Charles wrapped his arms around himself as he struggled through rain and mist that was threatening to turn into sleet. His thoughts were wild and he cursed himself for being so weak and stupid. He wasn't that stupid, but he knew he had made many mistakes.

He had taken a wrong turn, finding an image of a large hacienda forming through the mist. He had wanted to get to the town and steal that money that the bandits wanted. That would end it. His sisters would be safe, and they would work out what to do next...somehow. They were not going to be put in any orphanage, or workhouse, he would make sure of it. He just wasn't sure how to yet. His sisters were definitely not going anywhere the bandits wanted to take them. He didn't know what they planned, he just knew it was bad. Slavery had no good sides. Warmth, shelter and food were not worth the indignity and the cruelty of the life that slavery promised.

He paused, staring at the gates to the whitewashed building. Should he go and ask for help? It was freezing, and he was freezing. Maybe they could take him as some sort of worker? Did they hire 14 year old boys that they didn't know? Or did they just send them to the orphanage or worse?

Should he just turn away and try again for the town? He glanced down the road, and back at the gates. He would collapse from the cold before he got half way there, he realised. The only way forward was through the gates, into the grounds of the hacienda. Should he hide in the stables? Was he bold enough to knock on the door? He was slowly realising that this hacienda was the one he had been sent to rob, and shuddered. Had he killed that man? He hoped...he prayed he hadn't. Maybe it wasn't even the same hacienda? Maybe no one was at home, just the servants or whatever?

The stables...he could imagine the warmth and the hay and the shelter that horses enjoyed. There were blankets for the horses in his father's stables, maybe there were blankets here?

He ran quickly to the doors of the stables and breathed in the familiar smell of mustiness and horses. They were kept very clean, for stables, he thought. He slipped through the main area, taking note of several grooms who drank coffee and chatted at a nearby table. It was easy enough to get past them, and, finding a ladder, he climbed up into the loft.

Lying on his back, he gazed at the roof for a moment. It was warm, and although the straw was scratchy it was so much better than walking through such rough weather. He could walk to town in the morning, he reasoned, ignoring the ache in his stomach. He felt his heart slowing down from the anxiety of his walk, and closing his eyes, he felt himself drift off to sleep.

zzz

Diego glanced back at his passengers and then stared back out into the worsening weather. If he gave Victoria's horse its head, it would return to the plaza and its home stable in the tavern. A long trip, and he knew the de la Vega hacienda was closer. If the weather just held a little longer, he could pick his way through the mist and get them all safely home.

He sighed, and removed his oilskin, draping it over Victoria's shoulders so that it covered both her and Alonso. It was freezing, and going to get colder. He urged the horse into a fast canter, but held back from a true gallop, as it would exhaust the horse before it arrived at the hacienda.

Diego wished he had his wide-brimmed hat to keep the rain off his face, trusting the ruts in the track to keep the cart on the road more than his skill with the driving.

"Diego," Victoria said over the wind. "You need this, we are alright back here."

"Keep it. The blankets are probably soaked through."

Victoria was silenced, and Diego frowned.

"I'm sorry. I am snapping at you. I apologise."

"It doesn't matter, Diego."

Yes, it damn well does, Diego thought. His plans for this day were all messed up and the woman he loved was being punished for it. She deserved so much better. He needed to remember that. Over all else, she needed his love and kindness. Especially as he had hurt her so much.

"We'll be home soon," he said. "Nice and warm, and safe."

"Yes," she said. "You are such a good driver. How do you see anything in this fog?"

He pretended he couldn't hear her, unsure of how to respond to a rare compliment.

"Posy likes you."

Diego smiled at the name. So Posy was their trusty steed? She was a fine mare and doing well despite the conditions. He had to turn her head away from her chosen path only once, and keeping to the main road he could almost sense his way home. He knew the timing of when to expect turns, and Posy had obviously been to the hacienda before, as she was fully cooperative.

"Diego, why don't you show this side of yourself more often?" Victoria said, raising her voice to be heard.

Diego closed his eyes for a moment, and pretended he didn't hear her. She sighed and retreated to silence. Why didn't he show this side of himself? He did and had as Zorro, but it wouldn't do for her to guess what he had been doing. She almost had, and hopefully had given up on the idea. The faster he could go back to being the bookworm science scholar, the better.