Chapter 6

Several days later

Don Alejandro and Diego deposited their horses at the livery. It had been a long ride, but the two men had made good time. It would be good to sleep in a bed for a change. The de la Vegas made several stops along the way alternating between staying at local inns or camping outdoors. Their shared love for nature reinforced the bond that they already shared….

"Why don't you check us in and then we can freshen up and get something to eat," Alejandro suggested as they unloaded the wagon.

"Alejandro…Alejandro. Is that you, my friend," a distinguished man approached the two men, "is that your son, Diego?"

"Eduardo…it is good to see you," the two men shook hands, "and you remember my son Diego."

"I thought so…Adelina would never forgive me if I let the two of you stay in a hotel…My hacienda is only a few minutes away…we would love to have you come and stay with us while you are in town…"

"We don't want to be an inconvenience…"

"Nonsense, Alejandro. It would be our pleasure…"

"Thank you, Eduardo. We will take you up on your generous offer."

"I will have my men get your bags and you can follow me to our hacienda," he smiled, "Adelina will be happy to see you."

Later that evening.

The de la Vega men talked amiably with Don Vicente and his family. Adelina was a charming hostess full of ease and friendliness. "I am so glad to finally see you again, Alejandro...Diego, your dear mother was so full of life…a quick mind and a lively wit. She was very special...I see so much of her in you, Diego."

"Thank you, I am honored," the young caballero took a sip of his wine, "that means a lot to me…"

"I hope that Diego and I will get to meet your children. It seems like yesterday that we were in Madrid," Alejandro admitted, "fighting duels, training with Edmund, my courting and marrying Elena."

"I don't know how we lived though some of our antics...Alejandro was quite dashing in his uniform…when he married your mother quite a few ladies in Madrid were very disappointed," he teased.

"Don't believe a word he says, son…I was hardly a ladies man," Alejandro stated, "once I laid eyes on your mother, she was the only woman for me…"

"Stop teasing him, my dear," his wife smiled, "we don't want Diego to get the wrong idea…"

"My son would never let me hear the end of it if he knew some of the things we did. We were young and impetuous but finding the right woman worked wonders…for both of us," Alejandro laughed, "thank God…"

"Touché, my friend. We have been very happy. Our sons have been spared my more undesirable traits and my daughter takes after her beautiful mother," he smiled, "Why don't we adjourn to the sala to relax?"

The Sala…

"I was saddened to hear of Edmund's passing, Alejandro. The last I heard he was still at the University. He taught fencing to my son, Eduardo," Eduardo continued, "Edmund generally avoided politics. I was surprised to hear that there was a royal death warrant for his arrest. Edmund was no traitor…"

"He was fiercely loyal to the King and deserved better. I wish that I could have done more to help him," Alejandro took another sip of his wine, "he was very important to us…"

"The times are changing, my friend. One cannot be too careful given the current political climate…"

"The world needs men who will govern wisely, Senor Hernandez," Diego stated thoughtfully, "there would be no need for men like Zorro if justice is administered fairly."

"Zorro's reputation precedes him… his courage…his willingness to take a stand…reminds me of our younger days…Your father and I fought for what we believed in. I am glad to see the younger generation sharing our views." The older man glanced at the two gentlemen. "Is this the reason you are here…to get justice for Sir Edmund."

"Our alcalde is partly responsible for Edmund's death," Alejandro admitted, "he threatened me …my family and the good citizens of Los Angeles. I thought that if the Governor heard about the situation…that he would do something."

"Have you informed him about the situation in Los Angeles? He would have investigated the situation if he had known. "

"I have written dozens of letters, but no response. Maybe our pueblo is probably too small and insignificant for someone as important as the governor to be concerned about," Alejandro sighed.

"You don't believe that, Father. You are a loyal to the Crown," Diego interrupted, "I thought our name carried some weight."

"I would like to think so but it helps to have friends in the right places," his father replied cynically, "I am afraid that all I have is our name…"

"Well, that is not quite true, Alejandro," Don Eduardo replied, "The governor appointed a new Deputy Governor one week ago. In fact, we are on very good terms…Did I mention that I was recently appointed as Deputy Governor of California?"

"Diego had heard rumors of a possible change in leadership but…I thought that was months in the making," the old don was shocked but pleasantly surprised at the same time, "I had no idea."

"I was hesitant but I made the right decision in accepting the appointment. I would be glad to offer any help that I could," he stated, "Edmund was a special man…he deserved better."

"We came to present our case to the governor. We would be glad to have your support…Diego is editor of our local paper…his insight and information would be valuable," Don Alejandro stated…All the pieces are coming together…Edmund's will not be in vain…