Ignacio de Soto, then," Diego said thoughtfully after Fernando had told him the whole story.
"Yes, that's the name of the new alcalde."
"That could be a coincidence, of course, but I don't think so," Diego continued to think.
"Do you know him?" Fernando asked curiously.
"Knowing him would be too much. It was before I started my studies and I had already arrived in Madrid. Ignacio was about to graduate and leave the university. He made an ambitious impression on me - too ambitious, in fact."
Both remained silent. It was Diego who spoke again:
"Father is keeping a low profile now, you say?"
"At least he's trying. So far, his protests have had the opposite effect. It is not advisable to call the Alcalde on his mistakes and injustices. Besides, de Soto has openly threatened serious consequences if your father continues to openly resist."
"Esto no esta bien. I know my father. He's far too temperamental to put up with anything for very long.
"I suppose so," Fernando confirmed. "I fear Don Alejandro will get himself into trouble."
Diego sighed audibly. "I agree with you. In any case, thank you for coming all the way to Spain to tell me. I'm deeply in your debt."
"You don't have to thank me. Your father is an honorable man, and he was always very generous to me when I worked for him. I was even able to save some money and buy a small piece of land with a house. It was the least I could do."
"Yes, you were with us for a long time. And you were more of a friend to me than a servant, Fernando. I was planning to go to California anyway to see what was going on. What you've just told me shows me that time is short, and I must return home quickly. Together with my father, I will find a way to put Ignacio, who is terrorizing the people, in his place.
His counterpart shook his head dubiously. "You must be careful. Open resistance is not advisable."
"You're telling me all this and advising me to do nothing? Just let De Soto do whatever he wants?" Diego's face reflected his confusion.
"That's not what I meant. You'd have to be subtle, maybe pull the strings in the background. This man is too dangerous and will walk over dead bodies to maintain his power."
"I see," Diego replied resignedly. "And the way you described it to me is certainly the only reasonable way. Nevertheless, I don't like it very much. I'd prefer an open confrontation."
"Do you think you can handle it?"
"For my father's sake and for the good of California, I think I have to, amigo. But first I must see the situation for myself. After all, it's been a few weeks since you left. The situation in Los Angeles may have changed in the meantime - for the better or for the worse."
"Let's hope the former. You wanted to go home anyway. So nothing will change for you for now."
"Not quite," the young de la Vega disagreed. "My father knows me too well to pretend to be a reticent son. And unfortunately it is out of the question to let him in on it. Father isn't very good at keeping secrets."
Fernando looked thoughtfully into Diego's face. "According to your expression, do you already have a plan?"
"Not concretely yet. But I will not return to California as Don Diego de la Vega. It was never planned that way, and it's somewhat ironic that acting - something my father could never do anything with - might be the thing that allows me to remain unrecognized, fight De Soto, and help my father."
A/N:
Some changes from the original, but some things seemed more believable this way.
The relationship with Don Rafael, what really happened, I haven't thought about yet. Maybe this "secret" will be revealed in a later chapter.