Part Four of Nine
Fenner and party arrived at the Alvarado hacienda and knocked on the back door. Tessa opened the door and was startled to see Fenner.
"Fenner, what are you doing here?" she asked.
Roman heard his friend’s name and came to the door. "Fenner, what are you doing here? I saw you get on that ship myself."
"Do you want the long or short version?" asked Fenner.
"Long version," replied Roman.
"The ship sank."
"What?" Roman asked.
""Just joking. We ran into a storm and there was damage, so we landed so repairs could be made. We decided to ride to Los Angeles and catch another ship. I am afraid El Vaca is not a ship that I want to be on at this time," said Fenner.
"That is probably the best decision you ever made," said a woman’s voice.
They all turned to see a man and a woman, who sat on their horses with pistols drawn and aimed at Fenner.
Act Four
Elena and Juan Pablo rode towards the hacienda. Elena pulled up.
"Aren’t those the same people we saw get on El Vaca in Monterey?" asked Elena.
"Yes," replied Juan Pablo, as he drew his pistol. Elena did the same as they walked their horses up to the group just as they heard the skinny man say, "I am afraid the El Vaca is not a ship that I want to be on at this time."
"That is probably the best decision you ever made," said Elena.
They all turned toward her and Juan Pablo.
"Elena, what are you doing?" asked Tessa. "These people are my guests."
"Tessa. We saw them get on a ship in Monterey."
"What’s wrong with that?" asked Fenner.
"That ship and its crew are responsible for the theft of close to one hundred head of our cattle. The last group of rustlers was caught, but the ship sailed before we could catch up with it. It was El Vaca," said Juan Pablo.
"Dear lady, I swear to you that we had nothing to do with the cattle. We were looking for a ship to take us to Spain. Raphael met up with Captain Barko, who is an old friend," said Fenner. "As a matter of fact, it was the cattle in the hold that are responsible for our being here. They spooked during the storm and caused some damage to the ship. It is on the beach at this moment."
"Elena, he is telling the truth about the ship being at the beach. I saw them this morning on my ride. They took the cattle off and were repairing the ship," said Tessa.
"Do you trust them?" asked Elena.
Tessa looked at Fenner and Roman. Then, at Josephine and Rafael.
"You haven’t answered, Tessa," said Elena.
"Elena, Fenner was going back to Spain marry Josephine. This mountain here came to see Marta. Yes I trust them."
"All right. We won’t shoot them, yet. The Queen of Swords didn’t see him when the rustlers were caught."
"The Queen of Swords?" asked Tessa.
"Yes, the Queen of Swords helped out when Juan Pablo was injured," replied Elena as they dismounted.
Juan Pablo leaned on his cane. "I had a horse shot out from under me. The Queen was in the area and offered her assistance."
Tessa looked up at Elena sitting on her horse, but said nothing.
"Please, Bienvenido a mi casa," said Tessa.
"Gracias," replied Elena, as she hugged Tessa.
Tessa whispered, "We must talk later."
As they all walked into the hacienda, Marta spied a man and a young woman.
"Raphael?"
"Marta," replied Raphael.
They quickly hugged each other as everyone stared.
"Tessa, this is my brother Raphael and this must be mi sobrina Josephine," said Marta as she reached for the girl.
"Tia Marta, we had no idea you were in Alta California," said Josephine.
"Considering that your father was running away from the soldiers the last time I saw him, I can understand," replied Marta, as she smacked Raphael on the arm.
"I guess that means that it would be bad manners to shoot family," snickered Elena.
Tessa glared at Elena.
No moon shone that night while all the guests slept in the Alvarado hacienda. Elena awoke and put on a robe as she went out the back door. She breathed in the night air and then froze. Her hand slowly traveled to the main gauche at her side. I am glad I started getting in the habit of keeping this close to me, she thought.
"I hear that I have been taking trips," said a woman’s voice from the shadows.
"I didn’t think the Queen of Swords would mind," replied Elena, without turning around. "Besides, Montoya is likely to do something stupid if he thinks you are up north."
"He might, at that," chuckled the Queen. "So, who was impersonating me this time? You?" asked the Queen.
"Who do you think, Tessa?" asked Elena.
Tessa grabbed Elena’s shoulder and spun her around.
"Yes, I know," said Elena, "I finally figured it out."
"Does Juan Pablo know?"
"About me impersonating the Queen? Yes. Of you being the Queen? No. I only told him you were friends."
"Look, Elena, I think we can help each other. You want your cattle back. I want to mess with Montoya. It has been entirely too quiet, recently."
"What did you have in mind?" asked Elena with a wicked grin.
"Let’s talk in the morning," said Tessa as they walked back into the house and Tessa shed her mask.
Now that is quite interesting, thought the person in the shadows who had overheard the conversation between Elena and Tessa.
Tessa and Elena were quiet as they each went to bed, unaware that the unknown watcher crept behind them and also went to bed.
Sometime later, Roman, unable to sleep due to Fenner’s incessant snoring, left the stable and headed outside. The night was cold, so he held the stable blanket he’d been using closely wrapped around him. He made his way up to the hill where Tessa’s parents were buried and knelt down by the grave of her mother. Running his hand over the headstone, Roman thought about his own mother, who lay buried beneath the soil of Russia, long forgotten by all but her children. He remembered how, when he was young, she seemed to have all the answers. She was the wisest person he’d ever known, at least ‘till he’d met Marta, who seemed to have wisdom far beyond her years. He could sure use some of that wisdom now, but he’d have to settle for just venting. The grave he was kneeling before may not have been hers, but Roman figured she was still listening, wherever she was.
"God, Momma, I can’t believe it’s been over fifteen years since…since I lost you. I miss you so much. Poppa, too. You have no idea how much I wish you were here right now. Then again, maybe you do. Still. Oh Momma, I’m so lost. I finally met The One. Her name is Marta and she’s a gypsy and guardian to Tessa Alvarado, the Queen of Swords. She’s beautiful, and funny, and sweet, and just as wise as you were. Yet, when I asked her to be my wife, she seemed scared. Almost terrified. I don’t know what to do. I love her more than any other woman I’ve known, and I thought she loved me, but now I’m not so sure. If only I still had the benefit of your wisdom. It seemed to work for all your other children. Nikolai, Anya, and Tasha are all happily married, thanks to you. I know you’re not exactly in a position to give me advice, but could you give me a sign that everything’s gonna be alright?"
Suddenly, Roman heard some leaves crunching behind him. He turned his head and looked to find Marta standing there. Thanks Momma, he thought.
Wordlessly, Marta made her way over and sat down beside him. He adjusted his position so that he was also sitting and Marta snuggled in close to his side. Roman put his arm around her and held her close until she fell asleep moments later. He took the saddle blanket from around his body and covered them both with it.
"Dobroy nochi, Laskovaya moya." (Good night, my sweet)
With that, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and joined her in the land of slumber.
The two of them woke at false dawn. Just as wordlessly as the night before, Marta slipped out from under the blanket, placed a soft kiss on Roman’s cheek, and went into the kitchen to make breakfast. Smiling, Roman said one last 'thank you' to his mother and went back into the stable before Fenner noticed he was missing.
Tessa entered the kitchen the next morning. "Buenos Dias, Marta."
"Buenos Dias, Tessita. Would you please get the bread out of the oven before everyone arrives?"
"Si," replied Tessa, giving a curtsey and a grin.
She walked outside to the dome-shaped oven and removed two loaves of fresh bread. She smelled the aroma as it wafted to her nostrils.
"Tessa, don’t you dare start sampling the bread," called Marta from the kitchen.
"The woman must have eyes in the back of her head," chortled Tessa in a whisper.
"I heard that," said Marta.
"Gulp," replied Tessa.
As she walked back into the kitchen, Josephine and Elena came in.
"Hola, amigas. Have a seat. Would you care for some coffee?" asked Tessa.
"Did you make it?" asked Elena.
"No, Marta did, you smart alec," replied Tessa as Marta laughed.
"Elena learned a lot when she stayed with us," said Marta. "That included the warning never to drink Tessa’s coffee."
"Or eat her biscuits," chuckled Elena.
"Did you sleep well, ladies?" asked Marta.
"Yes, Marta. I never thought I would be so happy to sleep in a real bed. I spent too many days in the saddle," replied Elena.
"Me too," said Josephine. "I almost got seasick on that ship."
"I thought you loved the sea," said Fenner, as he, Raphael, Juan Pablo and Roman walked in.
"Not during a storm. How did you sleep, my love?" asked Josephine.
"Not as good as you did. I swear someone left a pitchfork in the hay," replied Fenner.
"I can think of better things to do in the hay," said Roman. "Especially when Fenner snores. Even the horses objected."
After breakfast, Tessa, Josephine and Elena went riding. For a week, they rode towards the beach and watched the work done on the ship. Tessa had to restrain Elena from charging the men who had stolen their cattle.
One morning, as they were coming home from their ride, Marta announced that she was going to Santa Elena for supplies.
Fenner pulled Tessa aside.
"Tessa, I am a little nervous about going into town," said Fenner.
"Because of Montoya?" she asked.
"Yes. I want you to hang onto this letter, in case anything happens."
"May I ask what it is?"
"It is a copy of the pardon that the Viceroy granted Roman and me."
"You are free men? Does Marta know?"
"I don’t know. That is between Roman and her."
"Thank you, Fenner, I will guard it. Do you have another copy?" asked Tessa as she placed the letter in her bag.
"Yes. I figured that one copy might get lost if I gave it to Montoya."
"Very shrewd, Fenner," nodded Tessa.
Roman and Juan Pablo led the horses out of the stables and Raphael drove the wagon. The women climbed into the wagon as the men mounted and rode behind.
Colonel Montoya saw the group arrive in the Pueblo, from the balcony of his office. A grin came over his face. He called a guard and gave him orders, then walked down the staircase and headed for the Cantina.
The wagon came to a stop at the Cantina and the men dismounted and helped the women alight from the vehicle.
"My, my my," said Montoya. "What is this? Our most esteemed Doña consorting with known criminals? Guards, arrest them."
"Which ones?" asked a Corporal.
"All of them. I am surrounded by majaderos," said Montoya.
"Colonel, before you do anything you will regret, I have a letter for you," said Fenner handing over the paper.
Montoya held up his hand to stop the soldiers as he took the letter and read it. A scowl came over his face and he waved the guards away.
"This appears all proper, Fenner. What did you do, save the viceroy’s life?" asked Montoya.
"Actually, we did," replied Roman.
"Roman, what does this mean?" asked Marta.
"It means that Fenner and that hunk of a mountain beside you have been pardoned by the Viceroy. Their sins are forgiven. They are free men," said Montoya, with a disgusted tone to his voice, and he walked away.
"Oh, Roman. You knew this and didn’t tell me? Why not? You asked me to marry you but failed to tell me about this?" asked Marta angrily.
"I wanted to surprise you. Why are you angry? I thought you would be happy to know I was a free man," said Roman.
"I am happy you are free. I am angry because you hid the truth from me," said Marta, as she grabbed Tessa’s and Elena’s arms and led them away.
"Roman, you can be such an idiot," said Fenner.
"But, I did tell them. They just ignored it when Tessa heard I asked Marta to marry me. The only one who would listen was a dead chicken and a horse," replied Roman.
"Fenner, how could you not make sure that oaf told Marta of the pardon?" said Josephine. "I couldn’t have said it any better than Marta. How dare you two hide the truth from her," she said angrily as she followed the other women.
"I think you two are in deep shit," said Juan Pablo, as Raphael laughed.
"I think the young bulls had better watch their cojones," said Raphael.
Epilogue
Three days went by and the women still weren’t speaking to Fenner or Roman. Dinner was served cold to Fenner and Roman while Juan Pablo and Raphael enjoyed the discomfort the miscreants felt. One night, a vaquero raced to the hacienda.
"Raul, what is it?" asked Tessa.
"Señorita, the herd was attacked by several men. Three caballeros have been wounded and fifty head of cattle were taken.
"Where are the vaqueros?" asked Tessa.
"They are being taken to the Doctor," replied Raul.
"Where did this happen?" asked Tessa.
Raul described the area.
"Go home, Raul. In the morning, we will go see Colonel Montoya," said Tessa. "I think it is time we all get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an busy day."
An hour later, four men slipped out of the hacienda and rode away. A few minutes later, a black-dressed figure snuck out of the secret passage, mounted her horse and tracked the men. Five minutes later, another black-dressed figure followed. Not long afterward, a woman rode away after the rest.
Watch for the next exciting adventure, Love, Roman Style, part two - Episode #309, starting on December 22, 2002.
If you have missed any episodes, you will find them in the Season Three Archives section.
