Chapter 13

Miguel opened the door at the de la Vega hacienda admitting Don Eduardo, and Don Alejandro. Diego continued painting a picture of a decorative plate and a vase of flowers on canvas. "Anything exciting happen in town today, Father. It has been pretty quiet here…"

"Our 'esteemed' alcalde tried to cheat the taxpayers but Zorro made a fool of him and his men."

"He reminds me of myself and your father in our younger days…your father cut quite a figure in his uniform…almost as dashing as Zorro. Your father was an excellent horseman and strategist….respected for his brain as well as his skills," the don stated honestly, "he would have easily defeated someone like the alcalde…"

"If I were twenty years younger, perhaps," Don Alejandro smiled, "that is best left to the younger generation…"

"My father hasn't told me about his adventures in the military," Diego smirked, "is there something I should know, Father."

"You probably be bored to tears, Diego. I know how tedious you find swordplay…"

"My son was fortunate enough to study with Sir Edmund in Madrid. Do you get a chance to study with him while you were at the university, Diego?"

"Most of my time was spent with my head buried in my books, I am afraid," Diego admitted, "Sir Edmund thought that courage and Toledo steel were more important than my books."

"That sounds like him….a man who buries his nose in books never sees the real world, and the real world demands a man be able to defend himself," Eduardo quoted, "he trusted the two of you enough to come here when he needed you. I am sure that your skills are more than adequate…."

"Passable but not anything to brag about," Diego admitted downplaying his skills, "but I can defend myself in an extreme emergency, of course…"

"You are just being modest… He was proud of you, Diego. You must have been special for him to come all this way."

"Gracias…he was more than a mentor…he was my friend. Even though I didn't excel at swordplay like your son or Zorro…"

"It's a shame that we couldn't do more to protect him," Don Alejandro interrupted, " Edmund never thought bounty hunters would follow him to Los Angeles."

"You were there for him…that is all that counts," his friend surmised, "If not for the alcalde's greed. Our friend would still be alive."

"He lives on in our memories," Alejandro stated, "and in all those who fight for justice…My son may not be proficient with the sword but he fights for justice in his own way…"

"Never hesitate to use your talents for the cause of justice. Sir Kendall lived by that motto…I use my newspaper to fight for justice…it is much safer and less violent," the younger man stated, "I leave the daring exploits to Zorro."

Very clever, young man, he thought. You are intelligent like your father…that is not the only similarity…you never really answered my question…If you studied with Sir Edmund which is probably one of the reasons Alejandro sent you to Spain, then you should have skill with a sword probably more than the basic skills you claim to have…

Diego felt his father's friends eyes on him. The way that he looked at me earlier was unsettling almost as if he were comparing me to Zorro…Seeing Zorro up close and noticing the physical similarities had aroused his suspicions.

"No harm will come to him or his loved ones under my watch, Alejandro…The wanted posters will be removed…the bounty rescinded and he will be a free man…"

"I take you at your word…After this mess is straightened out, I am sure that he will reveal himself."

"I would like to share my conclusions with you...I think that Zorro is a caballero…"

"I don't think any of the caballeros here would take the risk," Alejandro stated, "interesting…"

"The stallion that he rides is Andalusian…If I didn't know better I would think that he came from one of your stables…"

"Toronado is a beautiful animal…I only wish that he were one of my own horses but that doesn't prove anything."

"What a fitting name for a magnificent animal. He is very tall about seventeen hands…Wouldn't you say?"

"I see you haven't lost your keen eye for horseflesh," Alejandro observed, "what other conclusions have you come to…"

"I noticed that the horse has silver conchos…if they are genuine, then they are very expensive…the black silk that Zorro wears…the manners…the bearing…I couldn't imagine him being less than a man of means…and intelligence, Alejandro. He is a strategist…with a military mind…"

"Then it stands to reason that he might not be a caballero but someone with a military mind or at least some knowledge of military strategy," Diego interrupted, "a soldier, perhaps."

"Soldiers are known for their loyalty…not for rebelling against the government…No soldier could afford such a horse…outfit said horse with such an expensive tack or carry himself with the grace and elegance that Zorro displayed today," Alejandro's friend surmised, "the man is most definitely a caballero.. If he were older and not quite as tall….you would be a prime candidate, my friend. It sounds like just the sort of thing you would have done in the past…"

"You think so," the other don responded, "knowing you…you would have probably done the same thing…"

"I probably would have…let's leave such exploits to the younger generation…like our sons. I propose a toast," he said as they raised their glasses, "to youth…to Zorro and to success…to change…"

I couldn't agree more…to a fair and just government, Diego added silently, to a new and better life for everyone…