1X06 DUEL WITH A STRANGER

by Eliza
elizawpg@home.com

Grisham is dueling with a young Spanish nobleman (Cristian De La Fuente) in front of Montoya and a dozen soldiers -- and losing. When he is wounded, Montoya sends in 3 soldiers and they are defeated easily by the swordsman. Grisham is sent back in and beaten again. Montoya calls the new arrival the greatest swordsman in Spain... and now the Americas.

MONTOYA: "You will need to be, if you are going to kill the Queen of Swords."

~~~~~

Back in Montoya's office, the colonel talks of the opportunities to be found in California and tosses some gold onto the desk. He also suggests that the position of Captain of the Guard may be available. The nobleman considers the suggestions insulting and holds his sword on Montoya. He does not work for anyone.

MONTOYA: "Of course not. We know how much you esteem your title and honour."

There are interesting comments exchanged in regard to station, wealth, honour, and power. We get a glimpse of Montoya's background, father was a bureaucrat and mother had a "title of sorts" and money.

MONTOYA: "You and I are both pragmatists, Don Antonio. We both know everything has its price... including our honour."

(A very important scene for the colonel's character development.)

~~~~~

Tessa is in the bath reading a letter from a friend in Spain. She tells Marta how much she misses her old life and then complains about have to go to Montoya's party. Eventually she decides to hide under the water in the bath. Marta pulls her back out to remind her that she is not going to Montoya's to enjoy herself but to get information about the gold shipment.

MARTA: "Are you done complaining?"
TESSA: "No."

Marta pushed her back under. (Wonderful interaction. Tessa can't always be perfect.)

~~~~~

Gaspar is looking for Vera at Montoya's party. She is stealing a moment with Grisham in a shadowy alcove but leaves him when she hears Gaspar. Tessa arrives and spots Antonio with Montoya. She tells Marta she can leave. It is obvious that Marta is reluctant to go. Antonio comes over to Tessa.

~~~~~

MADRID 1815

Antonio is in a duel with Tessa and Marta looking on. He ends up killing the man. Tessa feels he was justified but Marta doesn't agree. She feels he values life too lightly.

As a good-bye before he goes off to war, Tessa sends him away with passionate kisses and offers more. Antonio refuses, saying that they will wait until he gets back. Tessa gives him her St Michael's medal as protection.

~~~~~

Back in Santa Elena, Tessa wants to know why he didn't answer her letters. He makes a poor excuse. She asks after his sister, Emilia. He deflects the question by asking if she has found someone else. When she asks bluntly why he is here, he answers, "Your heart and mine are one," then makes a passing comment about when his business is finished he will be a rich man. He asks that they meet in the church tomorrow.

Montoya and Grisham watch this exchange from the balcony. They have made sure that the news of the gold shipment will get to the Queen by paying the driver and sending him off to the Day of the Dead fiesta.

The driver, Pietro, is having a good time and flirts with Marta. He boasts of how important he is as Montoya's driver, that Montoya trusts him with all his plans. Marta plays along to get the information.

She tells Tessa the route on their way back to the hacienda but Tessa is distracted. Marta warns her that he is the same peacock he was in Madrid. Tessa defends him, saying she has loved him since they were children and that he loves her in return. When Marta asks if he would love the Queen of Swords, Tessa doesn't have an answer.

The Queen chases down the coach with the gold and poor Pietro gets tossed to the ground. When she eventually stops the team she finds that Antonio is inside the coach. When he calls her out, she runs.

Montoya finds it hard to believe that she ran. Antonio goes to draw his sword at defend his honour, but the colonel is no longer playing that game and has a pistol drawn. He suggests that they don't waste each other's time. He come up with the plan of arresting some poor fool, and when the man resists, hang him for resisting arrest. It will be Antonio's last chance to kill the Queen.

~~~~~

Marta is in town trying to find out some news of the Queen. She talks to Pietro and he tells her about the trap. Marta sees Tessa going to the church and warns her that Antonio wants the girl he knew in Spain, not her. Tessa just pulls away.

~~~~~

In the church, Antonio tell Tessa about coming to California to kill the Queen. She is shocked that he would kill for money. He explains that the war ruined his family, all he has left is his sword and his grandmother's ring, which he slips on her finger. He tells her that when he is finished, they will marry. (When did Tessa become a door-mat? Isn't he supposed to ask first?)

Vera was listening at the door. She tells Grisham as she is helping him with his bath and cleaning his wounded shoulder. She also helps salve his ego about losing to Antonio. (They are very cute together.)

Tessa tries to justify Antonio's action and will not listen to Marta's opinions. When she asks Marta to read the cards, Marta's reply is that she doesn't want to hear the truth. Marta has read the cards. She sees Lovers and Death, - one - both -- she doesn't know.

~~~~~

The Queen visits Antonio in his hotel room. She tries to explain that Montoya is bleeding the people. Antonio pretends to listen so that he can get to his sword. He says he can't afford to believe her. He disarms her and says that he will kill her swiftly, she will feel no pain. She kicks away his sword and drops a lamp, setting the room ablaze. She escapes out the window.

As the garrison fights the fire, Antonio tracks the Queen. Grisham follows them both. Grisham catches up to Antonio by dawn and they trade insults.

~~~~~

Montoya arrives at the Alvarado hacienda. Even though Tessa is "still out on her morning ride" he stays to talk to Marta, asking where to send the wedding gift. Marta tells him that she has not been informed of her mistresses plans. Montoya is sure of Marta's influence, and suggests, "It would be better for them -- and safer for all -- if they were to return to Spain." He adds a few coins to sweeten the deal. (A very interesting scene on many levels.)

Grisham is complaining -- loudly -- about Antonio. Montoya reminds him that this is not only unattractive, but will make him the chief suspect when Antonio is murdered. Grisham confusion prompts an explanation. If Antonio stays in Santa Elena, it will only cause Montoya more trouble and he really doesn't want to part with 500 reales anyway.

MONTOYA: "What I want is a dead Queen. The assassin would be disposable."

Grisham likes the plan.

~~~~~

Antonio does track down the Queen and challenges her to a duel - or he will shoot her. During the fight he recognizes the signs of her teacher. She calls him by name. He eventually traps her and unmasks her.

ANTONIO: "You mock me." (What!?!)

Vera confronts him when he returns. (The only way to describe it) She says that the Queen is afraid to fight him. He twists her arm - literally - about what she knows and seems satisfied when he finds out no one knows who she is.

~~~~~

Antonio barges into Montoya's office and is confronted with Grisham. He says that the Queen is dead and he wants his money. He offers the mask as proof. Grisham wants the body. Antonio draws a pistol and demands the key to the gold room. (Has an announcement been posted on the notice board?!) Grisham opens the door but doesn't have the key to the bars. Antonio knocks him out and shoots out the lock. A soldier confronts him on his way out. When the soldier cocks his pistol, Antonio throws a knife and kills him.

~~~~~

Marta tells Tessa that Antonio will betray her. Tessa doesn't believe it.

MARTA: "You are only feeling your own heat." (Right to the point.)

~~~~~

Montoya wakes up Grisham by pouring a pitcher of water over his head.

MONTOYA: "You disappoint me, Grisham... over and over again."

Grisham explains that it wasn't the Queen, it was Antonio that stole 1000 reales. Montoya grins.

MONTOYA: "Come we ride" (Heee!!) "He will not leave alone."

~~~~~

Antonio shows up at the hacienda and orders Tessa to pack what she can carry on a horse. Tessa says she is not leaving. Antonio insists that she is. The argument ends with Tessa saying that she doesn't know him. He declares that she is dead to him and goes to leave. She raises a pistol and tells him to leave the gold, it belongs to the people. He looks over his shoulder and tells her she will have to shoot him in the back. She doesn't.

~~~~~

Outside, Antonio is mounting to leave when Montoya rides up.

MONTOYA: "Tell me why I should not kill you."

ANTONIO: "Because I can give you the Queen of Swords."

Tessa is on the terrace with the pistol. Marta tells her to shoot. Tessa insists that he will not betray her.

Montoya offers him 10 times what he has stolen for the Queen's head on a pike in the square. Antonio looks at Tessa and agrees.

MONTOYA: "That was well bartered, Antonio. You have finally named the price for your honour."

Antonio throws down the gold and draws his sword.

ANTONIO: "I cannot sell something I have already lost."

Antonio rides at Montoya and Grisham shoots him. A tearful good-bye.

~~~~~

GRISHAM: I saved your life last night. You still haven't thanked me.

MONTOYA: That is strange isn't it? I wonder why that is?

GRISHAM: Because you are uncomfortable with emotion?

MONTOYA: Perhaps there is another reason. Perhaps it is because you killed the one man who knew the Queen's identity.

(I could quote the whole tag scene. More comments at the end.)

Grisham gets lectured with the whole thing being summed up with (my favourite line!):

MONTOYA: Without discipline there is chaos, and with chaos comes anarchy.

~~~~~

Montoya then enters the church and offers his sympathy to Tessa. He also asks if Antonio happen to mention who the Queen of Swords was with his dying words. Tessa says no and asks to be left alone. The colonel complies after making some interesting comments about the Queen being the cause of all their sorrows. It hits close to home for Tessa.

(I love this tag scene. It not only gives VP some excellent dialogue, but allows a wide range. Montoya goes from silently seething to almost furious with Grisham. Then he is sensitive, but still letting the ruthless streak peek out with Tessa. I assume that Montoya is as good an actor as Val, because he had me believing his sympathy in the church. Or maybe I'm just a soft touch when it comes to the colonel.<g>)

~~Eliza~~