*Author's Note: Again, thanks to Pamz for the suggestions and corrections
on making this chapter better. Any mistakes that were missed are entirely
my fault*
**Lisa: Thanks for the positive review that you posted. I am trying to
post a chapter every 2-3 weeks.**
"Of Truth and Deception"
Chapter 2: The Voyage Home
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean Early December 1821
The crew of the "Lady of Castile" went about their daily routine under the watchful eye of the first mate. The men moved about quickly to complete their duties in hope of filling their bellies with hot food and warming themselves in the comfort of their bunks. There was no escape from the bite of the freezing rain and rough winds out on the open deck. It was unusually colder than normal for this time of the year, and was slowly impeding the voyage to California.
Inside the confines of the ship, the ship's captain and a small group of wealthy caballeros and their families were enjoying the warmth and safety of the ship's dining hall. They had just sat down and were being served a fabulous cuisine, fit for a king.
"Will Señorita Cortez and Señorita Garcia be joining us for dinner, Don Sebastian? Your niece, young Señorita Garcia, has talked much about your daughter and we have not had the chance to meet her yet," asked Captain Cirilo Ramirez respectively and then nodded his head towards the servants for them to leave.
A guarded and suspicious look appeared briefly in Sebastian Tomas Cortez' eyes before quickly being replaced with one of love and tender devotion that was reserved for his children, Elena and Angelo. "Elena is still recovering from her illness, so she is still weak and tires easily, Captain Ramirez. That is not the only reason for her present condition. She is not steady enough on her feet because she just regained the ability to walk several months ago, after falling from a horse." He glanced across the table at his niece, who quickly glanced down at her plate embarrassed, through narrowed eyes across the table as he remembered that frightful day.
"Por favor, Don Sebastian. A question if I may?" interrupted Lieutenant Caesar Valdez, a twenty-four year old Spanish soldier who was on his way to California to visit his parents in Los Angeles, or so everyone was told. "What was she doing on a horse, if she could not walk?" He was curious, as well as everyone else at the table, as to how the young twenty-one year old, Señorita Elena Juanita Cortez accomplished such a feat, a miraculous feat that it was.
Overall, Lieutenant Valdez was just curious about the mysterious señorita. He had heard many rumors about her while attending the university in Madrid. He wondered if there was any truth to them about her sharp tongue and frightening intellectual mind. He was sure that some of the rumors were quite absurd, usually off-handed remarks from wealthy caballeros or soldiers who had thought to court the wealthy señorita, but were quickly rejected. Healthy or invalid, it did not matter to him but her wealth and name did. Now, he was more determined than ever to marry the young señorita, rumored to be very beautiful and to have had duels fought over her. Her family's name and wealth would help to advance his status in life. Maybe even help to advance his position in Diablo's rapidly increasing army. He just had to make sure that Elena Cortez became his before that bastardo, El Serpiente, set his sights on her.
Why should Serpiente always get what he wants and us the leftovers? I am just as good as he is, maybe even better. But he will not have her. If she is pleasant to the eye, as the rumors say, she will live long enough to give me sons. If not, well, I do know ways of disposing of her quietly. Am I not one of Diablo's best soldiers? he thought rather conceitedly.
Don Sebastian looked at the young soldier before taking a sip of wine. Something about that man made him suspicious and alert. If he didn't know better he would say it had something to do with Elena, and from the look on his niece's face, she shared the same suspicions. "Elena is a caring and loving child, who feels very deeply about things, the complete opposite of her twin brother, Angelo. But since her accident, she has had a difficult time of accepting the fact that someone would have to take care of her for the rest of her life. She was injured in a cave-in when she and her brother went exploring on my family's land in Monterey, several years ago." He lied smoothly when he noticed the questioning look in the lieutenant's eyes at the mention of the accident.
These people did not need to know that it was actually an explosion, one that was possibly ordered by Diablo that caused her accident and amnesia. It did happen in Monterey several years ago, but until Elena and Angelo could remember what happen that day and who they truly were, it was best for everyone and for his children's safety that they were told the speech that he and his niece had rehearsed for so many years. He continued after taking another sip of the wine, "So she decided on that day she was going to get better and take care of herself. One of the first things she did was to see if she could ride a horse. With the help of my head vaquero and Freira, she was placed in the saddle. But she was quickly tossed from the horse when Elena's dog, Loco, spooked the horse. About a week after the accident, I arrived home from a business trip when the doctor was leaving after checking up on Elena."
The first officer entered the galley causing Don Sebastian to pause in his tale. The captain had a pleased look on his face as he was told that the weather was calming down, yet the winds would help make up the delay in the voyage. Captain Ramirez looked at Don Sebastian for him to continue.
"Gracias, Captain. Where was I? Ah, yes, I had just arrived home when the doctor was leaving. He stopped long enough to tell me that Elena had fallen off her horse but was doing okay. I became worried and angry at once that I didn't notice the smile on his face. He wanted me to be surprised. I had never been so worried or angry except for when the accident happened, I started yelling at my niece and my head vaquero. In the middle of my angry tirade, I was struck speechless. Carefully and slowly coming down the stairs, was my beautiful Elena, with a smile on her face. I forgot what I was angry about after seeing her walk once again." He wipe the lone tear that was trailing a path down his cheek, and noticed that the women at the table were doing the same thing. "Now, I fear she pushes herself too hard. As many have discovered in the past, it is near impossible to get her to slow down once she has her mind set to something. Both I and her cousin, Freira, have tried, but it seems that the harder we push, the more she resists."
Captain Ramirez smiled sadly in understanding, "Ah, Don Sebastian. It is only natural for a father to want what is best for their children. I know how you feel. I have three daughters that are much younger than your daughter is. They are my pride and joy, and I miss them very much. My youngest, Alejandra, is determined to be a soldier. But I fear I do not have the heart to hurt her dreams by telling her it is not possible. Paciencia has the gentlest temper and the ability to bring peace between her sisters. My oldest, Alita, is very much a lady like her mother. I will be returning to Spain after this voyage just in time for her fourteenth birthday. I have missed many to answer the call of the sea."
Sebastian thought sadly on his time in the military and the losses that he had suffered, but was quickly replaced with the happiness and joy that one feels when given a second chance as he had with Elena and Angelo. "I understand. Elena and her brother will be celebrating their twenty-second birthday in April. I think that is part of why she pushes herself so hard. I have plans to throw them a big party, and Elena is determined to walk and dance gracefully before then. But she is also determined to walk for her brother. Angelo blames himself for her injury that he has spent as little time as possible at home these days, keeping himself occupied as a bounty hunter. He is in Los Angeles preparing our home and recovering from a saber wound at the moment, and does not know the good news."
"Your patience and devotion to your daughter amazes me, Don Sebastian. Most families would gladly send their invalid children to a special hospital, instead of taking the time to raise them themselves and the sacrifices that come from it," replied Doña Ignacia Alvarado disdainfully. Dona Ignacia, a widow, was on her way to live with her son and his family in Santa Barbara, California. She was also appalled that Don Sebastian, as a wealthy and well- known caballero in Spain, showed no disgust at his son's occupation or the disgrace that it reflected on the Cortez name.
Sebastian felt himself grow angry at the widow's hurtful remark, but was saved from commenting when his niece, Freira Garcia, calmly replied, "Con permiso, Doña Ignacia. I believe some would call it the act of a loving and caring parent that would rather put the needs of their children before their own. The same parent would not see it as a sacrifice but as a blessing."
Captain Ramirez sensed the tension between the two women, who had gone to great lengths to avoid each other on this voyage, and was prepared to change the subject, when Don Luis Francisco Montoya, his long time friend from Monterey, interceded. "Pardon me, Senorita Garcia. I have been trying to place where I have seen you before. You look very familiar. You remind me of this actress from Madrid that I and a close family friend, Diego de la Vega, would go to watch many years ago. I had hope that while I was still in Madrid, I could catch another splendid performance, but, sadly, I have found that no one has seen her in several years."
"Si, Don Luis. That is I, although I am well known by my stage name, Esperanza Garcia, not Freira Garcia. I gave up acting to help my uncle with Elena and to look after my baby sister after our parents were ki. . .had died in a carriage accident several years ago." Freira caught herself in time. She did not want anyone to know that her parents had been murdered. And like her uncle's adopted daughter, Elena, her parents had been a victim of El Diablo. She was sure that the topic would bring up unwelcoming questions from the guests. Questions that her and her uncle would not want to answer. "I am very close to Elena and my sister, Evita. I have never regretted the choices I have made. I guess you can say that it was destined to be." Thirty-one year old Esperanza Freira Garcia believed strongly in the choices that she had made over the years. One of those choices had allowed her to become a second mother to her fifteen-year-old sister, Evita Maria Garcia.
Don Sebastian, after looking fondly at his niece for a moment, turned his attention to the young Don who was asking more questions about Freira's previous performances. Now there is a young man I would not mind having for a son-in-law. He seems to be a strong and noble person. A pity he is already married, he would have made an excellent husband for my precioso Elena. He reminds me of a good friend from Spain many, many years ago. If I remember correctly, it was in Monterey that his family had settled down in. I will have to ask him, he thought silently to himself. 'I think it is time to change the subject completely. These questions are getting too close for comfort. For all I know, he or anyone else on this ship could be in league with that man.that murderer.Diablo.' "Don Luis, you are from Monterey, are you not?"
"Yes, I am, Don Sebastian. I have lived there with my family for a long time. Although for several years, Spain was my home while I was attending the university and before my wife died." If it hadn't been for his father injuring his hip and both of his younger brothers having just become fathers for the first time, Luis would not have made the trip to Spain at all. It held many unpleasant reminders of the wife he lost and the baby girl that died shortly after she was born.
Tragedy seemed to have struck the Montoya family like an unexpected tidal wave. The deaths in the Montoya family had been swift and unpredictable. First, his mother, Adelina, died of a heart attack almost thirty years before and then his father's second wife, Lady Brianna Eveleen O'Hara, eighteen years later. He only vaguely remembered his mother, but they were the memories of a six-year-old boy. However, Brianna was the one mother that he still remembered quite clearly. As his younger brothers had accepted Brianna without question, it had taken a couple of years and the birth of his sister, Angelina Caitlin Elena, for him to open his heart to the gentle-hearted Irish noblewoman.
While he was in Spain attending the university in his first year, he met Raquel Arcadia Torres, the outspoken daughter of his fencing instructor. He fell in love with her immediately, but waited until his last year at the university to ask for her hand in marriage. They had been married for three years when they were expecting their first child, what they thought would be the first of many. Raquel died nine months later from complications, along with their baby daughter. His daughter would never get to know the love of her father or spoiled by her uncles and aunt. Just as Luis thought that it could not get any worse, he arrived home in Monterey to find that his sister had been kidnapped and then killed in an explosion at the hands of the lunatic, El Diablo, the week before.
For whatever reasons, Diablo was determined to wreak havoc on his family, causing his father grief with the murdered of his second wife and then the kidnapping and death of his only daughter. Thankfully, he had been given another chance at happiness, when he met his second wife, Ana Maria de la Cruz, two years later. She helped healed the emotional wounds from the death of his wife. Although, Ana Maria's love and patience helped him to get over the death of his first wife, it was the birth of their twin daughter and son that helped him to heal from the death of his baby daughter and little sister. With Ana Maria's understanding and blessing, they named their daughter, Caitlin Rosalind, after the aunt who died shortly before her sixteenth birthday.
"Do you know a Hector Miguel Montoya? I believe he is from Monterey." Don Sebastian asked.
The saddened look in Don Luis' eyes disappeared to be replaced with a smile, "Yes, he is my father. That is why your name is familiar. You were in the military with my father about forty years ago."
"Yes, I was. There was a small group of us, your father, our friend, Alejandro de la Vega, and another man.ah, what was his name? Ah, yes, Adriano Chavez. How is your father doing these days? I may delay my trip to Los Angeles for a couple of days to catch up on the old days with your father."
"He is doing okay. He is recovering from an injury and spoiling his grandchildren. I know he will enjoy seeing you again. When I was younger, he would tell us stories of his time in the military with you, Señor de la Vega, and Señor Chavez." Because of the company, Luis did not add that his father had never trusted Señor Adriano Chavez. But than, neither had Sebastian Cortez.
"Don Luis, I hope you can clear something up for us. I have never been to California, so I do not know if there is any truth to this rumor. Both my uncle and I have heard many rumors about this bandito, this El Zorro. Is he really a murderous and thieving bandito?" Freira, along with her Uncle Sebastian, was very curious to anyone who could pose a threat to their plans to stop Diablo and his army. It was important to find out who were all the key players in this deadly game of cat and mouse.
Luis shared a secretive look with Captain Ramirez at the mention of the masked avenger. Both men were positive that the masked man was none other than their close friend, Don Diego de la Vega, but neither would ever confirm their suspicions. They believe in what he was doing and would never do something as to compromise his identity. "Zorro is no bandito, Señorita Garcia. He is a defender of the people against tyranny and oppression. He is an honorable man, ah.a prince among men."
"But what about these rumors they have of him in Spain?" asked Doña Ignacia, with fear in voice. "If it were not for my son, I would never set foot in this inferior country. It is much safer in Spain. An honorable bandito, indeed."
Slowly as it was, Don Luis was glad that this voyage was coming to an end. Doña Ignacia had done nothing but complain about everything from the guests on the ship to the uncivilized people of California. Normally a peaceful man, he was close to throwing the bitter old widow overboard and into the freezing Pacific Ocean. "Zorro is probably the most honorable caballero that there is around. He would give his life for the people of California if it meant that there would be no more injustice. These rumors are the product of those that would rather see harm come to this country than see it prosper under the sweat and blood of those that work the lands." For once, the widow remained silent, not uttering a single sarcastic retort.
Captain Ramirez bid his guest a good night as the hour drew late and the servants cleared the table. The guest took this to mean that they should end the discussion and retire to their cabins. Sebastian and Freira stayed out on the open deck underneath the starry sky for a breath of fresh air before retiring to their cabin. As they walked to their cabin, they thought back to the conversation on Zorro and what sort of danger he could be to their mission.
Freira softly knocked on the door and was open by a tired Evita, who looked relieved to see her sister and uncle. "I am glad you are here, Freira. What after you left for dinner, that.soldier stopped by here to see Elena."
Alarmed, Freira glanced up and down the hallway before asking, "That soldier? I take it you mean Lieutenant Valdez?"
Sebastian immediately became alert, "What else did he want, Evita?"
"He asked to see Elena, but I told him that she was sleeping. That she could not have any visitors. For a moment, I thought he was going to break the door down, Tío Sebastian, and then he left." Evita looked at her uncle as she sat on her bed, "Why could we not have kept Loco with us? Angelo can take care of himself. Loco would have been better off to be with us. That man scares me." She shuddered at the mere thought of the devious soldier.
"Don't worry, child. We are going to have to be more careful for the rest of this voyage. I do not trust Lieutenant Valdez either. I would rather trust a rattlesnake than trust that man. Now, go back to sleep, Evita. I need to talk with your sister for a while than we will go to bed as well." Sebastian tucked his niece into her bed and walked out of her and Freira's room closing the door behind him.
"Freira, we are going to have to be more alert. I don't think our esteemed lieutenant is going to be put off so easily the next time. And I think you should stay here in the room when I am not around." Sebastian remarked as he sat down on the sofa.
"Si, Tío Sebastian. Evita is not the only one, that man scares me as well. I am starting to wish that we had kept Loco with us as well. Evita is right, Tío. Angelo can take care of himself." She joked, as she tried to stifle a yawn.
"I know, but Loco is rather attached to Angelo, Elena too. I think Angelo feels safer with that mangy animal with him. I am glad that I let you talk me into keeping the wolf. Who would have thought that that disobedient animal would have turned out so well."
"What is Angelo really doing in Los Angeles? I know you sent a letter to your friend, Don Alejandro, for him to hire someone to prepare the house for us. Does it have to do with Diablo?" asked Freira, worried for Angelo yet anxious to know if they were any closer to finally stopping the murdering bandito.
"I did not want to say anything earlier until I was sure. But I have reason to believe that Diablo is moving his entire organization to California, possibly to Los Angeles. Angelo went ahead to do some investigating into the information that we got out of that soldier, Sergeant Gomez."
"You mean, threatened, don't you, Uncle Sebastian?" Freira asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Sometimes I don't know who is worse, you or Angelo? Angelo has almost become a different person since he was well enough to go after Diablo. Sometimes I don't recognize him. Angelo would have killed that sergeant if those soldiers hadn't arrived in time to arrest that traitorous puerco." Freira only hoped that when this was all over, that Angelo would still be the same person that she had known for the past several years.
"Okay, okay." Sebastian held his hands up as if surrendering. "But Elena and Angelo," he paused fighting to hold back the tears that threaten to fall, "Those poor children have suffered so much at the hands of that bastardo. He tried to kill them almost six years ago, Freira. They both lost their memory and were injured in that explosion. The only things they remembered were their names and Diablo. Diablo they remember very clearly. I think they may have also seen his face, but it is buried somewhere in their memories. They were just children when that man victimized them. I think Angelo has every right to want to destroy anything associated with Diablo. I know I would, and you should as well."
Freira started crying, "I know, Uncle. But I am just worried about Angelo. Everyday, since he recovered from his injuries, he has slowly changed, becoming a different person, completely obsessed with stopping Diablo. Even Elena is slowly becoming consumed with this need to avenge this family. She no longer laughs unless it is part of the charade. She is slowly becoming like Angelo and it scares me." She paused, taking a deep breath as she wipe her face of the tears, "I.I just worry that when this is all over with that they won't be the same sweet Elena and caring Angelo that I helped you raised, but an unemotional vessel of the children they once were."
Sebastian put his hand on Freira's shoulder and drew her into a hug. "I know. I am sorry that I raised my voice. I do worry about them as well, but we need to be strong for them, especially for Angelo. It may be their only link.their only chance.our only chance of keeping them sane." He released his niece and walked towards his room, his hand paused on the door handle, "Freira, I think we have exhausted ourselves with talking. I am getting soft in my old age, and find that I need sleep more this age than when I was younger. Good night, child. Do not worry yourself, things will get better. Eventually."
Freira waited until her uncle went into his room, before blowing out the candles and retiring to her and Evita's room. She tiptoed to the bed, careful to not wake her sleeping sister and changed into her nightgown. She lightly kissed her sister on the forehead as she slipped underneath the satin sheets. She said a quick prayer and hope that her uncle was right. That things would get better eventually. Maybe then this family would finally have the peace that it deserved and desperately needed.
***A/N: Come on, guys. Please review. I really, really, really love
getting reviews. (Hint, Hint)***
**Lisa: Thanks for the positive review that you posted. I am trying to
post a chapter every 2-3 weeks.**
"Of Truth and Deception"
Chapter 2: The Voyage Home
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean Early December 1821
The crew of the "Lady of Castile" went about their daily routine under the watchful eye of the first mate. The men moved about quickly to complete their duties in hope of filling their bellies with hot food and warming themselves in the comfort of their bunks. There was no escape from the bite of the freezing rain and rough winds out on the open deck. It was unusually colder than normal for this time of the year, and was slowly impeding the voyage to California.
Inside the confines of the ship, the ship's captain and a small group of wealthy caballeros and their families were enjoying the warmth and safety of the ship's dining hall. They had just sat down and were being served a fabulous cuisine, fit for a king.
"Will Señorita Cortez and Señorita Garcia be joining us for dinner, Don Sebastian? Your niece, young Señorita Garcia, has talked much about your daughter and we have not had the chance to meet her yet," asked Captain Cirilo Ramirez respectively and then nodded his head towards the servants for them to leave.
A guarded and suspicious look appeared briefly in Sebastian Tomas Cortez' eyes before quickly being replaced with one of love and tender devotion that was reserved for his children, Elena and Angelo. "Elena is still recovering from her illness, so she is still weak and tires easily, Captain Ramirez. That is not the only reason for her present condition. She is not steady enough on her feet because she just regained the ability to walk several months ago, after falling from a horse." He glanced across the table at his niece, who quickly glanced down at her plate embarrassed, through narrowed eyes across the table as he remembered that frightful day.
"Por favor, Don Sebastian. A question if I may?" interrupted Lieutenant Caesar Valdez, a twenty-four year old Spanish soldier who was on his way to California to visit his parents in Los Angeles, or so everyone was told. "What was she doing on a horse, if she could not walk?" He was curious, as well as everyone else at the table, as to how the young twenty-one year old, Señorita Elena Juanita Cortez accomplished such a feat, a miraculous feat that it was.
Overall, Lieutenant Valdez was just curious about the mysterious señorita. He had heard many rumors about her while attending the university in Madrid. He wondered if there was any truth to them about her sharp tongue and frightening intellectual mind. He was sure that some of the rumors were quite absurd, usually off-handed remarks from wealthy caballeros or soldiers who had thought to court the wealthy señorita, but were quickly rejected. Healthy or invalid, it did not matter to him but her wealth and name did. Now, he was more determined than ever to marry the young señorita, rumored to be very beautiful and to have had duels fought over her. Her family's name and wealth would help to advance his status in life. Maybe even help to advance his position in Diablo's rapidly increasing army. He just had to make sure that Elena Cortez became his before that bastardo, El Serpiente, set his sights on her.
Why should Serpiente always get what he wants and us the leftovers? I am just as good as he is, maybe even better. But he will not have her. If she is pleasant to the eye, as the rumors say, she will live long enough to give me sons. If not, well, I do know ways of disposing of her quietly. Am I not one of Diablo's best soldiers? he thought rather conceitedly.
Don Sebastian looked at the young soldier before taking a sip of wine. Something about that man made him suspicious and alert. If he didn't know better he would say it had something to do with Elena, and from the look on his niece's face, she shared the same suspicions. "Elena is a caring and loving child, who feels very deeply about things, the complete opposite of her twin brother, Angelo. But since her accident, she has had a difficult time of accepting the fact that someone would have to take care of her for the rest of her life. She was injured in a cave-in when she and her brother went exploring on my family's land in Monterey, several years ago." He lied smoothly when he noticed the questioning look in the lieutenant's eyes at the mention of the accident.
These people did not need to know that it was actually an explosion, one that was possibly ordered by Diablo that caused her accident and amnesia. It did happen in Monterey several years ago, but until Elena and Angelo could remember what happen that day and who they truly were, it was best for everyone and for his children's safety that they were told the speech that he and his niece had rehearsed for so many years. He continued after taking another sip of the wine, "So she decided on that day she was going to get better and take care of herself. One of the first things she did was to see if she could ride a horse. With the help of my head vaquero and Freira, she was placed in the saddle. But she was quickly tossed from the horse when Elena's dog, Loco, spooked the horse. About a week after the accident, I arrived home from a business trip when the doctor was leaving after checking up on Elena."
The first officer entered the galley causing Don Sebastian to pause in his tale. The captain had a pleased look on his face as he was told that the weather was calming down, yet the winds would help make up the delay in the voyage. Captain Ramirez looked at Don Sebastian for him to continue.
"Gracias, Captain. Where was I? Ah, yes, I had just arrived home when the doctor was leaving. He stopped long enough to tell me that Elena had fallen off her horse but was doing okay. I became worried and angry at once that I didn't notice the smile on his face. He wanted me to be surprised. I had never been so worried or angry except for when the accident happened, I started yelling at my niece and my head vaquero. In the middle of my angry tirade, I was struck speechless. Carefully and slowly coming down the stairs, was my beautiful Elena, with a smile on her face. I forgot what I was angry about after seeing her walk once again." He wipe the lone tear that was trailing a path down his cheek, and noticed that the women at the table were doing the same thing. "Now, I fear she pushes herself too hard. As many have discovered in the past, it is near impossible to get her to slow down once she has her mind set to something. Both I and her cousin, Freira, have tried, but it seems that the harder we push, the more she resists."
Captain Ramirez smiled sadly in understanding, "Ah, Don Sebastian. It is only natural for a father to want what is best for their children. I know how you feel. I have three daughters that are much younger than your daughter is. They are my pride and joy, and I miss them very much. My youngest, Alejandra, is determined to be a soldier. But I fear I do not have the heart to hurt her dreams by telling her it is not possible. Paciencia has the gentlest temper and the ability to bring peace between her sisters. My oldest, Alita, is very much a lady like her mother. I will be returning to Spain after this voyage just in time for her fourteenth birthday. I have missed many to answer the call of the sea."
Sebastian thought sadly on his time in the military and the losses that he had suffered, but was quickly replaced with the happiness and joy that one feels when given a second chance as he had with Elena and Angelo. "I understand. Elena and her brother will be celebrating their twenty-second birthday in April. I think that is part of why she pushes herself so hard. I have plans to throw them a big party, and Elena is determined to walk and dance gracefully before then. But she is also determined to walk for her brother. Angelo blames himself for her injury that he has spent as little time as possible at home these days, keeping himself occupied as a bounty hunter. He is in Los Angeles preparing our home and recovering from a saber wound at the moment, and does not know the good news."
"Your patience and devotion to your daughter amazes me, Don Sebastian. Most families would gladly send their invalid children to a special hospital, instead of taking the time to raise them themselves and the sacrifices that come from it," replied Doña Ignacia Alvarado disdainfully. Dona Ignacia, a widow, was on her way to live with her son and his family in Santa Barbara, California. She was also appalled that Don Sebastian, as a wealthy and well- known caballero in Spain, showed no disgust at his son's occupation or the disgrace that it reflected on the Cortez name.
Sebastian felt himself grow angry at the widow's hurtful remark, but was saved from commenting when his niece, Freira Garcia, calmly replied, "Con permiso, Doña Ignacia. I believe some would call it the act of a loving and caring parent that would rather put the needs of their children before their own. The same parent would not see it as a sacrifice but as a blessing."
Captain Ramirez sensed the tension between the two women, who had gone to great lengths to avoid each other on this voyage, and was prepared to change the subject, when Don Luis Francisco Montoya, his long time friend from Monterey, interceded. "Pardon me, Senorita Garcia. I have been trying to place where I have seen you before. You look very familiar. You remind me of this actress from Madrid that I and a close family friend, Diego de la Vega, would go to watch many years ago. I had hope that while I was still in Madrid, I could catch another splendid performance, but, sadly, I have found that no one has seen her in several years."
"Si, Don Luis. That is I, although I am well known by my stage name, Esperanza Garcia, not Freira Garcia. I gave up acting to help my uncle with Elena and to look after my baby sister after our parents were ki. . .had died in a carriage accident several years ago." Freira caught herself in time. She did not want anyone to know that her parents had been murdered. And like her uncle's adopted daughter, Elena, her parents had been a victim of El Diablo. She was sure that the topic would bring up unwelcoming questions from the guests. Questions that her and her uncle would not want to answer. "I am very close to Elena and my sister, Evita. I have never regretted the choices I have made. I guess you can say that it was destined to be." Thirty-one year old Esperanza Freira Garcia believed strongly in the choices that she had made over the years. One of those choices had allowed her to become a second mother to her fifteen-year-old sister, Evita Maria Garcia.
Don Sebastian, after looking fondly at his niece for a moment, turned his attention to the young Don who was asking more questions about Freira's previous performances. Now there is a young man I would not mind having for a son-in-law. He seems to be a strong and noble person. A pity he is already married, he would have made an excellent husband for my precioso Elena. He reminds me of a good friend from Spain many, many years ago. If I remember correctly, it was in Monterey that his family had settled down in. I will have to ask him, he thought silently to himself. 'I think it is time to change the subject completely. These questions are getting too close for comfort. For all I know, he or anyone else on this ship could be in league with that man.that murderer.Diablo.' "Don Luis, you are from Monterey, are you not?"
"Yes, I am, Don Sebastian. I have lived there with my family for a long time. Although for several years, Spain was my home while I was attending the university and before my wife died." If it hadn't been for his father injuring his hip and both of his younger brothers having just become fathers for the first time, Luis would not have made the trip to Spain at all. It held many unpleasant reminders of the wife he lost and the baby girl that died shortly after she was born.
Tragedy seemed to have struck the Montoya family like an unexpected tidal wave. The deaths in the Montoya family had been swift and unpredictable. First, his mother, Adelina, died of a heart attack almost thirty years before and then his father's second wife, Lady Brianna Eveleen O'Hara, eighteen years later. He only vaguely remembered his mother, but they were the memories of a six-year-old boy. However, Brianna was the one mother that he still remembered quite clearly. As his younger brothers had accepted Brianna without question, it had taken a couple of years and the birth of his sister, Angelina Caitlin Elena, for him to open his heart to the gentle-hearted Irish noblewoman.
While he was in Spain attending the university in his first year, he met Raquel Arcadia Torres, the outspoken daughter of his fencing instructor. He fell in love with her immediately, but waited until his last year at the university to ask for her hand in marriage. They had been married for three years when they were expecting their first child, what they thought would be the first of many. Raquel died nine months later from complications, along with their baby daughter. His daughter would never get to know the love of her father or spoiled by her uncles and aunt. Just as Luis thought that it could not get any worse, he arrived home in Monterey to find that his sister had been kidnapped and then killed in an explosion at the hands of the lunatic, El Diablo, the week before.
For whatever reasons, Diablo was determined to wreak havoc on his family, causing his father grief with the murdered of his second wife and then the kidnapping and death of his only daughter. Thankfully, he had been given another chance at happiness, when he met his second wife, Ana Maria de la Cruz, two years later. She helped healed the emotional wounds from the death of his wife. Although, Ana Maria's love and patience helped him to get over the death of his first wife, it was the birth of their twin daughter and son that helped him to heal from the death of his baby daughter and little sister. With Ana Maria's understanding and blessing, they named their daughter, Caitlin Rosalind, after the aunt who died shortly before her sixteenth birthday.
"Do you know a Hector Miguel Montoya? I believe he is from Monterey." Don Sebastian asked.
The saddened look in Don Luis' eyes disappeared to be replaced with a smile, "Yes, he is my father. That is why your name is familiar. You were in the military with my father about forty years ago."
"Yes, I was. There was a small group of us, your father, our friend, Alejandro de la Vega, and another man.ah, what was his name? Ah, yes, Adriano Chavez. How is your father doing these days? I may delay my trip to Los Angeles for a couple of days to catch up on the old days with your father."
"He is doing okay. He is recovering from an injury and spoiling his grandchildren. I know he will enjoy seeing you again. When I was younger, he would tell us stories of his time in the military with you, Señor de la Vega, and Señor Chavez." Because of the company, Luis did not add that his father had never trusted Señor Adriano Chavez. But than, neither had Sebastian Cortez.
"Don Luis, I hope you can clear something up for us. I have never been to California, so I do not know if there is any truth to this rumor. Both my uncle and I have heard many rumors about this bandito, this El Zorro. Is he really a murderous and thieving bandito?" Freira, along with her Uncle Sebastian, was very curious to anyone who could pose a threat to their plans to stop Diablo and his army. It was important to find out who were all the key players in this deadly game of cat and mouse.
Luis shared a secretive look with Captain Ramirez at the mention of the masked avenger. Both men were positive that the masked man was none other than their close friend, Don Diego de la Vega, but neither would ever confirm their suspicions. They believe in what he was doing and would never do something as to compromise his identity. "Zorro is no bandito, Señorita Garcia. He is a defender of the people against tyranny and oppression. He is an honorable man, ah.a prince among men."
"But what about these rumors they have of him in Spain?" asked Doña Ignacia, with fear in voice. "If it were not for my son, I would never set foot in this inferior country. It is much safer in Spain. An honorable bandito, indeed."
Slowly as it was, Don Luis was glad that this voyage was coming to an end. Doña Ignacia had done nothing but complain about everything from the guests on the ship to the uncivilized people of California. Normally a peaceful man, he was close to throwing the bitter old widow overboard and into the freezing Pacific Ocean. "Zorro is probably the most honorable caballero that there is around. He would give his life for the people of California if it meant that there would be no more injustice. These rumors are the product of those that would rather see harm come to this country than see it prosper under the sweat and blood of those that work the lands." For once, the widow remained silent, not uttering a single sarcastic retort.
Captain Ramirez bid his guest a good night as the hour drew late and the servants cleared the table. The guest took this to mean that they should end the discussion and retire to their cabins. Sebastian and Freira stayed out on the open deck underneath the starry sky for a breath of fresh air before retiring to their cabin. As they walked to their cabin, they thought back to the conversation on Zorro and what sort of danger he could be to their mission.
Freira softly knocked on the door and was open by a tired Evita, who looked relieved to see her sister and uncle. "I am glad you are here, Freira. What after you left for dinner, that.soldier stopped by here to see Elena."
Alarmed, Freira glanced up and down the hallway before asking, "That soldier? I take it you mean Lieutenant Valdez?"
Sebastian immediately became alert, "What else did he want, Evita?"
"He asked to see Elena, but I told him that she was sleeping. That she could not have any visitors. For a moment, I thought he was going to break the door down, Tío Sebastian, and then he left." Evita looked at her uncle as she sat on her bed, "Why could we not have kept Loco with us? Angelo can take care of himself. Loco would have been better off to be with us. That man scares me." She shuddered at the mere thought of the devious soldier.
"Don't worry, child. We are going to have to be more careful for the rest of this voyage. I do not trust Lieutenant Valdez either. I would rather trust a rattlesnake than trust that man. Now, go back to sleep, Evita. I need to talk with your sister for a while than we will go to bed as well." Sebastian tucked his niece into her bed and walked out of her and Freira's room closing the door behind him.
"Freira, we are going to have to be more alert. I don't think our esteemed lieutenant is going to be put off so easily the next time. And I think you should stay here in the room when I am not around." Sebastian remarked as he sat down on the sofa.
"Si, Tío Sebastian. Evita is not the only one, that man scares me as well. I am starting to wish that we had kept Loco with us as well. Evita is right, Tío. Angelo can take care of himself." She joked, as she tried to stifle a yawn.
"I know, but Loco is rather attached to Angelo, Elena too. I think Angelo feels safer with that mangy animal with him. I am glad that I let you talk me into keeping the wolf. Who would have thought that that disobedient animal would have turned out so well."
"What is Angelo really doing in Los Angeles? I know you sent a letter to your friend, Don Alejandro, for him to hire someone to prepare the house for us. Does it have to do with Diablo?" asked Freira, worried for Angelo yet anxious to know if they were any closer to finally stopping the murdering bandito.
"I did not want to say anything earlier until I was sure. But I have reason to believe that Diablo is moving his entire organization to California, possibly to Los Angeles. Angelo went ahead to do some investigating into the information that we got out of that soldier, Sergeant Gomez."
"You mean, threatened, don't you, Uncle Sebastian?" Freira asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Sometimes I don't know who is worse, you or Angelo? Angelo has almost become a different person since he was well enough to go after Diablo. Sometimes I don't recognize him. Angelo would have killed that sergeant if those soldiers hadn't arrived in time to arrest that traitorous puerco." Freira only hoped that when this was all over, that Angelo would still be the same person that she had known for the past several years.
"Okay, okay." Sebastian held his hands up as if surrendering. "But Elena and Angelo," he paused fighting to hold back the tears that threaten to fall, "Those poor children have suffered so much at the hands of that bastardo. He tried to kill them almost six years ago, Freira. They both lost their memory and were injured in that explosion. The only things they remembered were their names and Diablo. Diablo they remember very clearly. I think they may have also seen his face, but it is buried somewhere in their memories. They were just children when that man victimized them. I think Angelo has every right to want to destroy anything associated with Diablo. I know I would, and you should as well."
Freira started crying, "I know, Uncle. But I am just worried about Angelo. Everyday, since he recovered from his injuries, he has slowly changed, becoming a different person, completely obsessed with stopping Diablo. Even Elena is slowly becoming consumed with this need to avenge this family. She no longer laughs unless it is part of the charade. She is slowly becoming like Angelo and it scares me." She paused, taking a deep breath as she wipe her face of the tears, "I.I just worry that when this is all over with that they won't be the same sweet Elena and caring Angelo that I helped you raised, but an unemotional vessel of the children they once were."
Sebastian put his hand on Freira's shoulder and drew her into a hug. "I know. I am sorry that I raised my voice. I do worry about them as well, but we need to be strong for them, especially for Angelo. It may be their only link.their only chance.our only chance of keeping them sane." He released his niece and walked towards his room, his hand paused on the door handle, "Freira, I think we have exhausted ourselves with talking. I am getting soft in my old age, and find that I need sleep more this age than when I was younger. Good night, child. Do not worry yourself, things will get better. Eventually."
Freira waited until her uncle went into his room, before blowing out the candles and retiring to her and Evita's room. She tiptoed to the bed, careful to not wake her sleeping sister and changed into her nightgown. She lightly kissed her sister on the forehead as she slipped underneath the satin sheets. She said a quick prayer and hope that her uncle was right. That things would get better eventually. Maybe then this family would finally have the peace that it deserved and desperately needed.
***A/N: Come on, guys. Please review. I really, really, really love
getting reviews. (Hint, Hint)***