CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE – Zorro Meets the Stranger

Later that night, Zorro came to the back door of the tavern about the time he knew Victoria had dismissed her customers and would be doing dishes. He knocked softly their secret knock – the knock Zorro used when he couldn't climb through the window. When Victoria heard it, she quickly went to the door and unlocked it, and felt, rather than saw, his cape swish through the door. She hurriedly locked the door behind her.

"Zorro! Two days in a row! To what do I owe this magnificent pleasure?"

He drew her to him and they kissed a passionate, yet sweet kiss of longing unfulfilled. When he released her, he said, "You have a guest here, the governor's representative? I believe I need to speak with him."

Victoria seemed a bit disappointed. "You mean you didn't come just to see me?"

"I always love seeing you. It is my wish that we never be parted, but until that day…I fear I must stick to business for now. Hopefully, this business tonight will hasten that day."

"Typical – it's always business before pleasure with you. Let me see if he's retired for the night. You – sit down here until I come to get you."

"Wait. Don't tell him it's me. Tell him that someone he wants to talk to is here."

Victoria looked at him quizzically. "All right." She went through the curtains, and returned a couple minutes later with Merced.

"Ah, Senor Zorro! You are alive, as I thought! The Senorita's countenance yesterday could not lie about that."

Zorro rose from his chair and bowed politely. Truly, Merced thought, he is a gentlemen, caballero and well-to-do because his manners are impeccable. His bearing, his build, seem familiar to me. I think I have met him.

"At your service, Senor."

Victoria spoke up. "Why don't you two sit down here at the small table in the back? It is very private and no one will see. Do you need anything to eat or drink?"

Merced gestured. Zorro led the way and they sat down. Zorro took off his hat and looked at Merced, who shook his head. Zorro said, "We're fine Victoria. You can go about your closing duties. We'll be fine here." Victoria went through the curtains to wipe the counter.

Zorro waited for Don Merced to start the conversation.

"Zorro, I understand you were a witness to Lieutenant Hidalgo's death. Is that true?"

Zorro chuckled. "I believe I have also been falsely accused of murdering the lieutenant."

"Yes, yes, so I've heard. What is your version of what happened?"

"Lieutenant Hidalgo was an unfortunate victim of an accidental shooting. Alcalde De Soto and Sergeant Mendoza had been put under a death sentence. The only way they could commute it was to either capture or kill – me. The Emissary had evicted the de la Vegas from their hacienda, which he had seized for payment of the war tax – or so we thought originally. That was before anyone knew he was also a de la Vega.

"The Alcalde and the sergeant correctly assumed that I would come to de la Vegas' defense, which I often do, as well as many others. To get back to the shooting – Lieutenant Hidalgo and I were struggling, and I happened to get out of the way when I saw the Alcalde raise his pistol and fire. Unfortunately, the Lieutenant was behind me, and he didn't get out of the way. The 'official' version is that I –" Zorro pointed to himself. "– killed Hidalgo, when in fact, the Alcalde killed him by accident. Anything else?"

"Yes, tell me why you do all this?" He moved his arm in a sweeping gesture of inclusion. "I've heard all kinds of stories."

"I'm sure you have. But I do what I've done for truth and justice, to try to end tyranny. I do it for the freedom of all people, without regard to race or class. I was raised to believe that there are certain ideals you live by in order to have a free, successful and happy society. Tyranny and oppression have no place in a 'successful' society. If people are happy, they'll contribute their fair share and there's nothing they won't do for you…if they have freedom to live and pursue their lives without fear of retribution or governmental oppression."

"That's quite a speech, Senor Zorro, but tell me this – what would you think if the time to fight tyranny was over?"

Zorro cocked his head to one side. "It is well known that I am in love with the most beautiful woman in all California – Senorita Escalante."

"Well then, Senor Zorro – I have a proposition for you, if you will accept it."

Zorro looked at Don Merced warily. Many previous offers were usually traps. "What did you have in mind?"

"Zorro, I am prepared to offer you a full and complete pardon, signed by the king himself – with a few conditions."

Zorro eyes widened a bit with a glimmer of hope, but he remained wary. He gulped. "What are they?"

"I have three conditions. First, all law-breaking and humiliation of His Majesty's lancers must stop. Second, once the new alcalde is in place, you are to offer your services to train the local garrison in fencing, marksmanship, tracking, and horsemanship. Third, marry the lovely Senorita as soon as you can! I know how much she loves you, and I can see how much you love her."

"If I accept these conditions, will I have to reveal myself to you? I don't know you well enough to trust you to keep your side of the bargain."

Don Luis smiled genuinely, understanding. "I understand that. But can you trust the King's signature on a document?"

"Only if I can see it ahead of time, and see that you also have signed it, as well as the Governor. Wait. You said 'new alcalde.' Who is that to be, and what plans do you have for the current alcalde?"

"I'm speaking to De Soto in the morning. He will be accompanying me back to Spain to face an inquiry into his activities as Alcalde. Special consideration will be given to his latest act of saving ya – uh – Don Diego de la Vega's life, but he must also answer for his obsession to capture you – using resources he should have used for the betterment of the pueblo. As for the 'new' Alcalde – who would you suggest?"

"Don Alejandro de la Vega. He's already served as temporary alcalde, and the pueblo was better off for it. He has a background of community leadership and in military service. And, I believe Sergeant Mendoza also deserves to be promoted for his courage in standing up to the Emissary."

"All right, I agree. Do you think he'll accept?"

"Absolutely. I know he'd be proud."

"Now, Senor Zorro, what do you think of this pardon?"

Zorro sat a moment, thinking, then said, "Senor Merced, this is an incredibly generous offer! Can I have a few minutes to think about it?"

"Certainly. I need to go to my room and retrieve a document I brought with me for you to see." He walked through the curtains. When Don Luis left, Victoria entered. She'd heard the last couple of sentences about a new alcalde and a pardon.

Victoria spoke first. "Did I just hear him offer you a pardon?"

Zorro stood, took her in his arms and said, "Yes, under certain conditions."

Victoria and Zorro looked at each other – their hopes, their dreams – might possibly be within their grasp! The love they showed each other by their eyes went deep into their very souls.

"Zorro, can you tell me now who you are?"

"Querida, can you wait one more day, until after Don Alejandro is named alcalde?" Zorro sat again. He shifted in his chair and grunted.

"Are you all right?" Victoria noticed he was holding his right arm at an awkward bent angle. Her eyes widened, then narrowed as she thought about someone else doing the same thing. She didn't have time to think about it at that moment though, but it was in the back of her mind.

"Ah – yes, mi amor, just a little stiff."

At that moment, Don Luis came in with the document. Zorro took it with his left hand, then balanced it with his right hand as he unrolled it. He perused it a moment. He saw the king's signature, and the governor's. Don Luis' signature was beneath the governor's. He held the parchment up to the light and saw the king's watermark. It was not a forgery, it was authentic.

"Well?" asked Don Luis. "Does everything look in order? Can you meet these three conditions?"

Zorro carefully rolled the scroll up and slipped the ribbon around it. "I know that I can meet the first two conditions, provided Don Alejandro de la Vega is the next alcalde, but it's up to the Senorita here, to give me permission to marry her."

Both Zorro and Don Luis looked at Victoria. "Yes, absolutely, positively, yes. You may not know this Don Luis, but Zorro and I have already been engaged for quite some time." She ran and stood behind Zorro, putting her arms around his neck a moment. He squirmed because of the pressure on his arm, and placed his left hand on her arm a moment, before releasing it.

"Then you have my heartiest congratulations, Senor Zorro and Senorita Escalante! And please, invite me to the wedding so that I may ensure that the terms of the pardon have been carried out. May I officially give this to you tomorrow afternoon, Senor Zorro? I would like to meet you without the mask." With that, Don Luis took the scroll and went to his room.

"But wait – how will you…?" When Zorro got up, he swayed a moment, then sat down. Don Luis was already gone.

TBC

-4-