Ignacio's Warning

The pueblo was quiet and Ignacio felt a little more isolated than he ever had been before. He wondered why. It was even slightly worse than when he was a tyrant ruling over the people with unpredictable daily terror and violence. Was the reaction all because he had chosen to marry an Indian woman - surely not?

People nodded to him in the street and passed him by quickly. The dons in the Tavern turned their backs, and they had never done that before. Maybe a few public hangings may bring back his respect. A little fear running through their veins might make them see how much better their lives were now. A little uncertainty may make them wake up to themselves.

He was served by Pilar, the new manager of the Tavern. She smiled at him kindly, and he was a little startled. She had always been so shy of him before.

"Tell Senora de Soto, that her remedy worked," Pilar said softly. "I feel so much better. Make sure you thank her for me." He smiled back a little unsure of her. She passed him over a larger serving than she usually gave him as he sat and ate in his corner.

Gushing Stream was not speaking to him. He usually ate with her at his home. The lancers were busy enlarging their quarters to prepare for the child. They were going to have a small library as well, to cater for her taste in reading. He wanted her to be happy, and over the past couple of days she definitely wasn't happy. She had received him with an embrace that had driven the air out of his lungs with its fierceness. When she had heard about the outcome of the duel, she slapped him hard across the face.

"You could have missed him completely. Why did you have to hurt him?" Her anger had been extreme, he had never seen her so angry. "Don't come near me, if you value your safety."

He had wondered at her words, but out of respect for her and her pregnancy he had left the room before he had reacted. He realised that he would never understand her reasoning. Whatever she was thinking she was not going to share it with him.

The arrival of Diego de la Vega was understated but he realised straight away that the man was in the same room. He was glaring down at him.

"I didn't think Zorro was needed in the plaza anymore," he murmured, just for their hearing. "Ignacio, I thought better of you."

"You knew I would do it. Don't deny that," Ignacio murmured back. "Sit and eat, Don Diego. I'll buy you a drink…lemonade?"

Diego nodded at Pilar, and she went into the kitchen to fetch it.

"Sarah is so angry with me," he added.

"Why wouldn't she be?"

"It was for her, Diego. For her honour."

"A woman's honour is not as valuable for her as it is for her husband," Diego said softly. "It is a toy in the hands of men," he added thoughtfully. Ignacio wondered if it was another one of his random obscure quotes. Diego glanced up suddenly, and gestured behind Ignacio with a nod. "Armand is here."

Ignacio turned and watched as the Colonel approached him. He rose and realised the significance of the military uniform and the lancer by his side. It was an official visit. He swallowed and saluted. News travelled fast sometimes. Duelling with civilians was technically prohibited, but so had been most of his old ways. They just hadn't gotten round to dealing with him and his injustice for the peons and the Indians of the district. It must be different when dealing with wealthy dons and their sons.

"Alcalde, I will need to speak to you on a serious matter in the privacy of your office," Armand said seriously. "Don Diego, a pleasure, as always." Diego stood and watched the two men leave the Tavern.

Ignacio was aware of everyone's eye on him as he left the Tavern.

Crossing over the road, the Colonel sent the lancer to refresh himself in the barracks, and Ignacio relaxed a little. It was going to be between them, at least to start with.

Ignacio sat behind his desk, interlacing his fingers, resting his elbows on the surface of the desk. He stared in front of him for a few moments to centre his thoughts and breathe deeply. Armand sat on the other chair and stared at him silently, until he glanced up into his eyes.

"Ignacio, you are in trouble," Armand said softly. "The Governor received a letter from Don Raphael's father yesterday, and has taken me to task on your actions."

Ignacio was silent, and waited for Armand to continue.

"You know the rules about duelling, Alcalde. This was unacceptable," Armand said.

"I was trying to be a gentleman. My wife…she was…You can guess," Ignacio responded.

"This wasn't completely unexpected, Ignacio. You will need to rein in your temper as far as your wife is concerned. You can't even claim disrespect on the office of Alcalde, which may come in handy if you yourself are disrespected. No one in the government will take your wife's honour seriously. She is an Indian, and if we were to consider this marriage…technically it isn't completely legal, Ignacio."

"It is. We were married in the cathedral in Monterey. We are married in the eyes of God, and that is what counts," Ignacio said sharply. "You were in the church. You saw and heard the ceremony."

Armand slowly shook his head. "According to the law, Indians do not have the same status as Spaniards. Legally they aren't the same as us. Someone in the office in Monterey compared your marriage to marrying your horse. Says you are crazy and should be cast out of office," Armand said. "It is not my opinion, but it is others."

"What can I do about it?"

"Don't cause trouble and don't use your wife as an excuse for violence," he answered.

"I was twice as violent and heartless years ago, and nothing was done back then," Ignacio murmured.

"The world is changing, Ignacio. The rules are changing. It may be best if you resign from your post, and begin to live quietly somewhere else."

"This is my pueblo, Armand. These people are being looked after now. Zorro has no need to visit the pueblo. Under a different Alcalde, we may indeed see the need arise for his involvement again. He is not always an easy man to deal with. Someone with less patience will upset the balance again. The Governor may well see a powerful outlaw emerge from the ashes of my term of office."

"Threats won't make this any easier."

"It's the truth. Zorro appears when he is needed, and right now he is not needed."

"Ignacio, I have yet to get you a wedding present," Armand said softly. Ignacio glanced at him in surprise. How had the conversation changed so dramatically?

"I want to give you a parcel of land. I wanted it myself for later in my career, but you may have need of it more than I. I will purchase another later down the track, if we decide to stay in California. I have an idea Spain may be a better option, especially as I raise my daughter."

"Land? What would I do with land?"

"It borders on the de la Vega land. You can raise cattle like they do, and provide the military with beef. There will always be a need for that. The de la Vegas will help you get started I'm sure. They have a soft spot for Gushing Stream."

"Diego always helps a hopeless case," Ignacio muttered. Now he would have to take orders from the man. It really was going to be unacceptable to live so close to the caballero.

"Gushing Stream may like the distance from the pueblo and the closeness to friends that actually respect her. I am giving it to you regardless if you want it or not, Ignacio." The Colonel placed a deed of ownership on his desk, and turned and left the room. "I will be at the Tavern, and I will see you at dinner, along with your beautiful wife."

"Yes, Colonel," Ignacio said softly. It was an order, and he accepted it as such.