My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.
Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.
The following three chapters get based on the episode 'Double entendre'.
S1E4.
Chapter 5
"Diego, hurry up. Your guests will be here any minute."
Of course, 'his guests'. As if he fancied a welcome home party for the returned son that his father had organized.
"I'm almost ready," Diego replied. Over the past few days, he and Felipe had barely seen their beds.
In the morning, they got up as early as four thirty to train Tornonado on the vast grounds at the back of the cave.
Training went more smoothly than Diego had dared to hope. The horse was an exceptionally intelligent and inquisitive animal.
After only a few days, Toronado began to master the basics, and Diego dared to try to ride him.
Then, around nine o'clock, Diego rushed to his bedroom to freshen up to appear at the breakfast table shortly afterwards. Don Alejandro did not fail to express his dissatisfaction with the late hour.
"Temperatures in California rise fast. It is important to start our work as early as possible. Seize the day, son." These kinds of encouraging words Diego had heard more times than he liked in the past few days.
Each time his father said such a thing, Diego offered his sincere apologies and confessed to still being used to the times of life in Madrid and aboard the ship.
After breakfast, don Alejandro took Diego for a long ride across the rancho to show Diego the changes since his departure and renew his acquaintance with the people.
Lunch often was taken in the tavern, where Diego became increasingly enamoured with Victoria.
During these visits, there were always some acquaintances of his father Alejandro insisted on introducing to his son.
During the siesta hours, don Alejandro takes some rest in the library or works on his correspondence.
These were the hours Diego and Felipe could get found in the cave. The makeshift stable got improved. And Diego made by using an intricate system of ropes, pulleys and wood, it possible for the door to be opened and closed by itself with an alarm system. So should it happen that someone managed to find the cave entrance, there was a warning inside.
The evenings Diego felt he could claim to be tired, he told his father that he wanted to retire early for the night. In reality, he was busy unpacking his travelling bags and assessing what Zorro could use and what he could show his father.
And yesterday, his father suddenly decided that his homecoming was an ideal opportunity to invite friends, especially their daughters, to a welcome home party.
Diego walked into the library and saw that quite a few people had gathered. Many of those present had already greeted him over the past few days.
His father approached him.
"There you are. Come, I want to introduce you to señorita Anna-Maria Ortega. You probably remember her. She is the daughter of don Carlos."
His father had a firm grip on his arm and pulled him towards a not-unattractive girl.
Since Diego had seen Victoria again, he compared every woman to her. And not one passed the test. There was none whose smile was as genuine and radiant. Whose eyes sparkled, and he felt an irresistible attraction to her lips and hearing her enchanting voice.
"Hello, don Diego. It's nice to hear you have returned. "Anna-Maria held out her hand to him.
Diego brought the hand to his mouth. "The pleasure is mutual."
Anna-Maria unfolded her fan and looked coquettishly over the edge. "Madrid seems like a special place to visit. After all, our king lives there." She giggled again. This time somewhat silly, and Diego noticed he began to feel annoyed by it.
"Madrid is indeed beautiful. The royal palace is definitely impressive." Diego gestured to something behind her. His attention got caught by someone else. In a chair in the corner, busily talking to one of the caballeros sat, Victoria.
"If you'll excuse me. I can see my father is trying to get my attention."
That was not true, but Diego felt no need to be in her company unnecessarily.
His father did come walking in his direction. "And what do you think, nice girl, no?"
"Um, yes."
Victoria had seen Diego enter the library. The attractive don stood out due to his tall stature.
She didn't understand the man. He was undoubtedly intelligent and gallant. On the day of his return, Diego reacted fiercely when that soldier tried to attack her. And even when she had come to tell him that don Alejandro got sentenced to death, she had felt a shiver of fear at the sight of the anger in his eyes.
Yet all the other times she had seen him, Diego so calm.
Victoria listened somewhat absently to the caballero standing by her. He is mostly busy complimenting his own talents. The man was a business associate of don Alejandro in transit to Buena Ventura.
She saw that Diego was standing talking to don Carlos' daughter.
His eyes met hers. Quickly, Victoria averted her gaze and hoped Diego had not noticed she had been staring at him. She felt her cheeks turn red.
Diego walked towards his father.
Someone had decided to sit behind the piano to play a cheerful tune. "Ah, music. Señorita Escalante, may I have this dance from you?"
Victoria felt embarrassed. She had been distracted by Diego and had totally forgotten she was talking to someone. Out of guilt, she stuttered. "But of course."
The caballero, his name she had long forgotten, led her to the part of the salon where more couples had gathered for a dance.
After this, Victoria danced with three more caballeros, all from Los Angeles. At the fourth dance, don Diego also entered the dance floor, accompanied by one of the many unmarried daughters present.
When that dance was over, Diego and Victoria ended up close to each other. The don looked at her kindly and asked. "May I?"
Victoria immediately noticed her heartbeat quickened, and her hands felt sweaty. It felt wonderful to be led across the dance floor by Diego. He was an excellent dancer who knew how to keep pace just fine.
"Your party is a great success," Victoria mentioned casually to have something to say.
Over the past few days, Victoria had noticed that she was spending fewer and fewer hours in the kitchen than before. And especially around noon, secretly hoping that Diego had decided to spend an hour or so in the tavern and she could serve him.
"Yes, as you no doubt know, my father appreciates maintaining good relations with his friends and business associates," He said.
"I understood otherwise that the party was in honour of your homecoming."
"That's what he likes everyone to believe. Don't be fooled, señorita. There are business interests at play."
With his head, Diego pointed to his father, who was in conversation with don Emanuel. "For instance, my father is preying on don Emanuel's prize bull."
"There is nothing wrong with blending the practical with the pleasant. As you know, I am a businesswoman myself."
"And a successful one, so my father told me."
Far too soon for her liking, the dance was over.
Diego said,
"I could use a refreshment. Can I offer you some too?"
"Gladly."
Diego offered Victoria his arm. They left the dance floor to head to the tables where the various drinks get displayed.
"What will it be, señorita?"
"A glass of red wine, please."
Diego handed her a glass of wine and took some juice himself.
It surprised Victoria somewhat. Now that she thought about it, in the tavern, he never ordered an alcoholic beverage. "Don't you like wine?"
"Oh yes, I do. But in Madrid, I've learned by trial and error." He gave her a conspiratorial wink. "Wine is one of the things I enjoy more in moderation."
Don Alejandro approached. "Here you are. Come, Diego. I have yet to introduce you to anyone. Señor Garcia recently moved into the area, and our land borders ours on the east side."
For the rest of the evening, Diego and Victoria did not get another chance to exchange another word. Victoria did notice that she averted her gaze a few times as soon as she saw that a pair of icy blue eyes started looking at her.
.
The party had come to an end. Most of the guests had gone home. Victoria didn't see Diego anywhere. She decided to go home. It was late, and tomorrow was a normal working day for her.
Diego stood outside to say goodbye to the guests. Victoria was about to climb onto her cart when Diego came rushing over. "Señorita, are you planning to drive back to Los Angeles alone? Manuel," He beckoned to the stable help. "Saddle a horse. I will accompany the señorita on her way home."
Victoria stammered, blushing. "Don Diego, there is no need for such a thing."
"It is my honour."
Besides being a good dance partner, Diego was pleasant company in conversation.
Arriving at the tavern, he insisted on helping her stable her horse and walking with her to the back door.
Victoria fiddled a little with her fingers. Although this was not the first time she had been brought home by a man, it was the first time this got done by a man she felt attracted to.
"Thank you, don Diego."
In the moonlight, she could barely make out the faint outline of his face and the white of his eyes.
Victoria felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach.
"The honour was all mine." Diego kept looking at her as he slowly brought her hand to his mouth.
Victoria swallowed and wished it wasn't her hand he was kissing.
The tension built till Victoria stammeringly managed to say. "I'll better go inside. Gracias for accompanying me."
Diego was still holding her hand. It was starting to get unbecoming. "Thank you for the pleasant evening."
Victoria knew she should actually pull her hand back and go inside. She also knew it would break the spell.
Diego opened the door. "Buenas noches, señorita Victoria."
"Buenas noches, don Diego."
Victoria slipped inside, shut the door swiftly, and leaned against it. She was very fond of her independence. In recent years, countless caballeros had tried to woo her. She had even had several marriage proposals. No one had yet been able to tempt her to give up her freedom. How was it Diego gave her butterflies in her stomach and made her forget everything.
.
A week after the welcome home party, don Alejandro took his son to the nearby Indian camp. Diego met the chief and medicine man. Alejandro listened to the chief's stories. The man told him he hoped the gods would bring rain soon. The water source the tribe used was too low for his liking.
Don Alejandro agreed to foresee the same problems if rain was not coming soon. The creek feeding the fountain plaza had never gone dry, but getting water to people, crops and animals when the wells ran dry was hard work.
Soon after, don Alejandro announced his intention to travel to Buenaventura to make some much-needed purchases. Diego seized the opportunity with both hands and offered his father that he would set off in his place.
Alejandro readily agreed. A tiring journey by horse and cart had never been his preference.
Armed with two long lists, one from his father and one from Zorro, for what to buy, Felipe and Diego set off.
In Santa Paula, they hired a second set of horses and cart from the local blacksmith, as it was impossible to take everything at once otherwise.
On the way back, they asked the blacksmith whether one cart could stay with him while they brought the first half of the supplies back to Los Angeles. Their own horses got replaced by another fresh pair, and late Diego and Felipe arrived at the cave. In the early hours, they returned to Santa Paula to load don Alejandro's order onto the wagon and return to Los Angeles. Diego had bought materials to set up a small laboratory in the cave and an ample supply of gunpowder and other materials that he believed Zorro could use someday.
At the saddler's in Santa Monica, he had bought suitable equipment for Toronado he liked very much.
All in all, the journey had taken them over four days. More than a day longer than his father had expected.
Don Alejandro was too busy with things in Los Angeles to notice. Sergeant Mendoza had collected monthly taxes. Eight farmers got arrested for failing to meet their payment obligations. That was the first news Diego and Felipe heard when they returned wearily from Santa Monica. Tired, the men had planned to use the siesta for once what it got intended for.
Diego did not hesitate for a second. Zorro was put straight to work, and even before dinner, he had freed the peasants, sent them home and had a probing altercation in the alcalde's office, during which he had carved a Z in Ramon's desk for the first time to remind him that by putting people in jail you did not allow them to earn revenue.
Ramon was seething that this was the third time Zorro had been too quick for him and had seen a chance to humiliate him. In response, the alcalde increased the reward on Zorro's head to a thousand pesos.
Many people expressed that for such a large amount of money, they were willing to tell the alcalde what they knew had they just known.
Victoria had found out for the first time in those four days what it was like to feel a twinge of disappointment with every guest who entered the tavern because it wasn't him.
.
It was on a day when the dons had decided to have lunch at the hacienda his father had insisted on spending the afternoon playing chess.
Diego was puzzled by the move his father had just made. "Are you sure?"
Don Alejandro looks absently at the board. His son is right. His attention is not there. So far, he was one of the few who openly expressed his support for Zorro. It was frustrating that he could not persuade the others to want to see the truth.
"Hm? Si, si." He waves his hand irritably over the board. "Just keep playing."
"As you wish." Diego bends down, picks up a bishop and puts it on another square. "It was you who taught me the Andalusian gamble. Why fall victim to it yourself?"
Don Alejandro tries to show renewed enthusiasm. After weeks in which he had barely seen his son, he had been looking forward to spending an afternoon in each other's company. "You haven't won yet, Diego."
He moves a pawn and removes one of Diego's rooks from the board.
Diego moves another of his pieces forward and removes one of Don Alejandro's pieces. "Checkmate."
Don Alejandro nods reluctantly before standing up and sighing. He walks over to Diego and gives his son an approving pat on the shoulder. "You played well," he says.
"But you played better and... lost. Is something bothering you?"
Don Alejandro leans against a pillar. "Yesterday, I went to a meeting. The Alcalde summoned several prominent citizens."
"For more of his inflammatory rhetoric about Zorro. That's not surprising." Now that the price on Zorro's head had doubled, Diego was not surprised that Ramon was resolute in his determination to capture Zorro.
"Indeed. But Ramon seems increasingly determined to pit all of us against Zorro."
"Well, the people of Los Angeles will make up their own minds about Zorro."
Before Alejandro could respond, the front door opened, and Felipe rushed in. The boy sees don Alejandro standing there and starts gesticulating frantically.
Diego looks at the gestures. They are too wild for him to understand what Felipe is trying to make clear, so he says. "Slow down, Felipe. Slow down."
Felipe puts his right index finger behind his head, then moves both index fingers to the sides of his nose and then to his cheeks. He then pretends to hold a weapon and use it to try to attack someone.
Diego says his interpretation of the gestures out loud to his father.
"There is trouble in the Indian camp." Knowing that Felipe is pretending to read his lips, he asks. "What kind?"
Felipe passes his hands over his lips and chin to his chest and blows it out.
"The alcalde," Diego says as Felipe nods.
.
Diego and Alejandro arrive at the Indian camp five miles east of Los Angeles. Horrified, they look at what has taken place. Someone has set many tepees on fire, racks of hides overturned. His father halts the car next to alcalde Ramon.
"Just shameful. This tragedy is the last thing these poor Indians needed. But personally, I am not at all surprised that Zorro would do such a thing."
Diego could hardly believe what he was hearing. How dare Ramon claim this without even a shred of proof? Besides, if anyone knows for certain that Zorro did not do this, it is Zorro himself. Not hiding his surprise, Diego says.
"You don't really believe Zorro did this?"
Ramon has an evil grin on his face. It betrays that he knows more about it than he wants to make belief. "It doesn't matter what I believe, don Diego. It matters what they believe." He points to something to his right. Only then does Diego notice a large gash on the side of one of the tepees.
Facing the Indians, Ramon is acting too understanding for Diego's liking. The alcalde knows more about this than he admits. Diego wonders whether Ramon has even thought for a second about what consequences this action could have on the fragile stable relationship between the Indians and the Spaniards. Would the man actually be too stupid to realize that only through years of effort the bond with the Indians was now one of peace? At the same time, this peace is as fragile. And must get treated with respect.
Diego decides to stay in the camp to lend a hand and to see if he can gather evidence of the real culprit. The alcalde has left on the pretext that he is to order his men to make every effort to track down Zorro. Diego listens with interest to the testimonies of the Indians. They are all more or less the same. At dawn, a man masked and dressed in black, riding a black horse, had raided the small camp. After setting fire to most of the tepees with a torch, he had left again, leaving a trail of destruction behind him.
His father also stayed and tried to convince the chief that it could not have been Zorro. "I have met Zorro. This behaviour does not sound like something he would do. So far, Zorro has only fought the alcalde. He has never done any harm to anyone."
The chief knew what he had seen and heard. The man couldn't get persuaded to change his mind. He therefore said. "Alejandro de la Vega. We have known each other for many years, and I consider you a loyal friend. If you regard Zorro as a friend, we are destined in becoming enemies."
.
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