Chapter 2

De Soto snorted in disgust. "Do you think that man would still be alive if I knew his identity?"

Thackery turned and smiled, a cold, calculated smile that sent tendrils of fear straight down Diego's spine. This was no man to be trifled with. He was a deadly master swordsman who was feared in this pueblo already - and had been driven out years ago by Zorro himself. Such a man would not have returned unless he was certain he could best the masked man on the field of battle.

Diego quickly glanced around, looking for a way he could slip out of the room.

"Well, you had better think long and hard about it, Señor Alcalde." Thackery turned to Diego. "I believe we have some unfinished business as well, Señor." Sliding the tip of his boot beneath de Soto's sword belt, he tossed it into the air toward Diego who, in his distraction while trying to find a way out of the tavern, nearly missed catching the scabbard.

"Sir," Alejandro pushed himself away from his table and put himself between Thackery and his son. "You cannot expect Diego to -"

Thackery extended his arm and pressed his blade against Alejandro's throat. "You will move out of the way, Señor or you will be the first to die today."

Diego stepped forward and pulled his father away. "Father. Don't. He is the best swordsman in the territory, excepting Zorro; do not challenge him."

Alejandro whirled on his son. A myriad of emotions crossed his face, but in the jumble of words fighting to be said first, all that came out was "You did!"

Diego drew himself to his full height. "He insulted a lady."

"Yes, I know, but -!" Alejandro's words trailed away as his thoughts raced. How was his son going to survive a second duel with this man? He had been surprisingly shocked and proud the first time his son had stood up to this Englishman, but now he was upset that Diego could so calmly accept that he was going to be dueling this man for his very life. He had to make Diego understand how afraid he was because the boy obviously wasn't thinking clearly. "He is going to kill you for it. "

"Kill is such a - harsh term, don't you think?" A smug smile crossed Thackery's face as his gaze traveled from Diego to Alejandro and back again. "I would say I would like to show him the - error of his ways."

A small movement behind him caught his attention and Thackery whirled and thrust his blade into de Soto's thigh.

The alcalde crumpled to the floor with a cry, Mendoza dropping to his knees to help his wounded commander.

Thackery raised his blade toward Diego while turning his attention to Victoria, "Get some rope, now! If you don't return quickly, one of these men will die."

Victoria hurried to the storeroom and returned in no time with Thackery's request. She scowled at him, threw it at his feet and backed away.

"Know that I have no reservations over killing a woman to get what I want," Thackery said coldly before turning to Mendoza. "What are you waiting for, you bumbling fool? Tie them! And make sure the knots are tight."

Mendoza tied de Soto and Alejandro to opposite posts, and when he came to Victoria, he bound her to the post at the bottom of the stairs.

"Now sit," Thackery indicated with a nod of his head where he wanted the Sergeant to go and roughly tied the man's arms behind his back and shoved him to the floor.

He turned slowly to face Diego, who was standing with his arms at his sides, one hand clutching de Soto's sheathed blade.

"Now, Señor, defend yourself!" Thackery raised his blade and advanced, giving Diego no choice but to unsheath his own blade and bring it up in defense.

Diego's mind whirled. He could not let this man tyrannize this pueblo again. But he could not risk his secret coming out, not in front of the alcalde and Mendoza. Diego backed away, trying to lead his opponent into the privacy of the kitchen, where he could quickly defeat Thackery and call it luck. But the Englishman apparently wanted the others to witness his defeat, and it was impossible for Diego to take the fight out of the taproom without revealing his skill. All he could do was defend himself as clumsily as possible. He briefly considered simply turning and running out the back door, so that he could return as Zorro, but he did not want to leave those he loved alone with Thackery for a single minute. It was difficult not to show his prowess with the blade as he parried one well-executed move after another. Thackery had learned much since his last visit to the pueblo. His technique was more refined and it was clear he had studied from several different instructors.

"Be careful, son!" Alejandro called as he struggled with his bonds. He didn't want to lose his son today - especially not to a madman like Miles Thackery.

Diego could not feign a twisted ankle this time but he couldn't afford to be the center of attention - not now. Recognizing Thackery's next move for what it was, Diego allowed himself to be disarmed and pressed himself back against the wall.

"All too easy," Thackery said arrogantly. "Be glad I do not wish to kill you at this time. Perhaps once I have Zorro, I will show you the error you made in challenging me."

Diego stared at the Englishman, refusing to look away. Unfortunately for Diego, Thackery considered this an additional challenge to his easy victory and held his blade at Diego's throat.

"Do you have something you would like to say to me?"

"No."

"It is so good to be welcomed back to this pueblo with open arms," Thackery stared down his nose at his opponent, flicking his wrist so that his blade trailed a thin line of blood across Diego's cheek.

Diego winced but gave no other indication of pain but he could hear Victoria gasp and could feel the blood trickle hotly down his cheek. Before Diego had a chance to consider a retaliatory move, Thackery's sword guard connected solidly with his temple. As blackness descended like a blanket around his consciousness, Diego wondered why he didn't act quicker and disarm his opponent. Even if it revealed a carefully guarded secret to those who wanted him dead, those he loved would be safe from this tyrant bent on getting what he wanted no matter what the cost.

Diego was not unconscious for long, but he was disabled long enough for Thackery to tie his arms painfully behind his back and then around a post nearest the bar, and farthest away from Victoria.

"Now then, I have worked up a bit of a thirst." Thackery swiftly cut the ropes binding Victoria to her post and dragged her to her feet. "Get me something to drink, and something to eat."

Victoria glanced at Diego, concern for his injuries warring with her rebellious mind. "Get it your–"

"Victoria," Diego said softly. His eyes were barely open and it was clear the blow to his head had stunned him.

She turned and looked at her friend, her eyes burning with rebellious fire. But when she saw the warning look in his eyes, she instantly closed her mouth. There would be a time for resistance, but that time was not now. She also wondered at the unaccustomed look in Diego's eyes. It wasn't fear, as she would have expected of her peaceful friend. And while there was pain in his gaze, there was something else, too. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. And she didn't have time to further reflect as Thackery swatted her on the backside with his blade, impatient for his meal.

Without another word, Victoria swept into the kitchen to fetch her captor his food and drink.

Thackery followed her, watching carefully as she ladled some stew into a bowl, cut a loaf of bread and set utensils onto a nearby tray.

When she glanced up, she saw him watching her with an amused grin.

"Afraid I'm going to poison your food?" Victoria snapped, placing everything on a tray and holding it between them.

Thackery tilted his head, considering her question. "The thought had crossed my mind."

Victoria brushed passed him and deposited the tray on the first table she encountered in the taproom. Backing away, she glared darts at him. "Don't worry, Señor. I wouldn't use poison to kill you. I would use a very dull knife."

Alejandro's eyes widened, hoping he did not just hear that comment come from Victoria's lips. He stared at her, his tone full of warning. "Victoria –"

Diego closed his eyes and groaned. His head throbbed and he prayed that Victoria would use the common sense he knew she possessed and say no more. Instead, she moved to his side and tilted his head, trying to get a better look at his injuries. He welcomed her sweet touch and it meant that she was further away from the Englishman. He grunted softly at the sharp pain that shot through his temple.

Thackery laughed and lifted a wooden spoon from the tray. "I must know. Why a dull knife?"

Victoria glanced up, her eyes narrowed in hatred and disgust. "Because it would hurt more."

Diego groaned and leaned his head heavily into her hand, hoping that if he pretended to hurt more than he truly did, Victoria would not give Thackery further reason to harm her.

Thackery laughed at the comment and dipped the spoon into the stew. "I welcome you to try." He took a seat and grinned smugly. "My – interrogations will begin once I've finished my meal."

The blow echoed through the taproom, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Diego knew that the man wanted to know Zorro's identity, but he hadn't expected Thackery to actually torture his captives to get that information. From the Englishman's entire bearing, such actions seemed beneath him. But Diego well knew what desperation could drive a man to do. He suddenly regretted not disarming Thackery when he had the chance. He had misjudged his opponent and now his father was going to pay for that mistake.

Thackery held Alejandro by the collar, and was about to slap the older man again when Diego demanded that he stop.

"And do you have the information I seek?" Thackery raised a curious eyebrow.

"No. But if you must harm someone to feel superior, then harm me."

Thackery pushed Alejandro to the floor and slowly stood. "Now why would I do that? He is not as strong, as fit, it will be far easier to beat him until one of you gives me what I want to know. You have a higher pain threshold."

Thackery glanced down at Alejandro and landed a well-placed kick to his ribs. Alejandro grunted at the pain that rushed through his chest as Thackery knelt again and drew the back of his hand across Alejandro's face with a sharp slap.

Blood trickled from the older man's cut lip and his eye was already beginning to bruise from the first blow. Alejandro's breath was still unsteady after the surprise of being kicked in the gut as he braced himself for the next blow.

"Don Alejandro doesn't know the answer to your question!" Victoria finally cried. "None of us do!"

"I suppose you wouldn't tell me if you did know, now would you?"

Victoria swallowed a sob as she watched Alejandro pull himself up, with difficulty, to lean against the post. She couldn't bear to see the man she oftentimes thought of as a father hurt in such a brutal way. As much as it hurt to watch this happen, even if she knew Zorro's identity, she would not reveal it. But Thackery didn't need to know that. Victoria met her captor's eyes with a steady "Yes - I would."

Diego blinked in surprise and stared at Victoria. Was she saying this in hopes that Thackery would go easy on his father? Diego struggled slowly with his bonds, wincing as the tightly tied rope bit further into his bare wrists.

He watched Victoria's unwavering gaze and wondered if she had figured out Zorro's identity. Would she truly reveal it to save someone she loved? Diego sighed softly. This was why she could never know. A reason among many.

Thackery turned toward de Soto. "See now, you obviously don't want to learn this bandit's identity badly enough. All it takes is a little pain and -"

"Zorro will come," Victoria said confidently. "And when he does, you will wish you had never come back to Los Angeles!"

Diego closed his eyes and groaned.

When Thackery knelt beside Victoria and squeezed her cheeks tightly between a gloved hand, Diego felt a protective rage begin to boil his blood. He wouldn't let that man hurt Victoria or his father, not to get something as simple as a name.

"Señor -" Diego began.

Thackery whirled on Diego. "If you do not have a name to give me, be silent!"

Diego fell silent, but continued to stare at Thackery through narrowed eyes. After a moment, the man shot Diego a malicious smile and stood. "I will get his identity out of you, one way or another."

Thackery went back to his food and took a few bites.

Diego shifted his eyes to Victoria who was staring at him, clearly unused to the tone he had just used with their captor. Diego uncomfortably diverted his gaze and searched his father's bloodied face. He was conscious, but Diego could tell that he was in pain. He worked feverishly at the knots that bound him. If he could get free, he would stop Thackery from inflicting any more pain even if it meant revealing his abilities. The only alternative was to tell him the truth, while bound, and that, Diego felt, was not the wisest of ideas.

When Thackery had finished his meal, he returned to his interrogation of Alejandro. He struck him once again across the face and when that produced no answers to his questions, he stood and retrieved a long, dark item from beneath his cloak. He unfurled the long leather whip and stood over De Soto.

Diego felt a fear he seldom experienced rising in his gut, and when Thackery cut de Soto's bonds and demanded that he stand, Diego realized those fears were about to become reality.

"No! Stop this!" Diego demanded but Thackery ignored him.

"I do so detest sullying my hands with blood." Thackery forced the handle of the whip into de Soto's hands and pushed him to stand over Alejandro. "One lash, maybe two, and then perhaps one of you will give me the information I require."

"I will not whip Don Alejandro," de Soto said, favoring his injured leg.

The tip of Thackery's blade flew to his neck. "One flick of my wrist and you won't have to worry about moving ever again."

De Soto lowered his gaze and turned toward Alejandro. Sad eyes reflected his unvoiced apology for what he was about to do and he closed them once more in hopes that his captor would not force him to do this.

"Get on with it!"

Diego pulled at his ropes, fury coloring his cheeks. He couldn't allow this to happen.

"Stop!" Diego demanded with a resigned sigh. "I will tell you what you want to know."

Victoria stared at Diego and De Soto turned and raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Thackery merely glanced at Diego, saying, "You have already assured me that you do not have the information I seek."

Victoria similarly tugged at her bonds. "You can't do this!"

"Oh, I most certainly can," Thackery didn't even give Victoria the courtesy of looking at her. Instead, to de Soto, he said, "Do I need to spill a little of your blood first?"

De Soto closed his eyes and drew his arm back. "Do it! Now!"

"No!" Diego cried but still Thackery ignored him.

"Two lashes. Very quick. It hurts less, I understand." Thackery laughed and demanded, yet again, that de Soto do as he commanded.

Diego gave his bonds one last tug and realized that he could not free himself in time. His shout of 'I am Zorro!" was drowned out by Victoria's cries, mingled with Mendoza's, as the whip cracked across Alejandro's back.

Alejandro bit his lip, refusing to cry out. He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed that neither his son nor Victoria would have to endure this pain.

"Stop! Listen to me – please!" Diego cried, but Thackery ignored him and ordered de Soto to strike Alejandro again.

Tears rolled out from beneath Alejandro's tightly closed eyes and a grunt of pain escaped his lips at the blow. He had been beaten worse while he was a soldier, he could take this. He was probably the only one in the room, excepting, perhaps, the man now wielding the whip, who could.

"Stop!" Zorro's voice echoed through the taproom and de Soto lowered his arm and turned his attention toward Diego.

Victoria stared at her friend, her eyes wide with shock as she recognized that commanding tone.

Alejandro struggled to turn his head toward the voice and blinked back the tears stinging his eyes as they met those of his son. They conveyed a deep apology but an even deeper rage toward the man who so cavalierly inflicted pain upon the innocent to satisfy his own pride.

"I will give you what you seek," Diego said resignedly, his eyes moist but burning with unfathomable anger.

TBC

Trollie - I trust now you've gotten a synopsis of the episode from a few people. :) Thackery doesn't get his in the way you might expect . . .

Beverly - hopefully this chapter is as enjoyable as the first. And yes, you are correct on who Thackery is.

Uhm. What - Tereric posted a synopsis. Hope that helps:)

Katherine - Thanks. All the credit for that goes to my marvelous beta reader.

Aurelia30 - Fun, oh yes, though you may not think so by the end of this story. :)

Rena - glad you liked the first chapter. Hope you like the rest as much.