Chapter 20

Victoria placed a plate of albondigas soup on the table and gave Diego a quick wink, almost making him choke on his coffee.
In her other hand, she held a plate of tortillas.
And she placed it across the table in front of Sergeant Mendoza.
Then she turned wide red skirt billowed gracefully around her legs.
Wiggling her hips, she walked back towards the kitchen.
It was getting harder by the day. Victoria and he were touching, hugging, kissing.
There was no sexual tension in those moments.
All gestures were touches of comfort.
His mind told him Victoria still needed him to comfort her.
But his body refused to listen and reacted to her presence.
The way Victoria just smiled at him made him long for her.

And then there was that oppressive feeling that came over him at unexpected moments.
Victoria worshipped her hero and believed he had never done was wrong.
She said she loved him and had no reason to doubt her feelings.
The fact remained, his heart liked to believe he was worth her undying love and her feelings were as strong as his.
A nagging voice in the back of his mind sometimes popped up, telling him he wasn't the flawless hero she fell in love with in the first place.
And after what happened, one of these days, she will find out.
Victoria hadn't blamed him for not coming to her aid.
He didn't dare ask.
He was nothing more or less than an ordinary man, and Victoria was due to find out.

"Sorry, sergeant, what did you say?" Diego had been too distracted by his thoughts.
He was not paying attention to what the sergeant had been saying.

"I can't think of anything that tastes more delightful than these tamales."

Diego disagreed. He could think of many had in some way to do with the woman occupying his mind.
He took a bite of the soup and burned his tongue on the hot liquid.

.

Zorro was on his knees in the last remnants in his stomach got squeezed out. It had been dumb luck that he had found the bodies.
After he had delivered the four cattle thieves to the pueblo, he had made it clear to the alcalde that he had found the rifles and knew what had happened.
Then Zorro had given the alcalde the same punishment as the poor peasant who was accused of the theft by de Soto in the first place.
Zorro had thrown the key to the pillory on the roof of the cartel. The present villagers laughed as de Soto stamped his feet and shouted various orders to his men.
Most of the lancers had chosen to follow the order to chase Zorro.
Seemingly, none had felt like climbing onto the roof to find the key and free the alcalde.
To get the lancers off his trail, Zorro had ridden towards the narrow ravine Toronado had jumped with ease over on several occasions.
As expected, the men immediately ceased their pursuit, intending to return to the pueblo.
The lancers knew after countless failed chases that they waisted their time to make the detour, cross the ravine at the bridge two miles down the road.
Zorro would be long gone by the time they reached the right point.

Zorro galloped on a little further.
He circled back to give Toronado a free rein to jump the ravine again.
At that moment, he was overwhelmed by an intoxicating stench. It was the woeful, sweet smell of corpses.
Probably a large dead animal lay nearby.
Zorro still wanted to know the ins and outs of it. Had the cattle thieves killed off the animals they had stolen?
It wasn't hard to discover from which direction the stench was coming.
The sight of what he found a little further on made the muscles in his stomach contract. And was the reason he was now sitting on his knees, puking to empty his stomach.

Less than a quarter of a mile from the edge of the ravine, he found the wagon.
Besides it, he found the remains of what had once been two people.
One body was still somewhat covered by the remains of clothing and was almost certainly a man.
The other body had got stripped of everything. Only the hair, long and braided, suggested that this was a woman.
Presumably, the couple had got brutally robbed of their lives and valuables.
Wild animals had feasted on the bodies.
Yet, from the position in which the bodies lay, there still spoke a cry of utter despair.
The manner the ropes were knotted, Zorro got reminded of the situation in which he had found Victoria.
Had the man and woman been victims of the Estaban brothers?
The foul taste in his mouth did not lessen despite frequent swallowing.

Toronado bumped his head against his master's shoulder.
Zorro had no idea how long the bodies had laid here.
Had the couple indeed been so unfortunate to encounter the Estaban brothers?
It meant they had been here for at least over three weeks.
Zorro searched through what was left of their meagre possessions until he found two blankets.
Most likely, the husband and wife had been on their way to settle somewhere in California, sharing the dream of a prosperous life in the new world.
A dream, brutally disrupted because they had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Zorro covered the bodies as much as possible.

He mounted Toronado and gave the stallion a few pats on the neck.
"We've got work to do, boy.
We've got to lure the lancers back this way."

The lancers, led by Mendoza, had no rush to return to Los Angeles.
A smart thing to do because if they returned too soon, they would probably incur the wrath of the alcalde for giving up too soon.
Not to mention that of the fifteen lancers present at the plaza, eleven had chosen to pursue Zorro over trying to free their superior.
So it took Zorro no effort to catch up with them again.
Within earshot but at a safe distance, he shouted.
"Mendoza!"

"Zorro, what are you doing!?
We're hunting you!"
Zorro had done inexplicable things before, but this didn't make sense.
The outlaw had just made every effort to shake them off and was waiting for them.
Mendoza had just been so happy that after a short chase, he could return at his leisure and planned only to arrive in the pueblo at the end of the afternoon.
Now it threatened to be a strenuous afternoon after all.
Would he ever understand Zorro and his actions?

"Sergeant, you must cross the bridge.
Where I jumped, crime got committed.
I have found two bodies of people, robbed of their lives. The victims are entitled to a proper burial."

"First cattle thieves and now this." Grumbled Mendoza, who did give immediate orders to the men to turn around.

Zorro rode back to the ravine and waited until he saw the lancers finding the wagon.
Mendoza made a cross over his chest when he saw what had happened. Three of the lancers fainted, perhaps by the smell.
If not, it had to be due to the horrible sight.
It was no easy task.
Working together, the lancers managed to roll the remains in blankets and loaded them onto the wagon.
The two tamest horses got harnessed in front of the wagon.
Two lancers took their places on the seat.
And, so, the men started to make their way back to Los Angeles.
The other men stayed as far away from the wagon as possible.
One of them was smart enough to suggest he would ride ahead fast to warn the padre and the alcalde.
Before Mendoza could say that was a task he wished to perform himself, the lancer had already been out of earshot.

Upon returning, the alcalde was furious.
His men had stayed away much longer than usual.
The four lancers who had stayed behind had taken over an hour to free their commander.
Over an HOUR, he had stood in the blazing sun while the gathered crowd was mocking him.
It was going to hurt those suckers.
A larger group of lancers had left the pueblo.
Instead of caring about his welfare, they had gone after Zorro.
Zorro, the bastard, enjoyed making fun of his suffering time and time again.
And had the bunch of idiots caught the criminal?
No, they had returned with two half-decayed corpses on a rickety cart.

"This is the work of Zorro." The alcalde spoke with conviction, holding his handkerchief to his nose and mouth.
The stench was repulsive, the sight horrifying.

The padre was approaching, accompanied by the lancer who had outsmarted Mendoza.

"Alcalde, what's going on?"

De Soto sighed in frustration. Of course, de la Vega's. How could it be otherwise?
Both dons had a knack for meddling in matters that didn't concern them.
De Soto uttered, "A horrible crime, committed by Zorro."

Both the dons and the padre took a step back as the alcalde lifted the blanket a bit.
Out of the corner of his eye, de Soto watched as the padre made a cross and began to mutter a prayer.

As expected, it was the elder don who commented first.
"These people are dead.
Zorro has never intentionally harmed anyone!
They were unfortunate to die in an accident or murdered by bandits."

"I am the only one who sees Zorro for whom he truly is.
A dangerous criminal who is willing to kill to achieve his goal."

The statement went against the grain of Alejandro, who saw Zorro as a folk hero.
"Señor alcalde," The don said through grinding teeth.
"Zorro has nothing to do with this, and you know it!
As well do I and everyone else in this pueblo!
If Zorro had indeed been a man capable of ruthless murder, you would have been six feet under the ground three years ago." The don was furious.
Splatters of spit flew around while Alejandro roared words haughtily.

Don Diego, the weakling, again had nothing sensible to add.
"It also seems unlikely to me that Zorro would be responsible for this.
It's not really his style, is it?" The don looked at the bodies curiously.
"It's pretty clear these people have been dead for some time.
Do we know who they are?"

"I hadn't got that far yet.
The case is still in investigation." De Soto replied irritably.

Alejandro nodded in agreement. "I am glad you're taking this all so seriously.
Perhaps we can find out their identity and notify any relatives."

The padre stepped forwards to say, "I will prepare the funeral.
And by the way, I feel I must agree with don Alejandro.
It is not the work of Zorro.
Señor alcalde, one of your lancers, was the one to inform me it was Zorro who asked them to go back to the ravine where he had made the discovery. "

The lancer who had been listening confirmed the padre's story.
"That's right, mi alcalde.
Zorro escaped us by jumping across the ravine.
Not much later, he caught up with us again and told us of a crime had been done."

"Well then." The padre continued in a friendly tone.
"Why would Zorro do such a thing?
If he knew more about it, he would have made sure the bodies were untraceable."

The alcalde was getting, more and more, frustrated by the men doubting his supremacy.
"Just ask yourself how Zorro knew this was a crime, and you have your proof."

Don Diego was still standing bent over the wagon.
How was that man able to stand it? De Soto wondered. The stench was unbearable.

"That doesn't seem difficult, alcalde.
These people were first deprived of their freedom and then murdered. One only has to look at the ropes around their ankles and wrists."

"Wild animals have displaced the ropes when they found the corpses." De Soto cut Diego off.

"That, in turn, seems unlikely to me.
I've never seen a vulture, mountain lion or other animals able to tie knots like this."

De Soto wanted to say something more, but realized halfway through that it was pointless, and he could not win this discussion on arguments.
He heard how some lancers who had been listening from a distance struggled to hold back their laughter.

Diego glared over at de Soto.
"Alcalde, perhaps I am able to assist in ascertaining the identity of these unfortunate souls.
I am happy to be at your disposal."

"Don Diego, that will not be necessary, but thank you for the offer.
Sergeant, take care of the funeral!" He barked at Mendoza.
"And make sure all possessions get into my office.
We will try to find out their identity." De Soto walked back to his office as he suddenly turned around again, pointing at the lancers who had laughed at him.
"Tomorrow morning, you all are going out to march.
Five thirty, fully packed, thirty miles!"

.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Diego was combing Toronado when Victoria appeared behind him.

"It's nothing for you to worry about."

Toronado scraped his hoof protestingly across the stone floor.

"Diego, you promised me something.
You suddenly come storming out of the cave, half-dressed.
Pretty much ordering me to stay at the hacienda.
And asks your father to follow you and that you will explain why on your way to the pueblo.
Do you expect me to believe that there is nothing to worry about?"

Diego stopped to comb for a moment.
Victoria would find out anyway.
He was foolish to think by not telling her he was protecting her.
He didn't want to tell her.
Especially, because of the image stuck in his head.
Had the brothers done to the poor woman what they planned to do to Victoria?
It was hard on him.
Diego managed to mutter, "Today, I found the bodies of what were probably victims of the Estaban brothers.
Zorro has asked Mendoza to take them to Los Angeles for a proper burial. As far as that is still possible."

"Oh, dear." Horror was on her face.
Victoria's face paled.

"That's why I wanted to get to the pueblo as soon as possible.
As expected, de Soto thought Zorro had taken their lives."
Diego laughed sarcastically.
"Zorro has never really injured him or any of his men.
Despite the countless opportunities I've had to do so.
Of all the criminals I've captured, not one can say that Zorro intentionally injured them physically in such a way that the damage was permanent.
A black eye, a scratch?
Yes, I have done that.
Of course, de Soto refuses to look beyond what he wants to believe is obvious.
Not when he can accuse Zorro of a crime." Diego slumped his shoulders. De Soto's accusation hurt him more than he had let his father believe. "And those poor people.
They probably didn't stand a chance against those beasts.
De Soto has said he will try to find out their identity.
Do you believe he will?
Most likely, he is writing a letter to the governor as we speak.
About what happened, and that Zorro is the one responsible for it all."
Diego was angry at himself, and most of all, at de Soto.
He had let the Estaban brothers get away with their crimes way too easy.
And he hated himself for failing to prevent the crime, nor had he protected Victoria.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder blade.
Victoria slipped between him and Toronado.
Her eyes filled with tears and, lost for words.
She didn't know what else to do other than to hold Diego in her arms.
He squeezed her against his body so tight she could hardly breathe.
He felt something wet trailing down his neck.
Was Victoria crying? For him?
In his ear, she whispered.
"Diego, listen to me.
I know the kind of man you are.
Should you choose to, you can tear me to pieces, holding both your hands on your back.
Yet, you'll never hurt anyone.
Everyone knows the man hiding behind the mask is all goodness, even de Soto does, though he'd never admit it.
I love you."

He dug his nose in her hair to inhale her soothing smell.
All he did smell was the stench filling his nose since he found man and woman.
So he tried to make eye contact, to find comfort in her eyes.
Victoria, however, kept her face buried in his neck.

"When is the funeral?" She asked.

"Tomorrow morning."

"I'll come with you."

"Victoria, you don't have to...,"

"But I want to. You plan to go, right?
I will come with you.
You don't have to do this on your own.
We will pay our respect to these people and not forget them."
Victoria lifted her head to pull his face against her shoulder.

She knew. Victoria knew the wetness on his cheeks was not caused by Victoria crying.
It was his tears.
What had he done to deserve such a generous woman?
"Victoria." Diego grabbed her wrists to untie himself against his will.
"I smell terrible."
The smell of corpses refused to leave his nose, and Diego was sure the scent had soaked into his skin. He did not want the stench to find its way to her.

Victoria didn't let herself get pushed away.
She caressed his cheeks, wiping away the tears, holding his head between her hands.
"Not to me.
You want me to ask Maria to prepare you a bath?"

Diego doubted a bath would be enough to dispel the stench.
"Will you come and keep me company?"

She gave him her breathtaking smile, the one that always made him weak in the knees.

"If you insist."

.

Diego tried to relax as Victoria used her gentle hands to run circles over his temples.
The sweet rose scent of Victoria's perfume slowly began to dissipate the stench in his nose.

"You shouldn't blame yourself."

Diego didn't answer.

"You couldn't have known."

He took her hand and kissed it. "Perhaps."

"Diego" Victoria pulled her hand back and used it to make him look at her.
"The only who are to blame are dead.
Thanks to Zorro.
You can't keep the whole world from being harmed.
All you can do is do your best.
The rest is up to God."

He liked to believe her.
And it wasn't finding the bodies that bothered him the most.
It was the thought of what might have happened to the woman.
And that that fate could have happened to Victoria.
Diego put his hand on Victoria's.

She stroked his cheek.
"The Estaban brothers can do no more harm.
None of their victims will blame Zorro for not coming to their aid.
I think, if they ever find out one way or another what you have done, they will only be grateful to you."

"And you?
Can you ever forgive me?" The words eluded him.
He didn't want to torment Victoria with his fears.
Her touch was so comforting.
He had forgotten she wasn't to know.
Victoria had her own demons to fight.

His soft whisper was so uncertain.
The pain in the uttered words went straight to her heart.
"I wouldn't know what to forgive you.
Diego, I love you.
Nothing will ever change that."

Why had he started this conversation while in the bathtub?
"I love you, Victoria.
If I had known..."

Victoria placed a finger on his mouth to stop him from talking.
"But you didn't know.
You couldn't have known.
I got saved in the nick of time.
Let's face it. I got lucky.
And you have nothing to feel guilty over.
Please, try to forgive yourself.
I don't have to, for there is nothing to forgive."

Relief was great when Diego heard the words from her mouth. Her kiss tasted so much sweeter afterwards.

Victoria telling him,"Tomorrow, we will go to the funeral. After that, I want us to move on with our lives. It has taken long enough. Those men have destroyed so many lives. I refuse to allow them to ruin our lives as well. I love you so very much."

Victoria held her breath as Diego took her finger into his mouth and sucked on it.
His tongue slid over her wrist.
His fingers caressed her arm.
She bent closer to him.
The sensual tension made her blood boil.

For weeks, every touch between them had been the kind that offered only comfort and security.
Diego reached for her elbow, Victoria groaned.
His strong arms encircled her in a tighter grip.
Diego turned more onto his side.
Water surged over the edge of the tub and landed partly on Victoria.

She let out a squeal and jumped off her chair.

Diego took the opportunity to pull her into the tub on top of him in one flowing movement.
More water sloshed over the edge.

"Diego!" Victoria squealed.

"Victoria!" He kissed her to absorb all her protest in his mouth.

After a mere second, Victoria answered the kiss just as eagerly as he kissed her.
She was already soaked, so what did it matter?
Diego held her in his arms, and for the first time since the incident, they touched them as husband and wife.
Her wet, heavy skirts impeded free movement.

Finally, Vitoria managed to get one leg on either side of his hips. Diego had raised his knees, and Victoria was sitting on his stomach, his knees supporting her back.
Victoria, leaning back thus, allowed Diego to unbutton her blouse.
The fabric was soaked, and what she was hiding underneath left little to the imagination.
Victoria moved her shoulders and arms to help Diego remove her blouse. As the material stuck to her skin and the room in the tub was limited, this was no easy task.
When Diego finally succeeded, he tossed the blouse next to the tub.
Her chemise followed soon after. And after an eternity, Diego cupped her bare breasts in his warm hands and began teasing her nipples. One with his tongue, the other with his fingers.

Victoria dug her fingers in his hair. She pressed his head against her breast. She hadn't realized how much she had missed this.
Diego sucked her nipple into his mouth, Victoria moaned.
Moving her hips, she felt how hard Diego was. The big bubble of her skirts floated on the surface of the water.

Diego moved his hands under the skirts. He got a grip on the material and threw the annoying piece of clothing over the edge of the tub.
The fabric dripped onto the wet floor.
It gave more room for her feminine parts to slide over his manhood. If anything, it excited him even more.

"Victoria."

Her undergarments still blocked access to her warm triangle hidden between her thighs.
With his fingers, Diego searched for the opening in the cotton to find his way between her folds.

Victoria kissed him, sucking his tongue into her mouth, meanwhile crying out in pleasure.
She pressed her breasts firm against the muscles of his chest. Her hands slid down his back.

Diego had found her most sensitive part and was stroking gently. Uncontrollably, she bucked against his hand, seeking a more satisfying touch.
She lifted her hips to give Diego more room and better access.
More water sloshed on the floor.

Diego focused his mouth on her breasts again.

Victoria moaned his name, begging for more.

The tub was narrow, her leg beginning to cramp. Victoria tried to get it into a different position to reactivate her circulation. Diego, she and the tub, everything was slippery. Suddenly she slipped, landing hard on Diego's crotch.

He hissed in pain. Victoria had hit his manhood hard, tears of pain sprang to his eyes.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," mumbled Victoria as soon she realized she had hurt Diego.

Victoria tried to get out of the tub. The weight of her skirts held her back, making his discomfort even worse.
Diego, in great pain, squeezed words out of his mouth as he tried to regain his breath and prevent her from moving. "Wait, give me a second."

.

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