Ignacio's Dinner at the de la Vegas

Ignacio waited outside the room for his sister and Armand de Cipriana. Armand was finished getting ready first, and casually joined him outside the door, closing it behind him.

"Is she ready?"

Armand shook his head slowly. "It's best if I wait out here, she is getting very cross in there," Armand said softly.

"She frightens you?" Ignacio said, with half a smile. One didn't gain the rank of Colonel for shrinking from battle. Armand shrugged.

"Let's just say, I prefer to choose my battles. She can't find the right shawl or something," Armand said thoughtfully.

"Aren't you meant to help her?"

"She normally as a maid to help, but we had to move quickly, and we haven't hired one yet," Armand said.

"There's bound to be someone who would like a job as a lady's maid somewhere in the pueblo," Ignacio said.

"If you could help with that, I would appreciate it. The governor's man in Monterey would hear of your dedication as well. Anything to help with these rages would be most appreciated, Ignacio. She is normally so mild tempered, but put her under social pressure and she goes completely to pieces."

"Don Diego is not one to judge anyone on their appearance…"

"Marcela hasn't met anyone quite like Don Diego. Remember her childhood wasn't the best of environments, Ignacio."

Ignacio remembered. His father had raged about society and expectations and rules and norms, and that was when his mother was alive to moderate him. Without his mother's gentle hand to guide his father, he would have been a tyrant. Marcela would have had to toe the line exactly, and somehow Ignacio couldn't see her being that successful. Her sweet looks had saved her from his father's whip, but not his temper.

"I'll see what I can do – first thing in the morning."

Armand nodded.

Zzzz

Diego had sent around the buggy, and Ignacio glanced around the tavern, seeking out Senora de la Vega. She didn't seem to be coming with them tonight.

"Senora de la Vega spent the afternoon tending to her husband's injured ankle," Armand informed him. He had seen the glance and smiled.

"Injured ankle?"

"Apparently… I challenged him to a fencing lesson," Armand said with a chuckle. "His skills were unlike the ones he had in Spain."

"Don Diego isn't the best swordsman in the world," Ignacio said with a nod. He wondered how Armand had fared. Diego seemed to be gaining some strength it seemed. "There is a reason he doesn't carry a sword."

"Yes, I'm sure." Armand turned, as he heard the rustle of silk. "You look so elegant and enchanting, mi Corazon." Ignacio admired his sister in her dark blue silk evening dress. She had a tiny waist, he realised, and the rest of her was stunning as well. Armand was speechless at her beauty for a few moments.

His wife blushed under her husband's adoring eyes, and went to Ignacio's side.

"How are you, Ignacio? Is your wound annoying you? Are you resting as you should?"

"He's fine, Marcela," Armand said. He offered her his arm, and she took it, snuggling slightly to his side. Armand placed a protective hand over hers and they went out to the buggy.

Ignacio got in the buggy first, and moved across to let the senora sit in across from him. Armand waited until she was seated comfortably and got in as well.

Zzzz

Don Diego greeted them at the front door, with Dona Victoria his elbow. Felipe was dressed for the dinner as well, and Diego obviously expected him to fulfil as much of a family role as possible. Dressed appropriately, Don Felipe was quite a handsome young man.

The dinner was an interesting occasion, in Ignacio's opinion. Marcela was seated to Diego's right, and Armand was seated on Victoria's right, and the couples faced each other for comfort sake. Felipe sat at Diego's left and Ignacio found himself on Victoria's. Don Alejandro was staying in Monterey on some matters of business. It was probably best that way, for the talk they were about to have, Ignacio thought.

They were treated to a finely made garlic soup, steaming hot from the de la Vega kitchens. Ignacio had never tasted anything so hearty and warming in his life. He savoured every mouthful, because it was very unlikely this invitation would ever be extended to him again.

"Don Diego, do you have many horses?" Marcela asked, in between mouthfuls. Ignacio smiled at his sister. She was so innocent of the territory – it was almost funny to hear her ask that question. The de la Vegas had always prided themselves on their horses and the skills that went with them.

"Yes," Diego said softly, with a friendly twinkle in his eyes. "Many fine horses, Senora. If your husband agrees, you are very welcome to ride at any time. As is Armand, by the way…" Armand nodded his agreement.

"I would be honoured. So would my wife, Don Diego," Armand said. "Your stock have interested me since Madrid. You were so boastful about your favourites back then."

Diego smiled as if at the memory.

"You can't have my father's mount. Dulcinea is too wild for anyone except my father."

"Really, Diego? There was a time you would be able to master such a horse," Armand said thoughtfully. "Well, time changes a man I suppose. No sword skills, or horsemanship either? A pity, Diego."

Victoria and Felipe seemed to glance at Diego with concern.

"Just as my father said only the other week. Perhaps it might be time to get some lessons…"

"Diego, I don't want you hurting yourself," Victoria said, defensively. "You are barely recovering as it is."

"I'm sure the Colonel would be gentle with me, querida. He's an old friend – who better to trust myself to…" Diego's eyes turned to his wife, and Ignacio caught the glance of love flicker between them. "I would trust that man with my life." There was an odd glance at Armand, one that Ignacio could not understand.

They were served veal in leak sauce, with plenty of potatoes. The veal obviously came from the de la Vegas stock of cattle – it was very fresh and tender. It was a luxury Ignacio had rarely experienced, although Diego seemed to be very accustomed to it.

"I have never tasted anything like this Diego," Armand said softly. "The governor would pay handsomely for this level of quality. You should inform him."

"The less I have to deal with powerful people, the better, Armand. They tend to make me nervous," Diego said. Ignacio almost smiled at that one – it was very honest.

For dessert they were served crema catalona, a creamy custard flan. Ignacio had never even heard of such things before, but everything tasted very enjoyable.

Marcela exclaimed over the churros and hot chocolate that Diego offered at the end of the meal, and the ladies took theirs to the library. Diego and the other men watched them go with a sense of relief.

"Well, then, gentlemen," Armand said. "The subject of Zorro, and this pardon…"

Diego shifted a little, Ignacio noticed. Felipe shot Ignacio a tiny glance before he turned his attention back to his chocolate. Armand seemed not to see the discomfort of his old friend.

"Zorro doesn't trust government officials, Colonel. I doubt he will trust this pardon idea," Ignacio said. "Don Diego would attest to that idea. We have all witnessed the treacherous actions of a few men over the past couple of years particularly."

Diego turned a sharp glance at the Alcalde.

"As you could admit to, Alcalde. You have betrayed the man's trust on more than one occasion," Diego said with distaste. Ignacio squirmed under the hard gaze.

"Yes, well that is past, now is now. The whole world is changing, Diego. We could perhaps convince the man to at least listen to us," Armand said, trying to rein in the topic.

Ignacio sensed Diego's distrust and suspicion from across the room. Diego seemed more and more like Zorro, and he felt the sense of threat he usually felt when he confronted the Fox.

"Why would he listen to any of us?" Diego said.

"He seems to like your family, Diego," Ignacio said abruptly. "Think of all the times he has saved you or your father. All those times he saved Victoria."

"I think that would be a reason not to listen to me, don't you? He loves Victoria, and I was fortunate to actually marry the woman. That would act against me in any trust or truce arrangement. I would not want to be the lead negotiator in this. The man probably hates me."

"Possibly. We don't know. We won't know until we speak directly with the man," Armand said softly. "Everything would have to be above board, completely open. The man has some sort of messaging system. There are absolutely no traps, Diego. This is completely legitimate."

"You would say that even if it wasn't. You obviously think I have some connection to the outlaw," Diego said, defensively. "You think Victoria would talk to him? He has always been very unpredictable, and now he has only appeared on a few occasions, only twice since my marriage. Clearly his enthusiasm is waning for this pueblo, and I for one can't blame him. His rewards for helping have always been lancers firing at his back."

Ignacio sighed. "Don Diego, I think the issue is how to help the man, not hurt him."

"As I have already said, Zorro doesn't even have to unmask to take up the pardon. No obligation, but the governor would prefer it if we could deliver it personally. Would you have any idea how to predict his movements? Besides arresting Victoria," Armand said, staring hard at Diego.

"A poster in the tavern seemed to work once," Ignacio said thoughtfully.

"That was a trap," Diego retorted. Felipe stood and rested a hand on his shoulder. Diego seemed to relax, just a little. Ignacio felt for the man – all the traps and betrayals over the years must have been so discouraging. It was amazing the stamina of the man really, he thought.

"It got his attention…" Ignacio found himself saying.

"We'll do that then." Armand turned to Diego. "Diego, it's a good thing, and Zorro's life will calm down a lot. He could move freely in the plaza, help those who need his help without running from lancers. We could even hire him to train the troops in Los Angeles. They seem to need a bit of expert guidance."

Diego sighed. "I'm just a little tired, Armand. This is the first day I've been up all day, and it's draining. It does sound possible. Zorro may love this idea. As you say, we have no idea what the man thinks. Zorro just makes me edgy. He loves my wife so much, and he is a dangerous, unpredictable man."

"Yes, indeed," Ignacio murmured thoughtfully. "Zorro makes a lot of men edgy, Don Diego."

"I will put the poster up tomorrow after siesta," Armand declared. Ignacio noticed Diego nod and look down at his feet.

Diego looked exhausted and spent. The 'fencing lesson' probably took a lot out of him, Ignacio realised. Diego stood wearily, and almost stumbled. Felipe took his arm as if nothing happened, and together the four of them went to join the ladies in the library.

Ignacio noticed the stiffness and exhaustion in Diego's body as he moved carefully. Felipe helped him to a seat, and then found himself one. Ignacio watched the boy pick up a book, and soon the teenager was absorbed in it. Ignacio wondered what the boy was so interested in, but try as he might, he couldn't read the cover from where he was. The candlelight was warm and gave a pretty glow, but for reading text from across the room, he had no hope.

"How are you ladies?" Armand asked gently, as he joined his wife on the three seat lounge.

"Thank you, Don Diego, for the hot chocolate. I have never tasted churros before, and the hot chocolate was amazing…"

"Thank you Senora for accepting my invitation. It is wonderful to finally meet the lady who has stolen Armand's heart," Diego said gently. "You are a credit to your husband." She blushed a little.

"Armand, do you think we could go riding soon?" Marcela asked softly. Armand held her hand gently, and glanced across at Diego.

"Whenever you and your husband wish, Senora. It's dangerous to ride out alone in this area. There are so many bandits," Diego said. Victoria came over to him, and gave him a quick glance. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he felt the wonderful warmth of her presence.

"Brandy, gentlemen?" Don Diego offered. Felipe seemed quite interested, but Diego shook his head at his young son. Armand and Ignacio both looked across at Marcela at the same time, and realised immediately that she was exhausted.

"Everyone is exhausted, Diego. I think it's best if we make it an early night," Armand said, standing up, and helping his wife to her feet. Ignacio stood as well, making sure he followed the Colonel's actions in all things. "It was a pleasure to spend time with you as always, Diego. Thank you so much for dinner. I haven't eaten like that since Madrid."

"We will have to make it a regular thing, Armand. Monterey is not that far away after all," Diego said, moving to stand.

"No, Diego. Relax, you look incredibly drained…" Armand said softly. "Senora, look after your husband." Victoria nodded. "Come on, Ignacio."