The Watcher

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

Beta’d by our own Queen of Swords, Maril.

Synopsis: A mysterious individual discovers some secrets and takes a trip.

Prologue

1820

A figure crept down the alleyway towards the square and stood besides some old crates that were stacked by the wall. Across the square, the citizens went about their business of shopping, gossiping and just plain living.

Doctor Helm exited his office, stretched a bit and walked towards the cantina where he was greeted by a small man whose hair style reminded the watcher of a Franciscan Monk.

"Buenos Dias, Doctor Helm."

"Buenos Dias, Senor Parades. Huevos Rancheros, por favor."

"Si, Senor, un momento."

The doctor took a seat on the veranda of the cantina.

A buggy drove up across from the cantina and two women dismounted. The younger woman moved towards the cantina with a swish of her hips. The older woman walked to the blacksmith’s shop and greeted the bear of a man known as Vlad.

Two soldiers, Private Cruz and Private Gomez patrolled the square with muskets over their shoulders and their swords banging against their legs.

Colonel Montoya could be seen in his rose garden trimming his prize roses. He wore his uniform pants; white shirt rolled up to expose his forearms, and suspenders. Armed with a pair of clippers, he waged war on nature’s attempt to bring disharmony to the roses. \War of the Roses,\ laughed the watcher silently.

Act One Scene 1

The watcher stood in the alleyway behind the crates and in the shadows cast by the afternoon sun on the buildings. A beautiful young blonde woman crossed the square and entered the living quarters of Captain Marcus Grisham. This was not the first time during the week that she had met with the Captain. In fact she had done so everyday at this time of day and the watcher had been there to take it all in. The pattern was the same. She would enter, spend three or four hours and then return home to her husband.

The watcher remembered everything about Senora Vera Hidalgo that was public knowledge. The watcher had overheard a secret conversation between Tessa and Marta about Vera’s past, information that Vera had told Tessa. She had been raised poor and severely abused as a child. At the age of sixteen, she had run away and married Bernardo, because she had fallen in love with him and was too young to realize the kind of man he was.

After forcing her to act as bait for older wealthy men so Bernardo could rob them, he abandoned her with nothing. She had fled to Madrid and joined a dance troupe as Florencia. It was during a performance that a Don from Santa Elena had seen her and had fallen in love without ever talking to her. Eventually they met and he offered her a life of a wealthy woman. Unfortunately she was still married to Bernardo. The watcher knew these facts but not the public. Nor was it known that the reason the Don had later killed Bernardo while fighting the bandita, The Queen of Swords, had nothing to do with the money that Bernardo had demanded for Vera’s return. Bernardo had been executed to keep him quiet.

The watcher had recently discovered the affair between Vera and the Americano Captain by accident. The watcher had been interested in the people of the pueblo and had been watching the goings and comings of various well-known people. Over a period of several days, she had noticed Vera entering Captain Grisham’s quarters and had begun watching the amorous couple.

Vera did not know that she was being watched. If her husband had found out about the affair Don Gaspar would have every reason to kill Grisham. If and when Don Gaspar found out about the affair he would probably kill Grisham from afar, as the Don could never take the Captain in a sword or fistfight.

The watcher had at first thought that the affair had been discrete until Colonel Montoya had been seen entering Grisham’s quarters and a few minutes later Vera left. The watcher did not know how many others knew of the affair.

Obviously the don was unaware or he would have already killed Grisham. What should the watcher do? Should the watcher confront Grisham or the woman? The woman must feel that her husband was an old fat man who couldn’t satisfy her sexually. She may dance with another, but she always went home with the man that brought her. A thought went through the Watcher’s mind. \There may be a little dust on the bottle but don’t be fooled about what’s inside. There might be a little dust on the bottle but what’s inside gets sweeter in time\.

The woman opened the door and exited Grisham’s quarters with the Captain right behind her. Vera suddenly caught sight of the watcher and quickly fled to her carriage in terror and raced toward her hacienda. The Captain was startled at her reaction and looked toward the alleyway to see a figure fade into the shadows. The Captain appeared to shiver as if a cold chill went down his spine and he cowered back into his room. He didn’t know who was watching him, but the feeling unnerved him.

The watcher left the alleyway away from the square and climber into a carriage. A quick flip of the wrists and the watcher sped away. The destination was the direction of the Hidalgo hacienda to follow Vera.

Act One Scene 2

Vera Hidalgo did not return home however. Instead she turned her buggy towards the Alvarado hacienda. The watcher followed. The watcher knew that Vera and Tessa Alvarado were friends and that Vera’s husband and Tessa’s parents had been good friends.

The watcher pulled the buggy to a hill above the Alvarado Hacienda and dismounted. Approaching the hacienda during the daylight hours to spy on Vera was out of the question, so waiting for Vera to leave was the only action available.

Vera finally left the Alvarado hacienda two hours later but the watcher did not follow immediately as Vera was sure to go home. The watcher also knew that Don Gaspar was in Monterey on business as the watcher had seen him, as he headed for that city. The watcher waited for an hour and started to leave when a rider was seen leaving the hacienda. The watcher had a hand held telescope and used it. The rider was a woman in black with a red sash. It was the Queen of Swords leaving the hacienda.

Torn between following Vera or following the Queen of Swords, the watcher’s interest was peaked and followed the Queen. The Queen’s destination was the pueblo de Santa Elena. Arriving just after dark, the watcher stopped the buggy a distance away from the pueblo and took out the telescope. The watcher knew there were no occupants of the jail and was surprised to see the woman in black slip through the window of the Doctor’s office. \An interesting rendezvous,\ thought the watcher, \she wounds the soldiers and the doctor patches them up. If the patients paid in reales, the arrangement would be rather profitable.\

Act Two Scene 1

Two hours later a dark figure slipped out of the window and mounted a horse. The watcher followed the rider, right back to the Alvarado Hacienda. At least that was where they were headed when the watcher came around a bend and was met by the Queen of Swords.

The Queen rode up to the buggy. "If stealth is your specialty, I wouldn’t give up your day job."

"I was just curious about your relationship with some of the people in Santa Helena."

"It is said that curiosity killed the cat. Be careful that you don’t get too curious about the wrong people."

"You mean like Senorita Alvarado, Doctor Helm Senora Hidalgo or yourself?"

"What do you know about Senorda Hidalgo?"

"I know that she and Captain Grisham are having an affair. What if I told Don Hidalgo?"

"You may think that you would be helping him but you would destroy two very loving people. Don’t judge Vera and never underestimate Don Hidalgo."

"Colonel Montoya seems to know about the affair."

"Colonel Montoya and Captain Grisham are two very dangerous people. They are worse than rattlesnakes."

"But you fight them to help los pobres. I want to help you."

"Didn’t you learn the last time? We had this conversation before. Maria Elena you go home and speak to Senorita Alvarado and Marta. Tell them what you have been doing and listen to their counsel."

"They don’t understand that you fight for los pobres. They are cowards while you are brave."

La Reina shook her head. "You are as thick headed as a rock. Your heart is good by your common sense seems to be on vacation. It takes more strength to face evil without the use of force than it does to pick up a sword. Now go home and don’t follow me again. You have as much finesse in following me as a blind elephant."

Act 2 Scene 2

Maria Elena hung her head as the Queen rode away. She sat and thought about the chastising by the Queen and then turned the buggy towards the Alvarado Hacienda. Maria Elena decided not to take a direct rout but drove around until it started getting chilly and then decided to go home. When she arrived and went into the hacienda, Tessa and Marta were in the kitchen waiting for her. Maria Elena hung her head a little as she entered the kitchen.

"Maria, are you hungry? Where have you been all day? Come sit down Marta has been hold dinner for you."

"Oh Tessa, I have been a fool."

Marta placed a plate in front of the girl. "Eat your dinner and tell us about it. But first eat!"

The girl ate in silence anticipating the lectures that would come. Marta and Tessa seemed to be biding their time.

After dinner, Maria Elena finally spoke up.

"Over the last few days I have been in town watching everyone. I discovered that a single man was having an affair with a married woman. Not only married but married to one of the Dons. Then I saw the Queen of Swords enter the Doctor’s office and stay for some time. When she left I followed her but she knew I was there and she stopped me."

"What did she tell you to do?" asked Marta.

"She said for me to tell you and follow you advice, yours and Tessa’s."

"The Queen if Swords is a very smart woman," said Tessa.

"She told me I followed her like a blind elephant."

Tessa winked at Marta but Maria Elena did not notice it.

"You clean up the kitchen and when you are through, join us in the parlor," said a stern faced Tessa.

Act Two Scene 3

"Maria Elena, what are we going to do with you? In the four weeks since the Queen of Swords brought you to us, you have managed to almost get your self killed impersonating the Queen, went snooping through my hacienda and now you have taken it upon yourself to spy on a dear friend. I am not say what Vera is going is right, but she loves her husband and he her. You do not know their arrangement so keep your nose out of their business and your mouth shut."

Tessa stormed out of the kitchen leaving the girl shocked and at the mercy of Marta who looked like she was ready to pounce on the girl.

"Marta, am I that terrible?"

"You interfere where you are not needed. Now you listen to Tessa. You may think that all she cares about is parties and gossip, but have you noticed the way she treats others? The workers love her because she treats them as equals. The poor have been helped by her generosity and many of the Dons respect her."

Tessa stormed back into the kitchen and listened as Marta finished.

"I have made a decision. I am sending you to Spain, to my uncle. He will make a lady out of you and teach you the finer points of life. You will leave on the next ship which we expect any day."

"I don’t want to leave."

"You cannot be properly educated in Alta California. You will go and in no time you will learn to love it. You will also write me and keep me up to date on all the latest fashions, parties and gossip," she grinned.

"Two years," replied Maria Elena.

"Two years?" asked Tessa.

"Yes I will go for two years but then I am coming back."

Tessa and Marta rolled their eyes heaven word and each said a private prayer.

Act 3 Scene 1

August 1822

Tessa opened the letter that had arrived on the supply ship as Marta hovered around trying to read over her charge’s shoulder. Tessa finally sat down on the divan and Marta stood over as Tessa started to read. Marta tapped her on the shoulder. Tessa looked up at her.

"Did you want me to read it out loud?"

"No, I will just use my gitano charms to siphon it out of your head. Of course I want you to read it out loud."

Tessa gave her a smirk.

"Marta, this letter is almost a year old. Someday I hope travel becomes faster."

"Sure Tessa and someday man will walk on the moon. Now read."

September 1821

Dear Tessa and Marta

I have been in Madrid now almost a year. I told you I would stay two years, but it may be more like three.

Your Uncle Alejandro has been wonderful and has treated me like a niece instead of an interloper. He insists that I call him uncle and all of the Alvarados have treated me like family. Uncle Alejandro has made sure that I have been taught to be a lady. He has arranged for me to have tutors and I must be a natural. I have learned French, Italian and that barbarous language called English.

My favorite studies are history and Literature, Well, my favorite lessons that Uncle Alejandro knows about. Please don’t be cross and please don’t tell him but I have found someone to teach me something that you would never have done, the fine art of sword work. I dressed as a boy and enrolled in the school. The master looked at me very closely and I am sure that he knew I was a woman but didn’t say anything. After I defeated his top students he started giving me private lessons. Unfortunately I have had to give them up.

Uncle Alejandro has managed to arrange for me to spend a year at the court as a lady in waiting to the Queen. Me, the daughter of a soldier and a peon woman.

Oh, and Tessa, I met a boy, a man really. He is gorgeous, the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. His father sent him to Spain to learn to be a don. He is from Alta California and has a hacienda near Monterey. He has to stay another two years as I do and then we will both return to Alta California. His name is Juan Pablo Vallejo.

I know you don’t approve of my attraction to the Queen of Swords, but you must hear this. She is famous here in Madrid as a hero to the peons, thanks to an English writer. I would like to be like her: strong, intelligent, resourceful and afraid of nothing.

Tessa, I cannot thank you enough for sending me to Madrid. Without your generosity, I would never have been able to learn what I have or met the Queen. The day I was introduced to Her Majesty by Uncle Alejando, she looked at him and asked, "Don Alejandro, do you bring me Maria Teresa again to learn more from us or just to punish me?"

"Your Majesty, this not Maria Teresa but Maria Elena, a young lady who was sent to us by Maria Teresa from Alta California."

"My word, I would swear that this was the same girl, who wreaked havoc on the court," she turned to me. "You don’t play the guitar, do you?"

"No your majesty."

"Maybe you should learn. This Maria Teresa brought so much life to the court and I am grateful, but I could not tell her that at the time. If you repeat it to anyone here, I will deny it," then she winked at me. Tessa, it was fantastic. The next thing I knew, Uncle Alejandro had hired a gitano named Estancia to teach me the guitar. She told me that she is Marta’s cousin. Talk about a small world.

Well it is almost time for vespers and I must go. Tell the Queen of Swords hello, the next time that you see her.

Maria Elena

Tessa put the letter down as Marta shook her head.

"Tessa, if that girl comes back to Santa Elena, I am moving to Texas. One of you is enough. I pity poor Estancia."

"Marta was I that bad?"

"What do you mean was?" Marta grinned and then went to the kitchen to pour two glasses of lemonade. Over her shoulder Marta said, "Oh by the way, Colonel Montoya sent a message that all landowners should meet him in his garden tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. You had better get to bed so you can be on time."

Tessa went to bed, but she wished that she hadn’t filched that last piece of apple pie when Marta wasn’t looking. She had a slight case of indigestion.

Act 3 Scene 2

Colonel Montoya was resplendent in his finest uniform as he greeted the Dons. Marta and Tessa were running a little behind but as Don Hidalgo and Vera were arriving at the same time, she shrugged it off. Then Tessa noticed something out of the ordinary. The flag on the flagpole was different.

"Gaspar, where is the flag of Spain? What flag is that?" Tessa asked Don Hidalgo.

"I am not really sure, but I am sure we are about to find out. Come Tessa, join us."

"Ladies and Gentlemen," said Montoya as soon as the guests were seated. "I have received a dispatch and some disturbing news from Mexico City. As some of you may you know, for several years there has been a revolution growing in Mexico to become independent from the Crown. An end has finally come and we are no longer citizens of Spain but of Mexico. You may have noticed a new flag flying over Santa Elena. That is the flag of Mexico."

A murmur arose amongst the audience.

Montoya continued, "We here in Alta California have been primarily self sufficient for some time due to the arrival of few ships from Spain. Most of the ships that have arrived in the last couple of years have been from San Blas. That may also change as Alta California is a low priority on the list in Mexico City just as it was from Madrid."

"What does all this mean, Colonel? Are we to be thrown off our lands and sent back to Madrid? I was born here, this is my home."

"I assure you, Senorita Alvarado that you will not be displaced. The Governor will remain until Mexico City sends a replacement, but that may take three of four years. No soldiers will come here from Mexico City and alas, my own soldiers will not be replaced."

"In other words, Colonel, we are at the mercy of whomever comes to take your place."

"Don Hidalgo, I am not going anywhere, at least for now. I have received no orders and I am not even sure myself who I report to."

More murmuring took place.

"Please, I do have some good news," said Montoya. "As you know taxes were collected and sent to Monterey and then to Spain. Since we no longer have allegiance to Spain, I am reducing all taxes by a half."

"That is good news, but where will the rest go, if I may ask?"

"Excellent question, Don Ricardo. There are certain expenses and obligations that must be met. My garrison needs to be paid as well as the Captain of the guard, Doctor Helm and myself. I am also taking this opportunity to start some improvement projects."

"Did you suddenly get a raise?" asked Doctor Helm.

Montoya started to respond when Grisham made a beeline towards the doctor, only to be hampered by several dons.

"That is a fair question, Doctor. I have taken a reduction in pay as has Captain Grisham."

Grisham whirled on Montoya. Grisham’s face showed rage and shock, but he stopped short of exploding into a verbal tirade.

"However," Montoya continued seeming to ignore Grisham, "since it will be harder to recruit and keep soldiers, I am raising the pay of the soldiers and Sergeants. Trust me to say they will work for it. Soldiers are paid by the month. When they are not chasing the Queen of Swords, guarding prisoners or any other military duties, they will be put to work. I intend to build this pueblo into a city. The project manager will also be paid from the taxes."

"How do you intend to build and reduce taxes at the same time Colonel?" asked Senorita Alvarado.

All of the dons nodded their heads in agreement. They looked at each other in surprise to hear business questions from a Dona they considered to have no head for "men’s" business.

"I am instituting a material tax. All dons will provide raw materials such as adobe for the building projects. Those that have stands of trees will provide timber."

"Do you expect us to build the bricks or just deliver the dirt?" asked Don Hidalgo.

"That will be the decision of the project manager depending on the particular project."

"Who is the project manager?" asked Don Ricardo.

Colonel Montoya looked at the assembled dons. "I humbly admit that I will be the project manager."

"Will the first project be your hacienda?" asked a female voice.

"Yes, Senorita Alvarado, it will be. You don’t expect the military commander to live in these quarters, do you?"

The murmuring grew louder.

"One more question, Colonel. If Mexico is now ruling Alta California and you do not answer to either Mexico City or the Crown, why do we not elect our own leaders?" asked Tessa.

"This is not Los Estados Unidos and the soldiers are still loyal to me. That is all; you are dismissed," said Montoya haughtily.

The dons and donas were quiet as they departed.

"Well, Captain Grisham, what do you think?" asked Montoya as he watched them leave.

"They will either accept what you are going to do or will revolt."

"That is why I have you, Colonel Grisham."

"I am a colonel now, Colonel?"

"That is Generalissimo Montoya to you and them."

Act 4 Scene 1

Colonel Grisham and a troop of soldiers rode out of Santa Elena on a mission to deliver instructions to one of the dons. The don was to deliver one thousand adobe bricks, one hundred oak trees, cut to certain specifications, one hundred head of cattle and fifty horses. The alternative is either one thousand reales or confiscation of his hacienda and all property. Confiscation of course can only be done after the don and his family are deceased.

Three days later the first of the demands were to be delivered to a hacienda that had been confiscated two years before by then Colonel Montoya. Soldiers were sent to gather peons to help them build the new hacienda for the Generalissimo.

Buoyed by the success of the first mission, Colonel Grisham rode out with five soldiers to deliver the demands to another don. This time besides cattle, horses and adobe bricks, Grisham demanded one hundred reales. The reales were Grisham’s demands for collection fees. All fees would go into Grisham’s pockets. Don de la Cruz accepted the adobe demands but refused the cattle, horses and especially the reales. In fact Don de la Cruz’s ten rancheros surrounded Grisham and his men and ran them off.

Not to be stopped, Grisham returned with fifty soldiers that evening. His men caught three rancheros on guard and cut them down with gunfire as the men rode through an arroyo. It was nine o’clock at night when Grisham and his soldiers opened fire on the don’s hacienda. When Don de la Cruz finally waved a white flag and walked out of the hacienda with his family to bend to the demands, Grisham had the don arrested in front of his children and their mother.

Grisham returned to Santa Elena. Montoya met him.

"You did what? You damned fool. Even though the dons do not have the ear of the Crown, there are more dons and their rancheros than we have soldiers. There will be no more arrests of the dons."

"I was following your orders to impose the tax."

"Idiot, if you arrest all of the dons and their families, then what? I may own Alta California but there will be no one living and working. What good is that? Even Caesar had an army behind him when he crossed the Rubicon and you are no Caesar. Now get out of my sight."

Grisham cowered from Montoya’s wrath and headed for his quarters. He whistled as he took the sack of reales and tossed them from hand to hand. As he passed an alley he felt a pain in his neck and realized he was on the wrong end of a sword.

"Glad you are so happy, Colonel Grisham, now hand over the money you stole," said a sultry female voice.

"Oh give me a break, one call and you will be surrounded by my guards."

"Maybe, but you won’t be alive to see it."

Grisham turned around quickly to throw off the sword only to find the edge of a sharp sword between his legs. Grisham looked down at the sword and didn’t see the left hook that knocked him out. He crumbled to the ground.

Grisham woke up when a bucket of water was thrown on him. He sputtered and looked up to see Montoya standing over him.

"I know the Queen of Swords would not attack you just for the pleasure of it. She must have had ulterior motives, like the reales that you stole from the man you had arrested."

"Why would you say that?"

"I talked to the men you led and they confirmed you are extorting money from the dons, without my permission."

"Did you think that I wouldn’t find out? Grisham you never cease to amaze me. I catch you each and every time. One of these days you may find yourself on the executioner’s block. Now get up and post a larger reward for the Queen’s capture. This time it will come out of your pocket. I would be willing to bet that we will have a visitor to release your prisoner, if it hasn’t been done already."

Act 4 Scene 2

"I didn’t do it, Marta!" Tessa paced her bedroom.

"If you didn’t Tessa, who did?"

"I don’t know. If I didn’t know better I would suspect Maria Elena, but she is in Spain."

"What are you going to do? Don de la Cruz was arrested and now he and his family are fugitives."

"The Queen will have to ride to find out just what is going on."

"You had better be careful, you don’t know where Grisham will be at anytime."

The sound of horses drew their attention to the window. Grisham and a squad of soldiers were riding past the Alvarado hacienda.

"They are heading towards the De la Cruz hacienda, Marta. I hope they were able to leave immediately."

"I think the Queen will ride tonight and watch." Tessa said

"I don’t like this at all. You be careful," replied a worried Marta.

"Don’t worry, Marta, I always am," Tessa rejoined with a pert smile.

"Then we had better get some mothballs."

Tessa looked at her with a puzzled look, "What makes you say that?"

"Because something must be causing the holes in your blouse that I have to keep repairing."

The Queen of Swords rode out a few minutes later and followed Grisham and the soldiers, at a distance.

Grisham indeed led his squad to the de la Cruz hacienda only to find the hacienda was empty. The house and the barns were empty and even the rancheros were gone. Tracks led to the big valley to the East where the Spanish had not surveyed.

Over the next week, Grisham managed to intimidate three more dons and extorted money from them on the guise of a collection fee. He gave half of the money to Montoya. Grisham never told Montoya about the herds that were being collected. Grisham was worried. He was using soldiers to guard the herds and this was depleting the manpower to patrol the pueblo.

Montoya called Grisham to his office.

"I have received a letter from Mexico City. I am to report within the week,"

"What does it mean?"

"It could be good news or bad news. I could either be reaffirmed as commander or I could be replaced."

"When are you leaving?"

"As soon as we finish talking. Now you are in charge but you will not destroy my pueblo while I am gone."

"What do you mean?"

"Stop the extortion and leave the dons alone. If you do not you may find a revolution on your hands."

"I have enough men to handle anything."

"You have seventy men. The dons can muster double that. Take my warning seriously Grisham."

Montoya finished packing, and left. Grisham watched as his commander rode out of the pueblo. "He won’t be back so I had better make my move before someone else arrives," he said to his reflection in the mirror on his office wall, "You handsome devil you."

One night a soldier raced into Grisham’s office. Grisham was about ready to beat the man to a pulp but seeing the soldier’s condition he didn’t. The soldier was dirty, bloody, looked like he had a broken arm and appeared to have been dragged by a horse.

"What happened?"

"Colonel, the Queen of Swords. She attacked the horse herd and got away with all the horses."

"One woman took a herd of one hundred horses away from twenty armed soldiers."

"She was not alone. There were at least a hundred men, Colonel. They hit us as we were sitting getting ready to eat."

"How many men were with the herd."

"None Colonel, we were getting ready to eat."

"Idiot, only half of the men at the most should have been in camp. Awake the rest of the men and then go see the doctor."

Grisham reached for his pants and swatted the rump of a comely girl who was in his bed. "Later Anna, I have to go to work."

Fifteen minutes later, Grisham led eight men out of the pueblo, leaving only two men to guard Santa Elena. As he left, a figure in black slipped into Montoya’s office. When the Queen of Swords left, she took two very large bags of reales from Montoya’s not so secret, secret room.

Twenty soldiers waited for Grisham at the camp. They had to wait as they were tied up and gagged. Grisham was outraged. The reins of the soldier’s own horses were still attached to the picket line.

"In the future, you will eat and sleep in shifts. One third will be with the herds, one third sleeping or eating and one third on guard. We will follow them in the morning."

Act 4 Scene 3

A week later Grisham rode to the arroyo where he kept the hidden herd of cattle. Since the horses had never been found, the guards were reassigned to watching the cattle. Soldiers rode amongst the cattle and guards were stationed around the arroyo.

Grisham decided to turn in for the night, as it was too late to return to the pueblo. As he lay down a sword tip was poked into his neck.

"Criminey sake. Can’t a guy get some sleep around here?"

"Nice night for a camp out Colonel.’

"I figured you would show up tonight. One call from me and my soldiers will come running.

"You mean the men that are tied up and gagged on top of the arroyo?"

"We could always go one on one."

"Don’t think so. I don’t date cattle thieves," said the Queen lowering her sword.

"Oh, and I suppose you are just browsing?"

"Liberating stolen cattle."

"Stealing the Generalissimo’s cattle is not liberating them."

"I thought taxes were the property of the people, not Montoya’s personal property. Does Montoya even know that you are building a herd?"

"Things change, Reina. Montoya may not even be in charge when and if he returns."

"So you are just securing your own future, is that it?"

"One must protect number one. I still am the same loveable Grisham."

"No. You are a snake and I don’t like snakes, especially the two legged variety."

"Too bad, we could have had such good times," replied Grisham as he pulled a dagger out of his boot and lunged at the Queen.

She countered his thrust and kicked him in the chin as he attempted to gain his footing. Grisham fell back and struck his head on the hard ground. He went limp, as he became unconscious.

"Pleasant dreams Colonel."

The Queen ran to her horse, which was just outside the camp, mounting she let out a whistle and a gunshot sounded. The cattle stampeded away from the camp. Soldiers rode with the cattle until they could break away from the herd. Several were not so lucky and fell from their horses. Miraculously none were killed but four were hurt with broken legs and arms.

Tessa Alvarado and Doctor Helm were walking across the square when a disheveled Colonel Grisham led his beaten men back to the pueblo. Several soldiers on foot carried the injured men in handmade stretchers.

Grisham was in a foul mood and he decided to take it out on the first person he saw, Doctor Helm. Grisham dismounted and walked up to Helm and decked him with a right cross. Helm went down and Grisham stomped on Helm’s right hand with the heel of his boot.

Tessa jumped in between the two men and ordered Grisham to stop.

Grisham turned to his sergeant. "Arrest Doctor Helm and throw him in the stocks."

The soldiers looked at Grisham with a question on their faces. "Colonel, what are stocks?" asked Corporal Bienveides.

Grisham shook his head. "Come here and I will draw you a picture. It is what we use in Los Estados Unidos Army. The British made it so it is appropriate." Grisham knelt down and drew a picture in the dirt.

Tessa saw the design

"Why? What did he do? How can you do that to any human being?"

"This is none of your business Senorita, but it doesn’t really matter, I will think of something. Helm is English, not a human being."

"This is outrageous, Colonel. You can’t just attack someone and have them thrown in prison."

"I can do what I want and I would suggest that you take care of your own affairs. I will expect one hundred and fifty cattle and thirty horses along with five hundred ruelas by tomorrow at noon."

"I don’t have that many cattle or horses and there is no way I could come up with that much money. You are robbing me."

"I take that as your refusal to pay the tax. Sergeant, arrest Senorita Alvarado. She will be a guest in our prison. No one is to question my authority."

"Perro," spat Tessa.

Grisham only laughed. "I will see you tonight," and then he stormed off to his quarters.

Suddenly he saw him soldiers being brought in by the soldiers on foot. "Get those men to the doctor."

Helm laughed. "Where are you going to find a doctor, Colonel? I am under arrest and you broke my hand."

Grisham stormed off, leaving his men to fend for themselves. He entered his quarters and threw his hat on the bed. He stopped and rocked his foot on a floorboard. It did not seem right. This was his hiding place for the stolen reales that he had acquired. He moved the board and instead of finding the five hundred reales he had expected, he found a tarot card.

That night Grisham entered the jail to visit Tessa. "How do you like your quarters, Senorita? I can see to it that you either stay here or return to your hacienda."

"Then release me."

"Not so fast. In exchange for your release, I think we should come to an understanding about our relationship."

"There is no relationship, Colonel."

"Too bad, I don’t think these accommodations are suited for a lady such as yourself."

"Pig."

"You know, I have been chasing the Queen of Swords all over this land and I would be willing to bet that I have been talking to her all along."

"It is always sad to see some one become delusional, especially when he is in power," said a female voice behind Grisham.

Grisham turned to see the Queen of Swords with a weapon in hand. Grisham reached for his sword but his hand grabbed air. He had left his sword in his quarters.

"Don’t bother calling your men, Colonel. They are trying to set broken legs and arms by them selves."

The Queen’s sword suddenly found a place to rest, inside Grisham’s crotch. Grisham held up his hands.

"Release Senorita Alvarado and do it now."

Grisham unlocked the jail cell and was forced inside. As Tessa moved to the door, she turned and slapped Grisham.

"What was that for?" asked Grisham.

"For making an indecent proposal. You are persona non grata at my hacienda," replied Tessa indignantly.

"You don’t have a hacienda any more. You are an escaped criminal," Grisham laughed evilly.

The Queen of Swords walked up to Grisham and hit him in the nose with her clenched right fist. Grisham went down hard.

A few minutes later the Queen, Tessa and Doctor Helm, who had been released from the stocks, mounted three horses and rode out. Not a single soldier could be seen. Two hours later the three made their way down an arroyo to find a camp. In the camp were Don de la Cruz and his family, his rancheros and a very large herd of cattle and horses.

"I have to go home and find Marta, she will be worried."

"No Senorita Alvarado, I will get her and your clothes. It would not be safe for you."

"I can take care of myself. You just look after Doctor Helm."

"Don’t forget your sword," said the Queen in a whisper.

Tessa mounted her horse and rode off.

Tessa rode carefully to the hacienda.

"Where have you been? I have been worried," said Marta.

"In jail. Grisham arrested me and then tried to black mail me. The Queen of Swords got me out of jail."

"The Queen of Swords? There is another one now? What are you going to do?"

"She is doing what I do and at the moment, we are going to go into hiding with this Queen. I just don’t know who she is," said Tessa as she gathered her clothes and her sword.

"Does it bother you to have competition?"

"I might be fun. The two of us could drive Grisham up the wall," Tessa laughed.

Several hours later, Tessa and Marta rode into camp. Along with the two women, rode Tessa’s forty rancheros.

Act 4 Scene 4

Over the next few days, rancheros from other haciendas joined the group until there where over two hundred armed men. Nightly the Queen of Swords rode out to harass Colonel Grisham by staging raids on the beleaguered soldiers. Most of the time all she did was ride through the pueblo. Grisham and the soldiers would chase her until they lost sight of her in the dark.

On one of the forays into town, Grisham was waiting for her and tried to box her in. Grisham chased her into an alleyway. There was no way out.

"The Queen!" yelled one of Grisham’s men. Grisham turned to see the Queen ride out of the pueblo on a white horse. Grisham’s horse.

"How did she do that?" Grisham asked his sergeant, not expecting a response.

Act 5 Scene 1

The Queen of Swords walked alone in the night on arroyo’s lip, surveying the scene below.

"You have been busy," said a voice out of the night.

The Queen turned with a sword in hand.

"You won’t need that unless you intend to fight. I think we are on the same side."

"The Queen of Swords," said the imposter queen.

"I don’t mind you using my name, in fact you have been a great help. I am confused on a couple of issues."

"Such as?"

"Who are you for starters?"

"I am a friend who is fighting for the people, as you do yourself."

"I do appreciate the help, but quite frankly with some of the escapades that have happened, I don’t know whether you did them or I did," smiled the real Queen.

"It does get confusing. I will bet that Colonel Grisham is even more confused than we are. By the way, thanks for helping me out of the tight spot in that alleyway."

"Just returning a favor for help Senorita Alvarado and Doctor Helm out of a jam."

"Who wouldn’t help Doctor Helm out of a jam, especially with those beautiful eyes of his?"

"Yes they are remarkable, but I wouldn’t set your mark on him just yet."

"Oh, no. Just commenting. I have my mind set on another," smiled the fake Queen.

"Should I call you something else, besides the Queen?"

"We do need another name. Queen of Swords II sounds too much like a ship."

Both women laughed.

"I will call you Sanchita."

"Sanchita?"

"Si. Sort of like a female version of Sancho Panza."

"I like that. Sanchita it is."

The women shook hands and hugged.

"Maybe we should coordinate out activities so that we don’t cross paths and we can keep Grisham off guard. I am glad that Montoya is away. This is so much fun," said Sanchita.

"I wouldn’t get comfortable. I have an idea that Montoya will be back soon."

"Maybe we should take control of the pueblo while we have the chance, Reina."

"That might be a good idea. Let us make plans. Go and gather the dons who are here."

Grisham had taken up using Montoya’s office while the Generalissimo was in Mexico City. He had managed to open the storage area of the secret room and was busy counting the reales that Montoya had collected. He was up to one five thousand when he heard a commotion in the square and saw the Queen ride away. He ran outside and mounted a horse. He led his soldiers on a two-hour chase and returned empty handed. Returning to Montoya’s office, he found the reales that he had counted gone. All that was left were the sacks the reales had been in.

Two nights later a dark clothed figure slipped into the pueblo and took a position in the shadows of an alleyway. The figure watched the two soldiers patrolling the streets and noticed that there were only two where there should have been ten.

The figure slipped into the Commandante’s office and noticed that the place was a mess. Papers were scattered on the desk and as the intruder picked up the papers and read them, he noticed the scratches on the desk, clearly made by the heels of someone’s boots.

The man opened the bottom drawer of the desk, touched a hidden lock and then stared into an empty compartment. He then went and opened the catch to the secret room. All of the sacks of reales were gone. A slow anger grew as he looked around. Luis Montoya’s eyes flashed, as a plan was devised to expose the person responsible and he had a good idea who it was. With a disgusted last look, he left his office and returned to the shadows. He slipped through the shadows and discovered that there were only ten soldiers in town and Grisham was not in his quarters. He found the empty compartment in the floor and saw a tarot card on the floor.

A smile creased Montoya’s face. "Well, Grisham, if I can’t keep you honest, I guess some one else does. You reap what you sow."

Montoya slipped out of Santa Elena undetected and rode into the night.

Act 5 Scene 2

Grisham had had enough. He ordered his soldiers to arrest all of the dons and jail them. As the day dragged on, one don after another was brought in and locked up. If the don was gone then the wife was arrested in his place. Soon there was no space left in the over crowded jail.

The dons had been in jail for two days when a soldier returned from patrol and indicated that a cloud was approaching the pueblo. Grisham ordered his men to take positions on the roof tops and prepared for an uprising.

"Colonel, the cloud is approaching from the south," reported Private Trujillo. There were many riders, but I could not tell who it was.’

"That’s all right Private, we are prepared. As soon as they are in rifle range, have a quarter of your men fire at the riders.

Grisham waited with his men. \This is what Montoya warned me about,\ thought Grisham.

"Colonel Grisham," Sergeant Valdez "There is a cloud of dust coming from the North."

"A two prong attack. Which one is closer?"

"The southern cloud."

"Ok, prepare to fight the southern group first."

Soldiers raced to the tops of the buildings and took cover anywhere they could find. Ten soldiers moved away from the pueblo and set up an ambush some one thousand yards from the pueblo. When the riders were within one hundred yards they opened fire knocking five riders from their horses. The remaining riders dismounted and took cover, returning fire. The ambushers retreated to the pueblo, but four didn’t make it. The attackers moved closer, just out of range of the pueblo defender’s weapons.

Grisham watched as the attackers moved towards the pueblo. He ordered his men to hold fire until the attackers were within one hundred yards. When the attackers were with one hundred and fifty yards, on e of the nervous defenders stumbled and his weapon discharged. A fusillade of bullets suddenly flew at the attackers when all of the soldiers opened fire.

"Colonel, the riders from the North are almost upon us," reported a private.

Grisham moved some of his men to the North side of the pueblo.

"I think we are in for a lot of trouble, Private. It is a good day to die," replied Grisham.

A bullet struck close to Grisham and the ricochet hit the private in the shoulder. He went down.

"Get the doctor!" yelled Grisham to another soldier.

"We don’t have one, Colonel."

"Oh, yeah."

The attackers from the South were pinned down and could not advance, so they started to circle to the East. The attackers from the North from the circled the other attackers. As the Southern attackers took cover, they heard the click of several rifles being cocked. They turned to find themselves being covered by fifty rifles and standing with the men was the Queen of Swords.

The attackers lowered their rifles. A man stood up, but made sure that he could not be observed from the pueblo.

"Colonel Montoya, what a surprise to find you attacking your own pueblo."

"Reina, I come home with a military escort and get attacked. I presume some banditos have taken control of the pueblo or you would not be riding with so many dons and rancheros."

"Colonel, will you please come with me, and do leave your weapons behind."

Montoya took off his pistol and sword, handing them to a soldier. "I would never have expected you to attack the pueblo with such an armed force. Is that Senorita Alvarado with you? I am shocked."

"She is here with her rancheros after having been arrested and is now considered a bandito by Colonel Grisham. You will notice Doctor Helm and several dons are here as well."

"What has Grisham been doing to get all of these people to follow you?"

"Have a seat Colonel while I bring to up to speed on the ravings of a mad gringo."

Tessa, Doctor Helm and the dons joined the two and spoke for two hours.

"I assure you that Grisham had no instruction to extort your money, horses or cattle. He definitely did not have orders to arrest the dons and donas and attack our doctor. I believe Grisham has decided to pull a coupe while I was gone. I thought there was something peculiar going on when I returned to find only ten soldiers on duty and no Grisham."

"You were in town?"

"Yes and found a shocking display of incompetence. If you will allow me, I recommend that we combine forces to recover our pueblo."

"Colonel Montoya, and I address you as such as I see you are wearing your Colonel insignia, we must be cautious. I do not think the soldiers in the pueblo know whom they are fighting. I would not want innocent men killed."

"A good point, Senorita Alvarado. If I lead these men and someone else can lead the others, we will succeed quickly," replied Montoya.

"I will send someone to the others and then both of us can lead, Colonel," said the Queen.

A half-hour later, the Queen of Swords spread the men on the North side of the pueblo towards the west while Montoya and the Queen spread the combined forces across the southern and eastern side, completely surrounding the pueblo. Due to the arroyo that she took, Montoya did not see the Queen of Swords move to the northern group.

When all were in place, Montoya stepped out holding a white flag. "This is Colonel Luis Montoya, Commandant of El Pueblo de Santa Elena. I call to all loyal soldiers to lay down your weapons come forward. You will not be harmed."

Ten minutes later the bedraggled soldiers walked out of the pueblo with their hands held high. All but two. These two led a tied and gagged Grisham out of the pueblo.

"Reina, I think we have captured our rat."

"I agree, Colonel. Now if you will excuse me, I have some matters to discuss with someone."

The Queen melted into the group of followers and a few minutes later, Montoya saw the Queen of Swords standing on a rooftop in Santa Elena.

Doctor Helm rushed to the soldiers. He checked each soldier for wounds and those wounded were taken to his office. The soldiers who had broken limbs from a few days before were cared for. Two men had to have their arms rebroken and set again, but they could wait a little while. Several gunshot wounds were treated and the men sent back to duty.

"Bravo, Colonel, you make us so thankful and happy at your return," said Tessa and she and Marta found their way to Montoya’s side.

"Maria Teresa, you do surprise me. I never thought you would be out here in danger."

"Colonel, Grisham arrested me, branded me as a bandito and tried to confiscate my lands. What would you have me do? We owe a debt of gratitude to you and the Queen of Swords."

"The question is what to do with Grisham? Should I execute him or let him rot in jail?" asked Montoya.

Helm returned after inspecting the soldiers caught up with Montoya and Tessa as they walked in the pueblo.

"Colonel, I over heard you just now. You know I don’t like the idea of killing, even though he may deserve it. Putting him in jail would mean that you would have to feed him. What about a court martial and a reduction in grade?" said Doctor Helm.

"Doctor, you do have a great idea. How is your hand, I understand that Grisham broke it."

"He sprained it, but I let him think it was broken. It is well now."

"How are my soldiers?"

"They will recover, fortunately the only serious wounds are the broken arms and legs that will have to be reset."

Act 5 Scene 3

Court-Martial proceedings were held in the pueblo for all to witness. Colonel Montoya, in his dress uniform sat behind a table while Grisham stood shackled in his regular uniform between two soldiers that had traveled North with Montoya.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," said Montoya standing up. "I have just returned from Mexico City where I have been confirmed as Commondante of El Pueblo de Santa Elena. I have retained my rank of Colonel in the Army of Mexico. I have been assured that at this time there will be no changes to Alta California. No Mexican soldiers will be marching to Alta California."

"Colonel, what about the Governor?" asked Don Gaspar.

"Good question, Don Hidalgo. The current Governor will retain his position until a replacement is sent. That could take three or four years."

"I am sure you have many questions that can be addressed at a future time. The purpose of these proceedings is to respond to the activity that has occurred while I was away. Colonel Grisham has been accused of cattle theft, horse theft, assault, extortion, overstepping his position and treason."

The witness came forward and gave their testimony.

"Don Ricardo," interrogated Grisham in his own defense, "Where are the cattle and horses that I allegedly stole from you?"

"They have been recovered."

"So there is no proof that I stole them. In fact Colonel Montoya, I have been accused of stealing all these cattle and horses, but the owners seem to be in possession. I maintain there was no theft involved." Grisham smiled.

A loud murmur rose from the people.

Montoya stood up. "Please, these proceeding must continue without interruption. Now, Colonel Grisham, there is the matter of imprisoning dons and donas and the extortion of money."

"I was only trying collect the taxes."

"The tax was to be in adobe and lumber. Where are these?"

"They refused to provide them."

"Colonel Montoya. I was imprisoned because I came to the aid of Doctor Helm. He demanded horses, cattle and five hundred reales, which I don’t have. When I protested he arrested me. That night he came to the jail and made improper advances. If I had not been rescued by the Queen of Swords, I don’t know what would have happened."

"She was interfering with my duties so she was arrested. I only went to the jail to discuss the situation," Grisham smugly replied.

"Liar!" Doctor Helm rose. "You rode into town and had your soldiers arrest me and put me into stocks. Then you tried to break my hand. When Senorita Alvarado protested you demanded horse, cattle and money. When she advised you that she didn’t have them you arrested her."

"You must be mistaken," replied Grisham.

"Grisham, why did you attack Doctor Helm and have him arrested?" asked Montoya.

"Suspicion of cavorting with a known criminal," replied Grisham.

"You mean consorting?" asked Montoya.

"Whatever," shrugged Grisham.

"Colonel Montoya! This person continues to insult my integrity and virtue. I demand he stop," said an obviously angry Tessa.

"Grisham, if you make one more remark against Senorita Alvarado, a Dona in this pueblo, I will remove your tongue. Do you get my drift?" asked Montoya.

"Yes, Sir," replied Grisham.

"Colonel Montoya. The Queen of Swords has been accused of various things, but she has never been brought to trial. Since she has not been brought to trial and convicted, how can she be labeled a criminal?"

"That is an interesting point. Maybe a trial in abstentia is in order at another time."

"You are intending to let him get away with everything, aren’t you Colonel?" asked Tessa.

"Senorita, I am a fair man. All the property that was allegedly stolen has been returned and all prisoners released. There will be no marks against anyone’s reputation."

"So Grisham gets away free?" asked Vera Hidalgo.

"No. I have an appropriate punishment in mind."

Montoya sat up in his chair and motioned for Grisham to be brought forward.

"Colonel Grisham, it is the judgement of this court-martial board that you are guilty."

"But you agreed there was no evidence against me."

"Grisham, the fact that the cattle and horses are in the hands of the rightful owners doesn’t mean they were not stolen. The evidence may be circumstantial, but you are still guilty."

Montoya stood up.

"Marcus Grisham this court-martial proceedings finds you guilty of all charges. I could be very harsh and order your execution, but I am being lenient. There will be no appeal."

Grisham appeared nervous.

"First you will forfeit three months pay. That money will go towards the building fund.

Second, you will be demoted from your current rank of Colonel to that of a Private for a period of nine months. At that time you will regain the rank that you are well suited. That of Lieutenant."

Third, for the next month you and the Sergeants who were under you command, will lay cobblestone in the pueblo square.

Fourth, after the cobblestones are laid out to my satisfaction, you will be detached to a don for a period of one month. The dons whom you harassed will work you as they would any peon. Since you unjustly imprisoned Senorita Alvarado, she will be the first one to have your services. I will draw up a schedule for the rest.

Fifth, since you will be a Private, you will reside in the barracks like the rest of the enlisted men.

Sixth, your first official punishment detail will be to clean out the stables.

Seventh, for your treasonous acts against your Commanding Officer, namely me, you will receive forty lashes with a whip. The Dons will be asked to volunteer to deliver the lashings. Afterwards, if the good doctor will agree, he can treat your wounds."

Doctor Helm grinned at Grisham. "We shall see if I will be able to fit you into my schedule."

"Colonel Montoya!"

Everyone looked for the woman who called to the Colonel. They found her standing on the roof above the Colonel.

Grisham saw her also. "The Queen of Swords. Get her!" Grisham yelled.

"Hold!" yelled Montoya. "Grisham you no longer have the right to issue orders."

"Colonel Montoya, as much as I applaud your taking actions against Grisham, I must object to the lashings. As much as he deserves it, I plead for restraint and forego the whipping."

"Reina, I owe you a debt for helping me regain the pueblo. I will rescind the whipping."

"Gracias Colonel, you are a gentleman. I have something to return to you." The Queen lowered a rope, which was tied to a bag.

Montoya opened the bag and discovered a large quantity of reales. He looked at Grisham and then the Queen.

"Don’t bother to count it, Colonel. That is half of what I liberated. The rest has been distributed to the poor.

"I understand, Reina. Thank you for returning this much. This will go a long way in helping the building project."

Montoya turned to the people." The Commandant of Los Angeles loaned me the soldiers that rode with me to supplement my own men and to help retrain them. Hopefully my men will become better shots."

"Colonel," said the Queen. "Are these the same soldiers who have been unable to capture The Fox?"

"Sadly yes, but they are better shots, Reina. I would suggest you take care."

"Thanks for the warning, Colonel?" The Queen then left.

"Now these proceedings are at an end. Guards, please escort Private Grisham to my office."

The guards led the still shackled Grisham away.

"That was very generous of you Colonel," said Tessa. "My stables need cleaning as well," she grinned at Montoya who took her hand and kissed it.

"If it is not done to your satisfaction, please let me know. Now I have further business to conduct, if you will excuse me."

"Si, colonel."

Montoya went to his office to find the guards and Grisham standing there.

"Unshackle him then you may leave."

When the guards left, Grisham turned to Montoya, who had sat down at his desk.

"Alright, Colonel, now let’s drop the ruse of the punishment."

"Ruse? What ruse? You have been given legal punishments and you will serve them or so help me, you will wish that I had hung you immediately."

"But Colonel."

"But Colonel nothing. Do you realize that the men who were riding to either side of me were killed? Me, the Commandant of Santa Elena attacked by my own command? I am just grateful that your men are lousy shots. I warned you Grisham. I specifically said to leave the dons alone or you would have an uprising. Did you take not only my advice but also my orders? No. You got greedy. I should have turned you over to the dons."

"The first cattle and horses were taken before you left."

"I wonder Grisham. Did you do all of this because you doubted I would return or did you plan on murdering me when I did return?"

"I didn’t know what would happen so I was taking precautions in the advent that you would be replaced."

"I suppose you were going to share the cattle and horses with me?"

"Absolutely, if you returned?"

"What? You admit you this? Grisham you are more dense than this desk."

Montoya fingered the desk and rubbed across the scratches. "There is another matter to discuss. You destruction of my property. How dare you put your feet on my desk? You will repair the damage at your expense."

"I am not a carpenter."

"Then you had better find one and quickly. Now get out of my sight. Those stables will be cleaned by morning."

Grisham turned and walked out but his shoulders were a little more slumped.

Act 6 Scene 1

"Tessa, Tessa wake up," A hand shook Tessa for a disturbing sleep. "You will be late for Montoya’s meeting," urged Marta.

"Oh, Marta I just had a nightmare."

"Get dressed and you can tell me on the way to the pueblo."

A short while later a buggy raced into Santa Elena with Tessa at the reigns. As she rounded a corner, two wheels on one side lifted off the ground. Tessa pulled back on the reigns to stop the horses as soon as all four wheels were back on terra firma. A cloud of dust rose.

"Remind me not to let you drive when we are in a hurry," coughed Marta.

"Why? You were the one, who wanted me to hurry," she laughed and Marta returned the grin.

Their grins faded when they looked up to see the flag of Spain no longer flying from the stanchion. Tessa grabbed Marta’s arm and shakingly entered the rose garden. The dons were all seated.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Colonel Montoya.

Tessa groaned quietly.

"There are two matters that impelled me to request your presence. The first is to inform you that Mexico has been granted independence from Mexico. This includes Alta California. When I receive more information, you will be notified. In the meantime nothing changes except that a different flag will fly from the stanchion."

A murmur rose from the dons.

"The second matter is one of celebration as a young lady has returned to Santa Elena. Correction. A young girl left and now she returns a lady. It is my extreme pleasure to introduce Senorita Maria Elena Santiago and her fiancé Juan Pablo Vallejo."

Marta started to get up.

"Where are you going?" whispered Tessa.

"Texas."

"Oh no you aren’t. Not without me."

Oh, yes I am, I am not going to stay in the same pueblo as the two of you."

As the dons rose and clapped as the young couple entered the rose garden, Maria Elena approached Tessa.

"Surprise!"

"Maria Elena, you seem to have a knack of showing up unexpectedly. I only got your letter yesterday and it was written a year ago."

Maria Elena snickered. "I brought it with me and had it delivered after I got here. Tessa, this is Juan Pablo, my fiancé."

The young man took Tessa’s hand and raised it to his lips. "My fiancé said you were beautiful, but she didn’t say how beautiful."

Tessa blushed. "When will you be getting married and when?"

"I had hoped to be married at your hacienda within a week. We are moving north near El Pueblo de San Franciso."

"Of course you may be married at my hacienda. I would be hurt if you considered anywhere else. Marta can you make the arrangements for our first wedding?"

"I will need to bring in some help to have it ready with such short notice," replied Marta.

"May I help?" asked a female voice behind Marta.

Marta turned to see Estancia.

As the cousins hugged each other, Maria Elena took Tessa aside and whispered. " I have a letter from you from an old friend."

Tessa took the letter from Maria Elena and immediately recognized the handwriting.

"Senor Torres never said how he knew you but please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want anyone to know he trained me. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a certain lady in black was also trained by the best swordsman in Spain."

"We have a million things to do before the wedding Tessa, maybe we should start making plans," said Maria Elena loud enough for people nearby could hear.

The two women walked out of the rose garden. Montoya watched them leave.

Act 6 Scene 2

On a cool October Saturday morning, the Nuptial Mass was celebrated under a red flower covered ramada, surrounded by golden poppies. All of the dons attended as well as most of the shopkeepers who knew Senorita Alvarado or Maria Elena Santiago.

Chairs were also set up in a square and the golden poppies interspersed with several reddish native plants set off the square.

Don Gaspar Hidalgo had been asked to preside as the paradino and Vera would be the madrina as Tessa was unmarried and could not be the Matron of Honor.

Don Hidalgo escorted Maria Elena down the aisle through a grape vine covered arch to the altar. The bride wore a long red silk dress that Marta had made as well as a long white Spanish lace mantilla. Over her shoulders was draped an ivory silk manton de Manila embroidered with large red roses and multi colored flowers.

Vera, Tessa and Marta wore matching long silk lavender dresses with shorter Spanish lace mantillas and gold Spanish lace shawls with white fringe.

Behind Maria Elena and Gaspar came Vera who was escorted by Captain Grisham who handed her off to Gaspar when they reached the altar. He then left the altar. Next came Tessa who was escorted by Doctor Helm and followed by Marta and Colonel Montoya.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Tessa presented the madrina de arras to the padre and Marta presented the thirteen reales coins, which were then blessed by the Padre.

"What is all this about, Colonel?" whispered Doctor Helm.

"Juan is presenting the thirteen coins to Maria Elena and it signifies that he will support her. This is what you call the bride’s dowry and the coins become part of the bride and groom’s family heirlooms. It is a symbol of Juan’s unquestionable trust and confidence he has in his bride."

When the padre was about ready to read the wedding prayer. Tessa and Senor Parada wrapped a large loop of rosary beads first over Maria Elena’s shoulders and then Juan’s. They finished by tying the bride and grooms hands together. At the end of the ceremony, The lasso was removed and given to the bride.

The Padre intoned the final blessing and the Mariachi band began to play and followed the couple to the patio area. Marta had outdone herself in preparing wedding cookies for the guests and after the reception and special wedding dinner was planned for the newlyweds and a few special guests.

Dinner consisted in beef enchiladas, flour tortillas, sopapillas and honey, tomales and lots of Alvarado white wine. As the day grew into evening, the party moved in doors, as there was a nip in the air.

Everyone danced to the Mariachi music; even Colonel Montoya had asked Marta to dance. Tessa danced with all of the men and finally approached Helm.

"I would really love to dance."

"You have been dancing with every man here."

"Not every one."

"Well if you haven’t danced with one man, then why don’t you just ask him."

"Why Doctor Helm, is that medical advice?"

"Yes, consider it medical advice."

"Thank you, Doctor Helm, I think I will do just that." Tessa turned and started to walk away and then turned to face him.

"Doctor Helm, would you dance with me?"

"Me, I thought you were talking about one of the dons. I don’t dance."

"Oh, Doctor Helm, I think I am feeling faint."

"Alright, Senorita I will dance with you."

Helm escorted Tessa to the dance floor and danced five dances with her.

Tessa was escorted to a chair and as she fanned herself with an oriental fan she had received as a gift she held the fan just below her eyes and looked at Helm.

"For someone who doesn’t dance, you do it very well. I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

"I am happy to have obliged," he said as he took her hand and kissed it.

"It is a wonderful party, Tessa."

"Why thank you Doctor Helm, but I wonder what you are up to. You keep looking like a cat that swallowed a bird."

"What do you mean, I have been the perfect gentleman."

"Of course you have, but when you suddenly get together with Don Gaspar and Senor Parades, I begin to wonder."

"Why Senorita, I have no idea what you are talking about. Perhaps you have indulged in too much of your fine wine."

"I have only had a glass and… wait. Where is Maria Elena?"

Helm looked up at the ceiling innocently.

"You didn’t."

"Didn’t what?"

"You conspired with Gaspar and Senor Parades to kidnap Maria Elena, didn’t you?"

An agitated Juan walked over to Tessa. "Have you seen Maria Elena? I can’t find her anywhere. The last time I saw her was when she was talking to Doctor Helm, Senor Parades and Don Hidalgo."

Doctor Helm presented Juan with a letter. Juan read it.

"My bride has been kidnapped for ransom. How am I going to come up with a ransom?"

Tessa hugged Juan and looked at Helm. "Let me ransom her. Doctor Helm, what about a May first party to honor La Senora? Would that be enough to ransom the bride?"

"I think that would be a wonderful idea." Helm replied and nodded to Senor Parades standing by a doorway. Maria Elena rushed in and found her husband, laughing all the time. The guests applauded the return of the bride and the upcoming May Day festival.

The newly weds were then led to a redecorated bedroom that had been Tessa’s parent’s room. Garlands of white baby’s breath flowers surrounded the door. The guests escorted the couple and applauded when the bridegroom picked up the bride and carried her through the door. The groom closed the door.

The guests departed the hacienda and left the young couple to themselves.

Epilogue

Maria Elena Santiago Vallejo hugged Tessa and Marta as Juan Pablo Vallejo loaded up the wagon they would take to their new home. Her husband helped up to the bench seat.

"Tessa, thank you for such a lovely wedding, I never imagined that it would be so grand. Marta, the gown was gorgeous. Of course we will be back for the party."

"Maria, you just make sure you write and let us know when your children arrive," said Tessa.’

Maria Elena blushed, "Tessa, we’ve only been married a week. You must tell me when you will be getting married."

"She needs to convince a certain man to ask her," snickered Marta.

"Marta!" Tessa replied.

The Newlyweds pulled away.

"Marta, what did you mean by that crack?"

"Well, you have been feeding Doctor Helm so either you marry him or adopt him."

"Maybe I will."

"You will marry him?"

"No, maybe I will adopt him," laughed Tessa as the two women turned to enter the hacienda.

The End