The Dons had all seated themselves around the sala, and Maria was passing out tall glasses of fresh lemonade. Diego took the glass Maria handed him with a smile. He turned to Bernardo and nodded his head toward a chair in the corner. Bernardo nodded and reached for a glass of lemonade. He settled into the leather chair and sipped at the beverage.
Diego too sipped at the cool liquid, enjoying the slightly tart taste. He walked over to the divan and sat beside his father. The room was quiet. The men sat enjoying their drinks and the peace it brought with it. It was several minutes before the stillness was broken. Don Carlos cleared his throat and turned his dark eyes on Diego. "Last night, you showed us you were more than we were willing to see--we were blind. We are not proud of our disservice to you Diego. Our strength and power, whatever it may be, is yours. The four of us," Don Carlos swung his tanned arm in a wide circle that encompassed Don Armando, Rafael, and Fernando, "make up some of the largest landowners in Lower California. Anything we have to offer is yours. Ignacio Fuentes will not harm you."
Don Diego was taken aback at the loyalty Don Carlos and the others bestowed upon him. He was overwhelmed at their generosity and felt he did not deserve such a promise. It was his fault, and his alone, that Ignacio was in California. If he had not created Zorro, there would be no real need to worry. Ignacio could challenge Diego without threatening the pueblo's champion fox. He knew that the four men, and possibly the other dons as well, would do whatever they could to help him. But Diego knew they could not stop Ignacio from revealing the fact that he was the masked bandit. Diego doubted they could even protect him if his identity became known.
Still, Diego nodded his head. "Your offer is very much appreciated, Don Carlos. If I need your assistance, I will not hesitate to ask. I am sure Father will ask for me if I do not."
Alejandro smiled sheepishly at his son. "I only do what I think is best for you Diego."
"I know father. And I appreciate it. Never doubt that."
Alejandro nodded his head. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "I thought you were going to show us some of your fancy swordsmanship, Diego. If you are still willing, it would be better to finish before the afternoon sun becomes too hot."
The other dons voiced their agreement as they rose. Diego stood up and waved toward Bernardo. Bernardo watched impatiently as Diego went through the hand motions of describing what he needed. Sometimes, Bernardo wished everyone knew he could hear just so they could forgo the time consuming display. Despite his anxiety, Bernardo acted the dutiful and deaf servant, watching Diego's hand signals diligently. After a moment, Diego stopped the charade and Bernardo nodded. He wasn't sure if he agreed with what Diego had told the Dons, nor of his impending display, but, like Diego, he could see not other option. The Dons and Alejandro were not stupid. While, Ignacio was not a man to be believed, Diego had, perhaps foolishly, confirmed Ignacio's accusation that he could fight.
Bernardo could not stop the doubt and worry that ran rampant in his mind. He knew that Ignacio was a man who would stop at nothing to get back at Diego. Bernardo suspected there was little Ignacio would not do to hurt Diego, and that included hurting Alejandro or Bernardo himself. Bernardo resolved to be careful when he was alone. He did not want Ignacio to use him against Diego. From what Bernardo knew of Ignacio Fuentes from his time in Spain, he was a cold and calculating man. Bernardo feared he knew that Diego was Zorro. When he would show his hand, Bernardo did not know. But he had not doubt that Ignacio would produce his Ace, and then, well…that was what Bernardo feared.
His mind was heavy as he topped the stairs and knelt at the bed. He had replaced the chest late last night as Diego slept, and now he once again pulled it from under the wooden frame. He carefully pulled out the sword and closed the lid. He left it unlocked, knowing he would return the prized weapon soon.
Diego and the other Dons were waiting in the plaza. Bernardo handed Diego the rapier, and Diego smiled his thanks. Diego had dreaded this moment since last night. If he fought, he was certain the men would realize he was Zorro. Yet, Diego could not think of a practical reason not to let the Dons see his fighting. He owed them that much he felt. Diego swallowed against the knot in his chest. Doctor Hernandez knew, now five others may soon join the ever growing circle. Diego feared that the circle would continue to widen and that he would be unable to stop it. Don Diego de la Vega took a slow breath and resolved himself to his fate. What would come, would come, he decided.
Diego held the sword carefully, feeling the weight and balance in his expert hands. He had not used the blade since his return from Spain. It was lighter than the sword he used as Zorro, and its balance was slightly different. Using his wrist, Diego swung the blade in several short arcs in order to reacquaint himself with the weapon.
The other men watched fascinated, as the previously inept Diego transformed into a master swordsman. After his short warm-up Diego moved into a series of lunges and parries, attacking an invisible enemy. Diego tried to alter his style so that the Dons did not see Zorro in his movements. However, Diego had fought far too long as Zorro, and his movements as the masked bandit had become instinctive.
Alejandro stared with wide eyes. Diego was indeed a master. His movements were graceful and powerful, his lunges quick and deadly. A nagging image materialized at the edge of Alejandro's thoughts and for a moment a masked face replaced that of Diego's. Alejandro gasped as the image came unbidden to his mind. No, he thought. It…it could not be! Alejandro shook his head to rid himself of the thought. Diego simply did not fight. He may be a natural swordsman, but he was not a fighter. He was a poet, a scholar at heart. Yet, the image of the masked man would not leave and Alejandro found himself accepting that there was more to Diego than he had ever believed.
Alejandro looked at the other men beside him. The men's expressions were identical. Their eyes were wide and wonder filled. Had they too figured out that Diego was more than anyone had ever dreamt he was? No…Alejandro was certain they had yet to figure it out. They were surprised, yes, but at Diego's skill, not his alter ego.
Diego was finishing his exhibition. His breaths came loud in his own ears and his muscles burned slightly from the exercise. He did not look at the men before him. Uncertainty would not let him. Diego knew Zorro had been with him. The other man was a part of Diego and he could not hide Zorro when he was fighting. Diego was not a fighter, Zorro was. Zorro's movements were ingrained in Diego's very being and no matter how hard he tried he could not keep Zorro's fiery presence from his fighting.
Summoning his courage, Diego looked up and into the faces of five very shocked faces. No one said anything as they all stared at Diego. The man they thought they knew had vanished and it his place, a new, stronger Diego had emerged. It was Alejandro who finally broke the awkward silence. "You…you are," Alejandro stopped himself. He was about to tell Diego he knew he was Zorro, but something in Diego's expression warned him not to. Was it worry or fear? Alejandro did not know. He finished his sentence with a sigh, "…truly a master, my son." The other four Dons nodded vigorously. Only Don Fernando seemed to pause in thought before he too agreed. But Alejandro had been wrong about the Dons, for they had all come to the same conclusion about Diego--that he was indeed the Fox.
ZZZ
Ignacio Fuentes saddled his chestnut mare and mounted the creature smoothly. Capitán Monastario had returned from Monterey, and Ignacio felt it was time to pay the man a visit. Ignacio felt it was important to meet a man first hand before he was to be considered a potential ally. Everything he had heard about Monastario indicated he would be eager to have Ignacio help him. Zorro was a bandit that had insulted and outwitted the Commandante, and Ignacio was certain the man would like nothing better than to have Zorro in his clutches.
Despite the information he had gathered, Ignacio wanted to be certain he could trust Monastario. Perhaps not trust, Ignacio mused. He trusted no one. Ignacio turned his thoughts to other matters as he nudged his mount toward the pueblo. If he was going to spin a web that snared the fox, he had to draw the cunning man out, make him decide the first move. Ignacio knew that Diego would simply ignore any threats to himself, but he knew Diego cared deeply for the people of Los Angeles and his father.
Ignacio smiled, his lips barely brushing the tops of his white teeth. It was not a handsome smile. It darkened Ignacio's face and made his features cruel. His eyes were shadowed by his dark blue hat and his sword hilt reflected the red of the sash that was tied around the scabbard, increasing the aura of danger that surrounded the man.
Ignacio entered Los Angeles through the main gates. He guided his horse around small wooden carts, stray dogs, and children that littered the town plaza. He half circled the fountain that lay in the center of the plaza before turning his horse toward the barracks. He dismounted and tied his horse to a wooden rail. He stroked the mare's neck for a moment before turning to the large wooden gate and the two guards who stood on either side.
"I am here to see the Commandante."
"May I have your name sir?" One of the guards asked.
"Ignacio Fuentes."
The guard nodded and turned on his heels. He entered the dusty cuartel and disappeared around a building. Ignacio waited in the sun next to the other soldier. The guard returned within a few minutes and ushered Ignacio inside. "The Commandante can see you know. Please, follow me."
The guard led Ignacio to a small, white washed building. The door was left partially open in the hope of letting in a cool breeze and Ignacio entered without knocking. Monastario looked up from his paperwork and motioned to a small chair in front of his desk. He quickly finished signing the report and set it aside. "I heard about your little tirade in the tavern the other day. The entire pueblo is still talking about it."
Ignacio smiled, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. "I do enjoy a bit of drama now and then," Ignacio confessed.
Monastario smiled tight lipped, the corners of his mouth barely moving upward. "What are you doing in our small pueblo, señor? From what I have heard you are from Spain."
"Sí, I am from Spain. I have to take care of some unfinished business. I shouldn't be here more than a few weeks. Perhaps less."
Monastario nodded absently. He did not quite trust this caballero. "What is your business?"
Ignacio shrugged, "Personal. But you might be interested in it. It involves Diego. I know you can not stand the de la Vega's and with good reason. They are meddling fools who do not know their place. I intend to fix that problem."
Monastario raised a dark eyebrow. "How do you plan on doing that? The de la Vega's are one of the most wealthy and well connected families in California. The other Dons will not sit idle if you threaten them. You are on a fool's errand." That is the reason Monastario had not truly acted on his belief that Diego was Zorro. He would not dare go against the de la Vegas without someone else backing him, he was not a stupid man.
"Perhaps," Ignacio agreed and stood. "I must take my leave Capitán. I am certain we will meet again before my business is finished. And maybe I will have something that interests you. Buenos tardes, señor."
Ignacio left the pueblo at a fast trot. He was pleased with his little visit--Monastario might be an asset that he could use. Ignacio Fuentes smirked, a dark expression that shadowed his handsome features. It was time to have a little more fun, he thought.
TBC