Zorro looked around at the crowd. "Señorita, I really don't think-"
She put her hand up. "I understand Zorro. Whenever you wish to take the mask off is fine with me. But I do know one thing."
"What is that, Señorita Mara?"
She walked closer to him. "The man behind that mask is the same man that Zorro is. They are no different in any way. Embrace who you are, Zorro. Don't be ashamed of your true identity." Mara looked at Victoria and back again at Zorro. "I'm not the only one who feels that way."
-----
After Zorro rode away to consider his new found freedom, Mara went back inside the tavern and sat down next to Felipe. Alejandro got her some juice and sat across from her.
"Well, Zorro certainly has a lot to think about now that you have given him his freedom."
Felipe touched her arm and signed. "What do I think he will decide?" Felipe nodded. "I don't know. He's been hiding for so long. He may not want to reveal his identity."
Alejandro looked at Mara with confusion. "Señorita Mara, how did you understand what Felipe said to you?"
"After my parents died, I would not speak to anyone so I used sign language to talk to people. It was my Grandfather who got me to speak again, but I still liked to sign to him because no one could understand us." Diego entered the tavern and walked to his family.
Alejandro greeted him. "Diego, you missed another good show today. Señorita Mara gave Zorro his freedom."
Diego sat down next to Alejandro. "Oh really? Did you find out who he is?"
"No we didn't. It's a pity though. I know that Victoria was looking forward to it." Mara looked over at the counter where Victoria was busying herself. Mara could tell that she was fighting back emotions.
'Poor Victoria,' she thought to herself.
-----
After their noon meal, the De la Vegas escorted Mara back to their home for their afternoon siesta. Everyone was tired and had things on their minds, so Mara was left alone. She read books from Diego's library to pass the time until the evening meal.
Alejandro tried to make conversation, but neither Diego nor Felipe wanted to talk. The silence was almost more than Mara could bear so she excused herself early and finished reading until it was late. Then she went to her room and began to get ready to sleep.
Before she was finished unbuttoning her vest, two hands grabbed her from behind.
"Now I've got you, Miss Hot-shot-swords-woman. I'm here to play your game." She struggled, but the man pressed a cloth to her face and she fainted away. "You will tell me who Zorro is, Mara Kendall. You will."
-----
Short, I know.