward him, "maybe you really should to go to Don Ignatio, and tell him what happened?"
At first he wants to oppose, but then I can see the idea of telling Don Ignatio his version of the evening comes to his mind. It wouldn't be good for him if someone else would first tell the father of his sweetheart about his recklessness.
He bids quickly farewell and leaves. Then Rosa suddenly becomes quiet and says gently to my father: "Don Alejandro, please... I would like to talk to Diego alone for a moment."
"But my child, it is not proper..."
"Only ten minutes, please..."
I sign him silently to go. After all, the very same evening I have been with her alone for at least half an hour. My father leaves, and I ask her: "Will you tell me now, what happened?"
We sit in the candlelight and she is now so quiet, sweet and fragile - nothing of this enraged spitfire I saw a few minutes ago. She tells me what happened, and this time she tells me how scared she was, how scared she still is… I want to console her, assure her, that I would never let anyone to hurt her… I almost touch her, when I regain my reason.
"You shouldn't be so harsh with Don Carlos," I say instead, "he really cares for you, even if he is a little reckless sometimes."
If I wanted to change the mood, I have chosen the words perfectly. Rosa jumps and blows with anger: "Don Carlos! When he rushed after those men and I saw the others approaching, I thought that the best use of my one cartridge would be to shoot at his empty head!"
I have to smile.
"After our dinner conversation I thought you believe in diplomatic ways of solving problems?"
"I neither do, nor don't believe in diplomacy, I believe in you, Diego. I am sure that if you have chosen the peaceful way of life, you must have had the good reason to do so."
She says it with such calm trust! I think that if I would tell her now that I am the black rider who has deceived the whole pueblo for almost two years now, she would only answer with her soft voice: "I understand, Diego. You must have had the good reason to do so." My heart melts and I desperately try to change the subject.
"Do you really want to marry Don Carlos?"
"I do not, but my father insists on it. All of my friends have had families long ago. I had many occasions to marry in Mexico. My father was very patient with me, but now his patience is over. I pleaded with him to return to Los Angeles, before I make my decision, but he will not let me to hold off any longer.
"But why he? Have you not met in Mexico anyone, whom you would like better than Don Carlos?"
"No Diego, I have never met in Mexico anyone, whom I would like better, than..." she hesitates and raises on me her lovely eyes, now so soft and pleading, like a little kitten...
Please, my sweet friend, please just don't tell me that you have been waiting for me all these years... because there is nothing I could do with such confession. I am looking for the right words, but she lowers her head and first breaks the silence.
"Do you know Diego, that you always play with you ear, when you are embarrassed and do not know what to say?"
She pretends to be calm and cheerful, but I can clearly hear the disappointment and tears in her voice. I want to ask her to forgive me, but she whispers quickly: "I am sorry, Diego... Don't be angry with me," and runs away.
The next day she didn't leave her room for the whole day, but during supper Don Ignatio confided to my father, that he soon hopes to finally announce the betrothal of his daughter and Don Carlos. Rosa asked for a few more days to consider the decision, but she promised not to hold off too long and follow her father wishes.
My father congratulated him, but was rather quiet and sad that evening. So did I.
I have again the feeling that I lost something important, maybe even very important. Later that night I stay alone in my cave, keeping black mask and cape in my hand, and trying to remember that they were worth it...
Next chapters coming soon... :)
