CHALLENGE for the week of 04-22-01

TRIO CHALLENGE: wooden spoon, rosary beads, oriental carpet

QUOTE 1: "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." - Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

QUOTE 2: "The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy." - Von Clausewitz

Authors:

Dea, Eliza, Jim, Jo, Julie, Laura, Maril

By Dea
Deianira@prodigy.net

CHALLENGE: rosary beads, wooden spoon, Oriental carpet

~~~~~

Tessa watched as Robert Helm walked out of her bedroom, and a few moments later she heard the front door open and shut. In the silence that followed, the stubbornness that had caused his abrupt departure faded and left her feeling alone and empty. Hugging herself she walked to her dresser and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Well, what are you going to do now?" she asked the image.

With a shake of her head she reached out and opened a small drawer in the middle of the dresser. Gently fingering the rosary beads that lay tucked inside she sent a silent prayer to the Holy Mother asking for wisdom and guidance. Closing the drawer she turned and left the room.

As Tessa entered the kitchen she saw Marta stirring a pitcher of lemonade with her wooden spoon.

"Don't bother, Marta," she said dejectedly. "He's gone."

Marta stopped stirring and put the spoon on the counter. Looking at the sad face of her charge she asked, "What happened?"

"He knows," Tessa replied with a helpless shrug of her shoulders.

"Dr. Helm knows that you are the Queen of Swords?"

Tessa only nodded and sank into one of the kitchen chairs.

"How?" Marta asked as she joined her at the table.

Tessa ducked her head guiltily.

"When I went into town this morning, I had intended to tell him myself," Tessa explained quietly. "I lost my nerve and couldn't do it. As I was leaving his office I accidentally dropped one of the Queen's masks. He found it."

"And came here to confront you," Marta supplied.

"What do I do now, Marta?" the younger woman asked. "When he confronted me I wouldn't admit that it was me, but he knows Marta. He knew without me evening saying so."

"There's only one thing you can do, Tessita," Marta said. "You have to go settle things between the two of you. Is he willing to keep your secret?"

"Of course Marta!" she replied passionately. Then added a little less surely, "I mean, I think so... yes, I'm absolutely... pretty sure he will..."

"Tessa," Marta cut in with a sigh.

"Alright, I'm going into town," she relented. "It'll give me a chance to break in a new mask."

"You're going as the Queen?"

"Why would Maria Theresa Alvarado be going to visit the doctor at this time of the evening?" Tessa replied in answer.

As she dressed, Tessa's heart began to feel a bit lighter. After all, Dr. Helm had told her that he loved her. Well, maybe not in so many words, but when Camilla left he said he had stayed in Santa Elena because of her. Again she regretted leaving him there on that cliff overlooking the sea. Was she ready to say now what she was afraid to say then? And could he love Tessa as well as the Queen?

It was time to find out.

~~~~~

Robert Helm finally rode back into town and tethered his horse in the stables. After he'd watered and rubbed the animal down, he entered his office through the back door. No sooner had he entered and shrugged off his coat he heard movement in the front room. Making his way through the surgery and towards the front office he marveled that Tessa had made it there so fast.

However when he reached the office he did not find Tessa, or the Queen. It was Chencho, one of Montoya's soldiers, standing at attention by the now opened front door.

"Doesn't anyone knock around here?" he asked sarcastically.

Ignoring the doctor's retort, Chencho formally announced, "Colonel Montoya wants to see you in his office at once!"

"Is that a fact?" Helm replied sourly. He didn't need this tonight. His mind was already running in circles about his latest meeting with Tessa Alvarado. All he wanted to do now was get some sleep. Perhaps things would look better in the morning. "Why don't you go back and tell Montoya that my office is closed for the night and that I am officially off duty."

The soldier looked a bit nervous, no doubt imagining Montoya's reaction if he did not return with the doctor, and clarified, "It is not a request, doctor."

Helm clenched the jaw and made a sweeping gesture toward the door. "After you!"

He followed Chencho down the empty street and then up the stairs to Montoya's office. After the soldier had announced them Montoya dismissed him and rose to greet his guest.

"Dr. Helm," he said, indicating the vacant chair in front of his desk, "how kind of you to accept my invitation."

"Well actually I was about to turn in," Helm replied tiredly. Looking around him, he wondered how much of the people's money had gone into furnishing the room. The trappings of fortune met him everywhere he looked. Spying the expensive looking Oriental rug beneath his feet, he mused, That's new. Must have brought it back with him from Monterrey.

"Yes, you do look quite haggard, doctor," Montoya agreed with an expression of concern. "I noticed you were just returning to town. Where have you been at such a late hour?"

Helm laughed to himself. The colonel was always mining for information that he could use against others. He was not about to give him any unnecessary ammunition. "I had to ride out to the Salida ranch. One of the children was ill."

"Oh dear, I do hope everything is alright?"

"The boy will be fine, Colonel," Helm replied with a smile. "And I'm sure the Salidas would be pleased to know that you inquired about them." Despite raising their taxes threefold last month.

"My responsibility is to the people, Dr. Helm," Montoya explained as he rose from his desk and walked around to the front. "As a doctor, I am sure that is something you understand."

Helm didn't respond, just held the Colonel's piercing gaze.

"And it is as a gentleman with responsibility to the people of our fair town that I must ask you doctor, who is the Queen of Swords?"

Helm let out a bark of laughter. "How should I know?"

"Doctor, please, it is well known that you and the bandita are rather... close these days," Montoya said, his lips curling up in distaste. "She seems to rescue you on a regular basis. Need I remind you of the time I caught you both on the cliff top? Oh yes, that was the time that you threatened to shoot me!"

"The gun wasn't loaded," Helm replied dismissively.

"That time," he pointed out. "Are you telling me that after all this time, she has never revealed herself to you? Never removed her mask in a moment of, shall we say, passion?"

"This is absurd!" Helm exclaimed as he stood from the chair. "This little get together is over, Colonel. I'm going to bed now."

"Alone?" Montoya asked acidly. "If I were to follow you back to your office would I find the Queen waiting there?"

"If she was it certainly wouldn't be any of your business!" Helm said as he marched to the door.

"Ah but I'm afraid it is my business, doctor," Montoya insisted in a non-threatening voice. "Catching that vigilante is most certainly my business. And catch her I will. And it is you who will lead me to her. Whether you want to or not."

Helm didn't say a word. He just stalked out of the room without a backwards glance.

~~~~~

When Helm reached his office he was barely in control of his anger. So when he heard a noise coming from inside he strode through the door ready to verbally assault the intruder. Instead he entered his sleeping area to find Tessa sitting on the edge of his small cot. When she turned and saw him there, she stood up and took a few steps in his direction. Then in a move he'd thought never to see, she reached up and pushed the black mask up over her forehead. Standing there with her hands casually on her hips, she smiled nervously and said, "Good evening doctor."

The gesture of trust shot straight to his heart and in two long strides he was at her side, pulling her into his arms. "Tessa," he whispered before claiming her mouth. They spent several moments greeting each other accordingly, but his pleasure at seeing her was soon pushed aside by his fear for her safety. Breaking the kiss, he said, "Tessa, you mustn't come here any moreàat least not dressed as the Queen."

At her look of confusion, he continued, "Montoya will not be put off forever. He thinks that I will lead him to you. And I will not be the reason for your capture."

"I can take care of myself," Tessa insisted, more upset with Montoya than with Helm's advice.

"I know you can," he replied, placing his hand on the side of her face. "Which is why I know that you will do the right thing."

Turning away from him, Tessa said, " There's something I have to know. Are you angry with me for lying to you?"

Helm took her shoulders gently in his hands and caressed them through the thin fabric of her blouse. "I know why you had to lie."

"That doesn't answer my question, doctor," Tessa reminded him. "Are you mad at me?"

Turning her around to face him he smiled and shook his head.

Visibly relieved by his admission, Tessa lightly grasped the sides of his face and guided his lips to hers for one more kiss. Then as she turned to leave, he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Be safe," he said and pulled the mask back down over her face.

"Always," she replied with a grin as she gracefully exited through the open bedroom window.

END

By Eliza
elizawpg@home.com

I couldn't let a Machiavelli quote pass me by.

~~~~~

"You think it is better to be feared than loved?"

"If you cannot be both, yes. But the people love me, I'm their protector. Only the criminals fear me, for they know they will be brought to justice."

"Justice is not what you mete out. You set yourself up as sole judge without hearing the facts. You make your decisions based on the word of a single person and then act without regard to the law. Without adherence to the law there can be no justice."

"You are not one to be talking about adhering to the law. In your career you have killed..."

"Only to save others."

"...stolen.."

"To place the wealth in the hands of those who deserve it."

"... abused and bullied..."

"Only because they stood in the way of the fulfilment of my destiny."

"Destiny! Obscene luck is what I would call it."

"God must be on my side."

Both occupants of the Santa Elena jail looked up as the outside door opened.

"So there you are," said Doctor Helm as he started to search the guard's desk for the keys. "How did you end up...?"

"I'll tell you later. Now, I have to get out of here," interrupted the Queen of Swords as she came to stand near the door of her cell.

Helm unlocked the door and was given a quick kiss as the Queen passed by him on her way out. She paused to look back at the occupant of the other cell. "I am surprised to say, it has been an interesting evening, Colonel."

"Agreed. Although, not one I would care to repeat, mi reina."

The Queen and the colonel nodded a polite farewell and she made her escape.

The doctor sent Montoya an assessing look through the bars. Montoya returned the glare with a smile. "A very intriguing woman, wouldn't you say, doctor?"

Helm just sneered and carelessly tossed the keys into the colonel's cell.

END

By Jim
jimguy46@hotmail.com

Response to Trio 14

DISCLAIMER: Fireworks owns the characters. The story is mine

RATING: G

CHARACTERS: T M H

~~~~~

Captain Merel Bliteheart stood on the poopdeck of his ship "The Swan" as it anchored off the coast of California. He had been at sea for a year and a half. From Boston, to England then France, Spain, Italy then back through the straits. It was along trip down the coast of Africa around the Cape of Good Hope up to India and China. At each stop, they would resupply and trade goods. Now his hold was full of Spices, Spanish lace, oriental rugs, ivory, everything that should bring a pretty penny back home. But gold Reales paid the way home also. Now he was here at a dusty little backwater pueblo in Alto Californio.

"Marta, Marta a donde esta?"

"Estoy aqui en la cocina."

Isabel, one of the housemaids came running into la cocina.

"Isabel, what is it? Is the hacienda on fire?"

"No Marta, the supply ship. It is in the harbor."

Marta had been stirring a blouse into a vat of boiling water with a wooden spoon, dyeing the blouse black.

Footsteps raced down the Hallway.

Tessa came scurrying into the kitchen. "Marta, did I hear right? The supply ship is in? Quickly, we must get to town before everything is gone."

"Calm down, Tessa, quit acting like a school girl."

"Oh alright, but if everything is gone, I'm going to hit you with that spoon. Isabel, tell the workers they can go to town. Now let's go, Marta."

Tessa raced the buckboard towards town as if it were a race.

"Madre Dios, Tessa slow down or we won't get there at all."

Tessa let the horses slow down, a little. "I want to see if they have an Oriental rug for the parlor."

The plaza was full of people. Peons and Dons had been drawn to the pueblo like moths to a flame. They parked the buckboard and hurried to the stalls. Marta took one side and Tessa the other, giggling as they split up.

"Don't let anything escape, Marta." Laughed Tessa.

Tessa wandered through the stalls, picking up merchandise, inspecting and sometimes buying.

Tessa saw a porcelain apple and reached for it just as someone else's hand reached for it also.

"Find anything interesting, Senorita Alvarado?"

Tessa looked up to see Doctor Helm with a smirk on his face beside him was another man.

"Doctor, you were absolutely correct. There is more to this sleepy little pueblo than meets the eye. I thought I was cursed to anchor here, but this lovely vision of womanhood makes it all worth while."

"Captain may I present Dona Maria Teresa Alvarado. Senorita this is Captain Merel Bliteheart, master of the good ship Swan."

"Welcome to our pueblo, Captain, you seem to have everything we could have imagined. Our supply ship hasn't arrived."

Captain Bliteheart and Doctor Helm exchanged knowing looks.

"Senorita, we have just met, but you are a vision of loveliness. You remind me so much of my late wife, Mandy-Anne. I thought of her when I bought this and I would be honored if you would accept it.Even my married daughter Jo looks like you."

"Gracias, Senor." Blushing she accepted the gift, a small box.

"De nada, now I am afraid I must take leave. Senorita, Doctor."

Helm went toward his home while the Captain went back to the ship

"Tessa, did you pick out your rug yet?" inquired Marta who came up with two boys in tow. Their arms were loaded with merchandise.

"Yes, this one." Pointing out a beautiful rug and paying the vendor.

"Did you leave anything for anyone else, Marta?"

"Oh, a few trinkets. It was easy since you were paying for everything."

Tessa rolled her eyes "I created a monster. I hope you got a got good bargains."

"Of, course, I am gitano."

"What is that interesting looking box."

"A gift from the Captain of the supply ship."

Marta arched an eyebrow as Tessa opened the box. It was a jade rosary.

"I must get this blessed immediately, Marta" taking Marta's hand and headed for the Padre who she had seen in the market place.

"Be sure you remember to use after it is blessed, Tessita." In a lowered voice "Maybe the Queen should use it also."

~~~~~

Back at the Alvarado hacienda, the two women inventoried their spoils of the shopping war. Marta picked up a bolt of green silk and unwrapped it.

"Marta why are you unwrapping the bol . . .?"

Marta was holding a beautiful Spanish Sword. "When I saw this I could not resist. Now you can hang your father's sword in a place of honor."

Tessa took the sword, felt the weight, made some sword moves. "It is almost a match for Papa's. But how are we going to explain your buying a sword? I hope you got a good deal on it"

"Of, course, I am gitano, remember?"

"I met a young boy from the ship. He bought for me."

"A young boy, Marta?" She raised an eyebrow, "how do you know he won't tell anyone?"

"He is half gitano, he won't tell the gadjes anything. Besides, I told him it was for a friend and I insinuated that the friend was a soldier."

"It was made for me Marta, thank you." She ran her hand over the sword. "Marta what is this etched into the blade by the hilt?

Tessa Moved towards the light to inspect it closer.

"The reason I bought it. It is the Queen of Swords."

THE END

By JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com

TRIO CHALLENGE - 4-22-01: wooden spoon, rosary beads, oriental carpet

There's an OFC in this, she probably is a Mary Sue, but oh well, I have fun writing her and this came to mind when I saw the trio and the quotes. She's a creation of mine in my HL fic. This is completely stand alone.

~~~~~

Vera waited patiently at the door of the casa as Gaspar's carriage came to a stop. It had been weeks since he had left for Monterey and she was glad he was home. Since marrying Gaspar and being brought to the new world with him, she didn't feel at home without him. There were instances when the help didn't think she belonged or deserved to be a Dona. Vera had wondered if they all knew her social position before Gaspar chose her as his wife when she came of age.

Gaspar's presence suddenly brought their hacienda to life. The workers scurried around with extra eagerness, the household staff stood at attention waiting for orders, and Vera felt again that she could breathe. She rushed off the stoop and gathered Gaspar into her arms after he stepped down to the ground. "I brought home many treasures for you, querida," he told her, loud enough for the help to hear. Then he ordered his aides to unload the carriage and put them in the parlor.

~~~~~

The treasures that Gaspar bought for Vera were piled up on all horizontal surfaces and floor in the parlor. He had left her to unpack it all to see what they were and went out to talk to the plantation foreman to hear what he had missed and to make sure that the work had been done properly. He had told Vera before he left that there was one item that she should be especially pleased with but wouldn't tell her which one. She scanned the merchandise like a giddy school girl. The new oriental carpet would be a welcome addition to their bedroom as the old rug had begun to fray and fade with the intense sun filtering through the windows.

As Vera sat on the divan to look at the only wrapped package, one of the younger maids entered holding a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon resting inside it. "Ma'am," she said as she curtsied. "I've just frosted the cake and wondered if you would like to eat the extra? I know how you love chocolate, ma'am."

Vera smiled and said, "Yes, thank you so much. Would you like to join me?"

The young maid blushed and looked around. Then said, "I had better go back to the kitchen, ma'am." Pilar was close to Vera's own age. When there weren't others around, they had been able to have wonderful talks, as much as Pilar would allow. It took a while to ease her into treating Vera like a person, not as her employer's wife. Vera knew that they would probably never have the kind of relationship that Tessa had with Marta, but she hoped they would one day. Vera nodded, a little disappointed, as she would like someone to enjoy her gifts with her, but then realized that all Pilar might feel was envy. "All right. Thank you again, Pilar."

After Pilar left, Vera lifted the wooden spoon from the bowl and licked off some of the soft, creamy chocolate confection, letting it melt in her mouth. She looked at the wrapped package along side her on the divan and pulled at the string bow. It was then that she saw the card that read ~~To my querida, May this trinket ease the pain of your padre's passing. Love Gaspar.~~

The letter informing her that her father had been lost at sea in his fishing boat had come the month before. Neither he or the boat had been found. Sadness once again pervaded her thoughts at not having been able to see her father one more time, to say goodbye. She was going to wait until Gaspar could be with her to open it, but curiosity got the better of her. She ripped the paper open to see an old wooden box. She lifted it out of the paper and set it on the table in front of her. The box was adorned with carved fish on a hook that ran around all four sides. She remembered her grandfather having one almost like it and wondered if Gaspar had known. Vera was almost ready to cry from the memory of her father, her grandfather, and because Gaspar's gift was so thoughtful, as she tried to open the lock. She searched through the paper wrapping and on the divan, on the floor, but couldn't find a key. Ever resourceful, Vera pulled a pin from her hair and used it to open the lock.

Vera placed the pin back in her hair and then lifted the latch and opened the old, worn box. Suddenly, dust swirled out of it and filled the air. It was hard for Vera to breathe and she sat back against the divan, waving at the air and coughing. She thought she could see sparkling little stars in the soft whirlwind of dust. The air cleared and a tall woman stood before her with a very pleasant smile. The woman had long hair and wide set almond shaped eyes. She wore a yellow sari dress with a purple sash and on her feet were sandals that looked to be made of silk. On each finger were bother silver and gold rings. Even on her thumbs. Vera thought that was very odd and more than a little garish. "Thank you, mistress, for setting me free," the strange woman said in French.

Vera grabbed the wooden spoon and held it threateningly in front of her. "Who are you and why are in my casa?!"

"Ah, Espanola. You do not speak frances?" The woman looked around the room, then out the window. She asked in Spanish, "Where are we?"

"You are in my casa!"

The woman turned back to her. "You have to be more general. Last I knew, I was in Paris."

"Who are you?"

The woman pleasantly smiled. "I am Laminae. I have been in that box for so long that I forgot the procedure. I am sorry. What year is it?"

Vera cautiously said, "1817."

"Oh," the woman was pleased. "Only three years. That is not bad. I was once locked in a box for 82 years." She theatrically shivered. "Ooooo, I hate closed spaces. Anyway, enough of me, this is about you. What is your name, mistress?"

"Dona Vera Hidalgo."

"Pleased to meet you Dona," Laminae sweetly said, outstretching her hand to shake Vera's. Vera only held out the wooden spoon, fully intent on using it. "I am here--."

"My name is Vera, Dona is my title."

"Oh," Laminae excitedly said. "You are royalty."

"No."

Laminae scrunched up her nose and said, "Okay. Vera. I am here only for you."

Vera stood up. "Gaspar hired another maid for me?"

"No, I am better than a maid. I am a Jinniyah. Have you heard of others like me?"

"A Jinniyah? A genie you mean?" Vera laughed. "This is a wonderful surprise! That Gaspar... Are you an actress and you came to entertain me?"

"No. Vera." Laminae turned very serious. "Listen to the words that come out of my mouth."

Laminae gently took Vera's arm and sat her back on the divan and sat alongside of her. Before she could speak, Vera said, "A genie? That is ridiculous. Genie's are only in literature. They are not real."

"Humans are meant to think that we are not real. I am here to grant you three wishs and until you make the final wish, you are my mistress. You treat me right, and I will throw a few extra favors for you. But there are two rules that you must abide by."

Vera stared at the Jinniyah and fearlessly reached out to touch the hoop that was pierced between Laminae's nostrils. Laminae jerked back. Vera asked, "Does that hurt?"

"There are three rules, Vera. Another is, do not touch me. And no, it does not hurt. Are you ready for the other rules?"

Vera clasped her hands together on her lap and listened. Laminae said, "Rule number two, after that other rule of not touching me, is that you have to word your wishs correctly. You must think through what you want before you say the sentence, 'I wish...' because what you say is what you will receive. Nothing more, nothing less. Okay?"

Vera nodded, a smile starting to form. The woman had appeared from no where. The legend was that if you rubbed a lamp, one would appear. Where was the lamp? She seemed to come from a box. Laminae smiled and nodded along with her and continued, "Rule number three, and this is most important one of all, you must never tell another living soul about me or that are Jinniyah in the world or all wishs already granted or that are still pending will be null and void and you will remember nothing of my presence." Laminae gently took Vera's hand. "You do not want that to happen, so remember that. I like you. I can read people very fast. I have had a lot of masters and mistresses and I can tell we are going to get along just fine. Just remember the rules and call me when you are ready for your first wish."

Laminae stood. Vera looked up at her. "Call you? How?"

"My name is Laminae. All you have to do is speak my name."

Vera weakly said, "Laminae."

"I am already here, Vera. But that is right. Just speak my name and I will be here. I have been in that box so long, I have some things do. Think about what you want, phrase it correctly and say 'I wish...' and you will have it. It is very easy. I do not even have to be here. But, for your first wish, since it is your first wish, I should be there with you. Speak my name first and we will do it together. So, forget that there is a word 'wish' because if you happen to start a sentence with 'I wish... anything', it will be your first one whether you want it or not. Think carefully, call me when you need me, but only when you need me because I have things to do. All right?"

Vera nodded. Laminae swept her hand and disappeared. Vera looked around the room, the silence was jarring as that woman had done nothing but talk. She wondered if she was even dreaming the whole thing. She touched the box and felt it's hardness, it was real. She sat on an ottoman, smiled, then weakly said, "Laminae."

Laminae, holding two hand mirrors, one framed with silver and one framed with gold, appeared in front of Vera, shocking her. Vera fell backward off the ottoman, her skirt flopped over her head. Laminae pulled the dress down and offered her hand to help Vera up. "What is it? I was in the middle of bartering for a new hand mirror. I should have known that you would test me. They all do."

"Who all do?"

"Masters and mistresses. They just can not believe their luck. It is true, Vera. You have three wishs. Can I get back to what I was doing now?" She held the two mirrors so that Vera could see them. "That shop keeper in Rome is probably quite upset that I left with two of his mirrors. Which one do you like better?" Laminae held up one and then the other.

Vera judged between the silver and gold and said, "The gold, of course."

"I think so too," Laminae said, with a wink. "I like you. I will go now. All right?"

"Yes."

"You will not call my name for no reason any more?"

"No."

"Okay. Think well about a wish. It can be anything that you desire, Vera. Anything."

"Yes."

Vera was once again standing alone in the parlor. She had a giggle fit, then sat again on the ottoman. She jerked up off of it, not wanting to take another spill. She picked up the box and set it on top of the bureau. Her finger felt the carved fish and her thoughts again went to her father. She hadn't been able to say goodbye. Her wedding was the last time she saw him or her mother. Vera had the feeling at the time that that would be the case, but there was always hope. Then she realized that she did have hope! She had three wishes! She made sure there weren't anyone around and called out, "Laminae."

Laminae appeared with her hands on her hips and her foot tapping against the floor. "This is getting old, Vera. I have things to do."

"I am ready for my wish."

"So soon?"

"Yes. I wish--."

Laminae held up her hand. "Careful! You have not thought this through. Vera, do not waste a wish."

"I am sure of this. I wish that I can see my madre again."

Laminae took a deep breath and paused. She stared at Vera, making Vera wonder if she had in fact done something wrong. Laminae nodded, a little ticked off, and took her hand. "Okay. Come."

"We are going to see her?"

"Yes."

Vera was so happy. "I should tell Gaspar that I am leaving."

"Who is Gaspar?"

"My husband."

"You can not tell anyone about me or your wishes. We will not be gone long. He will not even know you were away."

"Really?"

"What is the name of your madre?"

"Angelique."

"Beautiful name. And where is she?"

"In Barcelona," Vera sadly said. She had the feeling that her wish was not going to be possible.

But, Laminae hooked her hand around Vera's and said, "Okay. Here we go."

~~~~~

BARCELONA

In a dimly lit and solemn church, Vera and Laminae appeared sitting in the back pew. Vera had to catch her breath after the instantaneous trip and took in the surroundings of the church she had gone to all her life, had been baptized in, had been married in. She looked in wonderment at Laminae, who was sitting with her hands folded on her lap and head bowed. The only other person in the rectory was a woman sitting, her head covered with a scarf, in the third row. Even though Vera couldn't see her face, she knew it was her mother. She ran to her. "Madre!"

When Vera stood next to her mother, she saw that she had rosary beads in her hand and was in the midst of prayer. "Madre? It is me, Vera." Vera bent down to her, waved her hand in front of her mother's face, but the woman didn't react. Laminae walked to them and Vera demanded, "What is that matter? Why can she not see me?"

"Vera," Laminae sadly said. "It was your wish. You wished to 'see your mother'. You said it before you thought it through. If you wanted to talk to your mother, to hold her, you should have put that into the wish."

"That is not fair."

Laminae shrugged. "Think of it as a learning experience with your other two wishes. You must be specific about what you want."

Vera sat next to her mother and laid her hand on Angelique's shoulder. It had no effect on her. She looked up at Laminae. "I want to talk to her. To let her know that I am is all right and happy tell her of my life and find out about hers. If I phrase that exactly, can that be my second wish?"

"I will make this a nice visit, Vera. It is your second wish, but I know what you mean and will provide a lovely reunion for you. If you look on the pew, I brought your purse. I saw that there were pictures in there of you and who must be Gaspar that you can show her." Vera looked at her purse with wonder and laughed. The box appeared on the other side of Vera on the pew.

"You may want to show her the box that was your gift, but remember to not tell her how you got here, how you are going to go back home, that this is a wish, or anything about me."

Vera confidently nodded. "I will. Can I say it now?"

"Yes." Laminae stood back to the other section of pews and nodded to Vera.

"I wish that my madre can hear me, see me, speak to me and I can do the same to her."

Angelique suddenly turned and saw Vera sitting next to her. "Vera?! My Vera?"

"Yes," Vera cried out and hugged her mother. "I have missed you so." She kissed her mother's cheek and suddenly had a thought that clearly wasn't her own. She looked over to see Laminae with a towel over her arm and a tray in her other hand, nodding yes, and smiling. Vera turned back to her mother and said, "Madre, a meal had been prepared for us in the café down the street. Let us go and catch up on things."

Angelique took Vera's face in her hands. "How are you here? Why did you not tell me you and Gaspar were coming to visit?"

"I will explain it all, Madre," Vera said, then suddenly Laminae was standing just behind her mother violently shaking her head no. "Okay, I will not explain it." Laminae smiled and disappeared. She looked at her mother. "That does not matter, does it?"

Vera's mother only hugged her girl and cried with happiness. Vera hugged her back and looked up to see Laminae leaning comfortably against the door frame. Vera whispered, 'thank you' to her Jinniyah, then took her mother's hand and led her to the café.

~~~~~

QUOTE 1:"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. " - Niccolo Machavelli, The Prince

~~~~~

Vera and Laminae were looking at rings in the General Market. Laminae's rings on all her fingers ran the gamut from a simple silver band to jeweled gold rings. Vera asked her if the silver band was a wedding ring, to which Laminae wouldn't answer right away. She didn't want to even think about her husband, Diabol, let alone tell that sweet Spanish senora about him. "I am not the important one, Vera. Think only of yourself."

"You have been so nice to me, Laminae," Vera said. Laminae felt a kinship with Vera and had thrown in extras over the last week since she used up two of her wishes to have lunch with her mother in Barcelona. If they would only take her advice and run a wish by her first, they wouldn't ruin a wish. This was the first time they came into Santa Helena together and Laminae had been anxious to check it out. Alto California was completely new to her, although Madrid and Barcelona had been her old stomping grounds. Actually, the world had been her stomping grounds, but the last couple of decades had been spent in the service of masters in France or locked in boxes. Laminae noticed Vera's eyes light up and it wasn't because of a ring. She was looking toward the door as she said, "Tessa! I want to introduce you to someone."

Laminae gave Vera a look of caution not to say anything about her Jinniyah and wondered if she should have just been invisible to others as she had been during the week whenever anyone in the Hidalgo household would come around. There were a lot of people in the Hidalgo household. There was one moment a couple of days before when Laminae even wondered if Vera needed wishes, there were more far more needy. But then Vera would mention the lunch with her mother, which she probably would never have had if not for magic, Laminae knew that Vera did deserve her. A grateful and happy master or mistress was the only thing that Laminae desired. She knew Vera would be discreet as she led Laminae to the woman by the door. "This is Laminae," Vera excitedly said. "And this is my friend, Maria Teresa Alvarado."

Laminae smiled to the dark haired woman and took her hand. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Maria."

"Tessa," the woman replied with a welcoming smile. "Everyone calls me Tessa. You are a friend of Vera's?"

"She is a visiting cousin, Tessa, "Vera said.

Tessa looked Laminae over. "You do not look Spanish."

"I am a distant cousin. Vera and I were close when we were children."

"Ah," Tessa said, smiling.

Laminae saw the look in the young woman's eyes, the eyes of someone older and wiser than her years would allow. The Jinniyah was interested to find out about her, but something told her that Tessa wouldn't reveal where her education came from anyway. "I see that the two of you would like to talk in private and I want to look over your little pueblo." She asked Vera, "Shall we meet at the cantina in a little while for dinner?" Laminae turned and placed her hand on Tessa's arm. "You must join us, Tessa. My treat."

"Well, that is very nice of you... Laminae? Was that your name? What an odd name. I would love to have lunch, but I am in Santa Helena with Marta," Tessa said as she pointed outside.

"Marta? Is she a friend also?"

"She works for me, but yes, she is a very good friend."

"She will lunch with us also. Shall we meet at the cantina later, after you purchase things and I explore the pueblo a little?"

Vera nodded and began to talk with Tessa, bringing her to the ring display. Laminae was sure that Vera knew the drill and wouldn't reveal anything so she walked out in the sunshine. A curly haired woman was putting a basket in the back of a wagon. She smiled at her when Marta turned to look at her. Laminae decided to assume that she was with Tessa. She walked to the wagon and asked, "Marta?" Marta cautiously nodded. Laminae was pleased that she knew how to read people. She stuck out her hand as an offering of friendship. "My name is Laminae. I am Vera's cousin. You have a lunch date at the cantina with Vera, Tessa and I. Come hungry."

Laminae saw two military men walking down the stairs of the grand pink house on the other end of the square. She asked Marta, "Who are they?"

Marta said in a not too sunny manner, "That is Colonel Montoya and Capitan Grisham. I would stay away from them if I were you."

Laminae decided that the attitude that came with the first words from Marta's mouth weren't directed at her, but at the Colonel. "He is a little drunk with power?"

"That is a polite way to say it."

Laminae giggled along with Marta and knew that there were a lot of nice people in the colony, but the Colonel did carry an arrogant manner in his carriage as he started to strut across the square. "Excuse me, Marta. We will talk over lunch. I am going to explore now, all right?"

"Sure." Marta stayed by the wagon as Laminae walked toward the middle of the square, looking over the building that the Colonel had come out of. There had to be more about the man then just the military force of the pueblo. Look at that immaculate rose garden! Very well tended. From what Laminae could tell at that distance, the Colonel wasn't wearing a wedding ring, so it must be only for his benefit.

When she saw the erected gallows on the edge of the square, she got the feeling that it had been used, a lot. Laminae shivered, not wanting to think about that. The Colonel had two aspects that seemed to oppose one another. Laminae wondered how he was able to keep them in balance. She stood near the fountain, pretending to pay more attention to it than it deserved, as the Colonel and Captain walked by in the midst of conversation. Grisham chuckled. "The citizens may not love you, Colonel, but they respect you."

The Colonel responded, "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

Laminae couldn't help but audibly groan, and it was heard by the two men. They stopped alongside her. They both stood tall, authoritative. "May I help you?"

"It is better to be loved than feared, Colonel," Laminae told him. The Colonel seemed to pay too much attention to her long dark hair. He looked over her entire body, stepped forward and seemed to be judging her height against his. "What is it?"

"You are new here," Montoya said.

"Yes, I am visiting my cousin, Senora Hidalgo."

Laminae noted the raised eyebrow that Grisham flashed. He obviously knew Vera, and knew her well.

"That's what I keep telling him, but he is charge here, not me," Grisham comfortably said. Laminae noted that he and Vera had a different accent, so they couldn't be related. Vera had been loving to her husband... NO! Laminae shook her head at thinking such a thing. Adulterers were abhorrent! Vera was so in love with Gaspar, so loving with her mother, she couldn't possibly have a lover. Laminae giggled to herself for such silly thoughts. Grisham must have had the indication because Vera was popular and everyone knew her.

The Colonel was more intriguing for the moment. She was going to make small talk with him, but he was still looking her over. Truth to be told, Laminae found his inventory very exciting. "Is there a problem?"

"No," Montoya said. "Welcome to Santa Helena, Senorita... or is it Senora? I see you wear a myriad of rings."

"Si. I am married." Laminae instinctfully covered her ring finger with the other hand. "This is a nice little pueblo you have here, Colonel. Capitan."

Surprising her, Montoya fingered the peacock feather in her hair. She hated to be touched, but his closeness wasn't all too unwelcome. "What a peculiar feather," Montoya commented. "Is that from a peacock?"

"Yes," she said, brushing his hand away and repositioning it in the braid that held up the top layer of her long, dark hair. Her hair that the Colonel just could not stop staring at. Laminae was proud of the silkiness of her hair that flowed to her waist, but his attention of it was strange.

He very seriously asked her, "Do you happen to know the Queen of Swords?" then seemed to gauge her immediate reaction to the question.

Laminae giggled. He didn't seem the type to believe in tarot cards. What a curious man. "No. I do not believe in the tarot, do you?"

"No, but I believe in the woman. You have heard of the dangerous vigilante?"

"Oh, goodness no. My world," Laminae lamented as she fanned herself from the heat. "What kind of place is this?" She was going to say something more, but suddenly, across the square, she saw a tall man who seemed very familiar walk out of the cantina. "Who is that?"

Grisham and Montoya both looked at the gentleman walking through the square to a side street. Grisham said, "That's the doc. Doc Helm."

Laminae waved her hand, dismissing them both. "No it is not." She walked away from them, toward Helm as he turned the block. When she walked around a building and saw Helm turn the next corner and to the door of a building, she looked to see if anyone was around, then waved her hand, making herself disappear.

~~~~~

Helm walked into his office to get his bag, then would make a house call on the widow down the street. He turned back to door and stepped on the toes of a woman. "What? Sorry. I didn't hear you come in. Not one woman knocks in this pueblo."

"Why are you still alive?" Laminae said, "It can not really be you! It had been too many years for mere mortal." She walked closer to him and really looked his face over. That face that had been burned into her memory banks. "It is you. You can not be descendant. I have looked into those eyes before. But how have you lived so long?"

Helm stepped back from her, her closeness and obvious insanity was too much to handle. "Excuse me? Who are you? And how did you get in here?"

"It is me! Remember? I know it has been a long time, but really... Are you a Shaitan? An Afrit? You are not a Marid or I would know it and you are certainly not an angel."

Helm watched her instantly look over the office and look back at him as if she knew him. "Are you hurt? Did you get hit on the head?" His thoughts went through all the women he had encountered during his military days. Could she be a widow of one of his victims? He walked over to open the door in case he had to either throw her out or run for safety.

"It is me. Laminae. How could you possibly forget me? I had the feeling that you do not make a habit of stepping forward to save women in distress, so how could you have forgotten?" She darkened her mood and almost spit out the words, "You are playing with me. I do not like that. Do not do that."

Helm was thinking that she needed help, but not the kind that he could provide. "Listen, Senora? You have me confused with someone else. You must be new here. My name is Robert Helm."

"No it is not!" She exclaimed as batted his outstretched hand away. "Do not do that. You have a perfectly lovely name, why would you change it?" Helm looked again at the door and keep a tight grip on his medical bag.

Suddenly, she started crying. No a slight tear or a trembling lip. No. She burst into tears that ran down her cheeks like a waterfall. He patted her shoulder. "Senora?"

Like the sun had just disappeared behind a mountain peak, she suddenly stopped crying and told him with a shrug of her shoulders, "Okay, it has been years. I suppose that I would remember better than you, after all it was my neck on the chopping block. I still can not believe that I was so confused and depressed that I was allowing them to kill me. That is what men do to you." Helm saw her twist the silver bang on her ring finger. "Diabol," she grumbled. "May you burn in hell," she said to the ceiling.

Helm started to back toward the door. She continued, "In Egypt... in the year... around 60 Before Christ's Birth. I was going to be executed for stealing that box that confined my teacher, Malik, which Diabol had tricked him into going into... you stepped forward and convinced Cleopatra to allow me to live even though you were only a mere soldier... remember? As soon as I was placed into your custody, you told me to leave. That was your first wish... then on your second wish I gave you that night with Cleopatra. Even though you actually didn't wish it, I figured that you would enjoy it. Did you?"

The silence was heavy as they both looked at each other. Helm opened his mouth to speak, but Laminae beat him to it. "You still have one more wish. Are you ever going to use it?"

Helm blankly stared at the woman, trying to think of a competent doctor with a lot of free time to send her to for intense therapy. A little blood letting couldn't hurt. "Senora, you--."

Suddenly Tessa walked through the open door. "I did not knock because it is open." She smiled at Laminae. "Oh, I see that you have met our doctor."

"Yes," Laminae said. "Many times."

"Really?" Tessa looked at the doctor.

He said, "No," as he ushered Laminae to the door. "I have another patient... Laminae... will you excuse us?"

"You want me to leave again?"

"Yes."

She held up her hands in the sign of surrender. "Do not wish it, I will leave. Whenever you get around to that last..." she looked at Tessa. "One... let me know."

"Sure. Fine. Whatever." Helm placed Laminae on the stoop and shut the door. He turned back to Tessa and make the universal cuckoo motion. "She is really far gone. She is nuts!"

"I heard that! Do not think I will forget it!" Helm heard from the other side of the door and instantly opened it. Laminae was not to be found.

Tessa asked, "What in the world? Do you know her?"

"No. Thank God."

"She seemed nice when I met her with Vera at the market. We are having lunch later."

"She knows Vera?"

"They are cousins. Distant cousins."

"I'll have to give Vera a list of men who could help that poor woman."

~~~~~

QUOTE: "The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy." - Von Clausewitz

~~~~~

Over lunch, Laminae kicked herself for 'letting the cat out of the bag' in front of Methos, or who she thought was the soldier who had saved her life, and then was a complete bastard to her. Vera had done a wonderful job covering for her behavior to Tessa and Marta. Tessa mentioned that Laminae had left Dr. Helm stunned and then he had told her what she had said. Laminae was angry at herself and felt like crying. She could not be that foolish. There couldn't be any way that Methos was still alive. That was almost 1900 years ago! The thought of Methos did make her crazy and she hadn't been thinking when she confronted him, or a very good likeness.

Vera had told them that Laminae was an actress with a traveling show, visiting her and Gaspar while they took a break. "Yes," Laminae had told the women with an amused giggle that Vera was so quick. "It is an exercise in the acting trade. You go up to a stranger and come up with a story to see how they react to it, then you can use it in your acting. You will have to apologize to the doctor for me. I think I overwhelmed him."

"Which is not easy to do," Tessa said, then laughed with Marta and Vera.

"Really? He seemed very nervous. Success!" Laminae laughed. She looked out into the square at the Colonel riding by on his stallion. "His is a very powerful man," she commented, almost inaudibly. Then she remembered their brief conversation. She asked the ladies, "What is the significance of the Queen of Swords?"

Marta gulped her lemonade and Tessa kept her fork poised at her mouth, seemingly haven forgotten how to chew food. Vera asked, "Why would you ask about her?"

"The Colonel mentioned her as he was touching my hair."

Vera gasped. "The Colonel touched you? You do not like to be touched."

Laminae shrugged. "Most of the time."

Vera told her, "The Queen of Swords is .... oh what would one call her?" She looked to Tessa and Marta to fill in the word. They both took interest in their food, swirling it around on their plates.

"So she is an actual woman and not just the tarot card?"

"Yes," Tessa proudly said. "The Queen of Swords is a protector of the people. When she sees injustice, she does what she can to stop it."

"Hm," Laminae uttered. "Noble. I have the feeling that Montoya does not like her very much."

Marta laughed, "Oh no. Most of the Queen's work is foiling Montoya's."

"Have you ever seen her?"

Marta and Tessa were silent. Vera said, "Once. From a distance. She is not of good breeding and does not come to social occasions."

"Does she have long dark hair by chance?"

"Yes, she does. Like yours, and Tessa's."

Laminae laughed. "The Colonel must have thought that I was this Queen. He was very interested in my hair. I supposed because I new here. I think he is leery of strangers."

"He is leery of anyone or anything that might come between him and a promotion, the governorship of all California," Tessa seriously said.

"Well, never hurts to plan big."

"But at what cost?"

"I am sorry, Senorita Alvarado. Have I offended you?"

"No," Tessa said with a belated smile. "I am sure it is the heat. Marta? Should we return home?"

Marta was already standing. "Yes, I think that is an excellent idea."

"It was a pleasure to meet you both," Laminae said. "Thank you for joining us for lunch."

"Thank you for lunch," Tessa said. "Will we be seeing more of you? How long will you be visiting?"

Laminae looked at Vera. She would only be in town as long as it takes Vera to come up with her last wish... "Not long, I am sorry to say."

They bade goodbye and Laminae watched them walk out to their wagon in deep conversation. Laminae hoped that she hadn't offended them for asking so much about the Queen. As Marta got into the wagon seat, Laminae wondered if she would need some wishes. Tessa was wealthy, she could have whatever she wanted, but Marta might have hopes and dreams that she would sadly never receive. Laminae went to pay for the lunch as Vera called for their carriage at the livery.

On the way home, they were both quiet. Laminae wasn't used to being bumped and tossed in the wagon, so she looked to and fro and then told Vera to hold on. She waved her hand and the carriage was suddenly at the door of the Hidalgo residence.

~~~~~

Vera had thought long and hard about the one last wish that she would want to come true. She had enough money to live comfortably. She would only have to ask Gaspar for any material possessions. She had the love of her mother, Gaspar, and also Marcus. She would like her mother to move to live with her, but when that had been brought up at lunch in Barcelona, her mother had said no. She loved Barcelona, her husband had died there, and so would she. She had friends, her church, her history. It was her home. The conversation then turned to Vera and Gaspar returning to Spain. They were at a hopeless stand still.

Since Vera was ashamed that she had found and enjoyed a lover outside of her marriage, she wondered if the last wish should be something for Gaspar. When she asked Laminae if that was a possibility, Laminae said, "The beauty of wishes is that they should be yours. Try not to pick something that affects too many other people. If you choose a wish for someone else, it may not be what they want and you would be out a wish."

The two women sat in the drawing room working on their embroidery projects. Vera had thought she was pretty proficient at the craft, but Laminae was a master. She had completed fourteen handkerchiefs since emerging from that box. Vera knew there had to be magic involved. "Laminae?"

"Hm?" Laminae was busy with the embroidery to look up.

"Can I wish for something that is not material, but something in my body?"

Laminae looked up in surprise. "You could, but you have a perfect body, Vera, from what I can tell."

"No, I do not." Vera set down the needle and thread and sat next to Laminae on the sofa. "I am barren. I can not have children."

"You can not have children?" Laminae repeated, starting to cry for the tragedy of it.

Vera sadly shook her head. "Could you do something about that?"

"Of course!"

"You can?" Vera suddenly looked bright and hopeful. "After trying and trying, I have still not conceived." She didn't tell Laminae that she hadn't even become pregnant by Marcus. She didn't want Laminae to be angry with her or think less of her as a person. Laminae had flown off the handle about any impropriety that she had seen during the weeks she had 'visited'. "Gaspar has told me that it did not matter, but of course it matters. He should have an heir."

Laminae wiped the tears from her cheeks. She said, "I am sorry. I get emotional. Of course, Vera. That would be a wonderful wish. Are you sure that is what you want? A child is a lot of work and responsibility."

"Yes, I want a child of my own more than anything in life."

"Say the words. No matter how you phrase it, I will make sure that you receive exactly what you wish for."

"I wish to give birth to Gaspar's happy and healthy son."

"You have it." Laminae smiled, then hugged Vera. Suddenly, the embroidery she had been working on disappeared. Laminae stood. "The next time you and your husband are together, it will happen. Tell him that it is a wonderful surprise. Remember, you can never tell anyone about me or Jinniyah or wishes or they will all go away: the memory of your mother's visit, your child, all the extras that I have given you the past two weeks. They will all disappear, Vera."

"I promise I will not tell a soul."

"I also have to do one more thing. I have to offer you a fourth wish that will negate the previous three. But you do not want that, do you?"

"Madre dios! No! Never."

"I thought not, but had to offer it anyway."

Vera stood up and almost danced around the room from happiness. It all had came from her husband buying an old box at an estate sale in Monterey. If he could only know how that purchase had changed their lives for the better. But she would never tell him. She would never tell anyone. "Gaspar is going to be so surprised. He did not think he would ever be a father."

"When is this little get together going to happen, Vera?" Laminae asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"As soon as possible, tonight. And I will not say why tonight is so important. The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy."

Laminae laughed with Vera and then said, "I have to go now. My job here is over. You have a wonderful life, Vera, with your husband and son. I would be pleased if you remember me, but do not--."

"Tell anyone about you," Vera continued for her. "I know. Thank you." Vera hugged Laminae and asked, "Do you need to go back into that box?"

"My world! No. I will seek out a new master or mistress, then make sure that I am found. Maybe that Colonel, he seemed so interesting."

"NO! He can not have three wishes! Please, Laminae, stay away from him. He is dangerous already."

"Duly noted. I can just talk to him, can I not?"

Vera smiled and nodded. "But he has a lot of boxes in his office. Do not even be tempted to get inside any of them. For the sake of the pueblo, please. He can not have more power."

"Do not worry. I will not. I also will not see you again, Vera. Farewell. I has been wonderful knowing you and working for you."

With a wave of Laminae's arm, Vera was alone in the drawing room again. She was sad to see her leave, but rubbed her torso knowing that in the matter of hours, she would never again be alone.

THE END

Blatant self-promotion: If you want to read Laminae's story from the beginning, it can be found at: http://www.oocities.org/enyajo/fridayindex.html

By Julie
juliewriting@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMERS: Not mine, no money, no offense intended (although the Colonel is likely to be quite offended by the time this is over).
FEEDBACK: Please
NOTE: All this talk about Danny DeVito as the Colonel got me thinking (a dangerous activity at the best of times)

~~~~~

The carriage rolled into the market at the busiest time of the day, and the whole pueblo watched as a smartly-dressed soldier carried a footstep to the side and arranged it carefully before opening the door. He stepped back quickly and stood at attention as the passenger exited.

The market-goers watched as first a highly polished black boot emerged. The leg above it was covered with shining white silk. Next came an expansive belly girded with a red sash and topped by a brilliant blue jacket gilded with fancy gold braid. The owner of this sartorial masterpiece was a round-faced man with sparkling blue eyes and thick dark hair. He sported a long mustache as luxurious as his clothes. He was a short man, but what nature had denied him in height, he made up for in bulk. Despite his size, he carried himself with a regal grace as he stepped forward, his sharp eyes taking in everything around him.

Every eye followed the man as he walked through the market, pausing now and then to examine some merchandise, always greeting the vendors pleasantly, complimenting them on their wares be they apples or rosary beads. He stopped at one table full of fine silks and linens and fingered a blue shawl. Turning to the soldier who had dutifully trailed him, he asked, "Lieutenant, is this not precisely the color of your charming wife's eyes?"

"Very close, sir," he answered, a trace of longing in his voice.

"Then you must make a present of it to her, to make up for your long time apart." He handed the shawl to the soldier and flipped a coin to the young woman behind the table. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at it.

"Oh gracias, Senor! Gracias! Would you not also like some handkerchiefs? I have some lovely silk ones here."

She gestured at him with the cloth, but he set them back on the table and patted her hand, letting his hand cover hers as spoke. "Not right now, Senorita. Perhaps another time. I trust I shall see you again."

He smiled at her, revealing small, sharp teeth. The young lady blushed and pulled her hand away.

"I am here every market day, Senor."

"Then I shall most certainly see you again." The man continued on his way, gradually moving toward his true target.

Colonel Luis Montoya watched the commotion in the market for a moment and then returned to his office. He had a brief urge to lock the door and then just not answer it when Leon arrived. Childish, of course, but that was the kind of emotion his cousin inspired.

Luis took a deep breath and surveyed his office. All was the expression of power and wealth, from the thick oriental rug to the carefully collected books on the shelves to the heavy, ornate furniture. He had nothing to be ashamed of, yet he knew, somehow, Leon would find a way to make him feel ashamed. It was what he had always done. Luis considered pouring himself a drink in preparation, but decided he should be clear-headed. He looked critically at the bottle before him - one of his best ports. He quickly transferred it to a locked cabinet and replaced it with one less dear. Leon would surely help himself.

Leon had always helped himself to whatever he wanted: Luis' favorite toys, his sister's dolls, the cook's freshly baked tart. Luis frowned, remembering. Leon had gotten the whole tart, while Luis had gotten the blame and the business end of the cook's wooden spoon.

Luis was seated behind his desk when Leon finally made his appearance, pushing past the guard who had come to announce him.

"Cousin! Hello! Aren't you thrilled to see me?"

Luis dismissed the guard and forced a thin smile to his lips. "I have no words to express my joy."

Leon began to wander around the room, examining the books and the artwork. He paused long enough to pour himself a glass of port.

"Nice little set-up you've got here, Luis. Better than I expected."

"So glad it pleases you, cousin. You seem to have made quite an impression down in the market."

"Yes, they love me now. Of course, it is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." Leon smiled smugly and poured himself another glass. "But we can get to fear later."

TO BE CONTINUED...

By Laura
laurawolfa@aol.com

~~~~~

Marta sat on the Oriental rug along side the older gypsy from the show. She was chanting in a gypsy language she did not know. Candles were burning around. The show had stopped as soon as she fell. And the older gypsy ran to her tent. Marta sat there studying the other. Her motions with her hands and the sounds of her voice. Marta could not understands yet recognize.

Doctor Helm splashed water on his face. It had been a long night. The sun had risen and woken him as it sprayed across his face. Helm hard some nose and went further into his work area.

"What do you think you are doing?" The muse sat on the table fiddling with something in her hands. Her waist was bond over the cut area.

"Putting my rosary beads back on my rosary. It broke when I fell."

"Your lucky that's the only thing you broke. You are lucky you at least hit the other net or. ."

"Hasta la vista, nice knowing yah, etc. etc."

"Well you should be more careful."

"Thanks dad." She said sarcastically. Helm did a double take to the response.

"So how do you feel?"

"Better I think. I have to get back. They'll be missing me and I never could stand being in the doctors office for more than this."

"Well you are suppose to be in one when you're hurt."

" And people will begin to worry for that. Cause I'm not."

"Not invincible?"

"Well that's my surprise to them."

"Surprise?"

""The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy. I intend on infusing my speed in recovery."

"And secrecy?"

"That's a side I rarely let the public see."

"Oh."

"Thank you Doctor. Now can you?" She puts on her dress. She turns around for him to tie it.

"Do you know the proverb 'It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.'"

"No. But it is better to have both is it not cause you will always have enemies and you will need allies. Cause the one who fear may rebel then where are you."

"Yes but why would they rebel wouldn't they run away."

"Only if they had a strong enough leader."

"Sounds like the Musketeers."

"True. But it is also true in life."

"Like I heard somewhere what we do in life echoes an eternity."

"I'm afraid I never heard of that one."

"It's an ancient military saying."

"Oh, well thank you Doctor again. And I will see you later."

"Yes tomorrow for your check up."

"Merci Doctor. Keep up the faith." Linthia left the doctor alone. Keep the faith, he thought. He looked around the room. Her rosary beads sat on the table.

~~~~~

Marta walked into the hacienda and through the kitchen opening. "AaYah!" She yelped as something hit her on the bottom.

Marta turned around to see the colpert, Maria Theresa, holding a wooden spoon in her hand. "Where were you?"

"I was talking to the gypsy from the carnival."

"Oh so why all the secrecy. Is she a friend of yours."

"I do not know. But I do know I need to make something for the young muse."

"Linthia? What?"

"I can not tell you. It is a gypsy surprise."

"A gypsy surprise? Marta?" Marta only smiled and went to her room closing the door. "Marta? Marta!?!" She yelled again snapping the wooden spoon against the table.

TBC

by Maril
maril.swan@sympatico.ca

RATING: G

"The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy. " - Von Clausewitz

~~~~~

MADRID, NOVEMBER 1812

The drumming of thousands of booted feet pounded through the Puerta del Sol, as the Madrileños watched the endless column of French soldiers parade past. The spectacle of this long line of grim-faced men, moving like some single-minded animal through their city, had the intended effect -- the citizens were terrified and drained of resistance.

Many furtive glances from the soldiers toward the dark-haired young woman, observing from the sidelines, brought a chill to her Gypsy companion. The stories of the atrocities committed by the armies of both sides on the towns they had 'liberated' rose alarmingly to her mind. Tessa must be protected from that. She took the young girl's arm. "Let's go, Tessa. We have seen what we came to see."

Reluctantly, the young woman allowed herself to pulled back through the crowd and they retraced their steps toward their villa on a back street near the Plaza Mayor. Tessa felt subdued by the sheer numbers of the soldiers, their unbending discipline. It was no wonder they had conquered half the world! The disorganized Spanish forces had no chance against them. Only the British could save Spain, if they only would.

As Tessa entered their villa, she was quiet, and preoccupied by the fate of her city, her country. Madrid had seemed like a pawn between the French invaders and the British liberators. It has passed back and forth several times, and was once more under occupation by the French. She sighed disconsolately as she climbed the stairs to her room. Once inside, she closed the door and suddenly felt a hand clamp over her mouth. Her brief struggle ended when Antonio whispered in her ear, "Tessa, it's me. I had to see you before I go."

She turned in his arms and embraced him fiercely. "No. Antonio, you must not go into the war. Finish your university. No one will think less of you."

"I will. Besides, I have to go. I think they suspect me." Antonio's handsome face studied hers with an intensity that Tessa found disconcerting. It was almost as if he was trying to imprint her features on his memory. Tears rose into her eyes.

She swallowed and drew in a deep breath to regain control of her emotions. "Who suspects you? Of what?"

Antonio released her and stepped away as if considering what to tell her. Finally, he said, "I have been working as an courier for the British, relaying messages to their agents in the city. There is a large network of spies in Madrid and all of Spain. We are helping the British by giving them information about the French troops, how many, where they are located. Many Spaniards are in the British army, translating for them, guiding them through Spain and the cities. I will become one of those." He grinned proudly, his excited manner suggesting he couldn't wait to leave.

Tessa found it difficult to imagine her lover, the vain and indolent Antonio, as a spy, a soldier. Her heart ached at the thought of his leaving, perhaps getting killed in this terrible and needless war. "I don't understand this, Antonio. How do you receive the messages? Where do you take them?"

He chucked her affectionately under the chin. "That is not for you to know. All I want you to do is remain safe, and wait for me. When I return, we will marry."

She persisted. This idea of an underground of resistance was new to her, and she wanted to know everything. "If you loved me, you would trust me. I want to share your dangers and be proud of your brave actions against the French."

Antonio drew himself up more firmly under her praise. "You know of Señor Juan Torres, the fencing Maestro?" Tessa nodded, and he continued, "Señor Torres is the hub of the network. He moves freely about the city, teaching fencing privately, as well as giving group lessons. No one would suspect him. He has seemed to collaborate with the French, giving some of their officers lessons as well. As you know, I am one of his students and he recruited me to act as a courier for him. But now I must leave Madrid with a very important message for General Wellesley."

Tessa frowned in concentration. "Who will take your place and run the despatches if you leave Madrid?"

"Señor Torres has many contacts. It will not be difficult to replace me." Antonio moved to embrace her and Tessa clasped him closely, her mind whirling with thoughts.

~~~~~

The youth swung casually down the narrow street, stepping lightly over the garbage strewn on the cobblestones of this poor barrio. He passed several pensiones, then entered the doorway of one and quickly ran up the steps to the second floor. A tap at a certain brought an immediate response. It was opened and a tall man leaned out. His face showed surprise at the slim young dandy standing before him. The youth seemed equally taken aback by the man. The occupant of the pensione was tall and dark-haired. A scar running down his right cheek gave him a roguish and somewhat menacing look, as did the coolness of his grey eyes. He was dressed like a poor peasant in a tattered white shirt, a leather vest and a pair of dark and much patched trousers.

The youth found his voice and croaked, "The backbone of surprise..." then waited.

The man glanced into the corridor, then brusquely pulled the young man inside and closed the door. In a deep, gravelly voice, he said, "...is fusing speed with secrecy." The man's Spanish was rough but intelligible. He scowled at the youth, causing the boy to move uneasily and avert his gaze to study the roughly furnished room. The man bowed and picked up the youth's hand, kissing it gallantly. "My compliments, ma'am, on your bravery. My own wife is an agent of the Spanish. The enemy always underestimates the courage of the women in the resistance." His eyes, which had warmed briefly, were suddenly coolly professional again. "Do you have something for me?"

Tessa handed over what looked like an engraved invitation. It was a coded message. The man accepted it and placed it in the pocket of his vest.

"I'm Lieutenant Sharpe, ma'am. You'll be contacting someone else next time, and at a different location. Here is the message for Espada." Sharpe handed a tattered paper to her and she shoved it into her own pocket. He bowed again, and took her hand. "Vaya con dios, señorita." With that, he opened the door, and ushered her out.

Tessa felt almost limp with relief as she descended the stairs into the street. She resisted the urge to grin at her success; she had fulfilled her mission and had a message for Señor Torres. A sense of great accomplishment made her chest swell with pride as she hurried through the barrio toward her villa. She had proved to Espada that she could be entrusted with these despatches, though the fencing master might not always use her. She was finally doing something important; she had a mission in this war, and would be part of the liberation of her country.

END

By Maril

DISCLAIMER: Fireworks owns 'em

~~~~~

The oriental rug had been rolled out of the way as the dancing class began. The dancing master glanced down the row of nubile young women and smiled. They were his to command for the duration of the class, and he enjoyed the sensation. To instruct and criticize, to watch as these clumsy girls learned the finer points of social dancing -- that was his vocation in life. He took it seriously, and would not allow for any deviation from the acceptable dancing techniques he taught. Perfection above all.

He noticed the Gypsy woman standing by the door, watching her ward, young Maria Theresa. The Gypsy had a bowl and wooden spoon in her hand, evidently making something for the girls for after their class. The classes were conducted at the Alvarado villa in Madrid, as his school had been taken over as a barracks for the British soldiers. The dance master grimaced at the woman, then at the girl. Maria Theresa was a trial, but she was letting them use her house for free. The girl was graceful enough, and could have been a reasonably good dancer, but she was inattentive and capricious. Whenever the master left the room, Maria Theresa would have the girls giggling with her antics, making up crazy dances and teaching them to the other girls. She had no sense of discipline, of decorum. Even the threat of a novena of rosary beads had no effect on her.

This day, the dancing master had left the salon for only a few minutes, and when he returned, Maria Theresa had all the girls lined up doing strange motions with their hands and very suggestive movements with their hips, then they would jump and turn. He was scandalized at first, then began to enjoy their new dance.

"Maria Theresa, what do you call this dance?"

"It has no name. I just made it up, Señor Macarena."

- Maril