Peering into the dark passageway, Diego's greatest temptation was to bypass it, and go against the bandits head to head. Something inside was telling him to be careful. The passage might just be the best way – at least for the moment. He had a child to consider.
Easing himself into the passageway, he felt his way in the dark. Something invisible skittered across a bare hand, but he steeled himself, breathing deeply and calmly. He hoped the ladies would be as calm.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Victoria yelled. Diego froze, momentarily. Maybe he should have faced the men immediately.
Zzz
He peered at the men who had approached the ladies so abruptly. He couldn't see much to alarm him. Victoria was just enraged, and defensive. Isabella was a little too pale, and trembling, but she was trying to blink away her tears. Raquel was frowning stubbornly, affronted and offended by her treatment. The men dumped the child against her mother, and left them to themselves. Perhaps, Diego thought, they were not quite sure what to do with their hostages. That was a bonus for the moment.
He silently moved closer to them. Their guard wandered off to be closer to the fire, trusting the ladies to the ropes that held them. Not always the best policy at least as far as Victoria was concerned. She was not always so obedient, Diego mused. She must be worried about Isabella and Raquel.
He stood a little higher, and Raquel saw him first. He laid a finger on his lips and was thankful that the little girl obeyed. Raquel nudged her mother gently until she looked at her, and then saw what Raquel was staring at. Isabella's eyes lit up and her whole face shone with hope.
He saw his way clear, and kept down, making his way quickly to the ladies. He took a hidden dagger out of his boot, and cut the ropes holding Raquel's hands. He shoved her gently towards the passageway, but she was frightened.
"Go with her, Diego," Isabella whispered. "Please make my baby safe…"
Diego glanced at the ladies, and then at the child. Of course he needed to get the girl out first, but how could he leave the others? He sighed, and joined Raquel.
The darkness of the passageway made her shrink back, so Diego lifted her in his arms and carried her carefully. Little arms threw themselves around his neck in terror, but the child didn't cry or scream. Once Diego felt something underfoot, and he almost tripped. He had to stop and comfort the child a little before continuing.
Before too long they were at the side entrance, but not out of danger completely. They did have guards at the main entrance, Diego cautioned himself. He lowered Raquel to the ground, and held her hand. He gently tugged her when he felt it was safe to run to the next rock, and he made him way as he had done before, until he was back with Stefano.
Together they made their way back to the picnic blanket.
"Mama, and Victoria are back there. You need to save them too," Raquel said with spirit. Diego sighed, glancing back where they had come from.
"How on earth did you manage it, Diego?"
"With patience and craftiness," Diego said softly. "Take her and go back to the pueblo. I have to go back to the ladies. Somehow I have to get them out. They are a little more work than a child."
"Take the pistol at least, Diego. They could kill you."
"They could, but they won't," Diego said, smiling. "Take her…"
Stefano watched as Raquel reached down and grabbed a chicken leg. "I'm hungry," she murmured, as her uncle sighed.
Diego put a hand on Stefano's shoulder. "You are a good young man, Stefano. Keep her safe. I am counting on you," he murmured. He made his way back towards the cave, as Stefano watched.
"Come on, little one," Stefano urged.
"I'm hungry and tired, Uncle Stefano. I want to rest," Raquel said impatiently. Stefano had crouched to her level, and was distracted by Diego's creeping figure. The man would be killed….Diego was a fool to go back there without soldiers or a weapon. He hadn't used words to win Raquel's freedom. He had used skill and craftiness.
Zzz
Victoria and Isabella were both relieved not to have the little girl to worry about, and were quite certain of rescue eventually.
Victoria decided to work on the ropes, by rubbing them against the rocks of the cave walls. They were starting to fray and weaken. Isabella watched her, and shivered.
"It's alright Isabella. Zorro will save us. Don't be frightened," Victoria whispered. Isabella attempted a smile.
"Diego was so brave, coming like he did to save Raquel. What on earth possessed him to risk his life like that?" Isabella said. Victoria paused, and nodded.
"He must truly love you," Victoria said.
"He doesn't love me," Isabella said with a gentle smile. "He loves someone else."
"Does that hurt you, when you love him so intensely?"
"I don't love him. I don't think I could ever love anyone ever again. Francisco was my soul mate."
"I was a little foolish then," Victoria said with a catch to her voice. "I was so jealous."
"Perhaps you are the one who loves him, then?" Isabella said with interest. "You need to tell him."
"Me?" Victoria squeaked. "He doesn't love me, I'll just look foolish."
"How do you know he doesn't love you?"
"Shut up you two!" A burly man roared from his seat near the fire.
Isabella shivered, as she was brought back to reality. Victoria frowned.
"We are trying to make the best of it, thank you," she growled. "If you would just let us go, I'm sure no harm will come to you."
Pablo Paonessa laughed, as he strode over to the group. Isabella positioned herself a little, as if to shield a sleeping child. His eyes flickered over her, and continued over to Victoria.
"Which one of you is Zorro's woman?"
"Zorro's woman?"
"His lover, his trollop…"
"Neither one, Senor," said a male voice that sounded familiar. Victoria drew in her breath, and they both glanced towards the fire.
"Who on earth are you, my fine caballero?" Paonessa said, whirling around, his hand already drawing out his sword.
"My name is Diego de la Vega. You are on my land, and these ladies are under my protection," he said firmly.
Paonessa laughed a little. "Well, Senor de la Vega, I am armed, and you are not. I have hostages as well. You are quite stupid to confront me in this way."
"Diego please," Victoria said. "He might kill you."
"The soldiers are on their way, senor," Diego said. "I suggest that you take flight and leave the ladies to me."
"From what I hear of the Los Angeles garrison, I have nothing to fear. The alcalde is a joke. Zorro himself does not even kill anyone, and he is the only authority I respect around here, to any degree."
"Zorro will ensure you are locked away, and that you would stand trial," Victoria said.
"I can't even tell you to put down a weapon, Senor, since you aren't holding one," Paonessa said softly. Diego stood a little straighter at the sound of a thinking adversary. "Tie him up and keep him with the ladies. Another hostage won't go to waste. If one of these ladies is Zorro's beloved, we may have a problem."
Diego acted immediately, and the first guard found himself thrown over Diego's shoulder in such a fluid and rapid movement that no one had seen it coming. Another bandit came at Diego with a drawn sword, and with a careful movement, Diego had both knocked him down and stolen the rapier he had held.
"How did you do that?"
"Boxing classes at University, Victoria. Amazing how much I remember," Diego said softly.
Paonessa was now frowning, and all laughter had disappeared completely.
"Now," Paonessa said calmly. "Put the sword down, or the senora suffers for it." He strode across to Isabella, pulled her to her feet, and placed a knife to her throat.
Diego hesitated. The sword felt good in his hands, and the other bandits could easily come back from wherever they had been sent. Perhaps it was the only time he had to best the man. He might just be bluffing.
"I'm serious, caballero," Paonessa said, applying enough pressure on the knife to pierce her skin. A trickle of blood slowly made its way down the front of her bodice, and she shivered.
Diego met the man's eyes.
"How much blood does she need to lose, senor caballero? You are willing for me to kill her? You wish to be responsible for her death?"
Diego dropped the sword. It fell with a clatter on the stone floor.