Chapter 6 [Los Angeles—Pueblo's Plaza]

Fear and Outrage radiated throughout the area. The peasants huddled together. The now-disarmed lancers stood off to the side. With them, honest workers herded into that area. The guardsmen held all of them at gunpoint.

Riscendo narrowed his eyes. He needed to cow the rabble. He paced to and fro before the Alcalde's office. He'd declared martial law. His men had confiscated every weapon. The only question remained as to how long he could hold the group. He tired of the yelling and the cries.

"Not so easy. Is it?" Victoria frowned. Resentment simmered in her eyes. "The Alcalde and I were only guilty of wanting to greet you as a guest. You have made a mess!"

"Señorita Escalante, por favor." The Alcalde winced. "We are in enough trouble as it is. You're making things worse."

"I'd listen to him." Hidalgo shook his head at her.

"Oh let her talk, Lieutenant." Riscendo strutted over to her. He raised her face by her chin. His eyes met hers. "These two are under sentence of death. I can take her sharp tongue for now. I look forward to silencing it."

Victoria smirked. "Just you wait! As if Zorro would let that happen? He will be here!"

Riscendo coughed. "Oh I am counting on it. I do want a challenge." He turned to the Alcalde. "With your bungling, De Soto, and your lancers' incompetence, it is all too easy." He motioned to Hidalgo.

"¿Si, Emisario?" Hidalgo turned his attention to his superior.

"Is everything ready for our masked friend? I would not want him to feel neglected. Now would I?" Riscendo smirked to Victoria. "Perhaps nuestra anfitriona might want to be with him at his end?"

"I would walk through Hell itself at his side!" Victoria set her jaw. Challenge flashed in her eyes.

Riscendo shook his head. "You never know who your betters are." He heard hoofbeats coming from the road beyond. "Perhaps our guest of honor?" He watched Alejandro and Lucinda ride up to him. "Well now! A man of fine breeding! Perhaps of better breeding than this incompetent?" He motioned to the Alcalde.

"Tell him this is illegal and immoral, De la Vega!" The Alcalde called out.

"De la Vega, is it?" Riscendo nodded. "Do tell, Señor. I am waiting."

Alejandro got down off of his horse. His eyes took in the captive area. "The Alcalde is correct, Señor. What harm has Los Angeles done to you?" He shook his head. "And si. I am Don Alejandro De la Vega. I am a friend to the royal court and loyal to Spain. Who are you?"

Riscendo's eyes went wide. "I am Gilberto Riscendo, Emissary of King Ferdinand. I have been sent here to collect a special war tax on his behalf. He needs 10,000 pesos from Los Angeles. Let this dung heap pay its share!" He regarded the newcomer. His mother's words once again echoed in his ears. "There are some who resist."

"Resist? ¡Emisario, por favor! This pueblo is loyal to the Crown. We would do anything for King Ferdinand. What you do goes beyond the role of tax collector," Alejandro implored. "Soldados holding the people at gunpoint? Threats? Holding the Alcalde at gunpoint? This is not the way."

Riscendo shrugged. "And what is the way? I see incompetents at every turn. Perhaps you might bring some sense to this village?"

"I do make my points to the Alcalde. Remember though that like you, the royal court named him to his post." Alejandro turned to the Alcalde. "Is this the one to have been our guest?"

"That is correct, Don Alejandro!" Indignity puffed up the Alcalde's chest. "If he entered our pueblo in a dignified manner, we were prepared to welcome him. Instead he slipped in and had his men surround us like a group of comancheros!"

"Comancheros are we?" Riscendo frowned. "Perhaps if your lancers were better trained and alert, you might have stopped me! Your incompetence is treason against the King!"

"Is that part of your charge, Emisario?" Alejandro challenged. "Surely we can discuss this like gentlemen? Let them go."

"We can. I would ask, Don Alejandro, what of you? How do you sanction this bandito, Zorro, in this pueblo? He flouts royal authority. He inspires revolt and insurrection against our King. And you call yourself a friend of the Royal Court?" Riscendo snorted. "Or are you going to be like this one?" He motioned to Victoria. "She will learn soon enough."

"Victoria Escalante is assertive in her views. Si. She is a good woman. Her tavern is muy importante to this pueblo and region. She is passionate about her friends and neighbors. Is that treason?" Alejandro supposed. "Now that drink perhaps?"

"Perhaps when I have made my point." Riscendo grabbed Victoria's arm. "She can be the example for everyone to follow!"

"Let me go!" Victoria pulled back against his grip.

Alejandro shook his head. "Emisario the King would never sanction this." His hand went for his sword.

Hidalgo held his pistol against Alejandro's head. "But the Emisario is the King." He looked to Riscendo.

"Well put, Lieutenant. It seems the treason runs deep here. Does it not?" Riscendo shook his head. "Watch him but let him keep his sword. I have my own dealings with Don Alejandro as well."

"AND WHAT OF OUR DEALINGS?" Zorro rode into the pueblo. Outrage and Indignity flared in his eyes and curled his lip.

Riscendo had sown the wind. Now he'd reap the whirlwind….