And Then I Knew
4- De Soto's POV
De Soto grimaced at the knock on his office door. He knew his students had just received their final marks and would be more than upset at his marking scheme. He did not look forward to watching arrogant and lazy young men beg for leniency. If they wanted better marks they should have worked harder. Though with only one more semester left until retirement he had been tempted just to pass most of them to avoid the onslaught of complaints.
"Professor De Soto I wonder if I may speak with you for a moment?"
De Soto was surprised to see Sebastian, he was one of the few students who had actually passed his courses and he had never asked to speak with him before. Usually he just participated in class, did the prescribed work and went on his way. De Soto almost regretted this, there was something about Sebastian that made him want to fail him.
"Yes Sebastian?" asked De Soto, gesturing for the young man to sit down in front of his desk. "I take it you aren't disappointed with your marks," he stated.
Sebastian looked up in surprise at his professor. As a matter of fact he was disappointed but knew De Soto marked fiercely and was just happy to pass. He knew his father and mother would understand when he explained to him about De Soto. Though he wondered if they would believe in such a bitter old man. But either way he had no more classes with him and was relieved at the prospect.
"No, it's not about that. I actually wanted to ask you something. I know you are going to retire soon and I wanted to know, who is going to replace you as the fencing instructor?"
De Soto looked at surprise at the young man.
"I don't think they have found anyone yet," he remarked carelessly, wondering why the young man was curious. "Why do you ask? You have never enrolled in lessons." He eyed the sword the young man carried at his side.
"Oh, my father thought I should focus on other things if he was going to send me to Spain," explained Sebastian quickly.
For years Sebastian had practiced the art of fencing, with one goal, to beat first Felipe, and then his father. He had pursued the goal with such single minded intensity that when he had finally done it, his father had given him the blade of Toledo steel with pride and told him to focus on other things when he arrived in Madrid for his studies.
De Soto looked at the young man with interest, he had wondered this when he first read his pupil's last name on his exam sheet, but he had doubted it could be the same family. Now he was not so sure.
"You do not happen to be related to Diego De la Vega?" he asked, remembering a time far away. A chapter in his life that he tried not to think about.
"Yes that's my father," said Sebastian Alejandro De la Vega with pride.
De Soto almost chuckled but stopped himself, so good old Diego raising an army of pacifists. Though he was surprised he had ever married.
"I went to school with your father," stated De Soto, not mentioning his time as alcalde of Los Angeles.
This seemed to please the boy and he was made brave enough to ask the favour he was meaning to request when he came to talk to De Soto.
"Yes, well, my older brother Felipe and his wife are coming to visit me. They are going to be here for half a year and I thought Felipe could take on the post as the fencing instructor until they find someone permanent to replace you."
Felipe had mentioned nothing of the kind, but Sebastian knew his brother would grow very bored in Madrid if he did not have some sort of occupation.
De Soto looked at Sebastian in wonderment.
"Does Felipe know how to fence?" asked De Soto, barely keeping his tone serious.
"Of course, father taught him."
This time De Soto could not help himself. He laughed of the absurd idea that Diego's adopted deaf mute son would be a fencing instructor at the University of Madrid.
"I do not understand what is so funny sir," bite out Sebastian.
"Your father teach anyone to fence?" asked De Soto in amazement. "He was the clumsiest man with a sword I have ever seen in my life and what he lacked in skill he lacked even further in bravado. And your brother Felipe? A deaf mute being taught by your father? It could only result in disaster."
Sebastian was on his feet in a second, the De la Vega pride and Escalante temper burning at the insults to his family. He pulled out his sword and lifted it inb challenge to his professor.
"I will show you what my father taught me," he bit out before remembering his father's words and gaining a control of his emotions.
De Soto starred at the sword, and the look in the young man's eyes. He had tried hard to forget this part.
"What was your mother's name before she married your father?" he asked softly as Sebastian watched him like a hawk about to move on its prey.
"Victoria Escalente," replied Sebastian, looking at De Soto in surprise, but not lowering his sword.
De Soto nodded at this. He remained quiet for several minutes before responding.
"In that case, I made a mistake about your father. He is an excellent swordsman."
Sebastian starred at the older man in surprise, placing his sword back at his side.
"So would you give a good word for Felipe?" asked Sebastian, not quite sure what just happened. Or why his professor looked like he had seen a ghost.
De Soto merely nodded, and Sebastian left with the feeling something very odd had happened. He would have to write his parents about this.
The End