Chapter 5 [Rancho de la Vega]

Diego forced his eyes open. His face felt flushed. His arms and legs felt like lead. Chill elicited shivers. He hacked into his fist. His sinuses pounded. What now? Of all the times to be ill! He eased himself into a sitting position. We have that guest coming! He pulled himself into a standing position. I'll have to mix up a eucalyptus tonic to clear my head. He dressed in his shirt, slacks and shoes. He combed his hair.

Even if he was sick, he'd still look the proper caballero's part. He'd greet the Alcalde's guest. He hoped to interview everyone for the Guardian. Perhaps he'd endure Victoria's scolding and lectures for a bowl of her soup and kindness. He studied Mirror's likeness. I will have to make the best of it. He coughed again. He blew his nose into his handkerchief.

Felipe met him a couple of doors down. He could see that Diego was clearly not at his best. He signed his concern.

Diego put his hand up. "Please, Felipe. I know I should be in bed. Today is too important for Los Angeles. It is not every day we get visitors."

Felipe rolled his eyes. His fingers signed at a frenetic pace.

"Si. I should. Alas I cannot. I am sorry. I know you mean well, Felipe." Diego managed a smile for his friend. He stopped at the water closet. He made sure to wash his hands so as not to spread whatever malady plagued him. He rasped.

"Diego?" Alejandro looked up from the latest land survey. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you ill?"

"I must've picked up the flu in the pueblo." Diego rubbed his forehead. "We can get through today. I'll get my interview. Then I can get some soup from Victoria. Maybe I can rest this afternoon before that dinner tonight."

"That can wait, Diego. You should be in bed. I'll go to town and get the doctor." Alejandro looked him over again. "I'm sure the Alcalde and his guests will understand if we put the meal off a couple of days. Felipe can make you some tea. Come on now. Back to bed. You rest. ¿Entiendes me?"

"Si, Father." Diego relented. He still needed to get to the cave for the eucalyptus. "I'd appreciate that soup. Maybe not with Mendoza's spoon in it?"

Alejandro ground his teeth. He cursed a few choice words in Spanish under his breath. He recalled Mendoza's sneezing and coughing during Sunday's church service. "I will have a word with the Alcalde. He cannot be spreading disease in the pueblo like this."

"Father, it will do…do no….good. I…." Diego plastered his kerchief in front of his face. The cloth stifled his latest sneeze.

"That is the last word. I will go to town. You will go to bed."

A frantic beating echoed from the front door.

"Now what?" Alejandro frowned. He marched across the entryway. He opened the door.

Lucinda quaked. Tears flowed from bloodshot eyes. She labored to get her breath. "S…Señor."

"Si. Come in." Alejandro guided her into the hacienda. "You are at the Rancho de la Vega. Can we help you?"

"¿Que pasa Lucinda?" Diego considered the visitor. He knew her to be a quiet and hard-working girl. He recalled her hustle about the tavern either as waitress or dishwasher in the back. Much as with Victoria, she had a smile on her face much of the time.

She forced her eyes to meet Diego's. She knew the two men cared for her boss. She'd also seen Diego steal glances at her from his corner table. "Don Diego." She shuddered. "Soldados en el pueblo." She sucked in a deep breath. "Señorita Victoria….she sent me. Ella fue a enfrentarlos."

Diego stared at her. He hacked a few more coughs into his handkerchief. His heart threatened to stop. He could well imagine Victoria standing strong against the soldiers' threat. He steadied himself. Body ached. Heart and Soul pressed him toward the fireplace and cave beyond. "Father, we have to go. This…this cannot stand."

Alejandro quirked an eyebrow. He regarded his son for a few heartbeats. Since the latter's return from Spain, he'd harassed and cajoled to see some sign of bravery. He fumed over Cowardice's hold on Diego. Now he saw some fire and iron but when the latter could barely stand. "Diego, I will go. You will go to bed." He motioned toward Diego's bedroom.

"Father! You cannot go alone!" Diego protested. "We have our duty! Surely we can talk to these men?"

Alejandro sighed. "Diego, just when I thought you were showing strength, you want to simply 'talk'. If there are negotiations to be had, I will attend to them. You need that bed ahora! Rest por favor."

"I cannot. Father, Victoria's our friend. I cannot simply just sleep when she needs our intervention!" Diego argued. He watched Alejandro cinch his belt around his waist. "Give…me a minute."

"Diego, I have told you." Alejandro narrowed his eyes. "Have Felipe take you to bed. I promise. I will make sure Victoria's safe." He rubbed Diego's arm. Then he turned to Lucinda. "Vamanos."

"Gracias, Don Alejandro." She followed Alejandro out the door. She glanced back at Diego. Despite his leaning against the wall, she beheld Fire and Passion in his eyes. She nodded to him. Then she left.

Diego sucked in a few more pained breaths. He frowned at Contagion's hold on him. Still Duty called him for his people, his pueblo and his heart. His feet strode labored stride after labored stride across the floor toward the fireplace.

Felipe rushed to his side. Despite Alejandro's orders, he knew Diego better than that. He shook his head.

"Felipe, enough!" Diego abandoned Meekness' mask and tone. He collected himself. "Forgive me, my Friend. I…I cannot let Father face them…alone." He pressed the button.

The fireplace's hidden panel sprang open.

"Follow me." Diego led Felipe down the passage. His coughing echoed off the granite walls. He slowly made his way down the stairs. "I'll need the tincture." He grabbed a bag. He pulled out two crushed leaves.

Felipe batted away the strong odor from himself.

"Eucalyptus. It is very strong." Diego put three crushed leaves and a little water in a glass beaker. He set a towel over his head. "I hope it is." He saw the water boil and steam. He leaned over the beaker. He inhaled deeply of the fumes. His head started to clear. "Better for the moment."

Felipe signed his concern.

"I can manage a few hours. Let's hope the tincture does not wear off before then." Diego held up a small blue bottle. He gulped down its contents. Then he set the bottle on the table. He steadied himself. The chills subsided. The sweat dried on his skin. His arms and legs regained some of their feeling at least.

Felipe frowned. He signed the Z through the air.

"Felipe, I know. Zorro must ride. Whoever these soldiers are, they must be taught a stern lesson." Diego took his dark clothes from their hooks. He changed into his shirt and pants. He managed to pull on his boots. He cinched his belt and sword around his waist. His whip hung from another clip on that same belt. He secured his cape. He tied his mask at the back of his head. His hat rest atop his head.

Toronado whinnied at him.

Zorro rolled his eyes. "Not you too, Toronado. Los Angeles needs us."

Toronado snorted.

"Si. Si. Victoria needs us." Zorro hefted the ornate saddle onto his friend's back. He slipped the bridle over his friend's head. "I have plenty of time to rest later." He pulled himself up into the saddle. He urged his friend onward. He had Toronado press down on the panel in the cave floor.

The hidden door opened in the hillside.

"Felipe, watch everything. I will return soon." Zorro urged Toronado into a gallop. He disappeared from view.

Toronado's hooves flashed in Sol's light. His long legs devoured the distance between hacienda and pueblo in short order.

Zorro's clock was ticking. His tonic would only last so long. For Victoria and pueblo, he'd need to deal with everything. He had to evade the soldiers, lancers, this emissary and the Alcalde.

Nothing was ever easy…