Thank you IcyWaters and JohnMayor 1207 for reviewing, here is the next part. (And another thanks you to my great beta JetNoir for all his help with this piece). All reviews and constructive criticism are welcome.
Disclaimer: I am using characters created from the film written by Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio and Randall Jahson. Directed by Martin Campbell. The first two chapters will be based on the film but after that the work will be my own.
I've got exams coming up but hopefully the next part will be up soon and a few more questions will be answered.
Katy
The Fire that Burns in the Night
Prologue II – Progression
20 years later
Diego De La Vega, and his new young master Alejandro Murrieta, strode up towards the elegant hacienda and the location of Don Rafael Montero's latest party.
Although Alejandro was nervous, and trying to repeat everything Diego had taught him, he put on a confident front and offered Montero a formal greeting.
Diego kept his head down, and listened to the new and younger Zorro spinning a thick web of lies, while subtly stroking the host's ego.
Next to Montero, a young woman stood, watching and listening to this new visitor. She did not notice the Spaniard's servant glance up at her before he quickly returned his gaze to the floor. Diego couldn't believe how much Elena looked like her mother. She had the same long dark hair and deep red lips.
Returning his concentration to the conversation at hand, instead of his daughter, Diego was suddenly left holding his breath when Montero asked Alejandro another question.
"I am a man in search of a vision," Alejandro replied.
Montero appeared impressed enough to invite the Don to join in his festivities. He had spirit, and obviously too much money to know what to do with at a young age. He was someone who could easily be persuaded to invest in some foreign ventures.
The smile that had crossed Diego's face, during Alejandro's talk with Montero, was replaced by a look of sadness when his old enemy spoke again:
"May I introduce my daughter Elena."
Alejandro kissed the hand of the beautiful woman in front of him, not knowing whose daughter he was truly greeting. Elena stood like royalty in a beautiful deep, ruby red dress. The latest guest had finally provided her with some excitement after two hours of pleasantly greeting rich, old Dons and other unwanted suitors. She laughed when he effortlessly made a rose appear from thin air, and presented it to her as a gift.
Diego managed to steal one last quick glance at his now fully grown daughter before following Alejandro into the main hall. The two men then split up and whilst Alejandro made his way to Montero's table, Diego ascended the main staircase.
The Don's at the table all held glasses of brandy and were laughing merrily when Alejandro approached. He was immediately introduced by Montero, before being asked to sit next to Montero's right hand man, Captain Love. Alejandro stared at the soldier who had killed his brother months before. He may not be able to bring his brother back, but humiliating the prestigious Captain would certainly ease the pain.
"Where you not the man chasing a legendary bandit not so long ago?" Alejandro asked.
"He was hardly legendary," Love replied.
"Oh, so you caught him then." With a smile Alejandro turned back to the table and listened to Elena discuss the future California would have now her father, Montero, had returned.
Captain Love stood, and walked down towards Elena's end of the table. He leant down towards the young woman and asked her to dance. He had had enough of this new man, Alejandro, making a fool of him in front of the other Don's. Elena gracefully accepted and gave Alejandro a rather smug look. He may think he is God's gift to this Earth but his manners are atrocious, she thought.
Alejandro watched Captain Love slowly guide Elena around the dance floor. He may have been able to move gracefully, but his dancing lacked any passion. He merely executed each move with the precision taught to all soldiers in the army.
Alejandro rose from the table and interrupted the young couple. Once again Love looked annoyed.
"Can't you see we were trying to dance?"
"You were trying Captain," said Alejandro, "she was succeeding."
Alejandro took Elena's arm, and they began to dance. However this time Elena was whisked across the floor, and when the music ended Alejandro walked to the conductor, to request a more dynamic piece.
Dramatic tango music suddenly filled the air and the other dancers formed a ring around Elena and Alejandro. The couple were circling each other both sporting identical looks of longing.
Montero, looking over to see what had cased the commotion, witnessed his daughter being spun effortlessly across before falling back into to arms of Alejandro. They were both lost in a world of their own, and were only brought back to reality by the loud applause signifying the end of the music. Montero was not thrilled by the lustful way his daughter was looking at this Don.
However Montero was not the only one watching this scene unfold with interest. Up on the first floor Diego looked down over the balcony and smiled.
He allowed himself to watch the dancers for one more moment, before returning to his task. Holding a tray of drinks he swiftly made his way along the upper hallway until he saw a room up ahead, with a guard standing outside it.
Diego approached the guard, and began to cough violently. He covered his mouth, and bent over still holding the tray out with one hand. The guard took the tray looking worriedly around for anyone else who may be able to help this old man.
Diego suddenly straightened up, and turned to face the guard.
"Thank you."
He smiled before punching the guard hard in the face, causing him to crumple and fall to the ground.
Diego then silently let himself into one of Montero's offices. Above the desk hung a beautiful portrait of his wife that he stopped and looked at. She looked just as he remembered, the painting however seemed to add a few years to her appearance.
Diego walked to the desk and began opening drawers, searching for any clue as to what Montero's new plans were for California. He shifted through paper after paper, but found nothing. Feeling around the rest of the desk Diego found that the top opened to reveal another small draw inside. He opened this, and found a map, along with several small bits of paper. Collecting them up, Diego slid them into his coat pocket and closed the door.
It softly clicked shut just as Diego heard another click behind him, and felt the cold barrel of a gun press into his neck.
"Whatever you have taken from my husband, I strongly suggest that you return it. Now."