Diego insisted on Victoria travelling back to the hacienda once Luke had joined them. The memory of his nightmare had faded but the feelings of doom had not. Diego didn't know why but he had to keep her close to him. So she would be safe.

They had eaten a large dinner at the fine dining table, with five courses and minimal conversation. Diego was tired of thinking, so he sat back and found himself watching Victoria's every move. She was keeping up with his father's attempts at conversation, and after a while Diego found himself laughing at something that was said.

"Diego, you look exhausted," Alejandro said, turning his attention to his son.

"With his nightmare, I don't think he got much sleep this afternoon," Victoria said.

Diego sighed. He had avoided mentioning the nightmare to his father. Now he closed his eyes tiredly, and waited for the words of concern.

"No doubt the room was too hot," Alejandro said, sipping his wine thoughtfully. "It was rather sultry this afternoon. I doubt anyone had a good siesta today."

Diego opened his eyes, a little surprised. He had expected his father to blame the long day and the exertions and the avoidance of his companions. Nothing had been mentioned since his return, and it seemed nothing would be mentioned.

"If you will excuse me, Victoria, Father, I think I will retire," Diego said, rising from the table.

Alejandro nodded, and Victoria glanced up and scanned his face. He smiled tiredly at her, and left the room.

Zzz

He had meant to go to bed, but his exhaustion was not physical and he felt restless. Like something was wrong, and he couldn't place it. It was intense, like an instinct.

Diego went outside. Just to clear his head, just to breathe some cooler air. He was just going to sit on the patio chairs, and watch the stars for a while. He found he was too restless to sit down, and began to pace the patio impatiently. Impatient for what? He didn't know.

He wandered down to the stables, and greeted some of the stablehands. Pablo was working on some broken equipment, and glanced up at him as he approached.

"I thought you were meant to be resting, Diego."

"Can't," Diego said, unhelpfully.

"I would have thought you'd have a potion for sleeplessness," Pablo said after a moment.

"I need to get out, go for a walk...or a ride?" Diego said, hopefully. Pablo smiled, a reluctant smile.

"Esperanza is missing you," Pablo said after a couple of minutes' consideration. "But Alejandro would be most upset about it. Unless I go with you of course."

"Would that make it less upsetting?"

"Maybe, maybe not. But he would reproach me, not you."

"I don't want to get you into trouble Pablo."

"I'll live with it. It might just do you a world of good. A bit more blood flow in your veins might just help your recovery."

"Could set it back a bit too."

"Promise not to fall off and do yourself any damage, and I think we'll be fine with your father."

"I promise. I have not been dizzy for…"

"Hours?" Pablo said, raising an eyebrow.

Diego looked sheepish. "Well, it is a start."

"It is. Do you remember where Esperanza is stabled?"

Diego nodded, silently.

"Well, let's make a start then."

Zzz

Felipe was riding as Zorro, and venturing further and further afield. The temptation to act on behalf of Zorro was getting stronger, and Zorro's reputation was such that a few bandits had already surrendered on sight of the teenager. He had delivered them to the pueblo with Zorro's signature, without attending the plaza and the attention of the alcalde. Just escorting them to the edge of town in the cover of darkness was enough, and the bandits had been trussed expertly to prevent second thoughts.

Tonight was a little different. The bandits were starting to get a little more challenging. One had fired at him, and actually hit his shoulder, a graze more than a wound, but it stung. He had knocked the bandit out with a trick shot that had come close to killing the man due to the pain in Felipe's arm, and had delivered him to town as the others.

Getting back to the hacienda without raising the alarm was going to be difficult, Felipe thought. He wrapped the shoulder tightly in case it was bleeding a lot, knowing enough from his experiences with Diego that it was important. His hands were sticky with blood and he was light headed enough to be concerned. He trusted Toronado enough to get him back, and his own horsemanship skills. Diego had been a good teacher, and he had been a good student.

He could just make out the cheery lights of the hacienda in the distance when the dizziness started. Toronado had slowed to a walk, aware of his rider's awkwardness. Felipe pushed on, hoping that the distance to the cave wasn't far, aware that his thoughts were vague. A few moments later, he slumped forward in the saddle. A few moments after that he had slipped from the saddle completely, and had fallen to the ground.

Zzz

Toronado approached the two men, one who smelled so familiar even from a distance. His instinct had been to get help and bring it back to his rider. The smell of blood had always unnerved the young stallion, but it was different this time.

Zzz

Pablo pointed out the stallion to Diego. "That is Toronado, what is he doing out here saddled?"

"He is magnificent. Maybe Zorro has fallen?"

"Maybe he has," Pablo said thoughtfully. "But I would have thought…"

"We'd better help. He could be seriously hurt."

Diego had left Esperanza before Pablo could think to stop him.

"Easy, easy. You're a beauty, Toronado," Diego said, soothingly. Toronado nestled his muzzle into his shirt. "He might let me ride him. Try to follow Pablo."

Pablo watched his charge with interest, as he mounted Toronado with an ease and confidence that was remarkable. "Of course Diego. Be careful."

Zzz

Felipe woke to Diego at his side. He smiled shakily. Diego's expert hands were examining his injured shoulder carefully. He adjusted the bandage properly.

Diego was now staring down at the teenager with confusion. This was not right. The clothes looked like they had been tailored, and designed for a much larger man. All the stories he had heard were based on a man. Zorro started five years ago. Five years ago this boy would have been barely out of the nursery.

Felipe sighed, and removed the mask. Diego's eyes widened with shock, and he grew more concerned.

"Felipe, what you've been doing...It almost got you killed."

Felipe nodded. "Where is the real Zorro?"

Pablo joined them.

"Where is the real Zorro?" Diego tried again, getting no answer at all. "Felipe, you got those clothes from somewhere. Toronado is Zorro's horse. You know who he is. Tell me."

"Tell him, Felipe," Pablo said softly.

"He can't hear you. He's deaf," Diego said to the man.

"He's not deaf, Diego. He just can't talk," Pablo said after a moment's silence. "You have forgotten too much."

"Not deaf?" Diego looked at Felipe and at Pablo. "I don't understand."

Felipe was staring at Pablo.

"I knew the boy could hear. He responds to the horses perfectly. He reacts to noises. He can hear," Pablo admitted.

"Do you know who Zorro is too?" Diego asked, still a little shocked by this latest memory. It was slowly forming in his mind, Felipe could hear but not speak. There was something else there, some other secret hiding, something linked to it. Two secrets to hide.

"I know who Zorro is," Pablo admitted. "It is a secret."

Diego considered him for a moment, before nodding. There was an ache in his head and he felt drained.

"You wanted Felipe to tell me a moment ago."

"That was a moment ago. Things change moment by moment, Diego."

"Not that fast they don't."

Felipe struggled to get up, and the tense moment was broken. Diego placed a steadying hand on the teenager.

"No, I don't think so. Let me help you and we will get you home. Father doesn't need to know about this. Show me where my potions are and I will make sure you are comfortable at least."

Felipe looked a little worried.

"Will Toronado go back to his stable on his own?"

Felipe nodded.

"You can at least tell me where to return the clothes. Zorro will be looking for them, I think."