Death Feud 3

The de la Vega carriage was rumbling over the dry ground in the hot, relentless sun, as Bernardo read the letter his master had thrust in his hands. His eyes widened, then squinted, as he read a part again. Finally, wiping a droplet of sweat off his brow, the mute frowned and shook his head. Diego de la Vega, who'd been alternately watching the road and his friend, nodded sharply in response to Bernardo's obvious confusion. He smiled grimly.

"Si, my friend. I am confused, too. I'm beginning to wonder what had been written on the note that our mysterious attacker left. It definitely must have scared Capitán Toledano, else he'd never have set up such a request." Bernardo nodded in agreement and pointed to a certain part of the writing.

"I don't know if it was double traced deliberately or not..." Diego continued, but Bernardo rigorously shook his head. "... but I, like you, am inclined to believe it's no coincidence." At this, Bernardo nodded and tapped his forehead with his index finger. "Si, Capitán Toledano is very clever. His idea of activating the vigilance group of my father's to add reinforcement for the garrison sounds like a reasonable plan." Bernardo looked at the note again, then pointed to his master and signed the letter Z. Diego shrugged.

"Si, it might mean he has figured out about Zorro. At any rate, I don't think if he has, I will have to fear anything." Bernardo narrowed his eyes and held up his hands. "Why?" Diego asked. Bernardo nodded. "Well, don't you think he'd have done something about it by now if his intentions were to give me away? And here he is now requesting my help, our help." Slowly Bernardo nodded, thinking about it, and a smile spread over his face.

"I must say, I think involving Father and the other dons is a brilliant idea. The capitán seems to be really worried and it's always better to be prepared. It's better to be safe than sorry, Mother always said." Having said that, Diego fell silent, lost in thoughts and memories for a moment. Bernardo's hand on his shoulder made him look up again. His friend gave him a questioning look. "Si, I'm alright," Diego confirmed with a brief nod. They continued the rest of the way to the de la Vega rancho in silence, each man indulging in his own thoughts.

***ZzZ***

It was lunchtime in Santa Ana and Corporal Reyes sighed in relief when Private Alonso appeared from inside the cuartel to relieve him of his duty. Sergeant Maldonado, who was in charge while Capitán Toledano wasn't present, had decided to always have a guard outside the cuartel walls, to have someone observe all activities taking place in the plaza. While the corporal himself thought it to be a good idea in light of the recent events in San Diego, he wasn't particularly thrilled to be picked to stand guard when he was merely in Santa Ana to back up the diminished lancers due to the capitán's escort.

Straightening his back and lifting his arm in a salute, Reyes remained that way until Private Alonso had copied his stance, ready to take over the post of a guard.

"Did anything unusual happen, Corporal?" the private investigated. Reyes shook his head slowly. He had been quite bored and ready to doze off, but he had cast a sharp and alert gaze around. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. No children had run around, screaming. No traveler had appeared out of the blue. Only a peculiar looking man had crossed the plaza just before Alonso arrived. The man had drawn Reyes' attention because he'd been constantly watching over his shoulder, as if he feared someone might be observing him.

This behavior had caused Reyes to look at the man, who was of average height and seemed fairly muscular. What struck the corporal as unusual had been the man's clothes. His pants resembled Reyes' own, a military outfit, whereas the vest had an English flair to it. To finish up the mystery dress, the man wore a broad Mexican-style sombrero and a triangular, white necktie. Reyes hadn't been able to see any facial features since the man had pulled the sombrero deep down into his face.

"No, private. Nothing but a man with loco clothes walking in the plaza."

Private Alonso pulled one eyebrow up, then he broke into a grin. "Oh, did he just walk around the corner towards the tavern?"

"Si."

"I've spotted him, too. I've never seen him before, though."

Nodding, Corporal Reyes marched towards the still open gates of the garrison, which were closed behind him as he passed.

***ZzZ***

Soledad Fabregás was returning to her hacienda, riding her silver greyish mare. She had just seen off her brother and a vaquero part of the way towards Mexico. At the mission, they had said their goodbyes and Soledad headed home after briefly stopping to greet Padre Felipe. She reined in her mare on the ridge of a hill to enjoy the view of their newly reclaimed rancho, when, in the distance, she noticed a small carriage passing by. Recognizing the mules that pulled it, she raised her hand to wave, but the occupants of the carriage didn't see her.

With a shrug, Soledad urged her steed into a canter and made her way down the slightly rolling slope to the front gate of the Fabregás hacienda. She'd rest a little, maybe grab a bite to eat, and then she'd meet the carriage at its destination - the hacienda of Don Alejandro and Don Diego de la Vega. Thinking of Diego, her heartbeat sped up however slightly. She had always been fond of the man, even back in their youth. And now, upon her return to Los Angeles, she'd found that he not only was as handsome and courteous as ever, he was also the most daring, dashing and thrilling man she'd ever met, despite what everyone else thought.

Soledad chuckled to herself, shaking her head. Why didn't others see what she did? Why couldn't other people see underneath the mask Diego was wearing in plain sight? Granted, maybe it was for the best. People were prone to not being able to see the forest for the trees. Maybe she had a special ability. Or maybe her unwillingness to accept the change Diego had claimed to have undergone had given her the ability. It boggled her mind, however, how Diego was able to deceive his own father.

Sitting in the patio, Soledad sipped on a mug of hot chocolate that Jolita had brought her. Even though it was a warm day, Soledad had always enjoyed the creaminess of hot chocolate that a cool cup of cocoa was simply missing. Still clinging to her thoughts, she wondered if she should tell Diego that she was seeing through his act. Knowing Diego, that revelation would probably only cause him to worry about her safety. Soledad took a deep breath and sighed. She'd better keep his secret without telling him, at least for now.

***ZzZ***

The door to his room closed silently behind Calisto Sola. Taking off his sombrero, he tossed it onto the bed. So far, he was happy with the information he'd been able to gather. He smiled to himself. Word of his deeds was spreading fast. The lancers he'd seen arriving were sent as reinforcements. They were afraid of him. Rightly so, he thought, a wry smile spreading across his bitter features. The next thought caused the smile to fade again, however. Unless he wanted to risk exposure, he would not be able to punish the commandante of Santa Ana. Fate had intervened and sent the man to Monterey.

Sola slammed his fist on the table, causing the glass containers with his devilish mist to jingle. As fast as his fury had come, it disappeared again. He'd still have a sergeant there to punish. The capitán would have to wait. Glancing out of the window, he saw the guards outside changing shift. They were talking briefly, before the corporal vanished into the cuartel. Calisto Sola pulled his lips into a sneer. How could a corporal allow himself to be used as a mere guard? Maybe he'd have to teach the man a lesson, too.

***ZzZ***

"Father?"

Diego's voice resounded from the patio walls of the de la Vega hacienda. One hand on the railing of the stairs, the caballero was about to head upstairs, when his father appeared from the sala.

"Diego? What is the shouting about?"

Diego turned around and headed towards Don Alejandro. Grabbing him by the arm, he directed the older man back to the sala.

"My son, what is the meaning of this?" the hidalgo demanded, somewhat confused. Diego looked over his shoulder to see if any of the servants were around. When he was satisfied that they were alone, he addressed his father.

"Father, Sergeant Garcia passed on this note for me when I was in town." He handed the piece of parchment to Alejandro, who accepted it with a frown and unfolded it. "It's from Capitán Toledano," Diego added quietly. Alejandro, who had just started to read, looked up again, into his son's eyes.

"Capitán Toledano?" Diego nodded. "But he's in Santa Ana. Where did Garcia get this note?" Alejandro turned it around again, noticing his son's name on it. Then he glanced at the signature. Toledano, indeed, he mused.

"Apparently, it came with a note addressed to Garcia himself, which was about the events that occurred in San Diego. I take it the military courier is faster than the royal mail," Diego chuckled uneasily. His father glanced at him quickly and then resumed reading.

Diego walked to the massive dining table and half-sat, half-leaned against its corner, watching his father's expression while the older man was reading. Alejandro narrowed his eyes during his lecture. When he was done, he graced his son with an inquisitive look, before starting to read the letter once more. After he finished again, he lowered the parchment and smiled briefly at his son.

"I must say, Diego, I share the capitán's concern. His idea of involving our friends sounds reasonable. In times like these, the people have to support the military if needed. I would like to gather the dons here this evening after dinner." Diego nodded his consent. "Diego, do you think your friend Don Raúl would care to join our group? His being a former lieutenant could come in handy."

"Oh, I agree with you there, Father. However, I don't think he has the time at this moment." Diego replied with a sly grin. His father narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"Do explain, mi hijo."

"Well, you know, just this morning he left for Mexico to bring his fiancée back to Los Angeles."

Don Alejandro gasped for air, then his mouth formed an understanding oh. "I must say he has more sense than you, my son. I wonder if I will ever see grandchildren running through this hacienda."

"Father, please," Diego just barely refrained from rolling his eyes in despair. "With your permission, I will go fetch Bernardo and Juan to deliver the invitations to the dons." Diego straightened and walked past his father, who watched his retreating back. Just as his son was about to pass through the door, the haciendado spoke.

"Capitán Toledano must hold a high opinion of you, son."

Diego stopped dead in his tracks. "How do you mean, Father?" A faint trembling of his voice betrayed his tenseness. He turned to face the other man.

"He could have addressed this letter to me, or Don Alfredo. But he chose you."

The silence weighed heavy between the two men. Diego waited for his father to continue whereas Alejandro waited for an explanation. Seeing he wouldn't get one, he smiled tightly.

"It also seems that the capitán is in need of a new quill. He had to trace a letter double, making it stand out." Diego's hair on his neck stood on edge. He was standing as still as a statue, not willing to risk a move that would give his feelings away. "Or he simply thinks that you, my son, know how to contact Zorro."

With that, Alejandro de la Vega marched past his son through the open door, dropping the letter into Diego's hand. In the patio, the old hidalgo smiled broadly to himself.