It's been a long time since I updated, due to having surgery, recovery, and treatment. Hopefully now I can get back into the swing of things and finish this story soon.
Zorro had made previous arrangements with Padre Benitez to leave Toronado at the church yard, hidden nearby in case he was needed quickly. Then he made his way to the closed tavern and entered through the window in the kitchen, his preferred route when not wanting to be seen. Victoria was there alone waiting for his appearance and she smiled as he crossed the room. "I hope your mission was a success."
"It was," he replied. "I don't want to tell you the whole story until I am sure things go according to plan, but I have made a discovery that should result in de Soto leaving Los Angeles forever."
"Really? The alcalde will no longer rule over us?" It sounded too good to be true.
"We will find out tomorrow morning." Zorro paced around the kitchen. "Please listen carefully. You must double check to make sure all your doors and windows are locked. Are there any guests tonight?"
"No, the last one left this morning."
"Good. Secure all the guest rooms and when you retire for the night do the same in your room."
She looked a little worried. "Are you expecting trouble?"
Zorro nodded. "I would be very surprised if de Soto gives up without a fight. You are the obvious target for him to use against me. However, I will be observing and I have a few tricks up my sleeve, so you needn't worry. Just stay in your room. I swear I will not let anything happen to you."
Victoria responded, "I know I am always safe when you are here. I'll lock everything down here then double check the rooms upstairs."
"I'll accompany you," Zorro told her and together they made sure the tavern was as safe as possible. He then followed her to her room. "I must leave you now but I'll be just outside keeping watch over the alcalde's office. If you hear anything during the night, stay in bed and away from the window." He pulled her close and kissed her. "I will see you in the morning."
"Good night and please be careful." Victoria entreated him. He saluted her and climbed out her window, not leaving until he heard the click of the latch.
ZZZ
Zorro perched on a rooftop with a clear view of de Soto's office. There was light shining through the window so he assumed the alcalde was preparing to leave Los Angeles. As the night wore on he kept his vigil, hoping all would go well but in no way trusting de Soto. Sure enough, in the late hours, he saw the door slowly open and a figure crept outside then headed toward the tavern.
"Finished packing so soon alcalde?" Zorro called loudly. The man stopped and looked around, trying to find his adversary. Failing to do so he then headed quickly toward the cuartel. "de Soto!" Zorro's voiced stopped the alcalde in his tracks. "I am not here alone. If you summon your troops you will have a battle. Amigos!" There was an immediate sound of many muskets being cocked and prepared to fire.
The alcalde debated his situation for a moment then dropped his head in defeat and went back inside his office. "Gracious," Zorro called out to the unseen men. He had asked his father to send his vaqueros to the pueblo and then he had instructed them to take up positions surrounding the cuartel. The men were more than happy to assist Zorro. The rest of the night passed with no further problems.
As the sun was beginning to rise Zorro looked toward the entrance to the pueblo. Soon a large crowd of men on horseback appeared in the distance. With a tired smile he went to the tavern, climbed over to Victoria's window and knocked gently on it. She opened it immediately. He entered and told her, "All is well."
"Thank goodness. I spent half the night worrying. What happens now?"
"The caballeros and their men are coming into the pueblo as we speak. They will make sure the alcalde does as he's been told and leaves immediately for the port to board a ship for Spain." He rubbed a hand over his face. "I must leave now; the caballeros will take charge and I need to be out of Los Angeles so they can do their duty on their own." He took her hands. "Act as if you know nothing of what is going on - it will be better for you that way. I will come back to you later this evening when things have calmed down and we will talk then."
"I still can't believe this is happening," Victoria exclaimed. "But I will pretend to be ignorant of what is going on. I will also anxiously await your return to me." She knew that he would be back shortly as Diego, so he could witness the final moments of de Soto's reign over the pueblo.
"Soon we will never be separated," he whispered, and she melted into his arms as he kissed her passionately. Then he reluctantly pulled away and exited through the window. She sighed, then smiled as she watched him head toward the church yard. Soon he was riding Toronado from town, out of sight from the crowd gathering in the plaza.
ZZZ
When Zorro returned to the cave Felipe met him with a cup of coffee and some bread and cheese, which he consumed gratefully while Felipe took care of Toronado. Diego changed into his regular clothing then he and Felipe exited the hacienda and went to the stables where their horses were waiting for them. They quickly rode to the pueblo and unobtrusively joined the crowd that had gathered outside the alcalde's office.
Diego located his father and moved to stand beside him, then he spotted Victoria near the tavern with her helpers watching events unfold. "What has happened so far?" he asked Alejandro.
"Nothing yet," was the answer. "But we have the area surrounded and men stationed to ensure nothing can go wrong. We're just waiting for de Soto to come out."
Diego was pleased to see his father had been able to recruit so many of the caballeros and their men, and was especially glad to see Don Ricardo and his son Roberto. "I assume Don Roberto agreed to our suggestion for a course of action?" he asked Alejandro.
"Oh yes, definitely. He and his father are both anxious to do what they can." Diego was about to speak again when the alcalde's office door opened and de Soto stepped outside.
He was surprised to find such a large crowd of people gathered and stopped uncertainly, of half a mind to go back into his office. "What is going on here?" he asked with a trace of his old arrogance.
Alejandro approached him. "Good morning alcalde. We heard you have received orders to return to Spain, so we've come to see you off," the don answered with a smile.
de Soto didn't have to ask who had supplied the news of his departure. He scowled at Alejandro and turned quickly toward the cuartel. "Mendoza!"
Moments later the sergeant came stumbling out, trying to button his uniform coat as he hurried into the plaza. He slowed and gaped at the large group of people before stopping before the alcalde and saluting. "Si, Alcalde?"
"I have been ordered to return to Spain and am leaving immediately. Fetch a horse and wagon and get some lancers to come load my trunks onto it," de Soto ordered.
"Oh, no need for that," a caballero named Enrique stepped out from the crowd. He motioned behind him and said, "My men and I are on our way to the port to pick up a shipment I'm expecting. We'll be glad to take you and your luggage with us."
The alcalde looked at their wagon and growled, "Very well. I'll get my personal effects and we can leave when my trunks are loaded." He went back inside and emerged shortly with two leather bags. Mendoza and the lancers dragged out two large trunks and, with a bit of a struggle, managed to slide them into the wagon.
"Um, Alcalde," Mendoza hesitantly began. "Who will be in charge when you are gone?"
de Soto smirked. "As the high ranking officer, Mendoza, you will have control over this miserable little pueblo. I hope these fine citizens appreciate your leadership as much as they did mine!" He laughed scornfully and climbed into the seat of the wagon. Don Enrique mounted his horse, then he and his men followed the wagon as the driver steered the horse out of Los Angeles. Ignacio de Soto did not look back.
