Zorro Meets his Match

Chapter 21 – Tabula Rosa

ZzZ

The sun was getting low when Diego and the Capitan rode to go to the lake. Boudica had seen them off, pulling her husband down to her to whisper to him. He answered, cupping her cheek and kissing her lightly before they rode out.

Diego made it about halfway when he pulled up on his reins. The Capitan did likewise looking at him.

"What seems to be the trouble Senor?" Arellano asked.

"I did not notice any guards at the hacienda as we left."

"Of course, you didn't. I felt they were getting underfoot. I told them to stay out of sight."

Diego nodded. "Well they certainly obey orders don't they. One would think they were all gone."

"Really?"

"Well that is, if one knew no differently." Diego leaned on his saddle horn. "But it does bring up another point, Capitan. This group of dons who seem to hate the governor so. The Rabatos?"

"What about the Rabatos?"

"Well if they think as I did that the hacienda was unguarded they might make another attempt on the governor's life."

Arellano chuckled lightly. "You worry too much Senor. That is my job."

"Of course. You are responsible for those attempts on the governor's life aren't you."

"What?"

"Oh, I mean it is your responsibility to protect him."

"Si, it is. But perhaps, you may have a point there. Maybe I should ride back to the hacienda and warn the guards to stay alert."

"Why don't you do that. Then I will ride on ahead and get the rice for the governor."

"I was just going to suggest that very thing."

"Were you now?"

"Si. We will do that then. Oh and be sure to get plenty of rice. The Governor has a hearty appetite."

"So too will my wife." Diego said. "Rest assured, Capitan. I will see that they are both well taken care of."

Arellano rode back toward the hacienda. Diego waited, holding his mount steady before he moved to a different direction.

ZzZ

Night fell.

Diego had made his way to the cave and the secret passage. He was dressed as Zorro when Bernardo came up to him.

"Oh, there you are. Has Capitan Arellano returned?"

Bernardo shook his head.

"Good." He said putting his sword on. "Then we will learn once and for all who the Rabatos are. But first we need to put Leonar and the governor in a safe place. Boudica can hide in here in case we need her, but I want her kept out of action even with her fully capable of helping us."

Bernardo looked at him questioningly.

Zorro smiled a little. "My lady gave me wonderful news this afternoon, Bernardo." He said. He beamed. "She is pregnant with our firstborn."

Bernardo gasped and then made a gesture of a very round pregnant woman and then a baby.

Zorro nodded. "That is the hope yes, but I after we are able to finally rid ourselves of the blight of the Rabatos, I plan to have my wife be treated like a queen."

Bernardo smiled at him.

Zorro grunted and playfully pushed him back by his face as he turned to find his wife and her friend after noting that they were not in the bedroom just beyond.

Outside, Arellano led several men into the hacienda. All of them were armed. He put up his hand to speak to them. "The governor is in the library asleep. Come on quietly."

"Capitan Arellano?" Came a female voice above them.

All of them looked up and saw Leonar and Boudica standing together looking down at them.

"What's going on down there?" Leonar demanded.

Arellano took a breath. "Oh nothing Senorita, Senora. Some of the rancheros misunderstood. They believed the meeting to be tonight not in two days." He said.

Leonar looked at Boudica. Neither woman believed that. Leonar moved to go down the stairs. Boudica reached to grab her to stop her. "Leonar." She hissed.

Leonar shook her head and continued down indignantly.

Boudica looked to the shadows and saw one move a little. Zorro! However, she needed to get her friend back to him. She moved after her as Zorro watched knowing she had seen him.

Leonar reached the bottom of the stairs. "But why are they armed?" She demanded. "And where are the guards?" She looked about as Boudica made it nearly to her. She then shouted. "Guar…!" But the captain grabbed her and clapped a hand to her mouth.

Two other men moved as Boudica moved to run back up the stairs, but they caught her, clapping a hand over her mouth and dragging her back.

Above Zorro hissed a little at his negligence, but Boudica had tried to keep the girl from being stupid and failed. Now Arellano had them both, but Zorro doubted he would harm them, at least not yet.

Leonar struggled and tried to bite Arellano's hand. He pulled it back as she looked desperately at Boudica who was also struggling. "Please!" She begged. "Do not harm the Senora. She is with child!"

Zorro straitened hearing that. She had known before he had known? He was the father! He narrowed his eyes as the men held the women, binding them and gagging them.

"I am sorry to involve you Leonar, truly I am." Arellano said. "But I want to be governor." He looked at the men. "Treat the Senora as gently as you can." He said.

"Suppose someone heard her!" One of the men asked looking at Arellano as the other men fought to bind and gag the pair.

"No one at the hacienda." Arellano said. "The servants are all abed with sleeping powder in their drinks. It would take a pistol shot to bring the vaqueros. That is the reason I said absolutely no pistols."

"But the governor must have heard."

"He is a very sound sleeper." Arellano hissed. "Now we should get on with this. You two, keep them here." He said as the men sat the women, none to gently on the bench and tied their ankles. "Be careful with the young Senora. I do not want to worry her into a miscarriage." He said. "The rest of you, come with me."

They nodded.

He drew his saber as did the others as they approached the library. "Senores, I am about to become governor."

He opened the door and stepped in. However, the couch was missing with the governor.

"He's gone! He was right here on that couch, they must of moved him!" Arellano said.

"Who?" The Rabato leader demanded.

"How should I know?"

Inside the passage, Zorro came back in thinking of a way to free the women when he paused seeing that Bernardo was standing by the couch with the governor sleeping on it with his music box playing.

"How in the world did you do this?" Zorro asked.

Bernardo beamed.

"Well you keep that music box going because if he wakes himself and finds himself in here, he will know all about Zorro."

Arellano looked about in the library. "Wait a minute. He can't get too far on those crutches. Search for him. Search everywhere."

As the men began to leave, the last stood near the curio. Zorro activated the button and stepped out, clapping a gloved hand to his mouth and dragging him backwards into the passage where he rendered the man unconscious.

"I'll take the upstairs, you take the rear of the house." Arellano commanded from the door.

In the passage, Zorro nodded to Bernardo as he held the unconscious Rabato. "You handle this one. I will have another for you in the Sala."

Bernardo nodded as Zorro took the Rabato's weapon and then headed down the stairs.

Outside, Arellano was poking the bushes with his sword. He stepped to the women who were looking at him with utter hate in their eyes. Leonar growled and kicked at Arellano with her two legs. He dodged and smiled at her.

"A little delay, Senorita. Your father seems to have grown wings. Don't worry we shall find him." He told her. "Come." He said to the two guarding the women as he went up the stairs.

Inside the Sala the two men who had gone to the back of the house noticed that one of the rapiers of one of the Rabatos was sticking into the ceiling.

"Jose's sword." The Rabato leader said. "Someone is in this room."

The man with him opened the cabinet.

The leader grunted. "Come on, no one can hide in there. Quit wasting your time." He turned back and blinked seeing his friend was missing. He had just been there.

He ran out of the Sala to find Arellano. "Capitan!" He called.

In the passage, Bernardo dragged the unconscious man to the other as Zorro ran up to the second floor.

Boudica struggled against her bonds, but stopped as the man ran out.

"Capitan."

"What is it?" Arellano asked looking down from the balcony. They had checked Alejandro's room and a guest room. The next was Don Diego's.

"Manuel is gone and Jose's sword is stuck in the ceiling." The leader said before moving to go back into the Sala.

Arellano and the two with him went down the stairs, but the last one was suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked backwards with a hand over his mouth. He struggled, but caught by surprise, Zorro had him. He rendered him unconscious and dragged him back into the shadows.

Below, Leonar had seen him. She smiled in spite of herself.

Bernardo moved through the passage to help take the next unconscious man when he paused due to the music box becoming low. He wound it up again and then moved on.

Arellano walked into the Sala finding two swords now. He looked at them in surprise.

"I don't like this." A Rabato said.

Arellano grunted. "Now don't lose your head."

"Simeon! Simeon!" The Rabato barked.

The other with them looked upwards. "He must still be upstairs."

Behind the wall, Zorro smiled as he watched and listened.

"Lining his pockets probably." Arellano said. "Go get him." The man did not move. "Well you heard me, go get him!" He barked.

The man turned to leave.

Zorro ran to meet him upstairs.

"Simeon!" The Rabato called. "Simeon!" He ran up the stairs and went to Don Diego's room. He opened the door and was met by a large angry puma who scratched and bit him. Puma's ears were flat to his head as he struck, lifting a paw to hit the man again.

He cried out backing away. Zorro was behind him. He knocked the bleeding man unconscious and then looked at the cat who was growling. Puma lifted a paw at him. Zorro took a breath and pulled off his glove. "It's me, Puma." He hissed. He then lowered his mask, watching the massive cat that was larger than most dogs now. He was sure that the large feline had heard the women cry out and had become angered being locked where he could not reach them. All the better, the amount of chaos this cat, even one still as young as he was, could cause would be unfathomable.

Puma growled, ears still flat, and swatted at him. Zorro dodged the blow seeing the massive claws in the moonlight. Puma then then stepped forward, ears raising curiously, smelling the hand. He licked it, grating his comb-like tongue on the hand. He knew the scent of his mistress's husband and then sat down before him. Zorro took a breath and caressed the large head.

"Good boy." Zorro said. "Go back in the room. Go!" He said.

Puma looked down at the man at his feet and growled lowly, but then turned and went back into the room. Zorro took a deep breath. He pulled his mask back up and then dragged the man backwards.

Leonar saw him again. She nudged Boudica who was struggling with her bonds, contorting her arms to bring them forward. Bo looked up and saw Zorro as well and smiled at her friend. Leonar then gasped seeing her friend's arms bent at a totally unnatural angle.

Bo reached up and using her hands at the awkward angle was able to untie her gag. Leonar was impressed by this feat as she then used her teeth to work the rope as Leonar watched.

Inside the passage, Bernardo took a breath, but realized he needed to reset the music box. He could not find the key. He spotted it between the floorboards. He was able to grab it in the nick of time and wind the box just as the governor was walking.

He took a deep breath and moved as Zorro dragged the next victim to him.

Arellano and the Rabato leader were in the Sala.

"They are not coming back, any of them." The Rabato leader said.

"Well Senor Alario, it seems we have gambled and lost." Arellano said. "But by the saints I am going to find out who it was who heeded us." He looked back. "The Senorita would know. Come on."

Alario shook his head nearly walking into the swords. "No." He said.

"As you wish. Stay here then."

Alario backed up and stood against the cupboard. He felt a breeze behind him. "Capitan! Wait for me!" He said looking over his shoulder as he realized what he had been against was no longer there."

Arellano looked back. "Well are you coming?" He asked. He took a breath and walked back into the Sala. Alario was gone, but there were five swords there hanging down.

Boudica had her hands free and she quickly turned her friend to undo the knots. Leonar had been most impressed when she had her hands free and had just shifted her arms returning them to their right angle. She used her small fingers on the knots, but she heard Arellano. She reached, drawing her dagger she cut her leg bonds and she ducked behind a wall.

Leonar looked at her, but Boudica put a finger to her lips. However, it was Zorro who came to them. He dipped his head to Leonar, but Boudica came out ready to battle her opponent. Zorro turned hearing her, blocking the blow, but grabbing her wrist. He jerked her close to him and smiled down at her as he held her off balance on her tip-toes.

"That is the second time you have had a knife on me, Senora." He chided softly.

She took a breath relaxing instantly. He let her go and turned to the Senorita. He extended his hand for the knife she held. She nodded, giving it to him so he could cut Leonar's bonds. He handed it back to Boudica with a nod.

"Senora." He said, smiling.

She took it and sheathed it.

Leonar gasped holding her friend. Boudica held her gently. Zorro was surprised. Boudica, if anything was stronger in this time of crisis than Leonar and she was pregnant with hormones all over the place. Zorro had a fair amount of respect for the level-headed nature of his spouse then.

Zorro lifted a finger to his lips and beckoned them to follow him. They did so. He had them stand against the wall by the Sala door. He then lifted a finger to his lips again, smiling as he moved to the door and leaned against it seeing Arellano pulling the swords down.

"Capitan." Zorro said evenly as he leaned, relaxed in the doorframe. "I am sorry you do not approve of the display. It would have been better balanced with one more sword." He nodded to him. "Yours."

Arellano cocked his head. "You can have it now."

Zorro beamed and then moved out of the way. Arellano followed. He got to the courtyard looking for Zorro.

Zorro was behind him, the ladies to the side of him as he stood ready. He smiled and then called out. "Over here, Capitan." He called and shrugged off his cape from his shoulders.

He then smiled as Arellano whipped back toward him. He wiggled his blade playfully before he charged with a loud "Ahya!" as he leapt in a rather impressive Balestra.

Boudica stood with her friend as they watched the duel. This a duel to the death. Zorro was not playing for sport this time, he was out for blood. Arellano had done harm to his family, friends, and others. The Capitan would not live through the night.

They traded attacks and parries. The Capitan lifted a stool and hurled it at Zorro. Zorro ducked as it sailed by him to the window. Zorro recovered, trying to keep himself between the ladies and Arellano knowing that given a chance the Capitan might charge and try to use them as a hostage. Zorro could not bear to think about Boudica being held with a blade to her throat. His precious wife and the precious gift she had for him in her belly. A precious gift that Arellano was very much aware of, thanks to Leonar. An advantage to the Capitan if he decided to use it.

Zorro tossed him to the ground after they locked together for a few moments. Arellano then tossed another stool at him which Zorro jumped over as it was aimed at taking his legs out from under him. Arellano got to his feet and they struck at each other.

Arellano went around a table. Zorro lunged at him and he caught Zorro's blade, before picking up the table and shoving Zorro backwards with it. He then moved toward the women. Boudica shoved her friend out of the way as Arellano grabbed for Leonar.

"Run!" Boudica shouted to her friend shoving her toward the door.

He smiled and grabbed the Senora and pulled her against him, sword across her throat as he turned to Zorro who was watching. "Back off!" Arellano growled.

Zorro took a couple steps back as he saw a red line begin to drip crimson down her throat. Boudica took a breath. She looked at Zorro's gaze as he spread his arms. "Let her go Arellano, your fight is with me."

"Do you not think I know how much she means to this household? She carries a child, Senor Zorro. Two lives lost if you test me."

Zorro lifted a hand. "Let her go!"

"Back off! I will leave here, never return." Arellano said. He then yelped and staggered backwards as he clasped the outside of his thigh. A crimson gash was there as Boudica lifted her knife. He let her go and she moved forward as he limped a step backwards before charging forward to stab her.

Zorro grabbed her, pulling her behind him as he blocked the blow. He turned watching Arellano as he kept Boudica behind him. He glared at Arellano, smiling coldly. The Capitan was not long for this world now. Zorro would finish him. Known for going out of his way not to kill his opponents, he would make an exception for this man who had harmed his wife.

Arellano then charged making one last desperate attempt to win the battle, though the wound he had was fairly severe. Boudica held her knife as she stood back, shaking a little. She could feel the blood trickling down her throat. She felt hands on her and she gasped. She looked back and saw Leonar.

"Boudica!" The Senorita gasped. She pressed a cloth to her wounded throat. It wasn't deep, but it stung.

Zorro was between Arellano and the ladies. He parried several blows, working defensively, looking for an opening. He saw one and took it, stabbing with a lung. The blade went into Arellano's chest and through his heart.

Zorro pulled his sword free and stepped backwards two paces. Arellano dropped his sword and then followed him before falling to his face dead at Zorro's feet. Zorro looked down at him as he sheathed his sword.

Leonar went to his side bringing Boudica with her. Bo was pale, but watchful. Zorro looked at them as he stood amazed that he had just killed a man.

The gate opened and all three looked as Garcia and Reyes came in holding bottles in their arms.

Garcia gasped looking across. "Capitan Arellano!" He blinked. "Zorro!"

Zorro drew his sword again, but this time held the pommel before his face in a salute to the women before he moved, running into the Sala after grabbing his cape.

Leonar looked at the men. "Sargent, quickly, in the library! My Father!"

"Quick Corporal! Hold these!" Garcia said.

"I can't! You hold mine!" Reyes protested.

"Oh! Sargent, please, hurry!" She said.

The Sargent and the Corporal sighed and dropped their bottles. They all broke as the pair moved to follow her.

Boudica took a breath and she leaned against a post for support, bloody knife in her hand, handkerchief held to her neck with her free hand.

A hand came to her shoulder. She looked back and saw it was Bernardo. He looked at her and gently pulled down the cloth at her throat. He gasped and pressed it back looking at her.

She shook her head. "It isn't as bad as it looks. It just stings." She said.

He reached down and took the bloody knife from her hand and held it as he let her lean on him as they walked toward the stairs. They reached the top and she sighed.

He smiled at her and gestured as she leaned against him.

She nodded. "Si. There is a baby in me."

He smiled more and gestured again.

"Si, Diego is pleased, but I am sure he was not happy I was so close to danger." She said, her voice was tired sounding.

He gestured for her to sleep. She nodded and smiled at him. He took her to her room and opened the door.

Puma was there, but seeing his mistress he calmed. She pointed at his bed. He moved towards it and laid down as Bernardo helped her lay on the bed. She yawned a little. "When Diego comes back. Have him come." She said and then fell asleep.

He gasped and touched her arm. She lived, just her body was done with the events of the evening. He sighed and loved to treat the wound at her throat. It was not serious at all, but would be painful the next couple days.

She would need rest, lots of it. He was sure Diego would insist on it now that he knew she was pregnant.

Meanwhile, below in the library Leonar found her father still asleep listening to the music box.

"Father." She said. She hurried to his side and closed the lid on the music box.

He woke nearly instantly as she smiled at him. She sat beside him. "Is supper ready? I'm hungry." He said.

She beamed at him

Corporal Reyes looked out the window. "Sargent? Look!" He called.

Garcia went to see. Outside, before the stable were the Rabatos, all bound hand and good, gagged, under a carved Z in the stone. Above them on the roof was Zorro, watching. He smiled as Garcia spotted him. He bowed to him and laughed.

"Adios muchachos!" He said playfully.

ZzZ

Diego returned to the hacienda just as a gentle rain storm started. He had seen to the affairs of having the lancers remove the bodies and clean the courtyard. He had made sure the servants were alive. They would wake in the morning.

The governor was hungry and so they had managed to make him some eggs and bacon, promising him quail and wild rice tomorrow after explaining what had happened. Though not happy, the governor conceded that there was no one there who could truly cook for them since all the servants were out cold having been drugged.

After he and Leonar were settled and the guards reposted with Garcia in charge, Diego finally retired.

He came through the secret door and nodded to Bernardo who was sitting by Boudica watching her sleep. His servant had made a fire in the health to keep her warm and safe.

Bernardo left then as Diego sighed, blowing out the candles except the one on the bedside table that made her hair look molten. He shook his head as he saw the bandage at her throat.

Had he lost her…

He swallowed and shook his head. Knowing Zorros secret had done her harm this day, and yet part of him was grateful. She knew how to keep his secrets to protect him and the identity of the hero of the people.

He looked back hearing a noise. Puma was sleeping in his bed, all paws in the air, content. He smiled. Well at least someone would sleep in this house this night. Diego doubt he would. He was too wound up from the fight with Arellano and finding out about his wife's pregnancy.

He took a breath, undressing and then standing, watching his wife as she breathed in her sleep. He then did something he had not done in some time. He prayed. He voiced his prayer, lightly touching his sleeping wife's form as he did so. "Dios proteger a mi mujer, mi ardiente de pelo, mi paloma. Y el niño que lleva en su vientre por mí mismo. De la violencia y la preservación de cualquier daño. En este lugar y cada lugar. En esta noche y todas las noches."

He gently caressed the tiny swell that he could feel as she lay on her side under the blanket.

"I will never let another harm you again." He murmured softly, fingers lightly touching the bandage that Bernardo had made to help the cuts at her throat.

Boudica woke.

She heard a sound outside and realized it was a gentle rain storm. She opened her eyes hearing a voice. She looked behind her. Diego was there, watching her, his hand on her. She looked back at him and smiled. "Diego." She whispered.

He smiled. "Hello, Bo." He said softly.

She reached for his hand. She felt his chilled skin. "You are as cold as ice. Get into bed." She said.

He did so, climbing under the blanket and moving his body close to her own. She was warm and quickly the cool chill came off his body.

"What were you saying?" She asked him as she held his hand in her own looking back at him.

"Nothing important." He said. "Just talking." He said. "Words." He said looking at her.

She smiled sleepily. "I love you." She murmured.

He nuzzled her shoulder. "Te amo más de lo que nunca sabrás o entenderás." He whispered.

She kissed his hand and pulled his arm about her as she lay back to sleep. He leaned back to blow out the candle behind him. In the dark, he settled and held her to him. He did not sleep, though he felt she did. His eyes were shut as he relaxed, letting her sleep and dream in his keeping.

His wife.

His world.