Chapter 12
The Pueblo
The market was busy with vendors selling their merchandise. Victoria stood by as Sepulveda weighed her produce. "It shouldn't take this long. It's not as if I have a lot of merchandise, today," she sighed impatiently, "I have more shopping to do."
"It won't take long, Senorita Escalante…there," he looked at the produce briefly, "one half kilo."
"One half kilo," the taverness said incredulously, "That is a head of lettuce, not a melon, soldier. That cannot be right…."
"One half kilo," he repeated, "that's how much it says."
"Are you questioning the accuracy of my scales," the alcalde replied smugly, "they are never wrong."
"Why would I question 'your' scales? You are our alcalde, our leader, our benefactor…you always have our best interests at heart. Sergeant Mendoza's mules can tell your scales are rigged," Victoria turned as Zorro rode up to the fountain, "I knew you would come…"
"Where are my lancers when I need them," Mendoza sighed as Sepulveda fell backward over a table.
So, this is Zorro, Hernandez thought…something about him seems familiar…
"Zorro, please! You are under arrest for…for what," the sergeant looked at his superior, "for...for…"
"Whatever charges I can think of...Treason, sedition, conspiracy, thievery, assault with deadly weapons, attacking government troops and riding with reckless endangerment. Men!"
"What about your own guilt, Alcalde? Observe! A liter of water weighs a few grams," Zorro smirked as he cut a Z onto the table, "On the Alcalde's scale, it weighs much more."
"How shocking! Arrest him, lancers! Don't let him get away," Ramon yelled as Zorro cut a 'Z' into his vest, "Now!"
"Our time together is always short, Señorita. You look lovely as ever," he said gallantly, "I must be on my way…"
"Very impressive, Don Alejandro. The stories that I have heard are true," his friend stated. No wonder people were impressed by the dashing figure on the horse and his skills with the sword…
"The man is a menace to society," Ramon interrupted, "The next time you see him, he'll be at the end of a rope. Mendoza repair the scales at once!"
"What kind of man would risk his life for other people," Don Eduardo wondered aloud, "he is a brave young man…"
"He is, Senor," Victoria interrupted, "I don't know what we would do without him…he was only been here for a short period of time, but he has worked wonders in this pueblo."
"Zorro is quite the horseman and cuts quite a figure in that outfit of his...You admire him, Senorita..."
"What woman wouldn't," she blushed, "he is not afraid to fight for what he believes in…other than Don Alejandro or Diego…we don't have many men willing to risk themselves for a cause…"
"Where is Don Diego, by the way," the man stated, "as editor of the local paper I thought that he would be here to report on the alcalde's latest…"
"Stunt…Don Diego has a knack for getting all the facts and the information for his articles even though he is hardly ever around when Zorro appears," Victoria volunteered, "Diego tends to avoid trouble…"
That doesn't describe the man that I met in Monterrey…Diego seems more subdued here…a mere shadow of himself…He was definitely bolder and more outgoing there, he thought, Would it have something to do with his Father and the senorita's arrest or is it something much deeper? It is almost as if he is hiding a part of himself…
"There you are, Diego," Victoria smiled, "once again you missed all the excitement…"
"I was busy at the paper…working on an article for tomorrow's edition…Don Eduardo, it is good to see you again…Are you enjoying your stay, Senor?"
"It is a charming pueblo...there is never a dull moment here…you missed seeing Zorro," he looked sharply at Alejandro's son…He is about the right height…the right coloring…same impeccable manners…'I would love to see this newspaper of yours."
"I would be honored to show you…Right this way," he led the older man through the plaza, "it doesn't compare to larger newspapers, but it functions very well."
"It is very accessible to everything in town…the tavern…the garrison," Don Eduardo remarked, "I am impressed."
"The Guardian is the voice that Los Angeles needs…to speak out against injustice…to keep people informed about what is going on in the world…It may not seem like much but it is vital to the success of this community…"
"And so are you…you do I great many things for this community…more than anyone suspects, I am afraid…you love this place…this land. I know that you don't want fame or glory…seeing justice done is more important to you," the don stated, "you are more like Alejandro de la Vega than you want others to know. I like to believe that I am a good judge of character. The man that I see right now is more like the one that I met in Monterrey…you have a quiet strength and determination that sets you apart from other caballeros your age…"
Diego shrugged at the man's praise. "You don't see me as a spoiled rich man's son…an indolent caballero who cares only for himself…"
"That's probably what most people think but I know better…"
"My father raised me to be concerned about the welfare of others…with great responsibility….it is part of who he raised me to be…a part of who I am..."
"I would expect nothing else from Alejandro and Elena's son…you are more complicated than you let on, Diego. One day, the world will know it…Be proud of the man that you are…whether you brandish a sword or a pen…it doesn't matter."