Chapter 9

As Zorro Diego had been busy the recent months, trying to protect the pueblo from bandits and the oppression from the alcalde. Now he looked forward to a break. His constant activity had scared off bandits and there had been fewer attacks in the last few weeks. Yesterday, the alcalde had left for Mexico City for 2 months as he did every year around this time. While the alcalde stayed in Mexico, Zorro could take a break too and Diego could ride to Monterrey for his annulment.

Diego had already packed everything he'd need in Monterrey, but he wanted to do a last ride as Zorro before he left. He hoped that he'd be back in two or three weeks, but he didn't know how long it would take to get the annulment. He'd be taking Toronado with him to Monterrey, so Felipe wouldn't have the obligation to take care of him all the time. Toronado needed to be ridden and he didn't want the boy to disguise himself as Zorro and get into danger only because the horse needed the exercise.

"I'll be back soon, Felipe," Diego assured the boy while he changed into Zorro's clothes in the cave. "I don't want Toronado to be tired tomorrow on the trip to Monterrey, but I need to check the north valley tonight. The cattle rustlers that the others caballeros complained about have been seen in that area."

Felipe signed for him to be careful and that he'd wait in the cave for his return.

Z~Z~Z

The boy jumped from the chair he had been dozing on when he saw Zorro slumped over Toronado as he rode into the cave. Zorro let go of his hold on Toronado's mane as Felipe helped him down. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but he couldn't sign with his hands while he was holding Zorro. Zorro would have fallen to the ground if Felipe hadn't held him. With the boy's help he dragged himself to the cot that he has used in emergencies before.

"Rustlers.. shot me.. side," Zorro gasped out, answering Felipe's unspoken question. "Help!"

Immediately, Felipe removed the black shirt covered in sticky blood to examine the bleeding wound. Expertly, he checked the injury and signed to Diego that the bullet was no longer inside.

Diego breathed a small sigh of relief. He fought to stay conscious as Felipe stitched and dressed the wound. When Felipe was finished, he signed to him to get in bed and rest.

"I'll need the chair," Diego whispered and Felipe nodded. Diego had constructed a wheelchair that he kept in the cave for emergencies. The boy could support Diego for a few steps, but he wasn't able to carry Diego's heavy body from the cave to his bedroom.

The boy looked through the spyhole to check if the library was empty, then opened the secret door and maneuvered the wheelchair into the library in front of the fireplace. Supported by Felipe, Diego managed to stumble up the stairs and let himself fall into the wheelchair. Felipe covered him with a blanket and rolled him down the hallway to his room where he helped him into bed. The loss of blood made him feel weak, and he hardly noticed how Felipe undressed him and discarded the bloody outfit, helping him into his nightclothes.

Felipe gave Diego some cactus tea which helped numb the pain and allowed him to sleep. During the night Diego woke up several times because of the pain in his side, but Felipe kept vigil through the night and helped him drink more tea and water.

Z~Z~Z

In the morning Diego felt better again though he was still very weak. He made Felipe tell his father and Victoria that he caught a cold and wouldn't be able to ride to Monterrey until he felt better again.

Z~Z~Z

After three days since he'd been shot, he was beginning to feel a little better. His father knocked on his door early in the morning and looked at Diego disapprovingly.

"Son, this can't go on. You can't stay in bed for days because you're having a cold. Victoria is about to go to work to the tavern, and I expect you to join us for breakfast for once. You should start doing your share of work like everyone else! You'll be gone for weeks when you ride to Monterey and I need you help with the hacienda."

Diego knew his father well enough that the excuse of a cold would no longer work. All he could do was nod. "I'm coming in a few minutes." Ignoring the pain in his side, he slowly sat up and put his feet down on the floor. He had to brace his head in his arms as he fought the sudden dizziness. When he looked up again, Felipe was standing next to him with fresh bandages and medical items. Concerned, Felipe tried to make him lie down again.

Diego shook his head. "No, Felipe, I have to get up. My excuse with the cold is no longer good enough to convince my father and Victoria that I need to stay in bed. My father wants me to be present for breakfast."

Felipe tried to change his mind again, pointing at his injury to convince him that he needed to stay in bed. But Diego was insistent, so he finally helped him get dressed after he had put a new bandage on the wound.

Half an hour later he and Felipe entered the dining room where Victoria and his father were already breaking their fast.

"Ah, Diego, it's good that you've finally managed to join us," his father greeted him. "It would be good to see you more often in the morning, don't you agree, Victoria?"

"Good morning, Diego," Victoria smiled a little. "Your father is right. You should get up earlier instead of reading in the night." Her enunciation made it clear to him that she knew he wasn't reading but spending the night elsewhere. She moved her chair a little to the side for Diego to sit down beside her while Felipe and Alejandro faced them on the other side of the table. "Have you recovered from your cold?"

"Not really," Diego tried to fake a smile. "But since you and Father insisted on my presence – here I am!"

"Really, Diego, you're the only person I know who takes so long to recover from a cold," Victoria stated. "I'd never get anything done in my tavern if I stayed in bed so long as you do."

Alejandro eyed him critically. "You are very pale, Diego. Are you sure it's only a cold?"

"I'm only feeling a bit weak, Father. Maybe I'll lay down again later," Diego brushed off the concern.

When he reached out for the bread with his left hand, he suddenly felt something tear at his injured side and the sudden intense pain made his hand shake and drop the bread.

"Felipe, help me," he whispered. Desperately, he tried to stay upright and get a hold on the table as his vision began to fade.

Felipe rushed to his side, but he couldn't stop Diego as he fell to the ground.