Zorro Meets his Match
Chapter 36 – The Coyote
Boudica had been nearly a prisoner in her own room for five days.
Worse her captor was her own husband. At least she had Buena to keep her company, but Diego seemed to not wish her to see anyone save himself, Buena, Bernardo, or Alejandro.
She paced the room when the door opened to reveal Diego. Bernardo was seated in a chair and Buena was near the fireplace, distended belly before her. However, as Diego came in, Buena lifted her bulk up to go to the balcony for air. Diego watched her a moment, but was safe in knowing that she would not leave the upper floor. She had been away from her husband for some days, but the Yorba ranch was also under quarantine when one of their vaqueros had also fallen ill.
Boudica paused and then shook her head and began again.
Diego came to her. "Have you sat down at all since I left?"
She gave him a withering look and he sighed. "You do know I am doing this for your own good, Bo." He said gently. "And for that of our child."
She didn't look again at him.
He sighed and dropped onto the desk. "Bo, perhaps this is at an end in a few days. No other seems to have caught the disease, but Pablo died at dawn."
She whirled. "I could have helped him."
"Not without danger to yourself." He said folding his arms.
"Others will be sick in the area."
"Si."
"We must help them. Those who cannot afford medicines. We can bring them to the mission, our neighbors."
Diego sighed. "We cannot leave."
"No, but Zorro could."
He arched an eyebrow. "And why would be do this?"
"Because it is right and you know it."
He took a breath. She had a point. He had received a note from Garcia, which he held over some smoke to prevent any disease from entering the room that the cuartel had also suffered and the new commandant was stricken.
"Si." He said.
ZzZ
Zorro rode to bring medicine to the neighboring rancheros that evening. Quinine being chief among them. However, the supplies were running low due to the infected and without being able to go to the pueblo for more…
Boudica stood in the secret room. Was it enough? She moved to her room. Buena was on the balcony with Teresa who had also not been close to those infected and was making tortillas for supper while Don Alejandro sat near looking out over the front gate as the sun set.
Boudica's hand dropped onto a leather mask. She blinked and lifted it. She walked to the mirror and put it to her face. An idea was coming into her head. An idea that would be a danger to her to them all.
Zorro rode for justice. Why not his wife?
She knew she was pregnant, but if she was cautious. She was only halfway through her pregnancy, still able to move and now restless. All she had to do was return before she was missed and San Gabriel was only a few miles. She looked about. She found a green older sash of her husbands, a pair of faded pants and a brown shirt from a different fashion time. Clearly it had been Diego's when he had been younger.
She wrapped the sash about her lower face before pulling on the mask. Her hair she quickly braided and pinned to her head as she found an older travel cloak of brown. She pulled up the hood covering her hair. She walked into the secret room and pulled on a belt and her husband's spare rapier. She hoped she would not have to use that, but…
She closed the door and went down to the cave. Nevada was there. She was not showing her own pregnancy yet, but Diego said she would. Like her mistress, Nevada was of a smaller build and would perhaps need assistance when she foaled or would foal early.
She mounted and sighed. She was quite breathless after saddling the mare, but she had a ways to go. She rode to the mission with the supplies she had gathered from the room. She moved, quietly in the dark and came to the padre's office.
Padre Felipe was there working on papers.
She smiled and then tossed the package in. Quickly he opened it finding quinine bark. He smiled. This would help with the fevers, but who…
He gasped and then looked up. He moved quickly to the window and looked to see her retreating form. He cocked his head. A brother came to him. "What is it Padre?"
Padre Felipe nodded as the small green and brown clad form mounted to ride away.
"That is not Zorro." The brother said.
"No. Too small in stature and different clothing." Padre Felipe said. "But also wanting to help California and its people it would seem."
The brother nodded.
ZzZ
Boudica came toward the cave, but pulled up short as she saw Tornado and Zorro return. She sat in the tree line, waiting for a time until she knew Zorro would be out of the cave, mentally thinking about how long it would take him.
She then rode to the cave entrance and moved the log barrier. She shooed Nevada in and the moved the log back. She quickly unsaddled her mare who then went to eat oats next to Tornado who was eyeing Boudica a little.
She pulled down her cowl and lifted her hand to him. "It's okay, boy. It's me."
His nostrils flared, but he dipped his head knowing her scent as that of the mate of his rider. He turned back to his oats his tail swishing as his mate moved to rest.
She moved quickly to where she had buried a bundle of clothing in the hay. She quickly pulled on the dress, shedding the other clothing like a lizard skin and wrapping it in the bundle. She reburied it and moving to go up the stairs, finding her way in the dark, using her hands to guide her since Zorro must have taking the lantern she left.
She took a breath, catching it before walking to the second floor and the secret room. Diego was there, as she suspected still pulling off the black costume of Zorro. He looked up as she walked in from the stairwell, smiling to see him.
"You are home." She said.
"Where were you?" He demanded, stepping forward. In the black clothing that hugged his body he looked thin, tall, and lithe. She always appreciated seeing him so. The black pants hugged his hips and buttocks like a second skin. He had removed the sash from his waist and unbuttoned the shirt. However, his gloves, rapier, and cape all rested on the table.
"I was seeing Nevada in the bowl by the cave. You must have been thinking about something. You rode right passed us."
He folded his arms. "And why did you leave?"
"Boredom." She said honestly.
She moved to walk passed him, but he caught her arm. She turned back looking at him.
"Boudica I just want to keep you safe. You know this."
She nodded. "Si, I know."
She then looked at him. His hair was tousled from removing his mask and the bandana over his hair. Always dressed so she had the want to throw him to the floor and pounce on him. It would be a bit tricky in her current state and he was larger than she was by a lot, but she was pretty sure he would be amenable to the idea once he figured it out.
Still, she decided another tactic as she moved to him. She startled him when she flat arm pushed him backwards. He stumbled the two paces back and looked at her in annoyance, but also curious as to why she had done that. She, however, reached for his cape. Tossing it to the wooden floor before him she smiled at him as she knelt before him.
He was watching her, but then gasped when he realized what she was about. She reached up, pulling the tight pants down his thighs then to about his knees. She reached up, her hands moving like small spiders up his powerful thighs to his belly as she leaned forward and took him in her mouth. He was startled. Though he made no objection, he normally was the one pleasing her with his clever tongue, although on the rare occasion she did have him so, he never finished in her mouth. He always moved and was inside her when he climaxed. With her as pregnant as she was, he didn't wish to harm her or the baby by lifting her and having her on the table behind her, though the thought did cross his mind fleetingly.
As her hands moved around to his buttocks, he looked down as she looked up rubbing the underside with her tongue. He quivered as she then ran one hand to his scrotum, caressing. He sucked in his breath at this. One hand went to her hair, the other went to the wall to support himself as he leaned back into it.
She nuzzled the hair above his now hard manhood before continuing her task. Being of Spanish Catholic descent he was not circumcised as some of his Jewish friends had been. As such his foreskin added more friction as she caressed him to oblivion. Diego looked upwards a moment as he was steadily losing control of his thoughts. The sound of her mouth pleasuring him was the only sound in the room and it made him, if were possible, harder.
He felt his body reacting to the glorious little mouth servicing him. He then gripped her hair, letting out a gasp as his hips moved forward as he groaned. She smiled as the jets of his semen filled her mouth. She swallowed the first part, sucking and licking him clean, as he panted against the stone wall behind him, somehow remaining on his feet.
She sat back, swallowing the rest of the salty slightly bitter fluid. She smiled up at him as he panted, eyes closed a moment. He then leaned forward and kiss him, just below his navel. She kept herself there a moment, feeling his flesh heave a little as he let his breath and heart settle.
He then reached a hand down to help her to her feet as she rose awkwardly with the weight of their child before her. She caressed his flat abdomen playfully. While his navel stuck slightly out, hers, as he had noted on several occasions because he liked to lick it, was caved in making a small hole that was highly sensitive. She looked up at him as he watched her. She brushed a lock of his hair that had fallen forward back gently.
"Well, that was unexpected." He managed.
"But you enjoyed it."
"Immensely." He admitted.
She smiled leaning up to kiss him. He tasted himself, but kissed her deeply before seeing to himself. He preferred her sweet taste to his own, but she had made no objection. Also watching her swallow his seed was up there as one of the most erotic things he had witnessed.
He removed his boots and pants completely and dressed in his Diego clothing as she half sat on the table watching him. Once he had pull on a shirt, he moved to the secret door. No one was in the room and so he opened it and nodded for her to join him.
She did so and he closed the door behind them as she moved to sit down in a chair. He poured her some wine. He walked back holding a glass for her and a glass for himself. She sipped hers, letting it remove the last bit of the taste of him from her mouth. He sat down beside her and smiled.
"I love you." He said. "Please know I am doing all I can to protect you. I no more wish to have you stay here than you do."
She nodded. "I love you, Diego." She caressed her belly.
Diego smiled leaning forward he laid his hand on her. His face changed. "Is that?" He asked pressing a little to her side.
She smiled. "Si." She nodded.
He gazed in wonder. "Can it hear me?" He asked.
"I don't know if she can yet, but she knows her mother is happy."
He looked up. "Doing that made you happy?"
She smiled at him playfully. He leaned up. "Minx." He hissed at her before ducking his head down to kissed the swell. "Hello. I'm your father." He said gently, feeling another kick. "I can't wait to meet you."
She smiled down as he looked up. He kissed her before turning his attention back to her belly.
"It is very active right now." He said. "How do you manage?"
"I feel like a scrambled egg for a few hours when she finally sleeps."
He smiled and shook his head.
There was a knock. He turned his head. The door opened to reveal Bernardo and Buena who had been weeping.
"What is it?" Diego asked rising to his feet.
"Maria." She whispered. "She died." She looked down sadly. "Benito is ill now and two others." She took a breath. "When will it end?"
"When it has run its course." He said looking at his wife. "You did not go do there did you?" He asked the serving girl.
"No, Don Diego. You have warned me not to."
He nodded. "Si. It is for you and your child, just as I keep Boudica here." He said.
She nodded.
Zzz
It had almost been two weeks.
Zorro was seeing to medicines and supplies to the hacienda and others. However, his last trip to the pueblo proved there was no more quinine left until the next boats were allowed into the ports. He knew there were some in the cuartel, but he really did not wish to steal from the soldier supplies, at least not yet.
He had returned to tell Boudica.
However, the next evening Zorro rode to the mission. He brought food and what supplies he could to the padre who was in his rooms away from the illness.
Boudica had also rode to the mission. She also had supplies with her, but she paused seeing Zorro there. She left her satchel at the door and moved to go see the healing ward at a distance. The Indians who were ill looked far better than those she had seen. Their rashes were less and their fevers were also far less.
Women were serving them tea.
She needed to speak to the tribe to gain the tea to help the rancheros.
She took a breath and turned coming face to face with Zorro as he turned a corner. Zorro was just as surprised as she was.
"Who are you?" He asked watching the much smaller masked one.
There came no reply.
He drew his sword. "I will ask once more. Who are you?"
"un fantasma." Boudica said making her voice appear deeper like a younger man. She was standing in such a way it was hard to make out anything about her other than the glittering eyes behind the mask.
Zorro could not make out much. The pattern of the clothing was much like his own, designed to make it hard to see the person, especially when in half moonlight and with trees behind them. The wrap about the bottom of the face and the leather mask hid anything if the face he could make out.
Zorro looked unconvinced, but she then moved, cartwheeling out of the way in a brilliant gymnastic move. The form then moved, jumping to a tree and using legs and hands, flipped up into it in a way Zorro never hoped to follow.
Once she reached the roof, she ran across it and down to her horse. She then looked about. She made it to the top of a ridge. Zorro was on Tornado and cocked his head. He looked back at Bernardo who was also on horseback.
"This one is rather clever."
Bernardo gestured.
Diego nodded. "Si, we will follow this young ghost."
Boudica was looking for the Indian village. She had befriended this people months ago when she had come to visit Buena's family. She knew they were somewhere near.
Zorro followed, but then drew up short when Indians came about the other rider who surrendered. However, to his dismay as he sat with Bernardo below the ridge summit in the trees, the other masked one spoke to the natives.
The leader of the warriors nodded and reached for the reins and led her into a valley.
Zorro watched. Was it worth his time to rescue this person? He looked at Bernardo and they waited, thinking.
Zzz
Boudica smiled as the warriors of the tribe headed her off. She lifted her hands and spoke as Buena had taught her. Her name, they had given her was Lily of the East Horizon in reference to her being from New York and being one of the whitest looking people they had encountered.
The tribe had been impressed by her wishing to learn from them, understand them, and keep their secrets. Rare for a white woman.
Now they took her to the village.
Once there, it took nearly and hour as she explained what she needed. The chief was not convinced, but Boudica told them Buena and her unborn child was in danger. At this, Buena's mother, wife of the chieftain spoke.
Boudica was given a large pouch full of tea and was given instructions to use it. She nodded.
As she turned to go, the chief stopped her. He signed something to her. Boudica pulled up her mask and cocked her head. Buena's mother, Light-in-the-Night, translated. He had given her masked persona a name as well.
The Coyote.
The trickster.
Though Boudica had other's interests at heart and had proven that, the chief knew that whites always craved something and would use any means to get it. Hence as her masked persona, she was the Coyote. As herself, she was Lily of the Eastern Horizon.
She thanked him and rode back. She spotted Zorro riding toward the village. She rode to him, drawing her sword and stopping him.
He looked at her. "You again?"
"I see you do not take a hint, Senores." She said gruffly. She sounded much as Don Rodolfo had.
Zorro leaned forward in his saddle. "I have been told I can be a slow learner."
The other masked one tossed a bag to him. "Take this tea. It will help save those with the spotted white man disease."
"Measles? This could help the vaqueros and others?"
"Si. I have seen it work for the people."
"So you are native then?" Zorro asked. "Do you have a name? I am Zorro."
"I am well aware who you are little brother." The sword was sheathed as the two regarded each other.
"Pardon?" Zorro asked. "Forgive me, Senor, but I am taller than you are and by your voice, older as well."
"I meant your name." There was a pause. "I am the one called Coyote." With that Zorro watched the other masked one ride away.
He lifted the pouch. He looked at Bernardo. "Do you think this could help?"
Bernardo shrugged as they rode back for the hacienda. Zorro had dropped off some tea to the neighboring haciendas before leaving some where the vaqueros could find it. The rest, of which there was a fair amount, he brought to the secret room to have.
He undressed quickly and got dressed for bed. Bernardo had gone to see to the horses below. He came and found his wife, abed, but still reading.
He smiled and climbed into bed with her. He gently kissed her and eased the book away. He moved to settle back, but Boudica moved, pulling her nightdress and his own out of the way. He looked at her startled.
"Boudica…should we? With the child…?" He asked as his hand moved down to caress her lower back and buttocks.
She smiled as she rolled onto him, burying him to the hilt within her. "It's fine. You won't hurt us." She said softly.
He smiled as she moved on him. His hands moved to caress her as they rocked together.
ZzZ
The measles outbreak had run its course, but not without many dead. Pablo, Maria, Raul all were from the hacienda de la Vega. The commandant and two soldiers had also died. Slowly, Los Angeles was recovering as ships could again bring supplies.
Diego, some of the Vaqueros, Bernardo, and Ellie had all gone to the pueblo to get supplies bringing a wagon and a carriage. The doctor had given them the all clear when no one else in the hacienda fell ill after two weeks. Those who had caught the disease and lived, Benito, Juan, and Roberto were recovering, the remains of the rash could still be seen, but they were no longer feverish and they had regained their strength.
A gypsy girl had come with gold. She wished to sell it for coins for food. Diego would not let her starve and had given her coins. She bought supplies. However, she was captured and two men took her out of town.
Diego and Bernardo followed, worried for the young girl. Diego changed and became Zorro knowing Diego would not handle these men. He found the men trying to load sacks of gold. He freed the young gypsy girl and then fought the men whom he was not going to allow to leave the cave alive.
ZzZ
Boudica, for herself had gone to the tribe to thank them for the tea that helped. She had dressed as the Coyote. However, standing in the room, Buena had come. Boudica had made the other woman swear not to tell another soul about what she was doing.
Buena worried about her mistress riding, though Boudica's gentle mare went at a very slow pace. Though highly not recommended, it still was one of the best ways to get around.
She came and spoke to the people. She had removed her mask, face cover, and hood. She then made a game of archery with some of the younger warriors. They were not happy about this with a woman, but the chief nodded for her to dress as Coyote. They could try to win against the trickster. They seemed to be happier about this.
Her pregnancy was still hidden from these people. They would likely force her to do less as well had they known. The only problem she had at the moment was shortness of breath and stamina.
A scout came to the village speaking about white men learning the secret. She blinked. The chief had her come with them to speak to the white men, if they would listen. She agreed, lifting a bow and arrow set. She rode behind a warrior whose horse was faster. She asked a warrior to see her horse safely to the pond near the hacienda.
They agreed.
They rode into the mountains and found several horses. Boudica recognized Tornado and Blaze, the horse Bernardo often rode.
As they moved to enter a cave, Boudica spotted a man running with a very heavy sack. She nodded to the warrior beside her. He nodded. They moved up an embankment. Both took aim, but Boudica's arrow felled him.
They then moved to join the others. However, the warrior told her to go on after seeing Bernardo sneaking about.
She did, entering the cave system. She came to a room where the two other warriors and the chief stood facing an unmasked Zorro. The Coyote gasped a little seeing Diego there in black, with a cut on his arm from a knife. It wasn't serious, but it pained him enough to hold it to try to stem the blood.
"I come as a friend, not an enemy." Diego said.
Coyote took a breath. She was a little winded, but did not want it known. She spoke to the chief. He nodded speaking.
"For many years we have lived in peace and our land is invaded by white men." Coyote said speaking in the roughness of a youth. Diego looked not less white than they did, his olive skin had browned in the sun. Though he was taller, lither, and wore different clothing, his coloring was similar even if the bones in his face were lighter, favoring his Spanish heritage. At that moment, the Coyote wondered something seeing him with native members. Had his mother been Spanish? She had always assumed with a name like Esperanza, but perhaps that was the name she had taken after she converted.
"How did you find your way here?" The Coyote continued.
Diego's hazel eyes were steady as he stood arms wide to show he was no threat. "I followed this man and another one who came to steal your gold. They heard about gold in the hills from a gypsy girl who found some in a stream a few miles from here. They took advantage of the pueblo recovering from a measles outbreak."
The Coyote paused on the last bit trying to think how to say Measles. She settled on white man disease.
"It is bad that you find out our secret. Now you must die!"
Coyote moved as the pair of warriors drew back their arrows they already had notched. Diego blinked finding the cloaked form before him, hands raised. She spoke in protest about this knowing Diego meant not harm.
Diego himself spoke behind her. "Why should you want to kill me? I respect your land and everything it contains." He took a breath. "I only came to keep this man from telling others of your secret."
The chief arched his eyebrow at this as Coyote translated. "You do not want gold?" Coyote asked looking over her shoulder at Diego as the chief asked.
"I do not want yours." Diego said honestly.
"All white man want gold. They will rob and kill for it. They want it for what it will buy. We prize it for its beauty, but you cannot understand this." Coyote translated.
Diego took a breath. "Perhaps I can."
"Than you are different from others of your race. Still you cannot be allowed to go back." Coyote translated and then stepped forward to speak to the chief speaking with an edge to her tone. The chief answered, both looking at Diego who cocked his head.
"If I do not return, others will come looking for me, then your secret will be discovered."
The chief shook his head and nodded for Coyote to translate to the Spaniard before them. "I think not. It has been planned that if your people ever find it, the face of the mountain will change." Coyote blinked. "I do not know what he means, Senor."
The man on the floor was about to get up as the chief moved Diego backward. Coyote stepped before him again and spoke, pleading the chief to save the man. Curious why the Spaniard meant to much the chief asked her. She answered honestly that he was her husband.
That changed things. The chief took a breath. As he did, the other warrior brought in Bernardo whom he had captured.
"Who is this one?" The chief asked her.
She was about to answer when Diego spoke. "A white sorcerer with great powers of magic."
The chief blinked at that.
Coyote looked at him and arched an eyebrow. "Seriously? What kind of magic could he possibly possess that the people do not have."
Diego continued. "Do not scoff at this man. He can make the lightning flash. He possesses red, white, and black magic."
Bernardo caught on and knelt by a fallen torch. He waved his hands and then dropped something into it that made a bang. The natives jumped back startled. Diego then moved, grabbing the Coyote's arm as well as Bernardo and pulled them toward the cave entrance.
They moved out. The Coyote was pulled along. They reached the ridge where the man was dead. Diego looked at her and noticed the feathering matched her quiver. He shook his head and then pulled them toward the overhang where Tornado and Blaze were.
The other man was just behind them and he paused to collect the gold his friend had. Meanwhile the tribal members went the very top of the ridge.
Below, Diego faced off against the other man for a second time. Coyote tossed him the rapier at her side, startling both men. Diego was able to keep the other man at bay when suddenly the earth began to shake.
Diego paused and looked up. He sheathed the rapier in his own sheath and grabbed Bernardo and Coyote. He knew full well the Coyote had saved him. He pulled her under the overhang as the rockslide the natives had triggered reached them.
The horses crowded back into the area and he stood watching as rocks and debris fell passed them. The Coyote yelped and cried out as a rock hit and struck her upper arm with enough force to cause her pain.
Diego looked back at her startled. The Coyote he thought was a native young man was actually a woman. That was an interesting revelation. What was a woman doing running about in such a manner? Though armed she seemed to prefer to use words or gymnastic skill to avoid conflict. Perhaps a woman's propagative.
As the debris and dust began to settle, Diego stepped cautiously out. The Coyote was behind him, panting a little.
They found the other man, mostly buried by rocks, dead.
Diego looked at the other two. "The old Indian was right. The mountain will keep her secrets. It will be sometime yet before gold is discovered in California."
The Coyote noted his wound was still bleeding freely. She reached up, drawing the knife Bernardo had. She reached up, pulling the ends forward. She cut one side which was about a half meter in length and then nodded to him as she bound the wound for him.
He nodded. "My thanks, Coyote." He said.
She nodded. "Come, we should go."
He nodded. He mounted Tornado and then nodded for Coyote to mount behind him. She did so and sat back from him lest he feel the bump she carried and know the truth. He would not take that lightly she was sure.
They rode back toward the hacienda when suddenly, Coyote scrambled down. She dipped her head to them.
Diego turned Tornado back. "Senorita Coyote!" He called.
She then went into the woods, ducking down in the foliage as he gave chase. He gave up in a few moments.
"She is a quick one." He smiled ruefully. "From how I understand the tales, Coyote was the trickster who often had his own agenda. I wonder what her game is?"
Bernardo shrugged and the pair moved to the pond. The horses were thirsy.
Coyote found her horse and gasped. She would have to take the fast root home to beat the pair who had stopped to allow their horses to drink. She skirted wide around the pond so the men would not take notice of her.
She came to the cave and unsaddled her mare.
Exhausted now, she heard someone enter the cave. She moved as quickly as she could up the stairs to the bedroom. Once there, she yanked off her clothing, pulling on an airy dress. She was just seeing to the sash when Diego appeared in the room.
He looked at her as she sat down to brush her hair. He came to her. "How are you?"
"Strangely tired. I have not felt myself all last night while you were away." She said.
He nodded. "I am going to find some lunch. Do you want any?"
"Gracias no." She said.
She moved to the bed and laid down for a nap.
He nodded and left. She took a breath and moved her clothing from under her pillow. She folded it and then put it in a hidden place she had found in a stone of the hearth. She sighed and set the stone back. It looked like it was meant to be there as it was.
She settled back, relaxing in the bed when Diego returned. "Well, Diego? What were you up to?"
"I met the Coyote again. That little thing saved my life." He took a breath. "He is actually a she, I am almost positive."
"Oh?"
"Si. When afraid, she cried out like a woman." He smiled a little. "She dropped the pretense of changing her voice after as well."
She nodded. "Fair point. Anyone we know?"
Diego lifted his arm. "She wrapped this. I only know she can speak to the natives and she carried a rapier." He took a breath as he lifted the queen piece off his chessboard. "I wonder who she is."
"One can only guess." Boudica said. "She sounds terribly interesting though."
"Indeed." Diego said. "I hope to know of her. Our missions seem to cross. She seems to wish to help people who are downtrodden as well. That makes us allies, but she also is very cunning." He paused. "And her name, Coyote, the native trickster. Will she remain an ally or is she something to watch?"
Boudica nodded. "Time will tell no?"
"Si." He agreed.
Outside their window he heard a coyote howl. He looked back at his wife who just smiled as she settled back to rest.