Zorro Meets his Match
Chapter 36 – A Mystery from the Orient
Boudica de la Vega set down the letter and looked at her husband as he sat near her. Evenings were often spent so. As her belly grew, Boudica had less and less energy to move about. Diego had taken to making her comfortable in the Sala and then playing or reading to her. The baby seemed to enjoy, stretching lazily against Boudica's belly.
She had not had to ride as the Coyote in some time. For that she was grateful. She was not sure how she could manage now that her full belly would be hard to disguise. Diego knew well this trickster was a woman and he had assumed that she was a half-breed. He had nothing against that since it was very common in the area. A coyote being a term for being a mestizo used more frequently than the proper term. However, the name had come from the natives showing they were not quite certain of her motivations, but were willing to at least speak to her.
It was interesting to her that her thoughts about Diego had been correct. She had stood, looking at the painting of his mother in their room. She had been very beautiful. Diego had come and seen here there. She then had asked him about his mother. She never had before so he was startled. He had told her his mother had been a half blood woman who had converted. Alejandro had fallen in love with her after she had saved him from a raid by pleading for his life after he had saved her from soldiers before. He had married her in short order.
Esperanza had borne Diego, but the labor had been nearly fifty hours long nearly having her die of exhaustion before she could deliver. However, once well, she had named Diego after her own Spanish renegade father. No other children had come and a fever had taken her when Diego was ten. Alejandro had never remarried and he had raised his son as best he could. He then had sent him to university in Spain to become even more of a Spanish man learning the way of the sword and the book in equal measure.
Boudica had found he whole conversation of interest due to it's commentary on how the Spanish viewed half breeds and natives. Diego was not looked down on at all for his mixed-race heritage due to him being of the upper class and in fact looked almost as Spanish as his father unless one took the time to look at him as Boudica had. Diego was one of the handsomest men around, but was fairly modest about it being always a gentleman as he had been raised, though he was truly a bit more of a rogue which he played when he became the fox.
"What is the matter, beloved?" He asked breaking her reverie as her mind returned to the problem at hand. "You look like you bit a lemon."
She sighed and rose awkwardly to her feet to pace a little in her distress. "Why? Why do they have to come?" Her belly was large now. The air in the Sala was blessedly cool, but the air outside was hot. She spent much of her time hiding in the rooms of the home, drinking cool liquids with her feet on a pillow, and eating when she felt like it.
Diego had been busily seeing to her every comfort. Now halfway through her six month she was starting to feel very uncomfortable. Further now than she had been with Abraham, she had also become very temperamental. Diego seemed to manage to escape her ire much of the time with his pacifism and gentle ways to sooth her. However, vaqueros, Alejandro (who would at times match her temper with his own), even Ellie and Buena would feel her wrath.
He set his book down and got to his feet in a fluid movement. "Who?" He asked gently dipping down from his height to look at her, hazel eyes full of question. He was so handsome with his hair immaculate, his small mustache on his lip, in green pants, a white shirt, orange silk sash at his waist hanging down to his left side, and a vest matching the pants. The jacket and cravat were on the chair back.
She looked at him. "My aunt and two cousins are coming for a visit." She looked ready to spit. "Apparently Aunt Benedicta was recently widowed. She is bringing Saphia and Agnes her two daughters. Agnes is almost a spinster. I am sure she was caring for her father. Saphia will be a burden as will my aunt." She looked apologetic. "I am sorry to burden you and this house. Did the send a letter to you?"
He took a breath. "No, they had not."
To his knowledge this was the first letter her aunt had written. Agnes had sent a few letters, clearly the kindest of the family.
He took a breath and folded her into a hug. "It will be well enough. They will not spend long here and then they will return to New York and we will be at peace." He brushed a kiss to her brow as she looked up at him. "How bad can it be?"
Alejandro walked into the room. "What is going on? Is something wrong?"
Boudica looked at him as Diego continued to caress her back gently. "Si." She smiled bitterly. "You will finally have your wish and meet my family, Papa." She handed him the letter.
He quickly read it. "Interesting she informs you and does not write to the hacienda owner."
Diego looked at his father. "Perhaps the aunt is being polite in deference to Boudica being the Donna." He suggested.
Alejandro took a breath. "You are likely right my son." He looked at her. "Do you accept or do we send them back?" He teased.
She looked at him. "Send them back? How can you send back people who have traveled more than a month by sea to get here?"
Diego smiled a little. "Boudica. You are married with a child on the way. Father and I will support you. We know your relationship was never good with this people and bordered on intolerable." He looked at his father. "De la Vega is a very well known and proud name here. If they are truly the social climbers you say, that should impress them."
"Si." Alejandro said. "It is a very good match." He touched her arm. "The letter states they expect to be in Santa Barbara in a week." He looked at his son.
"Si, I plan to take Benito and another vaquero, the carriage, and Teresa to Santa Barbara to collect them."
Diego nodded.
Alejandro arched an eyebrow. "And not your own husband?"
"You both are busy with the cattle accounting for the year. I do not wish to have one or both of you pulled away from the house during that." She knew Benito really did not have the time either, but Diego would rather send him to protect his wife while he had duties to the ranchero rather than any other. Benito was strong like an ox, a powerfully built Indian. He was a very good and fair head vaquero and Diego admired him very much. He was not so sure about him courting the Senorita Elena, however, since Don Torres seemed to be not making an objection, he would not either.
"Zorro has also been busy of late with bandidos. There is rumor of a new commandant coming."
"Spain must be wondering about our pueblo with so many dying or being arrested."
He chuckled. "They have larger things to worry about with the war, but si. This one is apparently from Spain with a wife."
Boudica nodded a little lifting her glass. "She will likely find the area here a little more…rustic than she is used to, just as my aunt and cousins will."
"Why is she not taking the stage I wonder." Alejandro asked.
"My aunt has a true fear of Indians." Boudica said smiling.
Diego smiled shaking his head. "Having them as servants and around the missions and towns will be quite the shock then."
"Si." She smiled, almost relishing the thought.
ZzZ
She left her husband with a kiss as he saw her into the carriage. He had made sure there were pillows and blankets inside for her to be comfortable. Also, two full canteens of fresh water, a skin of wine, and some other snacks for her.
Both vaqueros were heavily armed and Boudica had a rapier with her. Teresa sat across from her. Normally Ellie would go, but she was needed to help Buena to control Puma, who was again not happy at his mistress's departure. Also, Boudica knew her aunt may have an aneurism seeing the serving woman walking about on her hands. James, who remained to take the place of Benito as acting head vaquero would equally be a shock.
He reached out and grabbed Benito's reins. "I do not have to remind you how precious that cargo is, Benito." He said firmly as he looked back at his head vaquero.
Benito nodded. "I know, Patron. I will guard her with my life."
Diego nodded. "Velocidad de dios." Diego said and waved.
ZzZ
Boudica had been gone for a week. Diego had realized he was having trouble sleeping. He worried about her traveling, though she was a strong woman. He almost missed her body sleeping beside his. Her warm, comforting bulk and scent helped him sleeping. In order to sleep he had been forced, when not riding as Zorro, to take a sleeping draft and curl about her pillow with her night dress around it.
This night he was in the pueblo with Bernardo having a drink in the garden of the tavern. Boudica would be arriving in a couple days, she had already written to him informing him that she was with her aunt and cousins and they were on their way. The carriage would be crowded with five women in it, one would need to ride with the driver, the vaquero, Reynaldo. Benito would ride beside, speaking to the women and keeping an eye out.
She had written, that it so happened that she had come upon the escort for the new Commandant and his wife. Capitan Arturo Toledano and his lovely wife Raquel welcomed them to join. Naturally, Aunt Benedicta was happy to have such an escort. She rode with the Commandant and his wife, finding them a breath of fresh air even if they were Spanish. It gave them a chance to practice their English and Benedicta could learn a few Spanish words.
Diego looked up as a wagon passed. "I see Tomas Gregorio has returned from the harbor. Wagon full of silks, spice, frankincense, and myrrh." He said bowing his head to the man as he passed.
Tomas dipped his head to the young de la Vega knowing that Diego would buy from him soon.
Diego sat back musing. "And tomorrow we shall buy his goods, Bombay cloth, tassels from Sendia…" He looked over at Bernardo who had made a cat's cradle. "And, eh, perhaps a book of magic, so you can pursue your games of idealness." He teased. He reached over and did the next move smiling at Bernardo. It was often his wife who played this would his servant for hours. He had been always amazed at the combinations she managed. "There you are, catch the cradle and the game is done." He then pulled out his hands revealing a small pendant locked into the string.
Bernardo was mystified by that.
"You are a man of magic and you do not know how I did this?"
Bernardo shook his head.
Diego beamed. "Well at least I am on trick up on you eh?" He teased.
Bernardo gaped at him.
Diego shrugged and sipped his wine.
Tomas Gregorio cried out about a thief being in the wagon. Sargent Garcia and Corporal Reyes came to investigate. After knocking over things in the shop and making the shopkeeper quite nervous they came out with a small figure between them. Diego and Bernardo had gone to see and asked what was wrong and if they could help.
"We have the thief!" Sargent Garcia called.
He pulled the blanket over him up and a Chinese youth moved, trying to run. Diego was faster and caught him, holding him still as he began to rattle off a whole bunch of Chinese that no one could understand of the group.
Diego looked at him. His hair was braided, much as Xao's had been, but was tucked up under the curious hat he wore. His face was young, likely no more than a teenager. He was afraid and Diego tried to calm him a little. Had he been a she, it would have been easier to hold her and calm her down like a child or a skittish mare, but that was harder to do with men not of one's family. He could feel his heart racing in panic as he stood against Diego looking about in terror. He still was rattling off the Chinese words at such a rate that what limited words Diego had learned, he could not even hear in the jumble of frightened speech.
Sargent Garcia looked at him. "Say something I can understand."
Diego took a breath. "Sargent. He is Chinese."
"Well then, say something in Chinese that I can understand." He paused. "Chinese. There are no Chinese in Los Angeles, Don Diego. Not since the acrobats left a year ago."
Diego took a breath. "You have one now."
"Si, so I do." The Sargent turned around to Gregorio. "You did not request permission to bring in a Chinese into Los Angeles. Tomas Gregorio"
"I did not know he was in my cart." Gregorio protested.
"But I did find him in your warehouse."
"One moment." Diego said letting Diego hold the younger man. "I do not think Senor Gregorio brought him here on purpose. Perhaps when you were in San Pedro getting supplies from the ship, he slipped overboard and took refuge in your wagon."
"He is a thief." Gregorio said. "I demand that he be put in jail."
Diego turned back and felt the boy's shirt against his body. The poor young man was clearly in need of food, he could feel his ribs, but he had nothing there. He looked back. "To be a thief, you must steal something. Obviously, he has nothing."
The boy said something again.
"You are right Don Diego. What is he? Who is he?" Sargent Garcia asked. "Nah, I cannot let him go, he does not belong here."
"Sargent. If I may suggest, perhaps if we took him to your office." Diego said.
"Just what I was about to say, Don Diego. This is a very serious matter."
"Then who will help me clean my shop?" Gregorio asked.
Sargent Garcia looked at Reyes pointedly. "Oh! Of course, Sargent." Reyes said.
Garcia then stepped to the Chinese youth. "Come on, little one. Let's get you safe."
Diego looked at Bernardo and they walked to the cuartel to speak to the boy, or at least attempt to.
Inside, Garcia had him sit. Diego looked at him and stepped forward, sitting on the desk. "Qui es-tu alors? Étiez-vous prisonnier? Pourquoi étais-tu sur le bateau et qu'est-ce qui t'amène ici? Ce sont toutes des choses que nous devons savoir pour vous aider." He asked.
Garcia was startled.
The boy shook his head and began to rattle off something in Chinese again. He went to the window and found bars. This seemed to upset him as he sighed, leaning against the wall hopeless.
Diego stood his arms folded, listening and watching. If Xao had been there, he would have been able to help since he spoke fairly good English.
Garcia came to him. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, Don Diego. Besides, no one in Los Angeles speaks a word of Chinese."
Diego nodded. It was true. He sighed and stepped forward to speak to the boy again. He leaned down gently. "Wer bist du dann? Waren Sie ein Gefangener? Warum waren Sie auf dem Schiff und was bringt Sie hierher? Das sind alles Dinge, die wir wissen müssen, um Ihnen zu helfen." He said trying again.
The boy blinked. He seemed to be understanding they were trying. He took a breath and spoke moving away.
Diego sighed. "Well Sargent. He does not understand French or Hessian."
Garcia sighed. "How can I arrest a man without telling him he is arrested?"
Diego gently had the boy go back to the chair and nodded for him to sit. "Well first he must be charged with a crime, Sargent."
"Is it not a crime, Don Diego, to break into a store or to enter the city without permission?"
Diego nodded. A fair point and he would be safe in the jail at least while they found out where he was from.
Sargent Garcia tried to speak to the boy. However, the younger man merely bowed to him several times until he ran into Bernardo who gently stopped him.
Diego thought about something. "Sargent." He said. "Bernardo, he speaks an international tongue. Now, wouldn't his sign language mean the same in Chinese as it would in Spanish and English?"
"Of course, Don Diego!" Sargent Garcia said. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"You have been so busy lately, I am sure you were just coming to it Sargent." Diego said mildly. He then stepped around the other man slightly and gestured to Bernardo.
Bernardo nodded and began to gesture to the younger man. The younger man was watching and suddenly recognized what Bernardo was trying to ask him. He smiled a little.
He spoke then walking to the windows and gestured to them and then put a hand to his neck.
Sargent Garcia gasped. "He was a prisoner, Don Diego."
"Si, and he jumped off the ship." Diego agreed. "But why a prisoner?"
Everyone in the room turned to look at the Chinaman. The Chinaman blinked and seemed to realize what they wanted. He moved to the desk and lifted a piece of paper and a dipped a quill. He began to write quickly down the page.
Diego came over and watched. An had shown him the beautiful writing of the Chinese as she wrote in calligraphy. She had written the names of Diego and Boudica in a love message as a wedding present. Boudica treasured it and had it in her hope chest.
Sargent Garcia came over. "He keeps trying out the pen, Don Diego. When is he going to write something?"
"He is writing." Diego said looking down to see if he recognized any of the characters. "In his own language." He cocked his head. These looked different from the ones that An and Xao had written. He was not sure how, but they were. More stylized.
When he was done, the boy gave it to the Sargent and bowed to him. He spoke, calmer now, with a slight hint of authority to his voice. Diego smiled a little and nodded. "I will take it to my hacienda and see if any of our texts can translate." He said.
Sargent Garcia nodded. "Gracias, Don Diego."
ZzZ
Diego ate dinner and then set about in the library looking up the characters. There was a book there that had Chinese characters in it. He poured over it for some hours drinking wine. Bernardo brought him a light.
Diego thanked him. "Gracias, Bernardo." He said. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I may be at this all night. So far I have only been able to translate two characters. Canton and wealth or money. Not too helpful. But hopefully we can save our Chinese friend from whatever it is that is frightening him."
Bernardo looked at him and moved the book to help him.
Diego smiled as he poured him some wine.
ZzZ
It was midmorning when the caravan for the new commandant arrived. They were late due to the coach getting stuck in the mud of the river ford. The commandant himself had fallen into the mud trying to help free it. His wife had been highly amused by this.
At the cuartel, Raquel discovered the commandant's room was little more than a closet compared to what she was used to. Boudica politely offered that they should perhaps allow her to have a room in the inn until things were settled.
The commandant agreed.
Sargent Garcia informed him about their rather unusual guest who was watching from the bars. Boudica had made to go speak to him, but her aunt had stopped her claiming she wished to make to their destination as soon as possible. Saphia was bored, though she did smile at some of the soldiers. Agnes who was not as pretty, but practical stayed near her cousin.
The commandant saw Boudica was pale and she wobbled a little. He pressed her to a chair and fanned her lightly calling for wine to revive her. Boudica was thankful for his gentlemanly ways. After only a few moments.
He then saw his guests off under guard to the de la Vega hacienda. Sargent Garcia was with them, telling them about how grand the hacienda was and that it was the largest in the area. They arrived at the hacienda a little over an hour later. Saphia had been flirting with Benito practically the whole way while her sister sat rigid in the driver's box unsure how speak to the man beside her.
Benedicta looked at all the lands. "Such a large area." She said.
"Much of what you see belongs to Don Alejandro."
"And he is your father-in-law."
"Si."
"Boudica, I must insist you speak English."
Boudica smiled a little. "Why? You are in a Spanish colony. Perhaps you should learn more Spanish."
Her aunt looked at her startled. "Why you…"
Boudica gazed at her evenly. "Remember, aunt, my husband will inherit this. I have no need of your charity anymore."
"Careful girl…" her aunt warned.
Boudica let it go, for now.
Diego and Alejandro heard them come. They opened the gate and stepped out to find the women. They quickly sent the various servants to see to the luggage. Diego went around and helped Saphia down. He then smiled at his wife. He lifted her under her arms and sighed, pulling her into his embrace, sighing happily to have her home. Even as disheveled as she was carrying his child and from the journey, she was still so lovely to him. He kissed her hair and sighed holding her. Saphia looked on, looking at the handsome man. However, Diego only had eyes for the woman he held as he bent softly, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
"I have missed you." He murmured letting her step back.
She beamed up at him as he touched her face with his fingers. She turned her head and kissed them tenderly. "As I you, Diego."
Reynaldo helped Agnes down from where she had ridden beside him. Alejandro offered a hand to Teresa to get down and then smiled bowing to the elder woman there.
"Welcome to my hacienda." Don Alejandro greeted. "I am Don Alejandro de la Vega."
The older woman smiled. "Benedicta Carlisle." She said curtsying to him. "My daughters Saphia and Agnes."
"Lordship." Saphia said stepping forward.
Agnes also came and bowed to him. She was plainer than her sister and wore spectacles. She was still pretty, but looked quite plain next to Boudica and Saphia and even her mother who was clearly young enough and pretty enough to wed again if she chose.
Sargent Garcia bowed to them. "We shall leave you then. Buenas tardes."
"Buenas tardes." Boudica waved at him as he led the soldiers away.
Alejandro shook his head. "I am not a lord, merely a landowner."
"Merely, Papa." Boudica said as she looked at him. She and Diego were standing together.
He smiled and came to her and embraced her. He then beamed as his hand went to her belly. "You are both doing well I trust."
"Si, Papa." She beamed. She looked back at her husband who was as handsome as ever, watching. "Aunt Benedicta, Saphia, Agnes, may I present my husband Don Diego de la Vega."
He bowed. "Your servant Senora. Senoritas." He said nodding to each.
Alejandro nodded to the ladies. "I am sure you are tired from your journey. However, would you take some refreshment while the servants see to your things." He offered a hand to Benedicta. "The library is cool."
She smiled and walked with him. The two Senoritas walked together looking at the courtyard. Diego and Boudica walked behind them.
Diego leaned close. "They seem rather nice." He murmured.
"Wait until they become peacocks." She said. "All fancy dresses with claws."
He smiled and walked in, closing the door behind him. They had wine and spoke about the voyage for a time. Boudica got up and walked around a little as they spoke. Diego took notice, but did not move just yet. It wasn't until he saw her by the window, taking a breath, hand on her back, eyes closed, that he did. He came to her and gently touched her back.
"Are you all right? Does the babe trouble you?"
She smiled. "Not much." She said. "I just have been sitting for so long."
"Would you like to lie down? I can rub your back for you and anything else that aches."
She smiled and nodded.
Diego took her hand and walked to the group, nodding for her to go to the door. "Father, Boudica needs to lie down. She is feeling a little faint after the journey. Shall we see you at supper?"
"Of course, Diego." Alejandro said, eyes flicking to the very pregnant Boudica. "Let her rest."
"Con tu permiso." Diego said bowing a little and then went to the door and walked with his wife up to their rooms.
She opened the door and was knocked back a little into her husband as the great cat came and jumped on his back legs to touch his mother. He started to purr, pawing her shoulders insistently. His claws were in his paws, but the massive paw was nearly the size of her face.
Diego hissed. "Puma! Get off!"
The big cat did so, but then rubbed against her leg, butting her for attention. She gave it, scratching his head. He began to purr louder.
"Yes, I missed you too." She murmured. She then pointed. "Go to bed."
The cat did so, slowly.
She then turned noting Diego had locked the door behind them. She watched him walk around her. He took a breath and sat down on the trunk at the end of the bed.
"Finally, I have you alone." He murmured.
She smiled. "I have missed you Diego."
"Oh?" She asked.
She nodded and watched him stand. He bent and kissed her, this time it was an impassioned kiss full of wanting and need. She pressed him backwards and then smiled as his knees hit the bed. He gasped, but she playfully shoved him backwards. He gasped, startled as he found himself flat on his back, legs over the edge.
He looked up at her as she pulled up her skirts and climbed on top of him, pressing a kiss to him as she planted her hands beside his head. Even with the added bulk of her child, he was not repelled at all. In fact, she her face was very pretty with the glowing skin of a pregnant woman. His hands came up to caress her.
He rolled her onto her back, not breaking their kiss. His hands snaked under her petticoats and he found bare skin. He looked up at her startled. "My, Senora, de la Vega. It would appear you do not have any undergarments." He teased.
She shook her head. "I removed them before we left the pueblo. It took everything in me not to take you to the stables and mount you like a stallion."
He chuckled. "Oh?" He smiled at her. "What a wanton I wed."
"Si." She grinned. "Though I had considered throwing you against a wall and letting you have me there."
They had done that before. In fact, there were very few surfaces of the house he had not made love to her in some fashion upon. The fact made him smile, but likely would horrify his father and their guests.
He looked at her and chuckled. "If there is throwing to do, beloved, I guarantee that I will be the one doing it."
She smiled at him as his hands caressed her buttocks and hips that had flushed out with her pregnancy.
No other words were required as they then worked to undress him and then herself. When they were both free of their clothing, he turned them on the bed and then pulled her on top of him. She took him inside her and they both gasped at the feeling. They had been away from each other too long.
He looked down and then kissed the swell between them as he sat up. He then kissed her large breasts, caressing one and suckling the other. He looked up at her as they then rocked together.
He began to move languidly inside her, thrusting upwards, gently, allowing her to mark the pace and the depth. His hands were everywhere, remembering the body of his spouse absent from him. She rode him and as she peaked, she arched back, hands on his legs. He smiled following her. He then eased her back to the bed, allowing her to lie on her side as he caressed her gently. She lay beside him, the sheet below her breasts. He cupped the swell, feeling his child move.
"I love you." He murmured.
"I know." She answered.
ZzZ
The next day, the women were all late risers. Diego had left to oversee the sale of another part of the herd. Alejandro had ridden to the pueblo to bring hides to the storehouse.
Boudica was the first to rise. She went to find breakfast. Ellie beamed greeting her mistress. She told her mistress that she was also pregnant. Boudica could not fathom how that were even possible, but she knew James must be very happy.
Benedicta was next. She wanted eggs, tea, and toast. Ellie moved to do that, dropping to the floor out of her notice to go cook. Teresa smiled bringing in the hot toast and fresh butter.
"I cannot believe this house is the largest in Los Angeles." Benedicta said. She looked up and saw Bernardo who was seeing to serving some hot tortillas for Boudica.
He gestured to her. She nodded. She signed back.
"What is that curious little moon-faced man doing?" Benedicta asked.
"He is telling me Diego and Papa are out. Diego went to see to the sale of some of the cattle. Papa is seeing to other ranchero business."
"And you got all that from his gestures?"
"Si."
"Why didn't he just tell you?"
"He can't." Boudica said.
"He is a deafmute?"
"Si. Since he was young, Diego tells me. He is, however, a great servant. I can see why Diego brought him back from Spain." She smiled up at Bernardo and gestured.
He beamed and walked away.
"He is a strange man." Benedicta said watching him.
Boudica heard the sound of spurs and boots on the flagstones. The door opened and James walked in taking a breath. He then noticed Boudica there.
"Oh! Pardon, Senora." He said. "I was looking for my wife."
"She is in the kitchen James."
"Gracias, Senora." He said smiling and walked passed her.
Benedicta looked at the man as he passed through the door into the kitchen after smiling at Teresa. "What on earth was that?"
"James. He is one of our best vaqueros." Boudica said. "He is second only to Benito who rode with us. He is the head vaquero. James fulfills this duty when he is away."
"But he is…is…a…"
"Dwarf?" Boudica asked.
"Yes."
"I do not see how that changed things."
Benedicta blinked at her niece as the other two came in. Saphia looked about before she sat. Agnes came to Boudica's side. The rest of the meal had the women chattering to each other.
ZzZ
Diego returned and found them in the Sala. He poured himself some wine as he pushed back his sombrero.
Boudica smiled up at him. "Perhaps you could show Agnes and Saphia the area. I am sure that riding a horse would be rather interesting for them."
He chuckled offering his arms to them both to take them to the stables. He had the vaqueros saddle them two gentle horses, one was Rana, his wife's pregnant mare. He saddled his own and then rode with them out into the grasslands.
At first, Saphia had been completely unnerved by the western saddle, but then got used to it. Agnes, however, seemed more about to adapt instantly. She did not protest and seemed a little nervous, but Diego rode beside her to calm her fears, helping by showing her how to ride as her sister rode a little ahead of them.
He told them about the property. Agnes was curious about the area and asked questions. Saphia saw a log and wished to jump it, but Rana refused. She got annoyed and whipped the horse with her crop.
Diego came forward and pulled the crop from her hand. "You have no need for that she cannot jump."
"Won't jump." Saphia hissed.
"Can't." Diego corrected. "She is too pregnant to do it safely and she knows it."
"You let me ride a pregnant mare?"
"She is my wife's and Boudica cannot ride her at the moment. Gives her exercise and allows you to ride." He sat up in his saddle. "Also assures you that you will not be thrown."
She took a breath and looked at him. "I see."
He nodded to her. "Come then. There are other places to see." He looked back at Agnes.
ZzZ
The group returned.
Agnes was grateful to Diego and was walking her arm in his, chattering about the exciting adventure. Saphia was behind them sulking that she could not touch the handsome man.
Boudica looked up from the piles of papers on Diego's desk in the library. He had the girls go join their mother upstairs for a siesta. He took a breath and came into the library where his wife was looking over his work to help the Chinese boy.
"Why are you looking at my Chinese books?" She asked. The texts were gifts sent to her from An and Xao from China. One was a translation of a Taoist text. The other had English and Manchu together in a translation book from Hong Kong.
He sighed. "We have a guest in the pueblo. He managed to communicate he is a prisoner, but he has said little else we can follow." He nodded to the page lying on the book. "We cannot make out these characters."
She sat down. "Well for one reason, you are using my Manchurian books. These are Mandarin. Traditional Mandarin at that."
Diego stepped forward. "Acrobats." He murmured. Of course, Boudica knew Chinese. He then beamed. "Can you read it?"
"Si. Well, some of it. I am better at Manchu." She took a breath. "Was he from the capital?"
"I am not sure. How can you tell?"
"This is the language of Beijing." She took a breath. "And this character here is one only used in the Zijin Cheng." She said sounded much like An speaking.
"The what?"
"Purple Forbidden City." She said looking back down.
"Forbidden City? The forbidden city?" Diego asked startled.
"Si." She blinked. "Was he an official then?"
"Too young for that kind of office. Perhaps the son of a politico?"
She nodded. "Was he your age then?"
"Younger, closer to your age. If he is a man, he is not long in such a way."
She nodded. She took a breath. "Chiu Chang."
"Is that significant?"
"It's his name."
Diego blinked. "Really?"
"Si." She then pointed. "Captured." She looked up. "He was held against his will?"
"He said he was a prisoner."
"Press ganged?" She asked him. A common enough practice among ships in open waters who were in need of crews.
He shrugged. "Maybe."
She took a breath. "It will take me some time." She said.
He nodded. "I will get us some wine."
She nodded as she shifted the paper to begin to write the translation notes.
ZzZ
It was supper before she had a working translation.
"My name Prince Chiu Chang. Please help. I was captured by the captain and being held for money. I wish to return home to the Forbidden City. My brother will reward you." Diego read as he held his cigar. He looked up at Bernardo who was there also. "Our friend is a prince." He smiled and bent to kiss his wife. "Gracias, Bo! We can help our young friend."
Bernardo made a Z in the air.
"Si." Diego nodded. "Take this to Sargent Garcia." He told Bernardo.
Bernardo nodded.
Diego smiled at his wife. "I must ride to help him. I was informed earlier that a ship captain took the boy away. If I hurry I can catch them. They are not that far ahead and it will be slow going if the boy fights."
She nodded. "I will make your excuses at dinner." She smiled up at him.
He smiled and left through the secret passage of the library.
ZzZ
Zorro did indeed catch them some miles from the pueblo. The man had the boy tied up and gagged as he sat by a fire for the night.
Zorro fought the man. The Americano captain was not a good swordsman, but he was large and the hits Zorro took to his sword he could feel up his arm. Still, he was able to get the upper hand. He moved to release the boy, but the captain made one last attempt to capture him, well aware of the price on his head.
Zorro, however, side stepped the blow and watched as the man could not check his momentum enough and went over the cliff. Zorro saw the soldiers and smiled as he bowed to the Chinese youth who was holding his wrists.
Garcia then saw the young man to he cuartel, this time not as a prisoner, but as a guest.
The next morning, Sargent Garcia summoned the de la Vegas to the pueblo.
Boudica and Diego came with Bernardo since the guests were still abed. It was early yet, only eight when Corporal Reyes came for them.
Once there, Diego helped his wife down and they walked into the cuartel. Sargent Garcia had the young man with him. The prince was dressed in Spanish clothing, but looked no worse for wear Diego and Boudica were glad to see.
Boudica stepped forward and bowed to him deeply. She made sure it was measured properly for being a man, older than she, and a prince. He watched her and seemed impressed by this.
She then spoke to him in rather hesitant Mandarin. The young prince looked at her startled, but then answered in Manchu, for which she was grateful. She had not been sure he would know it. She beamed and nodded to those about her clearly introducing them. He bowed to each. He then spoke to her and she listened closely.
The new commandant come out and looked at the group. Garcia had informed him the night before about what had happened. It was the commandant who had seen to the lancers lining up to present for his highness and now looked on curiously at the girl speaking to the young Chinaman.
Boudica looked at her husband. "The prince tells me that you should have been there yesterday, Diego to watch Zorro fight. I told him you also helped save him."
"Not nearly as much as you did, beloved." He smiled. "The credit goes to you and Sargent Garcia."
"Gracias, Don Diego." Sargent Garcia said.
"I also told him you were sorry you had to put him in your jail." Boudica said.
"That was a mistake…I am sorry." Sargent Garcia said looking at the prince.
She spoke and the Prince beamed and bowed to Garcia. She looked back at Garcia. "I think you are forgiven."
They then walked the prince to a carriage that would take him to Monterey under escort. He got in and spoke.
Boudica smiled and bowed. She answered him and then looked back at her husband. "Zorro, whoever you are, you have my thanks." She said.
The boy then rode off as the de la Vegas and the Sargent looked on. He leaned out and made a Z in the air and beamed.
Boudica looked up at her husband who bowed to the prince.
Sargent Garcia beamed. "Imagine. Royalty. In my jail."
The two de la Vegas laughed.
"Shall we celebrate with some breakfast at the tavern then, Sargent?"
"Si!" Sargent Garcia said.
The Commandant smiled. "My wife will be waking soon. Would you mind one more?" He asked politely.
Diego shook his head. "Not at all, Commandant."
They walked over as a group. Diego saw it as a time to get to know this new man better.