The Inheritance

By VKS & MJRod

This story, set in season four of "The High Chaparral," takes place after "La Carta," when Mano learns that his late father, Don Sebastian, has bequeathed him two fine stallions.

The Inheritance Chapter One: Two Kings

"Checkmate, I believe, Señor Cannon," Don Domingo de Montoya purred as he blew out a stream of cigar smoke, sipped a brandy, and sat up straight in the tall backed chair opposite John Cannon in the latter's study at the High Chaparral ranch. A marble chess set rested on a table between the two men, John's white chessmen fewer in number than the black ones of his opponent, who had just moved a bishop in place to check the white king.

Cannon's grizzled brow furrowed as he surveyed the board. "You've got me this time, Domingo," he admitted at last, shaking his head and exhaling hard.

"I believe we have played to a draw then," Domingo said. "You have won two games, as have I. Shall we start another to determine the victor?"

"Yes, I think we should, but maybe after supper. Victoria won't like it if we're late to the table again," John replied, pausing, then adding, "I, uh, know you are used to dining later in the evening, but on a working ranch, even an afternoon chess game is a luxury, much less an evening one. We have to eat early so we can be up early. Always a lotta work to do."

"Ah, so I have noticed, but this is not a problem. I am happy to follow the customs of your household. Remember, Señor Cannon, I am a bachelor and, unlike my brother, have never adhered to a strict schedule of any sort."

Yup, thought John. Just a schedule dictated by brothels and gambling dens. He smiled at his guest. "Well then, after dinner perhaps?"

"I should enjoy that," Domingo purred again. This man Cannon is a good man. Upright. Honest. But rigid. Still, a good man, he thought. My niece has done surpassingly well. And this man was her choice. My niece knows her own mind. My brother could not have convinced her to marry one she did not desire, no matter what that pompous Sebastian may have thought. No, she has done well, he mused as he rose. "Excuse me, Señor Cannon. We dine at six, I believe? I should like to prepare."

John nodded, watching his guest glide from the room. The man was a mystery to him. Easier to get along with than Sebastian but somehow less trustworthy. Not that he had trusted his father-in-law, but he had developed a grudging respect for the man. And his gratitude for Don Sebastian's insisting on the arranged marriage with Victoria would be eternal. He loved his wife. She was, he thought, the most important person in the world to him. She and Blue. Blue, ah, when was that boy coming home? He shook his head and rose to spend an hour or so at his desk, going over the endless ledgers. Just when was Domingo leaving? He and Ruiz should be taking off with Mano and Buck soon to see to those horses.

Cannon grinned as he thought of Diablo. Mano now owned his father's prized stallion and had discussed bringing the horse to the High Chaparral permanently. John recalled the conversation with his brother-in-law, the latter still recovering from a comanchero's bullet and only just discovering that Don Sebastian had, for all practical purposes, bequeathed him Diablo and his son, Toronado. Now that was some fine horseflesh. The fact that Domingo had not concealed the letter from Manolito boded well for both, John thought. His grin broadened as he remembered what Mano had said on the front porch the day before.

"Juano, this news from Tío Domingo is most surprising."

"Yes, Mano, and it's going to go a long way toward making yours and Buck's breeding operation the best in the territory."

"I agree, John. But two such stallions of the same line require distance. Ruiz thinks perhaps Diablo should be kept here, at the Chaparral. Would you be amenable to this?"

"Of course," John agreed, establishing no conditions.

"And you then perhaps could use him as a stud for some of your own mares, as payment for keeping him? Ah, within reason?" Mano offered. "As long as these horses are bred for the Chaparral, this would not interfere with Buck's and my business, no es verdad?"

"Well, that's mighty generous of you," John said. He was not surprised by the offer. It made sense and was fair. But he was glad that Mano had been the one to suggest it.

And in a few days, Mano would be rested and recovered enough so that he, Señor Ruiz, Domingo, Buck, and, John guessed, the hands Joe and Pedro, would head down to Rancho Montoya. I'd like to send Sam instead of Pedro to fetch that horse, John mused with a small frown. But I need my foreman here and Pedro does speak the language. Gonna take two good men to get Diablo up here safe, that's for sure. Likely Mano and maybe Buck, too, will wanna tend to business in Sonora before they head back. Probably business in a cantina or two as well as horse trading, he shook his head. Still, what a horse to have at the ranch.

"The Inheritance" is the creation of VKS & MJRod, who originated the characters of Teresa Lauder, Valencio Ruiz, and Pacquito Ruiz with the intention of honoring all those involved in the making of our favorite western, "The High Chaparral."