Alejandro leaned over a glass table in the heart of the hacienda’s living room and poured Arturo a cup of wine. “Here you go,” he said, handing it to him. “Made fresh from our grapes.”
Arturo took one sip from the drink and scrunched his face. He twirled the wine in the glass and admitted, “Well, you must have some unhappy grapes.”
“What did you say?” Alejandro almost yelled, but Diego placed his palm on Alejandro’s chest.
“Calm yourself, Father,” he said. “I’m sure the capitán is tired after the long journey.” He sat his father on a chair and glanced at Arturo. “If you could permit me a question, capitán. Exactly why did you want to come here before Los Ángeles?” Leaning over the table, he poured his own glass of wine, but he only filled it halfway.
“Why did I come here?” Arturo repeated Diego’s question, and he shrugged. “Simple. That bubbling oaf of a sergeant told me that he thinks Zorro’s hideout is near this hacienda.”
“Zorro?” Diego asked, forcing a smile. He set his wine glass down on the table and crossed his arms. “I’m impressed, señor. With your homeland far away, I would think you’ve never heard of him.”
Scoffing, Arturo crossed one leg over the other. “He’s an outlaw, Don Diego. Everybody knows about him. They call him the so-called mascot of all California.”
“Really?” Diego asked, perking up. “He’s that popular?”
“I think it’s a bunch of rubbish,” Arturo said, bringing his glass toward his lips. “He’s a man in a mask. Nothing else.”
Slightly offended, Diego leaped forward a step, but Alejandro snatched him from behind. He gave his son a quick shake of his head.
Collecting himself, Diego giggled. “But… You realize Sergeant Garcia isn’t the smartest fellow in the world, right? So, perhaps he’s mistaken about this so-called Zorro’s hideout?”
“Oh, no, no, no!” Arturo argued as he set his glass down. “I’ve seen my fair share of outlaws, Don Diego. They’re all the same. They hide where nobody would suspect to find them and only come into town to get a dress for their lady.”
“But—!” Diego started, but Juan’s voice cut him off.
“Señor de la Vega!” The front door creaked open, and he stepped inside, flustered but happy. “I just had the most amazing ride, sir!”
“Ah, Juan, welcome back,” Diego said. He straightened his shoulders. “I’d love to hear about your ride. Did you go to the mountains? The lake? The cuartel?”
“No, señor, even better,” said Juan, who approached him. “I found a cave, and inside were jewels I have never seen before. Here, have one as a thank-you gift for treating me so kindly.” Juan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pile of dusty stones that looked like any other rock, except parts were made of pure yellow mineral.
Just seeing them, Diego’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, Juan, I can’t accept this.”
“But you have to,” Juan begged. “My people would want you to have a gift from nature.”
Behind Diego and Juan, Arturo popped up in his seat to get a better look at the jewels. “Ahem!” he coughed, standing. His baby blue eyes landed on Juan, and he gestured at him. “And just who might this be, Don Diego?”
“This is Juan,” Diego answered, clamping Juan’s shoulder. “He’s one of our best servants. Right, Father?”
“Oh, indeed,” Alejandro admitted. “Need a book from the library or a horse from the corral? Juan will make sure it gets to you safe and sound.”
“You almost rhymed there, Father,” Diego said. “I wonder if I’m finally turning you into a poet.”
Arturo’s cheeks puffed out. “Forget that,” he sternly said. “You de la Vegas just let your servants run free in here?” He inched closer to Juan and his pile of rocks.
Diego noticed him staring hungrily at the gems and quickly said, “Well, Juan works hard, so I thought he could use a little break today. Bernardo’s on duty now.”
“Your little deaf-mute?” Arturo wondered, glancing at Bernardo.
Bernardo purposely knocked over Diego and Alejandro’s chessboard to make himself look clumsy. The pieces spilled across their vintage red rug, which had gold trimming. Bernardo looked down at it and gulped.
“Well, it’s been lovely having you here, capitán,” Diego snickered. “But I think it’s time you get going, eh? You don’t want to keep the people of Los Ángeles waiting, now do you?” Without thinking, he held his arm up to Juan and gestured for Arturo to leave.
“Indeed,” he suspiciously said. “Well, nice to meet you, Diego, Alejandro, Bernardo, and especially you, Juan, who just so happened to stumble upon some ’mysterious stones’ in a cavern while you were on a ride.”
“I’m not going to ask you again,” Diego sternly stated. “Get out.”
“Oooh,” Arturo sarcastically said, shivering. “The child suddenly becomes a man. With your permission, Don Diego.” He gave Diego a quick bow and tucked his cane under his arm. From there, he made his way outside.
Bernardo, Alejandro, and Diego watched him enter his carriage from the front door. While it drove off, Alejandro told Diego, “That was a good move, son.”
Bernardo nodded in agreement.
Glancing at him and Alejandro, Diego said, “I think we’re going to have to keep a close eye on this Capitán Arturo. What do you guys think?”
A grin overtook Alejandro’s weary face. He grasped Diego’s shoulder, looked him in the eyes, and said, “I think Los Ángeles still needs their Zorro.”
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