Ignacio's Rage

Ignacio woke much later in his wife's arms, and slowly got out of bed, and into a shirt. Buttoning up his red and blue jacket, he was deep in thought. The day was approaching when he would never wear the outfit again. The old goals of glory and prestige felt worthless in the light of this all-consuming love, but he wanted something for his family. His old goal of capturing Zorro was null and void and had been before the pardon had been issued.

Would he be a good farmer? It was worth a chance, he supposed. If it all failed and collapsed around them, his friends would support him. He would find another job somewhere. If it didn't fail, the chance to join a distinguished peer group was an attractive idea. To be on par with Diego, instead of a level behind in everything he did would be worth a little hard work.

He smiled at his sleeping wife. The pregnancy was beginning to look like it was in its latter stage, and confinement would be important soon. On a property outside the pueblo she could relax and venture outdoors much more than here in the town. Less judgemental people would venture out towards an estate and they could live in peace.

He had come to a decision, he realised, as he walked out of the room, making his way out to the Tavern. He had things to collect, and benches to right. He paused. The sun was quite high, and the benches would have already been dealt with. He shrugged. Sometimes Diego was wrong, he mused.

His long legs covered a couple of steps at a time as he raced to his single room that he had taken the night before. Some of his files had been left on the table near the bed, and even though they weren't confidential in any way, they were necessary for his work that day.

On his way back down, a slouching man in a dirty poncho lifted his head and spat in his direction. His reaction was immediate, and the man was flung against the wall, Ignacio's hands grasping the poncho.

"How dare you?"

"I'd do it again. Dirty Indian lover," he slurred. Ignacio thumped him hard against the wall again.

"You will pay for that," he growled.

"Alcalde?" Diego had risen to his feet and was watching him carefully, as Ignacio shoved him towards the lancers that had arrived in the Tavern for some breakfast. The men glanced at each other and caught the man as he stumbled forward.

"You, sir, are under arrest for assaulting a government official," Ignacio said, pointing a finger at the man. "Don Diego, if you wish to speak on this man's behalf you can spend some time in my jail as well."

Diego sat down, speechless.

Ignacio followed the lancers to the jail, and personally locked the cell door.

"You can't handle the truth, you bastard," the man said, spitting at him again. Ignacio toyed with the idea of having him hanged for a moment. He paced the small jail house and stared at the floor.

Gushing Stream would just get angry again if he did much to the man. It was an insult on his office now. Armand had said if his office was assaulted he would be legally right to defend it – so the governor would have no problem with harsh discipline in this matter. Gushing Stream would have a great deal to say. It wouldn't be so easy to explain it again, and to forgive him again for the same issue would be hard for the woman. He risked everything if he punished him at all.

Rage burned inside him and logic and reason seemed to leave him, as the man spat yet again, and one of his boots collected the spittle. He ground his teeth in an effort to maintain control over his emotions. Then he stormed out of the building and into his office.

He arranged his files absentmindedly as he struggled to keep control, his mind inventing various means of punishment verging on outright torture.

"Ignacio?" Gushing Stream ventured out of his private quarters and paused in his office. "Dona Victoria is collecting me in the carriage soon. We arranged a day together yesterday. I hope you don't mind me going?"

He smiled as he rose from his seat. It was good that she had a friend in the territory. It was not so good that it was Diego's wife – he would spend even more time with the man. Diego was getting suspicious and edgy lately. Diego had no love for violence either.

"Is Diego joining you both?"

"Diego is going to take us on a picnic. He knows a beautiful spot by the river," Gushing Stream said happily. "The little ones would love to be outside in the fresh air."

"Just make sure they don't fall in," Ignacio said with a smile. She smiled back. "You look like you have a great day ahead of you for the picnic. I hope you have a wonderful time," he murmured.

"You can't join us for lunch?"

"No, so much work to do, my love. I will be busy all day. You make sure you have a wonderful time," he said. She smiled, and when Dona Victoria came to the office door, she went out with her. He accompanied her to the carriage, kissing her hand and helping her in.

"Don't work too hard, Ignacio."

He smiled and watched them leave the pueblo until they were out of sight.

Then he went back to the jail house, and stared hard at his prisoner. He grinned stupidly back at him, and Ignacio knew what he would do.

He would have the man flogged. If he did it without his wife in the pueblo at the time, she would never know. If Diego was supervising his twins at the river, he would never have the time to prevent the flogging by showing up as Zorro. He could have his revenge without the consequences he disliked.

"You will be flogged for assaulting an officer of the crown, senor," he growled. "Sergeant Mendoza!"

There was a scramble of soldier feet, and the large man was saluting him to his right.

"Ready the flogging post, Mendoza. This man will feel the sting of my whip," he ordered.

"Alcalde, Zorro has never liked that. Should we be doing this?"

"Zorro is not yet Alcalde of this pueblo, Sergeant. It is nothing less than what this criminal deserves," Ignacio declared. "I am the Alcalde, do as you are ordered, Mendoza."

Mendoza dashed out, and Ignacio knew that he was already looking over his shoulder for the masked man. Ignacio smirked a little. Knowing who his adversary was made all the difference in the world. Neither Zorro nor Diego would prevent this act of justice.

He grabbed the shirt of the manacled man and dragged him to the flogging post, accompanied by the necessary lancers. He stood back while the lancers tied the man down, and stripped his shirt from his body.

"People of Los Angeles, this man assaulted an officer of the crown of Spain. He will receive just punishment for his crime. Note well, good people. No one will be permitted to assault my authority in this pueblo!"

Ignacio stood back and swung the whip. The man bit back the first couple of cries of pain, and then it became fun, as the criminal cried out in agony. No Zorro interfered this time. He watched the people in the plaza look around with expectation, but no one moved to stop him. He swung the whip a total of twenty times, before he felt recompensed. Then he left the man to his lancers, and returned to the office, smiling with the satisfaction of a job well done.