REUNION/RECONCILIATION

by Neil Burns

SUMMARY: Tessa's cousin from Spain arrives in town.

NOTES: This story includes characters and situations mentioned in two very good stories, "The Alliance" by Eliza and "The Queen of Cups" by Maril.

It was a typically pleasant day in Santa Helena and Tessa Alvarado was purchasing items for a dinner party she was hosting that evening. Marta had just finished successfully bartering for spices and joined her mistress/friend.

Both women saw Captain Grisham walk up to them holding a sealed letter. "Morning, ladies," the ex-patriate nodded as he handed Tessa the letter. "This came from Madrid for you, Senorita."

"Gracias, Captain," Tessa replied as she read the letter. Suddenly, she gave a sharp gasp of grief.

"What is it?" Marta asked concerned.

"My aunt... Dona Damona Trujillo is dead."

"You have my condolences, Senorita Alvarado." Grisham actually sounded sympathetic.

However, Marta was not and did not even hide it, "May that perra rot in Hell!"

"Marta," Tessa exclaimed in shock.

It was true that Marta was not treated well when she worked for Dona Damona. In fact, Marta was humiliated, verbally abused and even struck during her service to the Dona. Her daughter, Elena Trujillo, was even worse. She was especially cruel to her cousin Tessa. Tessa knew this but never heard Marta mention such sentiment until now.

"I have to agree, Marta," Grisham smiled in amusement. "Rather harsh words about your mistress' aunt."

"That bruja gorda treated me worse than a dog. Her daughter was Diabla herself."

"That was fifteen years ago, Marta," Tessa scolded. "People change."

"I'll leave you two alone. This obviously doesn't concern me." Grisham chuckled as he walked back to his quarters.

A young woman of approximate mid-late 20's passed him. Her clothes were very expensive and clearly made in Spain. The sun shone off her dark-gold hair and in her crystal-blue eyes. She could have almost been a slightly older version of Dona Hidalgo. "Tessa? Is that you?"

The woman walked over to Marta and Tessa and studied them for a moment. Then she warmly embraced Tessa, who returned it as she smiled in recognition. "Elena! It has been forever."

Indeed, it was Elena Trujillo-Velazquez, Tessa's cousin from Madrid. She looked as lovely now as she did some fifteen years prior. However, Tessa noticed that the arrogant, spoiled child was gone replaced by a sad almost bitter woman. Marta merely nodded a coldly civil greeting to her as she gathered the food and put it on the carriage.

Tessa asked delicately, "When did Tia Damona die?"

"March. She died of consumption."

"I am so sorry."

"No, Tessa. I am so sorry for being so cruel to you."

"We were little girls. Little girls grow up."

Tessa noticed that Elena looked pained about something. She almost knew what it was, but had to ask anyway, in a gently prying manner, "How is your husband, Don Ivan?"

"I will explain later," Elena retorted in a bitter croak.

Not good. I will leave this subject alone, Tessa thought as she climbed into the carriage.

Marta watched their discussion with an uncharacteristically unsympathetic smile on her face. So the old tarasca received her just reward. Perhaps the gods will give this brat her just desserts as well. The three rode back to Hacienda Alvarado as Marta sang a Rom lullaby.

Colonel Montoya entered Grisham's quarters and saw the American being outmaneuvered by one of the sergeants in chess. And he commands my men. No wonder we can not capture the Queen of Swords. He watched in amusement as the sergeant needed only two more moves to checkmate Grisham's king. Grisham smiled as he shook his opponent's hand and dismissed him.

"Do not be discouraged," Montoya offered mock sympathy. "Diaz is the region's chess champion for five years running."

"Guess I never really learned the game," Grisham replied somewhat sheepishly.

"I hear we have a visitor?"

"Yes. A Senora Elena Velazquez. I think she is related to Senorita Alvarado."

"Velazquez? As in Don Ivan Francisco Velazquez d'Arguayo?"

"She's married to him I believe."

"And where did you hear this? I thought Spanish Court affairs did not interest someone like you."

Grisham bristled silently under Montoya's comment. He smiled before he surprised Montoya with his next statement. "Believe it or not, I do have a contact in the Court. You never know when opportunity will knock for someone."

Montoya's regard for Grisham rose somewhat. "I am impressed. I knew Don Franscico from the Academy."

"You went to the Academy with him?"

"Si. He was two years behind me and even more of a ladies' man than you are. In fact, it is well-known all over Spain that he bedded half of Barcelona and Seville."

"A real Spanish Don Juan. I'd like to meet him."

"Perhaps. What does your contact say about the Senora?"

"She was divorced from him by the Court. It seems she caught the Don with one of his conquests, but he made it seem like she was the unfaithful one."

"And Fernando and the court believed him. With his influence, he probably had her exiled here."

"Must have a helluva lot of pull," Grisham whistled in respect.

"That he does, my dear Captain. That he does."

A thought hit Grisham as that lupine grin creased his face. Montoya recognized this as Grisham poured his colonel a drink and offered it to him. "So, if the Senora were to say... be arrested and executed, the Court wouldn't care then?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Suppose she were to 'accidentally' rob and kill someone? You could try and hang her. The Court's more concerned with its own troubles, right?"

"Marcus..." Grisham's value rose a great deal in that moment. "There may be hope for you yet."

Tessa's dinner party was a success. The Dons and Dr. Robert Helm were the guests and the merrymakers enjoyed a lovely dinner. The Dons had gone home and Helm was already sleeping in the guest bed Marta had made for him. Tessa and Elena were sharing a bubble bath as the Gypsy was at the table reading her Tarot cards.

"Ivan is such a pig," Elena hissed. "For ten years, I was an honest, faithful wife while he goes out and beds half of Spain! I confront him, yet he dares tell the royal court that I am the unfaithful one!"

"That is awful," Tessa replied sympathetically. She too had heard about Don Ivan's 'frivolities'. "What happened next?"

"The King exiled me! He said I was not acting like a proper Spanish lady and confiscated all my holdings!"

The two heard a throaty chuckle as Marta listened with unconcealed amusement. "So Fate is repaying you for mistreating others," she smirked. "First the Dona, now your marriage."

"Marta," Tessa exclaimed. "That was years ago! We've grown up."

Elena rose from the tub, her figure swathed in bubbles, and glided over to Marta dripping water/lather on the floor. She embraced the Gypsy warmly, her eyes wet. "I have treated you so cruelly those many years ago. Please forgive me, Marta."

"There is nothing to forgive," Marta replied as she disengaged herself non-to-gently from the soaking Elena. "The past is the past."

Suddenly, Captain Grisham and his men marched into the hacienda as Elena was toweling off in Tessa's room. Tessa walked up unamused by his entrance. "Good evening, Captain. What brings you here?"

"Official business, Senorita. Where is Senora Velazquez?"

"Here," Elena entered in a long nightdress and robe. "What is it?"

Suddenly, two soldiers grabbed her and tied her hands behind her back while Grisham pulled out a proclamation and recited, "Elena Isabela Teresa Trujillo Velazquez. You are hereby under arrest for the robbery and murder of Don Jorge Victor Hayak this morning."

"That is ridiculous," Tessa protested. "Those charges are false!"

"There is a witness, Senorita," Grisham nodded.

"Who? Montoya?"

"I can't say. Take it up with the Colonel." With a snap of his fingers, Grisham led his men and Elena outside as Marta watched this, an amused smile on her face.

Tessa's eyes narrowed. Indeed I will take it up with Montoya! "I would not bother," Marta stated as she shuffled the deck to reflip the cards.

Tessa was displeased with her duena's sudden lack of compassion. "To do what?"

"Rescue her. I know you want to."

"She is family, Marta, even if she bullied me when I was seven."

Marta merely spread the Tarot cards out and began reading them. "Her fate has been decided by the cards."

"Die for something she did not do? You told me at that time that you did not hate anyone."

"I still do not. But justice is being done."

"Well, the Colonel and I are going to have a talk."

"Why not free her?"

"Grisham is not foolish. He will have men hidden."

"Well, be careful."

It was a cool evening as Luna danced across the onyx sky and Colonel Montoya was sleeping soundly, dreaming the Inquisition was reinstated and he was torturing the Queen of Swords and listening to her screams like sweet music. The vision changed to the Queen on the gallows and Montoya pulling the lever and enjoying the satisfying tune of her neck snapping.

Suddenly, he felt himself being gently shoved. "Buenos tardes, Colonel," a gentle alto purred in his ear. His eyes shot open. This is not possible. "Do you really think I am foolish enough to attack the jail with Grisham's men hidden inside?"

He looked up and saw a black-clad figure sitting over him. He could almost make out a gentle mocking smile in the moonlight. The Queen of Swords! How did she know of Grisham's plan? Who told her? He was about to speak when he felt a blade against his throat.

"Now, Colonel," a gloved hand began stroking his cheek. "I could kill you but then Grisham would be in command of Santa Helena. Do you really want that?"

Montoya thought for a moment. Both he and the Captain were brutal men, but his was a precision instrument. Use just enough to keep the underlings in line. Grisham, however, was a blunt object. Wanton. Indiscriminate. Brutality for brutality's sake. Montoya shuddered inwardly as the mess that would be Santa Helena with Grisham in charge. She is right. Montoya sourly said, "State your business, madam and leave. It is very late and I am tired."

"Luis," a mock sulk. "I thought we could be friendly and have a chat."

"In the middle of the night?!" The impudent hussy is shameless!

"I have a small favor to ask you." The Queen removed her dagger from Montoya's throat.

"Why should I grant you a favor?"

"Considering I could have killed you many times, I would say you 'owe me one' as the Americanos would say."

"What is it?"

"I want you to release Senora Velazquez into Senorita Alvarado's custody."

"Why should I? She committed robbery and murder. Both hanging offenses."

Suddenly, Montoya felt a blade between his legs as the Queen's dagger gently rubbed back and forth.

"If you do not. I will be forced to perform some 'surgery'. I am sure the Governor would be disappointed if that happened."

Montoya stiffened. What kind of bruja is the Queen of Swords?! How does she know about Juan and I?!

"Relax, Colonel. Your personal life is your business. It is your governing the people I am concerned with."

"Madam! I am the law! Senora Velazquez broke the law! I can not nor will not change it because she is related to Senorita Alvarado-" Montoya looked down. He could not see the blade but could definitely feel it rubbing against him. He finished indignantly, "Nor because some madwoman has a dagger to my crotch!"

"Perhaps if I were to let slip out...," the Queen giggled.

"You would not dare!!"

"It would be embarrassing. The Court would be interested to know that you were robbing them and having an affair with the Governor so they would not find out."

"How did you know that?"

"A little bird told me. Like I said, I am good with secrets--."

"--if I release the Senora," Montoya finished sourly. "Blackmail does not suit you."

"'The ends justify the means, Colonel."

"Niccolo Machiavelli. How appropriate."

"My motto," The Queen smirked sardonically.

"Very well. I shall release her tomorrow."

Suddenly, the dagger was no longer pressed against Montoya's crotch and the Queen planted a long, wet kiss on his lips followed by a pat on the cheek. "Gracias, Colonel. In return, your secret is safe with me."

She got up and walked to the window, saluting him with her sword. "Buenos noches. Pleasant dreams."

Her mocking laughter rang through Montoya's ears as he lay down trying to get the horrible image of himself and Governor Reyes being disgraced from his mind. Even more horrible was the Queen of Swords was there laughing at him. What witch or hell-spawn devil was she? How could she have known he and Governor Reyes were intimately involved?

The next morning, Grisham was supervising the construction of the gallows when he saw Montoya heading toward him in a foul mood. He snapped off a crisp salute. "Morning, Colonel. Sleep well?"

"No!" Montoya growled. "Your plan failed as usual."

"Meaning what?"

"The Queen of Swords was in my bedroom last night!"

"That's where she was. We waited for her all night, but she was a no show."

"She knew about your plan to trap her, Grisham."

"Impossible! My men didn't tell anyone. I sure didn't open my mouth."

"She's a damn witch!" Montoya sighed. "Senora Velazquez is free to go. Release her."

"Sir?" Grisham asked confused.

"Do you have a problem with your hearing? Let her go! We have been beaten again."

"As you wish."

A little later, a very relieved and joyous Elena was packed and ready to head for Monterey and a new life. Tessa embraced her now-divorced/exiled cousin warmly. "Good luck, Elena. Hope you find peace in Monterey."

"Gracias, carina Tessita. I hope you find happiness here as well." Elena embraced Marta again.

To her pleasant surprise, Marta not only accepted but returned it. "May the gods watch over you, Elena."

"God be with you, Marta."

Tessa and Marta watched as Elena's carriage took her into the sun-cook desert to Monterey. Tessa wrapped a sororal arm around her friend. "It was nice to see family again. Nice you came around as well."

"Like you said," the Gypsy shrugged. "we all grow up. It was a long time ago."

The two stood another moment then went inside.

THE END

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