Chapter 3

All Victoria could think was, she must have imagined it. It had to be. Still, an insecure feeling gnawed at her.
If it was all happening in her mind, why did she suddenly hear the voices of people who said nothing? She had tested it on corporal Sulpevelda and heard nothing. Then why did she hear Alicia and de Soto? Victoria tried to remember someone else with whom she had made eye contact. She could not come up with a name.

Maybe she should test it again. If only to rule out the possibility that she lost her mind overnight. To be on the safe side, but with whom?
A cursory glance at the tavern taught her that it was now empty.

Alicia was busy wiping the last tables with a cloth. "Victoria, if it is all right by you, I'll go home and be back before five o'clock."

Victoria was in doubt. Would she try to make eye contact with Alicia again to see if she heard anything? No, Victoria decided, somewhere deep down, fearing to hear a voice again. It had nothing to do with the stack of jealousy Victoria had felt when Alicia had mentioned don Diego. It was best to ask someone else.
"Yes, that is fine," Victoria answered Alicia, her question, who was on her way to the kitchen with the last tray of dishes.

As soon as Alicia left the tavern, Victoria closed it and hurried across the plaza, looking for someone to make eye contact.

Call it coincidence, but the first people she spotted were sergeant Mendoza and corporal Sulpevelda.

"Good afternoon, señorita Escalante." The ever-cheerful sergeant greeted her. "I'm looking forward to tonight. It promises to be a terrific party." Mendoza rubbed his hands over his stomach.

"Indeed, sergeant." Victoria felt a little uncomfortable as she tried to make eye contact with Sulpevelda, who was looking straight ahead. Victoria made eye contact and heard...,

nothing.

Although now that she listened more carefully, Victoria heard a kind of soft hum.

However, as soon as her gaze passed over Mendoza's face and their eyes met for half a second, she heard a sort of cacophony of words.

I think I start tonight with the pollo a allio. And then a tamale, or shall I have the chilli of imported beans afterwards? Oh, I hope the señorita made it. The only thing tastier than her chilli is beans and fried bacon. Or shall I take empanada? Would there also be cornbread? And a big slice of apple pie and flan. Or shall I have some fruit dessert? And, and…, oh, a tortilla, or roast boar. Maybe señora Sanchez made her speciality. Señorita Escalante cooks delicious, but señora Sanchez's meatloaf, I'll die for.
There was no end to it. Mendoza kept listing dishes in his head as Victoria tried to convince herself she was not hearing anything. It was tricky since Mendoza had now come to praise her roast turkey that apparently tasted better than the meatloaf of señora Sanchez.

"STOP!" Victoria shouted, breaking the silence. Now aware that what she was saying made no sense, as no one was saying anything. And she was to look at strangely by both sergeant Mendoza and corporal Sulpevelda.
Victoria stammered half an apology. "Um…, sorry. I'm just thinking of something. I have to…, ehh…, I just…, have to check something."

Victoria fled away and tried to understand why she heard the thoughts of de Soto, Alicia and Mendoza and not those of Sulpevelda. Unless the man had no thoughts of his own...? Victoria stopped abruptly in the middle of the plaza.

Oh, could that be it? She wondered, walking on at a slower pace.
None of the lancers was known for their great intelligence. It could be an explanation for her not hearing the corporal? He simply lacked any thoughts.

Victoria fled back into the tavern and sat down at the first chair she came across. She could hear what people were thinking, and it was to last for the rest of the day. A wide smile came on her face.
Victoria had no doubts Zorro was going to show up today. It was Christmas, and he'd come by to wish her happy holidays. He always did.

When he did, and she managed to make brief eye contact. She could find out his identity.

What was it had Señora Claus said again? There were three rules. Hastily, Victoria tried to remember every word that the woman had said.
People could lie in their minds.
The drink only worked today and until midnight.
Eye contact, however brief, was necessary.

That was nice because if she had to listen to Mendoza and his chatter over food. Or de Soto, and his self-righteous gibberish all the time, she became loco.

De Soto was planning something to capture Zorro. Victoria felt some concern, then remembered Alicia her words. De Soto was planning to capture Zorro all the time. Undoubtedly, the thoughts she had heard was something he was mesmerizing over every day. Zorro was way too clever for de Soto and his brilliant schemes.
It would not surprise her when Zorro was already aware of whatever it was de Soto had planned.

No, her priority for today was to make sure she could make eye contact with Zorro. And preferably without Zorro getting distracted by a sword fight or something else. So all his thoughts were for her and her alone.

A soft knock on the back door startled Victoria, and she saw Felipe standing in the doorway with two baskets full of oranges. Her new talent aroused her curiosity. The deaf-mute boy could usually make clear what he meant with hands and gestures.
Still, the temptation to find out what the boy was thinking was too great.

"Buenos Días, Felipe," Victoria spoke calmly and slowly, knowing that Felipe was trying his best to read her lips. "I see you brought me the oranges for the sangria I asked Diego for. Muchas gracias."

Felipe started gesturing, Victoria had no trouble following him. You are welcome, señorita.
I am so thirsty. I hope señorita Escalante offers me a drink.

Making eye contact with Felipe had been easy. What Victoria had not anticipated was hearing a voice. After all, the boy was mute. But now, for the first time, she hears him pronounce words.
De Soto, Alicia and Mendoza all thought in their own voice. It made Victoria wonder whether this was how Felipe voice would sound had he been able to speak.

Felipe wanted a drink. It was not unusual for her to offer Felipe something after he had done her a favour. "Felipe, do you like a glass of lemonade? You look thirsty." Victoria offered the boy.

Yes, please. Felipe nodded his head.

Victoria turned to grab a pitcher and pour a glass of lemonade, which was difficult, her hands shaking too wild.

His voice was mild and polite. Just as Victoria imagined how it would sound. In her eyes, tears started to burn. Victoria felt pain for the boy with no voice.

How nice that Victoria offered me a drink. I mustn't forget to warn Diego that the alcalde seemed to be in too good of a mood. It looks like he is planning something to catch Zorro again. Not surprising and not that he will ever succeed, but forewarned is for armed.

Victoria almost spilt the lemonade. Why did Felipe want to warn Diego about something to do with Zorro?

The alcalde is as blind as anyone else in the pueblo. I especially wish that she could see Diego for the man he is. How much he does for her and everyone.

It got crazier by the minute. Diego, doing a lot for the pueblo? Yes, Felipe had some point. You could always ask Diego when you need help with anything. But to think she didn't see Diego for the man he was, was an exaggeration.

Suddenly, Victoria remembered what Mrs Claus had said. A person can lie to himself in his mind. That was a reasonable explanation for Felipe's thoughts. The boy adored Diego, and why wouldn't he? Diego saved the boy from dying years ago. He was not to blame for admiring Diego like a hero.
Diego had been a young man of barely seventeen at the time. He had taken the orphan back to the hacienda and given him a home and all the care, love and attention a child could wish.
No, it made perfect sense for Felipe to ascribe qualities to Diego that the handsome, charming caballero did not possess.

Victoria placed the glass on the table in front of Felipe. "Are you coming to the ball tonight?"

Felipe nodded enthusiastically and had a grin on his face.
Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'm already looking forward to your flan, and I know I am not the only one. It is also Zorro, his favourite.
After this, Felipe emptied his glass in one gulp and stood up, signalling to Victoria with a simple wave of his hand that he was leaving again.
I need to find out whatever it is de Soto is planning.

Victoria gave another wave, and Felipe was gone. Victoria still had the weird idea she got offered a piece of the puzzle. And the solution should be easy to solve but was invisible to her for some strange reason.
Determined, she shook off the odd feeling. She still had a lot to do and wanted to look her best tonight.

So, Zorro liked her flan. That was good to know. But how did Felipe come by that information? Dismissing the question, Victoria hurried herself to do some last chores.

By now, Victoria got convinced she must try to make eye contact with the masked hero to unravel his secret.
All she had to do was wait and be patient for less than ten hours.
After tonight, her life would never be the same.

.

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