Through the Eyes of a Fox Disclaimer:
Through the jagged clouds, the dawn light shines down on the small group of horsemen, carving lines of shadow onto their faces and gilding the flanks of their mounts.
"You shall murder him!"Don Alejandro snarls, deliberately butting one man's horse with his own stout roan.
Armando grins at the older man insolently. "Oh, and do you think that he isn't going to be killed anyway? Before we have even counted our reward, he will be swinging from the cuartel's gallows!"
Zorro is stumbling between them, hands tied, a thin cord bound about his neck. Helpless, surrounded by four horsemen, he keeps up an awkward jog, but Alejandro can see his strength is waning.
"All night he has stood in the stables, and the day before he has spent keeping up with your horses! Surely you can see, Castillo, he will not last..." Zorro trips on the rocky slope, and his knees give way. Don Alejandro reacts swiftly, cutting off the horseman behind, preventing his horse from running him down. The rider swears, and Armando looks back and yanks on the noose, dragging Zorro's body forward several paces. Alejandro grinds his teeth in fury as Zorro attempts to regain his feet, choking, and makes a decision. He dismounts and slices the rope with his blade.
Armando roars with rage, galloping his stallion back towards the pair, pushing his own men aside. "What do you think you are doing, old man?"
Alejandro helps Zorro regain his feet. "There is no need to be unnecessarily cruel. He will ride with me to the pueblo." He keeps his voice calm as he removes the strangling noose, although there is still anger churning in his stomach as he notes the deep black bruises that ring Zorro's throat. "And you will address me with respect, bounty hunter, if you do not wish to end up in a cell yourself."
Placing Zorro on his sturdy roan, he mounts behind him and canters off towards the pueblo, ignoring Armando spluttering behind him, and the murmurs of his hired men.
"Gracias, senor." Zorro's voice has been worn away to a painful rasp, and he is slumped with exhaustion on the horse's neck.
"It is nothing, my friend. I would not see any member of the pueblo treated in such a manner without intervening. I only regret that, with these brutes so close, I cannot help you escape." Zorro turns his head, and Alejandro catches the flash of his teeth, more a grimace than a grin.
"Unfortunately senor, even if you could give me that chance I cannot use it." His shoulders slump. "Toronado is in their grip, and I am so tired."
The group ride on in silence, each with their own thoughts. Alejandro is trying to work out how many blades he can muster before the execution is set. Even his son would be useful, if he were not visiting a childhood friend several day's ride away. The journey into the pueblo is not a long nor a difficult one, but Alejandro stalls for as long as he can, keeping his roan to a gentle trot or a quick walk, forcing Armando's men to slow their pace. Eventually, however, the pueblo draws into sight.
Armando's men cheer, kick their mounts to a gallop. Waiting ahead for them is wine and women, song and company, wealth and entertainment. Ahead for Zorro there is only death. As the men race ahead, Alejandro wheels his horse, a half-formed plan in the forefront of his mind to head off and lose himself in the tangle of hills and hidden valleys which border his land. But behind him Armando slouches in the saddle, fingering Zorro's stolen whip.
There is no escape this time.
Author's Note: Thanks go to my reviewers Ida Mirei, WolfDaughter, Robin4, vertigirl, and Icy Waters, without whom this chapter would have been much longer in coming. Thanks :) There will be one or two more chapters for this particular little arc, mostly because I have no idea yet how Zorro is meant to escape. I've boxed him in well and good!
And yes, I am aware that I've misspelt 'senor'. Twice. Unfortunately I am unable to fix it right now.
Until next time,
Taluliaka.