Chapter 6
Everyone is entitled to make mistakes; it's an inevitable part of being human.
Much to his regret, Diego had bitterly experienced this. After Sir Kendall had helped and identified him as a former student, the knight persuaded the commander to grant Diego his freedom in exchange for free sword lessons.
Sir Kendall had arrived in Veracruz ten days earlier, probably with his ship leaving with the same convoy as Diego's. Since then, he shared his expertise with Commander Espinoza. Sir Kendall ensured Diego had some money and found him good accommodation, food, and rest. These generous gestures visibly improved Diego's well-being. Each day, he felt some of his old strength returning. When Diego felt strong enough to continue his journey to Los Angeles, Sir Kendall suggested they travel together to Mexico City, planning to find wealthy Caballeros eager to learn from one of Europe's most famous sword masters. Grateful for Sir Kendall's help and not keen on boarding a ship when not necessary, Diego agreed to return to California via Acapulco—a decision he would later regret. At the time of departure, for unknown reasons, Sir Kendall changed his mind about travelling to Mexico City and proposed going to Los Angeles instead.
"I look forward to seeing your father after all these years. Besides, in California, there must also be rich caballeros eager to handle the sword better. I can go to Mexico City on my way back to Spain," Sir Kendall explained.
They then decided to travel overland to Acapulco, boarding a ship to San Diego. Sir Kendall bought two horses for the journey, including, at Diego's request, a majestic black stallion.
Diego cursed his own stupidity.
Sir Kendall suddenly seemed in a hurry to leave Veracruz, a haste that would ultimately cost him his life. What Diego didn't know was that Sir Kendall was wanted in Spain for conspiring with revolutionaries. On his deathbed, Sir Kendall swore he hadn't known his students intended to use the noble art of sword fighting against the Spanish authorities. Once he realized his life was in danger, he fled to the New World. Diego suspected he had travelled with the same convoy of over a dozen ships that brought him to America. Due to a severe storm that, according to rumours, sunk three ships, the remaining ships drifted apart.
The ship Sir Kendall had travelled on arrived in Veracruz first. On one of the other ships, two bounty hunters knew Sir Kendall was a wanted man. Four days after leaving Veracruz, these men caught up and cold-bloodedly murdered Sir Kendall. Thus, Diego suddenly found himself in possession of all Sir Kendall's belongings, including a winner's sword made of the finest Toledo steel. Continuing his journey to Acapulco, Diego realized he had become too attached to Toronado to sell the animal. It felt like there was an invisible bond formed between them, perhaps because they both had experienced the feeling of others trying to break them by force. Unable to sell or part with Toronado, Diego had no choice but to return overland. It had taken him months to travel the thousands of miles up North. The feeling that engulfed him as the surroundings slowly became more familiar was indescribable.
For almost a year, Diego had thought he would never see his father and home again.
Diego turned around on the improvised cot. And now he was finally home, but he couldn't announce his return to his father. How he had missed the man.
First, he needed to find some answers. It was too much a coincidence that he was kidnapped and shipped off as a slave while, at the same time, a man showed up on his father's doorstep impersonating him.
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In the morning, Felipe brought him a tray of richly filled food, including a large portion of huevos rancheros. Diego's mouth watered. He had always enjoyed the egg dish made by Maria. On the ship, in prison, and on his journey home, Diego dreamed of a plate filled with the delicious foods prepared by Maria. He took a big bite, grabbed a napkin, and spat it out. "What is this?" Diego picked up the coffee, took a sip, and immediately spat it out. He grabbed the glass of orange juice, took a cautious sip, and then downed the glass in one gulp. "Where is Maria?"
Felipe gestured that Maria had gone to live with her brother, and a new housekeeper named Inez had replaced her. 'Your father prefers to eat at the tavern.'
Disappointed, Diego took a bite of the huevos rancheros. He had eaten poorly or nothing for many months. The lack of taste of something he had thought about countless times was disappointing. "Is señor Escalante still running it?" Diego asked.
Felipe shook his head. 'His daughter Victoria is the owner now.'
Diego pondered on Victoria. Before his departure to Spain, he had always been impressed by her. "By herself?" Diego silently said a small prayer that Victoria would still be unmarried.
'With her helpers,' replied Felipe.
After breakfast, Diego wiped his mouth. "Let's see what needs to be done. We need to find out who the man pretending to be me is and whether it is in any way connected to what happened to me." Diego glanced around the cave. "And I wouldn't mind making this place a bit more comfortable. Some furniture and better lighting will be nice. Also, Toronado will need a stable."
Felipe promised to search for items to make the cave more comfortable.
From one of the saddlebags, Diego took out a bag of money. "Could you buy some candles and two candlesticks in the pueblo? And it would be nice to have a better blanket. I go and take a ride in the area just to see what has changed."
Diego saw how Felipe's face turned sad. "What is it?"
'Since the arrival of alcalde Ramon, many things have changed. And none for the better.'
"I want you to tell me all about it in the evening. I need some daylight if I want to find enough materials to make an improvised stable for Toronado. Tell me, the old Ortega barn, near the Montasario rancho, is it still abandoned?"
'Yes.'
Diego started to saddle Toronado. "Surely there is something there we can use." And he mounted the horse and left through the back exit.
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Upon his return, he found Felipe in the cave, laying out the requested purchases. Diego inspected the cave more closely. The space was larger than he remembered. "Tomorrow is Sunday. Everyone will be going to church. An excellent opportunity for me to try to get some furniture here and to try finding out if that man has any clues in my room about his identity."
'I'm willing to help,' gestured Felipe.
"Perhaps you can pretend to have a headache and feel unable to go to church," suggested Diego.
Felipe nodded and promised to stay home.
The rest of the day was spent building a kind of stable for Toronado.
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The following morning, after Felipe had assured him that the house was empty, Diego stepped into the library for the first time in almost four years. Diego let his fingers slide over the keys of the piano and scanned the library for things that had changed and stayed the same. He noticed his father had purchased a new painting and saw some new book titles. The rest had stayed pretty much the same. Some furniture stood slightly different, but it was still the same chairs.
Diego and Felipe went to the guest wing to see which furniture was there that wouldn't be missed—entering the third room, they found it used as a storage room, containing enough furniture comfortable enough for Diego's liking.
Diego spotted a large mahogany desk that was too big to pass through the narrow door to the fireplace, but it was exactly what he wanted. The garden doors were not a problem, and the back entrance of the cave was large enough. Diego and Felipe carried more furniture outside, hiding them in the bushes out of sight, and planned to bring the furniture into the cave at night. Then Diego walked to the room that had always belonged to him. The door was locked. "Clearly, someone here is being cautious. Unfortunately for him, I know the lock." Diego walked away and returned shortly with another key. "The key to one of the other rooms fits this lock as well," Diego explained at Felipe's questioning look. Indeed, the lock turned smoothly. "Make sure you put everything back as you found it," Diego warned the boy.
After a thorough search of the room, Diego and Felipe finally found a letter opener with the engraved initials "G.R." Diego frowned at the letter opener, wondering what these initials could mean. "G.R... I can't remember anyone with these initials."
Felipe shrugged, also puzzled about the meaning of the initials.
"Let's continue searching for other clues that might help us figure out who this person is. Maybe we can check the church register to see if anyone with the initials G.R. lives in the area. Although that most likely will be a dead end. That man could be from anywhere, and I assume he didn't make the mistake of registering using his own name."
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As dusk fell, Diego left the cave and found Felipe, where they had hidden the furniture. After they carried in some smaller pieces, each took one side of the large desk and began the short journey to the back entrance of the cave, which was wider than the entrance in the hacienda.
The desk was a bulky and large piece of furniture, requiring considerable effort. Diego opened the back entrance, and with some manoeuvring, they managed to get the piece inside. Once the desk was in place, Diego stepped back and noticed something moving behind him had caught Felipe's attention.
He looked over his shoulder and saw a fox cautiously staring at them with large eyes as if trying to assess whether the strangers posed a danger to it.
"A fox!" Diego exclaimed in surprise.
He gently took a step toward the animal. Diego gazed at the fox and uttered, "It's amazing how these creatures of the night manage to survive while everyone hunts them for their beautiful fur."
Felipe pointed at the fox, then to his head.
Diego nodded understandingly and smiled. "Yes, cunning and intelligence." He gave Felipe an encouraging pat on the shoulder before they both stood up.
The fox whimpered again, causing Felipe to turn his head to look at the animal.
Diego gave him a strange look. "Felipe, you heard that," Diego remarked, astonished.
Felipe hung his head.
Diego placed a hand on his shoulder. "Felipe, look at me."
The boy lifted his head but looked concerned.
"You can hear, can't you?"
Felipe nodded.
Diego started to grin broadly, and Felipe visibly relaxed.
"That's amazing!" Diego embraced Felipe, but his expression changed from happy to confused. He let Felipe stand at arm's length but still held onto his shoulders. "Why didn't you say anything?" Diego asked.
Felipe made a series of gestures. 'I wanted to surprise you and your father when you came home. But that G.R., whom I thought was you, barely paid any attention to me. You seemed changed so much, and I started to get afraid you would kick me out once you discovered I had lied to your father and you.'
"Felipe, I can't speak for G.R., but certainly, you must know my father would never have allowed such a thing. He loves you."
Felipe started to blush while Diego embraced the boy again.
"I think it's the most fantastic news I have heard in years." Taking a step backwards, Diego smiled at Felipe. "And maybe by not saying anything, you've done me unintentionally a tremendous favour. Felipe, I have a huge favour to ask. Would you mind keeping you being able to hear a secret for a little longer? You're often at the hacienda, and sooner or later, G.R. will make a mistake that will reveal his identity and motives. He'll be less guarded when you're around and believe you're deaf."
Felipe, mostly glad his secret would be safe for a while longer, agreed to become Diego's eyes and ears in the hacienda.
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I don't mind getting some encouragment be receiving reviews. I have the story in my head but struggle to get it out.