Chapter 25
The townspeople watched as the alcalde was loaded into the prison wagon headed for Monterrey. There was a collective sigh of relief as the people eagerly anticipated the departure of the man who had caused them so much grief.
"Do you suppose that he is really gone, son," Alejandro sighed, "I wouldn't put anything past him…you don't think that he will try to escape."
"He would be shot on sight if he tried. Don Eduardo's men are highly trained," Diego said confidently, "whatever fate awaits him will not be a good one."
"I'll get you for this, de la Vega…you won't get away with this," the alcalde taunted glaring at his adversaries, "everyone will know your dirty little secret, Senor Zorro."
The assembled crowd looked at the disgraced alcalde in amusement. Did he really think that the tall caballero was Zorro…that he could have fooled people that had known him all of his life….The thought was preposterous…Anyone other than Don Diego de la Vega would be more likely although…
"Don Diego…my son…Zorro… do you hate us so much that you would accuse Diego of being Zorro?," Alejandro scoffed, "is there no length that you would not stoop to?"
"Very clever, Don Alejandro. I am sure that you know Diego's dirty little secret…He practically admitted it to me earlier today…"
"You have no honor, Luis Ramone…Whatever my son told you is between the two of you…you have no physical proof that Diego is Zorro….Where is his horse? Where is his sword? His skills with a sword hardly compare to Zorro's."
"He could easily hide those skills to fool others for his own devious reasons…I wouldn't put anything past him."
"That is like the pot calling the kettle black, alcalde," Victoria defended, "you would do anything to get back at the de la Vegas even accuse Diego of being Zorro if you could benefit from it."
"Are you just going to stand there and let your father and your woman defend you," the alcalde hoped that the younger man would take the bait, "Aren't you man enough to speak for yourself, de la Vega?"
"I don't have to prove myself to anyone…least of all you…I am who I have always said that I am…I am Diego de la Vega, son of Don Alejandro de la Vega…a caballero who used his skills to make Los Angeles a better place," Diego smirked, "all that matters to me is that you receive the reward that you so richly deserve…"
"Very clever, Don Diego. Your gift for speech making has saved you once again but one day someone will come along to claim the bounty on your head. You will never be able to live your life in peace."
"That is where you are wrong, Senor Ramone. The bounty has already been rescinded," Don Eduardo interrupted, "Enough of your insolence and your empty threats unless you want to be gagged, I suggest you keep your baseless suspicions to yourself. Drive on men. Alejandro…Diego…Senorita, it has been a pleasure."
The townspeople watched the wagon disappear into the distance. "Madre di Dios, it is over," Mendoza said as he crossed himself, "he is finally out of our lives. Was any of what he said true, Don Diego?"
"The alcalde hates me, Mendoza. He would say or do almost anything to get his revenge," the tall caballero admitted, "but he was right for a change. I was and always have been Zorro."
"Why didn't you acknowledge it to the people," the soldier wondered, "be recognized for all that you have done…"
"I didn't set out to be Zorro because I wanted the spotlight or glory. My mission was to rescue my father and Victoria in the beginning…."
"I understand, Don Diego. You want to be admired for yourself…to live in peace and security. No one takes the alcalde seriously, anyway. The way that he feels about you and your family is well known."
"Well said, Mendoza. Why don't we go to the tavern for lunch? I think this calls for a celebration," the taller man placed his arm around the shorter man's shoulder, "change is in the air…"
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Diego stood quietly in front of Sir Edmund's grave. He smiled as Victoria touched his arm lightly. "Your death has not been in vain, my friend. Justice has finally been served…Luis Ramone is out of our lives forever….I only wish that you could have been here to see it…"
"His spirit lives on in you, Diego. He will never be forgotten. We will make sure of that…"
"I know, Victoria but I miss him.."
"He would be happy that his death served a purpose to rid Los Angeles of corrupt leadership and in a way, he helped us begin our lives together," Victoria admitted, "who knows how many years we would have waited…"
"If things had not happened the way that they did," Diego interrupted, "his sacrifice will not be forgotten. I will make sure of that…"
"Perhaps, we can even name one of our sons after him. That would be a wonderful way to honor the man who was more than a mentor to you…more of a second father to you, Diego," Victoria smiled.
"That would be wonderful idea…thank you for thinking of that…I am fortunate that I will be marrying such an intelligent, intuitive woman. Sir Edmund and my father would most definitely approve," he smiled.
"I haven't heard a proposal yet, Senor de la Vega," she teased.
"Didn't you suggest naming one of our sons after Sir Edmund? We can't have a son without a proposal and a wedding first," he smirked as she blushed, "although it is an interesting idea..."
"You are incorrigible, Diego de la Vega. What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me for the rest of your life, Victoria Escalante. I promise you that it will be an adventure that you will never forget," he smiled, "I can't think of anything that I will enjoy more."