Chapter 5

The mute waited until sunset, as it would be far more difficult to tell that the shoulders of this new Zorro were not so broad, then he put his plan into motion.

For only the second time in nearly five years, he donned the black costume, shrugging uncomfortably at the loose fit of the material. He prayed fervently that Toronado would allow the young mute onto his back. He hadn't the first time. Hopefully the horse would understand the urgency of his request tonight.

The stallion snorted at the figure walking gingerly towards him, sensing the boy's unease. Hooves ground themselves into the dirt, betraying the stallion's agitation. A steady hand scratched the black muzzle, stroked the long neck and muscular shoulder. Please, the mute thought. Please let me on your back. Dios please, just this once.

Toronodo reared and Felipe quickly backed out of the way. Removing the mask and hat, Felipe gripped the bridle and stared into the agitated stallion's eyes. Please, he implored with his own wide eyes. The stallion snorted and shook his head, his neatly combed mane needing a good brushing once again.

The mute boy stared pleadingly into the black stallions eyes. Tornado snorted but the hooves slowly stopped grounding themselves into the dirt; a positive sign. Felipe replaced the mask and hat while standing in front of the horse, hoping that it would help the large beast to understand.

After a few more minutes, Felipe confidently swung himself into the saddle, briefly thanking God for hearing his prayer.

He rode quickly through the pueblo, careful to mimic Zorro every move. He allowed his actions to speak louder than his words and when the alcalde rushed out of his office and called for his lancers, the masked man saluted the alcalde with a smile and rode away - but not before tearing down the recently posted taxation announcement.

The people still gathered in the pueblo cheered but DeSoto's eyes narrowed at the lack of…enthusiastic taunting in the masked man's actions.

"Lancers! After him!" DeSoto cried but Felipe had already put too great a distance between himself and the inept soldiers.

Alejandro stalked back into the library and stared unflinchingly at the fireplace. He'd been called away just after he saw Felipe disappear through the hidden door and had just found the time to return to the scene. The old don took a deep breath and pressed the panel that would cause the door to swing open. He took a deep breath and then stepped into the cave.

Until now, he really didn't truly believe Victoria's claim, and the Padre's easy acceptance of his son's secret life. But when he stood at the top of the steps and glanced around the small room, his heart plummeted into his stomach. There was no greater proof than what lay before his eyes, and Alejandro felt instantly sick. Sick that he'd treated his son with so little respect. Ashamed that he'd thought of his son in ways unbecoming of a truly loving father. Every biting word, every hurtful insult he'd ever hurled at his son, in anger or indifference, rushed into the forefront of his mind, and his breath caught in his chest. Realizing, he may not have a chance to correct his mistakes.

Alejandro sank to his knees, holding his head in his hands. Sobs wracked his body and he didn't notice the slender black-clad form of Felipe enter the room until he felt the young man's hand on his shoulder.

Alejandro didn't have the energy to speak, to question why Felipe wore Zorro's clothing, why they'd kept this secret from him in his own home. He had so many questions and was not sure if he could trust himself not to break down in the asking of them. The young mute had already seen too much. And Alejandro was a proud man. He couldn't break down in front of his foundling.

Seeing the anguish in Alejandro's eyes, Felipe walked to the elegantly carved desk and removed a leather-bound journal. When he placed it in the old don's hands, the man stared at it with a curious look. He felt the man knew what it was but he was afraid to open it. Afraid to see what words the pages would contain. Felipe had never felt so helpless. He simply wrapped his arms around his guardian and held him as he clutched the journal to his chest.

After several long minutes, Alejandro glanced down at the leather-bound book. "Will this tell me why my son felt the need to lie to me? To keep his true self masked beneath some disguise?"

Felipe wouldn't meet Alejandro's eyes and the man pulled himself out of the young mute's arms. He stalked to the desk and seated himself in the dark mahogany chair. When he flipped the journal open, he choked on the words written on the first page.

Here lies an accurate accounting of the adventures of Zorro and the man behind the mask; Diego de la Vega.

Weathered fingers reverently touched the name and Alejandro angrily brushed at the tears that dropped onto the page.

Time came to a halt as Alejandro careful read each and every page. Some tales were long, descriptive depiction of events, some very short, not worth really writing about. But his son was meticulous, he would keep a record of everything. For my children, and their children, it was written in the forward. To give hope to those who wished to fight against the injustice in the world.

Felipe changed quickly, feeling very self-conscious wearing Zorro's clothing. He left Alejandro alone with his thoughts and with Diego's journal and returned every few hours with a drink and plate of food - which went largely untouched.

Only when they heard Victoria's panicked voice through the walls, did Alejandro looked up from the journal. Felipe led Alejandro out of the cave and when Victoria rushed through the library again she launched herself into the old don's arms.

"The doctor is working with him. Something is wrong. He wasn't breathing right!" Tears slid down her cheeks and Alejandro wrapped his arms around the frightened woman. "Please! He needs you!"

Alejandro wasted not another moment and rushed for his son's room, Victoria and Felipe on his heels. His heart beat echoed in his ears as his fear that his son had died, hastened his steps.

The doctor was working quickly when they arrived, one of the house staff providing requested materials to aid the man in his work. The woman looked properly horrified and she had large dark circles under her eyes, which indicated she'd received as little sleep as the injured man's family.

"What can I do?" Alejandro said quickly, eyes scanning the doctor's agitated stance.

"Nothing right now, Alejandro. His breathing is labored and I need to find a way to stabilize it."

Victoria trembled and Felipe wrapped a slim arm around her shoulders. He could tell she was on the verge of a breakdown, and he couldn't blame her. With everything she'd learned in the last few days, she had remained remarkably strong. Even Felipe could feel the strain, and all he wanted to do was sleep away all his worries.

"How did it happen? What changed?" Alejandro asked.

"He's had a huge amount of stress on his system. His lungs are working overtime to pump oxygen through his blood." The doctor continued to work as he explained. "He's very weak." He sighed and looked up into the worried faces of the people who were the most important in Diego's life. "His excellent physical condition is the only thing that saved him."

Alejandro sank slowly into a chair and Victoria immediately dropped to her knees beside him. She clutched at his hand, bringing it to her lips and pressing a gentle kiss to the weathered fingers. "He'll make it. I know he will."

"He's fighting." Hernandez smiled. "I don't think he's ready to leave us yet."

The doctor worked for a few more minutes and then collapsed into a nearby chair himself. "That was closer than I really want to admit."

"What happened?" Alejandro asked, not really sure if he wanted to know. But since the doctor didn't answer the question earlier, he felt he needed to know.

"He stopped breathing."

"It was horrible, Alejandro." Tears began to drip down her cheeks. "His chest sopped moving and I couldn't -. " She broke down before she could continue. When she glanced up again, the anguish in her eyes nearly caused the old don's heart to break. "I can't loose him like this. Not this way."

"With such love and dedication," Hernandez smiled softly. "It's no wonder he fights so hard."

"We aren't going to lose him." Alejandro placed Victoria's hand on Diego's and wrapped his own around them. "I want so terribly to put your hand in his before god and the entire pueblo."

"Have faith." The padre smiled from the doorway. "God has a way of working miracles when all hope seems lost."

"I hope he gives us another chance." Victoria exchanged a wordless look of understanding with Alejandro and they both closed their eyes in silent prayer.