As said, this story is inspired by the first eleven episodes of the show. I found it hard to make the episode: Deceptive Heart, fit in since Victoria barely has a role. So the events in that episode will be mentioned in the following chapters, but that's all there is to it. I also want to make it my story and not a summary. So enjoy this chapter, and let me know what you think.
I also have started using a different method of translating I am trying out. So I like to hear whether it is an improvement. When you don't want to do that by posting a review, please, send an email.
Chapter 8
The tavern was crowded with people. It was not surprising, as the stagecoach could arrive at any moment. Don Alejandro had asked Diego and Felipe to collect the mail. The don was expecting an important letter, or so he said. Diego had not protested. Spending time in the tavern at his father's request, where he could watch the beautiful owner, was no punishment. While sipping his coffee, Diego watched Victoria as she manoeuvred skillfully between the tables. She had a kind word for everyone and a beautiful smile. Felipe gestured that he wanted to go outside to wait for the stagecoach. There was always plenty to see and do on the plaza. And, not unimportantly, Felipe could overhear conversations between lancers and others unnoticed.
As Felipe went outside, the sergeant walked in. He immediately noticed the young don and remembered who had paid for most of his meals over the past few weeks. Mendoza walked over to the table where Diego was sitting calmly.
"Buenos dias, don Diego. Are you waiting for the coach?"
"Buenos dias, sergeant. Indeed I am." Diego looked at his pocket watch for a moment. "It's late. It is already almost eleven o'clock."
"Yes, it's late today. I hope nothing has happened on the way." The sergeant answered absentmindedly, licking his lips because Victoria was passing by, carrying a tray of food.
"That would be troublesome."
"Yes, it's too hot to have to search."
Naturally the sergeant was more concerned for his welfare than for the coach and its passengers. "I meant more than I hope nothing has happened." Diego pointed out.
"That too, of course," the sergeant hastened to say.
Pilar, she was one of Victoria's helpers, came over and asked the sergeant if he wanted to order anything. Mendoza glanced at the don, who immediately ordered two cups of coffee.
To distract Diego from his lack of interest, Mendoza uttered. "The alcalde is also waiting for the stagecoach."
"Oh, is he expecting news?"
"No, it's for the fencing tournament he planss to organize. He hopes men from all over the territory will hear of it and participate."
Diego hadn't heard of such a thing getting organized, so he reacted amazed. "Fencing tournament?"
"Yes, he wants as many people as possible to attend."
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Two hours later, Diego returned to the hacienda. The letter his father had been waiting for was among the mail, and Diego had questioned Mendoza about the tournament. Before he could hand Esperanza over to the stablehand, the front door opened, and his father walked towards him. "Finally, you're back. I expected you back well before noon."
"The coach was late," Diego explained. "It got delayed in San Diego. Here's the mail." Diego handed his father a thick stack of envelopes.
"Mmm. Any news?"
"Nothing special. Except, sergeant Mendoza said the alcalde wants to organize a fencing tournament next week."
Alejandro looked up from his mail and said interestedly, "Fencing, you say, really?"
The stablehand walked up, took Diego's horse, and father and son walked to the front door together. "Yes, entry costs are three pesos. Anyone can participate, and the grand prize is a thousand pesos."
"A thousand pesos, that's a nice prize. I imagine many men giving it a try to win that amount of money."
"Indeed, I merely wonder how long the winner can enjoy his victory."
The men had arrived in the library, and Don Alejandro sat down at his writing desk and pulled out a letter opener from one of the drawers. "What do you mean by that remark?"
"Seems pretty simple to me. This whole tournament might be an effort to discover who this Zorro can be. The winner runs the risk of being accused of being Zorro. Ramon won't hesitate to condemn him to death."
Alejandro chuckled. "Diego, I think you're exaggerating. Even Ramon won't expect Zorro to be unmasked so easily." Alejandro waved away Diego's arguments. "But I do think I'll ride to Los Angeles to sign us both up. I used to be an excellent swordsman and haven't forgotten how."
"If you want to participate, go ahead. But don't sign me up."
Don Alejandro placed the letter he was holding on the desk and asked slightly confused. "Why not? You had three years of training from Sir Edmund Kendall. He still is one of the best fecing masters in Europe. Most men just swing their swords around aimlessly. With the basic techniques, Edmund taught you. You might have a good chance of winning."
Diego felt uncomfortable and shifted in his seat. He hated lying, especially to his father. He had to make everyone believe he had no idea how to handle a sword. His alter ego was skilled with the sword. And Diego had to be as different from him as possible.
"I just think I'm not good enough. I focused mostly on my other studies. To be true, I'm afraid the lessons with Sir Edmund got neglected."
"Nonsense. I'm sure you can outmatch most men. Where did you put that sword I gave you? It will be a good weapon to use."
"In my room, I think."
"Go get it, and we can start practising right away. My technique has gotten a bit rusty, but I haven't forgotten anything. Your old man might surprise you. And bring my sword along. It's hanging in the office next to the duelling pistols."
Don Alejandro refused to listen to Diego's arguments, convinced that his son was exaggerating his lack of technique and might do better in the tournament than Diego believed himself. "It will be good for your confidence. I gave you a high-quality sword. And even one lesson from Sir Kendall should be enough to handle most lancers. Have you seen them practice? It is deplorable."
Alejandro asked Felipe to ride back to Los Angeles and register both de la Vega men for the tournament.
"Is it wise to participate? It will mostly attract young men who overestimate themselves. Besides, we don't need the money," Diego argued in vain with his father.
"Do you think this is about a thousand pesos? Of course not. And I do know how to fight, don't underestimate me. Your old father still has a lot of fights left in him. And if I win, I already know what I'll do with the money. The mission school could use a new roof. During the last storm, there are more holes in that roof than in the road to the pueblo."
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And so, early the following morning, father and son stood facing each other in the garden. Both were holding a sword. "Come on, Diego! Even a child could have countered that attack. I am sure sir Kendall taught you better! Pay attention, son. You must do better than this, or you'll be out in the first round."
"Father, as I tried to explain to you during my time in Spain, I focused on other studies. Latin, physics, history, art, architecture," Diego listed his studies. "Fencing just got neglected."
Don Alejandro wiped the sweat off his forehead. Diego had been in Spain for almost four years. He had personally made sure his son would get trained by Sir Edmund Kendall, and yet Diego could barely hold a sword properly. Apparently, his son had no talent for it at all. "So you're trying to tell me, after years of training by the best teacher one could find, this is all you have to show for?"
Diego gazed at his father with an apologizing expression on his face. His father was too focused on the sword.
"Look." Alejandro balanced his sword on his hand. "This sword has a perfect balance. Make use of that. Get to know the sword. Become one with your weapon, and it will become an extension of your arm."
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It was bustling around Los Angeles. Ramon walked contentedly across the grounds set up for the fencing tournament. It was likely that the man hiding behind the mask couldn't resist the temptation to prove himself as the best, and there was this large sum of prizemoney. Who could resist such a thing? Everyone had his price. Many more men had registered than expected. People had come from far and wide to enter the tournament or to watch. The tavern filled with guests. The padre had opened the church for people without a place to sleep. And many dons had taken friends in as guests for the three days the tournament would last.
Yesterday, there had been some commotion when four women arrived in the pueblo and wanted to sign up. Of course, that could not be allowed. Women fencing, imagine that. Unfortunately, don Diego had been around and had witnessed it all. The don had reminded sergeant Mendoza, who was in charge of the registrations, that everyone was allowed to participate in the tournament. Nowhere was it stated that women excluded and, so, the women had the right to participate.
Don Alejandro agreed with his son and declared he would be honoured to face one of the senoritas. His statement got followed by that of his son. After the most respected don expressed his support for the women more and more men were willing to challenge a woman. All men were looking forward to an easy victory.
Ramon had tried to point out that it would be impossible for the women to find accommodation. Victoria Escalante had stepped in to help. Should the women be willing to share a room, she could provide them four beds.
Victoria, her offer did not need to get accepted because don Alejandro insisted on offering the women two rooms in his hacienda, by doing that, again, making his point that he approved of women entering a fencing tournament.
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Ramon surveyed the men preparing for the tournament and noticed that the majority did not resemble the masked bandit, Zorro. He made a list of men who matched Zorro's physical description and planned to observe those duels with more interest than most.
On the first day, more than half of the participants got eliminated. However, the four female participants astonished everyone by winning all their duels.
On the second day, the skilled fighters emerged from those who could barely wield a sword. Don Alejandro won every duel. One of the women got eliminated because the field had thinned out so much that she had to face another woman.
Bets were adjusted or increased, with some gamblers betting on a female winner. Don Diego was also among the ones getting eliminated on the second day, losing to a woman.
Ramon was shocked to hear how don Alejandro tried to console his son. Ramon had witnessed the duel. It had been a complete embarrassment for the young don, who was lucky no one had been injured. Ramon removed Diego's name from his list of possible Zorros, as he had been fortunate the previous day, facing clumsy opponents who were even less skilled than he was.
Victoria was glad to have such a bustling tavern filled with guests, who enjoyed refreshments and snacks from early morning till late at night. She accepted help from local peasant women, allowing her to earn more money in one day than she would make in ten. She saw how Diego pointed out a duel to Felipe, which had caught the attention of most spectators.
Señorita Magdalena was duelling Juan Ortega. Victoria considered whether Ortega could be the man hiding behind the black mask, deeming it unlikely due to Ortega's lack of suppleness and moustache.
Doctor Hernandez was almost as busy as Victoria. All the duels cost men to become injured and bruised. He was tending to injuries where necessary, assisted by Felipe.
Victoria walked towards the wagon loaded with food and drinks while Diego, Felipe and Don Alejandro watched the ongoing duel. She heard don Alejandro laughing, saying there was nothing to be ashamed of, highlighting that he knew how terrible Diego was at sword fighting. A bit disappointed, Victoria thought it was a shame Diego was out of the tournament. She would have liked to see him duelling.
Despite knowing little about sword fighting and having limited time to watch the duels, Victoria had noticed that inexperienced fighters were relatively easy to beat. She secretly had hoped to see Diego fight as he looked handsome. He wore a pair of white trousers tightly fitted around his legs, and a nearly see-through shirt that made him look quite attractive.
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Next week it will not be possible for me to post a chapter. I hopefully will have sufficient time to return to work on the story after May 15 and have a new chapter completed more frequently.