Chapter 14
Diego patted the horse gently. It had been an exhilarating ride. Esperanza was his usual choice of mount but Espescia was a spirited mare who enjoyed the challenge..."Juan would you take Especia back to the corral please," the tall caballero said as he dismounted, "She deserves an extra carrot for that ride."
"You are a very good horseman, Diego," Don Eduardo stated as he rode up to the stables, "just like your father."
"Are you here to see, Father," he smiled changing the subject, "he is inside…"
"I am but I would like to talk to you for a few minutes. Something has been gnawing at me for the past few days. As a man of science and education…I was wondering if you could help me…"
"I would be happy to…if I can," Diego responded politely, "All the hands are busy right now, so we won't be interrupted."
Always the gentleman, just as Alejandro taught you, the older man thought…"I was wondering about Zorro…the man seems awfully familiar to me…you are a man of science so you must have your own theories on who he could be…Aren't you the least bit curious about who he is..."
"Everyone knows that he is tall," Diego sighed, "rides a magnificent stallion...has superior skills with a sword."
"Zorro is well mannered…he wears fine silk," Eduardo stated.
"That could describe any of the caballeros in Los Angeles..."
"Hear me out, young man...Zorro is tall… probably about your height… making him one of the tallest men in the pueblo...a fine horseman judging by his skills and the quality of horse that he rides…"
"If I could handle a sword…then I would be the perfect candidate to be Zorro, but I am not…Purely circumstantial..." Diego knew that his father's friend was dangerously close to the truth...
"You are an educated man...I would have thought that you would be curious about who he is...You have a lot in common besides physical similarities...a shared passion for justice," Don Eduardo stated, "I witnessed it for myself in Monterrey.."
"I am passionate about what I believe in...If I showed it here...I would be suspected of being Zorro...when the alcalde arrested my father and Victoria...he threatened me...he said that if there was any trouble with the caballeros that he would know that I was behind it...there was always enough room in jail for another de la Vega," Diego took a depth breath, "That is why I donned the cape and the mask to save my father and Victoria..."
"And to protect them..You would have to be seen as two completely different people or you would have been hanging from a noose a long time ago. I understand, Diego. Your actions and your character speak for themselves...Your father and I would have probably done the same thing in your place," Don Eduardo smiled, "You are so close to achieving your dreams…only a little while longer…your sacrifice will be rewarded, my boy. Thank you for trusting me with your secret..."
The Library…
"To success…Eduardo," Alejandro and his friend clinked their glasses together, "Have you gathered all the information that you needed?"
"Yes, Alejandro…and more," he teased, "how does it feel to know that you raised a legend?"
"What did you say," the older man almost choked on his wine, "the father of...of a legend."
"Your son is Zorro...Don't try to make me believe otherwise...your Diego is Zorro...he told me himself..."
"Did he tell you or did you figure it out yourself," Alejandro enquired, "I supposed it is easy to see if you think about...I cannot believe that I was so easily fooled.."
"You saw what Diego wanted you to see, my friend. Your son is like his namesake...clever like a fox. His disguise is very effective..."
"It had to be, Eduardo. Otherwise, he ould have been arrested and hung...I would have been hung right alongside him...my lands confiscated. Ramon would have been in total control if not for Zorro," the don confessed, "Diego is playing a dangerous game...I don't know how it keeps it all straight...I have to forget that it is my own son under that mask."
"You helped Diego more than you know, Alejandro...you should be proud of him with or without the mask..."
"I am, Eduardo...I wasn't always proud of the son that I have...I didn't appreciate him for his unique gifts...his love for science...his peace loving ways...I wanted him to be a man of action," the don sighed, "I am ashamed of the things that I said about my own son..."
"All fathers want to see themselves in their son, Alejandro...It looks like you got your wish, my friend. He is a man of action with excellent swordsmanship and a quick mind. He is the perfect combination of you and Elena. When I saw Zorro ride into the pueblo...I recognized him...it wasn't hard to put two and two together..when I saw him in Monterrey without the mask and here with the mask...I made the connection," his friend stated, "we should be grateful that the alcalde hasn't made the connection."
"Luis Ramon is a devious and cunning adversary..He would do nothing to solidify his power...Only Zorro stands in his way," Don Alejandro ran an agitated hand through his hair, "sometimes, I wonder if the alcalde's reign of terror will ever come to an end..."
"Be patient, Alejandro. The alcalde's time is nearly over...trust in the plans that we have made...all will turn out well."
"Sometimes, even the best laid plans can go awry...we need to make sure that all the pieces are in place..we cannot let Ramon win..."
"This time, you will have the backing of the governor...the support of the caballeros and the people, my friend.