A.N – Oh, well, reviews can be so annoying sometimes… ;) Yes, Mgb, the logical thing is to hide at the cave. I had already written that, but because that chapter was getting too long (it hit the 4000 words mark) I had to cut it somewhere, and, what better cut that leaving Diego on the floor, only a few lines before his analytical mind suggests hiding on the cave as the best alternative? Hahahaha. Thanks for the spoiler! Btw, you did the same with DA's talk about premarital sex too! Are you clairvoyant or is it too obvious what I am going to do? LOL

About the womanizing ways… As I can't reply to you in a PM, Mgb, I'll do it here, for everybody, because I'm not trying to make him less likable to "ease the pain" as you said, quite the opposite.

Yes, Esteban likes women, and he is addicted to sex (or he was, as now in California he hasn't done it for months, which is pretty good for an addict, if you ask me, like instantly cured of his addition by that horrible experience at Madrid and by falling in love with Victoria).

"Womanizer", yes, but, think about it, who is using whom here, really?

I tried to highlight the double moral at the time in a patriarchal, catholic society: fathers scolding their sons for having pre-marital sex while encouraging them to "practice" with whores so they can pass-on lovely diseases to their new wives, for example (if you remember DA's sentence in chapter 29: "What kind of a man you are to have sex with a decent woman before marriage and then refuse to marry her? Lucía is not one of your whores!" That's what I mean, as if shagging whores or women who are not "decent" would be more acceptable instead). Single men were marked as "pervs" when having sex with "decent" willing women only because women were seen as men's property and their fathers and their husbands didn't like other men messing about with them because it was an offence to "their" manly honour, not their daughters', or wives', really (it didn't matter what the women wanted). In this case, the duke's daughter-in-law is not getting at home the attention she should have from her husband (he's probably busy with someone else, apart from the paedophilia), so she uses Esteban for her needs (and, if it wasn't him, it would be another fool, sure), although she is the evil one here because she knows what goes on with the children and she takes part in that, anyway.

Esteban's argument could go like this, and it is good enough for me: I have my needs, she has hers and she is happy with this arrangement, and she is cleaner and cheaper than whores. Brutally honest? Yes. Do we like it? No, because as women, we have been grilled all our lives he has to be called a cerdo womanizer in this situation (and who told us that? The patriarchal society, ha!). If he was the one married, or in a relationship, then it would be another matter, for me, at least, because he would be the one cheating. And cheating in a relationship, to me, is a big No-No. But, with that woman, he is not the one breaking his wows, just taking advantage of the situation, and I am fine with that. As he is the single one here, without attachments, to me, it is the fault of the married woman (it would be exactly the same if you invert the genders).

And, if you think about it, that guy went from addicted, having sex all the time, to nothing, as he has not had sex for months because he fell in love with V on arrival and hasn't had any for ages, even if he could have, with Lucía or all the others that fancied him, but "he didn't want to cheat on Victoria" even if he wasn't in a relationship with her (while she was, with Zorro. And shagging him, btw).

Even his father said in chapter 16 how much he had changed because he wasn't paying any attention to Lucía ("I hardly recognize you, Son. The former you would be all over her already. What's the matter with you?") and Don Alejandro was making not-so-politically correct comments at the same time (more in the male chauvinistic side) such as: "You cannot complain: all this attention from the señoritas, all these invitations for dinners and parties… You are the man, Esteban!"

Isn't that a huge turn-around to redeem someone, a proper "sinner" like Esteban? I think so. And I do feel sorry for him, because he's always at the receiving end of the shit, all along the story, a very thorough plan. Can't you see that? hahahahaha.

So, no, Mbg, your clairvoyance failed here: I am not trying to make him less likeable at all, I'm rather trying to make him faultier, and more human, instead. Another proud carrier of the infamous "De la Vega puppy eyes." ;)

Hum, so much to debate here… Maybe another time. Let's get on with the chapter, shall we? Sorry for the rant, but Esteban is "my darling", and he can't defend himself. Ha.

Enjoy. Or suffer. Whatever. Sorry.

Chapter 66 – The last, idiotic deed

Esteban heard the thud when something, probably his cousin, fell to the floor.

"Dammit, Diego. Don't do that now," he thought, stopping by the door. "Don't make me come back."

When he heard the second thump, he returned to his cousin's room and helped him up to get back to bed.

"What are you doing? You can't get out of bed yet!"

"I'm trying to stop you, idiota. That's what I'm doing!" Diego said, climbing back to bed with his help, dragging his body along to sit by the headboard, propped by the pillows again. "Look, I thought of something: why don't you go to the hacienda and hide at Zorro's cave for a few days, until you are feeling better at least? Then you can head North if you want. Felipe is there; ask him and he can show you how to open the secret door. The lever is at the mantelpiece. Please, don't try to escape now, because you won't get far, and you know it."

"What am I supposed to do in that cave?"

"Rest, doing nothing, until your ribs are healed. You may get bored to death, but I think that's better than suffer excruciating pain while riding away, until you drop dead at the side of the road when your broken ribs pierce your lungs with all that strain. You'll be all right in the cave. The alcalde will never find you there."

"Why are you so smart? I didn't think about that at all."

"Well, I am cunning like a fox, don't I?"

"Yes, you are. All right, I'll hide at the cave for a few days. Happy?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I'm going now then. See you later."

"Will I see you later?" Diego said, dead serious, staring with his blue eyes fixed on Esteban's.

"Yes, or that's my intention. I'll do my best."

"Don't do what you are thinking on doing, please. At least, not yet."

"Yeah? And, what is that, smartarse?"

"I don't dare saying it out loud. But don't do it. Not now. You can't possibly win."

"I think you are right. I should rest a few days to improve my chances. And so should you: rest, so you can stand up without dropping like a dead weight every time you step out of bed. All right?"

"All right. I'll see you later then."

"Yes. Hasta luego," Esteban said, hugging his cousin.

"Why are you hugging me now as if you'll never see me again? You are going to the cave, aren't you?" Diego whispered on his ear while holding him tightly.

"I am hugging you just because, smartarse, and yes, I am going to the cave now," Esteban replied, blinking to keep the incoming tears of his suddenly watery eyes under control. "Goodbye."

Esteban hurried out of the room, but waited for a moment by the door. He didn't hear any more thuds, so he returned to his room to drink the coca leaves mix.

ZZZ

It was siesta time, and Victoria and Don Alejandro had retired to bed, as most people in the pueblo. Esteban walked downstairs carefully and used the back door to get to the stables to saddle Dulcinea, as he didn't have a horse. While he pulled from the girth straps to tighten it up, he hoped the mix would work soon, because his ribs were killing him already with that effort. He had not even tried to mount yet, and his energy levels were basically the same as before: underperforming. He stood up on the step stool, and then guided the horse close to it. Then, he got his left foot on the stirrup with some difficulty, held onto the saddle's pommel, and pulled himself up, groaning.

Damn! How am I going to this when I don't have the stool to help me?

He held the reins shorter and used his heels gently to get the mare moving, getting out of the stable at a slow walk. At that sluggish pace, he crossed the plaza and got out of the pueblo, with nobody raising the alarm. That gentle, balancing movement was enough to make him clench his teeth already, and he didn't dare to increase the pace to a trot. That reminded him of that time when he saw Toronado walking very slowly, when Zorro said he was fine, stating that the horse could not go faster because he had damaged his leg. Of course his cousin couldn't go faster that night with a gunshot wound in his abdomen! And that was after the coca leaves effects had run out for Diego. He couldn't imagine how it would be later on for him, in a few hours, if he had to ride on. But, thankfully, he was only riding to the hacienda De la Vega, and no further.

ZZZ

Mendoza could not believe his eyes. Don Esteban was leaving the pueblo, quietly, while everybody was asleep at siesta time, and while he was the only soldier on guard outside.

The alcalde had posted the Sergeant across the plaza, hiding inconspicuously, because he was convinced Zorro wold show up at some point to help the injured caballero. But he could never imagine Esteban would try to get away by his own means, not in his sorry state.

What should I do? What should I do? Mendoza thought, fretting. Madre de Dios!

In the end, he decided he would do nothing. He could always claim he had fallen asleep and take the blame for that. After all, he was used to be the scapegoat for everything that went wrong, so, one more time, it wouldn't matter. The alcalde had been obsessed with that man since the moment he arrived at the pueblo, and it wasn't fair. He deserved a chance to get away, so he decided to turn a blind eye and look the other way.

ZZZ

Esteban started to feel a bit better along the way, when the effects of the medicinal herbs and honey kicked in, and he managed to speed up to a slow canter, rather than only walking, because he thought he could be running out of time otherwise. When he arrived at the stables, Pedro was there.

"Don Esteban, what are you doing here?" Pedro said, surprised to see him at the hacienda.

"Escaping. Diego said I could hide at Zorro's cave. I didn't fancy the alcalde's jail. I've been there a few times already, and I can tell you it's not the best accommodation in the pueblo."

"Sure not," Pedro said, laughing. He noticed how Esteban was hesitating, not dismounting, looking around him. "Do you need help to get down?"

"Yes, please, if you don't mind giving me a hand, that would be great, thanks."

Pedro helped him to get off the horse slowly, rather than with the usual jump to land on the ground, holding his body as he slid down in slow motion.

"That's much better, thank you. Are you returning to the tavern later, to carry on with the charade?"

"Well, no. Not the charade. We'll fix the chandelier for real later," he said, winking. "I think it is time."

"Do you mind taking Dulcinea with you? I borrowed her from my uncle, but he will need her back at some point."

"Yes, no problem."

"Thank you, Pedro," Esteban said, handing over the reins.

"How's Don Diego? Everything all right?"

"Yes, yes, he's fine. Still with the strength of a pudding, but he'll get better soon."

"I hope so," Pedro said, taking the mare to her stable.

Esteban went to the house, to the library. He called for Felipe, but he couldn't find him, so he started to look around the mantelpiece for the switch to action the secret door. He had a good feel all over until he found the concealed mechanism.

Smartarse. I bet you loved fooling us all with this, he thought when the secret door at the fireplace opened.

He walked downstairs, where he got greeted by Toronado, who neighed softly, bobbing his head, pleased to see someone at the cave.

"Hello, there, boy," Esteban said, approaching the horse. Toronado backed off to the bottom of the pen, wary of him, until he recognized than man as one of the "good ones". "Yes, hello. Are you bored here? I bet you are," he said, when the horse got near him, while tapping and caressing his neck and nozzle. "Well, we can keep each other company for a few days, while Diego recovers. Would you like that?"

Esteban wandered around the cave, amazed of all the stuff in there. He stopped at the weapons rack, grabbing the sword, unsheathing it to try a few moves. Nice one, he thought. Then he got to the black silk clothes, and tried the mask on, looking at his reflection in the mirror.

Not bad. I look like him, kind of, he thought, apart from the bruising in his mouth and nose. Then, an idea started to from in his mind.

He knew he had to deal with the alcalde one way or another as soon as possible, because Diego wasn't going to. Not properly, and not forever, as that crazy man deserved. Zorro had been threatening the alcalde for ages, but it was now clear to him his cousin would never kill Ramón as he always claimed he was going to do the next time he strayed. And the alcalde must have realized of that by now. The only way his cousin could stop impersonating Zorro to get on with his life as Diego, was if he killed the alcalde. And Diego knew that too. He didn't want to say it today, but he warned Esteban against doing that. At least, until he felt better. But, what if he confronted Ramón as Zorro now, and then pretended to disappear? That would be an excellent excuse for Zorro to go away, leaving Victoria behind, so they could get married, and Esteban would not need to run away from Los Angeles himself, free of criminal charges.

That thought got him excited. He took his shirt off, and changed into the black one, putting on the cape, the mask, and the hat. Yes, that man in the mirror looked exactly the same as Zorro, except for the bruises. But, right now, Diego also had a bruised jaw, so that occurrence was within the realm of possibilities. Esteban had a similar height to his cousin, only slightly shorter, a similar moustache and dark hair, although the eyes were different. But not many people had the chance to look at Zorro's eyes up-close.

Toronado neighed when he saw him dressed like that.

"What? Don't you like it? Will you let me ride you, old boy? I'm only trying to help here, I am not playing up with his toys, honest."

Toronado neighed again, and that noise he made sounded like a laugh.

Esteban looked down, at his trousers and his brown leather boots. Damn. The boots. I have to change those somehow.

He sat down at the desk to think about the new idea, while looking for a piece of paper. Should he go back to the pueblo to kill Ramón now as Zorro, despite the bruising on his face? One thing was clear to him now: as much as he would like to, he could not stay at the cave to rest and try that trick in a few days, as Diego wanted. By fleeing the tavern that afternoon, he had left everybody in a vulnerable position, because the first thing the alcalde would do when the soldiers finally woke up and reported his escape, would be blaming Victoria and Don Alejandro for drugging the soldiers, to help him escape. And then Ramón would search the tavern again, thoroughly, and he would find Diego in the next room, inevitably. So, either way, as Zorro or as himself, he had to return to the pueblo as soon as possible while still feeling the invigorating effects of the leaves, to get rid of the alcalde for good. The main reason why he had got to the hacienda that afternoon, instead of heading directly to the alcalde's office, was to collect his sword and his gun, because he was used to them and wanted to use those rather than Victoria's weapons, to increase his chances of success against Ramón. Her brother's sword was much heavier than his own, and he didn't like it when he used it at the plaza. If he had to use that one against Ramón in a swordfight, he would probably fail.

The second reason to go to the hacienda, was leaving a letter for Diego in case everything went wrong, because he didn't want him to feel guilty and blame himself for anything.

He thought then about all possible consequences of impersonating Zorro. The best possible outcome would be if he waited for a few days, until his cousin returned from Monterey with a black horse, and then ride as Zorro and kill Ramón. But Diego would never let him do that when he had recovered fully, unlike now, when he was confined to a bed, unable to stop him. And the alcalde had to go, one way or another, today, before he found Diego at the tavern. On the other hand, if he did that now, Diego would have a harder time explaining how he bought a black horse right after Zorro had gone away with Toronado for good, but it was still doable. But, what if the alcalde won the fight, either killing him or disarming him, and Zorro got unmasked? Would that be credible, that he was Zorro? For the last months, since he arrived at Los Angeles, probably. The problem with that plan was, Zorro had been riding for a few years, while he wasn't in Los Angeles, and it would be difficult to believe he had been hiding somewhere close to the pueblo during all that time. And, anybody in Madrid could testify Esteban had been there for the last four years, while Zorro had been active, so he could not be in California and Madrid at the same time. And, if that happened, Diego would automatically become the main suspect. He could not allow that.

Damn. I thought pretending to be Zorro was a good idea, but probably not, then, if that can endanger Diego in any way later on if I fail now. Maldita sea, because I would have loved wearing this outfit at least once.

He took the hat off and left it on the desk in front of him, together with the mask. He sighed then; pushed Zorro's mask and hat to a side; grabbed a piece of paper and a quill; and started writing. Whatever happened during the next hour, he would have to face it as himself. And, if he succeeded, eventually he would have to leave the territory, away from Los Angeles and his family for good, if he wanted to avoid the Spanish justice for killing the alcalde. But it didn't matter to him, as long as Diego and Victoria could be happy together, without the fear of someone testifying from Madrid.

When he finished the letter, he had a look at himself in the mirror again.

"Shame," he said, removing Zorro's shirt and cape to change into his own clothes again. At least, that way he didn't have to deal with the boots.

He left all Zorro's gear where it was, and talked to Toronado.

"Wish me luck, old boy," he said, patting his wide neck again. "And take care of him when this is over, as you always do, all right?" Toronado answered with a snort, and a quick head bobbing, pushing his arm.

Esteban got out of the cave, got his own sword and a loaded gun, put on a tight waistcoat that could help him to support his torso, and returned to the stables. Luckily for him, Pedro was still there.

"Back already? I thought you came here to hide until you are better."

"I can't. Not really. Can you please saddle Zeus and help me to mount?"

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the pueblo. There is something I have to do. I don't want to, but I can't see any other way."

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, saddle the horse."

"I mean, afterwards."

"No. You have a family. You shouldn't get involved in this."

"If you are about to kill Ramón, I wouldn't mind."

"Yes, that's the idea, and then I'll come back hiding in Zorro's cave, and eventually ride to the North. But, as I said, you shouldn't get involved in this, thank you. Unlike you, I have nothing to lose, other than my life, and these days, to be honest, it's not worth much."

ZZZ

Felipe returned to the tavern while everybody was still sleep, at siesta time. The door was closed, but he knew how to sneak in so he didn't need to disturb anybody, and got into Diego's room, latching the door behind him.

"How are you? Is everything all right?" he signed when Diego looked at him.

"Hello, Felipe. I am fine, thank you, but no, everything is not right. Did you see Esteban? Did you show him the cave?"

Felipe shook his head, and said he had not seen his cousin at all.

"Mierda. Where's he gone then?"

Diego told him about his cousin's plans to drug the soldiers and take the coca leaves to get away, and he also told him he suspected Esteban wanted to confront the alcalde to kill him.

"Everything is quiet at the plaza. I didn't see anything suspicious," Felipe signed.

"I am sure something is going to happen, soon. And if the alcalde comes in looking for Esteban, he could search the tavern again and find me here. Where could I hide?"

Felipe shook his head and signed: "no idea."

"Maybe I should go to the hacienda now then, like him."

"How are we going to do that? Can you walk?"

"No, I can't. Mierda," he said, again. He was pleased his cousin had the chance to get away, out of reach from the alcalde, but that had left him in a vulnerable position now. And he didn't know what to do. "If Ramón finds me here, maybe we will need more of that acting, to say I returned from Monterey early, and injured. Would that work?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Well, nothing has happened yet. We still have time to think on something," Diego said, hopeful.

ZZZ

Ramón woke up from his siesta early. He couldn't go back to sleep for another half an hour, so he got up and walked to the tavern. The front door was closed, so he banged on it loudly until a sleepy-looking Victoria opened the door ajar.

"It's you! What do you want now? Don't you know it is siesta time?"

"Siesta is finished. Open the door."

"Why?"

"Because I order you to do so."

Victoria opened the door and let him in to avoid an argument at the street.

"You are so irritating, Alcalde! So, what do you want now?"

"I am checking on my men, that's all. I think I should increase the guard on De la Vega, because Zorro could try to help him escape any minute now."

Victoria puffed at that idea, nearly laughing.

"What? Is it too late?"

"No. Esteban is in his room, resting."

Ramón ran up the stairs then, and Victoria followed him. He opened the door and cursed when he saw an empty bed and the two soldiers asleep on their chairs.

"Can you explain this to me, señorita Escalante?"

She looked at him with her jaw dropped, perplexed. She had no idea where Esteban could be, other than at Diego's room, but he should know better than that. Or, he could be gone for real.

"I don't know where he is. I swear. I've been in my room for the last hour, resting."

Ramón shook Márquez by the shoulders, and he woke up, looking drowsy.

"Wake up, Private. What happened here? Where is De la Vega?"

"Ah… I don't know. I had a cup of coffee, and fell asleep. Is it siesta time yet?"

"You, moron! Señorita, did you drug my lancers so De la Vega could escape?"

"No!" she said, blushing a bit. That wasn't exactly what happened, but close.

"I think you are lying. Mendozaaaa!" he shouted by the window. "Bring a group of lancers to the tavern, NOW!"

"Sí, mi alcalde. En seguida," Mendoza answered from the plaza. Madre de Dios.

"What is behind that door?"

While the alcalde tried to move the chest of drawers out of the way, Victoria fled downstairs, as if trying to escape, to draw his attention, while Don Alejandro got out of his room, alarmed by all that commotion.

"Come back here!" Ramón shouted.

The alcalde followed Victoria to the plaza, were he caught up with her. He grabbed her good arm but she fought him furiously, trying to get away, until he slapped her hard, and then dragged her across the street, to the garrison.

"Stop it!" Ramón shouted, as she struggled to get away, trying to hit his head with the cast. "I see you are begging for another long stay in my jail! Stop it, I said!"

Right then, Esteban arrived at the plaza riding on Zeus.

"Leave her alone!" he shouted, reaching for his gun.

Ramón stopped in his tracks; held onto Victoria firmly with his left arm, hiding behind her petite body; drew his own pistol; and aimed with it at her head.

"Drop that gun or I'll kill her!" Ramón shouted. "I mean it!"

"If you kill her, that will be the last thing you'll ever do, bastard! Let her go!"

"I mean it! Drop your gun! Toss it, far away from you, or I'll shoot!"

"Blow his head off!" Victoria shouted, still wriggling. "Do it!"

Esteban swallowed hard then. If he could be one hundred per cent sure that would be the outcome, he would not hesitate on shooting. But, he could hit Victoria instead, and he could not risk doing that. It was a shame, because he had hoped he could dispatch the alcalde with a bullet rather than going through the effort of a swordfight, but the surprise-factor was gone now.

"All right. I'll drop it. Let her go," he said, tossing the gun a few meters away from him.

"Sergeant, pick up that gun," Ramón said.

Mendoza did that, while Esteban let go of the reins and waited with his hands lifted half way up, while keeping his elbows flexed.

"Shoot him!" Ramón ordered.

"He is unarmed now, mi alcalde. He dropped his gun already."

"Shoot him, damn it! Don't question my orders!"

"You made me shoot Zorro before, something I'll regret all my life, and Don Esteban is not a criminal. If you want to take him to jail to stand trial, that's fine, but I won't shoot him. And nor will the lancers. Let go of señorita Victoria, please," Mendoza said, finding courage to stand up to that crazy alcalde. Enough was enough.

Ramón growled then, lifted his gun and shot, hitting Esteban. With the reins loose, Zeus bolted with the noise, unrestrained, and his rider fell to the ground on his back, sorting out his problem of how to dismount more or less graciously with his broken ribs.

ZZZZZ