Collaboration

Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.

Characters: CM Q

Synopsis: Two enemies work to prevent a tragedy

Alone in his office, Colonel Montoya read the dispatch from Monterey for the fifth time. A resurgence of sporadic violence across Alta California was getting out of hand.

He lifted his gaze to the ceiling.

"Why can’t we go back to the days when I only had the Queen of Swords to contend with? Why this?

The only response he received was the sharp point of a sword against his neck. He continued to look at the ceiling, seeming to ignore the blade.

"Is this your answer Lord? You are mocking me. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this time, Reina?"

"It was a slow day and a girl has to have some entertainment."

"Ah yes, and I presume I am the entertainment. Do you want me to sing and dance for you, or perhaps a strip tease."

"Hmm, let me think on that. The picture is coming to me. No that won’t do, I do have some business to conduct with you. Maybe another time."

"Why don’t you sit down then?"

"Only if you promise not to call the guards. If you give me your solemn word as a gentleman, I will put away my sword."

"Now why would I want to do that?"

"Actually Colonel, I came to discuss a situation that can be mutually beneficial. A situation that the humble commandant of this pueblo could easily handle."

"What exactly do you want to discuss? Possibly, your retiring?"

"Only if you retire from overtaxing the people."

"Taxes are what I use."

The Queen stood up. "Enough of that rhetoric, Colonel. I came to discuss a mutual concern having to do with the uprisings of the Chumash."

"Have you taken up reading my mail now?"

"Why Colonel, that would be rude and impolite. I have been reading the signs like large gatherings of Chumash in the hills."

"You intrigue me, Reina. You have my promise now please, make yourself at home."

A smile grew on the Queen’s face.

"Does that mean I can take the gold from behind the bookcase without a complaint?"

"No, it means please be seated."

"Shucks, well a girl can only ask."

She snickered as she walked to the door and shoved a chair underneath the door handle.

"It’s not that I don’t trust you Colonel, but it is always better to be cautious."

Montoya frowned as she returned and sat down.

"Colonel, we both know that the Chumash have rebelled against the missions and the treatment of the Indians. I don’t want to see an attack against our pueblo."

"Yes, Reina, I am well aware and concerned about the situation. I have been reading a dispatch from the Monterey. The Powers that be won’t give me any more guns or men to stop you, why would they give me any to stop a group of disorganized Indians who have not attacked any one in several years?"

"I know of a defensive weapon that you, our illustrious Commandant could wield and gain the respect and thanks from the people that you so deserve."

Montoya leaned forward. "You are giving me back all the gold and guns you have liberated from me?"

"No."

"A man can only ask. So what is this magnificent weapon?"

"Diplomacy."

"Diplomacy?"

"Is there an echo in here Colonel?"

Montoya sat back in his chair contemplating.

"Colonel, you and I have worked together a couple of times for the common good and you honored me by not trying to kill me. You are an expert in diplomacy."

"Thank you but how will that help?"

Would you be interested in meeting with the Chumash leader, if I can arrange it?"

Montoya shook his had. "They have no leaders."

"Have you ever heard of Estanislo?"

"The Indian named after a Polish saint? He is Yokut not Chumash."

"A common enemy will bring them together. And that enemy is us."

"I see you point. I suppose it is worth a try."

"Good, I will see what I can do to arrange a meeting between you and Estanislo through an intermediary. I won’t promise anything but we can try. Colonel, one thing. Only you, no soldiers. If the Indians agree to this meeting, they will know if a soldier is within five miles."

"I understand. This would be an initial meeting. If I can persuade the Indians to remain at peace, that could be a feather in my cap."

The Queen stood up to leave. Montoya stood up and quickly moved around his desk. He took both of the Queen’s hands in his. She started to pull back but he raised her hands to his lips and kissed them and then released them. The Queen left her hands on his chest for a moment. Then she ran a finger down his chest.

"One thing I can say about you Colonel is that even though you and I are enemies, you are a gentleman."

He smiled at her. "Your place or mine?"

"Now Colonel, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We can’t celebrate until we are successful."

"Montoya arched an eyebrow. "I look forward to the celebration with much anticipation."

"Ta ta Colonel." She slipped out the window.

A week later Colonel Montoya sat on his horse in the middle of nowhere. A rider approached.

"Buenos Dias Colonel, I see you have lived up to your word. No soldiers."

"If I am in a meeting with an enemy and soldiers appear, I may be the first one killed."

"Good point."

"Where are these Indians? It is already starting to get warm."

"Colonel, you know you should wear a hat."

"What about you?"

"What and would ruin my hairdo?" she snickered.

They felt like they were being watched. Both turned around to see four men standing there. All armed with lances.

One of the Indians motioned the Colonel and the Queen to follow. They rode for 10 minutes while the men kept pace with the horses. Finally they reached a meadow with a reed shelter in the middle. Forty men circled behind them Two men were in the shelter.

The Queen and Montoya entered the shelter.

The Queen spoke to one of the Indians a moment alone and then moved to the back of the shelter.

One of the Indians moved forward.

" I am Estanislao."

"I am Colonel Luis Romero Montoya, Commandant of El Pueblo de Santa Helena."

"The robber of our dead? The man that ordered the theft of a gold mask."

"Purely a misunderstanding." Montoya gulped.

"What do you want Colonel?"

\To get out of here alive would be nice\ "To have peace between your people and mine."

"Our complaint is with the missions. Do you have a mission in Santa Helena?"

"No. I want peace between your people and mine so that there is no misunderstanding. Why do you hate the missions."

Estanislao looked at him.

"The theft of our lands, slavery harsh treatment and flogging of new converts for disobedience. Passing of laws that protect the Spanish but not the Indians. A law that forbids an Indian from riding a horse, under penalty of death. That’s just for a start."

"Your complaint is against the missions and the Church, not with me."

"It is your soldiers who hunt the runaways from the missions. Therefore my complaint is with you."

"What can I do? The Church is under the protection of the Crown, which means my command."

"Colonel, you leave my people alone. If you don’t bother us, we won’t bother you. Do not stop us from riding horses. Do not follow runaways. They probably will flee into the land of the Yokuts. Your soldiers will not return."

"You mean they may not return."

"No, I mean they will not return."

"That sounds like a threat."

"No, Colonel a warning. Spaniards who enter the Yokut country do not return."

"Your people seem to be friends with The Queen of Swords."

"Si, Colonel. She helped return a certain gold mask. Now she is under our protection. If anything happens to her. Need I say more?"

"You made yourself perfectly clear, however maybe we can make a compromise."

"Compromise on what?"

"The Queen of Swords."

"Excuse me gentlemen. If you are going to discuss me, please include me."

Estanislo looked at her. Colonel Montoya just glared.

"Reina, we gentlemen are discussing a compromise concerning you. There is no need for you to be involved, after all you are a woman."

"A woman with a sword, Colonel."

Estanislo broke out laughing. "Colonel, that is why we love and protect her. She is resourceful, smart, honors my people, intelligent and quick witted. She also runs your soldiers around ragged."

"A pain in my."

"Colonel Montoya, I set up this meeting, there is no reason to insult me by using profanity."

"Mea Culpa, Reina."

"Senor Estanislo, Colonel Montoya how is this for a compromise. Colonel Montoya and his men will not pursue me in Chumash or Yokut lands. This extends to the Alvarado and Hidalgo haciendas."

"Reina, why those two haciendas?"

"Why Colonel, I am surprised you don’t know. Those two haciendas are included in the Chumash territory."

"If I don’t agree?"

Estanislo looked at Montoya. "If you don’t agree, there might be an incident, Colonel. One more thing that is not negotiable. Our burial grounds are not to be violated by you or your men for any reason. If they are caught they will die."

"You have my word of honor, Senor. I only wish to protect the Pueblo."

Suddenly a scout appeared. He had been running a long distance.

"Colonel, you show how you honor your word. There are fifteen soldiers coming this way."

Montoya turned to the Queen.

"I swear I told Grisham not to follow me."

"You are on your own Colonel. You lied to me and dishonored these men."

She gestured to the Indians but they had vanished.

"The Queen, get her." The words could be heard over the hoof beats of the horses.

The Queen ran to Chico, mounted and galloped off. A soldier raised his rifle and fired, but missed. The thud of a spear penetrating his chest was heard, but no one saw where it came from.

Grisham rode up to Montoya.

"Captain, once again I commend you for making a mess out of everything. Were you born stupid or did you go to the School of Incompetence? I told you specifically not to follow me."

"Colonel, one of my men saw you and the Queen and thought you needed help."

"I was in the middle of a delicate negotiation and now that is ruined. You caused the unnecessary death of a soldier. You will now have the honor of donating half of your pay to the man’s family."

"He wasn’t married."

"Then you will donate half of three months pay to the Church. Now get my horse."

Montoya’s horse was brought up. Montoya mounted and he galloped away, Grisham and the soldiers followed in the Colonel’s dust.

Colonel Montoya sat at his desk. It had been two weeks since the disastrous meeting with the Indians. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

A guard opened the door. "Captain Grisham to see you Sir."

"Are his boots clean?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Then show him in."

Grisham entered and started to sit down.

"Remain standing Captain, I don’t wont my furniture soiled. What do you want?"

"How long do I have to keep cleaning the stables, Colonel?"

"Do you see this lance, Captain? I found it stuck in the door jam of my balcony this morning."

"So?"

"So it means the Indians are making a statement. Do you what they are saying? No, don’t answer. I’ll tell you. They are saying that they can kill me at any time they want and no one will see them. This is all because of you. I think another month should do it."

"Yes Sir." Grisham saluted and turned to leave.

"And Captain, the next time you come to my office, take a bath. You smell like horse dung."

Montoya fingered the spearhead.

"Thinking of using that against Grisham, Colonel?

"Why am I not surprised to see you? Here to gloat?"

"No I am here to salvage the negotiations."

"How so?"

"Estanislo agreed to meet you again, but if Grisham or any soldiers appear, you will be killed on the spot and Santa Helena will be attacked."

"We have soldiers and guns. They have spears and bows and arrows. What can they do?"

"Where did you find that spear Colonel?"

"In the door jamb of my balcony. I see your point. Short of shooting him, how can you be sure that he won’t follow us."

"We will take him with us to the meeting place. The Indians will meet us when they are sure no one is following. I have an idea. Colonel, make sure Captain Grisham takes a bath first. I don’t want to be down wind of him."

Montoya grinned. "Neither do I."

Three days later Montoya and Grisham rode out of Santa Helena. Montoya charged the Sergeants with the express duty of keeping all the soldiers in town.

Montoya and Grisham came to the meeting place. There were four wooden stakes in the ground.

"Captain, dismount and strip to the waist."

Grisham started to object but he saw that Montoya was holding a cocked pistol. He did as he was told.

"Now lie down between the stakes." Grisham complied.

Grisham looked up to see the Queen of Swords come into view. Without a word she tied a strips of rawhide to one wrist and then a stake. She continued until his legs and wrists were tied.

"Colonel what is this. You two going to get kinky?"

"No Captain, you are the sacrificial lamb."

Suddenly forty Indians seeming appeared out of nowhere.

Estanislo stood over Grisham. "Why did you bring him?"

"He is the one who disobeyed an order at our last meeting. You may do what you want with him."

"We shall see, now let us talk."

Several hours later the meeting was concluded. Montoya walked over to Grisham.

"Have a nice day, Captain. You now belong to Estanislo." He mounted his horse and rode away.

The Queen walked over and sat down next to Grisham. "Poor Capitan Grisham. Your commandante gave you to the Indians. The Indians wanted no part of you, so now you are mine."

"Is this what you call a hot date? Stake me out on the ground on a hot day?"

The Queen stood up and pulled her sword. She ran the sword from his throat to his groin, lightly over his chest. This she raised her sword and jammed it into the sand a half inch from his crotch.

"Getting nervous Captain. Some of the Indians wanted to dissect you. Some wanted to skin you alive. What should I do with you?"

"You could untie me and we could have some fun."

"No. Captain Grisham, I am not Senora Hidalgo. I also am holding a sword so I wouldn’t make that kind of comment again. Have sweet dreams Captain."

The queen walked away and mounted Chico and rode away.

"WAIT!" "REINA!"

Grisham struggled against the rawhide. A shadow fell over his face. Birds, vultures were circling above.

"Oh, Shit." Grisham remembered coming across bodies that had been picked apart by vultures. Not a pretty sight.

"REINA!"

"You called, Captain" The Queen sat her horse, pulled out her sword and slashed downwards twice. She urged Chico into a trot then a gallop.

Grisham watched her ride off. She had cut the bonds on his wrists. He sat up, rubbed his wrists, untied his feet and got up. He promptly fell down, as his feet were asleep.

Several hours later he rode into Santa Helena.

"Enjoy yourself, Captain?"

"No thanks to you, Colonel."

"Thanks to my offer you to Estanislo, the Pueblo is safe. He took my offer as satisfaction for your blundering on our first meeting. Now in the future you had best listen to my orders and not disobey them."

"What orders."

"The territory of the Chumash is inviolate as well as the Alvarado and Hidalgo haciendas. You are not to pursue the Queen of Swords in any of these areas. Anywhere else is ok. Do you understand Captain? Second thought, it doesn’t matter if you understand or not. Just don’t disobey me. Any infraction will be the downfall of us all."

Grisham shook his head.

"Oh captain, you owe your life to the Queen of Swords."

"The Queen?"

"Yes, Estanislo was going to castrate you but the Queen made a passionate plea for your survival and he granted it. I don't understand that woman. Now go take a bath, you stink."

The End