Chapter 12:  The Fool

The light of the full moon was diffused by the strands of light clouds as the pair rode the foothills. They rode carefully so as not to endanger their mounts with a broken leg from a prairie dog hole, as well as to not alert any of Perez's men to their presence.

"So," Tessa asked, once they were in the clear, "What's the story?  I know you said you'd tell me another time, but if I don't know soon, I fear the curiosity might kill me."

He laughed.  "I've never heard of an immortal dying of curiosity, but I suppose I can tell you now.  We've got a bit of time to kill anyway.  Now, let's see...it all started around...let me think...93 A.D., in Rome.  I'd been living there for several decades at that point, and, though I can't quite remember how it happened, I had become a top advisor to all the emperors that succeeded Nero...which isn't quite as long a time as you might think.  After Nero died, there were three or four of them in quick succession.  Anyway, in 93 I was working for Emperor Domitian...now, there was a guy with issues.  I mean, the others I worked for had their quirks, but Domitian had serious mental problems.  A few empadas short of a full meal, so to speak.  The man got his kicks by torturing flies, I kid you not.  He'd take a pen, and..."

"Uh...I don't mean to interrupt, but what does a crazy Roman emperor have to do with how you got your home?"

He shook his head.  "Young people today...no patience at all.  Don't worry, Tessa, I'm getting there.  As I was saying, this emperor was a certifiable lunatic, and yet, he still managed to stay in power for over a decade.  I was one of his advisors, like I said, but I didn't actually advise him so much as go behind him and make subtle changes to his policies before they were enacted so that they wouldn't harm the citizens.  Now, during the year in question, Domitian...he just snapped.  Started seeing conspiracies everywhere.  Anyone who questioned his policies did so at their own peril.  I held my peace for as long as I could, but eventually he started trying to make laws so ludicrous that I just had to speak up."

"So what happened?"

"Ended up staked to a cross for my troubles.  Believe me, out of all the ways I've 'died' over the centuries, that was probably the worst.  Took days of slow starvation combined with excruciating pain for me to finally go.  Not a pretty picture...I still have nightmares...anyway, once I'd recovered from all that, I knew I had to get the hell out of Rome.  And by Rome, I'm not talking about that little boot-shaped piece you see on the maps today.  In those days, the Roman  Empire took up most of the known world, which meant I had a pretty good distance to travel in order to be out of her reach.  Luckily, there was an exploration vessel preparing to head east, and I managed to talk my way onboard.  But alas, luck can be so fickle.  Just as we were nearing what is now known as Japan, there was a huge storm.  We were blown off course, then wrecked, and next thing I knew I was waking up on a beach surrounded by strangely dressed men with reddish-colored skin."

"Ancient Chumash?"

"Good guess.  I figure I must've died and revived in front of them, because upon my waking they started acting as if I were some sort of god.  And no, I never exactly bothered to correct them.  As long as they didn't expect me to perform any miracles or accept human sacrifices, I didn't see the harm in it."

"Really?"

"Yes.  And before you say anything, no, I did not take advantage of them.  I've been on the other end of that sort of deal before, and would never dream of putting anyone else through that kind of hell."

"And yet, I'm guessing that giving you that land had a lot to do with the whole 'god' thing, seeing as it's holy ground."

"Well, yes...but the land was offered to me as a gift.  To refuse would've been an insult, and the last thing I needed after the incident in Rome was a bunch of angry natives looking to stick my head on a pike in the village square."

"Sounds familiar..." Tessa muttered.  "So...earlier, you said that you've been living here off and on for centuries.  But if you were shipwrecked, then how on earth did you manage to travel so much?"

"That's where things get rather complicated.  But, I will say that it helps to have friends living all over the globe."  As he spoke, Alex pulled his mount to a halt and, after a quick scan of their surroundings, dismounted and started to rummage through his saddlebags.  Tessa quickly stopped her own horse and watched him curiously.  Moments later, he located whatever it was he was searching for and offered it to her.

"A blindfold?  What's the matter, padre?  Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, Tessa.  It's just that...well...I have enemies out there who would love nothing more than to find my sanctuary and burn it to the ground...preferably with me inside.  Truthfully, you're the first person I've ever brought there, and I'd just feel much better if you didn't know its location, so no one could use you against me."

"Bit paranoid, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't be paranoid if they weren't out to get me."

"Funny, you don't strike me as the type to have a lot of enemies."

"My age alone is enough to put a nice big target on my head.  But those aren't the ones I'm really worried about.  See, I wasn't always as pleasant to be around as I am now, and I'm certain there are still a few immortals out there holding grudges over what happened way back then.  Please, just do this one thing for me...for my peace of mind if nothing else."

She sighed.  "Fine...but you owe me."

"Fair enough."  Tessa handed Alex the reins and, once they were secured to his saddle, accepted the blindfold and tied it snugly over her eyes.  She half-expected her companion to come over and make sure it was really on, but he never did.  Maybe he does trust me after all.  Moments later, she felt the mare start to move beneath her and had to quickly wrap her hands in its mane to keep balance.  Now I know how Robert must?ve felt when El Serpiente kidnapped him, she mused.  Well, at least I don't have to worry about some overprotective friend coming along and killing my guide...I hope.

For the rest of the ride, Alex was unusually quiet.  Tessa could still feel him, so she knew he hadn't left.  But the silence was still a bit unnerving.  She thought several times to ask why, but something told her there was a reason for the sudden cease in his chattiness.  Eventually, the combination of the silence, the blindfold-induced darkness, and the gentle rocking motion of her mount started making her feel a bit lethargic...

"Tessa!"

"Huh...wha...oh, I'm sorry.  I must've dozed off.  How much longer?"

"We're here.  You can take the blindfold off now."  Tessa quickly untied the bandana and, once her eyes adjusted, found herself staring at...well...something that looked more like an ancient Greek temple than someone's home, built right into the mountain.

"Oh my...how long did this take you?"

"Well, the structure itself took me the better part of a century to get right, and over the years I've made quite a few changes and additions as technology improved.  Impressive, no?"

"Very.  So, how exactly do you plan on compensating me for having to wear that stupid blindfold?"

"How does new clothes, a warm bath, and a night or two in a real bed sound?"

"It's a start.  Lead on, MacDuff."  She slid off the saddle and, leading her mount by the reins, followed Alex to a rather ornate-looking stable that had been built just a few yards from what she assumed was the main entrance.  Once the horses were taken care of, the two entered the temple-like gates, Tessa looking around her in awe as they made their way into his sanctuary.  "You really built all of this yourself?"

"Absolutely.  Why do you think it took me so long?  Now come on, I'll show you the hot spring."

"Hot spring?" she asked, trailing Alex down a stairway that seemed to go straight into the bowels of the earth.  Upon reaching the bottom, she found herself inside an enormous cavern with a good-sized pool of amazingly clear water at the center.

"A natural hot spring.  I stumbled across it when I first started building and decided to make it part of the place.  Beats having to walk all the way down the mountain just for water."

"May I...?"

"Go right ahead.  I promised a warm bath, didn't I?  I'll just go and see what I can do about the clothes.  Alright?"

"Take your time."  With a slight nod, he turned and went back upstairs, his presence soon fading as well.  Soon as she was alone, Tessa stripped off the ruined clothes, removed the false beard, and slowly lowered herself into the spring's soothingly warm waters.  A glance around told her Alex had neglected to provide any sort of soap, so she just laid back and allowed the heat to relax away the tension that had built itself up in her muscles.  I don't know what heaven is like, but this place has got to be damn close...well, better than that abandoned mission MacLeod's been keeping me in at any rate.  And I've only seen this one room.  On a whim, she pinched her nose and ducked underneath the water.  Several minutes later, she came up and practically jumped out of her skin when she saw Alex standing by the edge of the spring.  "Dios!" she exclaimed, quickly snatching up the ruined shirt to cover herself with.  "What the...how did you...I didn't even feel you coming!"

"I have many skills," he replied, smiling enigmatically.  Before she could probe further, he walked over and dropped a bundle on the ground next to her.  "I brought you some soap, as well as something to change into when you've finished."  With a slight nod, Alex turned and went over to study something on one of the cave walls.  Grateful for the gentlemanly gesture, Tessa grabbed the soap from the bundle and quickly finished her bath.  She climbed out of the hot spring and, after drying herself with the ruined clothing, took a moment to examine what Alex had brought.  It was a man's nightshirt, made of high-quality red silk, and a pair of matching trousers.  With a contented sigh, she pulled the clothes on, enjoying the feel of the smooth fabric against her skin.  How long had it been since she'd worn anything of this quality?  If there was anything she missed about being wealthy, it would definitely be the clothing.

"I must say, you certainly have expensive taste for a man of the cloth."

"Not really a priest, remember?" he replied, turning to face her.  "Besides, I've had those for quite awhile and they weren't actually that expensive when I bought them.  Now, if you've finished enjoying the hot spring, why don't I show you where you'll be sleeping tonight?"

"Works for me.  Lead the way."

"Of course."  Smiling, he turned and headed back up the stairs, gesturing for her to follow.  Tessa quickly grabbed up the usable remains of her disguise and ran to catch up.  Upon reaching the main level, she found herself being led through a lavish dwelling that made the Escorial in Spain look like a poor fishing village.  "When you've been around as long as I have, things tend to pile up." Alex suddenly said, responding to the question she hadn't yet voiced.  "Much easier to keep everything in one spot rather than trying to lug it all around with me as some immortals tend to do."

"Yeah, well, most immortals don't have a convenient mountain sanctuary like you do."

He chuckled softly.  "True.  Ah, here we are."  Stopping, he opened a door and led her inside a bedroom that had to be at least twice the size of the one she'd had at her old hacienda.  In the far right-hand corner, she could see a large fireplace set right into the stone wall, utilizing what was obviously some sort of natural chimney.  As there were no windows, the room was illuminated by a single candle, assisted by a series of strategically placed mirrors.  Hangers on every wall of the room held a vast multitude of swords, from many different times and places.

"This is your room, I take it?"

"Good guess.  Like I said earlier, you're the first guest I've ever had.  Needless to say, I wasn't exactly prepared."

"So where will you be sleeping tonight?"

"On the couch in the study."

Tessa frowned.  "As much as I appreciate the gesture, I can't ask you to give up your room just for me.  I'll take the couch."  She started to go back out the door, but a gentle hand on her arm stopped her.

"Nonsense.  You've had a pretty rough couple of days, and it would be insanely selfish of me to force you to sleep on some ratty old couch while keeping all of this for myself.  Don't worry, Tessa, a night or two on the couch won't kill me.  Believe me when I say I've had much, much worse.  Now, why don't you come back in, relax, and take a look around?"

Nodding, she reentered the room, walking along the walls and looking at the various swords.  "Where did you get all these, anyway?"

"Some were gifts, the rest were...acquired...after challenges."

Tessa, who'd been reaching for a seventeenth century musketeer sword to take a closer look, suddenly recoiled with a gasp.  "You mean, you stole them off of headless corpses?"  She backed off a few feet, horrified.

"Well, when you say it like that....Look, I'm hardly the only immortal who's ever gotten hold of a sword that way.  I'm sure MacLeod has a few blades stashed away that he's taken off of fallen opponents.  See, immortal swords tend to be of very high quality, since without a good sword you're dead, and it would be such a shame to leave such fine blades forgotten in some field or other to rust.  Besides, it's not like the previous owners will have any further use for them."

"I see...just out of curiosity, which swords in here weren't...acquired...by killing the previous owners?"

"Uh...the ones over there," he said, pointing to the left side of the room, which also held two large armoires.

"Thanks," she said, moving to look at the ones he'd pointed out, still rather freaked out by the notion of stealing them off the dead.  Glancing along the left wall, her gaze soon came to rest on one that, save for the design of the hilt, looked very similar to the Queen's old blade.  A seventeenth-century Caribbean hilt rapier, according to the inscription underneath.  Setting the remains of her disguise on top one of the armoires, she carefully removed it from the hanger for a closer examination.  The blade itself was double-edged and slightly heavier than her old one...obviously designed for both cutting and thrusting, unlike the more traditional rapier that she was used to.  A simple steel cup served as the guard, with a cross-guard underneath that curled up at the ends.  The grip was wood, wrapped in black leather, and the pommel was simple steel like the guard, shaped into a sort of upside-down rounded teardrop.  Overall, it was an excellent sword.  Slipping into the en guarde position, Tessa tried a few experimental thrusts and parries with the blade.  Soon she found herself going through a familiar sword drill, momentarily forgetting that she had an audience.  She heard clapping moments later, and turned around to face Alex, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

"So," he asked, ceasing the applause.  "I take it you like that sword?"

"Who wouldn't?  It's an excellent piece of craftsmanship.  Where'd you get it?"

"It was a gift from Henry Morgan."

Tessa's mouth dropped open in surprise.  "Henry Morgan, the pirate king?"  He nodded.  "Are there any famous historical figures you haven't met?"

"Quite a few, actually.  I can't be everywhere at once, you know.  Anyway, if you really like the sword that much, then it's yours.  You'll be needing a good one, after all."

She arched an eyebrow.  "What are you talking about?  I already have a good one...somewhere....

"Not anymore.  Unfortunately, I was unable to retrieve your other one from Montoya's office.  Too many guards.  I'm sorry.  I know it was your father's..."

"It's alright," she said, waving him off.  "This one will do just fine.  Thank you.  Now, just out of curiosity, which one do you use?  You know, when you're not pretending to be a holy man."  She flashed him a warm smile, which he quickly returned.

"Not any of the ones on the walls.  I keep mine someplace a little easier to get to.  Excuse me."  Tessa stepped aside as he moved over to the large four-poster log bed against the wall opposite the door.  He reached underneath the mattress, which, she noted, was covered in silk sheets, and pulled out his own sword.  It was a little over two and a half feet long, with a plain gold hilt.  The blade was about three times wider than her own, double-edged with a raised groove running down the center.  It had a simple cross-guard, and an equally plain pommel.  "It's called a Xiphos," he explained before she even had a chance to ask.  "The favored weapon of the Spartan Hoplites...the kind I would've had if I'd been raised as a Spartan instead of a slave.  It was a gift from my teacher, Maleager.  I guess it was his way of returning to me the birthright I was denied as a mortal...."  He got that familiar, faraway look in his eyes, and Tessa decided to wander around the rest of the room, not wanting to disturb his reminiscing.  Over on the right side of the room, she spied a small alcove that contained a desk and chair, both made from logs like the bed.  The desk itself was empty, save for a quill, an inkpot, and a large, leather-bound book.  Probably some kind of journal.  Curious, she opened it up and tried to read what was on the pages, only to discover that it was written in a language she'd never seen before.  Sighing in frustration, she slammed it shut and turned around, practically jumping out of her skin when she came face to face with Alex.  "You know, where I come from, a man's journal is private."

"I-I'm sorry.  I was just curious..."  All of a sudden, she found the tip of his sword dancing just underneath her chin.

"Well, you know what they say about curiosity.  I guess it's a good thing all my private writings are in Ancient Greek.  You may be my guest, Tessa, but that doesn't give you the right to snoop through my personal things, understand?"  She nodded quickly, and he lowered the sword slightly.  "Consider this your only warning.  I catch you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong again; I'll tie you up, blindfold you, and leave you in the middle of the desert.  Am I making myself clear?"  She saw the dangerous glint his normally gentle eyes now held, and knew he wouldn't hesitate for a second to follow through with that threat.

"Perfectly," she gulped.  Nodding, he pulled the sword away, sticking it underneath his left suspender like a young boy playing soldier.  He sighed.

"I'm sorry, Tessa.  It's been a really long day for us both.  Perhaps it's time we turn in...try to get a decent amount of sleep for a change."

"I agree," she said, giving him a pointed look when he didn't move right away.  Catching her meaning, Alex quickly stepped aside.  Tessa headed straight for the bed, sliding her sword underneath the mattress for easy access...not that she'd actually need it, as it was just the two of them and they were on holy ground...but one can never be too careful.  As she prepared to slide into the bed herself, her gaze came to rest upon a small box sitting atop the oaken stump that made up his nightstand.  She started to reach for it, but then stopped, glancing over at Alex as she remembered his threat.  After a moment, he nodded his permission, and her hand swiftly closed the distance and pulled the lid off.  Inside the box was a pack of tarot cards, not unlike the ones Marta had used.  Briefly, her thoughts turned to the night she'd had the dream about her father...the night Marta had read the cards and revealed to Tessa her destiny as the Queen.  "Destiny," she muttered.  "What a joke...."  On a whim, she reached into the box and picked up the top card.  The Fool.  "Figures...."  With a heavy sigh, she flicked the card to the floor.  "That's me, alright.  The bloody Fool.  If I hadn't been so bloody foolhardy and pigheaded about things, I probably wouldn't even be in this mess."

"Actually," Alex said softly, bending down to pick up the card, "that's not what this card means at all.  The Fool represents new beginnings...second chances...fresh starts.  All the things immortality has granted you.  So you see, the card does fit you...just not in the way you think."  With a reassuring smile, he returned the card to the box and sat down at the foot of the bed.

Tessa furled her brow. "How do you know so much about this?"

"I traveled with a clan of gypsies in Romania a while back.  One of the elders taught me how to read the cards...passed her deck to me when she died.  It's been quite a while since I've used them, though.  Wouldn't want to end up with the bloody inquisition breathing down my neck.  That, and, to be honest, I've never really believed in the idea of predetermination anyway."

"Funny...you seem to be the only one.  The Church believes that God has got everything already planned out.  And Marta...let's see, how did she always put it?  Ah, yes.... 'Just as there is more than one path through a forest, there are many futures.  But all paths will ultimately lead us to our one true destiny...' well, something like that, anyway."  Tessa got off the bed and walked over to the fireplace, leaning her hands on the mantle as she stared down into the empty pit.  "Earlier, when I said I thought I could live with what you told me about Papa...well, I wasn't being completely honest, with you or myself.  Truth is, I haven't felt so lost in my entire life.  When Marta first read the cards and told me that I was destined to take up the sword and fight for justice...to be my father's avenger...I believed her with all my being.  Every time I put on that damned mask and went out, I convinced myself that nothing bad could possibly happen to me because I still had a purpose to fulfill.  And yet here I stand, five months dead to the rest of the bloody world with no way of ever knowing who killed Don Raphael and why.  Don Raphael Alvarado, who, according to you, wasn't even my real father.  Which leads me to wonder if the whole 'masked avenger' thing was even my destiny to begin with, or if it was really meant for that boy you buried and I was just the convenient bloody replacement.  God, I wish Marta was still here so she could read those bloody cards of hers and tell me just what the hell it is I'm supposed to be doing with myself now."

"Yes, that would be quite pleasant, wouldn't it?  To have all the answers laid out before you all nice and neat....You know, many, many centuries ago, a very wise woman told me that destiny is not written in stone...that human beings are the masters of their own fates."

Arching an eyebrow, Tessa turned to face him.  "Really?  And just who was this wise woman?"

"Her name was Gabrielle, and she was my mother.  Perhaps not in blood or name, but at least in all the ways that really counted.  She was an immortal herself, and wife to Maleager.  Though barely older than I when we first met, she possessed a wisdom that far surpassed her years, as well as a reverence for life so great that she refused to carry a sword, preferring to use her Amazon staff whenever forced into a confrontation.  After Maleager rescued me from the raiders, they took me into their home--made holy ground by the blessing of Artemis--and I became the son they could never have.  He showed me how to survive as an immortal, and she showed me how to live.  Taught me reading, writing, history, philosophy...opened the world to me.  For the first time in my life, knowledge was a thing to be cherished, not scorned, and I eagerly took in everything I possibly could.  Maleager and Gabrielle gave me a second chance at childhood, with a real family that loved and cared for me.  Those twenty years were probably the happiest time of my whole immortal life..." Seeing tears start to well up in his eyes, Tessa went over and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What happened?"

"They were lured off of holy ground and murdered.  Excuse me."  Shoving her hand away, he got up off the bed and started to head out of the room, pausing when he reached the doorway.  "Tessa, the sooner you stop worrying yourself over this whole 'destiny' thing, the happier you'll be.  Think about it.  I'll see you tomorrow."  With that, he exited the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.  Tessa stared at the door for several moments, trying to wrap her head around what just happened.  One minute he was opening up to her, and then suddenly, the walls had slammed back into place and he'd stormed out.  She let her gaze wander a bit, and it soon came to rest upon a tall cabinet on the right side of the doorway.  Curious, she went over and opened it up to find various types of liquor stored inside.  Good.  I could use a drink right about now.  After a few minutes of scanning the contents with her eyes, Tessa finally settled on a bottle of Scotch sitting on the top shelf.  Not my usual cup of tea, so to speak, but what the hell.  I'm immortal, so it's not like it'll do me any real harm.  She poured herself a glass, returned the bottle to its shelf, and wandered back over to the bed.  Sliding under the sheets, she stretched out her legs and leaned back against the headboard, nursing her drink as Alex's parting words repeated themselves over and over in her head, along with snatches of the other things he'd said about fate and destiny.  Perhaps it was the Scotch talking, but the more she thought about it, the more sense he made.  I suppose he does have a point.  After all, if there really was anything to this 'destiny' stuff, I'd be worm food right now.  That's what the damned cards said, right?  Maybe I should take his advice...start taking matters into my own hands instead of waiting for some so-called higher power to give me a bunch of vague instructions.  Ironically enough, the card in Alex's deck was right...it is time for a fresh start.  Decision made, Tessa set the now-empty glass on the nightstand and burrowed herself underneath the covers, feeling as if a huge weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders.

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