Chapter 4

"Alright, Diego de la Vega. What did you conveniently forget to tell me," Don Alejandro stared at his son, "I thought that you didn't have time to complete your studies with Sir Edmund."

"Father, I am afraid that that is not true. I had almost completed my studies before I returned to Los Angeles. I know more about swordplay than I led you to believe…I am a better student than you believed I was," he confessed.

"Why didn't you tell me, son. Why did you let me believe that you didn't have any skills with a sword?"

"If everyone knew that I studied with Sir Edmund…every young hot head in the territory would challenge me. Could you imagine the trouble? If the alcalde found out, then that would give him even more of a reason to hate us…I am capable of protecting myself…should the need arise…"

"That is a logical, perfectly reasonable explanation but there is more to it than that. I remember when Edmund told me that the two of you could have easily outfought the lancers….when Mendoza asked for the traveler's tax. Could the two of you have fought the lancers? Are you a master swordsman capable of defeating them," Don Alejandro surmised, "I want to know the truth, Diego."

"I…we have been through so much lately…I don't want you to worry about me any more than you already do…"

"I can handle it, son...I may have been disappointed with you in the past... I don't want you to carry this burden alone…you are grieving, son. I want to be there for you…Tell me…so that I can help you," Alejandro pleaded, "so we can be close again….like we used to be…"

"I was the first student to best Sir Edmund in the courtyard. Zorro's sword was Sir Edmund's…Every time I look at it…I think about him. You can imagine his reaction when I disarmed him…when he found out that the puppy could bite," Diego smiled wistfully…You've been holding back on me, haven't you, Diego? "When he received your letter and read about the conditions in Los Angeles, we thought it best that I return home…"

"You were a superb pupil and now you have become a superb man," Don Alejandro stated unknowingly quoting Edmund's words, "I told you that Zorro couldn't have done better when you rescued us from Quintana...and now you turn out to be Zorro."

"I still have so much to learn, Father… As for me, 'all I know is that I know nothing."

"Socrates," his father replied.

"At least, he knew that I put his training to good use," Diego sighed, "he saw me fight the lancers outside the church…he told me to put my gifts to use…"

"And you have, son. He would be very proud of you…he loved you like a son," Don Alejandro put his hand on his son's shoulder and hugged his son tightly, "I always thought that there was a part of you missing when you came back from Spain. I couldn't reconcile the unconcerned overly studious Diego with the man that I sent to the University…I never dreamed that behind the mask was my Diego, but I see it now. Now, I understand how a perfect stranger would be concerned about me…and about Victoria…Oh son…I understand….I understand completely…"

"I…didn't want you to worry, Papa…I wanted to keep you and Victoria safe…I am an outlaw with a price on my head…if the truth were to come out…we could all be executed…I couldn't take that chance…."

The two men talked for hours reestablishing the bond between them, discussing possible plans only taking a break to eat…Diego informed his father of Felipe's role in helping him…Don Alejandro was proud of the young man glad that his son had someone to help him. His only wish was that they could reason with the Governor so that they could rid the pueblo of its corrupt alcalde once and for all…"It has been a long day, son. You need your rest…I am proud of you whether you are Zorro or not…Together, we will find a way to rid this pueblo of Ramone…Edmund's death will not be in vain."

"He deserved more than to die at the hands of a bounty hunter," Diego replied with a trace of anger and frustration in his voice…It was not fair that Figueroa and Ramone were alive while the finest man that he had ever known other than his father lay cold in his grave…

"He died knowing that you were fulfilling your purpose in life and that he had a large role in preparing you….You were the closest thing he had to family. Take comfort in that, Diego."

"I will never forget him…I will not hesitate to use my gifts…for Sir Edmund and the people of Los Angeles…"

"Good...son but it is time the people took a stand one way or the other…You cannot continue to fight for justice alone. You not only have Felipe, but now you have mine as well…We will appeal to the Governor…use the legal system to our advantage and your position as editor of the Guardian…with that brilliant mind of yours…courage and a bit of Toledo steel…we will prevail…Have faith, my son. Who knows if you were put here for such a time as this?"

Inside the cave…

Felipe brushed Tornado's coat and gave him some oats along with a special treat. He sighed as he thought about Diego and what he must be going through. If only I could help...He turned at the sight of Diego walking down the stairs followed by his father…What is going on?

"It's alright, Felipe. Father knows," the tall caballero placed a hand on his shoulder…