Don Miguel was walking in his garden in the cool of the evening, when he heard the horses whinny. It caught his attention. At that time of night the horses were silent and restful. There was something moving in the darkness.
He glanced towards the door where he could dash for safety if necessary. His dress sword was not on his belt, having been removed on his return home. A pistol could be retrieved quickly if necessary, but the disturbance was probably a travelling coyote or even a stray horse. His horses were high spirited and easily spooked even by natural occurrences around the stables.
The horses calmed, and Miguel relaxed a little. The risks of living out of town were still moderate, they had been visited by bandits several years before. The risks of a repeat visit increased if Zorro had died. He sighed, and shook his head.
One man had saved them all for five and a half years. Only one man. And now that man could be dead. Miguel had grown into manhood with the knowledge that he was safe, and now… Now he might not be.
"Senor," a voice in the shadows spoke. A low, deep voice. "Don't be alarmed. I mean you no harm. No harm at all."
"Who are you?" Miguel whispered, his mind trying to work out quickly if he was hearing correctly. "Zorro?"
"I don't want to alarm your senora, Don Miguel. I need to talk to you," the voice continued.
Miguel nodded. "I'm going to check on the horses, Honora, I won't be long," Miguel called back into his hacienda. "Something spooked them."
"This way, we can talk in the stables. My head man can be trusted."
"Just outside the stables. I am a very cautious man," the voice said softly.
"As you wish," Miguel said, hurrying towards his horses and the stables.
Zzz
Diego had changed into the suit, gingerly. His arm was still recovering from the stab wound, and he was prepared to be exhausted by the end of the night. First port of call was Don Miguel. As the youngest of his father's team of possible allies, he was the most likely to agree to adventure and risk.
The ride to Miguel's hacienda was the shortest as well, and there was no plan to visit anyone else that night. Toronado was restless, and wanted to gallop, but Zorro needed to keep his horse steady for his own sake.
He had regretted getting too close to Miguel's stables. It had alarmed the young don, and perhaps some of the vaqueros working on the estate. It was an error Zorro hardly ever made, it was careless. A stable full of mares and a few geldings would obviously notice the approach of a stallion.
He followed Miguel from the patio to the stables, silently. He was still working on the plan in his head, and he was less than confident it would work.
"You are Zorro, aren't you?"
"You were very quick to believe me dead," Zorro said softly. "Yes, I am Zorro."
"What do you want with me? You say you mean no harm?"
Zorro sighed. "Let's step more into the light," he murmured. "Would that ease your doubts?"
Zorro could see the young man shiver with fear or anticipation or both.
"I...I am a married man, with two children, senor Zorro. I cannot see how or what or why I am of interest to you."
"You are of interest to Don Alejandro, who is a firm friend of mine," Zorro said. "He believes that you are a man of courage and intelligence."
"Of course," Miguel said, trying his best to stop shaking, Zorro noticed.
It was something, Zorro supposed. Men did try to cling to the appearance of courage, afterall. That was why Diego was such a good cover for Zorro. Other men did not expect a courageous man to allow himself to be called a coward, and for five years. It had hurt his pride at times, but it was one of the main reasons he had survived for so long.
"Of course," Zorro said.
"You doubt me?" Miguel said, reacting to something in Zorro's tone.
"Perhaps. It takes a lot of courage to embark on an adventure such as the one Don Alejandro proposes."
"My family has always fought for what is right," Miguel said with feeling.
"And yet...Your family has been like that in the past. Are you willing to take on the mantle and make it mean something in your lifetime?"
"Have you spoken to Don Diego like this?"
"Don Diego has serious injuries, and the doctor is doubtful he'll make a full recovery. Everyone knows he is not a strong man. Not like you, Don Miguel."
"No, but the great Don Alejandro has a weak coward for a son. He isn't married, he doesn't have children, no one would miss him if he died," Miguel said bitterly. "My wife and children rely on me for their livelihoods. Poverty would cripple them."
"I see," Zorro said thoughtfully. "I think I may have wasted my time with you. In case you have a change of heart, I will leave you with these."
Zorro handed the man a bundle, and Miguel lifted a piece of fabric off the top.
"A mask?"
"A full outfit, senor. There is strength in numbers, and I am leaving you with the option. A black suit, a mask, and a hat. To match my own."
"I can't take these. If the alcalde found them on my property I would be hanged."
"I am not taking them back, senor. Hide them well or destroy them. Buenos Noches, Don Miguel."
Zzz
Alejandro was waiting for his son to return. He sat in the silent hacienda, his ears alert to the slightest sound.
He still startled when he turned to see Diego standing beside him, bracing his arm with a grimace of pain.
"I told you it would be too much for you tonight. Your arm…"
"I will live," Diego said, through tight lips.
"You're in pain, sit down. Drink some brandy," Alejandro said, turning to pour them both a drink.
Diego scowled a little to himself, but forced a tight smile for his father as he accepted the drink.
"That fool Miguel."
"You started with him?"
"I thought he would be the easiest to convince. He was the closest. Less jolting for the arm."
"He is very young. Younger than you."
"I thought that might be the way in."
"Not every man has a lion's courage in a fox skin," Alejandro said softly.
"That man had the audacity…"
Alejandro glanced at him carefully. Diego sipped his drink, and then laughed.
"He mentioned that Don Diego was much more expendable than he was," Diego said after a moment. He sipped his drink again.
"Is that so?"
"Now don't let it affect you, Father. He didn't know what he was saying. It still rankled and stung. It always does," Diego said, placing his drink on the nearby table. "Father?"
"You'd think…" Alejandro started and then shook his head. "Why must you be such a convincing coward, Diego?"
Diego shrugged. "I have done brave things in the past. It is just that people discount them."
"For which we should be very thankful. It is better to have a living hero after all."