CHAPTER THREE

Four miles away in another hacienda, Diego de la Vega was throwing off his Zorro mask and cape. Bernardo his mute servant, but more friend than anything, grabbed them before they slid off Diego's dresser and onto the wooden floor.

"You will never believe this!" Diego said as he sat down on the side of his bed.

Bernardo motioning to him asked him what was the matter.

"I had a little help tonight," He said as Bernardo opened the secret passage and put the Zorro cape, hat, and sword away.

Bernardo darted back out, his eyes wide and motioning for Diego to tell him more.

"I don't know who she was, but she had already done what I had set out to do tonight."

Bernardo signed with his hands.

"No, I don't know who it was but…" A knock at the door interrupted Diego. He shook his head back in annoyance. Then realizing he was still in his Zorro outfit minus the cape and hat, he started to yank his boots off."Yes, who is it?" He asked as he tugged off his boots and shoved them under his bed.

"Who do you think it is?" Alejandro de la Vega asked. He didn't sound very happy.

"Oh Father," Diego said, stalling for time as he bent over and pulled his black pants up so that it was just below his knees.

"Is that all you have to say, Alejandro said. "Have I become such a stranger in my own house that you have to shut your door in my face?"

Throwing on his robe, Diego flung the door open. "Of course not Father."

"Then why is your door shut all the time?" Alejandro stepped inside Diego's room. "Have you something to hide?"

Diego glanced at Bernardo and then a grin broke out on his face. "Hide, me? What would I have to hide?" Diego said. "I keep my door closed because I am working on my poetry."Alejandro scratched his snow white beard and then clasped his hands behind his back. "Working on your poetry, huh?"

"Correct Father," Diego said. "Poetry is quite the fashion now a days."

Alejandro grunted and started to walk around the room. He stopped at Diego's writing desk and pointed to the bare wood top. "Why is there nothing on your desk? Not even a scrap of paper?"

Diego could feel himself starting to sweat. "Because, I uh," He glanced at Bernardo for inspiration. Bernardo wasn't much help. He was staring at the floor.

"Because Father, I have it written all down in my head," Diego said tapping his skull with his finger. He was about to breathe a sigh of relief when his father spoke again.

"Let me hear some of this writing that is in your head."

Diego didn't answer for a second.

"What is the matter, do you think this old man is going to steal your pretty songs?"

Diego gritted his teeth. He wished he didn't have to keep up this charade. Every second he was near Alejandro he could sense the quiet disdain that his father felt for what he thought Diego had become.

"Alright Father, here is a sample of some of my work," Diego said. He could see Bernardo raising his head. He took a deep breath and began.

"Zorro the Fox,

How brave and how bold.

How many stories of him,

Will be told?

For his desperate appeal,

To make everything right,

He will die all alone.

Who will finish his fight?"

Diego couldn't believe it. He had actually made up a poem on the spot. He made sure not to act too excited.

"You call that poetry?" Alejandro's face was red, and his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

"What is wrong with it?"

"It mocks Zorro the person who is braver than every man in this pueblo." Alejandro made his way to the door. "I wish some people I know could be more like him."

"What did you really come in here for Father?" Diego's voice was cold.

"I came in here to see if my son would like to go with me to a meeting Don Pedro is having tomorrow night. It is to discuss what is to be done about what the Capitan is doing to this town and it's people."

"I will come with you. Maybe I won't disappoint you too much." This time it was Diego's eyes that narrowed.

"Goodnight Diego," Alejandro said as he stepped out of the room.

"Goodnight Father," Diego said.

Bernardo came up and clapped him on the back.

"Thanks Bernardo," Diego said. "I was sure I was sunk for a minute. I couldn't believe he wanted me to recite a poem."

Bernardo ran his hand over his forehead.

"Yes I was nervous too," Diego said. He watched Bernardo again. "Oh about the women. I have no idea who she is, but I wish I did know."