The following chapters are based on a episode in the second season. I know de Soto was not alcalde back then. I just liked using parts of this episode for this part of the story. Hope you find out why in the next chapter.
Chapter 7
Diego and Felipe stayed in the cave till late that night.
Talking did not become easy on Felipe. Words still too hard to be out spoken. But when Felipe tried to sing words is take only one or two efforts before he succeeded.
Felipe sharing his concerns for Zorro. Diego accepting that Felipe regaining his voice was more important than Felipe being Zorro's secret informant.
Like his ability to hear, Felipe wanted to keep it a secret. So he could keep on helping Zorro. Diego not sure that he wanted to do that to the boy. It took a lot of effort from Felipe convincing his mentor he wanted to keep on doing this.
This being his way of helping Zorro and the people of Los Angeles against the oppression the pueblo was facing.
In the end, Diego accepted, giving Felipe a choice. That on every moment Felipe wanted, he could tell.
And would in the meantime keep practising, trying to talk as much as possible when it was just the two of them. So ones it was time to tell ,Felipe could speak normal instead of sing most words.
Felipe did not feel embarrassed when he was singing words to Diego. Still he did not want to do that outside the safety of the cave.
When word was to come out Felipe was able to speak, people will expect him too. And Felipe wasn't sure he was ready for it.
It was late when both men finally went to rest. Both did not sleep much that night.
Diego feeling troubled for the weight he had putted on the young man's shoulders.
Felipe not knowing for sure, or this was happening for real or just in a dream. What if he as to wake up the next morning still not able to make any sound?
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The next morning Alejandro and Diego left early to go to the bull auction in San Fernando. They hoped to ride fast, so they could return on the same day. For a moment Diego had thought of coming up with a lame excuse to stay with Felipe.
Felipe had refused and urged him to go. Signing he wanted to practise a bit more in the cave alone. Later the day going to the tavern because, he had promised Victoria to bring her requested lemons to make lemonade.
And so before seven o'clock in the morning both de la Vega men were on their way to San Fernando in the hope to purchase a bull.
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Don Alejandro was very pleased. He had been able to buy a good bull for a good price. Satisfied the old don and young caballero were on their way back to Los Angeles.
About fifteen miles from the hacienda Diego and Don Alejandro dismounted their horses somewhere along the road. Near a well, so the animals can have a well deserved rest and drink. Don Alejandro holding the rope attached to the bull, they have just purchased.
"You know something Diego, I have to tell you this has been a very profitable business trip. I really thought I was going to have to pay an extra two hundred pesos for Señor Toro here." Alejandro turns totake a look at the new bull.
From the distance the sound of approaching hoof beats and creaking wagon wheels are to be heard. Diego looks to the horizon from where the sound is coming to see a wagon come into his view. It is surrounded by men on horseback. The wagon is filled with people. He can not see who, but the wagon fast comes closer and Diego realizes among the people are Victoria and Felipe. Don Alejandro has also noticed them and is curious for what is going on.
"Oh... I don't know that wagon."
Alejandro turns to Diego after he realizes what he is seeing.
"It's Victoria and Felipe!"
In a reflex Diego grabs his father's arm, as his father is about to confront the men riding next to the wagon. Men who clearly are up to no good. Diego waves his free arm in a greeting.
Hoping his father for once will keep his mouth shut, which will probably be a failed hope he knows.
"Hola!"
The man steering the wagon response and stops the wagon
"Whoa!"
Victoria spots the two men beside the road and wants to let don Diego and don Alejandro know she and the people on the wagons need to be saved from these pirates who have kidnapped them out of the pueblo. So she leans forward to say something when Felipe grabs her arm. She turns to look at him. Why is he stopping her?
She needs to let them know they are captured against their will by these pirates. As she had understood correct the pirates wants to use them to get their hand at some kind of hidden treasure that is buried nearby. Or so Stark, who is the leader says.
Diego is greeting the man steering the wagon "Buenos días, Señor. Why are these people being held prisoner?"
Diego notices these men are buccaneers. And wonders why have they come to the pueblo and taken people? He needs to be careful. Regretting that again he can not do a thing, being here as Diego.
Feeling the need to protect his father, Felipe and Victoria. The last one luckily seems to have been hold back by Felipe, not to do anything, her temper would get her into even more trouble Diego feared.
The pirate riding next to the wagon was clearly the leader answering the question.
"They're no prisoners, my friend. They're volunteers, seeking their fortunes in my service."
Still on his guard Diego felt the urge to do an effort to free Felipe and Victoria at the very least. Knowing very well none of the people on the wagon would ever volunteer to have come with these pirates.
"Ah, I see. Well, the boy there is the servant of a friend of mine." pointing at Felipe."He's a constant pest. He's of no value to you. And the woman is just a quarrelsome barmaid."
Victoria raises her eyebrows, WHAT DID DIEGO JUST CALLED HER! If he was ever wanted to come into the tavern again, he better was going to apologize for calling her that!
The pirate's leader laughing while he answers
"Then they will not be missed!" The other pirates join to laugh at his joke.
Don Alejandro angrily turns to Diego. This is not how he raised his son. Pirates or not, he will not allow this happening!
"Diego!"
Diego restrains Don Alejandro again. Needs to hold him back, so his father can not attack the evil men.
"Let's go!"
Following the order the pirate's leader has given the wagon starts moving forward. Victoria looks oddly at Diego as she and Felipe pass by him and Don Alejandro.
She can not believe don Alejandro and don Diego did nothing to help her. They were her friends. And Felipe? Why did they not try to help Felipe either?
Don Alejandro is watching as the wagon leaves.
"Diego?
Diego! How could you let them get away like that with those buccaneers?"
Diego is still watching the wagon.
"Because father, we would have been shot dead on the spot. I have no intention of letting them go.
Father, you take the bull into town and tell Mendoza what's happened."
Don Alejandro nodding having to admit that perhaps his son had a point. Also wondering or his son was going to show some backbone.
"And what are you supposed to do then?" hoping his son was not going to say he was just going back to the hacienda. His son was a coward, he knwe that. But Diego loved Felipe and Victoria was his closest friend. Surely Diego was going to do something.
"I'll follow them and leave a trail easy for the lancers and sergeant Mendoza to follow"
"Very well. But you be careful, and you do absolutely nothing until the soldiers arrive, you understand?"
Diego smiling wryly as he pats his father on his arm.
"I wouldn't even think of it."
Don Alejandro remounts his horse. He does not want to leave his son behind. But someone has to warn the lancers, and they can not both follow the wagon and pirates. Having a bull with them. And so he walks over to Dulcinea and mounts her.
"Adiós"
Diego giving him a little wave.
"Adiós."
Seeing how his father turns Dulcinea and rides toward the pueblo, taking the bull with him. Diego turns the other way and looks down the road the wagon is taken. He then pats Espernaza on her head.
"You must be my Tornado, Esperanza. For once, Zorro rides without his mask."
Diego quickly caught up with the wagon, following it at a save distance. Not forgetting to leave a trail so easy to fallow it should even be a piece of cake for Mendoza.
About 5 miles down the road the wagon is stopped and the pirates get their prisoners of it.
They are being tied up and placed close together in a circle.
The pirate's leader is standing next to Victoria, who also is tied up and sitting on the ground. He leans over her and pours out a glass of water onto the ground. He then laughs evilly.
Diego can only think, if that man is going to hurt Victoria Zorro will give up his vow never to kill.
Carefully Diego sneaks up, to try to come closer to Victoria and Felipe. It is just small luck the pirates have picked a place that has a grassy clearing he can hide behind.
Diego sees how Felipe is fiddling with the ropes binding his hands.
Diego picks up a little rock and throws it to Felipe to get his attention. Felipe looks around. Diego throws another rock that hits Felipe on his leg. Felipe looks up, sees Diego, and smiles.
Crouching beside a bush, Diego start to moves his hands around as though he is untying himself. Felipe follows his motions and his hands come untied. Quickly Felipe starts to untie his feet.
Diego is concentrating on Felipe, and so he spots too late that he is discovered by one of the pirates. And now feels the point of a sword against his chest.
Felipe looks up and sees how Diego is being held by the pirate. He doesn't know what to do, as Diego slowly stands up, suddenly screaming.
"Run, Felipe run!
Not giving it a second thought Felipe start running, as the other pirates discover something is going on. Also starting shouting.
"The boy! Get the boy!"
Victoria trying to stand up to see what is going on. Seeing Felipe running and don Diego standing next to Sanchez, who is pointing a sword at his chest. She wants to try to distract the pirates from Felipe and Diego feeling also relief.
Diego has come after her. She knew Diego and don Alejandro wouldn't let her down.
And now he was caught. She was frighted, for what were those men going to do with her best friend.
"Don Diego!"
The pirate who is called Sanchez by the others is now holding Diego's arms behind his back as Diego struggles to get loose warning Diego,
"Move and I'll cut you!"
The leader who was called Stark is yelling to the other pirates
"Leave the boy!"
Stark comes over to her and hauls Victoria to her feet.
"I still have my prize catch."grinning to Diego "Well, well. You have a lot more backbone than I thought."
Pointing his sword toward Diego. Who is still struggling to get loose from Sanchez holding his arms behind is back.
Diego trying to keep his head clear.
"So what do you want from us?"
"We're going to find the Manlac treasure. We need strong backs to make the return journey to the ship. Yours will be one of them."
Diego had heard the story of the Manlac treasure. How according to legend it was a sacred Indian burial ground hidden somewhere in southern California. Rumours had it, it also contained gold and jewels given to the death for the afterlife. No one knew or it ever really existed or was mainly a myth.
"The Manlacs have lain undisturbed for a hundred years."
Stark laughs evilly
"Then it's about time someone woke them up! Don't you agree"
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