Diego Plays with Armand
"What do you think of my Marcela?"
"Impressionable young girl," Diego said a little harshly. Armand glared at him, and then laughed heartily. "A little stupid perhaps."
"Diego, you are without price. You say things no one else would dare."
"It's true," Diego said, with a shrug. "If you've read my newspaper, you should know I like the truth."
"Yes, yes. It's true. She's very impressionable…and she doesn't always think before she acts."
"Instant attraction," Diego said softly. "Like Victoria's first encounter. I felt the tremor in her hand as I helped her."
"I'm glad that it is you I'm up against. I'm glad your thoughts are on Victoria. I would lose my wife to you in an even fight."
"What?"
"In Madrid. You stole women right under my nose, just by breathing. You didn't even have to say anything, and they would have followed you anywhere."
"Victoria was a little immune…" Diego said, still a little irritated. "She didn't notice me or my so called charms."
"She had Zorro, and he was a impressive foe, Diego. You created a hero that exploded in your hand like a faulty pistol."
Diego nodded, and Armand put a hand on his shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about, Diego. Nothing. I will say nothing to anyone. Not until the pardon is complete. You don't even have to unmask. You can go on as you were. The only difference would be your outlaw status – the slate will be wiped clean."
Diego let the man guide him back to the chair. "You know, Zorro made a bad impression on my impressionable wife. You were rough and brutish…"
"What, me?"
"I know… Almost impossible, right? Something about being incredibly disrespectful and rude." Armand said with a laugh. "She says you're bossy."
"I think I told her fighting lions was stupid or something. I was trying to ignore her. I might have suggested that you wouldn't approve."
"That would do it, that's for sure."
"You do approve?"
"I approve of her defending herself if necessary. She has passable sword skills, and I am personally training her to shoot straight."
"Why on earth was she so far out of town?"
"She was intent on tracking down Zorro."
Diego's eyebrows rose a little. "Really?"
"She'd been through all the caves known in the area. She's very persistent."
"Zorro would soon have to appear? Is that what will stop her?"
"I will stop her. She listens to me when I'm firm enough. She does love me. Zorro can pay a visit, when I am beside her…Who knows what she'd do to you unsupervised? She might best you, and then where would you be?"
Diego slowly shook his head with wonder. "Perhaps. I've never faced a woman in a swordfight." He wondered a little at the idea. He would have to disarm her quickly, and then run, he supposed.
Armand laughed a little at the look in Diego's eyes. "They are formidable when roused, our ladies."
"Indeed. She is the sister of the Alcalde. He has a lot of natural talent with the sword. He has come close to beating me on a few occasions."
"Only a few, Diego? Ignacio is well known for his swordsmanship. People still speak of him in Madrid. He was a nasty piece of work, as a youngster. If Zorro defeats him easily, I will certainly have to see Zorro in action one of these days…"
"When I can stay on my feet for more than a few minutes without my legs trembling, and my whole body swaying, I will satisfy that longing."
"You seem to be managing alright. We could do a practice round, right now. Outside in the yard," Armand said. "We'll use rapiers. I noticed Zorro favours the sabre as I do, but they are a trifle heavy."
Diego stared at him with a smile on his face. He glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting his father or Victoria to be there, watching with disapproval.
"No one else is home, Diego. Why not? We'll stop when you get tired…As I said, Zorro can function as before, but you need to get up to speed again, or the bandits will have you."
"No reward, no pay…"
"If I was a bandit, I would seek to kill you for the glory alone. Some people don't need any material reward," Armand said thoughtfully. "Zorro needs to watch himself."
Diego grabbed the ceremonial rapier. It was a little weaker, and more flexible than he would like, but it was the lightest sword in the house. Strapping it onto his waist, he felt a rush of excitement.
"Do you remember at University? We used to fence every day before breakfast…"
"Who do you fence with now?"
"Soldiers, bandits, occasionally the Alcalde when he bothers," Diego said, a little dismissively. He thought about Felipe's growing skills, but the need to protect his son stopped him boasting. Armand was smart, and friendly, but others had been in the past.
Armand had noticed the catch in the man's voice, as if he was going to say something else. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
zzzz
Out in the yard, the man saluted with their swords. They ran through a few standard drills, in slow motion, to let Diego get the feel of his sword and his balance.
"Very good, flawless even. Better than at University."
"I practice every day normally. In combat situations…" Diego blocked a parry effortlessly.
"Combat situations? I would have thought the soldiers would try not to draw your fire too much. Mendoza seems to regard you as a friend, Diego. The Alcalde seems to draw you out because he wants to catch you, rather than kill you." Armand sped up the moves a little, seeing that Diego was very good, even when weakened.
"Well, yes. The main threats now are the bandits and the government officials that seem to want to exploit the people and capture Zorro. Are you sure they will stop bothering us, with this pardon?"
"News spreads fast, but it can also spread slowly. Some officials have their own agendas. The Alcalde could request reinforcements if Zorro is threatened, but as you know, sometimes there are delays…"
Diego grinned, as he finally worked out the flaws in Armand's style of attack, and began to force him backwards towards the wall. Armand was surprised, and concentrated more on his defence, determined to regain his position.
The sound of a horse and cart disturbed them, and they stood back from each other. Diego was a little hot and sweaty but Armand was cool and calm.
"What on earth are you two doing?" Victoria said, entering the yard. "You, you should be in bed," she said, focussing on Diego. "You, senor, should not be dealing with Diego like this. He is not a swordsman, you know."
"Diego, are you alright?" Victoria said, with great concern. "Have you come to arrest my husband, Colonel?"
"No, Senora. We were just revisiting old times. Diego, you really must practice more. Your swordsmanship skills are deplorable…" Armand said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Senora, I am going back to the tavern shortly, if you would like an escort."
Diego took a hint, and suddenly declared that his ankle was sore. "I think I may have sprained it, Armand."
Victoria cast Armand a dirty look, and together they helped Diego into a chair in the library. Diego concentrated on hobbling dramatically, so much so that Armand gave him a serious look, and quickly checked the ankle himself.
"I didn't see you stumble, Diego," he said seriously. Victoria shook her head and went off to the kitchen to fetch some bandages and a splint of some kind.
"It's alright. There's nothing wrong with the ankle. Victoria is so much kinder when there are injuries involved," Diego said softly. "I may pay for it later, but I want her close."
"Woo her properly, Diego. Get married again, this time in church. That way there are no grounds for argument. She needs to feel welcome and loved, and then she will stay here properly. You two are amazing with this reluctance."
"She knows that I am Zorro," Diego murmured, mindful that Victoria would soon be back. "She found out while I was unconscious. We haven't talked about this. My father arranged for the marriage, because of my condition at the time."
"So?"
"She's angry with me, I think. I need to explain myself carefully, and ask for forgiveness. I lied for many years."
"She knows you are Zorro – only now? You have been romancing her as another man? I can imagine the problems you may have to face, old friend," Armand said, getting to his feet. "Nevertheless, she loves you."
"Yes, I believe so."
"So there you are then. Deal with the problems, and deal with her gently and patiently. Remember you are the one in the wrong, and keep apologising, for as long as it takes – for the rest of your life, if necessary. It works for me with Marcela."