Chapter 9

The Governor arrived unexpectedly the next morning.

De Soto was groveling from the very beginning. It was plain the Governor was displeased. But why? He just didn't understand. All his plans had been good. If it hadn't been for Zorro, they would have succeeded too! Ohhhh.…. if he ever got his hands of that outlaw, he was going to pay! If he had only been here, it would be Zorro languishing in his jail instead of that passel of outlaws!

De Soto himself had even been put out of his own rooms in the quartel, since his were the only quarters that was the least bit suitable for the visiting dignitary. That, in itself, was galling! But there was no getting around it.

Before long, the Governor was issuing orders all around the quartel. Some involved big issues, some only small details. He seemed to be cleaning house! He had been in the quartel less than 24 hours before he called for De Soto to appear before him.

"Ah, yes, De Soto. I have something here I want you to sign. It is a simple matter, but one that requires immediate attention on your part. This paper states that you admit your involvement with that traitor Vincente Ramon and his scheme to take control of a good part of Alta California."

"Sir! What do you mean! I never —"

"Silencio, por favor! I have had quite enough from you. I have more than enough evidence to convince me of your guilt. Ramon drugged me with some kind of potion that affected my will and judgement. He convinced me to sign an edict awarding him control of one-half of California. I don't doubt that that was only a part of his plan for me. He also, with your help," the Governor pointed accusingly at De Soto, "arranged for those men occupying your jail to be drugged with that same potion. Maybe they received a larger dose than I did. But for some reason, those men raided this pueblo and five people died! You, De Soto, had some knowledge of this potion, because it was you that continued to drug those men even as they were imprisoned in your jail. Did it make them easier to control them? Did you have some further plans for them?"

"Sir, I…. Sir, it was Zorro. If it hadn't been for Zorro —"

"Enough! If it hadn't been for Zorro, I would be dead by now! Don't blame your deficiencies on him! Just what did Ramon promise you? That's what I want to know!" The fury in the Governor's voice told De Soto that it was useless to defend himself anymore.

"He promised me I would receive a commission as Emissary to the King and be allowed to return to Madrid." His slumped shoulders signaled the Alcalde's resignation.

"Well, you are going to get part of that wish." As De Soto's eyes alerted to the small chance of reprieve, the Governor issued the final blow. "You, sir, are going back to Madrid. But you will do so, in chains! Guards!"

Mendoza and two other lancers almost fell into the room. They had been listening at the door and could not believe their ears.

"Si, Your Excellency!"

"You will conduct," the Governor paused and stressed his next word, "Señor De Soto to his temporary quarters and place him under constant guard. He is to return to Madrid as a prisoner of the government of Spain. Three of the soldiers from my own detail will escort him to the ship at San Pedro. The prisoner should be prepared for departure from the quartel tomorrow at dawn. Is that clear?"

"Si, Your Excellency!"

Mendoza gave a small apologetic look to his former alcalde as he was led out of the room.

"Sergeant Mendoza, one moment, please, I'd like a word with you."

"Si, Your Excellency." Mendoza was nervous as the Governor rose and came around the desk to face him.

"Sergeant, it has been brought to my attention what a fair man you are. I don't think I could do better than appoint you as the Commandante of the quartel. I already have in mind someone for the position of Alcalde and I expect that the two of you will manage the affairs of the pueblo quite nicely." The Governor extended a hand to Mendoza, but the man stood there at attention. So he reached down and grabbed the man's hand and shook it. "Congratulations, Sergeant."

"Oh, thank you! Your Excellency. Thank you! I will do my best!" Mendoza was hoping he wouldn't faint!

"Good, good. Now, Commandante Mendoza, I have something I need you to do."

"Anything, Anything at all. I will…"

"I need you to somehow get a message to Zorro that I would like to have a word with him. Can you do that, Mendoza?"

"Well, I can put up some posters. That usually gets word to him about things. It might take some time. But you never know, he does seem to always keep an eye on happenings in the pueblo. Of course, I don't know how to reach him directly. No one does, Your Excellency."

"Yes, I understand. Just make it known that I would like to speak to him, under an "umbrella of truce", if you will. He needs to understand that he has no fear of being arrested if he comes to talk to me."

"Your Excellency, Zorro rarely has ever feared being arrested. I don't really think he knows what fear is!"

"Excellent point, my good man. Having met the man, I would agree. Well, put out the word. I cannot remain in Los Angeles for much longer. We have to get my business here completed within a few days.

That is all, Sergeant," the governor smiled, "I mean, Commandante."

Mendoza's shoulders went back at the word as he swelled with pride. He clicked his heels together, bowed ceremoniously, turned and left the room.

The Governor had only just sat back down at the desk when he heard a tremendously loud whooping squeal of delight from the other side of the door. He smiled and went back to his paperwork.

As usual, it didn't take long to get the word to Zorro. As soon as Mendoza shut the door of the quartel behind him, he broke like a shot across the plaza and into the tavern. When he saw the de la Vegas and Señorita Escalante, he made straight for them to share his news.

"Ah, Sergeant Mendoza, and how are you today, Sir?" Don Alejandro asked.

"Buenas Tardes Don Alejandro, Don Diego, Señorita! I have the most wonderful news! You will not believe it!"

"Sergeant, please, take a breath! What on earth has you this excited?" Don Diego was the very essence of calm.

"I have been promoted to Commandante! I am now in charge of the quartel!"

"Commandante!" Everyone began speaking at once, congratulating Mendoza on his good fortune. The people at the other tables even gathered round to join in and listen to the good news.

"And that's not all! Alcalde De Soto is no longer the Alcalde! He is under arrest and is to be sent to Spain for trial."

"Well, well, well. It seems the Governor is putting things to right at last. And did the Governor say if we will be getting a new alcalde soon?" Diego asked as his father gave him a sideways glance.

"He didn't say who it will be, but he did say that we will be getting a new alcalde." Mendoza bit his lip. "Oh, but I forgot! The Governor wants to have a talk with Zorro. He wants everyone to put out the word. He says that Zorro will not be in any danger from arrest. He just wants to talk to him, which means I have to be going. I have to put up some posters! Adios, everyone. Adios!"

"I don't think I've ever seen Mendoza so excited!" the Señorita exclaimed.

"He has good reason to be. That is quite a promotion he has received. I hope he's up to the task."

"Father, he is a good man and he is very capable of wise decisions. All the Sergeant has ever needed was confidence in himself. Without the Alcalde behind him, he may surprise us all."

As the other diners drifted away, amid a rumble of talk of all this latest news, Don Alejandro turned to his son with a low whisper. "And what of this meeting with the Governor? Do you think Zorro should take this chance?"

Diego smiled. "Surely, you don't think such a summons could be ignored! But Zorro will pick the time!"

At half past four in the morning, the shadows moved near the windows of the bedroom of the Governor. Zorro entered through the window and lit a single candle by the bedside before waking the sleeping man.

"I am here. You wished to talk to me?" he said quietly

"Zorro!" The Governor wiped the sleep from his eyes. "You do make some surprising entrances, young man!" He grabbed for his glasses on the night table and tried to assume an official presence, sitting up very straight in bed in his nightclothes. "First of all, Señor, I want to thank you for all your help in this whole matter. I know that I would be a dead man by now if it hadn't been for you."

"I couldn't let that happen, Sir"

"Did you get the formula?"

Zorro produced a folded page and handed it to the Governor. "I trust you will find a safe place for this. I am loath to destroy such knowledge, for one never knows when good can come out of something evil. This may someday have a potential, with some modification, for some useful purpose for mankind, even if it looks improbable now."

"Yes, I agree. It will be placed in a secure place. You can be sure of that. I, of all people, realize the dangerousness of this concoction."

The governor changed the subject. "Zorro, I have followed your advice. Mendoza has been placed in charge of the quartel. I will announce tomorrow the appointment of Don Alejandro de la Vega as the new Alcalde of Los Angeles. I think that, between the two of them, the future of this pueblo will be assured. But they will need help. Your help. There are two ways for you to do that."

"Two ways?"

"Yes, I am prepared to offer you complete amnesty. I know the people will approve. You can remove your mask and serve in your true identity. Or, if you prefer, you can continue to be Zorro."

"You would have no objection to the continuation of my 'outlaw' career!"

"No, in fact, I would prefer it. You see, as Zorro, you can do what no agent of the law can do. And as long as you display the same penchant for justice that I have seen, you will be an invaluable agent to keep the government of this area from ever falling back into the hands of the unworthy. Los Angeles is so remote, that is what it needs. I will remove the price from your head tomorrow, or rather, later on today. However, if you break a law in the future, you will start paying your fines. I have read an interesting volume today prepared by the past two alcaldes. It chronicled quite a few transgressions that were deserving of some hefty fines! But it also described how you brought in many bandidos to the jail. Those actions would deserve rewards. In fact," the Governor leveled a serious look at the masked man, "this is for you." He reached for a book on the bedside table, withdrew from it a large paper and handed it to the outlaw.

Zorro took it, glanced at it quickly, then looked up at the Governor's face in surprise. "This is a bill!" He laughed.

The Governor fought to keep his countenance stern. "Yes, and you will pay it to the pueblo's treasury as soon as possible. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir. I will. All fourteen pesos! Are you sure that is enough?" Zorro asked with a grin.

"It will be quite sufficient. It is the true sum owed by you when taking all your vandalism of public property, reckless riding on the streets of the pueblo and various other crimes set against the rewards you should have received. I worked on that all afternoon." The Governor allowed himself a small smile. "I was relieved that the pueblo did not end up owing you money. But that "Z" of yours tipped the balance in our favor. Do you think you could work on resisting leaving your mark on every jacket in the quartel in the future?

"I shall try, Sir."

"Now, if you choose to remain Zorro, I would want a running account kept of all such fines and rewards accrued in your future …uh…escapades. I will assign that duty to the new Alcalde and you can keep in touch with him as to your standings. Fair?"

Zorro chuckled. "I think I can live with that."

"Then you remain Zorro? Good! You will be a protector of the people, just as you have always been. And perhaps, if you no longer have to worry about being arrested by my lancers, you might help in their training? Your skills are formidable. ou should be training others."

"I will consider this. But, Your Excellency, I should be taking my leave. Your soldiers don't know of your plans yet and you never know when one might just get a lucky shot. Adios."

Zorro leaned forward and blew out the candle. Within seconds, the Governor was alone.

Zorro rode out into the night, relishing the feel of the wind blowing across the desert land. For the first time in a very long time, he felt great hope for the future of the pueblo de Los Angeles. His own future held such promise as well. He drew his saber from his scabbard and saluted the sky. Tornado reared high, and Zorro gave him the full rein he desired.

The End

Author's note: This story was posted years ago on a friend's website. I've revised it since then, mainly correcting errors and some of the formatting that was lost when posted there. There are also stray bits here and there that are different from the original. Thank you to all who have reviewed it! And if you read it long ago and sent any emails to the email address posted there, I would love it if you would send them again, for I never got them. That email address is an old one and I never was able to retrieve any of the emails sent to it.