Chapter 12: Convalescence and encounters.
When Bernardo came back, it was a surprise for Diego to see him with the doctor.
Well, I think I will not interrogate Bernardo before a moment. Diego thinks.
"Buenos días, Diego." You come back from far.
"Buenos días." He says, sitting up straight.
"How are you?"
"I'm starving." Diego says, mocking.
"You always have sense of humour, it's good." The doctor smiles as he takes out his instruments.
After a quick examination, it turns out that all was good, except a normal pain. Diego will be able to resume his activities with carefulness. However, it was out of the question to ride. Having a ride in a carriage, yes; on the horse, no. The doctor wishes him a speedy recovery and saluted him. Diego thanked him and, as the doctor was outside, he got up, not without harm.
I have to eat a little. He thinks, moving with heavy steps. I need exercises... Staying in bed a week won't do any good.
While he makes a first real step, the room's door opens on Bernardo.
"Bernardo, you arrive at a good time."
The manservant hastens to pick up his ear, warning him that someone else was nearby. Smiling, Diego makes him sign to come closer, and Bernardo complies while Don Alejandro comes in at his turn.
"Diego? What are you doing standing up?"
"Father, the doctor has said I could resume my activities."
"Certainly, but I think it's a little too soon."
"More I'm confined to my bed, less I'll be in form."
"But the more movements you make, the less fast you will recover."
"I'd like to take some air in the yard. And as the doctor had nothing against it, I will eat a little something."
Don Alejandro smiles and he takes place on the other side of his son; and together, they went down in the yard.
The sun was on decline when Isabella finds again Diego.
"You could get up?" She interrogates with a smile.
"Yes, and I have to admit that the sweet rays of sunshine have brought me a great wellness, as well as your presence."
"You're incorrigible, Diego... Tell me?"
"What is it?"
Isabella looks around, making sure that nobody will hear.
"Why having lied like that?"
"As I told you, my father doesn't know about my skill with the sword, and it would be wise that it stays between us."
"Certainly, but your story makes you a murderer, which you aren't."
"I understand your point of view, Isabella, but my father won't judge me like one. Be sure of it."
"Diego... If I didn't know you, I would say that you hide a terrible secret."
"Isabella, don't worry... Maybe you'll hear another story by hearing your uncle, next time you'll see him."
"Do you know where he is?"
"No, I don't. Why that question?"
"I've returned back to the pueblo on the morning, to pick up my luggage that I had left at the inn. Some people were talking about him... The soldiers say that he is the one who shot you."
"... Indeed, Isabella... But let's say this is partly my fault." Diego smiles.
"Tell me, please."
"To be short, I found myself in his line of sight when he fired on Zorro... In a certain point of view, it's an accident."
"You reassure me. Diego, Uncle Enrique can't be as cruel as they say."
Ah, that! If you knew what I know, you surely don't say that. Diego thinks.
"Enrique... That's also the second first name of little Diego, isn't it?"
"Yes." She blushes. "Uncle Enrique always was present in my childhood."
"I'll go to visit Padre Felipe at the mission. Are you tempted to come with me? You will enjoy a visit to the area like that."
"I'll be glad, Diego, but isn't it a little late?"
"Si... I'll go in the morning. I hope that I would have retrieved more forces by then."
"Diego?" His father calls.
"Si, Padre."
"How are you?"
"I'm more awake than before... I envisage going to the mission, tomorrow morning, you don't mind?"
"Of course not."
"Would you want to join us?"
"I can't, Diego, I have something to do at the pueblo. The dinner will be served in a few minutes."
"We're coming, gracias." He says, just after leaning on his father whom helped him to get up.
Much later, and again in his bedroom, Diego takes stock of the situation with Bernardo; about the Sergeant and Zorro's intervention against El Diablo. Bernardo was then ill at ease to have lashed the devil.
"Yes, Zorro has, as well, made a new enemy. Don't worry, Bernardo; Zorro will be able to defend himself at the wanted time... So, El Diablo has a goatee and was wearing the same mask as Monastario. That said, the black masks are common, don't you think?"
...
The morning after, when Diego wakes up, the first thing he notices was that he had more vivaciousness than the day before. Yes, he might not yet fight, nor ride the plain with Tornado; but in all, he felt much better and he recovered easily. He went down to the salon, taking his time and crossing Bernardo at the bottom of the stairs.
"Buenos días, Bernardo, how did you find me?"
He makes a sign that all was okay.
"Can you help me to join the salon? Gracias." He thanks him.
"Buenos días." Isabella says smiling and radiant.
"Buenos días, Isabella, are you ready to go?"
"Si, Diego. Could not be more ready... Why have you put your arm in a sling?"
"It's on advice from the doctor to relieve the pain. There is nothing alarming. I have to admit that it's rather efficient. Señora." He offered her then his free arm.
And they gently went to the carriage where Bernardo was waiting for them. The path to the mission was peaceful. Diego had fun playing guide and describing local flora and fauna to Isabella. When they arrived, Padre Felipe was outside, doing some gardening. A large smile flooded his face when he saw Diego.
"Diego, my child, how are you?"
"I'm fine, Padre Felipe. Gracias." He answers while Bernardo helps him to go down before helping Isabella.
"Gracias."
"Buenos días, Señora."
"Buenos días, Padre."
"Padre Felipe, let me introduce you to Isabella Maria De la Cruz. Isabella, here is Padre Felipe with who I share a lot of literary interests."
"Let's not stand here! Come in." He invites them inside the mission.
"Gracias."
Inside, a manservant brings them cold drinks and a fruit basket.
"I knew what happened to you." The Padre begins.
"It is an unfortunate coincidence, Padre... My father told me that you came."
"Yes, there was an important matter which I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh... Let's take a walk. I need some exercises. Isabella, why don't you go for a walk in the garden, Bernardo will walk with you."
"That's a good idea. Bernardo?" She calls him.
But this one stays impassive till Diego's signs, intriguing Isabella. Yet, Bernardo was not so far from her... Bernardo, wanting to make a good impression, proposed his arm and swept out alongside her, making smile Diego and the Padre. Then, Diego gets up at his turn, imitating the Padre.
"Follow me, Diego... Two evening ago, Zorro came here, leaving a parcel... An injured man... I don't know the motives of the Fox to do so, but he was very helpful to him... Without the Fox, this man would have died."
"Who is he?"
"I would tell that after what he did to you, there is a divine justice, but it would be inappropriate for me... The fever made him delirious yesterday, and he kept speaking three names."
"Three names?"
"Yes. De la Vega, Zorro and... El Diablo." The Padre crossed himself.
Diego seems to have a shocked face a very short time which didn't escape the Padre.
"You didn't say it, but he is Monastario, isn't he?"
"Yes, Diego."
"What was the severity of his injuries?"
"A right leg badly injured."
"What else?"
"A wound made with a knife. If Zorro wouldn't have helped him, he..."
"Do you think that Zorro..."
"No! What reason would he have to bring me an injured man in this condition? He is behind that door." The Padre says, while they arrived at the end of a corridor.
"May I?"
"He needs peace... He came back to his senses this morning, and didn't want to admit where he was... I didn't tell him who brought him here."
"It's wise not to mention it, Padre. Monastario is not particularly fond of Zorro."
"Like you, Diego, I'm afraid."
"I'll not stay a long time, I promise." He adds, opening the door.
"Buenos días, Señor." Diego salutes him with courteousness.
"De la Vega, you came to gaze at a wreck?" The wounded man asks, drawing himself up.
"Seriously, Señor, don't speak about you like that." Diego says sitting on a chair and sighing with relief.
Monastario observes him in disbelief. De la Vega was visibly in pain and still very tired.
"How... How did you end up in front of me without me seeing you?" Monastario asks finally after a long silence.
"If my memory serves me right, when Zorro appeared, I was defending myself against a certain M. I stepped back, a little too much, and I fell where you were. I was disoriented when I stood up, and it's unsteady that I had to appear in front of you. Besides, with the mask you wore, it was difficult to see correctly."
"You give me the benefit?"
"No, I give you the explanation."
"De la Vega, I still believe that you and the Fox are one... It's again one of your tricks."
"Señores, a little seriousness, I beg you." The Padre intervenes, wanting to calm down the discussion.
"Padre Felipe... Without ordering you, could you go looking for the señora?"
"Diego?"
"Don't worry, we'll be well-behaved." Diego says, mocking as he makes Monastario grumble.
"Gracias." He adds while the Padre goes away.
"What do you have in mind, Zorro?"
"You persist despite the fact that we were both distinct... The Padre told me that the fever made you delirious."
"The Padre talks too much."
"The Padre is a good confidant and a great friend when we know him well... And about what I have in mind... We have an enemy in common, Señor Monastario."
"You... Having an enemy?"
"Si. But in my defence, it's just bad luck... We'll say that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time; but for the greatest good of a señora."
"Stop taking me for a simple-minded idiot, De la Vega... Furthermore, about who..."
"Uncle Enrique." Bursts out a melodious voice, interrupting them.