Chapter 2

A knock on the door made Capitán Monastario cover up the note he was writing with the official report log. Double-checking to make sure nothing unusual was still lying around, he smiled, satisfied.

"Enter," he called. The door opened and in came Lieutenant Guerrero. "Lieutenant. What do you want?"

"Mi capitán, there are some peons out there wishing to talk to you about the tax you set up concerning the plaza's fountain water," Guerrero informed him. Monastario smirked.

"They want to complain, do they? Just tell them I will see them later, I'm very busy." Training his attention on the report, Monastario noticed that the lieutenant didn't budge. "Well, get going!" He growled.

"Sí, mi capitán," Guerrero replied and, saluting, he turned to leave the office. Monastario waited a moment and then moved the official report to add a line on the unofficial papers. His eyes fell on the note he received in the morning by special courier. Absentmindedly, he picked it up again.

Capitán,

Awaiting your message about Zorro's capture. Everything is ready to proceed as planned. California will soon be ours to rule.

El Sigilo

Monastario's smirk quickly turned into a grimace. The first plot to capture the fox had failed. The one he had set up now better not follow suit. He couldn't disappoint El Sigilo's faith in him. He owed the man for springing him from that rotten prison cell.

***ZzZ***

Don Alejandro was pacing up and down in the sala, finally coming to a stop in front of his son Diego, who was leisurely sitting on the edge of the huge dining table. The famous de la Vega temper was gleaming in his eyes and posture and he sounded very agitated.

"Well, do you intend to do nothing about it, son? This man simply can't collect a tax for using the fountain in the plaza. It will ruin each and every peon who depends on selling his goods on the market!"

"Father," Diego said calmingly. "You know Monastario. He's simply setting another trap for Zorro."

"Then let Zorro deal with it! He's always done so, why not this time?"

"If Zorro rushes blindly into every trap the capitán sets for him, there's a good chance he'll get caught in one sooner or later. It's a risk I'm not willing to take."

"You're right, my son. I wouldn't want you to take unnecessary risks either." Taking a deep breath, Alejandro started pacing again. "How do you intend to proceed, Diego?"

A mischievous smile formed on Diego's handsome face. "The fox will use his cunning. It is very important that I learn what Monastario is up to this time. I think it's time to show Monastario once and for all who's smarter."

***ZzZ***

"Don Alejandro," Capitán Monastario said sweetly. "I regret having to inform you that Colonel de Cordoba is not available. He left all responsibilities in dealing with the affairs of the pueblo in my power. Just as I told Don Nacho and Don Alfredo, this new tax will stand." He looked at the de la Vegas with a badly hidden smirk on his face. Then he sobered and turned to walk towards the door in an unmistakable insinuation.

Don Alejandro could barely keep his composure. "Capitán, if it stands, the tax will reduce most peons to having to sell their goods outside of the pueblo, meaning they won't be able to provide for their families."

"Father," Diego chimed in for the first time. "I'm sure that is just what the capitán's intentions are. We are wasting our time here. Let's go."

"You have a very astute son, Don Alejandro. I will enjoy my victory all the more when I have succeeded." Opening the door, Monastario gestured the dons out of his office. He didn't miss Don Alejandro's attempt to retort something being subtly smothered by Diego laying a hand on his arm, ushering him outside with a nod of his head.

***ZzZ***

Bernardo awaited his friend by the hitching post in front of the tavern. He watched as Don Alejandro furiously strutted over to his mount and galloped off. Diego walked slowly towards him, looking around the plaza carefully to take in the situation. The young don stopped short when he saw two peons gathering their belongings and getting their horse ready to pull their cart, which harbored some calves, out of town.

"José," Diego called, walking over towards the peons. One of them turned around and greeted Diego as he approached.

"Sí, patrón?"

"Why are you leaving so early? Surely you will find someone who will want to buy those fine looking calves."

"It's hot, patrón," José explained. "The calves are thirsty. But I cannot afford to pay for the water from the well, so I will have to go home to water them from the spring."

"I see your dilemma, my friend. Will you stay if I provide for the water you need for your calves?" Diego knew José would likely be too proud to accept his generosity. He wasn't mistaken.

"Gracias, patrón, but no. I cannot accept your offer. I will come here again next week. Hopefully it won't be as hot then."

José joined his companion on the cart and, with a nod and a smile towards Diego, he flicked the reins and drove off. Looking around, Diego noticed that José wasn't the only one leaving. Deep in thought, Diego resumed his way to Bernardo.

The mute waved his hands in front of Diego's face to get his attention. When Diego looked at him, Bernardo started signing quickly, ending his pantomime with a Z. Diego pondered his friend's signs briefly and then nodded.

"Sí, Bernardo," he said, taking the reins of his horse off the beam. "I believe Monastario's only aim is to draw out and catch Zorro." Stepping to the side of his palomino, he put his left foot in the stirrup and easily hoisted himself into the saddle.

***ZzZ***

The de la Vegas were sitting on the patio, playing a game of chess in the afternoon sun and sipping a glass of their own vintage. Diego smiled broadly as he watched his father move a rook tentatively. The last of their chess matches Diego had seemingly won without having to put much effort in it. Alejandro was determined to let his son work for his victory this time. He withdrew the rook again, having noticed Diego's reaction, and studied the chessboard again.

"It seems I can't beat you at this game anymore, Diego," the older man sighed. Then a smile appeared on Alejandro's face and he quickly moved a knight into position. "Check, my son."

Diego raised an eyebrow and leaned forward to study the board himself. Alejandro leaned back in his chair and sipped on his wine. It didn't take long for Diego to smile again. He moved his king towards his father's knight and grinned. Frowning, Alejandro almost hastily retreated his threatened knight.

"Ah, my father, you are too predictable again." Quickly, Diego picked up his queen, but before he could place it, the patio door burst open and Benito, the de la Vega caporal, rushed in.

"Patrón," he gasped, stopping short a few steps in front of the table. "They put Fernando in the stocks!"

Diego and his father stood, looking at each other. Diego's fingers were unconsciously playing with the chess piece in his hand. "Fernando Rojas?" Diego asked. Benito nodded, catching his breath.

"Monastario ordered it because he couldn't pay that tax," he spat out the word disdainfully, "for the water. It's ridiculous!"

"Monastario is trying to catch Zorro and stops at nothing, again," Alejandro said, grinding his teeth. "That tax alone is preposterous. But putting a man in the stocks because he can't pay that tax is obnoxious!"

"Father," Diego tried to calm the don. "There's no need for shouting. I think we should gather the dons to figure out what we can do to get rid of Monastario once more."

"Bueno. Benito, ride out to the ranchos and invite the dons," Alejandro said. Benito turned immediately and the men heard him gallop off. "I hope Zorro has a plan." Alejandro eyed his son, who was showing a grim smile.

"You can count on that. Find Bernardo and meet me in the cave, Father." Diego set his queen back onto the chessboard with a thump. "By the way, Father, I believe that's mate." Grinning at Alejandro's gasp, Diego turned. Taking two steps at a time, Diego moved up to his room.

***ZzZ***

Alejandro and Bernardo reached the cave to find Zorro busy writing a note. He looked up at them and smiled. Folding the note, he wrapped and tied it around the handle of a knife. Then he stuffed the knife in his sash and stepped towards Tornado.

"Monastario will receive a warning, the same way he received the message when the viceroy was there last time. Then, Diego was in the room with Monastario, so Diego couldn't be Zorro. I'm sure Monastario suspects I have an accomplice and he will have reached the conclusion it was you, Bernardo. So this time you will be there when Zorro rides through the pueblo to deliver the note. And Diego will join the party while Zorro is still seen in the distance." Diego glanced at his father.

"Diego, I don't think I can hide this," Alejandro said, stroking his beard. He knew what his son was planning, but didn't think he could pull it off convincingly.

"You won't need to, Father. It will be the real Zorro at close distance, and when he's miles away nobody will be able to know what beard is underneath the mask."

Bernardo, frowning as Zorro talked, broke into a grin and tapped his head with his finger. Then he pulled a confused face and mimicked scratching his head.

"Sí, this is meant to confuse our beloved capitán, to make him doubt his conviction." Zorro patted his black stallion on the neck and mounted. Bernardo stepped towards him and grabbed the reins, which got his master's attention. The mute quickly pointed at the knife and shrugged.

"Oh, you would like to know what the note says?" Zorro grinned while Bernardo confirmed, nodding. "It simply warns Monastario about that tax and to release Fernando Rojas immediately or face the consequences."

Bernardo smiled and released the reins. He gestured about riding and the knife, pointing to himself.

"Yes, Bernardo. You better hurry into the pueblo, as well as you, Father. I will observe the situation a little while. Buy some new guitar strings for Diego, so it will look like you're there for that purpose, Bernardo. Vaya con dios." Zorro turned and Tornado exited the cave through the vines. Bernardo turned and hurried up the stairs, along with Alejandro, who remained in the secret room to don a duplicate outfit of Zorro.

***ZzZ***

Capitán Monastario had decided to put a soldier on guard at the fountain to prevent anyone who had not paid the tax from taking any water. After the incident with Fernando Rojas, he found he had to increase the lancers on guard because those friendly to the vaquero were trying to free the man from the stocks.

Stepping out of the cuartel with Lieutenant Guerrero, he instinctively scanned the rooftops for the familiar black shadow. He was hoping the fox would show himself. There was no way the bandit could free Rojas from the stocks in broad daylight without being a perfect target for Guerrero's bullet. The capitán was almost disappointed when he did not glimpse a shade of black. He knew, however, that just because he couldn't see Zorro didn't mean he wasn't there.

Casually strolling towards the stocks, Monastario caught a glimpse of the de la Vega mozo, Bernardo, exiting the little shop of Vicente Suarez, carrying a pack of guitar strings. A derisive chuckle escaped him and he watched Bernardo walking across the plaza towards his horse, which made the mute pass right by the man in the stocks. The mute stopped and gestured at the man. Monastario didn't know what the signs meant. But he knew he didn't want anyone near the prisoner. Purposefully, Monastario strode over to Bernardo, Guerrero in his wake. He grabbed the servant by the shoulder to turn and face him.

"Get away from the prisoner!" Monastario's words were clear, even to the mute, as the capitán sternly pointed away from the stocks. Another gesture meant to scare Bernardo away was underlined by the lieutenant threateningly putting his hand on the hilt of his saber. Slowly, Bernardo turned to complete the last steps to his horse. Just as he reached it, the thundering hoof beats of a galloping horse were resounding across the plaza.

Monastario, Guerrero and several peons and vaqueros looked up to see where the noise came from. A murmur rose from the crowd, which quickly evolved into cheers as the people recognized their champion.

"Zorro! It's Zorro!"

In a flash, the masked man rushed past the stunned soldiers. The hoof beats were just interrupted by the cheers and the sound of a knife flying through the air. Lieutenant Guerrero, who'd been about to draw his pistol, froze as the knife dug itself deeply into the wood of the left supporting beam of the stocks and trembled to a halt. As fast as Zorro had appeared he had gone.

"Capitán," Guerrero said softly, watching the embedded knife. Monastario, who'd been staring after his nemesis, trained his attention on Guerrero.

"Well, Lieutenant, what is it?" Anger and exasperation reverberated in his voice at Zorro's audacity. Guerrero simply pointed at the handle of the knife, which had a piece of parchment wrapped around its handle. Hastily, Monastario pulled the still trembling blade out of the wood and detached the note.

Sorry I missed another of your fiestas, Capitán. Release your prisoner or I shall throw a party of my own.

Zorro

Guerrero, who had been reading over Monastario's shoulder, whistled. "That man likes to toy with you, mi capitán."

"Silence!" Monastario was fuming. "I will show that masked devil who's boss here and you, Lieutenant, better watch your tongue. This here is about the future of California, as you know. Don't step out of line, unless you want to join this vaquero in the stocks." Turning on his heels, Monastario stopped short as he saw Diego de la Vega emerging from the tavern. His jaw dropped slightly and the capitán instinctively looked in the direction that Zorro had disappeared. There on the next hill, the black silhouette of a rearing horseman could be seen, who then turned and sped off.

"Ah, Bernardo, there you are," the cheerful voice of Don Diego called, training the capitán's attention back on him. The caballero purposefully strode over to the small party. "Thank you for looking after him, mi capitán. He has a habit of wandering about." Then, gesturing to his manservant, they both mounted their horses and cantered off. Gaping after them, Monastario finally turned and walked through the cuartel gates.

Back in his office, Monastario stared at his desk, thoughts running through his head. It seemed impossible for Diego de la Vega to be Zorro. And yet, Monastario couldn't shake the feeling it was all just a trick. This incident, however, increased his determination to bring the fox to justice. Smiling grimly, Monastario ordered Guerrero to bring in a private of the same built as Fernando Rojas. Pushing his confusion away, he tried to formulate another plan to finally catch the accursed fox. Shortly thereafter, the lieutenant entered, Private Gonzalez in tow. "Mi capitán, I think he'll do quite nicely. May I ask what your plans are?"

Monastario looked up from his papers, scrutinizing Gonzalez from head to toe. A smug smile appeared on his face and he nodded. "Sí, I think he'll do. Private, tonight you will help us catch El Zorro."

***ZzZ***

Diego and Bernardo met Alejandro as he peeled himself out of Zorro's outfit in the secret room. Alejandro broke into a beaming smile, which was mirrored by his son.

"Well done, Father," said Diego. "The capitán will have something to think about now. But I want you to stay away from the pueblo tonight. I will free Fernando and I don't want to risk anything by having you around. Knowing the capitán, he will come up with another plot to catch me. With either of you around," he said, looking at Bernardo, "it could rekindle his suspicion concerning Zorro's identity."

"How do you mean, my son?" Alejandro inquired. Before Diego could elaborate, Bernardo was waving his hands to indicate he had something important to share.

"What is it, Bernardo?" Diego asked. A flurry of signs followed and both Diego and Alejandro tried to make sense of them. "You heard something? About a knife?" Exasperated, Bernardo shook his head no. Then he signed once more. "Oh, you mean the note on the knife... Monastario read it... and got mad. He talked to the lieutenant. He wants to kill Zorro... for what's ahead?"

"Maybe he means the future," Alejandro piped in and was rewarded with a smile and a vigorous nod from Bernardo.

"I still don't know what that means? Zorro's future?" Diego puzzled. Bernardo shook his head no and added some signs. "California?" That guess enlarged the mute's smile. "California's future?"

Alejandro gasped. "Don't tell me there's another one who wants to rule or sell California for his own benefit." Bernardo's head swayed a bit, then ended up in a nod.

Diego lifted a hand to scratch his head. "Well, I don't know yet what to make of it. But we will have to keep our eyes and ears open."

"And what was that again about you wanting us to stay home tonight, my son?" Alejandro rerouted the conversation back to the topic that was at hand before Bernardo inserted his observation.

"Well, we all know Monastario is possessed by the thought I am Zorro. He is convinced so far that all hints that I am not this outlaw are nothing but a trick." Diego grinned and casually leaned against the wall. "Now you and I know he's right. But everyone else thinks he's delusional. He'll grab at any straw to prove he's right. So when you are around this evening when Zorro appears, he'll be suspicious. Normally there won't be a reason for you to be around."

"I hope you'll be careful, Diego. You know Guerrero is a good shot. God forbid, your luck might run out at some point."

***ZzZ***

"It's ten o'clock, all is well."

The man with the lantern announced his observation in a loud voice as he went on his last round of inspection before retiring for the night. The poor peon in the stocks had only briefly been led to the cuartel, to be fed, then he had resumed his uncomfortable spot in the wooden contraption. A lancer stood guard next to him, to prevent anybody from freeing the poor soul.

As the hour grew later, the lancer rested his arms on his musket and his chin on his arms. He closed his eyes in an effort to catch a bit of sleep in this rather uncomfortable position. A light rustling made him perk up. Straightening, he strained his ears to see if he would hear the noise again. The moment he relaxed a bit again, a dark figure jumped him from out of the shadows. A gloved hand clamped down on his windpipe, preventing him from calling out.

Dragging the unconscious soldier into the shadows, Zorro sneaked up to the vaquero in the stocks. He fumbled with the locking mechanism and moved the beams up to let the man escape. As the vaquero pulled free, Zorro glimpsed a metallic gleam in the moonlight coming from something in the man's hand.

Instantly, the masked man realized he'd been tricked. Swiftly, he let go of the beam and, stepping back he drew his rapier just in time to deflect the counterfeit vaquero's knife.

"It's Zorro, mi capitán," the man cried, stepping back to escape the rapier's longer reach. The creaking of wood reverberated in the night time plaza when the cuartel gates were pulled open and Zorro raced to the cuartel wall to keep whatever element of surprise he could hold on to. Sprinting past the watchtower, he heard the report of a pistol and simultaneously the rush of air by his left shoulder told him he was lucky to escape the pistol ball.

Pressing himself against the wall, Zorro breathed deeply, trying to calm his racing heart. Monastario must have disguised a soldier as the vaquero and placed Guerrero in the watchtower to get a clear shot at Zorro when the opportunity presented itself. Rushing footsteps and shouting in the plaza heralded the lancers' search for Zorro.

With a soft flick of his whip, which wrapped itself onto one of the protruding beams from the cuartel wall, Zorro pulled himself up to cross the wall. Softly, he dropped into the cuartel courtyard and quickly hid in a dark corner. He could hear shouting from outside, Monastario's angry voice booming loudly.

"Search everywhere, babosos! Don't let him get away! If he escapes, you'll be court-martialed!"

"Spread out, spread out!" Sergeant Garcia's voice sounded worried, and Zorro couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Then the fox trained his attention back on task. In the dim light of a lantern hanging on the wall next to the prison cells, Zorro saw Fernando Rojas standing at the bars, looking towards the gate in an attempt to catch a glimpse of what was going on. Only two soldiers had remained inside the cuartel, one of whom Zorro identified as Colonel de Cordoba himself. A broad grin formed on the bandit's face. Stealthily, Zorro unsheathed his sword and quietly approached the comandante.

"Buenas noches, Colonel," Zorro greeted and pressed the tip of his sword between the colonel's shoulder blades. "I advise you to make no outcry. Private, go and close the gates and bar them, if you value your superior's life."

The lancer proceeded to follow Zorro's instructions. The banging of the closing gates aroused the attention of Lieutenant Guerrero, who had still been in the watchtower. He drew his saber and quietly sneaked out of the door, keeping to the shadows. Zorro gave no indication that he had noticed the lieutenant's move.

"Now, release the prisoner," Zorro ordered and the private complied again.

"Gracias, Señor Zorro," Rojas rasped, stepping out of the cell. "Muchas gracias."

"If you climb out of the window in the comandante's room, you'll find a horse tied up around the corner," Zorro said and Rojas scrambled to get away. At sword point, Zorro led first de Cordoba and then the private into their own cells and locked them.

Shouting and pounding at the cuartel's gates informed Zorro that the soldiers had caught on to what was happening. He knew from experience that it would take a good while for anyone to open the gate or climb over the wall from the outside. There was nothing he had to fear from them. He smiled.

"And now, Lieutenant, we shall see if you handle your sword as well as your pistol," Zorro called and turned to face the shadows that hid Guerrero. Surprised, the latter stepped out of the shadows, his saber pointing at Zorro.

"How did you know I was there?" he asked.

"Please, allow me some secrets. En garde!"

Lifting his sword in a salute, a move that the lieutenant mirrored, Zorro assumed a fighting stance, throwing his cape over his left arm. The blades softly clashed, testing each other out, as the men circled one another. Then, emitting a gleeful shout, Zorro attacked and forced Guerrero to parry his slashes. He drove the soldier back to the wall and then retreated.

"Not bad, Lieutenant. But it would be more entertaining if you'd fight back," Zorro said mockingly. A low growl escaped Guerrero and he moved away from the wall, trying to figure out a way to win the element of surprise. "Come now, Señor, I don't have all night."

Composing himself, Guerrero started a series of slashes and coupés, which Zorro parried, moving back. In the center of the courtyard, Zorro countered and the blades of the men sang as they slid along and around another. A flurry of moves filled the night air with metallic clangs as the fighters upped the intensity of the joust, until the report and nearby ricochet of a musket halted both men. Looking over his shoulder, Zorro noticed the first lancers on top of the wall. He smiled.

"We've got company, Lieutenant. Let us postpone this entertaining match. It is not safe for anyone to stay put if these men start shooting. Adios!" With a powerful thrust of his blade, Zorro disarmed the startled soldier. In a flash, he climbed atop the comandante's coach and leaped onto the roof. A shrill whistle was answered by an equally shrill neighing and all that Guerrero still glimpsed of the outlaw was his cape blowing in the air as the man jumped onto his stallion's back and galloped off, vanishing into the black of the night.