Late that afternoon, three men rode their horses along El Camino Real, on the way to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Two of the men stopped. "Tell me, Pedro, did you ever think we would be deserting with Lieutenant Montoya?" Juan asked his comrade.

Pedro shook his head. "No Juan, I didn’t."

Carlos heard the men, stopped and turned to them They look just as comical in their civilian clothes as they did in their uniforms. "It’s just Carlos, now. No more ‘Lieutenant’. They'll use the same rope on me as they will on you two."

Juan laughed. "They'll have to catch us, first. And Mexico is a big place to hide."

Pedro slapped Juan on the back. "Si, amigos. And lots of Señoritas too."

"You two will have to go on without me. I am headed East." Carlos rode closer to the pair and shook their hands. He pulled on the reins and galloped away. Juan and Pedro turned their horses and headed south.

A few miles down the rode Carlos’ horse threw a shoe. He dismounted and walked his horse to the nearest hacienda and tied his horse to a hitching post. He started for the door when it opened and Tessa Alvarado stepped outside, wearing her riding clothes. "Why, Carlos, what brings you all the way out here?"

"Buenos dias, Señorita Alvarado. It seem that my horse has thrown a shoe."

Tessa walked out of the doorway and motioned for to a worker. "Tomas, please look after the Lieutenant’s horse.

"I will be more than happy to pay you for a new one." Carlos said.

"Nonsense, Carlos. That’s what friends are for." Tomas took the reins from Carlos and led the horse away to the stables.

Tessa saw the lump on Carlos’ head and smiled. "If you don't mind my asking, Carlos, where is your uniform?"

"Back in Santa Elena, along with the rest of my life."

"I am sorry to see that you’re leaving us again. I had hoped that you and Catalina might get back together, but I guess that is not possible. I imagine your uncle is very unhappy."

Carlos laughed. "Yes, you could say that."

Tessa smiled at him. "Come inside, Carlos. It is hot today. We can have some cold lemonade while you wait for your horse to be shoed."

"Gracias, Señorita. That would be most appreciated." Carlos noticed something lying on the ground. "Señorita, you must have dropped something."

Tessa stopped and turned around. She looked down and started to bend down to pick it up but Carlos had already bent down. Carlos smelled Tessa’s perfume and froze. I know that perfume, from the morning when the Queen met me on the trail as I was leaving town the last time. I was standing at the edge of the road holding my horses’ reins. The Queen was standing next to me. I remember saying ‘La Reina smells very lovely for so early in the morning.’ She told me ‘ The truth be known, it’s just a cheap perfume that the Queen wears. It beats the Hell out of smelling like horse sweat.

Carlos looked up at Tessa and at the red sash in his hand. Tessa reached down and retrieved her sash. "I'll take that, Carlos, if you don't mind." Carlos got to his feet and tried to speak but when he opened his mouth only a squeaky noise came out.

Tessa looked at him. "Was there something you were going to say, Carlos?"

Carlos cleared his throat. "Tessa Alvarado, you are the Queen of Swords."

She leaned towards him and smiled. "Congratulations, you found me."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Why would I kill you? That is, unless of course you want me to do so." Carlos took a step back and she reached out and grabbed his arm. "Carlos, I am only joking. I know you would never betray me."

He smiled. "This is wonderful."

"How so?"

"Now, I can repay you for saving my life by going to my grave and keeping your secret safe. I hope that will be a long time from now."

She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I am sure it will be, Carlos."

"Would you care for a second opinion on that?" Carlos looked over Tessa's shoulder and saw Doctor Helm standing in the doorway. Carlos gave Helm a very nervous smile. Helm walked towards Carlos and extended his hand to him. "I wish you nothing but the best, where ever that may be." The cheery smile with which he favored Carlos was not reassuring. Carlos had no doubt the good doctor would be happy to see the back of his erstwhile rival.

"Tessa, Uncle Luis would have a coronary if he knew." Carlos said, shaking his head.

She smirked. "I imagine he would."

"He does suspect you of being the Queen but he also suspects someone else."

Tessa raised her eyebrows. "Who would that be?"

"He believes that Vera Hidalgo maybe the Queen and that Captain Grisham is passing on information about his plans about her, or rather you. You know what I mean."

Tessa's mouth dropped open. "Now, you’re the one who is joking. Why would he suspect Vera? Our hair color is different and even our eyes are a different color."

"Someone informed him that she had purchased a large quantify of peroxide. He believes that she uses it as part of her disguise. As far as the difference in eye color, since I am the only one he has confided in, I didn’t have the heart to point out to him that her eyes are blue and yours are brown. I doubt that he even looked at your eyes while you two were fighting. Your costume is quite fetching. Besides, I would never help him with anything that might be used to harm you."

"And here I thought I had surprised you." She chuckled and shook her head.

The groom returned with his horse. Carlos took the reins and waited until the groom had departed.

Doctor Helm turned to Carlos. "So, where to now?"

Carlos put a foot into the stirrup and mounted. "Not very many people know this, but I am a citizen of the United States. The pirate ship I sailed on was actually an American ship and I was granted citizenship for my service. Later, I was offered a job with the Fourth Michigan Light Dragoons. I plan to take them up on their offer and that’s where I am going. I am headed for Detroit."

"It sounds like a lovely place. Please be careful." Tessa said.

"You are the one who needs to be careful, my Queen. I am afraid Uncle Luis won't stop until he has your head on a pike in the square. I pray that day never comes, but you know how stubborn we Montoyas can be. I pray also that someday you don't have to kill him. Then again, our destinies are not ours to choose."

Carlos smiled and raised his hand. "Well, I guess this is goodbye." His horse neighed as he pulled on the reins and urged him into a gallop.