Victoria woke to a huff of warm air in her face. Toronado was standing over her, and she was startled fully awake within seconds.
"Alejandro!" She called out, and sat up.
Alejandro had been collecting kindling for their small fire, and glanced up at the cry. He raced back to the campsite, cursing himself for leaving her alone.
She was standing by the side of the large black horse as he approached.
"Is Toronado hurt?" He asked, placing the firewood down.
Victoria ran her hands over the horse gently, making certain muscles twitch. Toronado endured it patiently, but then pawed the ground.
"He seems impatient," Victoria said worriedly. Where was Diego? Her Zorro… Was he very hurt? "Toronado seems fine."
"Stay here, I'll see if the stallion will let me ride him again," Alejandro said, slowly approaching the horse.
Victoria shook her head defiantly. Swinging herself into the saddle before Alejandro could stop her, she soothed the stallion gently. Toronado tossed his head, and waited for her to arrange herself.
"Victoria," Alejandro said, frowning. Alejandro had never lost his temper with her before, Victoria thought, but it looked like he just might now. "He...Diego...he could be…"
"He could be dead," Victoria said, finishing the sentence with a lump in her throat. "I'll find out sooner or later. I have to know. I can't wait any longer."
"Victoria," Alejandro said, holding up a hand in a vain attempt to stop her, or to slow her down. She felt tears fall onto her cheeks, blinking. She had no idea she had started to cry, and she brushed them away with irritation.
"Keep up, he needs us," she said, turning the horse away from the older man. She let the stallion have his head, and he raced towards the cliffs near the ocean.
No, no… Had Diego fallen to his death? Her heart felt heavy within her. She almost turned back to Alejandro. Would it be any better if Alejandro informed her or she found his body? He'd still be dead. Alejandro would take control of the situation, and who knew if she'd be allowed to see Diego...one last time. He would try to protect her like all men did. She didn't want to be protected anymore.
Zzz
Alejandro stood in shock for a few seconds, before running to his own horse. He could only hope that Toronado wasn't racing at full speed, and that he could keep up. He paused by the cart, and retrieved a blanket and a bag of supplies. Victoria in her haste had completely forgotten her preparations.
He was glad that Diego had chosen such a strong woman, and glad that she wouldn't be his own wife. Managing Victoria's impulsiveness would indeed be a challenge suited for a younger man.
Zzz
The night had been long, cold and painful for Zorro. The wind had whistled up and down the cliff tops, reminding him of his enemy's fate, and the fate that awaited him if he made any false moves on the narrow ledge.
His arm ached, and he had tried to support it as best he could, but he was bleeding, even if slowly. He couldn't remember ever being so exhausted, and fought to stay awake. It was his life and his future at stake. His head rested against the cliff face, and he dozed off a few minutes at a time, jolting awake with a start repeatedly.
He vaguely noticed that the dozing sessions were getting longer and more comfortable. It was a worry, a problem probably related to his throbbing arm and the blood loss. He had to find a way to stay awake.
The sun was rising, he realised. Look at it, the sun coming out of the sea, a beacon of hope. He could climb the cliff face soon, the niches for grip would become visible soon enough. He stared at the colours in the sky, getting brighter with every moment. The sea was calm and almost mirror-like, as he looked down at it. What were the colours, he told himself. Name the colours… Stay awake, he told himself, pretend you are painting a landscape. The colours, the reds and oranges, focus on the colours…
Zzz
Toronado almost skidded to a stop near the cliff top, and Victoria fought a feeling of dread. She dismounted, and crept to the edge. The wind swept up and around her, like it was alive. Her hair flew around her, but she didn't care.
She laid down on her stomach and peered over the edge.
Zorro, where was he? Had he fallen all the way down there, where the waves crashed violently against the rocks at the bottom? Her head spun. He couldn't have, she told herself.
Alejandro joined her within a few minutes.
"Victoria, you are worse than Dulcinea," Alejandro growled, but his anger had diminished.
"I'm sorry," Victoria said, rolling onto her back. "All this was for nothing, he's been killed after all."
Alejandro was not so deterred, determined to find his son - alive or dead. He kept scanning the cliff.
"There!" Alejandro pointed. "There he is."
Victoria flipped herself back over, and stared, hope stirring again within her. She could just make out the black figure below, sitting against the cliff face, almost out of sight.
"He's not far, there's no real reason he couldn't have climbed out."
"Is he moving? I don't think he is," Victoria said softly.
"Diego!" Alejandro shouted, and his voice echoed around them. The figure didn't move.
"I'm getting a rope," Alejandro said. "You are staying right where you are, Victoria."
Her eyes weren't leaving Zorro's figure. "He's dead? Do you think?"
"He's a fighter, remember. He'll be fine."
Zzz
Alejandro attached the rope to the stallion's saddle. Then he lifted Victoria back onto Toronado. That way he knew he was safe, he told himself.
"Remember, when I call, try and get him to back up. I don't know if he will do that, but Toronado is very smart."
"He is," she said, patting the horse on his neck. "He is so clever, he will save him."
"Yes, he will," Alejandro said, trying to hide his doubt.
He attached the rope around him, and started to climb down the few feet where his son sat.
It was an easy enough task, which made him worry even more that his son was still on the ledge. He slipped the rope from around himself and approached the figure of Zorro cautiously. The narrowness of the ledge was only just wide enough for the both of them, positioned awkwardly.
"Diego," he said, coming close. "Are you awake?"
Zorro's eyes were closed, and his breathing was slow but steady. Alejandro took his jacket off and placed it around his son.
"You're cold," he said, rubbing Diego's shoulders gently.
"Oh," Zorro said, blinking his eyes open. "Knife, careful."
"There's a knife in you?" Alejandro said, gently removing the jacket to examine his son properly.
"Right shoulder, arm. Don't take it out. Hernandez...Hernandez…"
"Yes, it stays where it is," Alejandro said softly. He glanced up at the edge, so close, and yet so far. It made sense now. There may have been a slight chance of a climb, but in the condition Diego was in right now, it was definitely not an option.
"Victoria!"
The rope began to move. Alejandro shook his head.
"Stop! Come to the cliff edge!"
Her face appeared.
"You are going to have to ride back to the hacienda. We need some men to help. Quickly. You can take my horse, he'll make good time," Alejandro said. "Please, time is of the essence."
Victoria hesitated and then nodded. "I won't be long, Alejandro. Keep him safe."
Zzz
Zorro stirred, fighting the urge to fall asleep again.
"Father?" He murmured. He was lying in his father's lap, wrapped in a warm jacket, his injured arm wrapped in a confining sling.
"Diego?" Alejandro replied. "I have supplies, but I am not a doctor. Should I bandage this…?"
"Don't move it too much," Zorro said, sighing. "Take off the stupid mask. You obviously know who I am… better than I do."
"Doctor's orders are sometimes painful to follow, my son," Alejandro said, gently removing the black mask.
"How long have you known who I was?" Diego said.
"Two weeks," Alejandro said with a shrug. "Zorro was injured in the cave in, not Diego."
Diego chuckled a little, and winced. "I should have reasoned it out. Victoria could barely keep it in. How long has she known?"
"I don't know," Alejandro said thoughtfully. "Although I have a feeling she might have had some words with you if she had known about it long."
"Something I might well have forgotten."
"With her temper at full force, I doubt it would be forgettable."
"How do we get out of here? You may have to leave me here," Diego said, studying the cliff face from where he was.
"Never. There is always a solution," Alejandro said firmly. "I have obviously raised a very resourceful son, and now is not the time to give up."
Diego smiled, and sighed again. "I am very tired."
"Sleep for now. I will protect you for a change."
"I'm sorry, Father. For everything."
"I forgive you," Alejandro murmured, watching Diego's eyelids flutter closed, and feeling his son relax in his arms. "Although there is no real need."