I just love the episode the next three chapters will be about. So it had to be in this story. I could not resist writing and reading about it. I just hope you like it too!

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Chapter 12

The next days Diego did not come to the tavern. It was Felipe who told Victoria, Diego had left for a cattle auction in Santa Barbara.
He had told Felipe, he needed some time for his own. Diego was not to return before early next week.
Felipe came in to the tavern during siesta three or four times a week now, ever since he had been able to speak that one word.

He had been practising with Victoria his speaking. Not wanting to let Diego find out he had completely regained his voice. For Felipe didn't want to stop helping Zorro as he had done over the years. And if Diego was to find out, he could speak, Diego would encourage him to reveal his secret. Pronation of most words was still hard, but Felipe was improving. And since Victoria was the only other person in the pueblo knowing about his secret of not being deaf he had gone to her for help.

Most of these times Victoria was preparing food to serve later that day. Felipe helping her with chores as they were practising his talking.

Felipe had told her Diego had felt guilty about the break up. He had made a big mess in the cave. Breaking some of his contraptions and bottles he used for his experiments.

"I know I was hard on him. Diego is not the only one allows to decide what happens. I have a saying in how I want to lead my life. I think... he needs some time of his own. It must be hard on him, he has always tried to protect me in every way he could. I just hope his travel gives him time to figure out what it is he wants. And or he dares to take the risk."

"You?" Felipe pointing at Victoria.
"I sure hope so. I am very well aware he can not protect me all the time, he just has to see that. And... you should be careful." Saying the last sentence she gave Felipe a parental look
"what mean?" Felipe asked amazed for how the conversation changed to him.

"What I mean is, I have heard Corporal Sulpuvelda say that Zorro has been seen riding two nights ago. Since Diego is in Santa Barbara I presume it was you? So you be causious."

Felipe's ears turned red as he shyly looked at the floor. "I did before."

"Yes I know that since this morning, the two of you really fooled us all. I do not want you to get hurt, so please do be careful."

"I will." Felipe smiled, he had always liked Victoria even before Diego returned from Spain. She was one of the few in the pueblo who always had tried to understand the signs he was making. And now she was helping him to regain his voice without judging why he didn't want to tell Diego, promising to keep his secret.

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A full week passed before Diego returned to the hacienda. Don Alejandro was proud how successful his son had been. Selling the cattle for good prizes.

He did notice his son had lost some weight. Well, that happens to men spending long days in the saddle and sleeping short nights on hard soil, so he did not worry too much about that. A few good meals from Inez, the cook of the de la Vega hacienda or in the tavern would help put on some weight.
What did worry the don was that Diego went to the pueblo to work for the Guardian and only paid a short visit to the tavern. A small hope had come to his mind the last couple of weeks. Ever since Victoria and Zorro broke up, Diego had spent a lot of time in Victoria's presence. He even had wondered once or twice or Diego had some warm feelings for her.
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It was four days after his son had returned the old don had the strangest talk with his son. Diego had asked or his father ever regretted leaving Spain, not having a doctor around when his mother got sick and died.
Diego had never blamed his father for anything and for a few moments Alejandro believed there was some deeper meaning to this question. Alejandro had answered truthfully. That leaving Spain to go to California was a decision he and his wife had made together and neither ever had regretted crossing the ocean, to start a new life. Yes, he still missed his wife every day. No, given a second chance he wouldn't change a thing.
Somehow this wasn't the answer his son had wanted to hear, for Diego had left the room frustrated.

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The next afternoon the old don took some well deserved time off and enjoyed himself reading a book in the library, while drinking a glass of his finest wine.
"Don Quichote... I dub thee Sancho Panza, my squire."
He chuckles, takes a drink of wine, finishing off the glass, sets the glass down on the table next to him and knocks off the round paperweight, that falls to the floor.
"Blast."

Alejandro sees how the paperweight rolls into the fireplace, so he gets up and goes over to pick it up as he still tries to read the book.
Don Alejandro bends down and grabs the paperweight then stands up and hits his head on the inside of the fireplace.
"Aah!"

Felipe, who just is passing by the library sees how the old don drops the paperweight and stumbles backward. He grabs the mantle, to steady himself and the panel in the back of the fireplace opens up. Felipe stops, runs into the room as Don Alejandro falls backward through the opened panel. Felipe hurries in after him.

On the bottom of the stairs Felipe sees Alejandro face down on the floor of the cave. He crouches down the old don is unconscious. Not knowing what else to do he leaves the don alone to get Diego.
It is just after Felipe has left, Don Alejandro starts to wake up. He gets up on his hands and knees then pushes himself up to his knees. "Where am I? What happened?"

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Victoria is serving customers in the tavern. She knows Diego has returned from Santa Barbara. In the past days he has been in the tavern only twice to drink a cup of coffee. Both times she had been cooking in the kitchen and only heard he was in after he had left.
Victoria has promised to give him time. And still intend to do that.
Next time Diego does come in, she is going to tell him they are still friends no matter what, and she isn't crossed with him or anything like that. Felipe had told her Yesterday Diego did not want to talk about her with him. So Victoria assumed he still had difficulty accepting they were in it together.
She sighs as she notices that sergeant Mendoza is gambling with two strangers. One elder man with a moustache, looking shabby. The other younger and cleaner. She doesn't trust either of them She has enough human knowledge to know when to be on your guard. And these men make the little hairs on her neck raise. Victoria knows Mendoza isn't a good card player, neither does he earn the money to gamble, and neither does he recognize when counter players are cheating.

It is that Diego is paying for half of the sergeants meals, or she would not allow him in half of the time, for not paying his bill. It does not take long for Victoria to see the men are indeed cheating and the sergeant is loosing
Coming closer she hears Mendoza say "You are a very lucky man, Señor." Mendoza sounds suspicious, "Where did you muchachos say you were from?"

The eldest man responding. "We didn't."

"You know, you look very familiar. Have you been in this pueblo before?"

Victoria moves a little closer, carrying a bottle of wine. Pretending only to see now the sergeant is gambling. "Mendoza! How many times have I told you there is to be no gambling in this tavern."

Mendoza knows all too well he is risking his welcoming to his favourite place in the pueblo.
"I.… I... must get back to work. Please forgive me."
He jumps up and looks at Victoria who is glaring at him, her right hand on her hip.
"Con permiso." Mendoza makes his way out of the tavern, leaving Victoria to deal with the two gamblers.

"We were just having some harmless fun, my pretty señorita." It is again the eldest of the two men doing the talking

Victoria as she picks up the cards responding angrily.
"In the first place, Señor, gambling is not harmless fun. And in the second place, Mendoza doesn't earn enough, and he has the card sense of a turnip. And in the third place, don't even think in your wildest dreams that I could be your señorita." Walking away to behind the counter. She does not hear how the man is saying as he chuckles,

"I love it when they play hard to get." Leaving the table to walk over to the counter where Victoria is putting glasses back in their place.
"Uh, Señorita, my brother and I, we just had a little wager...

Victoria is annoyed by the two men and hope they leave the tavern soon. This kind of men often mean trouble.
"Didn't I just explain to you that gambling…"

"Si, si, you told us. But you see, I have just bet him ten pesos that you would give me a kiss." He touches his fingers to his lips.

Victoria can only feel disgust, still she tries to be polite "Then I think you should pay him his ten pesos." She turns her back to the two men.

"We shall see." He picks up a wine bottle that was sitting on the bar, then extends his arm to its full length and lets it go. It shatters on the floor.

Victoria spinning back around. "Are you crazy?"

"Caution, Señorita. There isn't a woman in the world, who doesn't want to be kissed by an Estaban. Are you sure this is all worth it." as he reaches over the counter and grab Victoria's right wrist with his left hand, placing his right hand over hers.
"After all, it is only one little kiss, unless you want more."

Victoria looks desperate around in the hope one of her regular customers will come to her help. It is close to siesta time, so the tavern was almost empty. The people who were in have left the tavern as they sensed trouble was on his way. She is all on her own with these two men.

"Filthy heathens!" comes a voice from the balcony. Relieved Victoria glares up and starts to smile, of course Diego would never let her down… "Zorro!"
How was it, he always knew about troubles occurring before they even started happening? Turning her head a little to have a better look, for there is something strange? Diego seems different somehow. His clothes fitting less, the tone of his voice different, even his mask and hat were making a different impression on Victoria.

Zorro draped his left leg over the railing. "Remove your hands from the lady. Or I'll remove them" Zorro raises his voice. "From your wrists! Fly, Zorro!"
Zorro jumps off the balcony and grabs onto the chandelier. He hangs from it but it barely swings. Zorro looks up at the chandelier and trying to make it swing.
"Very peculiar"

Esteban and the other man rush toward Zorro and drawn their swords. Zorro is still hanging on the chandelier, looking up and try to make it swing.
"I'm sure this always…worked…before…" Zorro now looks down and see how the two men had just started thrusting their swords at Zorro's feet, as Zorro tries to kick them. Suddenly a loud "Aaay!"

Victoria covers her eyes with her left-hand peep from between her fingers. She doesn't know what is the matter with Diego, something has to be wrong.
Horrified she sees how Zorro lets go of the chandelier and falls on top of the two brothers, knocking them both to the floor. Till her utmost surprise it works both men are knocked down to the floor. It is a very different approach to his normal acting. Then this is Diego, so she shouldn't be surprised. So, this must have been his intention from the beginning?
Victoria was getting less and less sure the man in black was indeed Diego.

Zorro gets up on his knees, then turns to Victoria spreading his arms.
"Victory!"

Getting up in a way a much older man would do, Zorro walks towards her.
"Lady." He lifts her left hand. Even his though feel different. This isn't Diego Victoria is sure of that now, but who is it? "Are you injured?" Zorro askes her.

"No." Victoria tries to have a closer look at the parts of the man's face she can see.

Zorro is in a very charming way saying. "Then I dedicate this victory to thy radiance which has kindled my inspiration."

Looking over Zorro's shoulder Victoria sees how the two men have got back to their feet and are getting their swords. So she grabs Zorro's arms and pushes him to her left. "Look out!"

Zorro turning around to see what Victoria is pointing at. Standing face to face with the gambler who called himself Estaban.
"So…" Estaban points his sword at the masked man. "This is Zorro, is it?"

The masked man unsheathed his saber and holds it upward. "At your service, Señor."

Esteban advancing toward this weird acting Zorro. "Let us see…" He and the other gambler circle around Zorro. "If your skill matches your reputation."

"Nay! I shall not blunt my sword against such unworthy opponents." Zorro moves his saber from his right hand to his left. "Therefore…" He pulls out his whip from under his cape. "You shall feel the sting of my lash!"

"And you shall feel this!" Estaban runs toward Zorro, who tries to crack his whip at him but instead it gets wrapped around a post that is behind him. Zorro tries to pull it free but is pulled off his feet instead just missing getting skewered by Esteban. Esteban goes past Zorro and the tip of his sword sticks into the same post that the whip is coiled around.
Victoria is still trying to find out the identity of this Zorro. For a second Felipe's names flashing through her head. No, this man is older, so who is this man?

In the meantime Esteban tries to remove his sword from the post but can't. Turning to his brother. "Careful! He's known for his tricks."

Zorro gets back to his feet. The younger gambler lunges at him with his sword. Zorro parries with his saber and the two men duel. Zorro turns the second man's sword aside as Esteban finally removes his sword from the post.

Victoria cringing not knowing how else to call this man. "Zorro! Behind you!"
Esteban lunges at this 'Zorro' but he moves out of the way and Esteban jabs his brother in the right thigh. The younger gambler as he grabs his leg "Aaah!"

Zorro steps in between the two brothers, deflects Esteban's sword then grabs Esteban's right wrist. "Hoisted by your own petard, gentlemen."

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When Diego enters the pueblo, he sees how the lancers have surrounded the tavern. De Soto standing in front of the main entrance ready to order his men to go in. Making a small prey that 'Zorro' isn't inside. When Felipe finally had found him in the garden. They went to the cave, only to find out his father was no longer there any more.
As were Zorro's clothes, equipment and Toronado. He feared his father somehow believes he is Zorro and has gone to the pueblo. The other clue for fearing this was the book his father had been reading just before he felt, Don Quichote. Taking a deep breath just hoping for the best, "Alcalde!" He rides toward de Soto. " What's going on?"

De Soto irritated by Diego waves his hand dismissively "Not now, Diego."

Sergeant Mendoza is more willingly to help. Pointing toward the tavern. "The brothers Esteban, they're inside. They each have a bounty on their heads for three hundred pesos."

Diego dismounts Esperanza and puts his hand on Mendoza's right arm. "The brothers Esteban? Then it's not…"
As relief and fear struggle for which one is the strongest. His father not in the tavern or in the pueblo means there still was time to find him. The Esteban brothers in the tavern, those were dangerous men. "Where's Victoria?" Glaring around the plaza not seeing her. She could not be..., not inside?

Mendoza affirming his biggest fear. "Señorita Escalante is also inside."

Diego staring toward the tavern, "The brothers Esteban are ruthless cut-throats…"

He feels the blood drain from his head, someone is grabbing his left arm. It is de Soto. "Diego, this isn't a surprise party, it's an ambush." Pushing Diego backwards. "Please stand clear!"

De Soto turns toward the tavern. At the same moment the doors of the tavern open. Esteban comes rolling out. He gets up to his knees, then to his feet, turns and faces the tavern. He has a 'Z' slashed into the seat of his trousers. Esteban falls face down onto the ground. People who had gathered on the plaza for what was going on start laughing.

De Soto only has eyes for the Z shouting excitedly "Zorro! He's inside! And he's surrounded! What luck! Lancers!" De Soto rushes toward the tavern followed by the lancers, the townspeople, and Diego.

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When Diego finally managed himself to enter the tavern, he sees how his father is dressed as Zorro, has his saber against the youngest of the Esteban brothers chest. Victoria stands next to the brother. De Soto, Mendoza, and the other lancers have surrounded the two men.
De Soto glaring like it is his birthday, and he is getting the best present in the world.
"El Zorro." He reaches out and grabs the blade of the masked outlaw's saber and pulls it away. "At last... it ends. The moment I've been waiting for… The moment that I've dreamed of since I..." He takes the hat from the fake Zorro's head. "Came to this pueblo de Los Angeles."

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The second Diego had entered the tavern Victoria had spotted him. Diego is now standing to Victoria's right, looking very nervous. Suddenly the weirdest idea comes in her head. The more she looks at this Zorro the more certain she becomes. She's knowing this masked man!

"And now everyone shall see the face beneath the mask." de Soto lifts up Zorro's mask, pulls it off his head.

People gasp. Mendoza full of amazement saying,
"Don Alejandro! Can't be! We've seen Zorro many times. We've stood right next to him and Don Alejandro's been right beside us."

"It's a testament to his cleverness, Sergeant. The man is a master of deceit". Don Alejandro is just standing defiantly as de Soto continues. "He wears the mask. He wears the cape, and he interferes where he is not wanted. And now, I've got him. I've won!"
De Soto is even more pleased than ever. Not only has he unmasked his greatest nemesis, the don standing up most against him, will be in his jail too. Beyond his wildest dream the don and Zorro are the same. He raises his fist into the air. " I've caught Zorro!"

Don Alejandro appears unimpressed "Do your worst... Oh, ye of the woeful countenance."

Diego looking very worried to Victoria, whose face looks pale and just as worried as he feels himself to be.

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For these and the next two chapters I really need to thank Pam and her great website MPPOland. Making it so much easier.
I just liked imagining don Alejandro hanging in the chandelier too much to skip this episode.