My friend the fox 4
We arrived in the cave and dismounted Tornado. I wanted to thank my friend for getting me out of the jail cell but before I could even begin to sign, he pulled me into a bear hug, carefully minding my sore back.
"It's good to have you home, Bernardo," he said quietly before releasing me. I nodded my agreement. It was good to be back.
"However, I don't think this book is closed yet, my friend."
My frown stated my question but I had an idea what he meant. I needed him to voice it, though.
"Zorro got you to safety, he even got a written note that it was all a scam, but Monastario won't give up so easily. My work isn't done yet." He unsaddled Tornado and I provided the faithful stallion with water and some apples. Zorro came to stand next to me and patted Tornado's neck.
"How does your back feel, Bernardo? Can I do anything to help?"
I could tell he felt guilty about not having been able to prevent that experience for me. I could feel a slight burning sensation still, but my clothes had probably made sure the damage wasn't too bad. I didn't even know if the skin was broken.
I signed as much and my friend helped me check if there was a wound. I took off my jacket and shirt and he inspected my back for me.
"You were lucky, mi amigo. It will be sore for a while but it's only an angry red mark, no open wound." I could hear the relief as he spoke and he flashed me one of his big smiles when I turned around again after putting my clothes back on. It was a smile that I heartily returned.
Together, we climbed up the secret passage to the small chamber next to Diego's room. He started changing out of his Zorro attire and caught my puzzled gaze. I thought he'd said his work wasn't done yet and signed as much.
"Si, I am not finished for the night." Pulling my eyebrows up, I gestured to Zorro's outfit. He chuckled.
"Diego will ride to Santa Ana now. I will meet my friend Pedro there. You remember him, don't you?"
I frowned, thinking. The only Pedro I knew to be his friend was Pedro de Borbón, whom Diego studied with in Madrid. Looking at my friend, I saw the devious smile on his face, remembering what both Diego and Zorro had told Monastario. Pedro de Borbón was King Ferdinand's nephew. A smile spread over my face and I nodded my understanding. But then confusion flooded me. How did Diego know where to find Pedro? Diego must have read my question from my mimics and chuckled even louder all the while changing into Diego's clothes.
"You wonder how I know Pedro isn't in Spain? Well, just over a month ago I received a letter from him. Return address from Santa Ana. He told me he'd arrived there to stay a while and wanted a chance to meet up again. Alas, so far I hadn't found the time to do so, but I will show the capitán that the word of a de la Vega is no idle threat and pay Pedro a visit."
Diego's expression showed he looked forward to meeting his old friend. But I also detected an air of concern on his features.
"You, my friend, should remain in the passages just in case the commandante gets the curious notion to come looking here for you. He mustn't find you while I'm gone. I hope to be back with Pedro in time for breakfast."
With that, he laid his hand on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. Then he looked through the peep hole to make sure the room was empty and turned the handle to open the secret door. Stepping through it, he smiled at me once more before the door closed. A few moments later, I heard another door close and I knew Diego had left his room.
***zzz***
I must have fallen asleep in the cave. When I woke up my whole back felt stiff, and it wasn't all from the whipping. I stretched and got up, seeing that Tornado got a bucket of fresh water and some hay to eat. Then I made my way up to Zorro's chamber. For lack of entertainment, I went about polishing the fox's rapier, when I heard the door to Diego's room open. Shortly thereafter, the door to the secret chamber opened as well.
Diego smiled when he saw me. He was tired, I could see it in his eyes, but he looked like a man who was happy with what he accomplished. His quest to find Pedro must have gone well.
"Buenos dias, Bernardo," he greeted me with a weary smile. "How are you feeling?"
I signed my aches but that in general I felt alright and put in a question about his trip.
"Oh, Pedro is downstairs with my father. He was happy to see me, even at that ungodly time of night that I arrived there. I explained to him what had happened and he immediately agreed to return with me."
I smiled, remembering how Pedro once helped Diego out of a tight spot in Madrid, just because the young man from California had jumped to his defence without even knowing him. It certainly hadn't been easy for Pedro at the university. Everyone knew who he was and there was always that niggling feeling with some students that because of his position, he would get preferential treatment by the professors.
Pedro had been a good student at most subjects, but fencing wasn't his cup of tea. Another student, after having too much wine, started to pick a fight with Pedro and challenged him to a fencing bout. Pedro, knowing he wouldn't be any competition even though his opponent was drunk, declined and the situation escalated. Which was the moment that Diego entered the scene. I had only met Diego two weeks prior to this but had grown fond of him almost instantly. Diego settled the fencing bout for Pedro with a victory, only thereafter learning whom it was that he helped. Since then, Pedro had always done whatever was in his power to help Diego if he was in trouble. So when Diego unknowingly had irked the ire of a senior student who then tried to blackmail my friend, Pedro had stepped in, using his connections to keep Diego out of trouble.
I followed Diego into his room where he changed into a clean caballero suit. He washed and shaved and then asked me to bring his rapier. Frowning, I went to open the secret chamber.
"No, Bernardo. Not Zorro's rapier, Diego's," he grinned. I couldn't help but open my eyes wide in surprise.
"Well, you know, just for show. Pedro isn't used to seeing me without one and I don't want to risk him getting suspicious. I already bewildered him with my request to keep my fencing achievement from Madrid from everyone here. He didn't ask any questions when I told him I preferred nobody knew I could fence. I told him I didn't feel like having a duel a day because all of Los Angeles would want to test their skills against the fencing champion of Madrid's university. He seemed to understand."
I nodded my comprehension and signed to him about breakfast.
"Si, Bernardo. I'm feeling hungry, too. I will see to it that you will get a big plate full. I will ask Cresencia to have some brought to my room in case I get hungry later."
I frowned, wanting to go downstairs with him for breakfast. I was eager to see Pedro for myself.
"You can't come down, Bernardo," Diego said in a sad voice. "Nobody knows Zorro freed you and even if my father has heard, how would we explain you being here? Zorro didn't drop you officially off. It would only raise suspicion. I'm sorry, my friend."
I nodded my understanding. For a moment there the facts he just pointed out, had slipped my mind. Diego would have breakfast with his father and his friend, and then the three of them would go into the pueblo to confront Monastario. I smiled at my master, showing him I caught on to his scheme, and he graced me again with that big smile of his.
"Don't worry, Bernardo. You will soon be free to move around again."
With that Diego left the room to join the others in the sala.