Chapter 26

Felipe led the horses into the stable to take care of them, while Diego went as quickly as possible into the cave to put his plan into action.
After about fifteen minutes, Felipe entered the cave.

"It's a good thing you replenished the supply of smoke and tear gas bombs the other month. We're going to need them."
Diego was balancing on a ladder. Carefully, he removed the hang glider used the first time Zorro appeared off the wall.
"Who saves something, has something, don't you agree? Can you take the other end? Yes, like that. You got it? Now slowly to the floor."

Felipe helped to bring the hang glider to the ground.
"I've moved the snuffer to, come in, should Victoria and your father return." He told Diego.

"Good. I hope father and Victoria do get back in time. In case they do not, can you write them a note? Tell them not to worry.
Maybe my father doesn't know yet that I'm not the one caught. Furthermore, should they want to come to the pueblo, it is fine by me. Put in a warning, not to let the smoke get into their...,"
Footsteps sounded in the small corridor separating the cave from the library. "Never mind." Diego held one of the wooden slats that were part of the glider. "Father."

Alejandro gripped his son for a moment.
"Diego, you have no idea how good it is to see you. I mean, terrible for Toronado. But other than that, I'm just glad it isn't you."
Emotionally, Alejandro had groped his son's arms and shoulders.

"I understand, father. I think we all feel the same way."

Alejandro glanced at the hulk of silk on the floor that usually hung unfolded on the wall.
"What's your plan? Victoria said you may need me. What do you want me to do? Not to brag, but as you know, I have an excellent shot."

Diego grabbed the other tip of the glider to make the parts fold together and make it narrow enough to get carried out of the cave.
"I need you to help with some preparation." He was looking forward to using it a second time. "Zorro is going to make a flying entrance once again."

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After Diego had explained his plan, his father had tried to say something.
Victoria had dragged the man to a corner of the cave, and the two were now whispering.
Occasionally, a word got said, loud enough to confirm that the discussion was quite tense. All were too soft to hear what it was about.
Felipe watched with interest, but when Diego questioningly sought eye contact with the boy, Felipe shrugged and said he didn't know either.
"I can understand when you think it is too risky? The time we have is limited. I don't want to endanger any lives needlessly. Felipe and I can do it all on our own, but that would make the timeframe very tight." Actually, neither of the options were to his preference. His first option was risky for all. The second one was straight out dangerous. "I think if we do it as I suggested, the risks are acceptable and have the greatest chance of success," Diego uttered.

"It's a good plan." Victoria ignored his father, who tried to interrupt. She punched Alejandro in the side. "And we will help you."

Briefly, it seems his father thought differently, changing his mind.
"You're right. Son, we'll do as you say. Let's get started."

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The sun was low in the sky.
Alejandro de la Vega sat crouched in the path next to the tavern. His instructions were simple. Create a smokescreen at the right moment.
In the distance, he heard how the crowd kept demanding for the release of Zorro, or Francisco Carvajal, since the word was out, it was him who de Soto held captured.
It made the don feel proud of how much his son, as Zorro, had accomplished. He had won the favour of the citizens.
De Soto didn't stand a chance should things come to the worst meaning, were Zorro to fail, the citizens would unite against de Soto.
Alejandro did hope it wouldn't come to that.
Not only for his son, but also for the damage that would happen should it come to a revolution.
After de Soto had a conversation with don Sebastian, he had locked himself up in his office and refused to speak to anyone.
Estaban, in particular, had made countless frantic attempts to persuade the alcalde to talk or at least listen to him. De Soto kept being as stubborn as an old mule.

The sun was lowering at the horizon.
Any moment, Francisco Carvajal was to get led to the gallows.
Taking a glimpse at his pocket watch, Alejandro saw it was almost time for Zorro to show himself.
Felipe, Diego, and he had been busy placing smoke bombs in strategic places without getting noticed.
After they had finished, Diego had returned to the hacienda. He was to change his clothes, make another flying entrance any minute.
He had to keep all his attention on the roof of the office.
The don stood up, tense. There was the first sign of Felipe. The boy was sitting on the roof, letting him see the surroundings, and he could look in the right direction to see the expected dust cloud approaching.

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Victoria sat at the seat of the lightest wagon the de la Vegas had. In front of it were two horses that were besides fast also reliable.
Diego had explained only if they had gathered enough speed was there enough airflow to tilt him in the air. So she had to make the horses gallop at the top of their lungs.

Zorro was shouting from the back. "Faster, faster!"

The speed of the horses was already staggering.
Using the whip, Victoria urged the horses to an even higher speed.
The cart thundered across the plain at full speed. The uneven surface made it a bumpy ride.
Suddenly, she felt the wagon begin to shake uncontrollably, and it felt a lot lighter.
Quickly, Victoria glanced over her shoulder.
Zorro floated higher, higher into the sky, in the direction of the pueblo.
Victoria let the horses run out, turned the wagon around, and rode to where she was to wait.
She couldn't help but feel admiration as she was looking at the sight of Zorro floating through the sky like a bird in his fly.

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Mendoza had just given the order. Four soldiers lead 'Zorro' up the scaffold. De Soto was already waiting at the top of the stairs, nodding, feeling very content. He was wearing his finest uniform for this moment of triumph.
He had instructed for his boots and sword polished till both shine like brand new.
Francisco Carvajal had not admitted being the notorious outlaw. He didn't have to. The man was caught together with the proud stallion Zorro always rode. What more proof did he need? Francisco was fighting as much as he could, having his hands cuffed. The man was forced upon the six steps of the stairs and saw de Soto waiting.

Once more, Francisco started to protest. "How dare you! I am not Zorro. I am the son of don Carlos Carvajal! You must have heard of him. My father is the chief minister of the Colonial Office!"

This was the umpteenth time the bandit had told him these lies. Did that fool think he would believe such a thing? It was rather irritating and even disappointing the fox could not come up with something better.
"You liar! How dare you use the minister's name in vain.
Do you hope to save your miserable life?
You, the son of a nobleman! You are nothing but a common criminal! Soon, you will be a dead criminal.
You call yourself a fox, cunning and mendacious?
Zorro, you disappoint me. I expected better excuses than these lousy lies, misusing the name of a high-ranked nobleman."

"De Soto, when my father hears what you have done, he will have your neck!"

"Your father? How dare you claim such a thing to save your criminal skin."

Suddenly, a shadow blocked all the sunlight from the courtyard.
De Soto paled, gazing in amazement at the scene above his head.
From the plaza, loud cheers were entering the courtyard. "Look, look!" The cheering got louder as more people looked at the sky. "It is Zorro! ZORRO! ZORRO!"
The sight of their beloved hero made the people gathered in the plaza try with a renewed effort to open the gate, giving entrance to the courtyard. All wanted to witness what was about to happen.

Zorro floated over the wall separating the plaza from the courtyard, steering his glider down and let go in time, elegantly landing on the platform.

Zorro had literally fallen from the sky.
"Zorro?" De Soto looked from the left where Francisco stood, to his right where Zorro had appeared out of thin air. "What are you doing here?"

Zorro tossed Francisco Carvajal a key.

Mendoza breathed a sigh of relief.
Francisco Carvajal was not Zorro, and the real Zorro would make sure everything was to end fine without anyone getting hurt. Well, almost no one. Most likely the alcalde was to get hurt, and should he get in the way of Zorro, maybe him.

Zorro had thrown the key so well that Francisco could catch it without difficulty, unlocking the cuffs around his wrists.

De Soto's eyes became as big as saucers when he noticed how easy Francisco could unlock the cuffs. "How did you get my keys?"
De Soto reached for the bunch on his belt. It was still there.

Nonchalantly, Zorro shrugged. "I borrowed them once and made a few copies. It all is a matter of the correct preparation.
You know, be prepared for the worst. You should try to remember, taking the correct amount of preparation can make hard things less troublesome."

De Soto's face turned red with anger. "You stole my keys!"

"Tut, tut, tut. Stole them? Alcalde, you insult me. You know I am not a thief. What you were trying to say was, I borrowed your keys. I brought them back, didn't I? Tell me, have you even noticed they were missing?" Zorro smiled, triggering de Soto, whose facial colour changed from red to purple at an impressive speed

De Soto's froth rose around his mouth.
"Mendoza, seize him!"

Mendoza drew his sword.
The space on the scaffold was limited. Francisco attacked Mendoza from behind.
It caused the sergeant to lose balance and fall from the elevation.

Zorro had drawn his sword and saluted. "Alcalde, you have made a mistake. Allow me to correct it. You see, there is only one true Zorro, and I will never allow you to hang anyone you charge guilty of being me."
Out of the corner of his eye, Zorro saw Felipe was waving a white handkerchief. It meant that the hatch in the office had indeed been open, and Felipe had succeeded in freeing Toronado from the stable.
Part one was successful.
It was time to get away as quickly as possible.

De Soto followed his example of drawing his sword. The plateau was narrow. De Soto attacked, Zorro parried.
The sound of metal clinging against metal was barely audible above the loud shouting in the plaza.

"You have no way out, Zorro. My lancers have you surrounded! You're going to hang!" Shouted de Soto, furious, while he made another attack.

Zorro was relaxed.
"Alcalde, you shouldn't fight when you have no control over your emotions. Didn't Pedro Diamanté tell you? It should be the first lesson in fencing, don't you agree?"
Zorro had an amused smile as he let de Soto attack him again, parry it with a few elegant swings. '"Especially anger, it can make you lose focus."
With a swift movement, Zorro disarmed de Soto. The sword fell from his hands to the ground. "By the way, you also forgot to salute. It is very impolite not to greet your opponent. I am sure your instructor told you that.
It is almost as essential as keeping your emotions in control.
Such a lavish waste of good money. You better have come to me. I could give you the name of a better tutor."

De Soto jumped over the railing, grabbed his sword, pointing the weapon at Zorro. " Surrender and prepare to die! Lancers, seize him! Shoot him, that's an order!"

Zorro threw his lasso around a protruding beam, swung across the courtyard and climbed onto the roof.

"Alcalde, a cornered fox can make unexpected leaps!"
His whip wrapped itself around the bolt of the gate. With a jolt, the bolt swung upwards.

The gate behind which a crowd had gathered suddenly gave way, and dozens of men and women tumbled in like a wave.
Zorro hid behind a chimney while bullets flew around his ears.
The crowd had turned itself against the lancers and alcalde.

Zorro whistled, the stable doors flew open, and a black stallion came running out.
After a second longer whistle, Toronado trotted out into the plaza.
The horse had barely passed through the gate, or thick smoke filled the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Mendoza had scrambled back to his feet.
He had suppressed his admiration when he had seen Zorro gliding through the air. He saw Toronado storming out of the stables before his sight was obscured by thick smoke, causing his eyes to tear.
Convinced everyone was having the same difficulty seeing what was happening, Mendoza made a brief gesture expressing his joy.

Zorro saw Toronado getting himself to safety by leaving the pueblo at a somewhat slower pace than usual.
Nobody tried to chase the animal.
Everyone's eyes burned from the tear gas added to the smoke bombs.
The crowd and the lancers tried to get to the plaza to escape the corrosive smoke.
No one thought of fighting anymore.

"What do you know.
There was a way out after all."
Zorro saluted jumped from the roof of the cartel to the adjacent building at the other side of it was Victoria, waiting with the wagon.
He jumped from the roof onto the part of the wagon where there was a thick layer of hay.
Immediately, some blankets got thrown over him.

With the shouting and murmurs still clearly audible, the wagon drove off to the other side of the pueblo and, once out of sight, turned south in a straight line.

Felipe, meanwhile, had left the pueblo, riding back to the cave on his Pinto, and was followed by Toronado.
When the wagon was at its point closest to the cave, Zorro had let himself roll off it and hurried back to the hideout.
Once in the cave, he saw how Felipe was already tending Toronado.
The horse whinnied contentedly at the sight of his well-known rider.

"I'll go and see if Victoria needs some help." Said Felipe and gave Toronado another pat on his neck.

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Sometime later, everyone had gathered in the library.
The most surprising news came from don Alejandro returning from the pueblo minutes prior. His entire expression spoke out his excitement about what he had to tell.

"You won't believe what I have to tell you.
De Soto got temporarily suspended. As it turns out, the men are indeed the sons of don Carlos Carvajal, and he actually is the Minister of Colonial Affairs.
Since de Soto sentenced the youngest of the two to death, without even a hearing or chance to prove his innocence, even after Francisco told him several times and Estaban tried to inform him, de Soto refused to accept he had not captured Zorro.
After all, Francisco did tell de Soto before he ordered his arrest he had only seen Toronado. He only was trying to find out what the horse was doing near his house. It was not like Francisco had any evidence on him to make anyone suspect he could be Zorro.
Let me just say it was not de Soto's finest day. The rumours are the minister has sent his sons to this territory to conduct research not only on Zorro, but mainly on de Soto." Alejandro couldn't suppress a grin while telling all this good news.
"One thing is sure. The Minister will not be amused when he hears he almost lost his son due to an alcalde seeking revenge."

Diego was between amazement and a feeling of sheer relief.
The authorities seemed to have finally decided to do something against the alcalde. "You don't say."

"Yes, apparently the minister has sent his sons here after all the letters the governor received about de Soto and his actions.
And also over the heroism of Zorro, about which I wrote.
Estaban told me their father wanted to know what was going on and get to the truth.
And we believed all our efforts to find an audience in Monterey were in vain."

Victoria said, letting the information sink in. "They kept that secret well hidden."

"You could say that, yes." Alejandro agreed. "Mendoza is named temporarily acting alcalde. I did advise the brothers to see if they could find a more suitable person.
Mendoza is a fine man, and he can do the job for a short amount of time, the investigation most likely will take several months.
So it might be better to let some more experienced fill the position."

"You mean like yourself?" Victoria grinned.

Alejandro responded agitated.
"I have suggested a meeting with the dons.
Many of them will do a good job, and, indeed, some may think of suggesting me.
As you know, I have done it in the past, and should I get asked, I feel honoured to accept the position.
I won't offer it by myself. To tell you the truth, running a rancho is enough work for me, even with all the help I get."

Victoria saw in his eyes how Diego started to tie some knots together in his head.
She suspected he hadn't been listening to his father.

Mesmerizing, Diego said."I suppose, knowing all this, we also can assume the brothers have informed their father and the governor of other occasions.
It must be the reason de Soto was called to Monterey a few months back."

"Then why has it taken so long before Francisco and Estaban to step up and do something?" Victoria wanted to know.
"They have been here for almost a year."

"Victoria, they only arrived nine or ten months ago.
Spain is far away.
The word of them arriving safely to Los Angeles has probably barely got to their father. Changes like this cost time, and they have done something from the beginning.
Do you remember how de Soto got called to Monterey shortly after their arrival?
Their task was to observe de Soto and find out the truth about Zorro. The rapports of him being a dangerous criminal are countless.
It is mere gossip that tells otherwise and did get the minister's interest.
I like to start hoping change is ahead of us."

Hesitantly, Felipe asked. "So, Zorro's riding days may actually come to an end?"

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I liked the idea of putting some characters from the series in the story.
As I was searching for names, I did not get the impression the writers of the series gave it too much thought.
The Esteban brothers, Esteban Carvajal. And wasn't Victoria's brother also named Francisco?
And I am sure there are other, better examples.
I have thought of using different names. Then again, Estaban Carvajal can't help having the same name as those criminals.