When the bride and groom finally escaped the party, hours before the last guests left, as well, Diego insisted on carrying his new wife across the threshold to their room and lay her down on their new bed filled with flower petals.
"When did you have time to do all this?" Victoria asked, looking around at the very romantic decorum.
"I didn't." He confessed. "It was my father's doing. He really wants those grandchildren!"
"Well, then! Let's not keep him waiting for too long!" She teased, claiming his lips, glad that she no longer needed to let him escape.
Diego surrendered, loving the taste of her tongue in his mouth as he started unbuttoning her dress. By that time, Victoria had already taken off his jacket and was unbuttoning his shirt, eager to let her hands roam free across his chest and bare back. The number of buttons and ribbons on her wedding dress made her husband silently curse the dressmaker a few times and even entertain the idea of using his sword to rip it apart, until he finally managed to get her out of the damn thing, leaving his wife in just a see-through sleeveless white corset and underpants. As their various pieces of clothing were forming a growing pile on the floor, and their eyes and mouths were slowly beginning to relish each other's nakedness, they were finally free to give in to their desires. And give in they did, spending that first night together alternating between making love and making plans for their future, falling asleep, in each other's arms, only when the sun was already rising.
Some four hours later, Diego was the first to wake up and, while he tried to take his time and just enjoy looking at his wife sleeping, his body betrayed him soon enough. Now that he had had a taste of her, he found himself unable to keep his desires in check, as he had done for so many years. Luckily, Victoria felt the same and had every intention to ensure that he kept his word of spending the entire day making love to her.
Realizing there was little chance of seeing them that day, Don Alejandro arranged for a platter with food and drinks to be taken to their room, but, unwilling to disturb the newlyweds, the servant in charge of delivering it decide to leave it by the door. Diego almost tripped over it, later that afternoon, when he left for the kitchen after they both remembered that they hadn't eaten in almost a day and all they had to drink was champagne.
ZZZ
"Good morning, Governor!" The Emissary greeted the other official as he was already having his morning coffee in the courtyard, the day after the wedding, while the rest of the household, except for the servants, was still asleep.
"Emissary del Castillo! Good morning!" The man replied as he was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Interesting wedding, wasn't it?" The Emissary remarked.
"Indeed…Did you know De Soto managed to break his wrist last evening?"
"Really? How come?"
"He said he tripped but, from what I overheard, he broke it while trying to punch Don Diego."
"Really? Why would he do that?"
"It was, apparently, a matter of avenging some punches he had received from him."
"From Don Diego?"
"Yes…"
"And how did he end up breaking his hand from a punch?"
"He missed the young caballero's face and ended up punching a wall." The Governor replied with a chuckle. "I do, however, wonder when had Don Diego punched him and why wait till his wedding day to retaliate."
"They were in university together for a year, from what I was told. Lieutenant Mendoza had once mentioned that they played in a Passion play together. Apparently, Don Diego played Jesus and Don Ignacio played Judas."
"I see. If that was when the punching occurred, I'm certainly sorry to not have witnessed it. I always did think Judas was deserving of some of Jesus' punches…" The official again decided to find the humor in the situation. "So I should include acting skills among the long list of De la Vega's talents?"
"And to De Soto's, apparently."
A few minutes of silence fell as the two pensively admired a bush of red roses decorating the courtyard.
"Tell me, Emissary, had you, by any chance, the opportunity to find out anything about Zorro during your month here?"
"Quite a lot, in fact. He seems to be the favorite subject of the Los Angelinos; probably the most popular person in the territory."
"How can an outlaw gain such popularity, I have never understood!"
"Well…he was never an ordinary outlaw, was he? He was their own masked version of Robin Hood, except he never killed anyone and everything he did, he did alone. No band of merry men to assist him. Only his black stallion."
"But he betrayed the Crown by fighting against the Alcaldes and the lancers."
"Yet, from what I hear, even the lancers still hold him in great esteem. As for the Alcaldes…apparently all he did was to prevent several unjust executions and whippings, steal and redistribute some tax money collected with the infringement of Spanish law, challenge some unjust decisions. You know, if what I was told is true, De Soto deserved all the lessons the masked outlaw gave him, just as much as his predecessor."
"You think it's true, then? He was a hero rather than a villain?"
"After hearing all the stories about his deeds, I am rather convinced he must have been quite a remarkable man. A good one, if I may say so. They say he was the best swordsman in the territory – never defeated in battle -, fearless, a great tracker – apparently he would catch in a night gangs of bandits the lancers would have otherwise taken weeks to capture -, clever like the fox he took his name after, endowed with a profound sense of justice, always acting in the defense of the weak. They also say he was in possession of vast scientific and medical knowledge, and put that knowledge to good use in helping the people and even the lancers. The rumor also has it that he was in love with the new Dona de la Vega. It's because she had promised to wait for him that she hadn't married sooner."
"I did wonder about that…she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, so I doubt she has ever lacked suitors. But…Do you believe all that? I mean, my reports say a completely different story about his actions. True, De Soto tried to argue for a pardon, but I just thought he had gone soft after that masked outlaw saved his life, so I straight out refused him. Not to mention, I hardly see the point of a pardon, considering that the man is dead." The Governor uttered, pouring himself some more coffee. "Do you think he is? Dead, I mean…"
"No…not really, to be frank." The Emissary replied.
"So…you also have this nagging feeling that...that..."
"We have just attended his wedding?"
"Yes."
The two men looked at each other with a bland expression on their faces and took another sip of their coffees.
"Everybody protected him, yesterday. From De Soto, who saved his life and, obviously, lied for him, to the lancers and the people…That was just for our benefit." The Emissary underlined, gazing at his companion.
"I've never seen anyone fight like that…and he did do a wonderful job at being Alcalde…The King even promoted De Soto for having saved his life…and that speech he sent you..."
"It would be rather embarrassing if anybody would find out His Majesty's high praises were for a man considered a traitor to the Crown…Not to mention, our own endorsement of him might be a little problematic under the current circumstances."
"So what do you suggest we do? I can't as well hang him after all that!"
"No…That would not be advisable and, frankly, I do owe him my life, so I'd rather help him keep his. Besides, a man like him is more useful alive than dead."
"So…I issue a full pardon and you convince the King to name him a Spanish hero?"
"I do believe that might be the best course of action, Your Excellency. He is a rather popular character in Spain and has many supporters, even at Court. The King himself has been inclined to offer him a pardon in the past and Minister Carbajal did send his own sons to investigate the truth about him…You know… according to the Lieutenant, it was Zorro who discovered how the minister's sons died, and it was the former Alcalde Luis Ramone's actions which led to their deaths."
"And De Soto? What should we do with him? If what you say it's accurate, he has been lying to me for years."
"True…But he did save a hero's life…I guess he might have just won his promotion, after all."
The Governor nodded and sighed. With a resigned look on his face, he finished his coffee and headed for the desk in the De la Vega library, where he proceeded to write a full pardon for Zorro, which he then signed, sealed, and folded, taking it with him to town.
ZZZ
At about the same time the Governor and the Emissary were having their morning discussion in the De la Vega courtyard, Ignacio de Soto was entering the garrison's canteen, where the lancers were no longer discussing in small groups, but sharing two tables which they had joined together. The fact that there were only eight men present - those with rather superficial injuries and Mendoza, to be more exact – and no secrets between them, were the main determining factors when it came to their change of behavior. The conversation did, however, stop when the Alcalde entered, as all eyes rested on him.
"Carry on!" He demanded, as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "No need to stop on my account. Certainly not after yesterday's events. Lieutenant, may we have a word?"
"Si…Si, Alcalde!" Mendoza answered and, with one inquisitive look at his men, followed De Soto to his office.
"Take a seat, Mendoza!"
The lancer obliged and took his normal seat in front of the desk.
"I will be leaving soon, as you know," he told him "and, before I leave, I think I need to right some wrongs I've done during the time I spent here. I figured I might as well start with you." As he said that, he headed for the safe and took out a bag containing 5,000 pesos which he placed before the lancer. "This is the equivalent of your lottery winnings. I'd like to return the money to you and, while doing so, also ask for your forgiveness."
"My forgiveness, Alcalde?" Mendoza asked with wide eyes, utter surprise clear on his face.
"I was the one who set the fire to your house, Lieutenant. I did it to cover up the fact that I was trying to cheat you of your money and had it not been for…Don Diego, my actions would have ended your life. I am sorry and I do hope you may find it in your heart to forgive me for what I have done."
"You…you tried to kill me, Alcalde?"
"No…of course, I didn't try to kill you…I didn't know you were in there. I didn't try to save you, either, though! My actions could have ended your life, and I did it all because of greed. I took advantage of you. Look…I know this is not repayment enough for the harm I have caused…but it's all I can offer you right now."
Mendoza took some time to think before answering.
"It might take me a while to forgive you, Alcalde…but I…I do accept your apologies…"
"And the money, Mendoza! I can also discuss with Don Diego about giving you the paid vacation you are still entitled to, in order to build yourself the house of your dreams."
"Si…gracias, Alcalde…But, the truth is, I was thinking about retiring."
"Lieutenant, I know you have mentioned that before, but I hardly see the point in you doing so now. I'm sure Diego will make a great commander. He'll certainly treat you all better than I ever did. You'll be better trained, you already have better living conditions and the Governor has mentioned he is willing to increase your payment."
"That's all very good, Alcalde. I…I did like working with Don Diego, but he won't be needing me, and neither will the men, with him in charge. Plus, I talked last evening with Senori…Dona Victoria and she agreed to give me a position and a room at the tavern. With the money you gave me, I can even buy a share of it. I'd much rather work in the tavern than chase bandits under the desert heat, all day, and Don Diego will be happy to know I'll be there for his wife, if she decides to continue working."
"But who would replace you here? Don't you think Diego might need his right-hand man?"
"I'm sure he'll be more than happy to offer my position to Francisco Escalante. He's also a Lieutenant and a very good soldier. He'll be doing a much better job at training the men than I ever did."
"But he was talking about buying a farm with his brother, Ramon! What if he really decides to quit the military?"
"Well...I'm sure Don Diego will manage to persuade him somehow…If not, he might decide to promote Corporal Sepulveda or Corporal Sanchez…"
"I doubt either of them is ready for such a promotion, but, perhaps, it's not my place to worry about that."
"No…I don't think you should worry. He'll know what to do."
"Yes…He does have that talent…"
"Alcalde…Why did you save his life yesterday? I mean…I'm certainly glad you did! We all are. But you've always said that you wanted to capture and hang him…"
"I did, but that was until I was forced to admit how valuable he has been to us, over the years. I would have made many mistakes, had he not been there to prevent me from committing them. I might not like it, but he's probably the best man I know, Mendoza...And I still owed him for all the times he saved my life." De Soto admitted while he offered the Lieutenant a glass of Port. "Tell me, has he ever shown you the cave? The real one, I mean."
"He…he might have taken me there the day before yesterday…and let me put on his mask and try his sword. It's very heavy."
"He didn't let me do any of that! Just bandaged my hand. I wonder how I'd look with the mask."
"Did you see the flying device?"
"Yes. I'm only sorry I didn't see how it works."
"I was there when he used it! He was flying high in the sky like a big black bird. All my men thought he had magical powers!"
"Perhaps we might convince him to do it again. After the Governor leaves, of course."
"Si, Alcalde! I'd like to see that!"
ZZZ
With the wedding past them but the guests still in Los Angeles and the newlyweds unwilling to leave their room, it fell on Don Alejandro, Felipe, and the Escalante brothers to entertain the almost 90 people who had arrived from various parts of California and New Spain, as well as the caballeros who had agreed to host them. Following Felipe's advice, they organized a picnic in a particularly beautiful part of the De la Vega's properties, between a lake, a meadow and a thicket. The older men thus spent the day deeply absorbed in exchanging ideas about the political present and future of California, as well as memories from their youth; the younger men tried their hand at courting the beautiful senoritas present; and the married women delighted themselves in the latest pieces of gossip. Felipe and Carlos de la Paz spent most of their time talking and some of it engaging in a fencing demonstration, to the delight of the youngest of the participants.
In the meanwhile, the Governor and the Emissary had decided to return to their work, at least for part of the day, and, accompanied by the guardsmen still at their disposal, they went to town and spent their time in the Alcalde's office. After exiling De Soto, they carefully studied all the reports there and discussed them with Lieutenant Mendoza, both reaching the satisfying conclusion that a pardon for the unmasked outlaw was not only well-deserved, but also necessary. The announcement regarding the official pardon was, thus, nailed to the tavern's pole just as the siesta began and the two officials decided to rejoin the other guests in taking full advantage of that beautiful Sunday's weather and the De la Vega good food and wine.