It took Zorro over an hour before he found the run-down shack that sat off the road. The ground was littered with horse tracks and boot prints. The earlier huts he had checked before were abandoned, their walls caving in and the roofs leaking. No one had been in the buildings for years. Zorro doubted that even a wayward traveler had sought the little protection they offered. This building was in better condition and a thin wisp of smoke curled around the chimney. A small fire was burning inside the hut. Zorro heard a snort to his left and he dismounted. He moved slowly to the back of the building, keeping hidden in the shadows of the trees, and found two horses tied to a branch. The animals were munching happily on the grass at their feet and the occasional leaf they could reach.
A smile crossed the masked man's face when he saw the brown chestnut. Bernardo was here! Zorro crept back to the house, his boots making little noise on the grass and dirt. He stepped to the wall and leaned carefully against it, straining to hear anything inside. For a brief moment he thought he heard shuffling, but the sound was quick and quiet and he wasn't sure if he truly heard it or if it was his hopes playing tricks on his mind. Shifting to the small window on the east of the building, he took of his hat and peered cautiously through the hole. His eyes could make out little at first, the room was dark except for a small fire in the stove, but that light was diminished by the half closed stove door. He heard the movement again and he strained to see into the darkened room. In the far corner, sheltered in shadows, Zorro thought he saw a figure move. As his eyes focused in the dim light, the shape began to emerge into his friend Bernardo. The man was tied to a chair, his back to the window, and his hands clearly bound behind him.
Zorro moved from the window. He could not see Ignacio within the building, but that did not mean he wasn't there. It was impossible to see into the second room from the window. An uneasy feeling washed over the Fox and he turned swiftly, scanning the road and trees around him. Where was Ignacio? He had to be here – his horse was tied in the back. His hazel eyes found nothing in their quick search but Zorro knew Ignacio was hidden somewhere. His first priority, however, was to rescue Bernardo. He would worry about Ignacio after he knew Bernardo was safe.
The door creaked loudly as he pushed it open. Zorro cringed at the sound and wished he could have used the window, but the space was too small to fit through. Bernardo jerked at the sound and tried to turn. The chair would not let him and it squeaked loudly as if protesting the sudden movement. El Zorro scanned the room quickly, noting only Bernardo was in the room. Dropping to a knee beside the chair, Zorro took out his knife and cut the ropes that held his friend to the chair.
Bernardo's reaction surprised Zorro. Bernardo jumped up and waved his arms wildly in the air. One hand whipped to the side, a finger pointing toward the door. "Calm down Bernardo. I can't understand you." Bernardo took a deep breath and began again and although his movements were still hasty they lacked the wildness of before. "Ignacio is still here. Yes, I know. Do you know where he is?"
"I am right here, my friend." Zorro spun at the sound. Ignacio stood in the doorway, his tall figure silhouetted against the sun. The Fox took a step back and drew his sword. "I am not here to fight you. I am saving that for later today," Ignacio said, a grin spreading across his face.
"You expected me to find him, didn't you?" Zorro asked. His sword was still gripped in his hand even though Ignacio had not yet drawn his.
"Yes. I wanted you to know that nothing dear to you is safe. I could destroy everything you are Diego, without ever touching you. I will get my vengeance, even if I have to go through your family and friends to reach you. Before the sun sets, you will be dead, Diego." Ignacio crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame.
Zorro ignored the fact that Ignacio was calling him Diego. The man would not have believed him if he denied he was Diego de la Vega. Instead, Zorro sheathed his weapon and took a step toward Ignacio. "You couldn't beat me in Spain. What makes you think you can beat me now?"
Ignacio pushed away from the cracking wood frame and glared at Diego. His brown eyes were large in the grey light of the shack, "Revenge is a powerful motivator. When you left, I practiced day and night. I let the image of my brother give me strength. The memory of his pale face, the dry blood on my hands drove me to perfection. I will not lose to you Diego."
Zorro took another step toward Ignacio, "Then why did you bring Capitán Monastario in on your plan. You can not defeat me on your own."
Ignacio shifted his weight and his hand inched toward his sword. Come on, Diego thought, take the challenge. Fight me here so I do not have to put Ramiro into danger. Ignacio continued to glare at Zorro, his lips pressed tightly together into a thin compressed line and his eyebrows scrunched together, but he stayed his hand and let it drop to his side. Zorro could see Ignacio's internal struggle to calm himself and he pushed at the man again. Diego hated what he was about to say, but he needed to fight Ignacio here. It was the only way he could ensure no one would be hurt. "You are no better than your brother. He was a dishonorable coward who deserved his fate."
Ignacio growled a deep sound that emanated from the depth of his body. His hand twitched and before Diego could move, Ignacio's fingers reached his knife. The weapon made little sound as it pierced the air. Zorro's eyes grew wide as he saw the light glint off the blade and the path that took it away from him. He turned just as the dagger found its mark. Bernardo opened his mouth in a soundless cry and fell, his body catching the chair and dragging it to the floor.
"Bernardo!" Diego reached his friend in two quick steps. Blood pooled under his friend and the knife handle protruded from Bernardo's left shoulder. Zorro ripped off his mask and bandanna and wadded the material around the blade. The compact slowed the bleeding only slightly and Diego felt panic well up. It was an unexpected feeling and it left him shaking. He was at least half an hour from the hacienda and even farther from the pueblo. Could Bernardo make the ride home? A deep laugh sounded from the doorway and Diego twisted to look at the sun-filled opening, his thoughts halted at the unexpected sound.
Ignacio's eyes were wild as he watched the scene. "You are weak Diego. Your loyalties will kill you. I will be at the plaza. When you have taken care of your friend, find me. I will be waiting, and we shall learn who will live and who will die." Ignacio turned and fled, his laugh echoing in Diego's mind as he turned back to his fallen comrade.
Bernardo had his eyes squeezed shut and his face had gone pale. Diego put a hand on his friend's unhurt shoulder, "Everything will be fine Bernardo. I will have you to a doctor in no time." Diego took a deep breath and tried to think. Would it be better to leave his friend here and go for help or should he take Bernardo with him? Taking Bernardo with him meant Bernardo would get help quicker, but it also meant he would have to ride Tornado, and while the horse could be gentle, the ride would still be excruciating on Bernardo.
Diego was rarely indecisive; his decisions always came to him quickly and easily. Sighing Diego made his decision. He bent and gently scoped Bernardo into his arms. Rising, he shifted Bernardo's weight and moved slowly out of the room and into the gradually waning light. A sharp whistle pierced the air, and Tornado's whinny answered. A moment later, the horse stood in front of Diego. Tornado remained still as Diego helped Bernardo into the saddle. Diego climbed behind Bernardo and supported his friend. Tornado could sense Diego's urgency and his muscles rippled. Diego spoke softly to his mount, "Easy boy. We have to go quickly, but carefully. Go gently boy."
Diego had drawn another mask from his saddlebag as he rode and with one hand he tied it in place. He put his hat back on as he neared the hacienda. Bernardo was lax in his grip and Diego shifted his friend to get a better look at the wound. Diego could not tell how much the wound was bleeding. The black material seemed to soak up the blood. Diego smiled when he saw the orchard. They were nearly home.
The Dons emerged from the house just as Zorro stopped at the gate. They stared at the two figures, their minds shocked at the sight. Bernardo sat hunched in front of Zorro, his shirt bloody and a thin bone handled blade protruding from his shoulder. Zorro looked tired and his mask was crooked, his hat titled oddly on his head.
Juan was behind the Dons as they moved across the courtyard and he moved quickly to Zorro's side. "Madre de Dios," he muttered as Diego gently handed Bernardo to him and another vaquero who had just arrived. "I have sent Felipe for Doctor Hernandez. He should be here soon. Benito saw you riding through the orchard and he came straight to me."
"Thank you." Zorro dismounted slowly as Juan and Guillermo carried Bernardo inside. Alejandro began to follow the two men when he realized Diego was still standing by Tornado. The other Dons continued into the house as Alejandro moved back to the gate. "I have to go, Father. I will be back in a few minutes. But I must take care of Tornado and change."
Alejandro nodded and squeezed his son's shoulder. Diego mounted stiffly and nudged Tornado into motion. Once in the cave, Diego slid from the saddle and sat heavily on the straw, his back leaning against the stone wall. Tornado nudged his master but moved back when Diego ignored him. Diego put his head in his hands and took several deep breathes. He cringed when he realized he still wore his bloodied gloves. Yanking them off, he threw them across the cavern where they landed ignored in the corner. Diego stripped his mask from his face and threw it aside as well.
How did everything go so wrong? He was a man used to being in control and suddenly his life seemed to be wrenched from his grasp. The feeling was unsettling and Diego shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the sensation. Tonight, he would be back in control. Once Ignacio was on a boat to Spain, everything would slowly return to normal. Bernardo would heal, he told himself, and he would continue to defy Monastario. But a nagging doubt crept into his thoughts, and the dark mood followed him through the small tunnel. He sat at the corner of his desk and slowly removed his shirt. He grabbed a pitcher of water from a shelf and washed his face and hands. He took off his boots and pants and slowly dressed as Diego. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
He wandered back down the tunnel and unsaddled Tornado and feed the stallion a bucket of oats. Diego grabbed a brush and rubbed the animal down. "You did well my friend." Diego stroked Tornado's face for a moment. "If things go wrong, I will have father set you free." Diego left his horse and headed into the evening air. It had been over two hours since he had left the hacienda and he only had a couple of hours before he was to meet Ignacio.
Diego found the Dons in the library. Doctor Hernandez had arrived while Diego was taking care of Tornado. The good doctor had quickly, but gently, ushered Diego out of Bernardo's room. Doctor Hernandez had assured the young Don he would be done and would be out shortly to talk to him. Diego left reluctantly and headed to find his father. The Dons turned as one to look at Diego as he entered. Don Ramiro was with them and Diego wondered how they were going to explain still needing his help after Zorro had just delivered Bernardo to the hacienda.
Alejandro moved quickly to his son and gripped his shoulders. "He will be fine, mí hijo. Do not worry. Now tell me what has happened."
Diego looked at Ramiro and the young man met his gaze. Ramiro spoke quietly. "I know Diego. Do not worry your secret is safe with me." Ramiro smiled, "I was a little surprised at first. But then I remembered what you were like as a child. You were always the first one to take action, no matter the consequence. You were always willing to take a punishment if you thought what you did was right. You haven't changed after all, I guess." Ramiro sobered and his voice grew even quieter. "I am still willing to help, no matter what happens, Diego."
Diego smiled at his childhood friend. "Gracias. I fear you will be placed in danger. I do not like the plan, but I can think of nothing else. At least nothing that can save both me and Zorro."
Don Fernando stepped forward, "We are all willing to help." Fernando grew quiet as the sound of footsteps reached his ears. Doctor Hernandez entered the library and a small smile graced his features.
"Bernardo will be fine. I have stitched the wound and have given him a tea to help him sleep."
Diego exhaled the breath he had been holding and rubbed a hand across his eyes. His head was pounding and his neck ached. "Thank you."
"Make sure he gets a lot of rest over the next few days. I will leave some pain medication and some more tea to help him sleep. Tomorrow I will come by to check on him." Doctor Hernandez eyed the men around him. Alejandro stood close to Diego, his arm mere inches from Diego. Don Fernando and Don Ramiro and Don Armando were on the left side of Diego, and Don Carlos and Don Rafael stood beside Alejandro. Doctor Hernandez realized at that moment that every man in the room knew who Zorro was and that they were determined to keep the masked man's identify safe. "What are you planning?"
Doctor Hernandez sat on the sofa and listened to the Dons' plan. Diego had excused himself to go see Bernardo. He sat at the small desk in the corner of Bernardo's room and pulled out a sheet of paper. He quickly scrawled a note for his friend and folded it. Before he went back to the library he slipped into the cave and placed the note on his desk. He grabbed a clean Zorro outfit before leaving the cave. Doctor Hernandez was asking a question when Diego entered the library. Doctor Hernandez's question went unanswered as the gathered men looked at Diego. "Ignacio is waiting."
TBC