Chapter 10
Victoria woke up early by concerned thoughts. Mendoza was great last night, but will it be enough? Zorro didn't know for sure, but said Mendoza could do it. Mendoza is the one to do it, if he does we will finally be free of this oppression, but if he loses... No I can't think like that, he will win. He must! How strange having to rely on Mendoza, I never expected that. He's a good friend, he worked so hard this last week. He is the one who deserves to win and he shall have to entire pueblo cheering for him. She sighed. Dios, let Mendoza win this duel.
Inside the cuartel DeSoto woke up and was getting ready for the duel. Today has finally come, the day I will be victorious. The entire pueblo will see their hero fail with this plan. Mendoza will be defeated followed by a hanging, how could the day be even better. If I call a name let's see if they will keep to their word, I'm sure neither of them seems that interested in dying. Ha, they'll most probably run as hard as they can. That would be a sight indeed, the entire pueblo would give up faith in their hero. Losing is no option against Mendoza and he'll see that, just like that masked fiend. They will regret the day, they came up with this idea.
Mendoza woke up later then he hoped, he wanted to read and learn some more moves. Madre de Dios, I have to win this. If I don't I'll let everybody down and I don't want that. I have to use the envelopment, Diego said that was the weakness of the alcalde, but what if I screw it up when I need it most. I can't think like that, think positive thoughts. I made a big improvement with my fencing and Diego said I can do it. I have to believe, believe I can. But that is where the problem starts, I don't believe it.
Felipe knew about the improvement of Mendoza, he trusted Diego to make a good judgment. But what if he loses, there is always a chance. I don't want to see either of them killed. I left them alone to train and I know he got better, but how much? The alcalde hasn't been sitting still yesterday either, he practiced all day long. The people called him possessed with this deal. Diego don't let me down with this decision of yours, Mendoza win, I don't want to lose either of you.
Diego stood beside his bed. Today Mendoza will surprise everybody, I know he cam win, but if he doesn't even then he will have shown more courage then any other. Victoria glowed last evening, she was delighted with the improvements, it was clear she didn't expect much. Hopefully I placed her at ease, now I can only hope Mendoza will win for sure. If he would only believe in it as I do.
Diego was down in the cave an hour later. "Mendoza, get your sword we're leaving."
"Leaving all ready? The duel isn't set for three more hours. Where do you want to go?"
"When I brought Victoria back, she wanted us to be early. We will be in the tavern and we don't have to worry about the alcalde, he wants this duel to happen, so he'll leave us alone."
Diego changed into Zorro. Mendoza and he mounted Toronado and left in the direction of the pueblo.
When they arrived there were a lot of people watching their arrival. They were all surprised that they were actually going through with this.
They went towards the tavern and went inside and Victoria was waiting for them.
"Buenos dias, are you ready for the duel?"
"Scared to death is more like it. I hope I will win, because I don't want to let anyone down."
"Whatever the outcome may be, I will be proud that you have improved as much as you have. Besides I know you can do it, we've worked long enough for it. Now is the time you have to believe it as well. Don't hold back or be afraid that you'll make a mistake. If you manage that you will be fine."
"Gracias Zorro, I hope I will not disappoint anyone. It's just that I don't see myself beating the alcalde, it seems downright impossible to me."
"Mendoza don't worry, everything will be all right. Victoria, could you get us something to drink and eat?"
"Of course, I'll get the two of you something. I'll be back before you know it and then..."
"And then what? You'll see me beating Mendoza, which will not be difficult, rest assured." DeSoto came in and saw his enemies in front of him. "The two of you stand no chance, you must be regretting this idea of yours."
"On the contrary, we are looking forward to seeing you leave this pueblo. This will make it happen, you just don't know it yet." Zorro gave the alcalde a grin of his own.
"Señorita, give me what they are having. And to pass the time let's chat a bit with one another. I know I have some questions. Like, which one of the two of you is more eager to hang today? Or Mendoza would you like me to stretch the duel a bit to make you look good? To the people, who would you like to be my voluntary victim?"
Zorro had to reply on these questions. "Neither, he'll look good enough without your help and the answer to your final question...you."
"Trust me, after the duel the two of you will both be begging me to spare you, in vane, but it doesn't hurt to try."
"Alcalde, don't get to cocky. One might never know, but there is a chance Mendoza is going to win."
"Ha, if with chance you mean to get out of this alive, you are right, but actually winning the duel. Impossible."
Mendoza looked at the two men in verbal combat and sighed. Why can't Diego fight this duel himself? Then victory is certain and I wouldn't be pressured to fight. All I want now is get it over with and I have to hear this. I'm just getting more nervous every minute. He sighed and continued to chew his food. He wasn't very hungry, strange as it may be, but he felt he had to have something in his stomach to keep it from turning over. He looked at the time, one more hour before the duel. Time seemed to take forever and there was nothing he could do to speed it up a bit.
Victoria was sitting in a corner, listening to Zorro's confident voice. I've never seen him with this fire in his voice, he's sure Mendoza will win, and from what I saw he does stand a great chance against the alcalde. Maybe I should tell Mendoza I believe in him as well. So far he only hear Zorro's opinion, he needs confirmation and I will give it to him. She stood up and walked to Mendoza.
"Don't worry, I know you can do it. I've seen how much you've progressed and know you will win. Trust me, the alcalde will never be the same after this experience."
"Gracias señorita, you have no idea how much that means to me right now."
"De nada, Mendoza, show everyone what you showed me and they'll cheer like you've never seen before,"
"I will, I will."
Everybody finished their drinks, the people started to gather in the plaza. Ten minutes till the duel, a duel that would change their lives. It could be for the better, or worse.