In order not to raise any suspicions, Diego had informed everyone in the pueblo that Victoria and Don Alejandro were also on their way to Los Angeles, having remained behind as the new doña was suffering from motion sickness, which meant that their coach needed to move slower. For that reason, he explained, he had arrived alone, to make the necessary preparations for his wife's arrival. It was a convincing story and, after having just been proven wrong when it came to Diego being Zorro, De Soto had no trouble believing it.
The two young De la Vega men thus arrived home together with their servants and vaqueros a few hours later and found Don Alejandro and Victoria in the library. They both hurried to embrace Felipe and inquire as to the reason why the house was empty upon their arrival, so the servants started recounting for their patron everything they had been through during the last few days.
"De Soto thought you were Zorro and almost hanged you, Diego? The man must be mad!" Don Alejandro uttered when they reached the last part of the story.
"He tore the official pardon right in front of me." His son answered.
"I told you he was up to something! I had a feeling about this since before we left Monterey. But I didn't even suspect he'd try to execute you! We might have lost you, Son! How could you let him arrest you just like that? Why didn't you fight back?"
"I tried… I mean, I tried to reason with him. From what Sergeant Mendoza told me, he was also set on hanging you and, perhaps, even Victoria. In the end, I thought that, if I'd at least have the chance to tell everyone the truth, you might all be spared, even if it ended up costing me my life. I'm glad it didn't, though. I'd very much like to meet my child." The caballero uttered looking lovingly towards his wife. "But you have all been through a lot," he then addressed the staff, whom he needed out of the house so that Juan and Zafira's presence there would remain secret. "I think you deserve at least a week as a small compensation for what you had to endure because of me. What do you think, Father?"
"I think we can manage the house alone this week, so I'll only be needing a couple of vaqueros for now. Whoever remains to help will be granted his free time next week? What do you say?" The older man asked and three men rapidly volunteered. "Excellent. Then, everyone else gets a paid leave in celebration of my son's wedding and, as Diego mentioned, as compensation for the ordeal you have been through!" He continued, and everyone smiled happily, heading for their quarters, leaving the De la Vegas alone in the library.
Felipe saw everyone leave, then looked inquisitively towards his father.
"It was a risky plan, Diego. You don't know how many times I came close to putting a dagger in De Soto just on the way to the gallows." Don Alejandro confessed as he poured himself a glass of wine.
"I am glad you didn't. It worked like a charm. You should have seen Juan out there!" Diego answered.
"He almost made me believe he was the true Zorro," Victoria confirmed his words. "But you, my love, must promise me to never again do something that dangerous! I need my husband by my side and our child will need a father!" She continued as he smiled his agreement.
"All I want now is a peaceful life with my family," Diego answered as Felipe, realizing he was the only one left out this time and hating that feeling, requested a detailed account of what had really happened in the plaza and during all the time his adoptive family had been away.
ZZZ
The new Doña De la Vega resumed the management of the tavern the following day, accompanied by both her husband and her new father-in-law while coming into town. Most people greeted her warmly, congratulating her for her marriage and the pregnancy.
De Soto, who had taken over her tavern while he believed her accused of treason, took some convincing when it came to giving it back to her, but eventually agreed, just as the De la Vegas were about to give up, certain they would win anyway, as soon as the rebels made their way to Los Angeles.
About four days after their return, while Diego was playing the piano, the two young women were busy setting the dinner table, Don Alejandro was beating Juan at chess and Felipe was reading a book, while also enjoying his father's music, the neighs they suddenly heard in the courtyard caused everyone to look around worriedly.
"De la Vega!" They heard De Soto's voice at the door as its owner started knocking.
"Hurry! In the cave!" Diego instructed Juan, Zafira and Felipe.
After the panel closed behind them, he opened the door and let the Alcalde and Mendoza inside.
"Good afternoon! I hope I'm not interrupting anything…" De Soto greeted politely.
"Not much. What can we do for you, Alcalde?" Don Alejandro inquired.
"I was wondering if I might have a word in private with Don Diego." The white-haired man replied.
"Whatever you have to tell me, you can say in front of my family." The tall caballero replied.
"Well…" De Soto hesitated, but went on, "it's about these rumors we've been hearing. About the Mexican troops from the south making their way up here."
"What about the rumors?" Diego questioned.
"I was thinking that it would be indeed remarkable if the garrison would be able to stop their advance. The King would surely appreciate me saving this territory from the invaders."
"Invaders? This is Mexican territory already!" Victoria pointed out enraged.
"This is Spanish territory, Señora!" De Soto corrected, eyeing her suspiciously.
"What my wife means, Ignacio, is that this is a poorly-colonized territory belonging to New Spain, and if New Spain has claimed its independence, we have little chance against its army," Diego explained and his former schoolmate seemed satisfied with that explanation.
"I see. But that is exactly my reason for this visit. As per the information I've been able to collect, the Mexicans only sent some 200 men to take California and almost half were left in San Diego and the missions south of Los Angeles. The rest are due to arrive here in a day or two. If we are ready for them, up to 100 men we can defeat. I have already sent couriers to Buenaventura and Santa Barbara but the garrisons there have not yet answered me. Those cowards they have in command must be too scared to help. But, if we manage to defeat the contingent headed for us, it will serve as the needed impulse to get their support and with their men, we could face the rest and keep this territory under Spanish rule. All we need is a clever plan… and that is where you come in." The Alcalde explained.
Diego looked towards Victoria and thought he might almost see her fuming. His father opened his mouth to say something, but his son's look was enough to stop him.
"And why should I help you after you almost had me hanged?" The tall caballero inquired.
"Because you and your father are pure-blooded Spaniards, loyal to the King, despite my… unfortunate mistake. You know that once the Mexicans occupy this territory they will do just what they've been doing in the south, booting all Spaniards out and giving their lands to their own people!" De Soto explained.
This time it was Victoria who opened her mouth to speak, but Diego lifted a hand to stop her.
"That is, indeed worrisome." The caballero said, seeing to consider the merits of De Soto's arguments. "However, if I agree to help you, what would you expect me to do?" He inquired. "I might be a decent swordsman, but I doubt my help would be enough to help you and your men defeat an army four times larger than the Los Angeles garrison."
"No… But… Diego… Truth is that the reason why I thought you to be Zorro, besides some coincidences which I had thought to be more than that, is the fact that you have always had a passion for chemistry. Even while in university, you and those friends of yours were either spending your time in the library or in the laboratory. You must know something that might give us the advantage!" De Soto explained.
The caballero looked curiously at him. "Shouldn't you perhaps ask Zorro, Ignacio? He is the one with the explosive devices…"
"Oh, at this point, I'd even agree to work with that fiend if he could be of use!" De Soto replied.
"And then shoot him in the back when he's won the battle for you." Don Alejandro couldn't help himself from adding.
The Alcalde frowned but ignored the don's remark.
"Yes… I doubt he'd help you. But perhaps I might be able to come up with something…" Diego stated.
"Perhaps?" Ignacio inquired.
"Son, tell me you're not considering this! He tried to execute you. You can't trust or help this man!" The elderly caballero uttered.
"Father, Ignacio already knows I'm no Zorro, so I don't believe I'm in any danger from him anymore," Diego asked.
"Of course not." The white-haired man confirmed.
"And he does have a point." The tall caballero explained, seeming to contemplate the perspective of helping his former schoolmate. "I'll need to study some of my books, but I'm sure I might be able to come up with something." He promised the Alcalde.
"Excellent!" De Soto exclaimed with a smile. "But you'll need to hurry. We only have a day or two at the most, so I'll expect you with a plan tonight at 8:00 p.m.." His former schoolmate instructed him.
"I will do all I can." The caballero told him as he was exiting the door, then remained pensive.
De Soto, content with the conversation and not wishing to stay longer, so he indicated to Mendoza that he should leave. "Don Diego, Don Alejandro, Doña Victoria!" He then greeted them they left, closely following his man.
