"DREAMS LOST AND FOUND"
PART 8
With a nod to the episode "Sanctuary"
Chapter 11:
For the next few days, things are very quiet. Diego spends his time quietly courting Victoria: hours in the garden--talking or sitting in silence, content with one another's company; listening to him read poetry or play the piano; picnics beside a nearby stream . . .
Then word comes that the same two banditos who robbed the tavern have made a brazen daylight robbery of the Pueblo's single jewelry store--stealing many valuable pieces and unset stones. Having been told that it was the same two, Diego doesn't hesitate--scribbling a quick note to his father to explain that one of the nearby farmers needs some legal advice and that he will be back as soon as he can. Victoria, who is assisting Maria in the Hacienda's kitchen, he simply tells that they have struck again and that he is going to go after them so that he can get her money back.
By noon, Zorro is tracking the two men from where they hid their horses on the outskirts of the Pueblo before robbing the jewelry store. Judging by their trail, which is extremely easy to follow, they obviously aren't expecting anyone to follow them--especially the inept soldiers led by the Alcalde'. Eager for a run and some exercise, Toronado gallops along--moving sure-footedly over the rough terrain.
They arrive at an old, abandoned farmhouse in time to see the two banditos getting ready to divide up their loot. The black stallion comes to a rearing halt as his owner swings out of the saddle, ready to fight.
Seeing the masked man, the men immediately attack. But within minutes, it is obvious that they are greatly outclassed. Zorro ends the fight with a neatly carved "Z" on their backsides--after he tripped them and they ended up face down in the dust. They make a break for their horses and gallop away. He decides against pursuing them, instead wanting to return the stolen loot to the jewelry store, and Victoria's hard-earned money to her. He kneels beside a blanket to start gathering everything and put it into the saddlebags that the banditos left behind.
Suddenly--Toronado knickers sharply in alarm!
But before he can react, Zorro is struck in the right wrist by a large rattlesnake!
Making his way over to a nearby water trough, he manages to pull off his glove before taking his knife and making to slashes in the fang marks. He sucks out two mouthfuls of blood, spitting it out, trying to get rid of the poison. But he can already feel the venom starting to work on his body. He plunges his arm into the cool water--trying to reduce how quickly it spreads. But he realizes he must get into some shade, so he manages to drag himself into the ruins of an old lean-to that was once used to shelter horses. He collapses onto an old pile of hay, already in a cold sweat. But he somehow fashions a tourniquet and ties it around his upper arm.
Toronado steps over, nuzzling his owner gently. Zorro can see the worry in the stallion's dark eyes and can't help but smile a little, "Go--get help--Victoria--Father--
Felipe'--"
Realizing his owner is in serious trouble, Toronado knickers once more before spinning on his heels and galloping off. Zorro watches him for a moment, then struggles to get out of his shirt in an effort to cool off. But--he leaves on his mask just in case someone comes by (especially the soldiers or a stranger).
Chapter 12:
Victoria is sitting in the garden, daydreaming about the future, when she becomes aware of rapidly approaching hoof beats. She's startled to see a large black horse, wearing a silver-trimmed saddle and bridle, with no rider, approaching the Hacienda at a gallop. Curious, but not afraid, she stands and makes her way to the gate.
Seeing the woman that his owner is so devoted to, Toronado comes to a rearing stop in front of her. She hesitantly reaches up to stroke the velvety muzzle. To her surprise, he obviously knows her because he knickers softly, "Has something happened to Zorro? Is that why you came here--for help?"
When the stallion tosses his head, she doesn't hesitate, "Give me a moment to get some medical supplies and a blanket."
Victoria doesn't stop to think about her actions as she gets a basket and fills them with medical supplies, a blanket, and two canteens full of fresh water. Going back outside, she finds Toronado waiting patiently at the gate. She lashes the basket and blanket to the saddle, then loops the canteens around the horn.
But she hesitates after tossing the reins back around the horn. At seventeen hands, the stallion is a bit taller than she would like. But she instinctively trusts the fiery black horse.Sensing her nervousness, he politely kneels for her to climb into the saddle and pick up the reins. When he stands, she gives him a nudge with her heels, "Take me to where you left Zorro."
Toronado's long legs fly over the rugged desert, never missing a stride, as he returns to his owner's side. Victoria simply hangs on for dear life, trusting that the horse knows where he's going.
Zorro becomes dimly aware of rapidly hoof beats. But is too sick to care. Violent chills wrack his body as he huddles into the hay under his cape. He closes his eyes--wishing for--
Toronado comes to a rearing halt at the edge of the barnyard. Victoria slips out of the saddle and looks around, "Where is he?" The stallion nudges her towards the shelter. She takes a moment to remove the blanket, basket, and canteens. She goes into the shelter to find Zorro huddled into a pile of hay. Dropping to her knees beside him, she puts a gentle hand on his forehead--finding even the black silk mask soaked with sweat. Wetting her handkerchief with water from one of the canteens, she gently wipes the sweat from his face and neck.
Zorro senses movement in the straw beside him, then something cool and damp on his face and neck. At the gentle touch, he risks opening his eyes. A familiar face swims into focus, "Victoria--"
"Ssh," she soothes, pulling back the cape then using another handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from his chest. "It's all right--I'm here now, Mi Amor. Just let me take care of you." A quick glance at the well-muscled right arm tells her what happened: two short deep gashes--snakebite. After cleaning the clotted blood away and loosening the tourniquet, she applies a poultice that Maria supplied her with. Then, she props the arm on a pile of hay so that it's above his heart.
Noticing a well near the ruins of the farmhouse, Victoria gets a bucket of fresh water and returns to Zorro's side, kneeling beside him to bathe his face and neck with the cool water. The brilliant blue eyes fly open, "Victoria--"
"Ssh--ssh--I'm right here, beside you," she soothes, brushing a gentle hand across his cheek.
"How--"
"Toronado brought me here."
"Your money--the jewelry--"
"That's the least of my worries. Rest until you feel better." She wraps the blanket around him, leaving the injured arm out so that she can keep an eye on it. She once again bathes his face, "How do you feel, Mi Amor?"
"Much better--now that you're here." With a great deal of effort, he manages to get his good hand out from under the blanket and reach up to brush it across her cheek, his voice a mere whisper, "Querida--" The hand drops as exhaustion finally wins out.
Victoria moves so that she can sit with Zorro's head in her lap, the bucket of cool water close at hand. Toronado steps into the shade cast by the lean-to, concern for his owner evident in his dark eyes, as he nuzzles him. She speaks softly to the big black horse, "Thanks to you, I think Zorro will be fine."
As she sits there, bathing Zorro's face and neck, images flood her mind: stolen kisses in the shadows, moonlit rides, tender looks . . .Tears drip down her face onto the silk mask as she continues bathing him.
Horse and woman maintain their vigil as Zorro tosses in a high-fever--sometimes delirious--often calling out her name. Victoria whispers soft words of love and reassurance--hoping her voice will reach him through the haze. She leaves his side only long enough to refill the water bucket and fill another so that Toronado will have something to drink as well.
Finally, about sunset, Victoria can't stand it any longer. She uses Zorro's knife to cut a piece of her red blouse off and tie to Toronado's saddle horn before looping the reins around it. "Go find Felipe' or Don Alejandro. Zorro needs their help." The stallion tosses his head before galloping off.
Victoria returns to Zorro's side to bathe him again. His fever-glazed blue eyes open at her gentle touch, "Victoria--"
"I'm here, Mi Amor."
Zorro reaches up with his good hand to lightly stroke her cheek, "Are you--all right?"
"Si--of course. It's you I'm worried about. I've sent Toronado back to the Hacienda for help. Felipe' and Don Alejandro should arrive shortly. How do you feel?"
"Weak--exhausted--"
Victoria pulls the blanket back, revealing a lean, finely muscled chest. Zorro closes his eyes in embarrassment as she wipes away the sweat. She can't resist a little teasing, despite the situation, "There is nothing to be bashful about. When we marry, I expect I will see much more than your chest."
"Querida--your memory--"
"Seeing you injured has brought it back. Rest easy--help will be here in a little while." She wrings out the cloth and wipes his face.
"You remember--everything--"
"Everything, Mi Amor."
"Can you--do you--still love the man behind the mask," Zorro fights against passing out as he waits for her answer.
For her answer, Victoria catches his good hand and presses it to his lips, "I've always loved the man behind the mask. I just never knew who he was. And for a long time, I've been fighting a growing attraction to my best and closest friend. As well as my passion for Zorro. To find out they are the same man is absolutely wonderful. I was so afraid you'd turn out to be a stranger, which means I'd have to leave my home. But now, I get the best of both worlds: Zorro and Diego in one package."
Don Alejandro is returning from Los Angeles, having just reined up at the gate, when he hears rapidly approaching hoof beats. He turns at the sight of the large black horse--squinting his eyes at the sight of a piece of red cloth tied to the saddle horn.
Felipe', having heard Toronado gallop up, comes out of the Hacienda. Like his adopted grandfather, he recognizes the red cloth as a sign that Zorro is in trouble. He looks at Don Alejandro and signs a question What do you want to do?
"Go--get blankets while I go get a wagon. Since Zorro trusts us enough to send Toronado, we'll help of course."
Within a few minutes, one of the Hacienda's more rugged wagons has been hitched to one of the faster mares and loaded with blankets and medical supplies. While Felipe' rides Toronado, allowing him to show the way, Don Alejandro drives the wagon as fast as the mare can go.
Victoria is once again bathing Zorro's face when she hears Toronado returning. Lowering his head back to the hay, she stands and moves to the edge of the shelter--watching anxiously for the stallion to come into sight. He's followed by a horse and wagon. Relieved beyond belief to see her old family friend, she hugs Don Alejandro warmly when he jumps down, "Thank goodness you understood my message."
"What happened?"
"Zorro was bitten by a snake, a rattlesnake I think. He's very sick."
"We'll take him back to the Hacienda. I sent word to Doctor Hernandez before we left. He should be there by the time we return."
"But what about--"
Don Alejandro smiles warmly, "Not a problem. Once we get him home, Felipe and I will change him into a nightshirt."
Victoria looks curiously at the man who's been like a father to her for years, "You know about--"
"I've suspected ever since you were injured. Your memory--"
"Seeing Zorro like this--"
"I see."
Together, the two men wrap the sick man in more blankets before lifting him into the wagon. At Don Alejandro's request, Felipe' returns Toronado to Zorro's hidden lair. Victoria cradles Zorro's head in her lap while the older man drives the wagon home.
