NOTE BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER: THIS STORY IS NOT MINE!

WRITTEN BY KARLA GREGORY

This Story is a repost! For more information on this author and other stories by them check the profile page.

Original Summary:

On the road to Monterey, Diego is abducted and imprisoned aboard a ship sailing for Spain. He is delivered to Madrid where he is confronted by Capitán Monastario who has regained his power and position, and wants nothing more than to exact his revenge upon Zorro. Diego is subjected to Monastario's malevolent punishments, which leave him scarred not only in his body, but in his heart. He escapes, and with the help of his friend, Padre Ramon, determines to bring Monastario to justice. However, will Diego be true to himself, or will Zorro seek revenge for the injustice inflicted upon his other self?

Original Authors Note by Karla Gregory:

I have tried to be true to the characters as I have found them on the WD series. But I always suspected that there was a depth to Diego and Zorro that the series never quite got to show. I have tried with this story to peer under the surface just a little bit. What I found was just what I expected. Diego and Zorro are every bit the men we thought they were.
January 14, 2000


Chapter One

Diego slipped into the sala from the secret passage and sat in the chair next to the fireplace. He lounged back and indolently hung his leg over the arm of the chair. He could see his father, Don Alejandro, seated at the desk making entries in the record books. Taking a good draw on his cigar, he blew a large cloud of smoke towards his father. Don Alejandro stiffened as the smoke reached him and he turned to see what was going on. Seeing his son there when he hadn't been there just moments before caused him to exclaim, "Diego, I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me like that!"

His voice sounded gruff, but Diego was not put off by it. "I'm sorry father," he said grinning and gesturing grandly with the cigar. "It seems that I have developed this . . . habit that I cannot seem to control." Smiling wickedly, he again puffed on the cigar.

"At least you could give your poor father a warning when you do that", said Don Alejandro turning back to his books.

"Well, it seems that the only amusement left to me these days is sneaking up on my poor father. There has been nothing much for Zorro to do since Capitán Esposito arrived. Why, even Tornado is getting restless!"

Don Alejandro turned back around and said with lighthearted sarcasm, "Oh? Don't tell me you want a commandante like Monastario to reappear, or a gang of bandidos to start raiding and pillaging again so you can be . . . amused?"

"No, no, father. But you must admit, things are a little dull around here." Diego blew some smoke towards the ceiling. "Sergeant Garcia won't even chase me anymore", he said wistfully.

Don Alejandro rolled his eyes and shook his head as he said, "Yes, my son, I see that these are truly trying times for you." Then his face brightened. "But I may have a way to help you out of your present difficulties."

Diego straightened up in the chair. "Ah, I see you are interested? I am preparing to go to Monterey the day after tomorrow to meet some cattle breeders there. I need to acquire at least two new bulls for our herds and I am told they have some fine ones for sale there. How would you like to go in my place and transact this business for me and arrange for the bulls to be delivered in the spring?

"An excellent idea, father!" Diego said leaning forward. "It will give me the chance to see some different scenery, meet some new people . . ."

"And re-acquaint yourself with a certain Señorita?" Don Alejandro interjected.

"That too!" exclaimed a happy Diego de la Vega.

"It is settled then. I am glad to see you taking an interest in the family business at last. You have been such a worthless son to me since your return from Spain. Staying out until all hours of the night! Sleeping half the day away! Poetry . . . music . . . ."

As Don Alejandro railed against Diego's shortcomings, Diego was laughing so hard he could barely see. Zorro's activities were at the root of all of these supposed shortcomings and Don Alejandro knew it even as he railed. Eventually he ran down and began laughing also.

"My son, it is good to see you laugh. It makes an old man feel young again!"

They discussed the details of the business to be conducted for some time after that. When Don Alejandro inquired if Diego needed anything for the trip, he replied that he and Bernardo would go to Los Angeles the next afternoon and pick up what he required.

At Los Angeles the next day, two men sat at one of the outdoor tables at the tavern drinking wine. They had come in from the south about three days ago, telling Sergeant Garcia that they were vaqueros for a large rancho in the south and that they were waiting to meet someone at the pueblo. Since they were not causing any trouble and always paid their tavern bill, he left them alone. One of the men was tall and thin and the other was slightly shorter, but more stoutly built. The tall one sported a sparse beard. He was speaking in a low voice.

"When will this de la Vega ever come into the pueblo? No one has seen him here for almost a week. We can't stay much longer or that fat Sergeant Garcia will be back asking questions."

"Patience, my friend Rodrigo," said the other man. "If you were not willing to take the risk for such a sum of money as we have been promised, then you should not have come with me. Marcos would gladly have come in your place."

"No, I can handle it. But we need to be on that ship when it sails for Spain in two days. And still no sign of de la Vega."

Just then, two horsemen rode into the plaza. One was obviously the son of aristocracy and the other was as obviously a servant. The young aristo was tall, with dark wavy hair and a thin mustache. The servant was shorter, thicker, and balding. As they dismounted, the two men at the tavern saw the servant getting hand signal instructions from his master. He replied in kind, then went off to the market place apparently to buy some things. The young aristo, dressed in the finest clothing with lots of ornamentation strode over to the cuartel where Sergeant Garcia was standing. They spoke for a few minutes during which time the young man pointed to the tavern and the sergeant's smile grew larger.

Rodrigo leaned over and said, "That must be him, Joaquin! He had a deaf and dumb servant just like we were told he would."

"Si," said Joaquin. "Let us wait just a moment and then we will go into the tavern and sit close to them to see what we may learn."

By the time they got in the tavern and in their seats, the barmaid was already pouring wine for the young man and his guest.

"Thank you, Don Diego," said Sergeant Garcia saluting him and then drinking it down. At the mention of the young man's name, the two vaqueros exchanged knowing glances.

"You are welcome," Diego replied. "You had better drink up, Sergeant. I am afraid we won't be able to have these pleasant little visits for some time to come." He signaled for the barmaid to refill Sergeant Garcia's glass and to leave the bottle.

"Why will you not be here to buy me . . . I mean . . . why will you not be here, Don Diego?" Sergeant Garcia asked, trying not to look too disappointed (and failing).

Diego gave him an amused smile. "Well believe it or not, I am going to Monterey on business for my father." Diego looked innocent as Sergeant Garcia stared at him in unbelief. "What? Do you not think I am capable of such a thing?" he asked in mock indignation.

"Oh no, Don Diego, it is not that. It is just . . . that . . ."

"What, sergeant?"

Now Sergeant Garcia knew that Diego's pride was very sensitive and so he tried to let him down gently. "It is just that you know so much about music and wine and so little about ranching, Don Diego." But then a thought came to him that set him to grinning. "Oh, I can guess why you are really so anxious to go to Monterey. It is where Señorita Verdugo lives is it not?"

Diego contrived to look guilty. "Sergeant Garcia, you have found me out!" He beckoned the Sergeant closer. "But do not tell anyone. It may not work out any better than before. She was so smitten with Zorro, that she barely noticed me. I think I merely amused her. But some time has gone by and perhaps she has forgotten Zorro."

Sergeant Garcia did not think so, but he wouldn't say that to Don Diego. Let him have his dreams. "When will you leave?" he asked, to change the subject. "Bernardo and I will leave tomorrow. We are to meet the cattle breeders in five days and I want to have plenty of time to get there."

"When will you be returning?" asked the sergeant with great interest.

"If all goes well, I should be back in about three weeks. If it does not, I may be back sooner."

"You mean if it goes well with Señorita Verdugo do you not, Don Diego?" The sergeant winked conspiratorially while grinning hugely.

Diego looked smug and leaned back in his chair pulling out a cigar. He motioned for the barmaid to bring another bottle.

"Oh, gracias, Don Diego! I believe I will," Sergeant Garcia said to the implied question as he filled his glass again.

After this exchange, Joaquin motioned to Rodrigo with his head that they should leave. When they got outside, they walked across to their horses. Leaning on one, Joaquin looked back at the tavern. "So that is Diego de la Vega. Did you hear? He is going to Monterey tomorrow. We can catch him on the road and no one will even know he is gone for several days. By that time we will be on the ship headed for Spain and our money!"

"Si," said Rodrigo smiling greedily.

"Now you ride to San Pedro and tell the ship's captain that he is to be just off the east coast of Santa Cruz tomorrow night. We will meet him there in a small boat bringing de la Vega with us."

"But what if he does not want to go so far out of his way?" Rodrigo asked.

"Then you will remind him of who has sent us on this mission. And that he will answer to him when he reaches Spain. That should make him more agreeable. While you are doing that, I will ride to our camp and tell the others what we are going to do. When we have de la Vega, I will pay them off and get rid of them. Then you and I will take him to Spain."

"But how will you pay them?" asked Rodrigo. "We don't have any money yet."

"No, my slow witted friend, but Diego de la Vega does," Joaquin said laughingly, slapping Rodrigo on the shoulder. "Now, go! Meet us at the camp as soon as you can."

Each man mounted his horse and rode away in opposite directions.