Chapter 9:  Testing the Waters

After several hours of Tessa feigning sleep, Duncan's nightly routine finally drew to a close.  The fire was out, his sword cleaned and sharpened, and the horses fed and watered.  He fixed the blanket from where she'd already kicked part of it off, whispered his goodnights, and finally went inside to turn in.  Tessa waited another fifteen minutes, just to be sure he was really asleep, before throwing off the blanket and creeping into his "room." As she'd hoped, MacLeod was blissfully slumbering away.

Being careful not to wake him, Tessa quickly located what she'd come in there for.  In one corner was a small trunk containing the things he brought back from Monterrey.  And lucky for her, it wasn't locked.  With as little noise as she could, she opened it up and started rummaging through the contents.  After removing several items, including a beautiful rapier and dagger set, she came across two new suits.  One was a deep burgundy and distinctly Spanish in style, with a short jacket and form-fitting pants, both trimmed in gold brocade.  The other was far more conservative, with a longer black jacket and much looser beige pants.  Now, which one should I take?  The burgundy looks like something a don might wear...okay, make that a really flamboyant don.  It would probably attract too much attention.  The other one isn't nearly as fancy, but I doubt anyone would look at me twice.  And it would probably be better for me to blend in rather than stand out.  So...'Her decision made, she quickly put everything back the way she'd found it, save for the suit she'd chosen and the dagger, which found its way into her boot.  Once that was done, she closed the trunk and slipped back out to the stables with the borrowed items.

Upon returning to Chico's stall, Tessa quickly changed into the suit.  It was a bit large on her, but not so much that she couldn't use it.  The extra bulk up top would help hide her shape, and all the pants really needed were to be rolled up a bit so she wouldn't trip.  Once Tessa had finished adjusting the suit, she put her boots back on, and then picked up her sword belt from the corner where she'd thrown it and put that on as well.  Now, just a few finishing touches and I can get the hell out of here.  She tied her hair back with a black silk ribbon from MacLeod's saddlebag, retrieved the false beard and stage make-up from their hiding place under the hay, and went out to the horse trough.  Using the water as her mirror, Tessa completed the transformation.  I must say, she thought, appraising her reflection after she'd finished, I look even better than I did the last time I used this stuff, especially since I didn't have to use the phony scar this time.  There's no way anyone would ever recognize me like this.  Hell, I hardly even recognize myself.  Okay, time for the hard part.

Her disguise completed, Tessa slipped back into Chico's stall, returned the make-up to its hiding place, and proceeded to raid Duncan's saddlebags to pack her own.  From his things she took some food that wouldn't have to be cooked and a pouch of gold reales.  She added those to what was already in her saddlebags and took them over to the mare's stall.  As she prepared the horse for the trip, Tessa could hear Chico whickering softly.  A glance over in his direction afforded her a good view of the stallion's crestfallen expression.  She finished putting on the mare's tack as quickly as she could and made her way back over to his stall.

"I'm sorry boy," she whispered in his ear, "but I can't take you with me this time."  Tessa softly stroked Chico's nose as she spoke, attempting to reassure him.  "See, I'm going back to Santa Elena, and I fear what might happen if someone were to recognize you."  He snorted.  "Yes, I know.  Going back probably isn't the brightest idea I've ever had.  But I figure if I can convince the people there--people who've known me for years--that I'm a completely different person, then Duncan will have to start trusting me more.  Don't worry, though, I'm not leaving you forever.  Just long enough to prove my point.  Now, be good for Duncan while I'm gone.  Try not to kill him too many times.  He may be an overprotective pain in the ass, but he's still a decent guy."  She gave Chico a quick kiss between the eyes and returned to the mare's stall.  Using some rags and bandages from her saddlebags, Tessa padded the mare's hooves so their departure wouldn't wake the sleeping highlander.  Once that task was complete, she climbed into the saddle and nudged her mount, keeping the horse at a walk until they were far enough from the ruins that a faster pace wouldn't rouse her mentor.

Tessa traveled about half the distance to Santa Elena before stopping to make camp.  She slept straight through to sunrise and, after a quick breakfast, removed the rags from the mare's hooves and rode the rest of the distance into town.

The first thing she noticed upon her arrival was an increase in the number of soldiers.  Guess the colonel finally got that raise he'd been asking for.  Gotta love the irony too.  Montoya spent all that time petitioning the viceroy for extra manpower so he could finally capture me, and it takes him actually catching and killing me to get it.  And I'd bet Duncan's stallion that the bastard got his cannon too.  Figures.  I always knew this place would go to hell without me.  Shaking her head, she dismounted and walked the mare over to the stables.  Once inside, she handed the reins to the groom on duty and retrieved the pouch of coins from the saddlebag.  Tessa tossed one coin to the boy before tying the pouch to her belt.

"Take good care of her and there'll be more where that came from when I return.  Understand?"

"Si, Seņor.  I will watch over her like she was my own."

"Good."  Satisfied that her horse was in good hands, she left the stables and made her way over to the marketplace.  After a bit of aimless wandering, she found herself in front of a stall that sold leather goods, admiring a beautifully crafted bullwhip.  Not as good as the one Uncle Tonio had made her all those years ago, but it certainly came close.

She looked at the vendor, a man she did not know."How much?"

"That depends.  Do you know how to use one of these?"

"Of course I do.  Would I be asking about it if I didn't?"

"Of course.  How foolish of me.  For you, I'd be willing to part with it for, say, twenty reales."

"Twenty reales!  For this?  You've got to be kidding..."  She trailed off as some commotion in front of the millenary shop caught her attention.  Three soldiers appeared to be harassing someone, but she couldn't quite see who.

Then one of the men shifted his position, and the identity of their victim became clear.  It was Vera--and boy, had she "grown."  At least something good has happened since I've been gone.  Tessa's hearing was excellent but the conversation was muffled and she only heard 'whore' and 'Grisham's bastard'. Instinctively, her hand flew to the hilt of her sword.

A firm but gentle hand on her arm stopped her from drawing it. "I know what you're thinking, Seņor, and I wouldn't recommend it.  Ever since La Reina de Espades was executed, those soldiers have had the run of the town.  El Coronel lets them get away with almost anything.  Try to interfere with their amusement, and there will be hell to pay.  Believe me."

Letting go of the sword for the moment, Tessa turned back to the merchant.  "So you're saying I should just stand by and let those thugs harass and humiliate that poor woman?"

"Sadly, yes.  Otherwise, you may just find yourself on the gallows by the end of the day." Tessa opened her mouth and was about to respond when Vera suddenly cried out.  She looked in the direction the sound had come from and saw her friend being pushed by one soldier as another one put his foot out behind her, causing her to fall to the ground.  One of the men, whom she now recognized as Sergeant Perez, was standing over her laughing. His two cohorts stood right behind him.  That son of a bitch!  How dare he put his hands on her!  That does it!

"Sorry, but I just can't do that.  I wasn't raised to just stand by and do nothing while innocent people get hurt."  She fished a few coins out of the pouch and offered them to the merchant.  "Look, I'll give you fifteen gold reales for that bullwhip, which is probably more than it's worth.  But I need it right now."

"It's against my better judgment, but I'll take it," he said, accepting the coins and handing over the whip.  "Just don't say I didn't warn you."

"Don't worry, I won't."  Calmly as she could in her growing rage, Tessa stalked over to where the soldiers were still taunting Senora Hidalgo, the familiar weight of the bullwhip in her hand.  As she moved in, she took a moment to really look at them.  They've certainly gotten a lot bolder, which is probably because Montoya's giving them more freedom than he used to.  And their uniforms and weapons are actually current and well kept up.  Now all they need is a slight attitude adjustment.  Stopping just a few feet away from the scene, Tessa uncoiled the whip and cracked it once--just inches from Perez's ear.  He immediately turned his attention from Vera to glare at her.  Good.  Now I have their attention.  "You three are real good at bullying a defenseless pregnant woman.  Why don't you try picking on someone who can fight back?"

"Meaning...you?"  Perez quickly motioned to his men, and then pointed directly at her.  "Get him!"  Both men immediately started in her direction.  Without a word, Tessa snapped the whip in the direction of the nearest one, wrapping the free end around his neck.  A flick of the wrist brought him right in front of her, a second flick released the coils, and then she tossed the whole thing aside.  Before he had a chance to recover from that, her fist exploded against his jaw with a resounding crack, sending him flying into the nearest horse trough.

"Okay, who's next?"

"You arrogant little shit!"  The other soldier pulled his sword and charged.  Oh, this is too easy.  All that extra money Montoya's been getting certainly hasn't gone towards training.  With practiced ease, Tessa sidestepped the charge, catching his wrist in her right hand as he passed.  She twisted it, causing the sword to drop, and then slammed her left palm upwards into his overextended elbow, snapping the arm in two.  All the fight seemed to drain out of the now whimpering soldier, and Tessa pushed him aside easily.

"Looks like it's just you and me now."

"You're dead."  As he spoke, Perez pulled his pistol and aimed it right at her head.  Tessa dropped into a roll and, in one smooth motion, grabbed her whip off the ground, recovered her feet, and snatched the gun from his hand.

"Come now, that wasn't very nice."  After putting her whip away, she fired the bullet into the dirt and shattered the weapon on a nearby pole.  "Let's try this again, shall we?"  She beckoned him forward and he quickly complied, taking a swing at her as soon as he was close enough to do so.  With little effort, Tessa ducked under the swing and landed a blow on Perez's stomach, doubling him over.  She landed a second blow to his jaw, which sent him reeling back a few paces, before dropping down and sweeping his legs out from under him.  The instant his back touched the ground, she pulled her sword and leveled the tip at his chest.  "Are you all right, Seņora?" she called out, glancing over at Vera while still keeping an eye on the fallen Perez.

"I'm fine.  Gracias, Seņor."

"And the baby?"

"Fine also.  I think the only thing really hurt was my pride."

"Good to know."  Satisfied that her friend was okay, Tessa turned her full attention back to Perez.  "Rikono (dog)!" She spat the Rom words out that she had learned as a child, watching his eyes widen in recognition of the language if not the word's actual meaning.  "I should run you through right now for even attempting to cause that woman and her child harm!"

"Gypsy scum!  How dare you threaten a soldier of the Crown!"

"Gypsy scum, am I?  I may be gypsy--well, half-gypsy anyway--but you, Seņor, are the scum.  Consider yourself fortunate that it's me you're dealing with, as I am a merciful man.  Had my uncle been here and witnessed your disgraceful behavior toward that young woman...well, let's just say you wouldn't really be a man anymore."  An expression of pure terror on his face, Perez tried to get up and escape.  She quickly knocked him back down and shifted the sword to a far less pleasant place.  "Careful.  After what you and your men tried to do, I am this close to taking after Uncle Tonio.  But, as I said, I am a merciful man.  If you apologize to the Seņora for your behavior, and then take your men and leave, I will spare what's left of your manhood.  Understand?"

He nodded and turned towards Vera.  "I am sorry, Seņora Hidalgo.  It won't happen again."

"Good boy," Tessa said, sheathing her sword.  "Now collect your men and go."  Perez quickly did as he was told; first waking the man in the horse trough so the two of them could assist the man with the broken arm.  But he wasn't quite finished.

"This isn't over, gypsy!" he called out as they were retreating.  "You'll pay dearly for this!"

"Sure I will, Sergeant.  Whatever you say."  Tessa watched as Perez and his men left. Turning, she knelt down beside Vera, who had managed to push herself up into a sitting position.  "Are you sure you're alright, Seņora?"  She held out her hand, awaiting an answer, to the unspoken question as well as the spoken one.

"Si, I'm sure."  Vera took the offered hand and, with a little effort, Tessa was able to help her back to her feet.  Vera brushed the dirt from the back of her skirt with her free hand.  "But there is one thing I need."

"Name it, and it's yours," Tessa replied, placing a chivalric kiss on the knuckles of the hand she was still holding, which elicited a brief fit of girlish giggling from the owner of said hand.

"It's not much, really.  I'd just like to know the name of my white knight."

"Torres...Diego Torres."

"Well, thank you once again for your help, Seņor Torres."

"De nada.  And please, call me Diego.  'Seņor' Torres is my father."

"Alright...Diego."  Vera moved in a bit closer, examining Tessa's face a little too closely for comfort.  "You look familiar, Diego.  Have we met before?"

Fighting the urge to turn and run, Tessa released Vera's hand and moved in even closer.  "I don't believe I've had the pleasure.  I'm sure I'd remember meeting a woman whose beauty could make even Aphrodite look like a shriveled old hag in comparison."  Whoa...wait a second.  Am I actually flirting with my best friend?  Well, I suppose that's why they call it acting.  She looks pretty impressed though.  Maybe if I keep it up, she'll stop looking at me so closely.  It's worth a shot.  "I've given you my name, dear lady, yet I've not had the privilege of knowing yours.  Unless, of course, angels have no names...only beautiful faces."

"I'm afraid I'm no angel, Diego," she said, blushing.  "My name is Vera Hidalgo."

"Tell me, Vera Hidalgo, just what was going on with those men I drove away?  Why were they attacking you?"

"Well...there's this rumor going around town that this baby isn't my husband's.  And if it's true, then Montoya will have the golden opportunity he's been seeking to seize our properties.  But, without proof, he can do nothing.  Those men were harassing me because they think by doing so they can get me to admit to something that may not be true."

"You're not sure?"

"Truthfully, I'm not.  But I loved my husband, and that's all I think anyone really needs to know about it."

"Loved?"

"He died, about four months ago.  Something happened with his heart and...and it just gave out on him."

"I'm sorry to hear that.  And there's no one else in this town willing to defend your honor?"

"Not anymore.  Montoya has grown too powerful.  Everyone's afraid to even speak against him, lest they be the next to meet the hangman."

"Well, I'm not afraid of this Montoya.  Please, allow me to act as your escort until you are ready to return home.  I promise, I won't allow anything else to happen to you today."  After covertly moving her dagger from her boot to her belt so it would be more accessible, Tessa offered her arm in as close an imitation of courtly manner as she could manage.

"Gracias, Diego," Vera replied, slipping her arm through the one 'Diego' was offering, "That's the kindest offer I've had in a long time.  Now, you said your name was Torres, did you not?"

"Yes, I did.  Why?"

"Any relation to a Juan Torres in Madrid?"

"I should hope so.  He is my father, after all.  Do you know him?"

"Not really.  I did watch him compete once in Madrid, but that was years ago.  At least now I know why you look so familiar.  There's a definite family resemblance."

"Really?"  Of all the things Vera could've possibly said, that was the last I expected.  I must be better at this disguise thing than I thought if she's seeing something that never existed.

"You sound surprised."

"I've always been told I favor my mother more, that's all."

"Your mother, she is gitano?"

"Yes.  How did you--"

"I heard you and Sergeant Perez talking."

"Ah.  Well, mother and father met during one of those carnivals.  It was just one night, and mother got into a bit of trouble with the clan because of it.  But then she died bringing me into the world.  Luckily, the clan decided not to hold me responsible for her actions.  In fact, they did most of the work raising me."

"And your father?"

"He was there as much as he could be under the circumstances.  Not as much as I would've liked him to be, but there wasn't really much I could do about that.  However, he does help me out quite a bit when it comes to money.  Like now, for instance.  When I told him I wanted to seek my fortunes in the new world, he not only made the arrangements for the trip, but he gave me enough to get me started in...well, whatever it is I decide to do with myself once I get things figured out."

"Your father must love you very much, Die--"Vera stumbled unexpectedly, and Tessa had to move quickly to catch her before she fell completely.

"Are you okay, Vera?"

"Si, I'm fine.  I...I just need to sit down for awhile.  Why don't we head over to the Cantina?"

"Of course.  I'll even buy us lunch."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"Please.  I insist."

"Well...alright then."  Carefully, Tessa guided her friend over to the Cantina and helped her up the steps and into an empty seat on the porch. After scooting Vera's chair in, she grabbed the empty seat next to Vera and soon the proprietor wandered over.  He took their order and, with little ado, tottered back to the kitchen to fill it.  "So, Diego," Vera asked once they were alone again, "Why come to Santa Elena to, as you put it, 'seek your fortunes'?"

"Actually, I'm only passing through on my way to Los Estados Unidos.  Thought I'd drop in on my cousin Marta.  I haven't seen her and Tessa since I was twelve.  Tessa had come to us the winter before, having tried to run away from home, and Marta returned a few days after that.  The two of them traveled with us for a whole year before going back to the city.  And let me say, Tessa surprised me very much.  I've known very few women, both gypsy and not, who were as capable as she was.  Of course, it all made sense after I learned she'd been taking sword lessons from Father.  Anyway, I look forward to seeing both of them again.  I'm just not quite sure where Tessa's hacienda is."

"I hate to break it to you, Diego, but Tessa is dead.  She was the Queen of Swords.  In fact, it was probably her execution that gave Montoya the power he has now."

Tessa's face turned grim as she 'learned' about her death. "Oh...what about Marta?"

"I don't know.  She and the local doctor disappeared right after the execution.  The rumor is that they boarded a ship to England.  I don't know how true that is, but no one has heard from either of them since.  Look, Diego, I think you're a really nice boy, but it might be best if you got out of town as quickly as possible.  You made some pretty powerful enemies when you went after those soldiers, and I'd hate to see you meet the same fate as Tessa and Mary Rose."

This time, Tessa was genuinely shocked."Mary Rose--the pirate?"

"You knew her?"

"I've heard of her.  Grew up hearing legends of her exploits.  And what do you mean, 'knew'?  What happened?"

"Montoya hanged her about two months ago.  Supposedly, the Falcon attacked one of our supply ships.  I never really believed that.  And even if it was true, I know Mary Rose wasn't on it.  She'd been helping me manage my hacienda ever since I lost Gaspar, since she was probably the only woman left in the area who knew how to do that kind of thing.  Anyway, Montoya used the accusation as grounds to hang her and seize her property."

"And that's why everyone around here is so afraid..."Tessa's voice trailed off as she noticed Vera's attention suddenly shift to the street.  Turning to look, she saw Perez and Montoya walking toward the Cantina.  And they did not look happy.  "May I help you gentlemen?"

"As a matter of fact, you can.  Sergeant Perez tells me that you attacked him and his men earlier for no apparent reason.  Is this true?"

"Of course not."

"So you didn't attack my soldiers?"

"Oh, I attacked them all right.  But I had a damn good reason to do it."

"Really?  Then by all means, enlighten me."

"Those so-called soldiers of yours were attacking Seņora Hidalgo.  I merely stepped in to defend her honor, seeing as all the other men in this town seem to be lacking a set of cajones."

"That's funny.  My men assure me that the Seņora fell, and they were merely trying to help her to her feet when you decided to attack."

"Well, I'll give them points for creativity, but your men are lying scumbags.  If you don't believe me, why don't you ask the Seņora yourself?"

"Seņora Hidalgo, is what this young man says true?  Did Sergeant Perez and his men attack you?"  Tessa watched Vera's eyes dart nervously between herself and Montoya before dropping her gaze to the floorboards.

"It's as Sergeant Perez said, Colonel.  I fell."

"That's what I thought."

Tessa was taken aback. "Oh, come on Colonel.  It's obvious that she's scared."

"And just what, pray tell, would she have to be afraid of?"

Her gaze fell on the smirking Perez.  "That if she speaks out against your men she'll end up dead."

Montoya waved his hand dismissively. "Such nonsense.  You know I have a theory also.  My theory says that you, Seņor, are the liar."  He leaned in a bit closer to Tessa and dropped his voice to a low whisper.  "And in the future, if you are going to claim that you were defending someone's honor, I'd choose a woman who actually has some left to de--"  She caught Montoya in the jaw with a right cross before he even had a chance to finish that statement, and the blow sent him reeling back into Perez.  Drawing her sword and dagger, she vaulted the porch railing and landed right in front of the colonel, ready for a fight.  "Guards!"  At his shout, soldiers poured into the street from every direction, all with rifles readied and aimed at her.  Oh, this is just bloody wonderful.  Now what do I do?  Maybe I should just let myself get killed and, after I somehow manage to dig myself up, crawl back to Duncan and beg for--  The cold steel of a gun barrel on the base of her neck interrupted her train of thought.

"Drop the blades, gypsy!  Do it now or I'll pull the trigger!"  The unmistakable click of the hammer being cocked told her Perez was deadly serious.  And if he does pull the trigger, it's over.  The shot will blow my head clean off.  No doubt about it.  Resignedly, she tossed both weapons to the ground, right at the colonel's feet.  "The whip goes too."  Tessa quickly detached the bullwhip from her belt and tossed it to the ground as well.  Now completely unarmed, she held her hands up in surrender.

"Good work, Sergeant.  There just may be a promotion for you yet."  Montoya turned and nodded to one of the other soldiers, who immediately turned and made a mad dash for the garrison.  "Restrain him!"  Two more soldiers came forward, latching onto her arms.  Moments later, the first soldier came back, carrying what appeared to be a set of chains.  Another nod from Montoya, and he approached her with them.  One set of shackles was locked onto her ankles, a second onto her wrists, and the two were connected by a length of chain that, when standing at full height, only allowed her to bring her hands up as far as her waist.  As soon as the restraints were in place, the colonel approached more closely.  "What's your name, boy?"

"Diego Torres...son of Juan Torres, the greatest swordsman in Spain."

"Fascinating.  I wasn't aware that the great Juan Torres had a son."

"Very few are."

"Ah...well then, young Seņor Torres, I hope you realize just how big a mistake you have made here today.  Now, you will learn firsthand exactly what happens to those who dare to cross Montoya."

"Oooh, I'm scared."

Montoya leaned in even closer, bringing his face only inches from hers.  "You should be."  With that, he backed off a few paces, signaling to the men.  "Get him out of here!"  As soon as the words were out of the colonel's mouth, Tessa found herself being practically dragged through the street and into the jail.  She was shoved roughly into an empty cell and the door was quickly locked behind her.  And the chains were still on.  Tessa turned and saw Perez standing in the hallway, wearing the biggest shit-eating grin she'd ever seen.

"Hey, aren't you gonna take these things off?"

"Sure I will--right before your execution.  Which, according to the Colonel, will be at noon tomorrow.  I said you'd pay dearly for what you did to me and my men, didn't I?"  Laughing, Perez strode out of the building, leaving her alone with her thoughts.  She sat down on the hard cot and started searching her clothing, but was unable to find what she was looking for.  Of all the days to forget my lock picks... A glance out the window showed Vlad and the carpenter hard at work setting up the gallows.  Executed twice in the same town within five months.  That's gotta be some kind of record.  And definitely not the good kind.  Utterly defeated, Tessa dropped her head into her hands.

MacLeod's gonna kill me...

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