The storm outside truly was terrible, it was not something anyone should be out in alone. The moment Victoria stepped outside she was already soaked to the bone, the wind was strong and constantly threatened to topple her over but Victoria refused to go back even as Alejandro continually asked her to do just that.
As quick as possible did Alejandro gather his men and they rode out on horse back through the mud and rain constantly tearing in Victorias hair and clothes.
On their way they already met several families braving through the storm, small children crying as they tried to keep a tight grip in their parents clothing and even babies screaming from fright.
"Go upwards!" Alejandro roared. "What-ever you do, go up not down!"
"Where are we supposed to go?" A woman cried. "This weather is no good for my baby."
"My hacienda is located rather high up, you are all welcome there for the night." Alejandro assured. "Victoria perhaps you could lead them the way."
Victoria seethed annoyed knowing full well Alejandro was trying to get two birds with one stone, making her bring the villagers back to his Hacienda. "Phillipe can do it!" she stated looking at the young servant boy. "i'm going with you."
"Victoria." Alejandro exhaled deeply. "These people will need caring, you are the best one suited for.."
"I'm going with you!" Victoria cut him off.
At last Alejandro seemed to realise that Victoria wasn't taking a no for an answer and shook his head then turned to Phillipe. "Would you bring these people to the Hacienda?" he asked making sure Phillipe could see his lip movements and the boy nodded in understanding then, then jumped off his own horse offering an older woman the seat as she clearly could barely walk and pulled the horse with him in the other direction together with the people.
As Alejandro and Victoria continued with Alejandros men more people came running fleeing from the water tearing away at the foundation of their buildings and Alejandro and Victoria did their best to lead them in the right direction.
"You have to search upwards!" Victoria shouted. "This valley will be flooded, go up!" she informed as she gestured with her arms.
Water had started to stream down at the horses hooves and Victoria could see how it had started to reach people to their ankles, that's finally when the sound of heavy galloping hoofs came in their direction.
Victorias heart positively stopped as she looked up and saw the shadow of a grand stallion and his rider coming towards them, the image was blurrie in the rain and hard to see in the dark but finally he came.
The masked vigilantly, galloping on his horse and then pulled in the reins as he reached them making Tornado rise up on his hind lights before settling down. "Don Alejandro." The masked man greeted.
Wide-eyed Victoria looked at him, her vision was obscured from the heavy rain and it was so dark, yet she could clearly see the strong outline of her beloved under his soaked clothes. And Victoria felt her heart skip a beat by his presence.
Then he looked at Victoria and his eyes widened. "Victoria, what are you doing here?!" he asked then shook his head. "Never mind! I just came from the dam, it is not going to last much longer." he affirmed. "Parts of it is already breaking down, Don Diego agreed with me that it can't be much longer. Maybe minutes at most half an hour."
"Madre dios, there are still so many people!" Alejandro gasped horrified.
Zorro nodded. "There's no way to stop it, but perhaps we can re-direct some of the water." he suggested. "Problem just is… it would lead the water to the south. To Don Castillos fields."
"WHAT!" The Don in question shouted from his own horse. "My fields?! They'll be ruined!" he exclaimed. "I'll loose all my crops!"
"But it may safe lives." Zorro reminded him.
"That may be, but if I don't have crops to sell i'll be ruined!" Don Castillo exclaimed. "How then will I be able to pay the peons?! Or the servants? Or anyone?!" he asked.
"Get a grip!" Alejandro seethed. "Human lives over money?! Is that how you feel?"
"Easy for you to say, it's not your fields that are going to be washed away!" Castillo injected.
"If I may inject." Zorro injected. "Perhaps Don Alejandro and the other Dons wouldn't mind to compensate for your kindness?" he asked. "When you have accumulated your losses i'm sure the Dons wouldn't mind divide the costs between them."
Alejandro shook his head. "If it safe lives I wont mind." he assured.
"Good then." Zorro nodded. "Now come this way i'll need strong men to push over some rocks!" he stated turning Tornado. "Those whom are not strong, lead the villagers to safety. That means you Senorita Escalante!"
Victoria pouted annoyed. "You're saying i'm not strong?" she asked.
At that Zorro laughed. "You have the strongest spirit in the world that is for sure, but i'm afraid your upper body strength is not that of a peon working in the fields. Victoria, we each need to play to our strengths. And right now, I need you." he said. "I need you to take care of the people!"
At that Victoria exhaled deeply as she seemed to deflate. "Fine." finally had to give in. "You're right, lives are at stake. This is not the time to be petty."
At Zorro send her a thankful smile. "I'll be for-ever grateful Quiredda." he said then lifted an arm. "This way! hurry!" he shouted and they were off, leaving Victoria and a few of the younger peons as she sighed deeply.
Victoria sighed deeply, she had been delegated to lead the running villagers in the right direction together with just a handful of young men, right now it wasn't the time to think of Zorro or Diego, she had to focus on the more immediate concerns of getting everyone to safety.
It wasn't such an easy job, Victoria was beyond soaked and beyond cold, her poor body was shaking and her hands were hurting just from the cold of the water but still she wanted to do her bit at least!
Finally a horse came galloping, the great black stallion and Zorro shouted. "EVERYONE OUT!" he yelled. "The dam is falling any moment! OUT NOW!" he shouted.
"Did you manage to push down the stones you needed to?" Victoria asked.
"Si." Zorro nodded. "Now get out of here, hurry."
And Victoria nodded turning her horse, leading everyone upwards they just managed to get up as the water came, a big flood below them like a river crashing over the trees and land wide-eyed Victoria looked down and so did the others, then though a woman screamed.
"ALBERTO! MY SON!" She screamed and Victoria looked down to wide-eyed see a boy whom had fallen down and was now splashing around in the wild water.
Zorro how-ever didn't hesitate as he turned around and galloped down.
"ZORRO!" Victoria screamed as she saw the man ride into the harsh water trying to get to the boy. Victoria gasped as she saw him, how the water was pushing at Tornado and threatening to swallow up both horse and its rider.
Victoria could barely even watch, and yet she couldn't look away. Her heart was hammering in her chest.
"ZORRO PLEASE!" She begged in a scream. "BE CAREFUL!" she asked in a cry.
Just then, Zorro threw himself off the horse electing to swim instead of riding and Victoria gasped as she saw the man finally reaching the boy pulling him up, but then they were both swept away by the stream.
"ZORRO! NOOOO!" Victoria screamed starting to turn her horse.
"SENORITA!" A peon shouted grabbing her shoulders. "There's nothing you can do! We have to head back!"
"But.. Zorro!" Victoria cried.
"What would it help if you threw yourself into the water?" The peon asked. "We need to get back to the De La Vega Hacienda."
At that Victorias eyes widened. The Hacienda! Diego would be going to the Hacienda! She could meet him there! and she nodded turning back then kicked her horse and hurried as fast as she could back to the Hacienda.
Ones she entered the Hacienda she was greeted with quite a sight, villagers and peons basically camping in Alejandros living room and library and the old Don himself was aiding the servants in handing out blankets, tovels and tea.
"DON ALEJANDRO!" Victoria shouted running to him.
"VIctoria! Oh thank god you made it back safely!" Alejandro gasped relieved pulling Victoria into a tight embrace and Victoria swallowed as he finally let go.
"Diego! Is Diego here?!" Victoria asked.
At that Alejandro grew pale then finally shook his head. "I'm afraid… He hasn't made it back yet."
"Oh no." Victoria gasped fear grabbing her. "Diego no!" she turned to the window where rain and thunder was coming down and the wind only seemed to grow stronger. "We have to find him!" Victoria exclaimed already starting to run for the door.
"VICTORIA!" Alejandro shouted as he grabbed Victoras arm and pulled her back forcing Victoria to turn back, suddenly to be stunned by Alejandros hurt and incredible worried eyes. "Victoria… I know. I know." he breathed suddenly looking a lot older than usual as his head bowed. "But going out there now is pointless. It's to dark, and the storm to heavy. We can only hope that Diego has been smart enough to find some kind of shelter." he said looking up with pained eyes. "I swear to you though, the moment it gets light. I don't care if it still rains and storms, i'm going out there. I have to find my son." he stated. "the best thing we can do now though, is to rest, so we can have as much strength as possible when dawn breaks." he said.
Victoria swallowed now lost for words, and she felt herself shaking.
"My dear, you're shaking." Alejandro pointed out. "And you're wet! Louisa!" he then called and a maid came running. "Louisa, could you please take Victoria to the guest room and make sure she gets some dry clothes?" he asked.
"Yes Don Alejandro." The maid nodded.
"Don Alejandro i'm fine I.." Victoria tried to object.
"Victoria Escalante, I hope for your own sake I will not be seeing you again before you have dried up and wrapped yourself up in a warm blanket!" Alejandro lectured. "You're going to be sick if you don't take care of yourself!"
And Victoria exhaled defeated then shook her head. "Al right, Don Alejandro."
Defeated Alejandro looked at her. "Victoria, please take care of yourself. I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to you." he admitted and the sincerity in his voice was not to be mistaken at all. Then he stepped over and kissed Victoria on the forehead, in the most fatherly manner that was possible. "I swear to you, i'll do all in my power to make sure Diego is safe! He's my son."
"I know. I'm sorry." Victoria swallowed then wiped away a renegade tear. "Thank you, Don Alejandro." she then said and Alejandro nodded.
"Any time." Alejandro assured and Victoria finally left with the maid for the guest room.
Victoria was indeed cold to the bone, she dried up and wrapped herself up in a blanket but was still shivering from the cold, then she laid down in bed, curling up trying to get some warmth while she listened to the rain and wind outside that seemed to continue and her worry just grew. Both for Zorro or Diego, neither were back… Oh god. Please be okay!
Then as she laid there the sounds became more blurry and she yawned, eventually she then fell a sleep, apparently being more exhausted than she thought she were.