The Hunter
"El Cazador"
It was all on everyone's mind.
Every whispered word and furtive glance was initiated by the mention of that name.
His periodic pillaging was becoming more frequent. More farmers' lives were lost at the hands of the El Cazador and his pandilla. Rumors were circulated and distorted by so many people it was hard to know which gossip was true or fiction.
Some said there were fifty men that made up of his pandilla or even more.
Many more heard that El Cazador was wanted in every major city in all of California, from Eureka to San Diego; small wonder that El Cazador was seeking small, little known towns like Santa Helena.
Others said that he was seven feet tall, topped with flaming red hair. His eyes were of a green hue that contrasted his hair. A deep long scar was etched on his face, from his left eye to the corner of his mouth.
But worst of all, no one truly knew how he looked.
The people of Santa Helena were afraid. This new threat of a ruthless enemy on their hands coupled with the recent failure of their crops made everyone desperate to look for a new leader.
Enter the Queen of Swords.
It all started with Jose and two other farmers. They mentioned the queen in hopeful murmurs of saving their town from El Cazador.
These rumors ran rampant and simmered for a while before Montoya couldn't take anymore of the praises and hopes that had been rested on the queen.
He decided to take action and called for a town meeting. Where, of course, based on Montoya's discrimination only the prominent and the rich were allowed at the conference.
In place of her father, Tessa had to go with Marta in tow.
Just after sundown on a humid evening, several carriages and horses arrived in the town center.
Conversational noises from the crowded veranda greeted Tessa and Marta as they stepped through the entrance. Looking around the small gathering Tessa could see Don Hidalgo was there with Vera and a few rancheros were there as well. Even Dr. Helm was there, sitting near the back of the benches. Standing behind a podium with a gavel in hand Montoya stood ready to call order. Tessa noticed Grisham was there also. Standing on the far side of the podium facing the group he was quietly observing the upper class patrons of Santa Helena.
Finding a seat next to Vera, Tessa sat down to hear what Montoya had to say about the recent threats of El Cazador.
After several unsuccessful attempts of clearing his throat to hush the crowd, Montoya finally resorted to pounding the gavel.
"Silence!" The noises immediately died down.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I called this meeting tonight is to discuss the current dangers in Santa Helena. First and foremost, there is still the trouble of the crop famine on our farms. I would like to be informed of any updates in that area from the rancheros. Second of all, the threat of El Cazador is turning this town into a frenzy of terrified residents with nothing better to do all day but tell tales of dubious origins. Lastly, I am afraid that the poor citizens of our town are turning to the Queen of Swords for help in their false impression of this wild bandido."
Montoya's speech and his tone when referring to the Queen made Tessa angry; however, she couldn't help but agree that the town's residents were too caught up in El Cazador's previous exploitations.
Tessa speculated if she could truly be the town's champion...........their guardian. A small shiver tickled her neck while she pondered her renewed responsibility as the Queen of Swords.
How could she save the town from a crop famine and this El Cazador, whom she had never seen before? How was she going to improve the town's crops?
She knew many things, the daughter of a don received the best schooling a noble family could afford, but experiences in weather predictions is not one of them. Recently the weather had turn into a blistering heat wave. Not a drop of rain had touched the parched soil of their town. The weather is not something Tessa or even the Queen of Swords can challenge. Tessa hated feeling this way about her incapability to fix things. In the past she was able to drag herself out of a mess, but she had qualms about this turn of events.
As Montoya ranted on and on about El Cazador and the Queen of Swords, he did mention that, starting that night, there would be more soldiers posted every other place in and outside of town. Patrols would go around the clock until El Cazador was caught. Reward posters were already up to pay anyone who would be able to provide information regarding El Cazador's whereabouts. Montoya even promised the group there would be patrols around their properties for a small fee that would be included in their taxes. Some rancheros protested but most were just relieved to have the extra security.
Tessa gave an inward sigh in regards to the patrols around her hacienda; she didn't need any of Montoya's soldiers sneaking around her home, even if they stayed outside the gates. Getting a little bored at Montoya's longwinded lecture, Tessa glanced around the veranda to discreetly spy on her fellow individuals. Marta was knitting a shawl beside her while Vera absentmindedly traced patterns on her husband's hand. Feeling a little discomfited Tessa looked up to see who was the cause of her sudden unease.
Grisham's eyes were trained intently on her. At first she thought he was staring at Vera, but after shifting in her seat Tessa was quite sure Grisham was looking only at her. Too bored to care she gazed back, her inner rebel defying the intruding eyes of Grisham. Two pairs of chocolate and cobalt blazed across the veranda.
It was Grisham who broke the contact but only after Montoya called him to clarify on how the patrols would be managed. Taking the podium Grisham announced that since due to the short supply of soldiers and the extra areas to patrol, there was still the possibility of danger, but his men would try their best to apprehend the outlaws.
Finally the meeting ended with Montoya's speech about him still being the law of the Santa Helena and something else to boost his own ego (Tessa was too tired to listen anymore). When she finally got outside, Tessa found out that the Montoya was indeed serious about the patrols, because every ranchero carriage was escorted by at least three soldiers. She and Marta turned to see their own carriage was going to be escorted by Grisham and his two sergeants.
She climbed inside her carriage quickly; she didn't want to see any more soldiers in her sight, especially Montoya's. Tessa turned to Marta to ask one burning question she had all night.
"Do you think El Cazador could be stopped?"
Still with the knitting needles in hand, Marta replied with a question of her own.
"Do you think that the Queen of Swords can do anything about an enemy she haven't even laid her eyes on?"
"Marta! You are supposed to help me with comfort and guidance. What am I going to do with your sarcasm and puzzling questions?"
"Tessa, maybe you should just let Montoya's soldiers handle the outlaws this time."
"You must be joking. Since when has Montoya been able to get his soldiers to do anything but fail to follow his dictatorial orders. They haven't been able to save the farmers before how can they do that now?!"
"Child, I read the cards before we left for the meeting. I saw evil in him, El Cazador is different from your prior experiences with other outlaws. He seemed to know more about the Queen of Swords. I am not sure but I think he knows about you too. I fear that he just might be the one to kill you. I don't want to just stand aside and let you go into a fight when every sign points to death."
Hearing Marta's shocking statements and seeing her fearful eyes, Tessa was chilled to the bone. However she was still her father's "avenging angel", the Queen of Swords would never stop righting the wrongs and putting people like El Cazador behind bars.
"I am sorry Marta, but you know what I have to do. I can't stop. I will always be the Queen of Swords. It's not a title given to me just so I could amuse myself toying with Montoya, it's my destiny remember?"
No matter how much Tessa respected Mata, her determination couldn't be broken by her mentor's prophecy.
"Yes that's what I am most afraid of. Your stubbornness is too much like your father. Just know that I am always be by your side Tessa, I will not leave you."
"Thank you Marta. You don't know how much that means to me." Taking Marta's hand in her own, Tessa squeezed it to show her appreciation.
The carriage was about to enter the trail to the hacienda when it abruptly stopped, jerking the two women from their conversation. The sudden spray of broken glass from the carriage window forced them to open the door and leap out in time to see a large axe fly by. Grasping each other's hands they were able to make out in the dark that they were being attacked by several men with their faces half covered. Some were on horses but others were on foot. Grisham and his two sergeants were outnumbered almost five to one.
"What's happening?!?!" Tessa shouted although inside she knew clearly what was going on.
These were El Cazador's men. In the dark they barely escape notice until the last minute but by the time Grisham knew what was going on it was too late.
Grisham had to control his charger from the surprise assault while one of his sergeants was killed by a knife on his back after he was dragged from his horse. Tessa and Marta tried to run out of the ring of men that surrounded them, but to no avail. Grisham was able to use his horse to knock some of the men unconscious, but there were just too many of them. Knowing that the two women were in serious danger, he tried to get to them, however the men were purposely keeping him far away. Stealing an open gap, Grisham was able to get Marta on his horse and placed her on his remaining sergeant's horse.
"Take her away now!!! I'm going to get Senorita Alvarado!"
"No! Tessa! Tessa!"
Marta was shouting to stay with Tessa but the sergeant firmly held her and quickly rode away from the fray.
Relieved to see Marta in safety Tessa was ready to fight those men, even if she didn't have any weapons on hand.
Astonished to see Grisham coming back for her, Tessa didn't feel someone pulling her up until she was already on the horse. Gasping, she craned her neck to see whom she was sitting in front of; however a brown hat covered his head while a black handkerchief hid half his face. Unfortunately, the piece of cloth couldn't cover the glowing green eyes staring back at her.
"El Cazador!" Tessa breathed out in shock.
A low sneer came as his reply. "At your service, Senorita."
^Alright I am going to stop here now. That scuffle took a lot outta me even I was afraid of what I am going to write next! *shivers* So what's going to happen to our fav couple? I am not gonna tell; ya'll just have to wait! And r/r please!!! ;-P
Translation: rancheros=ranchers (people that lives on ranches) bandido=bandit
"El Cazador"
It was all on everyone's mind.
Every whispered word and furtive glance was initiated by the mention of that name.
His periodic pillaging was becoming more frequent. More farmers' lives were lost at the hands of the El Cazador and his pandilla. Rumors were circulated and distorted by so many people it was hard to know which gossip was true or fiction.
Some said there were fifty men that made up of his pandilla or even more.
Many more heard that El Cazador was wanted in every major city in all of California, from Eureka to San Diego; small wonder that El Cazador was seeking small, little known towns like Santa Helena.
Others said that he was seven feet tall, topped with flaming red hair. His eyes were of a green hue that contrasted his hair. A deep long scar was etched on his face, from his left eye to the corner of his mouth.
But worst of all, no one truly knew how he looked.
The people of Santa Helena were afraid. This new threat of a ruthless enemy on their hands coupled with the recent failure of their crops made everyone desperate to look for a new leader.
Enter the Queen of Swords.
It all started with Jose and two other farmers. They mentioned the queen in hopeful murmurs of saving their town from El Cazador.
These rumors ran rampant and simmered for a while before Montoya couldn't take anymore of the praises and hopes that had been rested on the queen.
He decided to take action and called for a town meeting. Where, of course, based on Montoya's discrimination only the prominent and the rich were allowed at the conference.
In place of her father, Tessa had to go with Marta in tow.
Just after sundown on a humid evening, several carriages and horses arrived in the town center.
Conversational noises from the crowded veranda greeted Tessa and Marta as they stepped through the entrance. Looking around the small gathering Tessa could see Don Hidalgo was there with Vera and a few rancheros were there as well. Even Dr. Helm was there, sitting near the back of the benches. Standing behind a podium with a gavel in hand Montoya stood ready to call order. Tessa noticed Grisham was there also. Standing on the far side of the podium facing the group he was quietly observing the upper class patrons of Santa Helena.
Finding a seat next to Vera, Tessa sat down to hear what Montoya had to say about the recent threats of El Cazador.
After several unsuccessful attempts of clearing his throat to hush the crowd, Montoya finally resorted to pounding the gavel.
"Silence!" The noises immediately died down.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I called this meeting tonight is to discuss the current dangers in Santa Helena. First and foremost, there is still the trouble of the crop famine on our farms. I would like to be informed of any updates in that area from the rancheros. Second of all, the threat of El Cazador is turning this town into a frenzy of terrified residents with nothing better to do all day but tell tales of dubious origins. Lastly, I am afraid that the poor citizens of our town are turning to the Queen of Swords for help in their false impression of this wild bandido."
Montoya's speech and his tone when referring to the Queen made Tessa angry; however, she couldn't help but agree that the town's residents were too caught up in El Cazador's previous exploitations.
Tessa speculated if she could truly be the town's champion...........their guardian. A small shiver tickled her neck while she pondered her renewed responsibility as the Queen of Swords.
How could she save the town from a crop famine and this El Cazador, whom she had never seen before? How was she going to improve the town's crops?
She knew many things, the daughter of a don received the best schooling a noble family could afford, but experiences in weather predictions is not one of them. Recently the weather had turn into a blistering heat wave. Not a drop of rain had touched the parched soil of their town. The weather is not something Tessa or even the Queen of Swords can challenge. Tessa hated feeling this way about her incapability to fix things. In the past she was able to drag herself out of a mess, but she had qualms about this turn of events.
As Montoya ranted on and on about El Cazador and the Queen of Swords, he did mention that, starting that night, there would be more soldiers posted every other place in and outside of town. Patrols would go around the clock until El Cazador was caught. Reward posters were already up to pay anyone who would be able to provide information regarding El Cazador's whereabouts. Montoya even promised the group there would be patrols around their properties for a small fee that would be included in their taxes. Some rancheros protested but most were just relieved to have the extra security.
Tessa gave an inward sigh in regards to the patrols around her hacienda; she didn't need any of Montoya's soldiers sneaking around her home, even if they stayed outside the gates. Getting a little bored at Montoya's longwinded lecture, Tessa glanced around the veranda to discreetly spy on her fellow individuals. Marta was knitting a shawl beside her while Vera absentmindedly traced patterns on her husband's hand. Feeling a little discomfited Tessa looked up to see who was the cause of her sudden unease.
Grisham's eyes were trained intently on her. At first she thought he was staring at Vera, but after shifting in her seat Tessa was quite sure Grisham was looking only at her. Too bored to care she gazed back, her inner rebel defying the intruding eyes of Grisham. Two pairs of chocolate and cobalt blazed across the veranda.
It was Grisham who broke the contact but only after Montoya called him to clarify on how the patrols would be managed. Taking the podium Grisham announced that since due to the short supply of soldiers and the extra areas to patrol, there was still the possibility of danger, but his men would try their best to apprehend the outlaws.
Finally the meeting ended with Montoya's speech about him still being the law of the Santa Helena and something else to boost his own ego (Tessa was too tired to listen anymore). When she finally got outside, Tessa found out that the Montoya was indeed serious about the patrols, because every ranchero carriage was escorted by at least three soldiers. She and Marta turned to see their own carriage was going to be escorted by Grisham and his two sergeants.
She climbed inside her carriage quickly; she didn't want to see any more soldiers in her sight, especially Montoya's. Tessa turned to Marta to ask one burning question she had all night.
"Do you think El Cazador could be stopped?"
Still with the knitting needles in hand, Marta replied with a question of her own.
"Do you think that the Queen of Swords can do anything about an enemy she haven't even laid her eyes on?"
"Marta! You are supposed to help me with comfort and guidance. What am I going to do with your sarcasm and puzzling questions?"
"Tessa, maybe you should just let Montoya's soldiers handle the outlaws this time."
"You must be joking. Since when has Montoya been able to get his soldiers to do anything but fail to follow his dictatorial orders. They haven't been able to save the farmers before how can they do that now?!"
"Child, I read the cards before we left for the meeting. I saw evil in him, El Cazador is different from your prior experiences with other outlaws. He seemed to know more about the Queen of Swords. I am not sure but I think he knows about you too. I fear that he just might be the one to kill you. I don't want to just stand aside and let you go into a fight when every sign points to death."
Hearing Marta's shocking statements and seeing her fearful eyes, Tessa was chilled to the bone. However she was still her father's "avenging angel", the Queen of Swords would never stop righting the wrongs and putting people like El Cazador behind bars.
"I am sorry Marta, but you know what I have to do. I can't stop. I will always be the Queen of Swords. It's not a title given to me just so I could amuse myself toying with Montoya, it's my destiny remember?"
No matter how much Tessa respected Mata, her determination couldn't be broken by her mentor's prophecy.
"Yes that's what I am most afraid of. Your stubbornness is too much like your father. Just know that I am always be by your side Tessa, I will not leave you."
"Thank you Marta. You don't know how much that means to me." Taking Marta's hand in her own, Tessa squeezed it to show her appreciation.
The carriage was about to enter the trail to the hacienda when it abruptly stopped, jerking the two women from their conversation. The sudden spray of broken glass from the carriage window forced them to open the door and leap out in time to see a large axe fly by. Grasping each other's hands they were able to make out in the dark that they were being attacked by several men with their faces half covered. Some were on horses but others were on foot. Grisham and his two sergeants were outnumbered almost five to one.
"What's happening?!?!" Tessa shouted although inside she knew clearly what was going on.
These were El Cazador's men. In the dark they barely escape notice until the last minute but by the time Grisham knew what was going on it was too late.
Grisham had to control his charger from the surprise assault while one of his sergeants was killed by a knife on his back after he was dragged from his horse. Tessa and Marta tried to run out of the ring of men that surrounded them, but to no avail. Grisham was able to use his horse to knock some of the men unconscious, but there were just too many of them. Knowing that the two women were in serious danger, he tried to get to them, however the men were purposely keeping him far away. Stealing an open gap, Grisham was able to get Marta on his horse and placed her on his remaining sergeant's horse.
"Take her away now!!! I'm going to get Senorita Alvarado!"
"No! Tessa! Tessa!"
Marta was shouting to stay with Tessa but the sergeant firmly held her and quickly rode away from the fray.
Relieved to see Marta in safety Tessa was ready to fight those men, even if she didn't have any weapons on hand.
Astonished to see Grisham coming back for her, Tessa didn't feel someone pulling her up until she was already on the horse. Gasping, she craned her neck to see whom she was sitting in front of; however a brown hat covered his head while a black handkerchief hid half his face. Unfortunately, the piece of cloth couldn't cover the glowing green eyes staring back at her.
"El Cazador!" Tessa breathed out in shock.
A low sneer came as his reply. "At your service, Senorita."
^Alright I am going to stop here now. That scuffle took a lot outta me even I was afraid of what I am going to write next! *shivers* So what's going to happen to our fav couple? I am not gonna tell; ya'll just have to wait! And r/r please!!! ;-P
Translation: rancheros=ranchers (people that lives on ranches) bandido=bandit