Strange World

 

Part 5

 

 

 

This week could have been a peaceful one, but only a few days later, disturbing news comes at the hacienda. A farmer has been arrested from being accused of killing Joaquin Le Cruz, the man who shot Zorro two times. There were rumours indeed; of a man being found killed after Zorro was shot at. Nobody had even noticed some trouble.

Don Diego was feeling fine today. His headache had disappeared, but slightly returns after hearing the news. He observes Felipe, who grows a little pale. Felipe wants to prevent this, but doesn’t know what to do. Then he watches his father, who is watching him closely. He signs him to come to another room.

"What is it, Son," he examines.

"Diego, you should stay here," his father interrupts. "I’m going to town. Where is Leone?"

"I’m here," she replies.

"You also stay here," he demands. As she tries to object, he raises his hand to stop her.

She gets angry but doesn’t show it, while she watches Alejandro taking his horse and riding to the pueblo. Maybe Don Diego is right after all in her having something in common with Victoria. She’s also a woman of action, who doesn’t like seeing people treated as animals.

Don Diego continues his conversation with Felipe. Felipe tells him what happened while Zorro escaped. "Why didn’t you tell me? " he asks concerned.

Felipe shakes his head for not telling he just didn’t want to upset him. Don Diego inquires if any one knows. To that question, Felipe looks away from the forcing eyes his father has.

"Leone," he whispers. Don Diego knows enough and takes him to the cave to change his clothes.

After Zorro rides out to fight this injustice, Felipe searches for Leone. They will also go to Los Angeles. He allows her to see his fathers swordplay. He is so proud of becoming his son.

He finds her still outside the hacienda. She looks frustrated, so he asks her what is bothering her. She tells him.

"Come," he winks and runs to the stables.

Together they ride to the action, like being chased by the devil himself. They have reached the pueblo just in time, when they hear the people cheering on the plaza. Their hero must have come. With his smooth smile he greets his love, but after facing the Alcalde, he grows infuriated. First, he quickly disarms the army and the Alcalde with his whip. Immediately, he jumps off his horse and signals Tornado to keep an eye on the soldiers. He moves to the Alcalde. De Soto gets frightened by the way his enemy approaches. He doesn’t even draw his sword. The Alcalde shrinks back. That does it to Zorro. He walks faster to the Alcalde and hits him in the face.

"Now you’re not so brave anymore, are you Alcalde," he sneers and hits him on his other cheek.

"How many times do I have to tell you, " he shouts at the dumbfounded and scared man, "to treat these people with justice. That’s not the way you’re doing now."

Tornado makes a noise to warn Zorro that the soldiers have gotten their courage again. Zorro turns around, and draws his sword. Easily, he parries the soldiers’ swords. Within five minutes, he continues his attack on the Alcalde.

"Now release this farmer," he orders. "Everybody knows he couldn’t have killed him. You don’t have any witnesses and other evidence."

"I will. Men, free him," he speaks the truth, and the soldiers let the man go. "But now I have you," the Alcalde grins. "I noticed you have been shot, so you can’t get out easily."

Unfortunate for the Alcalde, but he shouldn’t have said that in the first place. Zorro gets so furious that he knocks the Alcalde unconscious. He walks back to his horse and salutes the people. He turns to Victoria and blows a kiss towards her and says "My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love" and takes his leave. The Alcalde was right in one thing. He got shot, and recovering takes a lot of energy indeed.

Felipe and Leone have been following everything from the entrance of Victoria’s taberna.

"You must be so proud of your father," she confirms not even watching Felipe. This moment Felipe realizes she knows his secret, but doesn’t ask her how she does. He only confirms it, staring at the happy crowed and retreating army. They enter the taberna following Victoria to a table. Don Alejandro joins them, but has a word with his young guest for not obeying his orders. Felipe stands up for her.

When a very tired looking Don Diego enters the tavern, Victoria is a little confused. He greets her and tells her he was getting bored being alone at the hacienda. This makes even less sense to her. He always likes to read or sleep.

She joins the De la Vega family, when it is more quiet.

Leone gets her chance to announce she will leave Los Angeles the day after tomorrow. No one understands she would stay at the hacienda, but her father sent for her. Now she wants to leave. Don Alejandro doesn’t approve.

"I have promised a friend, I would visit her when I was in Los Angeles, so I will," she explains.

Victoria feels a little relieved, but sad too. She has started to like her, "Maybe we would have been friends after all," she thinks.

Felipe looks disappointed too.

Leone recalls that since she isn’t gone yet, they should have a nice time while she is here.

Victoria walks to the kitchen to fetch another juice.

Don Diego follows her. "Thanks for being there for me. Why don’t we start where we finished yesterday? Would you like to have dinner with us tonight? I’ll be pleased to read some other sonnets," he adds seriously.

"Only if you’ll be there as well," she teases him, "Don’t do one of your silly experiments today."

His eyes sparkle, they look just the same as …..

 

The End

 

 

Part 4

 

Fan fiction

Story 2  …..