Ignacio's Help

Ignacio De Soto took his time in the pueblo. He was feeling a little guilty about the challenge of a race to an injured man. He did need to deal with the criminal thoroughly. Losing the man was not an option, and someone was already going to be punished for dereliction of duty.

Ignacio oversaw the soldiers as they attached manacles to the man's wrists and his ankles, and ensured they were fastened to the wall securely.

"We need to have adequate guards in the cell this time, Alcalde," Alejandro interjected. One of the surviving governor's men raised an eyebrow and scowled at Ignacio, thinking he would complain about the interference. Ignacio shrugged. The older man was wise, what was the point of arguing with him?

"How would you do it?" Ignacio said softly.

"One inside the cell with the man, and one outside the building, just near the window. In case there are more men out there willing to rescue him."

Ignacio nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds adequate. One more on patrol inside the jail house as well." His men were hopeless; he may as well admit it to himself. Maybe he could beg Zorro's forgiveness; maybe he could help him with the soldiers. They all obviously respected the masked man.

Ignacio could see the older man was tired and distracted. If he knew that his son was Zorro, he was probably quite worried for the young man. If he didn't, he would be desperate to see his son who was dead but was now alive. A son that was woozy perhaps, riding at a breakneck speed back to the hacienda. He would hate to be responsible for the real death of Diego de la Vega, just because of a teasing moment. He finished up a little quicker than he needed to.

The Alcalde left the pueblo in the hands of the governor's man and Mendoza. Together the pair should be able to muddle through most things.

He rode next to Alejandro. Ignacio was pleasantly surprised to see that Alejandro kept Dulcinea well away from his boots. The mare had torn one of his old ones to shreds. He should have listened to Alejandro the day he had insisted on riding the mare. He had made a bad enemy with his crop that day.

They rode in the darkness, with half an eye out for outlaws. There weren't many bandits who would risk Zorro; as everyone knew Zorro was much more active at night. He had the eyes of a fox, after all. Ignacio grimaced at the legend, the darkness covering it. Diego had caused an enormous upheaval in the 5 short years of Zorro's activities. They urged the horses into a swift canter, to speed up the trip.

Alejandro swung down from the saddle, leaving the horses with Juan, and Ignacio slowly followed him. Felipe was waiting for Alejandro at the door, his green suit looking scruffy and dusty, but otherwise the boy was perfectly fine. Alejandro frowned at him and seemed irritated by the boy. Ignacio gave the youngster a smile, as he entered after the older man. They both knew what the teenager had gotten into that afternoon, but the old man didn't have to know the whole story.

Felipe caught up with Alejandro, signing to him as they walked together. They all walked quickly to Diego's room.

Diego is tired and sick, Felipe signed quickly. Even Ignacio had got that message from the signs. He frowned a little, and watched Alejandro's face cloud again. The worried furrow in the man's forehead made Ignacio nervous.

Ignacio was dawdling, and Alejandro had had to wait for him in the hallway. He seemed a little irritated with him as well. Ignacio's shoulder was hurting and he'd yet to see the doctor. He couldn't help being slow. Could he?

Voices travelled down the hall. Diego and Victoria…sweet little love birds…Ignacio felt vaguely annoyed. The man had made it to bed in time, thankfully – good.

"Hush, that would be your father, Diego," Victoria was saying.

"And the Alcalde…" Diego's voice cautioned. Ignacio grimaced a little at the underlying distrust in the man's voice.

"Diego." Alejandro said, as he walked into Diego's room. Ignacio hung back, to give the family a moment to breathe.

"Don Alejandro, how is the boy?" The Alcalde said as he slowly entered the room. "None the worse for wear, obviously," he added as his eyes met Diego's calm blue ones. The man staring back at him with just the hint of Zorro's arrogance was exhausted, drained and paler than he'd been. Diego raised an eyebrow his way, and something passed between them. Then the moment was gone, and Diego sighed, emphasising his weakness, not his strength.

"I'm not sure what happened. The bladder system obviously worked, otherwise I would be dead," Diego murmured, trying to sit up. Alejandro reached the bed, and pressed on his hand.

"No, Diego," he murmured, gently.

Alejandro scanned the room, his eyes alighting on the bladder system on the dresser. He picked it up gingerly and examined it.

"Extraordinary, Don Diego. It is amazing how you come up with these things," Ignacio said slowly. He took the bladder vest from Alejandro and examined it himself. He seemed genuinely interested and slightly surprised. It was so intricate and clever. He saw where the bullet had entered, and his eyes flickered over the blood everyone had assumed was Diego's. He rattled the bladder, hearing the bullet bump against the walls of the device.

"Diego is always experimenting with things," Alejandro murmured, thoughtfully.

"All a matter of science, Alcalde. It follows several principles. I can explain them for you…," Diego said, slightly excitable.

"Yes, yes. I'm sure you need rest." The Alcalde said. He had no time for that right now. He was sure he could learn a lot from the young man, but right now he was struggling with his shoulder agony and he was tired as well. "Your head wound looks inflamed from all that running about at the wedding. Not such a great idea, gentlemen. Diego was set up as bait in a sense. Obviously not a sensible move."

Ignacio was feeling a little imbalanced and needed some fresh air. He left the room abruptly, and wondered if he had been rude for a moment. He waited in the hallway and Alejandro soon joined him.

"I need to get back to the office, Don Alejandro. All this business needs to be worked through. As a previous Alcalde, you must know how it is," Ignacio said softly.

Alejandro nodded, but Ignacio wasn't even sure he had heard him.

"As I continue to tell you, Alejandro, that boy is the luckiest man in California. He is a walking miracle. I'd persuade him to take some lessons in self-defence. Luck can run out in time," Ignacio said softly at the door. Alejandro assured him that it would be considered, as he shut the door politely for once.

Felipe fetched his horse and noticed the wounded shoulder. He made him sit down in the stables, and disappeared for a few moments. He returned with proper bandages and some ointments.

"This is unnecessary, Don Felipe," Ignacio said softly, aware that they were being watched. Felipe shrugged and applied the ointment. Ignacio yelped in pain, and steeled himself too late. Felipe glanced at him with a slight sneer on his face.

"I know Zorro doesn't trust me, and he probably never will, Felipe. I want to make a difference in how I run the pueblo. I really do. I could have arrested him, you know," Ignacio said softly. "I know…"

Felipe scowled a little, and applied the bandage expertly but roughly. Ignacio grabbed his hand. "You know that hurts…"

Felipe gestured wildly. He was probably trying to deny that Zorro was Diego. Ignacio watched his face. Panicked eyes that turned to rage filled pools… "I could have arrested him. I didn't arrest him. I won't arrest him…"

Felipe raised his arms in a shrug.

"I don't know why…" He sighed. Felipe looked at the messy bandage on the arm. It was not his best work, and he reapplied it more gently, until he was satisfied. "I had a brother…His name was Marco and he was about your age. He's dead now."

Felipe waited for him to catch his breath. Ignacio felt the world spin around him, and he closed his eyes and breathed. "I…killed…him."

"He was my best friend. It was an accident. I never meant it to happen. He was covered in blood." Ignacio felt the words spill out of his mouth. "He tried to stop me. I should have stopped."

Felipe patted his hand thoughtfully, and he felt the tears again spill down his face. He was awash with them this time, and he felt his breath catch in a gasp. He wouldn't sob. He couldn't, not in front of the teenager. Not in front of anyone. He bit down on his lip.

"I've never told anyone, Felipe. Never. It happened so long ago. It was another life. I died that day. I must have, because the man I am now is nothing like that other man. The man Marco was proud of. I want to be my brother's hero again."

He avoided the issue of Isabella. One heartbreak was enough to deal with at once. Felipe helped him up, and he opened his eyes. He helped him to his horse and watched as he mounted. Ignacio straightened in the saddle. He assured the doubtful teenager he would be alright, and he thanked him clumsily for his help.

He urged the mare into an easy canter, wishing for his own bed. It had been a hard day.