HAHA! I'm back! Not so long this time. And now for the letter that was intended for Zorro!

Chapter 10: Healing

"Diego?!" Alejandro tried to wake his son. He grew flustered when his son would not answer, "I - Bernardo, what – we have to – Doctor Avilla –" he stopped and gasped.

Bernardo had already begun unbuttoning the caballero's shirt and paused upon seeing numerous lacerations and one that was deep and bleeding.

"I don't care about risking his identity – we need to get the doctor here," Alejandro started to stand when Bernardo grabbed his arm.

Bernardo shook his head, tapped his wrist and shook his head emphatically.

"There's no time?" Alejandro interpreted. "He is bleeding out!"

Bernardo nodded then motioned for the elder don to put pressure on the side wound that was deep.

"What are we going to do?! Can you help him?"

Bernardo nodded then shook his head and shrugged.

"What do you have in mind?"

Bernardo looked up and thought. He mimed for Alejandro to keep pressure on the wound. He then went and grabbed a pillow, placed it under Diego's head then motioned he would be right back. He hastily left.

Alejandro turned back to his son. His hands were shaking. With one hand, he lifted Diego's shirt and about gagged upon seeing the lacerations on his son's torso. He swallowed and prayed frantically that his son would not die. "You're going to be okay, Diego. You're going to make it through," he repeated, trying to believe it.

He jumped when Bernardo returned with a tray. On the tray was a bowl of water, towels, bandages, a sewing kit, a small vial and cayenne pepper. He placed them on the floor.

"Pepper? What are you going to do with that?"

Bernardo had Alejandro help him remove Diego's shirt first and they found more lacerations on Diego's back.

"Oh—" Alejandro closed his eyes for a moment, swallowed and laid his son's head back on the pillow. "What is the pepper for?" he asked again.

Bernardo mimed that it would allow the blood to clot quickly. He pulled it out and winced as he looked at the elder don.

"What is it?"

Bernardo hesitantly took Alejandro's hand and placed it over Diego's mouth, then removed his other hand from Diego's side and put it on the patient's arm.

Alejandro's eyes watered, apparently it was going to hurt. He cursed; his son was already in enough pain, he did not need more.

Bernardo uncapped the pepper and tapped some of the spice on the deep laceration. Immediately, the young don's body jerked from the burn and a muffled cry of agony cried out from under Alejandro's hand. Diego struggled to move his arm to defend the wound, but Alejandro held tightly, "I know, my son. I know it hurts. Please, please – we are trying to help," his vision became blurry with tears. Diego's body went limp and Alejandro became alarmed, "What happened?!"

Bernardo felt for a pulse then nodded. He then inspected the wound and nodded. Alejandro dared to look and saw the blood beginning to clot. Bernardo went to work. He took the small vial and poured the oil into the bowl of water.

"Lavender oil," Alejandro recognized the fragrance.

Bernardo dipped a towel in the water, rung it out and handed it to Alejandro, motioning for him to start cleaning Diego with the lavender soaked towel. Alejandro gently wiped the stains on his son's chest as Bernardo opened the sewing kit and threaded a needle.

When Alejandro had finished, he started stroking his son's forehead and hair repeatedly, a calming affect: partly for Diego and partly for himself. He was amazed at how calm Bernardo stayed as he stitched up three of the lacerations on Diego's chest and side.

Bernardo motioned for Alejandro to start bandaging the wound he had finished sewing. They worked together well into the night. When completed, Alejandro and Bernardo carefully lifted Diego up and placed him on the bed.

They wearily stood back, "Gracias, my friend. You saved his life," Alejandro touched the mute on the shoulder.

Bernardo nodded once and offered Alejandro the chair next to the bed as he began to clean up.

"Bernardo, who could have done this? Who bested my son?"

The mute stopped mid-bend and shrugged. He signed a question mark in the air and proceeded to pick up the tray.

"The man with the riddles? Si, he has been wanting to challenge Zorro. But why would Diego be so foolish as to handle him on his own?"

Bernardo wiped his forehead, obviously fatigued.

"You get some rest, my friend. I'll stay and watch over him."

Bernardo was about to protest—

"I insist. He is my son. Go," Alejandro pointed to the door. Once he was alone with his son, he pulled his chair up closer and took his son's hand in his, kissed it and held on tight, "You better wake up, Diego. Or I'll be as mad as hell – you know my temper," he choked, "I love you."

In the kitchen, Bernardo deposited the bloodied towels and bandages in the trash. As he washed the bowl in the sink, his mind was racing. Whoever did this was skilled with some kind of weapon that Diego could not defend himself with. As he was cleaning the wounds, he had noticed the identidal cuts on Diego's forearms and Bernardo knew he must have shielded his face from some kind of weapon. All the lacerations were smooth and clean, like a sharp thin blade. It wasn't a sword fight, it was an execution. He huffed in frustration. Why did Diego go alone?

zzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzzz

Alejandro felt the sun hit his face and he rolled it to the side then stopped in mid roll as the stiffness tightened the back of his neck. He slowly soothed his neck as he blinked the grogginess away. He turned to his son who was still asleep and sighed. Diego had not wakened yet. Alejandro wondered if his son would ever wake up. He glanced at the bedside table and saw a tray with a pitcher of water with lemons, two glasses, assorted fruits and cheese. Alejandro smiled, "Bernardo, you are too much," he poured a glass of water and drank thirstily. He took a bite of the cheese and turned back to his son. Stroking his son's hair reminded him of when Diego was just a boy, no more than seven, and he had had a nightmare. Isabella usually handled those kind of things, but this one instance he was on nightmare duty. He remembered sitting with Diego and talking with him about what he had dreamt and that the darkness was nothing to be afraid of. "Darkness, is just the absence of light, Diego," Alejandro chuckled at remembering the wide-eyed realization on young Diego's face; as if what he had said chased away some fear inside of his son.

Now, lying in his bed, Diego looked like that little boy who had just had a bad dream. He wished he could do something for his son as he did that night long ago. Alejandro sighed as he stood and stretched away the rigidness in his legs. He took another sip of water as he turned back to his sleeping son. Diego was going to be laid up for a while. They needed to come up with a cover story. Maybe his horse was spooked and threw him? That could work. If Diego, stayed away from people until some of the visible bruises went away, being thrown from a horse could be a feasible solution. He will be sore and stiff and achy; all the after affects from being tossed to the ground. He sent up a silent prayer hoping that this cover story would protect his son's secret identity.

He took his seat again and laced his son's fingers in his, "Don't give up, my son," just then he felt a gentle squeeze, "Diego?" he brought his son's hand up to his lips and kissed it, "Diego, you are safe now. You are in your bedroom. You are safe. Just rest."

The grip on Alejandro's hand lessened and once again Diego was taken away into unconsciousness.

zzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz

Alejandro closed the door to his son's bedroom as Bernardo was approaching with a platter of food. "He is still asleep, Bernardo. Do the servants suspect anything?"

Bernardo shook his head.

"That is good. It's going to take a while for Diego to heal. If people notice, I think it best that we tell them that he fell from his horse and was injured."

Bernardo nodded in agreement, then offered the platter to the elder.

"I ate a little of what you left in the room, gracias."

Bernardo took a free hand and rest it against his head and closed his eyes then pointed to the haciendado.

"Si, I think I will get some sleep. Wake me in an hour, Bernardo, or if Diego wakes up," Alejandro patted the mute on the shoulder and passed him to go to his room. He stopped when he heard a carriage approach. He descended the stairs as the Verdugo's entered the patio.

"Alejandro! Good morning, I hope we did not surprise you," Gregorio took his friend's hand, noticing a strain on his friend's face.

Alejandro put on a weary smile, "Not at all. Good to see you, Anna Maria. I hope you enjoyed the Autumn Festival. I promise, it does not always have interuptions like that."

Gregorio shook his head, "Absolutely shocking. I did hear that the young man is doing well, just a bad cough for a few days and some minor injuries.

"That is good to hear. He was fortunate," Alejandro smoothed back his hair.

"Don Alejandro, is Diego here?" Anna Maria asked, looking at the front door, expecting the young de la Vega to exit.

Alejandro cleared his throat, "He is, but he is unable for company today. I would like you both to keep this confidential, Diego does not want it spread around and risk embarrassment."

The Verdugo's grew concerned.

"Diego was riding home last night when he was thrown from his horse and hurt himself."

Anna Maria gasped, "He is all right?"

"Si, he will be fine. Just fine," he grinned reassuringly, "He is mostly embarrassed and is resting. He'll be back to his old self in no time."

"That is good to hear," Gregorio leaned in, "My buyer is coming tomorrow and I wanted to ask you a little advice. I can see this is not the right time. Could we meet later at your convenience?"

Alejandro was grateful, he needed some rest, "Yes, of course. I would be most happy to. I will come to the tavern around six o'clock."

"Give Don Diego my best," Anna Maria squeezed the elder don's hand as they exited.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

The next day. Anna Maria went to the de la Vega hacienda. She was sure Diego would like some company and she wanted to know how he was doing. Besides, there was something that he had wanted to tell her at the festival that seemed important, but they had been separated before he could tell her then Zorro appeared and rescued the young don. She dismounted and went into the patio. She looked around and there was no one in sight. She looked up at Diego's door. She ascended the stairs and stopped at his door. "Diego? It is Anna Maria," she announced quietly.

There was no reply.

She hesitated before turning the door knob then poked her head into the room. "Diego?" she whispered and stopped when she saw him lying in his bed. She was instantly concerned and before she knew what she was doing; she had closed the door and covered her mouth in astonishment. After a moment, she was at the bedside. She sat down next to him.

He was covered by a sheet and blankets, but he looked awful. There was bruising on his jaw and underneath his left eye. She scanned his chest and saw a few bandages intermixed with bruising. Anna Maria frowned; this did not look like someone who was thrown from their horse. In the midst of the bandages and bruises, she noticed his tone physique and found it odd that a poet and man of his reputation was so masculine.

There was something about the room that seemed spooky. Maybe it was because she was alone in a man's bedroom. Although that was a little unsettling, Anna Maria was sure that was not the case. No, something was off about this whole scenario. She felt a dark presence, and when she looked down at Diego, she could see he felt it too. His face was slightly scrunched and the creases around his eyes had appeared again. His mouth was faintly rigid. Maybe he was in pain. He sure looked like a man who would be in pain.

"How did you get those bruises?" She whispered as she leaned forward and replaced a lock of his hair that had fallen then gently caressed his cheek. She wondered what he was dreaming of and hoped that peace would come soon.

Anna Maria stood and went to grab the book on the desk to pass the time then flipped it open. She read a couple of pages into the book when he inhaled louder than normal. This startled her and the book slipped through her fingers. Anna Maria quickly picked up the book and saw a folded piece of paper slip out. She retrieved the paper but stopped. She looked at it for a moment. It seemed vaguely familiar. She looked at the door, affirming that she was still alone, then unfolded the note. Her heart pounded loudly when her eyes glazed over her words! Her words to Zorro. She gripped it in her hands, tears forming in her eyes.

The door opened and Bernardo stopped upon seeing the senorita in the room.

"Excuse me," Anna Maria rushed out of the room.

Bernardo looked confused but quickly stepped aside as she rushed passed him. He slowly shut the door after her. He went over to Diego who was stirring. Diego wearily blinked his eyes open. When he opened his eyes, Diego saw his faithful friend smiling down at him.

"That bad, eh?" Diego's voice was hoarse.

Bernardo made a face and shrugged lightly, as if to say: eh, could be worse.

Diego glanced down and stiffly lifted the sheet and saw the bandages, "You've been busy."

Bernardo nodded and shook his hands.

"You were worried? Is my father all right?"

Bernardo patted the inside of his jacket near his heart.

"He was worried," Diego tried to sit up but groaned from the pain. Bernardo put a few pillows behind him, "Gracias. Is my father asleep?"

Bernardo nodded.

"Let him rest. How long have I been out?"

Bernardo held up one finger then made a circle movement as he held up another.

"Going on my second day," Diego slowly nodded. "Is Tornado all right?"

Bernardo shook his head and make a face.

"Seems everyone is concerned for me. Glad to see I'm loved."

Bernardo motioned to the door and shaped an hour-glass.

"There was a woman here? Anna Maria was here?"

Bernardo nodded.

Diego grew slightly concerned, "What was she doing here? What did you guys tell her?"

Bernardo acted like he was riding a horse and fell off.

"Horse riding accident. I guess that's plausible," he looked at the door, "She say anything?"

Bernardo shook his head.

"Hmm. Well, I guess I had better start acting like I was thrown from a horse," Diego slowly pulled his feet over the side.

Bernardo halted him and motioned for him to lie back down.

"Bernardo, what are you doing? I have to get up."

The door opened and Alejandro entered, "Diego, my Son," he smiled, "it relives me to see you awake," tears formed in his eyes as he approached his son, "What are you doing?"

"Obviously, I'm trying to stand," he felt a twinge in his calf and grunted.

"I forbid it," Alejandro stated and Bernardo pointed and nodded to the elder.

"Father, I can't. I can't let him get away," Diego attempted a second time to stand and he was successful.

"You cannot do anything in this condition. You barely survived. Diego," Alejandro gently rested his hand on his son's shoulder to stop him from walking to his closet.

"Father, he is extremely dangerous. It was like fighting the devil. He has to be stopped."

"If you face him like this, he will surely finish you off."

Diego finally relented, "All right, Father," he turned to the mute, "Bernardo, could you go down to the secret chamber and retrieve any books you can find on martial arts?"

Bernardo nodded as he started fluffing the pillows and making the bed.

"Why are you wanting martial arts books?"

"Because the man who I fought used their kind of techniques. I only saw that kind of fighting once in Madrid; a cultural demonstration."

"You think he is Oriental?"

Diego shook his head, "No. There was no distinguishing accent. I just think he learned their techniques, which are unknown to me. And that is why I am in the state I am," he sighed, "I couldn't even touch him. Every time I got remotely close, he swung at me with this hook on a chain. And, you can see how that went," Diego stiffly gestured to his torso.

"Did he say what he wants from you?"

Diego hesitated, "He wants to know my identity; that was important to him. He then planned to – kill me. He has been planning this for some time."

"A previous adversary that you stopped?"

"No, I would have recognized them. And none with this kind of training."

"Perhaps he is someone from your days in Madrid? A rival student?"

"Although I suspect he is around my age, no, not a rival student. That would indicate that he knows Diego is Zorro and my identity still eludes him. He tried to take off my mask before he—" he stopped to spare his father of any terror visions, "No, he doesn't know who Zorro is. It is someone who has studied martial arts," they all thought for a moment, "I still think that there is some connection between those two convicts. This guy is too organized, too methodical to have picked two random prisoners. Bernardo after you find the books, could you ride to Santa Barbara again and this time maybe try and learn more about the prisoners? All their crimes, who they associated with before they were sent to prison, who they talked to in prison and what about?"

Bernardo nodded.

"Maybe these two prisoners are where he made his mistake," Diego limped slowly to the desk and leaned against it to stop a dizzy spell. He took in a soft breath before continuing, "And I think Zorro will have a conversation with Capitan Morales."

"Diego, you can barely stand, if you go as Zorro, he will suspect something is wrong physically with you. Wait a few days."

"As far as I know, this man thinks he has killed Zorro. I have to catch him while his guard is down."

Alejandro reasoned with him, "As you said, he is very organized and seems to know about Zorro and how he works. Do you not think that he would stick around for a few days to make sure he finished the job?"

Diego relented a nod.

"At least give me one day of rest, my son. For me."

"All right, Father," Diego looked down at the book on the table. It was lying open on the corner of the desk. "Oh no," he flipped through the pages not finding the additional parchment.

Alejandro and Bernardo looked concerned.

"The letter. Where's the letter?" he looked at Bernardo who shrugged and shook his head.

"What is it, my son?"

"I kept it in this book. Anna Maria was here in my room a little bit ago. The letter's gone. Bernardo, did she have the book?"

Bernardo indicated he did not know.

Diego felt weak and his father gave him support, "She must have seen the letter," he tried to remain calm, "She knows I'm Zorro."

Author's Notes: Cayenne Pepper is scientifically proven to help small and large wounds clot and heal. It is preferred to be taken internally because it can burn. I did not make that up! Lavender is also great for healing anything in the body; from open cuts, to stomach problems, to helping you sleep. YAY you learned something new! hehe