Chapter 4 - Mendoza.
"Sergeant! The alcalde has double crossed you!"
After Mendoza had made sure that Senora Risendo was secured in the cuartel cells for the Alcalde to deal with at a later time, he gave orders to the men to clean out the stables and to exercise their horses before he entered the separate quarters that was assigned to him as Sergeant. It was only a small room, just enough to have his bed, a cupboard which held his uniforms and a set of drawers as well as a small table and a single chair under the window.
He sighed as he closed the door behind him, removed his hat and closed his eyes to say a quiet prayer for the de la Vegas.
Now that the terrible situation was finally over, his heart was full of sadness for his friends; sad that the unknown son of the most respected man had been killed by his commanding officer. He shook his head, he knew it wasn't de Soto's fault for he had saved the life of Don Diego; another man that he respected and admired.
Not like the Alcalde.
He opened his eyes and sat down on his bed dejectedly. "I can't do this anymore. I can't take the lack of respect from my commanding officers anymore." he muttered tiredly as he ran his fingers through his hair and reflected on the last several days.
Never before had a commanding officer of his had betrayed him in such a way. Not even Ramone, with all his ruthless and wicked ways, had run away like de Soto had done. In all the years that he had been in the military, he had heard about and on rare occasions had actually seen cowardice but he never expected to see it up so close and so personal; the moment that de Soto ran away, his own life was forfeited.
"I still can't believe he did that." he muttered. "It was one thing for a frightened man to flee for his life but it's entirely different when there was another person relying on you to keep your word."
de Soto's had betrayal hurt him more than he thought possible. "I know it's a soldier's life is to obey orders but how can I obey him now, after what he had done? How can I trust him not to do it again?" he asked himself.
He sighed tiredly as he came to a decision. "There's only one thing that I can do."
He stood up, left his quarters and walked over to the Alcalde's office and was pleased to find it empty; he didn't want to confront him right now for he didn't know if he could hide his distrust or his dislike for de Soto. He went straight to the metal cabinet that was in the corner and pulled out the middle drawer and searched for the papers he wanted. He found them at the end of the drawer and then he sat at the Alcalde's desk and with great consideration, he completed the forms.
Once finished, he placed the paperwork in the middle of the desk where de Soto would see it and left the office. Although his heart was heavy with his decision, he knew that he had done the right thing and it was the right time to do it and as he walked towards the tavern he saw de Soto leave the mission chapel and he quickened his pace; he didn't want to speak with his commanding officer yet.
It was several hours later when Corporal Sepulveda found Mendoza emerging from the tavern. "Sergeant, the Alcalde wants to see you on the double." He said before he whispered a warning. "The Alcalde's in a strange mood."
Mendoza just nodded. "Gracias Corporal." He replied as he crossed over the dusty plaza and knocked on the Alcalde's door.
"Come." de Soto's voice came from the other side.
Mendoza entered the office and stood at attention in front of his commanding officer, waiting for the angry outburst for what he had done. But he was surprised by what de Soto said.
de Soto stared down at the papers that were on his desk before he looked up at the man in front of him. "At ease Sergeant. I guess I should have expected this and I fully understand why you wish to do so. My behaviour over the last several days has been appalling to say the least and I would like to apologise for what I had done." he offered sincerely.
Mendoza was shocked, he never thought that de Soto would actually apologise to him. "You did what you thought was right Alcalde." He replied carefully.
de Soto snorted. "Right for whom, you or me?" he paused as he leant forward in his seat. "Sergeant, I know we haven't always worked well together but to actually retire, right now, from the military when you still have many years of service left, would be a waste of talent."
Mendoza nodded. "I've been in the military all my adult life but I...I no longer have the...desire to serve in the militia."
de Soto frowned slightly. "You don't have to retire, I can give you a furlough. You've probably have many weeks or even months in accumulated leave. You could take all of it and travel somewhere, go to Mexico City or even go to Spain if you wish."
Mendoza shook his head. "That's very kind of you to suggest that Alcalde but I've made up my mind." he stated firmly. He knew that it was the right time to leave; he had lost his sense of duty to his country when the King had sent such a monster as Risendo to destroy his friend's lives. What happened with de Soto was just the last straw after all the years of having to put up with uncaring and vengeful leaders.
de Soto sighed as he realised that Mendoza was adamant in his desire to retire and nothing he could say would change his mind. He picked up his quill and signed the papers. "Very well Sergeant, I'll send this to Monterey in the next dispatch."
"Gracias Alcalde and until the release papers arrive, I will continue to do my best for the garrison and the people of Los Angeles."
de Soto silently took note that Mendoza had failed to mention his own name. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Tell me Sergeant, what are you going to do now? The pension that you are entitled to for almost twenty five years of service is much less that what you earn now."
Mendoza smiled warmly for the first time since he entered the office. "Senorita Escalante has given me a job at the tavern. I will be able to work on my favourite recipes and keep order in the main taproom and if Senorita Escalante has to go away, she said that I would become manager in her place." He replied as he bounced on his toes at the thought of spending time in the tavern, talking with all his friends and discovering new ways of cooking food.
de Soto watched in amazement at the transformation of pure happiness on the other man's face and he shook his head ruefully; Mendoza and his love of food was the one constant in his life. "Well Sergeant, you will be missed in the barracks."
Mendoza nodded, pleased that de Soto had accepted his decision so easily. "Si but I'll only be over at the tavern and the blacksmith has a spare room that I can rent, so I won't be leaving Los Angeles and my friends."