Emera looked at the food that had been placed in front of her, idly listening to Don Alejandro as he told Diego of his planned trip to the pueblo and how it clashed with plans to ride out with a few vaqueros to inspect the De La Vega cattle. "I have an idea." Diego said, "Bernardo and I could go to the pueblo for you, and you can stay here with the vaqueros." Glancing at Emera, Diego added, "Emera could got with us, to see the pueblo. If she wants to, anyway." Emera smiled at Diego. Alejandro grinned. "Good." He said. Emera looked back down at her food again. Looking back up, she saw Don Alejandro was looking at her. "Thank you, Don Alejandro" She said, "And you, also, Diego."
For what?" Alejandro asked. "For this," She swept one hand around the room, "I appear from seemingly out of nowhere, attack Bernardo, threaten you," She looked at Diego, "But, still, you take me in and make me feel welcomed. Thanks." Emera smiled in gratitude. Both Alejandro and Diego smiled back at her. "You are very welcome, Emera." Alejandro said, "You can stay here as long as long as is needed until we can find a way to get you home." Diego nodded his agreement. Emera smiled again. "I do have two questions though," Emera said, "Earlier I heard a few people talking about some attacks that have been happening. What's going on? And, who is Zorro? I heard that name in their conversation." Alejandro nodded to himself, as if thinking. Then he spoke, "A few weeks ago, a band of renegade Americanos started attacking pueblos all over California. So far, they haven't really hurt anyone. All they've done is steal valuables like jewelry and pesos. But, they do need to be stopped." Don Alejandro paused, "As for Zorro, he is a hero. Yes, there are many who him a bandit or and outlaw, but only those who work against the law for their own benefit. For the past two years Zorro has been fighting tyranny and injustice wherever he found it, always helping those in need. He's even saved Diego, Bernardo and Me a few times." Emera smiled, "Really?" Alejandro nodded. "Like when?" This time Diego spoke, "Would you like to hear a story?" He asked. Emera grinned. "Sure!" She replied. "Well, about a year ago, Bernardo and I were in Monterey on business…" Emera smiled, and proceeded to enjoy an evening full of stories about Zorro. Little did she know that Zorro himself was telling many of them.