Rating: T
A/N: This is the first ten minutes I've had all day to get this posted. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Zorro in any incarnation. I am not sure who does, all I know is it is not me. No copyright infringement, or disrespect to the people who have made Zorro a legend, is intended. Thank you.
Secrets in the Night
Chapter 14
By: visions2share a.k.a. Vi
It did not take long for the polite applause to die down and be replaced with rabid curiosity and trepidation. These feelings were palpable as they pulsated through the crowd around the plaza. As soon as it was quiet Sebastian began to speak, his voice rich, and clear and easily heard in all corners of the pueblo.
"Mi Amigos. Thank you for your warm welcome. I am so greatly enjoying my first visit to California. I have heard such lovely things about this land and I am learning for myself just how true they are. I have heard much of the courage and perseverance of all those people who call this place home. I hope over the course of my visit here I too can witness this vitality of spirit you seem to possess. I hope, also, to have the opportunity to become acquainted with you on a more personal level. I am confident that by the time today's display reaches an end you will understand why I hope you will all join me here again in two days' time." It wasn't difficult for Diego, knowing as he did what was coming, to guess why Sebastian would call the citizens back together so soon. There would be the announcement and introduction of the new alcalde, whoever that would be. De Soto's reaction was one of mystery. He was too busy cogitating what the governor's promised changes would mean for him, and, undoubtedly, his pocket book, to yet be listening too attentively to the current speech.
"As Governor Perez mentioned there are changes to be made. All of them for the better. Many of them for your protection and peace of mind." Now de Soto was listening for there were only two things that threatened the people by his perceptions: Zorro, and his own greed – not that he would have phrased it thusly even at the point of a sword.
"During the previous stops on this tour I have heard rumblings, questions, and suspicions. People here, so geographically removed from the seat of the Spanish crown, seem to wonder with what sort of frequency the people of California come to the King's attention. I am often in the company of His Majesty. Never has a day passed that he does not mention California and the Spanish citizens that make this land their home. Some of you won't believe this. Many of you will, but you will assume, poisoned as your minds have been by greedy self-centered, self-important people, that His Majesty only talks of you, perhaps of any citizen, to ponder what sort of revenue you will bring him. How much he will collect from you in taxes." This was certainly the only context in which de Soto spoke of the King.
"This could not be further from the truth. King Ferdinand is concerned with your livelihood but only so much that it provides for your comfort. He is much more concerned about your health, your resources, and your safety." Diego could see the fire of worry re-flame in de Soto's eyes. After all, he was always blaming the high taxes on the needs of the Spanish crown. If the people could be convinced that the King wasn't interested in their money it would leave him vulnerable to uncomfortable questions.
"King Ferdinand feels a paternal concern for all his subjects. He desires an open relationship with all his citizens. He desires a close relationship with all his citizens.
"For some of you, having been force-fed too many empty promises in times past, this will seem an impossible dream. It is not impossible. His Royal Majesty, King Ferdinand of Spain, wishes you well. He seeks to protect you and provide for you.
"Many of you, your only interaction with government having been the vagary and, often times, cruel hand of local overseers, will continue to be skeptical." This was the plain speaking gentleman Diego had always been so fond of.
"That is perfectly understandable. You see Governor Perez and myself standing before you making promises of changes and a brighter future – you have heard these words before – and they turned out only to be lies – a smoke screen that once pierced revealed the cruel truth. It will take time to prove that the promises made today are honest and forthright. When we meet back here in two days' time we will continue to make changes for the advantage of the pueblo and its citizens." It was warm out and the sun was high in the sky – but California had a warm climate and by comparison this was a mild day – so why was de Soto sweating? Changes that would occur over multiple days had to be even more of a threat – and Diego couldn't help but smile at the evidence that de Soto understood this and was, quite literally, losing his cool.
"Today we take what is merely the first step – although it is an important one. I have here a letter to the people of the pueblo de los Angeles entrusted to me by His Royal Majesty, King Ferdinand of Spain." Sebastian pulled a rolled parchment wrapped and tied with the royal colors from his interior jacket pocket and waved it above his head, for all the crowd to see, while he continued.
"With this letter his Majesty will set in motion the first winds of change!"
Sebastian lowered the scroll and took it in both hands. With great ceremony, and more patience than Diego usually saw from him, he untied the ribbons and wrapped them around his left hand and carefully broke the wax seal and unfurled the parchment. He removed an internal page and held it in his left hand with the ribbons then took also the top corner of the letter in that hand and the opposite bottom corner in the other hand holding it open so the content could be seen and read.
"To my dear and loyal subjects of the area of the Pueblo de los Angeles in the Spanish Colony of Alta California. I wish to apologize to you all. The distance between us and the evil impediments of greedy men have conspired to separate us, not only physically but in our hearts as well. This I will not allow. We are Spaniards – that makes us family. Whether of royal blood, or of any class – caballero, vaquero, or peon, we should be of one heart. Dreaming of making life better for all of us. And working, as I know you do, to see it so. It has only recently come to my attention that you are being mistreated by those I have put in place to protect you. No more. The included document is the first gift of apology to you, my precious children. With a thankful heart and great hope for the future may our great Dios bless you all now and always. Ferdinand, King of Spain."
Then Sebastian traded pages and, after giving a signal and a glance to both the Captain and Lieutenant, he read.
"Alcalde Ignosio de Soto, you are hereby charged with treason against His Majesty King Ferdinand of Spain, the royal family of Spain, and the citizens of the Spanish crown. You are hereby stripped of any and all titles and military ranks and will be transported, in full irons, to the Royal Spanish Court in Madrid – where I, King Ferdinand, will personally supervise the execution of your fate."
The silence was heavy as the implications were fully realized by de Soto and he saw the Captain and Lieutenant approaching him. He reached to draw his sword but it did not clear his scabbard before the Captain was relieving him of it and the Lieutenant was locking his wrists in irons. While the Captain stood guard, de Soto's own sword at his throat the Lieutenant continued to attach the irons around his waist – wrist to waist and ankles to each other and to the waist. Then, with the Lieutenant guiding him none too gently, and the Captain sill pointing the sword, de Soto was led to the prison wagon that had followed the column of soldiers into the pueblo. He was shoved inside and then the gate was slammed shut with much force creating a big noise – the big padlock was attached and closed with a 'clunk' that was audible across the pueblo in the silence.
And the silence ended. The crowd roared and screamed. Diego had never heard such a large noise – nor such a joyful one!
End Chapter 14
A/N: Chapter 15 will be up tomorrow or the next day! Thanks for taking the time to read! ~ Vi