My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.
Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.
Chapter 32
Diego and Victoria had barely driven a mile when they spotted a carriage with a woman next to it. They stopped their horses, and Diego politely asked, Señorita, what's the matter? Do you need help?"
The woman admired Toronado and said, "Such a magnificent horse, Señor Samaritan."
Diego thanked her and introduced himself as Salvador Guilerans, pointing to Victoria and saying, "And this is my wife."
The woman introduced herself as Rosalinda Fuente and told them she had just been attacked, and Zorro had come to her rescue. Curiously, Victoria asked if the rumours about this mysterious el Zorro were true and if he was indeed as handsome and heroic as claimed. Diego visibly rolled his eyes in irritation. After Rosalinda had a chance to tell them what had happened, Diego tied Toronado to the carriage. He asked Victoria if she wanted to ride in it.
Victoria was about to step off her horse when she noticed something being on a higher vantage point before the others could. "What's that?"
Rosalinda stood on her tiptoes to see what the other woman had noticed.
Diego squinted his eyes and answered, "It appears to be a patrol from Devil's Fortress."
The soldiers surrounded the carriage, and the leader of the patrol, a sergeant, asked, "Where are you headed?"
Diego replied politely but cautiously, "South."
The sergeant was unsatisfied with that answer and insisted, "What kind of answer is that? Where are you going, señor?"
Diego explained that they had come to the woman's aid after her carriage was attacked. But the sergeant kept pressing and wanted to know exactly where they were going.
Reluctantly, Diego finally answered, "We're on our way to Devil's Fortress. We need to speak to the commander."
Then the sergeant asked, "What business do you have with him?"
Diego replied firmly, "That's my own business."
The leader looked at the woman and asked for her confirmation. "Señorita de la Fuente, is his story true?"
"Not at all. This man is the notorious bandit, el Zorro."
Four soldiers quickly drew their swords and pointed them at Diego. Two other soldiers aimed their swords at Victoria.
The sergeant looked suspiciously at Diego and asked señorita Fuente, "Are you sure?"
Diego raised his hands and said, "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding." He charmingly smiled at Rosalinda.
Rosalinda walked behind him and said, "Oh no, the mistake is all yours. I gave Zorro my handkerchief. It was perfumed with the scent of the Sorbonne house in Paris. Very expensive and very rare. Now it's either in that saddlebag or you have the best-smelling horse in Mexico, señor Guilerans." She walked over to the sergeant and stood beside him.
Victoria burst into laughter and uttered, "You think my husband is the legendary Zorro? That's ridiculous."
Diego said, "Well, even if I were this bandit, which I'm not, why would you let me be arrested? You just told us he saved your life."
The sergeant laughed incredulously and asked, "Zorro? He saved you, señorita?"
Diego was confused and asked, "Why is that so funny?"
Rosalinda explained, "Oh, forgive the sergeant. There's an undeniable irony in the situation. You clearly have never heard of Manolo de la Fuente, the commander of Devil's Fortress. You see, Zorro saved his daughter."
She smiled triumphantly at Diego, who glared at her grimly. She pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Diego. "Try to escape, and it will be your last move. Sergeant, search the saddlebags. You'll find my handkerchief in one of them."
The sergeant obediently walked towards Toronado.
Diego winked at Toronado, who winked back. The stallion reared up, disarming the two soldiers, who pointed their swords at Victoria and neighed.
Victoria screamed and clung to the manes of Pandora, bolting in terror.
"After her!" the sergeant shouted to the soldiers.
Toronado chased Pandora, trying to get away from the carriage.
Rosalinda gave another command, "Let her go. We've captured the fox, and he'll hang in a few hours."
The sergeant turned to Diego and struck him hard in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground.
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Victoria quickly regained her composure and regained control of Pandora. She did what Diego had instructed her to do.
Victoria knew she must get herself to safety. If not, she would only make things more difficult for Diego. She noticed that Toronado seemed to think the distance between the soldiers and her was sufficient. He slowed his pace and no longer chased Pandora.
The intelligent animal would stay within earshot of Diego and wait for his whistle signal. The bond between Diego and Toronado was impressive. Sometimes she would dare to swear that the animal understood and sensed Diego's words and thoughts.
Victoria decided to return to the hideout. She supposed that Diego would come there once he managed to escape. She began to brew coffee, knowing that Diego would surely appreciate it later. The water had barely reached boiling when Victoria heard the sound of hooves approaching. She quickly grabbed the rifle and turned around.
To her delight, she saw a black stallion. "Diego! Thank goodness," she said with relief. "How did you manage to escape so quickly?"
"The soldier who tied my hands couldn't tie knots," he replied. He pulled Victoria close, feeling huge relief that she was unharmed.
"What a wicked witch is señorita de Fuente is. How dare she accuse you like that. And after you saved her. "
Diego urged her to be quiet. "Unfortunately, she was right about Zorro. Victoria, I need to change the plan and act quickly. I want you to stay here."
"But..." Victoria stammered.
"No buts. We have no other choice. You saw those soldiers. We can't go to the fortress as ourselves anymore. They would recognize us immediately and throw us in prison. I've ruined the chance of securing your father's freedom through diplomacy. The only possibility to get your father out of there is by letting Zorro do the hard work. I hope you can understand that."
Victoria nodded dazedly.
"If I'm not back in two days, I want you to head back to Ensenada and then take the stagecoach back to Los Angeles."
"Diego..."
"Two days, Victoria. You wait no longer, you promised to listen. Think of my father, the children, and Felipe. Give me your word."
Victoria nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks. Diego disguised himself as Zorro, mounted Toronado, and was soon swallowed by the encroaching darkness.
.
The rest of the day and night crawled by. Every minute felt like an hour.
She should have forbidden Diego from going. Victoria didn't even know if the letter was genuine. It arrived three weeks ago. It had mentioned that her father was sick. If he had been alive then, he was surely dead now. She had asked Diego to sacrifice himself for a man likely beyond saving.
And Diego had done it. Not because his mind told him it was a good decision. Diego was wiser than that. But because he loved her. What had she done? What had she done, for heaven's sake?
.
Victoria couldn't take her eyes off the road. Every time, she saw a rider approaching a horse, hope would flicker in her heart. And every time, it would be followed by disappointment.
Her attention was drawn as she saw two riders approaching from the north. Both had something familiar about them. She squinted her eyes and peered into the distance. On one horse sat a stout man dressed in the recognizable uniform of the colonial army. The other was riding a white horse, just like the one the alcalde liked to ride to make an impression. The distance was too great to recognize their faces. But the entire demeanour of the man was the same as Luis Ramon's.
What on earth was he doing here? He surely didn't come to help her father. He must have some malicious intentions. And Zorro was in the fortress! While Ramon knew that she and Diego had travelled south.
She had to warn Diego. Even Ramon wouldn't be foolish enough not to make the connection.
Victoria threw water and some sand over the small fire she had made. She left everything else behind and checked to ensure the gun in the holster around her waist was loaded. She hesitated and then strapped a dagger just above her knee with a leather belt.
Victoria had seen it correctly. It was indeed the alcalde and Sergeant Mendoza who seemed to be heading toward the fortress.
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Meanwhile, Zorro was waiting for Ramon Escalante's return. Victoria's brother had also come to the fortress after hearing rumours that their father was still alive. It felt for the first time during the journey when something unexpected happened, it meant something good.
Ramon was, to say the least, surprised that Zorro had travelled to the fortress to try to save his father.
"From what I've always understood, you're almost on hostile terms with my sister."
Zorro told Ramon. "Isn't your father a man in need? Don Diego asked me to help." Zorro explained his reason to come. "He has supported me from the beginning. So it's only logical that I couldn't refuse his request."
"I truly don't understand what Victoria sees in that man." Ramon shared his thoughts on his brother-in-law. "It's a miracle Diego can breathe on his own."
A smile curled around Zorro, his lips. "Everyone seems to think that he makes her happy. Love is said to be blind."
"And apparently, it also causes you to lose your mind. If I didn't hold my sister in higher regard, I would think she's only after the money."
Ramon had been observing the fortress for the past few hours and had valuable information. They had discussed a plan together, and now Ramon was gathering the necessary supplies to increase their chances of success.
When the time feels right, Zorro sneaked through the bushes surrounding the fortress. His goal was clear. Infiltrate and complete his mission.
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Somewhere inside the Devil's Fortress, a sword duel takes place in a room filled with banners, flags, armour, and old weapons. Two figures are dancing like shadows, swinging their swords. The smaller fencer repeatedly overpowered the larger fencer.
"Argh!" came from the mouth of the larger fencer as he swung his sword at the smaller fencer. The smaller fencer skilfully leapt backwards, and the duel continued. This time, the larger fencer pushes the smaller fencer back.
The larger fencer takes off his mask and helmet. His name is Manolo de la Fuente, the commandant of Devil's Fortress.
"You're weak in the seventh parry," Manolo remarked as he approached Rosalinda.
"Well, that's me!" she responded firmly.
Manolo looked at her intensely. "What's bothering you, hmm? This Zorro?"
Rosalinda looked back with determination. "He's coming here, I'm sure of it."
Manolo furrowed his brow. "Stop worrying. What can one do against a fully armed garrison? Not even a flea can crawl around here without me knowing."
Rosalinda let the words sink in. "But what about a fox?"
Manolo realized that Zorro was causing his daughter a lot of concern. "What questions me is what Zorro could bring here."
At that moment, a soldier approached them from behind, breaking the silence. "Visitors, commandant. One of them claims to be the alcalde of Los Angeles."
Manolo and Rosalinda stared at each other, exchanging thoughts and worries silently. Finally, Manolo made the decision. "Bring him in."
The soldier turned around and left to bring the visitors inside. Rosalinda kept a tight gaze on Manolo. "The alcalde of Los Angeles. Do you call that a coincidence?"
The alcalde is brought in and introduced to Manuel de Fuente and Rosalinda. The commandant sheaths his sword and asks, "Tell me, alcalde. What brings you to my fortress?"
Alcalde Luis Ramon has wanted to go to the fortress ever since he heard of its existence and what was kept there besides prisoners. Trying to sound important, he utters. "Mere rumours. It seems that one of my residents is among the prisoners. I feel it's my duty as alcalde to come and plead for his freedom."
Mendoza stands next to the alcalde with a surprised expression on his face. He still had a hard time believing the alcalde wanted to improve his life.
"Give me his name," Fuente asked, not showing the slightest bit of interest.
"Alfonso Escalante, commandant. His daughter is married to one of my most prominent residents."
"Sergeant." Mendoza snaps to attention. Then he realizes the commandant is addressing the other sergeant in the room. "Find out if we have a man by this name in custody."
"Commandant, I know the name. The man in question is seriously ill and will die soon."
Sergeant Mendoza was relieved that the long trip hadn't been in complete vain, and there was a bit of good news. "So you'll release Alfonso? He's a good man."
The people present in the room looked at Mendoza, and his hope immediately vanished.
The commandant seemed offended by the idea that someone thought he would show mercy.
The alcalde responds curtly to Mendoza. "Mendoza, how dare you ask such an impertinent question." With his most amiable smile, the alcalde asked, "Commandant, forgive my subordinate. I understand we'll have to return empty-handed. May I ask if we could impose on your hospitality for one night?"
There was murmuring in the hallway. The door to the room opened, and two soldiers entered. Victoria walked between them, held tightly.
"Sergeant, we found this woman wandering near the north wall of the fortress. She was armed."
Rosalinda laughed. "Well, well. If it isn't señora Guilarians. Where is your husband?"
Ramon acted surprised, uttering. "Guilarians? This is Victoria de la Vega. Where is don Diego?"
Victoria didn't hesitate to answer.
After the fall in the ravine, the first few months, Diego experienced sudden, intense headaches. Initially, he couldn't tolerate anything or anyone around him. Even the slightest sound, lightest touch, or faintest light worsened the pain.
In the following months, the frequency and intensity gradually decreased. These days, it got used as an excuse. Whenever someone asked about Diego at a time or place when he should logically be present, Felipe or Victoria would say he had a severe headache.
Diego had even supposedly travelled to Monterey on the advice of a doctor to seek medical attention. While in reality, Zorro was needed.
"He stayed behind at the tavern due to severe headaches."
Mendoza looked pitying.
The alcalde was self-satisfied. "Did he? Señora, your husband belongs in an asylum."
"Because he occasionally has headaches? Diego is as sane as you and I are." Victoria snapped at the alcalde.
In the meantime, Rosalinda was whispering something in her father's ear. Victoria had a bad feeling about it. The woman must have recognized her and thought Diego was Zorro. To make matters worse, it happened in the presence of the alcalde and sergeant Mendoza.
Victoria could hardly contain her astonishment when the commandant said, "Take these people to the guest rooms. You all will leave before sunrise tomorrow morning."
Victoria wanted to leave immediately.
The alcalde seemed delighted with the offer.
The commandant gestured for the soldiers to follow his orders. Once the trio had left the room, he said to his sergeant, "According to my daughter, that woman is married to Zorro. Ensure she cannot escape. Triple the guards. If what my daughter claims is true, the fox will definitely come for her."
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