The Letter from FriarTomas

Characters: G CM mention of Q

29 October 1819

TO: His Eminence the Bishop of Alta California

From: Friar Tomas OFM

Santa Helena, Alta California

Your Eminence:

I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to write you concerning my concerns of recent events in Santa Helena.

I have been here for 4 years and I have seen a peaceful loving pueblo turned into a pueblo with, deceit, murder, thievery and general mayhem.

Shortly after the arrival of the new commandant, Colonel Luis Rodruigez Montoya, he hired an Americano mercenary as Captain of the Guards. Together they have terrorized the peons, threatened and blackmailed the Dons. Several Dons have been killed in "accidents". Accidents that no one saw nor has anyone been allowed at the scene except Captain Grisham and Colonel Montoya.

A prime example of this is the death of Don Alvarado. Don Alvarado was a God fearing man who was honest, trustworthy and loyal, God rest his soul. Forgive me your Eminence, but I must relate to you what happened after the death. Don Alvarado was placed in a coffin and rushed into the Church for burial by Colonel Montoya. I had to persuade him to have a Rosary said that night before internment the next day.

After the Rosary, I waited a little while and then opened the coffin. I examined the body and discovered that Don Alvarado had been shot in the back. Colonel Montoya stated that he had been killed when he fell off his horse. I can only report what I saw, so I am not accusing anyone.

Colonel Montoya has been obtaining property at an alarming rate for a simple Commandant. He waits an appropriate time when A don has died and no family can be found. He then acquires the property for back taxes. Imagine his surprise when Don Alvarado’s daughter, Senorita Maria Teresa Alvarado arrived from Spain and paid the back taxes. Since then 2 more Dons have been killed and one wounded.

Upon this scene, an avenging angel has arrived to right wrongs and frustrates Colonel Montoya. Of course, Colonel Montoya calls her an Angel from the Devil. Single handedly she has freed innocent men from jail, liberated gold shipments sent by the Colonel to undisclosed locations. The gold then is distributed to the people. She has kept none of the gold herself, this Queen of Swords.

Colonel Montoya, Captain Grisham and the entire garrison have been powerless to stop her. All their traps have led to naught.

Recently a counterfeit Queen of Swords robbed the church. The real Queen returned the gold that had been taken including the payroll money for the soldiers. How do I know she was an imposter, because Captain Grisham killed her while she was escaping from fighting the real Queen of Swords.

I know these people. Their looks, walks and voices. A woman came to confession and confessed she was the Queen of Swords. She admitted killing in defense of the innocent and self-defense. She admitted stealing the gold from the Colonel and returning it to the rightful owners. I gave her absolution. I know who the Queen of Swords is but by my holy orders I can not and will not divulge her name. I will take the name to my grave.

This letter is being sent by two methods. Hopefully you will receive both letters, if not then please pray for my immortal soul, as I will have died.

Your Servant and brother in Christ

Friar Tomas, O.F.M.

Santa Helena, Alta California.

"Damn it Grisham, can’t you do anything right/" shouted Colonel Montoya, slamming the letter down on his desk. "Me? What did I do?" said Grisham. "Let me illustrate the ways, Captain. First you ransack a church courier and kill the dispatch rider. Second you kill the priest and now there is a second letter and you have no idea where it is or how it was delivered. Grisham, you will be the death of me yet." Shouted Montoya.

"On the other hand," said Grisham smugly, "by the time the letter reaches Spain, Alta California may not be in the Spanish Empire but in the Mexican Empire." "That may well be true, Captain, but the people may decide the fate of the man who killed their priest. They may still hang us, or should I say you," Said Montoya. "I gave you no orders."

The End