Chapter 8
Just Outside Los Angeles…
Don Alejandro and Diego rode toward the outskirts of Los Angeles. It would be a few more days before Don Eduardo arrived with a company of soldiers. "It has been a profitable trip...in more ways than one. You made some good purchases while we were there," the caballero eyed the two fine mares that they had purchased, "these will be a fine addition to our stables…Tornado will be especially pleased…Don't you think?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already made a visit to some of our mares…He doesn't spend all his time in the cave," Diego teased, "we already have some of the finest horses in the territory…"
"Yes, we do. Tornado's line will continue. I hope I can say the same for myself," the older caballero stated, "once this matter with the alcalde is settled. You have spent two years of your life putting the concerns of the pueblo first…"
"I know that I need to find a wife and assume my place in the community."
"I want you to marry for love. I don't want grandchildren out of a sense of duty. Victoria is a fine woman, but you need the chance to spend time with her…get to know her. You were apart for almost four years…you have both changed," Don Alejandro stated, "she only knows the Diego that she sees."
"I don't know how she will respond when I tell her the truth…"
"She has flirted with Zorro…it is not as if he asked her to marry him. You didn't…Did you, Diego?"
"Zorro has a bounty on my head…that wouldn't have been fair to Victoria…I want to her to accept me as Diego de la Vega."
"I would have no objections to a courtship between you and Victoria," his father confessed, "talk to her…find out how she feels…let her know the real you and get to know her as well…see where it leads and if it is meant to be…then it will be. Everything will turn out fine…mark my words, son."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Father…."
"Welcome home, Patron, Don Diego," Miguel stated as he guided the new purchases into the stables, "it is good to have you back."
"Gracias, Miguel. It is good to back…Diego and I had a successful trip."
"These mares will make a fine addition to our stables. Dinner has been prepared in anticipation of your return…."
"Thank you, Miguel, for your services."
"I will make sure the horses are properly stabled and fed…."
"Gracias, Miguel. Well son…Let's go see what Conseula has prepared."
The two men were almost done when Felipe came rushing in. "What is it, Felipe," Diego asked as the young man signed, "Trouble in the pueblo…the alcalde….We'll come…right now…"
"Why don't you go ahead and change, son? Felipe….I should have known he would be up to something…your work is never done…Is it, my boy," Don Alejandro finished the last of his meal, "I will saddle Dulcinea…we will see you…later…"
Ramon walked up to a man tied to the hitching rail in front of the tavern. The alcalde ripped the man's shirt baring his back as the other citizens looked on with disapproval. Ramon uncoiled his whip. "Mendoza! Hold him down."
"The man says he is innocent, alcalde," Victoria protested, "you cannot do this."
"And I say he is guilty! Proceed," The assembled crowd booed loudly again. "I am the law in this pueblo. There is nothing that you can do about this. Sergeant….hold him down…."
Mendoza hesitantly obeyed his superior's orders. He didn't want to do this, but he had no other choice…
Don Alejandro and Felipe rode up to the pueblo as the flogging was about to begin. "Alcalde, what is the meaning of this?"
"I see you have returned, Don Alejandro," Ramon said as he paused, "not that I have to explain anything to you…this man is guilty…"
"Of what…may I ask…can you show some compassion, alcalde…You are a powerful man." The older man waited for his son to arrive…Diego, I know that you are on your way, son…
"I agree...I am a powerful man and I need to…make an example of him…Now get out of my way, de la Vega," Ramon tried to whip the man, but the whip refused to budge. He turned to see a horse's hoof resting on the whip. Everyone clapped and cheered when they saw Zorro sitting on Tornado's back. I should have known...
Don Alejandro smiled as he looked at his son…Why didn't I notice it before? It is so obvious now that I know the truth…The style…the flair…the confidence that his son kept hidden underneath a façade…The don reminded himself to think of Diego as Zorro while he was under the mask. Anything else would endanger his son. I should have seen the similarities from the very beginning... Don Alejandro watched him easily dispatch the alcalde and his men as well as free the man unjustly accused of stealing….Well done, my son, he thought with a sigh of relief…
"When will you learn to stop tormenting these people, alcalde," Zorro protested, "they have done nothing wrong..."
"The people must learn the meaning of respect...and they will as long as I am the authority in this pueblo...
"With great power comes great responsibility...if you would treat them fairly, there is nothing these people would not do for you..."
"Spoken like the interfering do-gooder that you are...I can hardly wait for the day I rid this pueblo of your presence."
"I could say the same thing about you," Zorro smirked as he cut a Z into the alcalde's vest, "Adios."