Chapter 7

Pedro and Juan Bastos were following don Alejandro, they came close of being discovered twice. Because of the difficulty of this task, they had decided to stay together.

To lure don Alejandro would be difficult but not impossible, they just needed to wait for the right time.

Now the last one Felipe that would be almost impossible. Because he was almost always at Diego's side, and to make Diego suffer he needed to get Felipe alone.

They were about to leave when they heard a voice and two horses. The two bandits recognized the voice as the one that belonged to Diego De La Vega.

" Felipe, I have an appointment with our lawyer in three days and I will need you with me because it is the final step in the process of adopting you as my son." Diego looked around and with caution mentioned " We will travel both of us, so you know what to do."

** What about your father?**

Diego knew what Felipe meant when he asked this. His father could take care of Toronado since he knew, after the defeat of his long-lost brother.

" I know that my father knows but you also know what my horse is like." Felipe laughed he knew Toronado's personality all to well. The horse was as stubborn as his master. So he understood the silent task ahead. Diego would take Toronado with him to Santa Paula, so there was nothing else to do then to dye the horse his forelock.

** What about your horse his tail?**

People who didn't know there secret wouldn't know what the two were talking about.

" I don't think it is a good idea. You know that day that we used a false one? Do we have enough of it?"

The young servant thought long and after long thinking he nodded.

" I will help you with that, because when Zorro need to appear he need to be black again remember."

Felipe nodded in agreement.

The moment they heard that Diego and Felipe would be in Santa Paula for two day they left quietly without being seen. Little did they know they left to soon. They never heard the talk about disguising Toronado.

They stopped talking when they arrived at the hacienda.

" Let's tend for the horses and get to work. We have a lot of work with our friend." he winked to Felipe.

The minutes flew by while they where working on the rest of Toronado's disguise. When Diego heard footsteps coming down, from the secret panel in the library. Out of reflex and still not used too the fact that his father knew his secret he placed his self behind the wall. His trainingssabre in his hand ready to attack his intruder. When the steps came down the cave he startled, not letting go of his sabre.

" Father!"

" Speaking of a warm welcome." The sarcasm in don Alejandro's voice filled the otherwise silent room. Even Toronado stopped chewing his hay.

Diego placed the sabre back on his desk. " I am still not used of you knowing all of this forgive me."

His chuckled " your forgiven Diego. What are you too doing by the way?"

With pride, they showed what they already managed to do. The forelock was still good enough to use, but they needed to have enough to hide his mane and tail.

" I bought this a few years ago, these are synthetic strings, we use it when we need to disguise Toronado. Like I did when I rode too Forza del diablo in search of Victoria's father."

" I understand that Diego but why taking the risk in taking him with you if I can take care of him. Or didn't I prove enough to be good with horses. I have stallions too you know."

Diego laughed at his statement and passed his father too stroke his famous stallions head. " It's not that I am worried about you not taking care of Toronado, I am more worried of Toronado being difficult. He has a sort of De La Vega temper and the stubbornness."

" I know that son, I know stallions need to be treated with caution but I can handle him."

Diego's face became serious when he turned around. Toronado making a disappointed sound with the end of the strokes.

" Stallions need a warning sign, this stallion needs a person he knows well enough to trust. He will let you near him as long as I am near or Felipe. We will work to build a trust connection between you two when I am back from Santa Paula. So that when something happens to me or Felipe you can take care of him."

Don Alejandro understood what his son was saying. His stallion was loyal to his masters. But it would take time to trust his stallion with his father. Although the fact that Toronado was the best trained stallion in the pueblo, he still was half wild.

And it would always be his favorite and he loved to take him on a trip from time to time.

" But father I need you to take care of Quiero for me, he will stay in Toronado's stable. Bring him to the border on the morning we arrive back, that way he looks tired. I can send Toronado home alone that not a problem."

" At least let me help with the disguise, so that I can start bounding with your amazing animal."

Diego nodded and continued there work. Today is just making the disguise, a few hours before I leave with Felipe, we will attache our work. Let's say after breakfast."

Don Alejandro nodded in agreement. He never felt so proud to call Diego his son.

It still felt strange for Diego to get a whole night sleep. This week was exceptionally quiet. It almost scared him. Could it be silence before a storm he asked himself right before he fell asleep.

*z*

On the rancho where the Carvajal brother met there end was less quiet and peaceful. The plan was finished, but the atmosphere between husband and wife was worse then hell itself.

Amelié felt more and more tired, she slept more and more during the day, She blamed it on the new bed they bought in San Pedro, she blamed it on her restless night rest.

Her mood got worse by the day, until they had fights all day long. That way she could blame the head ache to the stress. Never would she think that she could be sick, let alone that her life was in danger.

It was until she couldn't lift a box of the ground that she became worried.

" tigre, I am not feeling well." those were the last words before she collapsed to the ground.

The bang of the chair she took with her in her fall, made Charles startle and look in her direction.

" Cherié... Cherié..., please answer me. Cherié..."

I couldn't help myself to stop the chapter here.

What is wrong with her? How is our villain going to lure Diego's friends.

TBC...