Chapter 5
El Sigilo was pacing up and down in his room. It looked more and more like his ambitious plan was destined to fail. And all because of Monastario's incapability to capture Zorro. He'd had great hope that this time the capitán would successfully eliminate his foe. Now it turned out that the man Monastario thought was Zorro could not possibly be him.
A letter had been delivered to El Sigilo in the morning, containing bad news from his contact at the northern presidios. The delay had caused unrest amongst his followers and the only hope he had of saving his plans was to get rid of Zorro now. Since the fox had given Monastario a deadline to disappear, El Sigilo was certain he could solve his problem once and for all. Both his problems.
Walking to his wardrobe, El Sigilo stared at the spare uniform hanging there. It was meant for special occasions. Tonight would be such a special occasion. Monastario's deadline was running out and if Zorro wouldn't kill him, then he would. A smile spread across his usually serious features. It would be a good night. He could feel it.
***ZzZ***
The de la Vegas, including Bernardo, were sitting in the posada enjoying lunch. Diego had decided to stay in the pueblo until he could determine whether Monastario was going to pay heed to Zorro's threat or not. Diego didn't like the prospect of having to kill a man, but in Monastario's case it might be the only way to permanently get rid of him. So far, Zorro had only once had to resort to this last straw and he hadn't enjoyed it.
The men ate in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. One day had already passed without any indication that Monastario was packing his belongings. They all knew the more time passed the more likely a final showdown became. Diego sighed, drawing the attention of both companions on him. His father had just opened his mouth to say something, when the tavern door opened and in strolled Sergeant Garcia.
"Ah, Don Alejandro, Don Diego," Garcia greeted the men, adding a nod towards Bernardo.
"Sergeant Garcia," Diego smiled. "Won't you join us?" He pulled back the chair next to him and gestured for the sergeant to take a seat.
"Gracias, but no, Don Diego. I was just looking for Lieutenant Guerrero. Capitán Monastario wants to see him."
"Monastario, eh? I thought he was busy packing his bags," said Diego, testing the water.
"No, he isn't. He's convinced that Zorro's words are but an idle threat. Corporal Reyes and myself have both told him about what happened to Capitán Arrellanos, as you remember. But he just laughs it off." Garcia sounded slightly worried.
Alejandro exchanged a quick glance with his son and caught the flicker of guilt that rushed across Diego's face. "I'm sure Zorro knows what he will do. We will all know by tomorrow."
"As for the lieutenant, he just left here some ten minutes ago. I think he mentioned something about his horse needing a new shoe," Diego told the sergeant in an attempt to divert the topic. Garcia nodded his thanks and, rather uncharacteristically for him, left the tavern in a hurry.
***ZzZ***
Lieutenant Guerrero led his horse back to the stables. It had needed a new shoe for a short while already. Something had told him not to further delay it. He crossed the cuartel yard headed towards the office.
"Enter," Guerrero heard Monastario's voice call in response to his knock. He obeyed and was closing the door behind him when it almost got knocked back in his face by Sergeant Garcia.
"Capitán Monastario, I..." Garcia paused when he saw the lieutenant standing in front of him. "There you are, Lieutenant Guerrero. I've been looking everywhere for you. Capitán..."
"It is alright, Sergeant. You are dismissed." Monastario cut in and authoritatively pointed to the door. "Close it from the outside!" Garcia quickly saluted and carried out the order.
"Capitán Monastario, I take it you were looking for me," Guerrero quipped. "And I see you still haven't packed. So you plan to stay despite Zorro's threat?"
Monastario chuckled briefly. "You don't know Zorro very well, Guerrero. That man is a pest, but he doesn't kill. And I'm not going to run from him like a scared rabbit."
Guerrero raised his eyebrows. "You are right, you've known Zorro longer than I have. But you know as little about him as I do. I wouldn't take the risk."
Monastario pulled his lips into a sneer, but the smugness was starting to drain from it. A flicker of uncertainty appeared in his eyes but he quickly blinked it away. Unconsciously his hand settled on the hilt of his saber as if to reassure himself it was still there.
"What would you do?" Monastario's voice sounded throaty.
"Considering what all has happened now, I'd take Zorro seriously. He let you off the hook quite a bit. I suspect that's what he used to do before. He seems to be a patient man, but even his patience can run out. Would you rather risk your life?"
Capitán Monastario started pacing as he contemplated Guerrero's words. There was a lot of sense in them, but Monastario's pride wouldn't allow him to show fear and run. This last thought confirmed his resolution.
"I won't run away like a coward, which is what Zorro does. If he were not afraid, he wouldn't hide behind a mask. That's a cowardly way and I refuse to bow to a coward's threat. It's preposterous!"
***ZzZ***
It was early afternoon when Diego, who was still sitting in the tavern, saw Monastario enter. The capitán's gaze only lingered a moment on the caballero, but for Diego the hatred in it was unmistakable. Walking up to the bar, Monastario waved for the innkeeper to come closer. Diego strained his ears but couldn't make out what was being said.
It only took a minute and Monastario left the tavern again. Resolutely, Diego put down a few coins on his table and left the inn through the back door. He was certain the capitán would be expecting him to follow. Staying in the shadows, Diego managed to observe how Monastario looked over his shoulder a few times on his way to the cuartel.
Monastario pulled the gate open and stepped inside. Diego took the chance to get a bit closer. Staying close to the wall he leaned against it casually as a group of peons rode past him. When they were gone he pushed himself off the wall and was about to enter the cuartel when he heard voices. He remained where he was and listened.
"Capitán, you're just the man I was looking for." Diego recognized Colonel de Cordoba's voice. "I received a message from El Sigilo." Diego frowned. Who was El Sigilo? He remembered what Bernardo had heard that day at the stocks and wondered if this El Sigilo was the one who tried to take over California.
"What does he want?" Monastario sounded strangely tight. Diego thought he detected a hint of fear, a slight tremble in the capitán's voice.
"You are to meet him in an hour at the crossroads to San Pedro. He wants to see only you."
"Only me? Why? You are the one in charge here."
"I don't know why. See for yourself." A rustling of paper sounded briefly and Diego heard someone starting to pace about. Then abruptly the pacing stopped.
"Saddle my horse, Corporal," Monastario's voice boomed loudly. "Alright, Comandante. I will ride out to meet El Sigilo. But I will have Lieutenant Guerrero alongside me. I will let him wait at an opportune distance."
Diego decided to get away. He had heard enough. Walking over to where his horse was tied, he mounted and quickly headed home before Monastario left the cuartel.
***ZzZ***
Bernardo had arrived at the hacienda earlier in the afternoon. Alejandro had needed to visit a business partner and Diego had thought it would be best if Bernardo brought Zorro's clothes and horse a bit closer to the pueblo. First Bernardo had escorted Don Alejandro to the Valdez hacienda and then returned home.
After sorting out his horse, Bernardo made his way to the secret passage using the entrance in Diego's room. Astonished, he noticed Zorro's outfit was missing along with the rapier. He rushed down the staircase towards the cave and caught Zorro saddling Tornado. His friend had heard the footsteps and turned to look at Bernardo.
"I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you, my friend. I didn't expect Zorro to have to ride this soon." Bernardo's hands quickly signed the question that was on his mind. Zorro quickly explained what he had learned when eavesdropping on Monastario. "Now, I believe this secretive man may be the one who wants to take over California. We mustn't let that happen. I will ride to the crossroads and put a stop to all this. Our futures depend on it. Now I know Guerrero won't be far away but I think more backup is needed. Wait an hour and then lure Sergeant Garcia and his men our way."
Bernardo nodded but then frowned. He signed for de Cordoba and shrugged. "No, go to Garcia. I don't know exactly how badly the comandante is mixed up in this plot." With a pat on Bernardo's shoulder, Zorro swung up into the saddle and backed Tornado out of the cave.
***ZzZ***
Capitán Monastario was nervously pacing back and forth at the crossroads. He had instructed Lieutenant Guerrero to stay about two miles away and only come if he heard gunshots. An hour had to be up already, but so far there was no sign of El Sigilo. He hadn't yet met the man face to face. All he knew was that the man had released him from the carcel with the purpose of eliminating Zorro. As much as he hated it, Monastario had to admit that Zorro had outsmarted him time and time again. This last time had really made the capitán doubt his own conviction that Diego de la Vega was Zorro. Still, this man was a thorn in his side and he would gladly get rid of him at the next opportunity.
Monastario was becoming restless by the time he finally heard a horse approaching. Expectantly, he craned his neck to make out any features of the man he'd never seen. Yet the rider had the sun in his back and his hat pulled deep in his face. He wore a general's uniform, however. Only when the rider dismounted did Monastario's face show recognition.
"What are you doing here, Colonel? I thought El Sigilo asked for me alone."
De Cordoba grinned and stepped closer. "I never thought you would be so thick, Capitán. Isn't it obvious what I'm doing here?"
"You? You are El Sigilo?" Involuntarily Monastario took a couple of steps back. De Cordoba nodded.
"Sí. And it's your fault that my plans are going sour. The presidios I already had under control are revolting because of the delay you created. At this point, I don't know who I'd want to run through first. You or that elusive fox." A crazy smirk distorted his features. "But, since you're at hand and Zorro is not, I shall start with you."
Without further words, de Cordoba drew his saber and Monastario only barely managed to draw his in time to meet de Cordoba's slashes. The colonel might not possess the finesse of Zorro with the blade, but his fury made up for it. Monastario found himself defending and retreating before he had fully grasped what was happening.
When the first surprise had worn off, Monastario started to gain an upper hand in the duel he knew he would only walk away from if he killed de Cordoba. But the older man had some tricks up his sleeve still. Having been forced to the ground by Monastario's onslaught, de Cordoba grabbed a hand full of dirt and threw it in Monastario's face. Momentarily blinded, Monastario hastily stepped back until he collided with a solid form. Solid, yet moving.
"Buenas tardes, Señores," an all too familiar voice greeted. Monastario's blood was running like ice through his veins.
"Zorro!" he spat at the same time as de Cordoba. Wiping his eyes with his forearm, Monastario spun around and instinctively took a stance next to the other man in uniform. The feud between the officers was pushed aside as they united their efforts against the mutual enemy.
Drawing his sword, Zorro nimbly parried the simultaneous attack and then took the offense to drive both soldiers back. "Now, Señores, let's not get hasty. I see, Monastario, that you didn't pay heed to my promise. There is still time to run."
"You will never see that day, Zorro!"
"Won't I?" Zorro grinned, knowing it would unnerve the capitán even more. "And you, Comandante. Following in the footsteps of the Eagle. As you might know, the Eagle paid for his actions with his life. Are you prepared to do the same, El Sigilo?"
"Varga was like a brother to me," de Cordoba spat, taking a step towards Zorro. "You killed him!"
"You're mistaken, Colonel. It was his own friend, Señor Greco, who shot him. After he selfishly left him behind to die, mind you."
"I don't care who pulled the trigger. You are the reason he's dead and his plan failed. And now mine is also failing because of you. Prepare to die, Zorro! Monastario, get behind him."
Catching on to de Cordoba's plan, Monastario began circling the fox and launched an attack. Grinning, Zorro deflected his lunge and countered, forcing Monastario to backpedal. A soft noise behind him caused Zorro to turn quickly, just in time to parry de Cordoba's coup. Zorro engaged the colonel into a few quick moves but had to back up to avoid another attack from behind from Monastario.
The grin slowly started to fade from Zorro's face as he needed his undivided attention to keep the officers at bay. Zorro saw to it that he always had both opponents in his sight and had to use all his skills to do so continuously. Slowly but surely, Monastario and de Cordoba managed to make Zorro retreat until his back was against a boulder. A quick glance between the two, followed by a nod, and the men lunged simultaneously again.
Zorro parried Monastario's blade with enough force to send it flying through the air, hitting the ground with a metallic jitter. De Cordoba's blade, however, although slightly off target by the defensive move of the masked bandit, hit home, slashing a cut in Zorro's previously injured left shoulder.
Zorro hissed in agony and managed to raise his blade enough to deflect the following slash by the colonel, wrapping his blade around his opponent's in an attempt to disarm him. The pain in his newly wounded shoulder stifled his range of motion, reducing his force to complete the move and de Cordoba was able to lunge at Zorro again. Realizing the blade was aimed to kill, Zorro swiftly raised his sword arm to push the blade off target and in one circular motion he repositioned the rapier to point at the colonel.
De Cordoba had put all his might into this attack, with such vehemence that he could no longer retreat after his blade was deflected. His momentum carried him forward and his eyes grew wide a split second before Zorro's blade pierced his body and he collapsed onto the fox.
Panting heavily, Zorro hastened to try and free himself from under de Cordoba. There was still Monastario to be dealt with, and with his body and weapon pinned by the dead revolutionary, he was but a prone figure. Zorro pushed de Cordoba off himself, withdrawing his sword at the same time, and scrambled to his feet, ready to face the next attack.
Monastario retrieved his sword and turned around to face the other men just at the moment that Zorro's sword impaled the colonel. The sight had him rooted to the spot. Not in a million years had he thought he'd ever see the day that Zorro killed someone. The realization that his archenemy didn't hesitate to kill if need be shocked Monastario.
His paralysis disappeared when Zorro took a step towards him. Returning his sword to its sheath, Monastario scrambled and dashed to his horse. "I won't let you kill me this easy, Zorro. I'll take my leave now, Señor, but mark my words, I will return and there will be no place to hide for you!" Turning the horse, Monastario dug his heels in the animal's sides and raced off.
Zorro stared after him and then looked down at the man he'd defeated. Hoof beats made him look up and he saw a group of lancers including Sergeant Garcia and Lieutenant Guerrero approaching. They reined their horses in when they saw the masked man with the colonel laying at his feet.
"Zorro! What is going on?" Garcia exclaimed, shocked.
Guerrero dismounted and walked over to the colonel, while Zorro stepped back, pressing his right hand to his left shoulder, never letting go of the sword. In a few words, he explained what had happened. Garcia's demeanor only showed shocked surprise. Guerrero, however, looked like he had come to a realisation. He nodded slowly to himself before addressing Zorro.
"I must say I am surprised at the identity of El Sigilo. May I assume that you are aware I am part of the plot?" Zorro nodded briefly whereas Garcia gasped. "You should know I have come to realize ever since we got here that this is not the way to give California a new direction. The time isn't right yet."
"I know you don't think like them, Lieutenant. You're a good man." At the fox's words Guerrero smiled. "Can I trust that you will see to it that the governor will be informed about the events?"
"Sí, Señor Zorro."
"One more thing, Lieutenant. It looks like Monastario has finally left us. However, I don't trust the man. I would suggest you have two or three lancers trail him until we are sure he won't change his mind."
"Just what I had in mind. Sergeant, select three men and send them after Monastario to observe." Garcia saluted and went about his task.
"What are you going to do now, Señor Zorro?" Guerrero addressed the fox. "I see you've been wounded."
"It's not too bad," Zorro smiled wryly, glancing at his blood soaked sleeve and glove. "But you're right. I should see to it. Adios, Lieutenant. Sergeant," he nodded. Then he let out a shrill whistle and out of nowhere Tornado stormed on the scene. Despite his injured shoulder, Zorro mounted without letting the stallion come to a stop. A few leaps later, he pulled Tornado around and reared him. Foregoing the customary salute due to injury, Zorro pulled his steed around and raced off towards the low hanging sun.
The End