Chapter 17
"Zorro, I don't know how I can ever thank you. I am still shaking inside. I have never been that close to death in my life!" Lord Hodge yelled his thanks over Zorro's shoulder as they raced across the desert. He was beginning to think, from their speed, that he was not quite out of danger yet.
"My pleasure. I am sorry that it took me so long to come to your aid. But, Lord Hodge, I have a request of you now."
"Anything, my dear man, anything! I owe you my life," Hodge said soberly.
"Do you see that cloud of dust ahead?" Zorro slowed Tornado to a slow walk.
"Yes, I see it."
"Well, that would be Don Alejandro and Señorita Escalante and I do not want…I mean…I would rather not…" Zorro's voice faltered as he tried to explain without truly explaining.
"I think I understand. You may be quite a hero, Zorro, but you've got some very common problems, women and family!" Hodge chuckled as he felt Zorro physically slump in the saddle. "I am sorry. I know it's not so amusing to you. You're in the thick of it, aren't you?
"Quite."
"And what is it exactly that you do want? Hmm?" Hodge asked seriously.
"I want… I want Victoria," he said simply. "I want this … need … to be Zorro to …just … stop…" Zorro breathed out heavily as he saw the cloud of dust approaching, ever closer. "And I don't want to talk to either of them right now," he finished, shaking his head.
"You do know, my boy, that you can never have her as Zorro?"
Zorro winced slightly at being called a "boy" but nodded silently.
"Well, then, I would say that you, Zorro, are destined to be a cad. There's no other way. You've taken this 'relationship' with the young miss too far, for far too long, for anyone watching to think anything else." Hodge patted Zorro on the back lightly. "I have a feeling this will be like tasting a bitter medicine for you. I think you have been using Zorro in many ways in your own life as… your other self…well, as something of a crutch."
"Oh really?" It was Zorro's turn to chuckle. "And just how would you know such a thing about me already?"
"Handwriting can tell many things about a person. You would be surprised. It also helps to be an outsider coming into the situation to see things more clearly," Hodge answered.
"You're going to have to openly, in front of a crowd, have a big fight. She's got to be able to have a reason to turn her affections to …to your other self. You are going to have to sacrifice some of Zorro's nobility toward her or you'll never be able to have what you want. Just brace yourself and do it."
Both men's attention was drawn from the conversation by the sound of many horses approaching from the direction of the pueblo. Zorro turned Tornado to face the new arrivals, aware that the de la Vega carriage was pulling up quickly on the path behind them.
"Hola, General!" he greeted the man he'd met so recently with a smile and a sweeping wave from the brim of his hat. "What brings you out this way?" he asked, trying to keep suspicion out of his voice.
"Zorro! We meet again." He saluted the man in black. "We are on our way to the de la Vega hacienda. I'm told that Don Alejandro—"
"You are in luck, General, for here is Don Alejandro himself." Zorro turned to indicate the older man driving the carriage that had just stopped in the road. "Don Alejandro, may I present to you General Manzanares. He and his men have just taken over the government of the pueblo in the name of Mexico." Zorro's smile had vanished. He only hoped his father and Victoria would grasp the seriousness of the situation quickly.
"Don Alejandro, I am honored." The General bowed his head slightly and continued, "On behalf of Emperor Iturbide of Mexico, I hereby request of you to accept the title of Alcalde of the pueblo de Los Angeles. It will be a temporary appointment for now—"
"General!" Don Alejandro interrupted, "stop right there, please. You do know I have sympathies that lie firmly with the Royal family of Spain!"
The General smiled. "Yes, I am well aware of this. It is one of the reasons why we know so much about you. We also know that you are a fair and just man and you will make the ideal choice for the job of helping us to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. I think you are wise enough also to see the inevitability of the coming changes.
Don Alejandro looked down as he thought over the proposition. This was one way he could keep his eye on things and possibly have some sway over events. He thought back to the occasion before when this same position had been thrust upon him and remembered what he had been able to accomplish. Looking over at Zorro, he also remembered that it would be within his power to issue pardons.
"Very well! I'll do it!" He cast a warning gaze at the General. "But I warn you, Sir, I will not foreswear the Royal family. I still retain my allegiance to them even while serving the pueblo. Do you have any objections to that?" Don Alejandro challenged.
"Not at all, Don Alejandro. We can forego the usually oaths for the time being and this will only be a temporary appointment anyway. As long as peace is maintained and no insurrections attempted," he glanced over at Zorro, "I see no reason why personal feelings should prevent someone of your stature in this community from taking part in serving the new government. Indeed, anyone who can feel such strong loyalties is exactly the type of person we would seek for such positions. After all, we all want the same thing, a peaceful pueblo."
"But what of Alcalde De Soto?" Don Alejandro asked.
"He has found it expedient to leave us. And apparently, he also thought it best to leave the pueblo's coffers empty. I have men engaged in searching for him. De Soto has a lot of explaining to do."
His intended business done, the General took note of the Señorita seated in the carriage next to Don Alejandro. "And is this your daughter, Don Alejandro?" he asked, with a very interested air, and dismounted to stride over to the carriage.
"No, General—" Don Alejandro began.
But at the word, 'no", the General grew visibly bolder. "I am at your service, Señorita. I had no idea that such beauty existed in this area of Alta California "
Zorro visibly bristled in the saddle and Lord Hodge immediately sought to cover the movement with one of his own and dismounted Tornado from behind him.
"General, may I introduce Señorita Escalante," Lord Hodge said. "She is the owner of the tavern in the pueblo." He smiled charmingly up at Victoria.
"The owner of the tavern?" The General was amazed. "But—"
"Yes, it is out of the ordinary, General," Zorro interrupted, "a woman running a business, and a tavern, at that." Ignoring the fire that had flared in Victoria's eyes, he continued, "You see, Señorita Escalante is a modern woman. She sees no need to follow the conventions that restrain others.
"That's much to be admired, Señorita. Oh, but the tavern…" The man looked uncomfortable as he went on to tell her the bad news. "I am afraid my men have ensconced themselves there this afternoon. We needed more space, you see, what with all the extra soldiers that had been brought in by the former alcalde and my own men. The barracks cannot contain them all. So I am afraid your tavern is now part of our temporary quarters. But don't worry, we will keep a tally of the stores used and settle up accounts at a later date. Do you have someplace else you could stay temporarily?"
Looks had exchanged between all the men. The confiscation of property was never welcomed, and knowing the volatile character of the señorita, they feared her explosive reaction.
Don Alejandro quickly placed a restraining hand on Victoria who was bracing to rise from her seat in the carriage. He could feel the anger emanating from her like the heat of a fire.
Zorro spoke up to call the General's attention away from her. "General, I am sure that is not a problem. The señorita has always been welcome at the de la Vega hacienda. She can stay there until there is no further need for your soldiers to occupy the tavern." There was a perceptible slight edge to Zorro's words. For those present that knew him, they also contained a threat.
But the General was unfazed. His authority was complete and he was confident that he had enough men to handle any situation that could arise. "Do not worry your pretty little head, Señorita Escalante."
Don Alejandro's grip on Victoria's hands tightened as he heard her mutter under her breath, "Pretty little head, indeed!"
But the General kept speaking. "Be assured, we will return your property to you. I would not want to find anger in those eyes directed at me. I have other plans for—"
Holding Victoria in her seat, Don Alejandro could also see that Zorro was about to come out of his on Tornado, so he interjected quickly, "General, when would you like me to come to the pueblo to begin my duties? I'm anxious to get started."
"Tomorrow will be soon enough." The General reluctantly drew his gaze from Victoria to answer the question and immediately returned to a businesslike attitude.
Behind him, Lord Hodge was wiping his brow with his handkerchief. Then he finally found his voice. "General, it has been an honor to meet you. I do hope we see each other again."
The General leveled a keen eye at the man. "Just who are you, Sir? I mean, other than being someone the De Soto wanted to hang?"
"Lord Percival Bradley Hodge, at your service."
"Ah! Well!" The General dismissed the man from his thoughts, turned and touched the brim of his hat. "Don Alejandro, I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow in your office. We will begin our work then. Good day to you all!" And with a final nod, the General and his soldiers following turned to ride back to Los Angeles.
As they rode away, an indignant Hodge began, "Of all the—" But Zorro cut through the comments by addressing Don Alejandro.
"Once again, you are Alcalde!" Zorro said, grinning at the man.
"An alcalde with no treasury apparently! Ah me." Don Alejandro looked down at Lord Hodge.
"Sir, I am very glad indeed Zorro was in time to save you from the gallows."
"Yes, yes, it has been quite a day! I am quite glad to be alive, thanks to this man." Lord Hodge looked up at his rescuer and extended a hand.
Shaking his hand, Zorro declared, "Don Alejandro, if you would permit Lord Hodge to stay at your hacienda as well, I would be most grateful. It might not be wise for him to remain in the pueblo tonight. I do not like the idea of soldiers actually bedding down in the tavern. There could be violence
"Of course, of course." Don Alejandro answered. He looked over at Victoria. "And the señorita will be our guest until it is safe for her to return."
"A wise decision," Zorro agreed. He looked down at Hodge thoughtfully and took a deep breath. Brace yourself and do it. "I would advise you, Señorita, that you might start thinking of selling the tavern. It was never a place for a woman anyway."
Suppressing a smile, Lord Hodge climbed aboard the wagon and Zorro tipped his hat to them all in farewell. He turned Tornado to the east and left them at a full gallop.
All three pairs of eyes watched him depart with each person wondering just how far he was going to go before heading in the same direction they were going to be heading in themselves.
