Chapter 24: Sudden twist

Barely five minutes later, while passing near the chapel, the sergeant heard a noise which called him out. He looked then through the window by climbing on a barrel after a time of thinking. Could he permit himself?

When he noticed the tied and gagged padre, he lost his balance and fell heavily . In a quick motion, he stood up and ran to the chapel in a gauche way where he took off his hat before entering.

As he didn't find the key, he smashed in the door by a shoulder's hit well aimed. He hastened then to untie the padre and to take off his gag before doing the same to Pablo.

"Sergeant, it is imperative that you go to the De la Vegas'." The padre said feverishly.

"How's that?" He astonished.

"Our aggressor went there by taking Doctor Avila as a hostage. We're losing time."

"That is that... I can't leave like that..."

The padre, seeing that the sergeant was a little slow to understand , ran out of the chapel and went to knock at the commandante's office door.

Toledano didn't have time to answer as his visitor opened the door in a hurry.

"Padre Felipe?" He questioned with surprise.

"Capitan Toledano, excuse me, but this cannot wait. The De la Vega family is in danger. Don Sebastián just left for there, ten minutes ago now. He took along Doctor Avila as a hostage."

"You should have begun with that!" Garcia exclaimed.

Toledano stood up with a jump, overturning then his chair. Attracted by the noise, Raquel came out of the bedroom.

"Order the lancers to get ready right now, Sergeant!"

"Arturo, what is happening?"

"I have to go to the De la Vegas' in emergency. The bandit we are looking for went there and Don Diego is not in a state to defend him alone." He explained by putting his hat on. "Thanks for coming, Padre."

"Thank heavens the sergeant noticed we were gagged."

The capitán smiled briefly and went out of his office.

In the courtyard, it was action stations all round. Around ten lancers, ready before the others, left toward the De la Vegas' hacienda and Corporal Reyes had charge in the overseeing of the cuartel.

On the plaza, Monastario, which was ending an errand for his niece, noticed the troop movement and went to the padre to see what it was about.

"Buenos días, Padre."

"Buenos días, Señor Monastario."

"Do you know where the lancers are going so hastily?"

"They're going to Don Alejandro and Don Diego... Don Sebastián just went there."

"Don Sebastián? El Lobo?"

"Si."

Monastario hastened toward his mount and left at his turn. His niece was still in their home, in convalescence.

From the window of his room, Don Esteban noticed, too, the troop movement and the hastened departure of the former capitán. From his visit the previous day, the viceroy now knew that his son was the informer of Diego. Although half surprised, he was hardly astonished. Marcos and Diego were close at university. Don Esteban also learnt what it was about Diego's wound. He sat down at the desk in order to read again the documents he had prepared the day before. He wanted to be sure to have forgotten nothing.

"Father, you called for me?" Constancia questioned.

"Si... It's about Diego."

"He has troubles once again?"

"Without gravity, I assure you. Your brother brought him more, as is his manner . I would have learnt the truth at that time, believe me well he wouldn't have had any, on the contrary your brother... Anyway, I was going to visit him, do you want to come with me?"

"With pleasure, Father."

"Well, get ready quickly, we're going right now." The viceroy said without knowing that the lancers and Monastario just went to the same place.

Arriving on the doorstep of the tavern, they met the governor, Doña Leonar and Don Donatio.

"Señores, Señorita."

"Don Esteban, I thought about your words concerning Zorro..."

"My father didn't close his eyes all night." Leonar slipped, making smile Constancia.

"What did you conclude?" The viceroy asked.

"The Fox is worth his freedom even if he remains anonymous afterwards. After all, taking off his mask in public is probably not the best thing to do. No doubt that the man will prefer remaining anonymous so as not to be challenged till kingdom come."

"But if Zorro disappears, who will protect the people?" Constancia questioned.

"Zorro won't disappear." The viceroy smiled in front of his daughter's naivety. "His anonymity protected, he may follow his fight in all legality if his heart tells him."

And if he is still capable of holding a sword. He kept for himself.

"Señores, Señorita, if you will excuse us, we were heading to the De la Vegas'."

"Say hello for me." The alcalde said.

"I won't fail, Don Donatio. By the way, could you arrange to have all the wanted posters of Zorro replaced by the free pardon and amnesty which are in my bedroom?"

"Of course, Viceroy." The alcalde smiled as he firmly headed to the bedroom.

"Viceroy?" The governor asked.

"Yes."

"You know who he is, don't you?"

"To be totally frank, I will tell you that I think to know who he is, but I don't have any evidence."

Leonar and Constancia looked at him with surprise.

"Why didn't you arrest him?" Leonar asked.

"I told you, I think to know who he is; it doesn't mean that I know who he is! I won't arrest a man with the mere presumption he is Zorro. It needs evidence for this, or else it would be sinking a lot."

Constancia smiled. It was well there her father.

"By the way, Father, did Don Alejandro not want to introduce you his last born in his stud farm and make you taste their latest vintage?" Leonar asked.

"That's correct, but he told me to come at morning's end."

"So come with us." Constancia proposed.

Don Esteban hid a wince, it risked complicating his affairs with Diego, nonetheless:

"My daughter is right, come with us. The road will seem shorter."

"Gracias." Leonar answered swiftly.

"Well, it seems that I have no more choice." The governor said in front of his daughter's enthusiasm.

That's how a calash left from Los Angeles with the viceroy, the governor and their daughters, in the direction of the De la Vegas' hacienda.

...

Bernardo, at the bedside of Diego, was watching Doctor Avila's arrival. The state of his friend wasn't so worrying, but having let him go under the rain and in his condition made him feel guilty. Although now slightly feverish, after having spent a very agitated night, the young don was conscious of his state and the worry in which, the day before, he had plunged his father. Worry quickly swept when Don Esteban had come into the discussion.

When Bernardo heard a calash arriving, he hastened to the window and was delighted to see Doctor Avila, but was surprised to find a monk next to him. When he realized that Diego was standing up and was also watching outside, he turned for scolding at him. But in front of his serious face, he guessed that his friend was intrigued by the monk, and changed his mind.

"Bernardo, you have to help me take the secret passage."

The manservant nodded negatively.

"Bernardo, I have no intention to appear as Zorro. I just want to go down to see what is going on."

Thoughtful, Bernardo finally approved his friend's request and helped him. They arrived in the secret room behind the sala when a manservant opened the door.

"Doctor Avila, Señor De la Vega is waiting for you." He invited him to come inside.

When the manservant noticed that the monk wanted to come in too, he stepped in the way.

"Padre?"

"The padre is with me." Avila intervened, avoiding that the situation worsens.

The manservant stepped aside to let him pass.

"Alejandro, my friend." Avila exclaimed making him react as he arrived in the sala.

Indeed the doctor only named him directly with his first name, without title, when a situation was serious. Without having enough time to react as he would have liked, Don Alejandro suddenly found a gun pointing toward him.

"No more moves, old man." The monk said threatening and wincing under his hood.

Squeezing a weapon wasn't such a good idea.

"What is the meaning of this?" Alejandro exclaimed.

"Lead me to Doña Salena."

"Salena just left to take some air with friends and under good guard." De la Vega senior explained.

"She left? According to what your vaquero told the padre's manservant, she would be feverish."

Alejandro bit his lips. The man facing him was dangerous.

"Who is the liar then? The padre's manservant, your vaquero, or you?" The man vociferated by taking off his hood.

"Don Sebastián." Alejandro cried out.

On the other side of the wall, Diego was seething physically and morally.

Yes, Salena went out with friends... Isabella and Señorita De Santa Anna. But what Alejandro had omitted to say was that they were in the backyard and that the three of them were taking benefit of the sun.

"Where is your son, old man?" Sebastián asked ardently. "What reason does he have for not coming to the reunion yesterday morning?"

"You're quite curious, Señor." Alejandro brought up.

For all reaction, a shot resounded in the hacienda. Diego had to force himself not to enter on the scene. Señor De la Vega stayed impassive in spite of a slight, very slight, feeling of burn on his left cheek.

In the backyard, the young ladies heard the shot and looked at each other puzzled.

Some meters from the hacienda, Toledano and the lancers, caught up by Monastario, also heard the shot.

Let's hope we're not too late. Toledano thought as a second shot could be heard.

In the secret room, Diego turned vividly and headed toward the library's passage, unintentionally jostling Bernardo on his way.

"Sorry, my friend, but I have to go out. Don Sebastián will have less doubt by seeing me."

Bernardo indicated him his arm.

"I know I can't use it, but I don't intend doing it. I will find another solution to make fall down this Wolf." Diego said as he went out.

Bernardo looked at him incredulous. In spite of his fever, Diego seemed to be sure of himself. He followed him at a distance, remaining in the shadow for intervention if necessary.

"Don Sebastián, what a surprise!" Diego exclaimed as he came out of the library.

Alejandro's heart squeezed when he saw him.

"So, it is you who makes such noise. It's already not easy to rest in normal time." The young don underlined.

"Don Diego." Sebastián said by turning to him while Don Alejandro caught his wounded arm and that Doctor Avila got closer to him.

Diego noticed the weapon of Don Sebastián. If his memory failed him not, it must have two bullets left.

"It seems you have beaten Yago with a poker."

"People often exaggerate things." Diego calmly explained.

Alejandro observed his son which face was covered with sweat. His fever seemed to be lower than during the night. No doubt that Bernardo was not unknown to it.

"We will well see if people are exaggerating things; take a weapon, Don Diego."

"You're joking, Don Sebastián. I have no desire to fight... It's an act so much wearing and useless. Weapons are not made for poets."

Alejandro and Avila hushed up the urge to laugh while Sebastián fulminated.

"Don Diego, if you don't take a weapon, I won't hesitate to shoot down your father." He said pointing again his gun toward the old man.

Diego briefly winced.

"Come on, it is fruitless to employ so much violence." The young don remarked with a tired tone before going closer to the weapons lying above the fireplace.

"Diego." His father whispered with worry.

This latter reassured him with a move and then he grabbed the first weapon with his right hand and winced.

"What's the matter?" Señor De Otsoa asked as he saw him doing it.

"This weapon is quite heavy. It's an exhaustion just to take it."

"You're a coward, Don Diego. You're seeking a pretext not to fight."

"It is true that I loathe physical exercises. All this sweat..."

"Stop whining and take the second weapon." Sebastián vociferated by catching this first blade with his right hand and wincing at his turn.

Sighing, Diego obeyed and took the weapon with his left hand. Although this time the move was painless, he winced again to keep on his act of the puny and fainthearted don.

"Diego, you're not up to it." Alejandro remarked harshly by joining in the play of his son.

"Father, you offend me! My honor is at stake." Diego said by moving the blade which cut neatly the monk's dress of Don Sebastián, without looking at him.

El Lobo looked at the cut, and then looked at the young don making strange moves with the weapon. Did he seriously beat Yago with a poker? This cut, was it voluntary? Was it a warning or just luck? Suddenly less assured without knowing why, Don Sebastián became strained.

"En garde, Don Diego. Señores, the lesser movement from you and I won't hesitate to shoot." Sebastián said.

Outside, riders arrived.

"What is this din, again?" He grumbled.

Alejandro turned his head to the window and observed Capitán Toledano entering in the patio.

"Your committee of reception." He said then by catching his now bandaged arm while Diego took back his place, weapon in his left hand, blocking then any way of escape to Señor De Otsoa.

El Lobo plunged to Don Diego which nimbly dodged the attack. Sebastián winced, his wound didn't like his move. Diego plunged at his turn, clumsily, after having noticed the wince of his opponent. Sebastián parried, wincing with disdain.

"I believed you were right handed." He said while Diego attacked again.

"Oh! Do you think it will change anything? I will give it a try." The young don said.

But as soon as he closed his right hand on the pommel's sword, he felt a discharge in his arm, doubled with pain, which made him lessen his guard. Sebastián took benefit of the opening and attacked again. Diego stepped back in time and his opponent's weapon only cut his shirt. The door opened suddenly while El Lobo chained up his attacks, in spite of his pains. Diego parried and noticed the capitán and the sergeant at the doorstep, and lancers at the windows.

"But it's quite true that Don Diego managed with sword." Garcia said cheerfully.

"Buenos días." The young don said to them, like nothing was happening.

Surprised, Don Sebastián turned round briefly. Diego took advantage of the occasion, and helping himself with his left arm, plunged his sword toward the right shoulder of his opponent. This one couldn't avoid it in time and felt the tip of the sword ferociously piercing his flesh, obliging him to drop his weapon. Wounded, but undefeated, Señor De Otsoa raged.

In the same time, he noticed Diego wincing. This latter was threatening to drop his weapon which he was holding with his right hand.

"It seems to me that I managed better with my left hand." He said nonchalantly by changing again his sword of hand and pointing it to Don Sebastián. However, his wound showed itself violently and he dropped his sword in order to catch it.

"What is happening to you? Yet, I didn't hit you." Don Sebastián, who still was holding his gun in his left hand, said.

"An old injury." Diego argued as he was feeling nauseous and which sight blurred a moment.

"An old injury, you don't say." Sebastián repeated ironical.

"Drop your weapon!" Toledano ordered.

El Lobo remained imperturbable. If Diego was the man he was thinking of, he won't miss this occasion. In a contrary case, he would at least finish with him.

"Or else what, Capitán?" He asked without leaving sight of the young don.

"Or I order the lancers to shoot you down straight away.

"At the risk to make other victims? Come on, Capitán." He taunted him.

It is true that by seeing his place in the room, and, we have to admit, the poor quality of range shooting of the lancers, it was a risky business.

"I won't hesitate shooting you down, myself." Toledano asserted by taking out a pistol.

Nonetheless, Diego was also in his line of fire.

"I will drop my weapon only after having ended with this... highwayman."

Diego raised his head while Don Alejandro tensed in front of this accusation.

"Don Sebastián, it seems to me that the highwayman here is you." Diego argued with a firm but tired tone.

"Enough." He grumbled, getting ready to shoot.

Coming from nowhere a little voice rose.

"Don't hurt Uncle Zorro."