the Darkness
Chapter 5
�The tavern is quite empty today, eh?� Diego noted, placing his hat on the counter.
The innkeeper grumbled morosely, �S�, se�or,� and continued wiping off the glasses.
�Well, that sure is a promising way to start a conversation,� Diego thought, and decided to give it another try.
�I heard the new comandante has arrived recently,� the young don�s tone was half-questioning.
The older man looked around restlessly, then moved closer to the counter and began speaking in a low voice, almost inaudibly. �The comandante, he ordered the soldiers to remain on guard at all times.�
�Guard against what?�
�Enemies of Spain.�
�I do not unders��
�Spain is at war, right?�
Diego nodded.
�Well, the comandante Riesgo is appointed here to make sure that California remains a loyal colony. Anyone who speaks out against the king or the new comandante, or does anything against the current orders, is a traitor. The comandante has also passed an order for everyone to buy the royal bonds.�
�And those who cannot pay?�
�Thrown in jail.� The innkeeper fell silent for a while and looked around again. Then he bent over the counter and whispered into Diego�s ear: �The people are very upset, Don Diego. And the soldiers, they have become like dogs � they do not take mercy on anyone. That is why there are not many people out in the streets. They are afraid.�
Diego frowned. �This will not come to good.�
�S�, Don Diego. If this continues, there might be a rebellion. It is better for everyone to stay inside these days.�
Suddenly it dawned on him: �Rebellion!� he breathed out. �Oh, my God.�
His emotions must have been written clearly upon his face, for the innkeeper looked at him in a surprise and asked, �What is the matter, Don Diego? Are you alright?�
Diego nodded, pulling himself together. �S�, I am alright. But I think I should better follow your advice and ride home.�
He picked up his hat and went out, followed closely by Bernardo. The innkeeper watched as the door closed behind the young don and his deaf-mute servant and shook his head. This was his only customer for today, and he was quite sure that no one else would show up. All because of this capit�n Riesgo, may he be cursed forever. He sighed in exasperation and resumed cleaning the wine glasses.
* * *
As they rode out of the pueblo, Bernardo stopped his horse and tugged on Diego�s sleeve. The latter reined in his palomino and watched as Bernardo signed his question.
�Yes, my friend. I suspect that this new comandante might be the agent for the Shadows.�
The little mute made a quick sign for a �Z�. Diego nodded with a roguish smile, �S�, I believe Zorro should pay a visit to capit�n Riesgo.�
***
Diego stood in the secret room, dressed in his Zorro costume. The time stabilizer lay on the table in front of him. He picked it up and examined it pensively. What was that other thing that Delenn mentioned about the stabilizer? He thought back to his last minutes on board Babylon 5.
***
He was standing in the middle of the upper deck in the control room, ready to be deported back to his present. Delenn, the captain and others all stood at a distance from him so as not to be caught in the time field that (as the captain explained) would surround him once the stabilizer becomes activated. And then Lennier, that shy-looking Minbari who always kept at Delenn�s side, whispered something in her ear. Delenn nodded with a look of a person who has just been reminded of something of grave importance and raised her hand to prevent him, Diego, from activating the time stabilizer just yet.
�I almost forgot,� she said, �if the Shadow sees this stabilizer, it will know that we have contacted you, and that you are aware of its presence. You must be careful.�
�Gracias, se�orita,� he smiled, trying to conceal the tension in his voice. �But I think that in this case I will simply use your device as bait . . ..�
***
A slight tug on his sleeve interrupted his reminiscences, bringing him back to the present. �No, Bernardo. I am alright,� he responded to the manservant�s agitated gesticulations. �I was merely�� he broke off and pinned the time stabilizer on his shirt so that the cape would conceal it as long as he needed it to. Bernardo pointed at himself and then at his master.
Zorro shook his head, �No, my friend. It is too dangerous. I do not want you to come with me.� He put his hand on the little mute�s shoulder and added quietly, �Stay here and look after my father . . .. If something happens to me�� he broke off again, feeling an uncomfortable lump in his throat. �. . . I want you to take care of him . . .. Adios, my friend.� His hand squeezed Bernardo�s shoulder, lingering there a moment, as if reluctant to let go, and then Zorro walked away swiftly, disappearing into the darkness of the passage.
The little mute remained standing as he was in the middle of the secret room, looking after his friend and master through the mantle of tears that clouded his vision. �Vaya Con Dios,� he wished him silently, as he came down on his knees and began to pray.