Chapter 8

The de la Vega carriage containing Diego and Sir Edmund left the pueblo. The younger man kept an eye out for any bandits lurking in the shadows...

"Diego, stop worrying. The bandits have long since disappeared."

"Actually, it is the alcalde that has me worried. He has been too quiet lately and a bit too polite."

"I wonder what he's up to."

"Knowing the alcalde, I am certain that it concerns Zorro."

Figueroa peered out from behind the bushes as the carriage came to a stop. Diego climbed out first as then Sir Edmund stood to get out. The older man fit the description given to him by the alcalde. Evidently, the younger man was one of the de la Vegas. The older man didn't look too troublesome but there was something about the younger man that concerned him even though he could not decide what.

"Diego, there is nothing to worry about."

"What was that noise?"

A lone bandit on horseback stepped in front of them as the wagon headed toward the hacienda. "Get out of the wagon, Senores. Now!" Figueroa pointed the pistol at Sir Edmund.

"Do as he says, Sir Edmund." The bandit seemed familiar somehow.

"Zorro will come to the rescue but by that time it will be too late."

"How do you know that he will come?"

"Zorro is a friend of the de la Vegas. He will come."

"The man who brings Zorro to justice receives a pardon and a reward of several thousand pesos."

"The only appointment you will have is with the gallows," Sir Edmund remarked, "Do you really trust Luis Ramon?"

Diego lunged toward the bandit the instant Figueroa's attention wavered. The pistol went off hitting the younger man in the side. Diego collapsed on the ground. Sir Edmund pulled out the pistol hidden in his boot and shot the bandit at close range killing him. The older man carefully placed the unconscious man inside the carriage. He quickly spurred the horses into action as they raced toward the hacienda..."Alejandro! Diego has been shot!"

"Let's get him to bed." The worried father, Felipe and several vaqueros carried the injured caballero into the hacienda.

"I tried to stop him," Diego moaned as they lowered him into the bed.

"Don't talk, son. Save your strength. Miguel will get Doctor Hernandez. Felipe, get bandages ready...make him as comfortable as you can."

The old don cut off Diego's bloodied shirt as Felipe returned with a stack of towels and bandages. Don Alejandro applied willow bark to the fresh wound as Diego moaned involuntarily. "I'm sorry, son."

"Sir Edmund, I've seen that man on a wanted poster in the arcade's office. I'm certain of it, "Diego whispered, "The alcalde was behind this."

"The pistol ball went right through. There is a risk of infection," the doctor stated a few hours later, "Keep him still for the next few days. Plenty of fluids and laudanum for the pain will help him rest easier. He's sleeping now.'

"I am glad that you were there, Edmund. If Diego had been alone tonight…I hate to see him lying there…so still…so unlike Diego."

"Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, Alejandro. We have seen men in worse conditions and they recovered. There is something I want to discuss with you. Felipe will watch over Diego. Por favor." If my suspicions are correct, I believe that the alcalde had something to do with the attempted kidnapping. The alcalde was obsessed with capturing Zorro. "Alejandro, something has troubled me. If the robber was truly after money, then why didn't he rob us. Why mention Zorro?"

"Why indeed?"

"If Zorro and I were killed as well, then that would have been a bonus. It had to be a trap, Alejandro."

"The alcalde resents you but to go to these lengths, Edmund. He has always hated us."

"I was the target but Diego got in the way. The alcalde assumed that Zorro would come to our rescue..."

"It is our word against his. If you face him with your suspicions, then you could be jailed or even worse…"

"How much longer can this pueblo exist under Luis Ramon? The caballeros need to handle the problems plaguing the community! It is time for them to help themselves."

Come quickly, Don Alejandro, Felipe signed as the trio headed toward Diego's room. The caballero's brow was covered with perspiration and the old don was instantly concerned.

"He's burning up," Alejandro pulled back the covers exposing the wound in Diego's side. "Have Maria fix her special poultice. Quickly, Felipe."

"Diego is stronger than you think, Felipe. I know that Diego means a great deal to you...You should not be threatened by my presence here. I am glad that Diego has someone to confide in and I am glad that person is you."

Felipe cleansed the wound again, applied Maria's poultice and wrapped it with fresh cloth. The young man wiped Diego's face and neck with cool water, trying to break the fever. You have to get better...You have to...

Over the next few days, Diego's fever worsened. Padre Benitez offered prayers. Victoria left the tavern in Pilar's capable hands wanting to help Don Alejandro in any way that she could. "Felipe, get some rest. I will come and get you if his condition changes. I promise…" Victoria reassured him. "I'll sit with him. Go and rest, Felipe. Trust me."

Felipe was satisfied that Diego would be in good hands as he walked slowly out the door.

"I always thought you were so sensible…so predictable …you don't deserve this," she said to her unconscious friend, "You are my best friend...I had the biggest crush on you when we were children...I have been so busy pushing you away…keeping you from becoming more than a friend…" You have to get better. I could not bear to lose you.

The alcalde paced the floor of his office. Curious that Zorro has not come to the aid of the de la Vegas. He had always been quite the staunch defender of that family. The way he carried himself, the flair for drama spoke volumes. Very interesting, indeed. Ramon turned on his heel and strode out, calling for Mendoza. As he stepped out onto the plaza, his eyes scanned the busy plaza. He remembered the numerous occasions when the masked man had rescued some poor farmer or citizen in need of his help. What had they ever done for him? "Have you seen Zorro since de la Vega was shot? Zorro has been strangely absent and it has something to do with the de la Vegas." Don Alejandro and Diego had been implicated in many of Zorro's appearances. It made perfect sense. How could he have been so blind? Ramon grinned wickedly and laid a firm hand on Mendoza's shoulder, "Sergeant, take a few lancers out and patrol the countryside."

"The lancers have been on patrol all night. Uh - what are we looking for, alcalde?"

"Zorro, of course!"

"You have your orders! Go!" Diego or whoever you are, this masquerade is at an end…...

You must know who I am.

Oh, I know who you are, all right. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Diego de la Vega from Spain.

The alcalde slapped at Diego with the gloves he held in his hands. Diego's blue eyes flashed with anger.

You bear the rank of a gentleman. Why not act like one?

Don Diego could not be Zorro, Mendoza thought. It had to be a coincidence. His friend had not shown any affinity for the sword but

"And my men are highly trained lancers."

"Have you forgotten everything? You were the best student I ever had."

I must warn Don Alejandro that the alcalde would soon be on his way to the hacienda to confront the de la Vegas with his suspicions and possibly arrest Diego.