CH 12

Victoria returned to the pueblo less than an hour after she left. Only this time riding one of the de la Vega's horses that looked like her own mare. Celesta, so had Diego told her was trained and fast. A horse capable of helping Zorro if needed.
In her saddlebags she carried Zorro's outfit. She would hide it in the tavern as she had promised Diego.

The men will arrive with cart in the pueblo just before noon to enjoy lunch. They would bring some barrels of wine Victoria had 'ordered'. That was not uncommon this time some things different. Under the seats rifles would be hidden and Alejandro would carry one of Zorro's sables. Not THE sable, but a strong sharp weapon. One that Zorro could use to defend himself if needed. Just to be on the save side.
Leaving her horse saddled so Zorro would be able to make his way out without Toronado if it would come to that.

Felipe would arrive earlier, taking place on the roof of the tavern as he had done before overlooking the plaza. Also, armed with multiple rifles.
It was amazing to see how fast the boy was able to reload and how accurate his shooting was. It had made her realize how much effort it took to be Zorro and how well-prepared he always must have been.

Nervously as she entered the kitchen seeing Alice and Pilas were working in the kitchen. Maria was waiting on the customers.
"You disappeared very suddenly Victoria, everything all right?" It was Pilas who noticed first the tavern owner had returned from leaving the second she herself had walked in.
"Si, I remembered I am low on wine and with this new guest and all those soldiers in the pueblo I just wanted to make sure I have enough wine in store. So I went to don Alejandro to ask for 3 more barrels of wine."
Alice and Pilas both raising their eyebrows for this weird explanation.

Ten minutes before noon a cart entered the pueblo. Scanning around Diego saw more lancers standing guard and also soldiers wearing strange uniforms. Victoria was right. Marco had arrived in the pueblo. Being on his alert Diego stopped the cart in front of the tavern and unloaded the barrels of wine placing them behind the counter.
In the meantime don Alejandro was greeting friends that were already sitting there.

Taking a seat at their favourite table Victoria came to take the order.
"Victoria, Halo can you inform us what is happening. What are all those soldiers doing in the pueblo." Alejandro ask loudly.
"Don Alejandro Buenos días. Haven't you heard? The new governor has arrived in the pueblo. Rumours have it he is looking for Zorro."
"Zorro you say? And is he planning on capturing our fox? He will not succeed. Zorro to smart for that."

Diego coughed
"I don't know father. These kinds of men have always brought trouble for our pueblo. Remember Palomarez? Zorro might run out of luck someday" of course this was all reversed and so Victoria looked insulted "Zorro is a better fighter than all those soldiers and smarter than this governor. You mark my words Diego, Zorro will never be captured."
And Alejandro stated defend
"Si Diego I remember Palomarez, I did not mean Zorro thinks he is smarter than our new governor. I am saying he is smarter than just ride into the pueblo and surrender."

At that moment Marco walked into the tavern. He overheard the last words of the don.
"You really think my men will not be able to capture a bandit? There all are well-trained soldiers Señor de la Vega.
Diego!" enjoyed seeing his former friend he reached out his hand to greet him.
"So good to see you. I trust your father has told you we already met in Monterey."
" Si he has. Also told me he left rather sudden."
"Señor de la Vega it was such a shame you had to leave in a hurry. I would have offered you to accompany me on my travel to Los Angeles. As you know it is not always safe for a single rider to travel those roads."
"Well eh, as my note explained urgent business forced me to return earlier than planned."
"Yes I have got your note. I hope you were in time."
Alejandro smiled "Si, si I returned just in time in San Diego to attend the funeral of my dear friend." Alejandro's ears turning red Marco noticed. The man was lying. He already knew that, ignored it, and went on with some small talk.

"I have just been in the pueblo. Walking around a bit. Talking with locals and visited the missions garden. I only hope this sergeant will find the alcalde soon. I have not come all this way to walk around"
This made Diego wonder. What was the alcalde up to now. After their talk last week he had hoped de Soto would ask for his help with the books. Perhaps de Soto wanted to change. Still, he had not heard or seen Ignacio "the alcalde is not in the pueblo? Then he must be out on patrol."
" No your sergeant told me he did not know where the alcalde is, so I ordered men to search for him. I want to inform him of my arrival and have a look in the books and rapports. Specially the ones about this El Zorro.
It pleases me however that now I have first some time talk with an old friend. It is so good to see you after all this time. You were right in your stories. California is a hard, but beautiful territory."

"Marco I was surprised to hear you have come to California. My father had told me you are the new governor."
"Si appointed by his majesty himself only eight months ago. The king wants some changes in California and has asked me to see to it."
"Changes? What kind." Alejandro asked intrigued by this new information.
"More and more people are returning to Spain telling stories it is not safe. Many robberies, Dangerous bandits that also murder, people dying of starvation. I am sent with 200 of my most trusted men to make changes. California is still a new territory. The king hopes contains many treasures and can make Spain a rich country. The war with France costs loads and loads of money. The king hopes the territory's in the new land will find ways to help pay for it."
''By more taxes you mean. Those are already outrageous." Alejandro felt how his anger was rising.

"Not necessarily more taxes. Mexico has its silver mines and more valuables. Who knows what more is hidden in the grounds. Maybe gold. Diamantés.
To be able to find this we need more people to come and fewer people returning for Spain. If there are new settlements and more people leaving for the new land tax income will increase without needing to raise."

"That sounds like a big task. And even more work in store. What brings you to Los Angeles than." Diego was thinking about what hadn't been said.

"Well I can not tell too much yet. I want to talk with your alcalde first. I can only say things has happened that raise questions. Also, I want to meet this outlaw, this El Zorro. He is famous even in Spain. The king wants to know why an dangerous outlaw acts so out of normal habit for bandits. Do any of you know how can I get in touch with him."

Alejandro nervously looked at Diego. "Well no one knows. All I can tell you, Zorro always shows up when he is needed most. He is … a mystery. He works alone and thanks to him Los Angeles is a saver and better place to life.
Most bandits captured in the aria by Zorro. When lancers capture one it is by luck for they are poorly trained. Zorro also stands up against the alcalde when he comes up with new taxes or injustice handling. I have already told you about that in Monterey, Don Marco."

" Si I remember, he almost sounds like some kind of Robin hood. Takes from the rich to give to the poor."
" Robin Hood who is that?" Alejandro wanted to know.
"It is a novel father. Based on a British myth about an outlaw that as Marco says steals only from the rich and authorities to give to the poor. Difference is, Robin Hood has helpers and it is not sure, or he ever really lived. The book is in our library. You're welcome to read it if you want.

Now about Zorro, don Marco no one knows where he lives, or how he gets his information. He just always seems to know what is happening and when he is needed. We can not contact him. He always contacts us when needed"
Marco was thinking a load "A man I understand that is able to get his hand on inside military information. Diego, do you think it can be one of the lancers. If he is skilled with weapons and rides so well."
"I doubt that. As said the lancers here are not very well-trained. Besides that, Zorro does not even have to life in the pueblo. He can come from one of the surrounding pueblo's. And again he can be anyone. Many caballeros and farmers can handle a sword and ride a horse"
Alejandro interrupted in a way as if he had been thinking "the only way I can think of to contact him is to let everyone know you want to talk with him. He will hear soon, and if Zorro wants he will find you."

That moment Corporal Sulpevelda walked in the tavern followed by Lieutenant Hidalgo and Sergeant Mendoza.
"What is it lieutenant." don Marco asked the second he saw his right hand entering the tavern.
"It seems that alcalde de Soto is on his way to Monterey."
"Monterey? What do you mean."
"Travellers passing by told us they have seen a white haired man heading North. This fit the description of de Soto, also a letter is found in the alcalde's office. Leaving the sergeant here in charge."
Corporal Sulpevelda bent over to give the paper to the governor who started reading.

After a few seconds he folded the letter. "Lieutenant come with me. Sergeant Mendoza since you are now acting alcalde I demand you show me the rapports and tax books of the pueblo. Don Alejandro, Don Diego please forgive me, I want to start on what I have come for."

"Don Marco as old friend of Diego please let me invite you for dinner at the hacienda Monday. You and Diego can talk about old memories. I like to hear stories of the misbehaviour Diego did at university. As you will understand he never tells me if there were any."

Alejandro step forwards cause Diego slammed his shoulder a little to hard.

" There is not much to tell. Diego being a perfect student. It was I who misbehaved. I'll accept your invitation never the less. I want to hear more about the pueblo and this Zorro."
That being said Marco left the tavern and headed for the alcaldes' office.

" Well that did not go to bad. Still, I have no idea what he really is here for."

"My guess is that he wants to know what really is going on. And until he does he have not made up his mind yet."

" I am going back to the hacienda inform Maria we will have dinner guest. I will also go and invite some more dons. Ones that can affirm our story of not Zorro being the bad guy but the alcalde."

"That sounds like a plan. I will go to the guardian the next edition will be out the day after tomorrow and I have some more editing to do."

" You not want to go after the alcalde?"

"What for? He is on his way to Monterey to meet the alcalde Undoubtedly to make himself look better and Zorro the evil one. He will hear on his way that the Governor is on his way to Los Angeles and return as fast as he can."

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de Soto rode as fast as possible. Changing horses and covering a great distance on the first day. It was late afternoon when he arrived in San Diego. In search of an inn to stay the night.
Ordering a meal he did not listen to the surrounding gossip. It was a one shot. Only if he was able to succeed and convince the governor it had all been Sebastian's doing he made a chance of staying alcalde.
After his conversation with Diego he realized he wanted to be a better man. Find a way for the people in Los Angeles to have a better life. He wanted to be more the alcalde he wished as child to have lived in his pueblo.
A man that wasn't cruel and wouldn't think of punishing a woman who only stole a loaf of bread to feed her children. He had even gone to confession and told the padre everything. Padre Benitez had been understanding. And said that the lord was forgiveness for we all are only human. Each new day can be a new chance. Even a long journey started at the first step.

And so here he was. With Sebastian out of the way he could have his second change. If he moved fast and was able to convince the governor he was the right man for the job.
The faster he was to arrive in Monterey the bigger the chance there was he could get his new start. All he had to do was find a way to destroy the letter from Spain.
Maybe he should ride along at night. It was dangerous for it being a new moon. Chewing in his beef stew that tasted worse than the canteens' food he pushed his plate away.
Going to bed early, leaving at dawn was what he was going to do. Only then overhearing four men talking about the new governor and Los Angeles.

"... on his way to the pueblo Los Angeles. At least 24 soldiers and 1 large carriage. I am telling you this governor doesn't travel light." a man told his comrades sitting at the next table.
"24 soldiers are you sure? I heard it was 30 soldiers and 2 carriages. And my brother-in-law saw it himself." A second man interrupted the first.
A third man joining in. "Does it matter? Zorro will outsmart them all. They all come here with the idea they are the ones to capture the fox. And in the end he makes them all look like fools."

de Soto could not resist and walked to the table the men were seated at.
"Excuse me señores I could not help overhearing you. Who is on his way to Los Angeles."
"Well the new governor of course. He has spent the night at Don Domingo's hacienda 2 days ago. I guess he is already arrived in Los Angeles. Trying to capture Zorro. As many have tried before him. He'd wish."
The four men all laughed.
"They never capture that fox."
"Wait a minute you are saying the governor is on his way to Los Angeles?"
"Si, that is what we are talking about. 40 soldiers and 4 carriages he is travelling with."
"Oh at least. My nephew told me he had never seen so many soldiers escorting carriages."

de Soto threw money on the counter and ran to the stable. One hour of daylight was still remaining. He would ride all night, so he would be back in Los Angeles before noon. He had left that fool of Mendoza in charge. Cursing himself now he had finally decided to become an honest man everything went wrong.

Two days later Diego knocked on the door of the alcalde's office. After an "enter" he opened the door.
" Don Marco I was hoping you and I can have a talk."
" I am coming dinner to your hacienda tonight and wanted to ask you the same. Please sit down."
Offering Diego a chair.

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THe rought version of the story is finished now. Only little changes will be made and a lot of editing to see. Try to filter out the 1001 mistakes that are still in it.

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