Chapter Four: The New Commandante (Part 1)

Tomas panted heavily as he ran back under the cover of night, constantly looking over his shoulder to see if any of the soldiers, or worse – Zorro! – were following him. The outline of the Los Angeles cuartel was in sight, giving him very little relief as he remembered who was waiting for him inside. He almost wished that Zorro had caught him now. Though his lungs seemed ready to burst and his feet were heavy, he forced himself onward, using the ladder that had been tactfully placed against the wall of the cuartel. Carefully, he climbed the ladder and peered over the side, sighing in relief as he saw there were no watchmen on guard, the door of the Commandante's office cracked open as weak light spilled from the windows. The man slipped over the edge, scaling the roof of the prison before dropping himself onto the ground with care. With his heart pounding madly inside of him, he forced himself to hold his breath and knock tentatively on the door.

"Enter," answered a harsh, growling voice, only furthering to make Tomas's stomach turn in fear. With his fingertips, he dared to push the door open and stepped into the room. There, by the Commandante's desk was his master, Señor Juarez, and a man decked in his military suit, his clear green eyes glittering suspiciously at the poor man. "Shut the door," the superior said coolly, sitting down at his new desk. The trembling man did so, fearing for his life with each passing second.

"Where are the others?" Juarez demanded, his brows knitting together in concern.

"We…had some trouble, jefe," Tomas answered, feeling his knees knocking before the two angry men. "Don Carlos returned home to fight us off."

"You mean to tell me an old man fought off four well-off men?" the military man growled angrily.

Tomas shook his head violently. "N-no…his daughter and servant came, too… and…"

"And?"

"…Zorro."

Juarez felt the blood drain from his face, becoming as pale as a sheet. "I should have known better… if he had been able to stop the men from getting the stagecoach, of course he would be at the Pulido hacienda-!"

"If you had known better, then I account you as the one fully responsible for this botched operation," the superior officer snapped. Pointing at the door, he glared at Tomas. "Get out." The poor peon scrambled away, never once looking back at the two men. The military man arose from his chair, clasping his hands behind his back as he stalked towards Señor Juarez. Each step was silent, despite his heavy boots, and he did not relent until the man had his back to the wall. "Even before I arrived in this backwater town this evening, I've heard that name being echoed throughout all of California…in Capistrano…San Juan…Monterrey…and most of all, here in Los Angeles. The people whisper his name with reverence, or shout it in awe…" Lowering his face, he glared into Juarez's large eyes. "Who is Zorro?"

Juarez swallowed hard, his nerves on edge with this dangerous man. "…no one knows, Commandante Riviera. He wears a mask and only appears when the people are endangered."

"Then we will be seeing quite a bit of him with me around now, won't we?" sneered the new Commandante, backing away slowly from the destitute man. "You should consider yourself fortunate, Juarez. When we met in Monterrey over a year ago, I invested quite a bit of money in you…now that your crops have failed and you've squandered my generous loan, you are in quite a pickle. The only reason I've bothered to assist you any further is because the Pulido family has quite the fortune from Spain. And yet, here I am finding criminals and simpletons to help you steal some of their fortune, and I receive nothing!" Withdrawing his sword from its scabbard, he ran his finger along the length of cold steel, feeling Juarez's frightened gaze upon him. "I certainly hope no one saw your pitiful, blindly faithful servant working with those rogues I hired for you. Otherwise, I shall have to dispose of you both…I certainly can't risk my reputation as the new Commandante of this town."

"Please, señor, I beg of you!" Juarez pleaded, falling to his knees to grovel at Riviera's feet. "Give me another chance! I can get the money for you, just be patient-" He gasped and Riviera spun, pointing the saber at his nose.

"I cannot tell you how patient I have been," Riviera purred, enjoying the sight of Juarez's trembling form. "I shall give you one last chance, Juarez, because I am a generous man…but let me remind you…fail me this time…" He lashed out, slicing a candlestick in half and watching it topple to the floor. "And your will be snuffed out…just like that."

~Z~

Dawn brought the song of cheerful birds that morning, causing Bernardo to nod his head and smile as he watered the plants of the de la Vega courtyard. He was delighted to have found his young master and friend, Don Diego, last night in the secret cave where he kept his noble steed, Tornado. Diego appeared to be filled with fire, never speaking about how wonderful and brave Lolita Pulido was, and how demure and innocent she could be as she looked into his eyes. Unfortunately, his joy was short lived when he remembered the Lolita was taken with Zorro and disappointed with Diego. Bernardo had a strong feeling, however, that things might change for Diego.

The sound of horses approaching the hacienda made Bernardo straighten at once, turning around and running for the open door of the sala. Waving his hands in the air, he gained Don Alejandro's attention and pointed to the front door. "Visitors?" Alejandro asked, watching Bernardo nod. "Diego!" he shouted, waiting until his son had emerged from the library. "Bernardo says that we have guests outside. See who it is, won't you?"

"Of course," Diego nodded, fixing his tie and motioning for Bernardo to follow. The two men walked out and waited as one of the Indian servants opened the door and ushered in two young women. Diego felt his heart stop when he saw Lolita and Consuela enter his home, the two of them dressed in riding habits. The smile on his face showed all the joy he felt as he saw them, and it only grew wider when he saw Lolita stare at him a moment before smiling back shyly. "Buenos dias, señoritas!"

"Buenos dias, Don Diego," Lolita curtsied to him. Facing Bernardo, she offered her hand and cheerfully greeted him. "Hello! What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm afraid he's both deaf and mute," Diego interrupted as Bernardo happily shook hands with Lolita. "This is Bernardo, he's my manservant."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lolita apologized, only to receive a bright smile from Bernardo.

"Don't fret about it, he's quite all right," Diego chuckled, bowing to both ladies before crossing his arms over his chest. "What can I do for you this fine morning?"

"My father wishes to invite you and your father to join us for supper tonight, seeing as last night did not go as planned. He wanted to make it up to you both for your generosity and hospitality," Lolita explained. Casting Bernardo a smile, she added, "Please, bring Bernardo along if you wish. He can stay with Consuela, she makes a fine arroz con pollo that I'm sure he'll enjoy."

"We would be honored," Diego beamed, patting Bernardo's shoulder. "I'm sure he will enjoy it, gracias." Just for safe measure, Diego pretended to sign to his 'deaf' servant, making gestures about Consuela cooking and Bernardo eating, to which Bernardo nodded his head excitedly and rubbed his belly. Both Lolita and Consuela giggled at his reaction until the servant women gave Lolita a look.

"I will stay with Bernardo a while, señor, while Lolita speaks with you," she said politely, bowing her head before linking arms with a pleasantly surprised Bernardo and walking off to smell the courtyard flowers. Glancing back, she saw Lolita bite her lip and motion for Diego to walk with her, the two of them moving in the opposite direction. Confident that Lolita could manage, she focused on the scene before her, smiling as Bernardo pointed to a flower bush and gestured for her to sniff the fragrant petals. "Very well," she agreed, kneeling down and reaching out towards the flowers. She closed her eyes and sniffed its rich scent, humming in delight until she felt a sharp sting in her forefinger. "Ay!" she exclaimed suddenly, withdrawing her hand at once to inspect a spot of red now appearing on her hand.

The moment she cried out, Bernardo knelt down and took her hand in his, his brows furrowing as he looked at her hand. He pointed to it and the bush, shrugging his shoulders. "I must have pricked my finger, Bernardo, I'm all right," Consuela consoled him, patting his shoulder. "I'm all right, really. It's just a pinch, really. You know how that is." He nodded vigorously, his eyes large as if he meant to say, 'yes I do'. She laughed at this, earning a smile from the man when her brows began to knit together. "That's very strange…" Raising an eyebrow at him, she whispered, "I thought you couldn't hear." He nodded with a smile, when his eyes began to widen as he realized his mistake. He shook his head, then nodded, then shook it again, looking away in worry as he knew that Consuela was now onto him for having responded to her questions. Feeling her hand on his shoulder, he held his breath and looked back, his eyes filled with worry until she whispered, "I won't say anything of this to anyone, Bernardo. Whatever reason you have to pretend you cannot hear, I promise you that I will not expose you…perhaps someday, I will understand." His heart was sudden filled with elation at her kindness and promise, his smile uncontainable as he looked upon the Indian woman. He wondered if this was what Diego felt when he thought of Lolita.

All the while, Lolita and Diego strolled around the courtyard, the two of them avoiding each other's eyes. Inhaling deeply, Lolita stopped and raised her face. "Don Diego, I want to apologize for what I said last night. That was very unladylike of me to say those things to you."

"No, please," he pleaded, moving his hand to place it on her shoulder. "Don't say that." He paused just as he was about to touch her, pulling his hand away and letting it fall to his side. With a careless shrug, he explained, "You are new here and do not know. I'm known to the people of Los Angeles as the worst swordsman in all of California." He chuckled at this, his eyes locking with Lolita's as he became somber. "I am sorry I could not help you the way you wanted me to."

Shaking her head, Lolita took Diego's hands in her own and held them up, sending a spark through his body. "You did send that letter to Capitan Fernandez and Sergeant Garcia, and they came just after Zorro left-"

"Zorro?" Diego asked, an amused look appearing on his face.

"Sí," she blushed. "He came and helped us. He defeated all but one who escaped."

"My, isn't that fortunate?" he asked. "Just in time to save the day."

"At least he fought and put them in their place-" She stopped, casting her eyes downward. "I'm sorry, I did it again. Catalina and Carlotta tell me I ought to hold my tongue-"

"On the contrary, Señorita," Diego spoke, taking her hands and kissing her knuckles. "I find it most refreshing that you dare to speak your mind. I would much rather be in the presence of an honest lady than a polite one…even if the truth hurts."

She smiled sympathetically at him, reaching up to cup her hand against his cheek. Diego felt his breath hitch as she did so, his blood racing in his veins. "I know you're a good man, Don Diego, even if your tactics at handling a situation are different than what I expect. Please, forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive," he said, nearly choking on his words as he smiled back tenderly. He had known many women that had instantly fallen for his bravery as Zorro, and all of them were beautiful with their charms, but he had never received an apology as Diego. Usually, most women would hound him about why he couldn't be more like his alter ego, but this…this was a first. Never had a woman accepted him completely as his passive self or apologized for making him feel that he was not man enough.

Lolita released him of her hold, tilting her head at him as she continued. "Please understand, Don Diego, I grew up surrounded by men with hot blood who would thrust their sword into a fray without a second thought for any reason." Her lips stretched into a wistful smile at this. "My own father was such a man in his youth…he would have leapt through fire for my mother."

"Doña Catalina is certainly a beautiful woman worth fighting for," Diego agreed politely.

"Oh…yes, she is," she said, her smile fading. "However…I was speaking about my birth mother."

Diego realized his mistake and grimaced. "Lo siento…I forgot. You mentioned Doña Catalina was your stepmother when you introduced them to me yesterday. I take it Yolanda and Carlotta are your stepsisters?"

"Sí," she nodded the affirmative. "My real mother's name was Maria…I miss her still." She hugged her arms as she remembered her mother, her hand moving to her silver locket. "She died when I was ten years old. I do love Catalina, she's a good woman, and Papá loves her, but…"

"…I lost my mother when I was six," Diego said softly. "My father has vowed he will never love another, and though I was young when I lost her, I feel that she is still with us." He tapped his chest, pointing to his heart with a bittersweet smile. "He used to tell me she made a home in here, and she would always be with me no matter what…"

"I'm so sorry," Lolita said, accepting Diego's hands as he shyly took hold of hers.

"I am, too, for your loss," he answered, giving her hands a light squeeze. "I understand what you mean when you say your father would risk it all for your mother, because I know my father was the same, too. Perhaps, someday, I will be that way, too."

"Perhaps," she smiled, linking her arm with his as he offered his arm to her. "Don Diego?"

"Sí, Señorita?" he asked coolly with a cocky smile, earning a laugh from the girl.

"Consuela and I were going to ride to the mission to leave some donations for the poor. Would you ride with us?"

A hearty laugh filled the air, catching both Bernardo and Consuela's attention as they looked to their young master and mistress. "I would not miss this opportunity for the world," Diego grinned, kissing Lolita's hand once more. "Allow me a few moments to prepare the horses."

~Z~

The mission of San Gabriel lay opposite of the pueblo of Los Angeles, resting quietly in the sandy scenery of California. Shrubs and dried grass surrounded the area, but within rested a green oasis of oranges and orchids. Diego and Bernardo graciously helped the women dismount once they paused at the open gate of Padre Felipe's closed-in courtyard, immediately getting to work on unstrapping the parcels they had brought. Each bag was filled with food, money, and blankets, all for the sake of helping those in need.

"Do you think he's busy?" Lolita asked as they all stepped inside, each person carrying a stuffed bag. She had noticed that there were at least five horses tethered to the post outside the building, signaling that there were guests already inside.

"I can assure you, Padre Felipe always has time for everyone," Diego promised. No sooner had he spoken, the door of the monastery flew open, making them all stop in their places as they stared on. From out of the church came a man dressed in an impeccable uniform, his face clean shaven, his eyes cold and calculating. "I warn you, Padre, if you don't bring in those extra taxes, I will be forced to close the mission."

"You cannot do that!" a priest cried, running out after the military official. Behind him came four other officials, three of them looking downtrodden; Sergeant Garcia, Corporal Reyes, and Capitan Fernandez all trudged out, each man looking ashamed to have to stand beside the cruel leader that continued to harass Padre Felipe. The fourth man had a face made of stone, his eyes like ice as he exited within, showing no remorse whatsoever.

"I can do what I wish, I am the new Commandante," snapped the man.

"Ah, buenos dias to you, Commandante!" Diego called out merrily, leading the others towards the motley group. "I had no idea that you were in Los Angeles."

"I have recently arrived from Mexico City," the man answered hotly, looking Diego up and down suspiciously. "I came in late last evening. I am General Julio Riviera of His Majesty's army…and you are…?"

"Don Diego de la Vega," Diego calmly answered, bowing to the official. "This is my manservant, Bernardo, and this is Señorita Lolita Pulido del Castillo, recently arrived from Spain with her family. And this is her servant, Consuela."

Riviera gave the two men a condescending look before forcing his lips to smile at the women. "Señoritas, Buenos dias."

"What's this about shutting down the mission?" Lolita started, her eyes ablaze. "The people of this pueblo need the church – dons, peons, and Indians alike. You can't just take it away from them-"

"And why ever not?" Riviera sniffed. "If the church cannot be a productive member of the community and provide the necessary taxes, then we must cut loose the dead weight." Nodding to the group, he barked at his men to join him. Corporal Reyes cast them an embarrassed look while Sergeant Garcia tipped his hat and shook his head. The cold soldier ignored them entirely.

"I promise you," Capitan Fernandez whispered, stopping to place his hand on the priest's shoulder. "I will do what I can to prevent this from coming to pass…Padre, señores, señoritas." Tipping his hat to them, he excused himself, leaving the premise at once.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that," Padre Felipe sighed, the old man rubbing his head in frustration. "I never thought there would be anyone like Monastario here again."

"Monastario?" asked Lolita, raising an eyebrow.

"An old commandante we had about two years ago," Diego explained, his eyes narrowed as he watched the soldiers leave. "He was ruthless and selfish."

"And now we have him," Lolita said, her hands clenching into fists. "Something tells me this is just the beginning of his reign of terror."

"Something tells me you're right, Lolita," Diego nodded, glancing at Bernardo who secretly made a 'Z' in the air. "But I wouldn't worry too much," he grinned. "One way or another, these things always have a tendency to work themselves out."