TRIO CHALLENGE: cheese, skull, clock

QUOTE 1: "Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." -- Cicero

QUOTE 2: "When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite. " - Sir Winston Churchill

QUOTE 3: "The rose speaks of love silently in a language known only to the heart." - Unknown Author

WORDS: blase, sartorial, ossuary

AUTHORS: Cecilia, Greg, Jo, Julie, Maril

By Cecilia

Disclaimers: Not mine, no matter what I wish, Fireworks owns them.
Rating: G
Feedback: Please and beta, too!
TRIO CHALLENGE: cheese, clock, skull and Quote 1.

~~~~~

Camilla didn't quite bound down the stairs, but she pushed the limits of ladylike decorum. She paused in front of the gilded mirror in the foyer to make sure her hair in place. She couldn't believe he was here, after all this time. Her excitement rose as she walked in to the parlor and saw him standing near the fireplace.

"Robert! Why didn't you tell us you were coming? Are you home for long? I've missed you so much!" Camilla threw herself into her fiancé's arms and kissed him. She stepped back quickly, blushing at her forward behavior. "Let me look at you."

She regarded him critically. "He looks worn," she thought. "I wonder if he has been ill. He's too thin and his eyes seem older some how." Out loud she said, "It's so good to see you."

Robert reached out a hand to her face, gently caressing her cheek. "It's good to see you. I've missed you, too, Camilla," he said, smiling. "So much has happened, there are so many things I want to tell you."

Camilla took his hand in her own. "We shall have plenty of time to talk while you're here. Sit for a while." She had dreamed of seeing him again for so long; now that he was here, why was she so nervous? She was afraid she was babbling. She needed to gather her thoughts, maybe splash some cold water on her face. "I should freshen up, I probably look a fright. Would you like something to drink? I know Father will want to see you. He's at his club, but I could send Evans." She started to walk away, but Robert held on to her hand tightly.

"You look wonderful, Camilla. Don't go. I don't want anything to drink. I need to talk to you before I see your father." His tone was serious "I resigned my commission."

Camilla pulled away from him and walked to the window, staring out at the London twilight. She looked at her hand clutching the red velvet drapery; noting with pride that it wasn't trembling at all. Forcing her voice to remain calm she said, "I don't imagine Father will be at all pleased, Robert." That was an understatement. Colonel (retired) William O'Brian would be furious. "Why would you do such a thing? I thought you were doing so well in the Army." She turned to look at him, willing herself not to cry. The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed six o'clock; each chime sounded like a death knoll to her ears.

Robert was sitting stiffly on the edge of the sofa. "My 'doing well', as you put it, was not the problem, Camilla." His voice was soft and earnest. "I couldn't take it any more. You have no idea what it's like. I've killed so many men; some were barely more than boys. I don't even remember all of their faces. I've seen horrible atrocities committed by both sides. I've done things I can't bear to think about and been commended for them." A shadow crossed his face. "I had to get out before it destroyed whatever is left of my soul."

His eyes were pleading for her understanding. She wanted to give it to him; to say that she understood and that he had done the right thing, even if she was sure that he hadn't. She walked back and sat next to him on the sofa, taking his hand in hers. "If it was destroying you, then you were right to leave, Robert."

They say for a moment in silence, hands clasped. Camilla held the perfect moment close to her heart, knowing there would be a bitter reckoning when her father discovered what Robert had done. "What will you do now?" she asked him.

"I was thinking of going back and finishing what I started, becoming a physician. Maybe I'll work with my father. I think he will let me apprentice with him while I attend the university. With the classes I've already attended, I think I can be finished in about three years."

"Have you mended your relationship with him, then? Will he forgive you for disregarding his wishes and obtaining your commission?" she asked. "And for following my father's wishes?" she thought.

"I think he will. The hardest part will be swallowing my pride and admitting he was right to begin with. I'll feel better once things are settled between us again, and not only because I miss him. Our quarrel put a strain on the whole family, especially Mother."

"Your family is very close," she said wistfully. She thought of her brother, Edward. She hadn't seen or heard from him since her mother's funeral eight years earlier. Her father did not even allow his name spoken in the house. Edward had gone against their father's wishes and had been cut out of their lives without a second thought. How could she hope he would be more lenient with the man his daughter loved? How could he forgive the man who had replaced his son as his hope to carry on the family's military legacy?

"My family will be your family soon," Robert said. He held her hand tightly. "Camilla, now that I'm not away at war, I think-"

The slamming of the front door announced the arrival of Colonel O'Brian. Camilla and Robert moved apart. They heard Evans informing the colonel that Helm was in the parlor, followed by the sound of O'Brian's heavy boots moving in their direction. Robert stood up to greet him.

Camilla could tell from the flush on her father's face that he had been drinking again, but he seemed in good humor. She prayed that it would hold in light of Robert's news. She knew only too well how quickly William O'Brian's mood could change to sarcastic, vicious or even violent.

"Well, Robert, it's good to see you, my boy. Or should I address you as Captain Helm? Congratulations on your promotion. From what I heard it was well-deserved." He shook Robert's hand vigorously.

"Hello, sir, and thank you. It's good to see you, too."

"I didn't know you were taking leave. How long are you in town for?"

"I'm here for good, sir." Robert paused. "I resigned my commission. I'm going to finish my studies and become a physician."

O'Brian stood speechless for a moment, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. His face turned a bright red. "Are you mad?" he yelled. "You have a successful career in front of you, a career I helped secure. You can't just throw it away. It isn't too late. Let them know you changed your mind. I can talk to someone about reinstating you."

"I can't do that, sir. My mind is made up. I won't go back," Robert said calmly but firmly.

"Don't be stupid, Robert. Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." O'Brian's voice turned nasty. "Or did you lose your nerve?"

"Father," Camilla cried, "how can you say such a thing?"

"Silence, girl, or I'll send you from the room."

It was going just as badly as Camilla feared it would. He father was a difficult and opinionated man at the best of times. He considered Robert's military career at least as much his accomplishment as it was Robert's. He had convinced Robert to leave medical training, a career her father scoffed at, about the same time Napoleon had declared a blockade of England. He had gone so far as to advance Robert part of the money required to purchase his commission, although Robert had repaid the money within the year.

Robert's father had objected to the change in career plans. He had tried to explain to his son the toll that war took on a man's soul, but Robert was young and very much in love. Colonel O'Brian was not likely to give his daughter's hand in marriage to a physician. He was determined she would marry a military man, as her father was and his father before him. He had played on Robert's outrage at Napoleon's actions and on Robert's love for his daughter. Now he saw his plans thwarted and his rage was growing.

"So tell me, Mister Helm," O'Brian sneered, "just why did you decide to run out while your country is still at war?" Robert started to answer, but the colonel continued. "Let me guess; you were tired? Didn't get enough sleep on the battlefield? Or maybe you were cold, or hungry? You've had it soft all your life. You don't understand sacrifice or hardship. Or did it get to you: the killing, the blood, the sounds of the guns and the screams of the dying? Or were you just too afraid? You think I don't know what it's like? I've lived it boy! The terror, the rage, the exhilaration; I've felt them. You couldn't handle it, could you? That's the truth of it. You're a coward. A sniveling coward." He was shaking with anger, his eyes bulging out of his skull.

Camilla felt like she could hardly breathe. She fixed her eyes on her father's mustache through his entire tirade. He had a tiny piece of what looked like cheese caught in it. She almost laughed. "My entire future is being destroyed, and all I can see is food in Father's whiskers. I can't look at Robert. If I do, I will shatter. I know what is coming next. I can see it plainly, but there's nothing I can do to stop it." She sat in abject hopelessness as the scene before her played out just as she knew it would.

"Get out!' O'Brian snapped. "Get out of my house before I throw you out. You will have nothing further to do with my daughter. I don't ever want to see your face again. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly," Robert said quietly. He turned to Camilla. "I'm going to leave now, do you want to come with me? You can stay with my family until we're married."

"How dare you!" O'Brian swung a heavy fist at Robert. Robert ducked the punch easily and grabbing O'Brian's arm, flipped him over and onto the floor. He lay there gasping.

"Camilla?" Robert asked again.

Camilla looked at her father, lying humiliated on the floor. She looked back at Robert. How could she explain? Her father had cut off the engagement. She had never gone against his wishes. She wasn't strong enough. Her father always got his way, in the end. He would find a way to stop them from being happy. Besides that, her father had no one left but her. He needed her.

"Thank you for the offer, Robert, but my place is here." She squared her shoulders and looked up at him, trying hard to force a polite distance to her eyes. "I think you should go now. We won't be seeing each other again. I wish you all the best in the future." She hardened her heart against the hurt in his eyes and after a second he turned and left.

"Here, Father, let me help you up," she said gently.

Her father pushed her away roughly and stormed from the room. She heard him go in to his study and yell for Evans to fetch him a drink.

Camilla moved back to the window. It was dark now, the gas streetlights flickering against the gloom. "Goodbye, my love," she whispered to the darkness.

END

By Greg

TRIO CHALLENGE: cheese, skull, clock + blase
Rating: G
Feedback/Beta: Yes, please
Notes: This vignette follows immediately after the Bless Me, Father, for I Have Sinned vignette (QofS FF message # 4688). If you have not read it, you will want to read it first.

~~~~~

It took all of Tessa's aristocratic breeding not to show the shock on her face she felt in her heart. How had he figured it out? What did I do wrong? She realized she needed a plan to keep her head attached to her shoulders. As Montoya looked at his nemesis, he amazingly noticed a smile forming on her face.

Pressing her sword harder into his neck Tessa allowed anger to edge into her voice as she replied, "You think I'm that spoiled, pampered, self indulgent, brat. You are even dumber than I thought, Colonel. I should run you through for that insult alone if for nothing else." Changing to a more business like tone Tessa asked, "Now, about the new taxes you levied against the peons. Surely, we can reach some sort of compromise."

"Senorita Alvarado, as a hacienda owner you understand the need to control those underneath you. I cannot simply repeal a tax because some people feel it is unfair."

Knowing he was trying to goad her into making a mistake caused a fresh wave of rage to wash over Tessa. She reacted by pressing down a little harder with her sword on Montoya's neck resulting in a thin red line running out from under the blade and onto the clean white sheets. Seeing a worried look creep into Montoya's eyes Tessa said, "Don't worry, Colonel, I will leave the cold-blooded murder to you or Grisham. I will let you sleep on what we discussed." Moving toward the balcony Tessa wiped the blade of her sword on one of the curtains to remove the Colonel's blood. "Don't bother calling the guards. Last time I saw them. They were sleeping on the job." Of course a sword hilt to the skull always helps in that regard. With that she turned and was gone. Luis decided it was not worth chasing after her. Her neck would be in a noose and her hacienda would be his soon enough.

For her plan to work she needed to set it in motion now. The queen rode away from the pueblo, not toward the safety of the Alvarado residence, but in the opposite direction. Having left Chico a safe distance away, Tessa approached the hacienda cautiously avoiding several patrols. Scaling the wall to the second floor she slowly opened the owner's bedroom window. Easing over the window sill Tessa put both feet on the floor and promptly froze as the cold steel of a buccaneer's sword pressed against her throat. An equally icy voice ordered, "Stay where you are or you are dead."

"Mary Rose, my life is in danger."

"Considering you're the one with the sword at her throat, I think you are correct," the pirate queen replied.

I hope she does not turn me over to Montoya. Raising one hand slowly to her face Tessa pushed back her mask revealing her face while replying quietly, "No, my life as Tessa Alvarado is in danger."

"Senorita Alvarado," Mary Rose replied as she lowered her sword, "I suspected you were the Queen of Swords ever since we meet on the way to my son's trial and you said that we wouldn't see the queen because her job was done. Does Dr. Helm know?"

"Yes he does," Tessa replied warmly. Tessa's voice took on a cooler tone as she continued, "Unfortunately, tonight I found out that Montoya knows."

"Does he have proof," Mary Rose asked?

"If he did, he would have acted already. I have a plan. However, I need a swordswoman of your skill to make it work."

"It cannot be more dangerous than plying the seas as a buccaneer. Besides, if it causes Montoya a headache it is worth the danger," replied Mary Rose, a conspiratorial smile spreading across her face. Several hours later Tessa replaced her mask, slipped out the window, and mounted Chico for her ride home confident in her plan.

"Where have you been? I was worried about you." Marta asked, the concern evident in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Marta. I had to do some planning to do after my visit with Montoya tonight. He knows I'm the queen."

Marta crossed herself and her face became deadly serious, "Madra Dios, how did he find out."

"I don't know. Maybe he overheard me in the confessional. I do not think he has proof yet or he would have moved against me," Tessa stated as she finished removing the last of the queen's outfit.

Marta watched as the queen's persona receded and her Tessa, the vulnerable, sensitive, young dona, reemerged. How long can she keep this up? This is so hard on her.

"We need to go to town tomorrow to put my plan in action."

"We had better get to bed then," Marta replied in her best motherly tone.

~~~~~~~

Captain Grisham thought he heard his name being called out and a woodpecker invaded his wonderful dream. He opened his eyes to see Colonel Montoya standing at the end of his bed in the predawn greyness. "Good morning Captain, it is time to go to work."

"Can't it wait until the sun comes up," Grisham replied sleepily propping himself up on the headboard?

"Captain, today is the day we finally set the plan in motion to capture the Queen of Swords, Marie Theresa Alvarado."

Montoya's words chased the cobwebs from the captain's brain. "That spoiled brat is the Queen of Swords? Are you sure? Do you have proof?"

"Sadly, I have nothing that would hold up in court. That is why I have created a plan. Have Corporal Ramirez arrest someone for something. I really do not even care who it is. Make sure the corporal ties the criminal to a post in the middle of the square. I will be having a party tonight. When the senorita cannot make it due to a supposed illness or disappears just as the queen appears, we will have her. You will keep the Alvarado hacienda discretely under surveillance. I want you on your way in a half hour. Do you think you can do this?"

"Yes sir," Grisham replied as he began to get ready.

~~~~~~~

Several hours later, as he sat behind a rock outcropping on a hilltop overlooking the Alvarado house, he wished he had not worn his dark army uniform. Well, I know what not to wear next time the colonel sends me out on surveillance. The chimney of the large adobe building had started to smoke shortly after he arrived but nothing of importance had happened until now. Peering through his telescope Marcus saw the team horses being hitched to the wagon and led to the front of the house. The senorita and her Duma, Marta, emerged from the house and headed toward town in the wagon. He followed the progress of the wagon until it disappeared around a bend in the road. Setting down the telescope, he opened his saddle bag and removed a piece of hard cheese he procured from the mess hall and proceeded to eat the morsel.

~~~~~~

"We are being watched," Tessa calmly stated as the wagon rounded the bend.

"How do you know?" Marta asked.

"I saw light glinting off something on the hill just before the bend. When I looked again, I saw a dark area. Montoya probably sent Grisham out to look for the queen leaving the hacienda. That will change the plan, a little."

~~~~~~

As Marta stopped the wagon, Tessa took in the scene around her, the market stalls filled with produce, the residents looking for treasures, and in the middle of the square Senor Vasquez tied to a stake. So there is the bait. Shifting her gaze to Montoya's residence, she saw Montoya on the balcony. And there is the cat watching the trap.

"Tessa, let's go," Marta urged, "before everything is gone."

"Sorry, Marta," Tessa replied as the two friends happily waded into the sea of humanity. As Tessa wandered through the market, she noticed the colonel descending the stairs.

The crowd parted as he made his way toward the pretty senorita, with the hidden identity. He was pleased that he inspired enough fear to not be bothered by the masses. Before he could address her, a voice cut through his thoughts. "Senorita Alvarado, it is good to see you again."

"Yes, Senora Rose, the circumstances are much better than our last meeting."

"The two prettiest roses in Santa Helena's garden in one place, it must be my lucky day, " Montoya ejected.

"Good morning, Colonel," Tessa and Mary Rose replied, almost in unison, causing Tessa to snicker.

How can she be so childish on one hand and a cold calculating killer on the other. "You are both invited to a party at my residence tonight. Of course, Dr. Helm would be welcome as well."

Tessa rewarded Luis with a brilliant smile. "Thank you for the invitation, Colonel. Dr. Helm and I will attend." The colonel turned to Mary Rose waiting for her answer.

"Sorry Colonel, my first mate and crew are already on the Mary Rose II preparing to leave on the noon tide for two weeks. I just came into town to pick up some last minute supplies. I will be on the high seas tonight."

"I am sorry to hear that, senora. Your stories always make my parties so interesting."

"Yes they do," Tessa added, "fair winds and safe anchorages, Senora Rose."

With a curt thank you the pirate queen turned and melted into the crowd. "Maria Theresa, you appear troubled. Is there anything I can help you with?" Colonel Montoya asked.

"Not unless you can help plan a wedding. There are so many little details." Tessa sounded almost frantic, but managed to compose herself before continuing. "Of course, it is nothing like running a pueblo and deciding who lives and dies."

"That is true, senorita. At dawn, I will carry out an execution, the hardest part of my duty. Senor Vasquez will learn the consequences of breaking the law." Fixing a cold stare on Tessa, he continued, "Unless, he was to be saved by the Queen. Please excuse me Senorita. There is much planning to do."

Like what you will do when you capture me. "Of course, I need to inform the doctor about tonight's party."

~~~~~~~~

Seeing no one in Dr. Helm's office, Tessa called out, "Robert, are you here?" Hearing a reply from the back room, Tessa proceeded toward the sound. Entering the room, she continued lightly, "I hope you are free tonight. We have been invited to another of Montoya's parties."

Dr. Helm's shoulders sagged and a sigh escaped his lips as he turned to face Tessa. "Not another one, how can you be so blase about these things. I think I feel a fever coming on," he stated, a playful smile dancing over his face.

"Robert, I need you there." His fiancee's pleading tone caused him to embrace her as she related all that happened

~~~~~~~

So she really is leaving. The three masted schooner slipped out of the protected bay and picked up speed as the sails caught the wind in their grasp. Montoya, leaving nothing to chance, watched the ship shrink in size until it disappeared into the sea mist.

~~~~~~~

He could see his prey. It was right where she said it would be. It had not moved since he had started his approach fifteen minutes ago. His prey fell unconscious as Dr. Helm brought his sword hilt down on the back of Captain Grisham head.

After returning to his horse, He headed toward the beach to pick up Mary Rose. I still have what it takes. Grisham didn't even see it coming.

~~~~~~

"Were there any problems?" Tessa asked as Dr. Helm and Mary Rose entered the hacienda.

"No," Robert replied, "I wager the captain is still sleeping like a baby."

"I am sure I saw Montoya watch the Mary Rose II leave the bay," Mary Rose added.

"Good. Marta, take care of Mary Rose's hair," Tessa ordered.

"Don't worry the dye will wash out after a couple of days," Marta stated as she led Mary Rose away to the bathroom. After several hours of frantic work everything was in place. Mary Rose was inside the covered carriage, having gotten to the barn through the secret room, which Tessa thought, with mild amusement, was becoming less and less secret.

~~~~~~~~

Marta stopped the carriage in one of the canyons outside of town. She watched Mary Rose, dressed as the Queen step out. If I can hardly tell the difference, no one else will be able to. Mounting Chico, Mary Rose rode off into the gathering darkness.

~~~~~~~~

The party is proceeding exactly as planned. Senorita Alvarado would soon slip away from the party to free Senor Vasquez and then he would have her. Where was that fool Grisham? Didn't he understand how important this was? The sound of someone clearing his throat jarred Luis from his thoughts. "How nice of you to finally show up, Captain."

"Colonel, we may have a problem. Someone attacked me while I was watching the Alvarado place. I was unconscious for several hours."

"Really, Grisham, I send you to do the easiest thing and somehow you manage to mess it up. Not to worry she is in our trap and will not escape."

The sounds of a duel in the square, caused Montoya to move to the rose garden's gate. He reached the gate just in time to see the queen fell the guard with a wicked blow from her sword hilt. Cutting Senor Vasquez free she whistled for her horse. He scanned his guests looking for Senorita Alvarado and was surprised to see her sitting with Dr. Helm and her duma. Confused he turned back to see the queen toss a tarot card in the air, as she galloped away.

His grandfather clock chimed eleven o'clock, as he bid good night to the last of his guests. "Senorita Alvarado, you have again made all my roses jealous."

Blushing Tessa replied, "Thank you, Colonel. It was a most pleasant evening."

~~~~~~

As the crescent moon hung over the water, Tessa, dressed as the queen of swords, approached Mary Rose. "Thank you, I am forever in you debt."

"You're welcome. I told you your life would make an interesting read."

As the pirate queen climbed into the long boat, sent from the Mary Rose II laying just offshore, she drew her sword in a time-honored military salute.

Tessa returned the salute, "Fair winds and safe anchorages, Mary Rose."

"And to you, Queen of Swords," Mary Rose responded.

TBC

The wedding is almost here.

by Jo

Challenge 26 response

TRIO CHALLENGE: cheese, skull, clock
QUOTE: "Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." -- Cicero
WORDS: blase, ossuary

So, that's out of the way, what should the rating be, Bea?
No Jorge? G
We need a disclaimer.
My Luis belongs to those ungrateful suits, but I know he wishes that he belongs to brig and Eliza and many other very capable writers who is keeping him alive.
How about Marta?
Oh, that would be Maril.
How about Tessa?
Who cares?
Bea!
I do not like her.
She's the star of the show!
How dare you! My Luis is!
It's not called King of Pueblo
I like the sound of that.
It's called Queen of Swords
She is two-faced. One can not trust her farther than you can throw her.
Well, she looks skinny. A guy like Roman could toss her pretty far.
Would you be quiet and post the damn story?
Yesh! How about a certain OFC that's in the story?
You have been reading Un Sabor again.
Of course!
That delightful young lady trying to deal with her past is Lucy, who belongs to brig. Boy, Jo. I hope she does not mind that you are again putting her in a story without her permission.
Well, briggie's pretty nice and I think it would be okay. It's not like I portray her as a mass murderer or something.
Yeah, good thing I talked you down from that one. I do know how you like to kill off your characters, right Jim? Do you not know that you cannot kill off Methos and still have people talk to you? People are coming after you with swords.
I know. I'll take care of it. Can I help it if Methos' plans are a little... disturbing?
Enough of Methos, more about me.
Ok, you. You mentioned Cleo, what do you say?
I hope Julie does not mind. Now pass the mezcal.
Just wait a minute. Marta will pour for you.
She is so nice. It is too bad she is stuck living with that stuck up little brat.
Bea! Oh, God. Forgive her, she drinks.
Feedback/beta: Please

~~~~~

In a large bowl, Marta put some cheese chunks, oil and mezcal. She heard a horse outside, but was busy smoothing the ingredients to see who it was, assuming it was Tessa back from her morning ride. As she was ready to pour the mixture into glass jars, someone rapped on the kitchen door.

Before she could clean her hands to open it, the door flew open and an old woman hobbled inside with the use of a cane. She said, "Since you wouldn't open the front door for me, I took the initiative to come in the back."

"Excuse me? May I help you?"

The woman sat on a chair and leaned her cane against the table. She pointed at the bottle of mezcal and said, "A small glass would do the trick. My skull is still rattling from the long carriage ride out here. I'll be off to the ossuary soon."

Marta stopped cold when she realized that the woman at her table was none other than Colonel Montoya's aunt Beatriz. "My mistress is out for her morning ride. Was she expecting you?"

"I would imagine that she does not know that I have come to visit." She pointed at the cupboard and said, "Just a small glass, please."

Marta smiled as she went to the cupboard to get a glass, but was concerned about why the old woman was there. There were rumors that she was crazier than a loon, but hadn't been alone with Beatriz before. What possible reason could she be here? Did Montoya put her up to it? But why? Is he suspicious about Tessa and she is here to spy on us?

"The clock is ticking, Señorita," Beatriz said. "Time is a-wasting. I hate to be pushy, but I am old and thirsty."

"Yes, ma'am," Marta said, chuckling. She wondered if by chance she could get a few glasses of mezcal in Beatriz and do a little spying of her own. Beatriz did have the reputation of indulging in potent potables. Marta poured a quarter inch of mezcal in the glass and gave it to Beatriz.

Beatriz slammed it back and held her mouth open as she swallowed, slowly exhaling. She shook her head and announced, "That hit the spot!" Marta held the bottle as if to say, `more?', to which Beatriz immediately nodded and held out her glass. Marta poured some more and Beatriz said, "Keep going."

Marta set the bottle down in front of Beatriz and said, "Have all that you desire."

Beatriz sipped what was in her glass and looked at the items on the table. "What are you making?"

"Tetilla."

"Oh," Beatriz said. "Do you have some tortillas to slap it on?"

"I am sorry. It is not ready yet. It must age for three months."

"You would not have any in the cupboard, would you?" Beatriz said, straining to look behind Marta.

"No. That is why I am making more. I can give you a jar when you leave. What have you come all the way out here for, Señora?"

"I was going to have a talk with your mistress."

"Oh?" Marta decided not to continue making the tetilla, but instead pulled a chair close to Beatriz to get the scoop, and hoped it wouldn't be to Tessa's detriment. "Maybe I can help you."

"I was wondering why she is so arrogante."

"Tessa? What do you mean?"

"After feeding her face at my nephew's countless times, she could not see it in her soul to invite my Luis to her pig roast?"

Tessa had told Marta of her encounter with Beatriz at Helm's office while she was looking for a cat that had run away from Montoya's. Marta just couldn't envision Montoya with a cat, and wondered if they had ever found it. She had wished it God's speed in it's quest to run away. "It was a small get-together, Beatriz. It was not official."

"See? That is what I am talking about. My Luis makes sure that this hacienda is kept safe, since there is not a man around, and what he gets in return is to be snubbed!"

"I believe that he gets taxes in return."

Beatriz's eyes narrowed. "Which Señorita Alvarado still owes."

"I will mention it to her."

"A little common courtesy is all I ask for my Bu... Luis. That is all that would please me, and him. You do not know how he feels only being important to you people when you want something? Or have complaints? For things that are out of his control? The only one who gives Luis the time of day is that Indian girl who lives with that sarcastic doctor. And Cleo. Luis is military governor and he should be given respect, and companionship, friendship. Some kindness, would that be too much to ask? That Capitan of his is not worth the clothes Luis outfits him in."

Marta watched, stunned, as Beatriz refilled her glass. She had never thought about Montoya having a life, being human, thinking or feeling anything other than how to ruin people and expand his command. Cleo? Who in the world is Cleo? Oh... Cleo must be the cat she was looking for, Marta assumed. She said, "If Colonel Montoya would show `friendship' to others, maybe it would be showered upon him in return."

Beatriz nodded in agreement. "I have tried to tell him that for years. It is hard for him to trust people, it always has been. If he has one fault, that would be it."

One fault?! Marta cleared her throat and silently coaxed Beatriz to continue, who took leave of the conversation to once again fill her glass. She tipped the bottle completely over to get the last few drops.

After taking another sip, Beatriz said drunkenly, "Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." Then her eyes widened and drew closer to Marta, taking her hand to pull her closer still. "Say," she said with great importance, then asked, "What is your name?"

"Marta."

"Say, Marta, how about if we do this..." Beatriz slurred, her mouth starting to droop, but her eyes still sparkled with conspiratory intent. "If you get Alavarad... that woman... to invite Luish to eat one evvenering, I will make shertin he will be a gentleman. How about that?"

Marta took the glass from Beatriz's hand and put it on the table as she smiled politely. The woman got tipsy fast, and soon she wouldn't be in any condition to reveal anymore of Montoya's secrets, such as gold shipments or the whereabouts of his secret arsenal. Marta heard the door open in the other room and Tessa ask, "Marta, there is a carriage outside." Beatriz blinked twice at Marta, then fell forward into Marta's lap.

Tessa walked in to see Marta sitting, seemingly blase to the fact that an old woman's head was on her lap. "Who is this?"

"Luis Montoya's protector."

"Beatriz? His aunt?" Tessa smiled as she walked to them and bent down to see the unconscious woman's face. "What did you do to her?"

"Me? I did nothing. I was minding my own business making tetilla when she stormed in."

"What for?"

"Luis is lonely, according to her. Poor dear. The both of them."

Tessa straightened up and put her hands on her hips. "Well, what should we do with her? Load her into the carriage and point the horses in the direction of Santa Helena?"

Marta gasped, "Tessa. We must show her hospitality."

"Do we have to?"

"She is Colonel Montoya's aunt."

"I repeat," Tessa said teasingly, "Do we have to?"

"Help me here," Marta said as she held Beatriz's head. "We will lay her on the drawing room couch until she... comes to. And then give her plenty of coffee, and then send her on her way."

Tessa moved Beatriz's cane out of the way and took one arm as Marta took another. Beatriz started to come around, bobbing her head up and down as they walked her to the front room, but soon her head fell forward again.

There was a knock on the front door and Marta said, "Another visitor? You are quite popular today, Tessa. What did you do?"

"For once, nothing."

The front door opened and Señorita Sparhawk walked in. As soon as Lucy saw the three of them, she tisked as she moved forward and bent down to look at Beatriz's face. "I saw her take off out of Santa Helena like a bat out of hell and figured she was on her way here." She carefully lifted Beatriz's head and opened one eye. "Bea! Bea!"

Beatriz snapped her head up and saw Lucy and smiled. "Ah, you schweet young thing. What I would do if I wash ash young ash you." She looked at Marta. "And you." She looked at Tessa and tightened up. "YOU!"

Marta and Tessa sat Beatriz down on the couch as Beatriz pointed her finger at Tessa, at least she seemed to want to, she ended up pointing at the lamp alongside the couch. "I have a bone to pick with you!"

"Oh, hush up, Bea," Lucy said. "You're blood pressure's probably sky high. Do you want to have a stroke?"

"Ungrateful! She is!"

"Bea! Settle down. You have to sober up before I can take you back to town. What would Luis think if he knew that you got drunk in the middle of the day?"

"He would think it is just another day."

"He worries about you, Bea. Don't bother these people anymore." Lucy put one of Beatriz's arms around her neck and gently lifted her off the couch. "Where's your cane?"

"Somewhere," Bea weakly said, her strength ebbing away.

Marta said, "It is in the kitchen. I will get it."

Lucy chastised Bea, "Luis bought you a nice cane and you just leave it around? What if you had fallen and broken a hip?"

"That was probably our fault, Lucy," Tessa said.

"Did you pour liquor down her throat?"

"No."

"Then, it's her fault."

Beatriz fought off Lucy with her last gasp and fell back down on the couch. Marta came back with her cane and saw Lucy and Tessa looking at each other, then down at Beatriz. Marta asked, "Is she dead?"

"No, she passed out again," Lucy said. "Can she hunker down here for a while? I have some errands to run." She positioned Bea on the couch and put a pillow under her head.

Tessa said, "I'll come with you."

"Sure, I could use the company. I'll be back to get her later and make sure she's out of your hair, Marta."

Marta said, with a sly smile, "Take your time, Lucy. I will be here when she wakes up and maybe we can have another chat, this time without the mezcal."

Lucy laughed and said, "Well, Luis deserves it. I hope she spills her guts." She went to the door. "And take notes, Marta.

END

By Julie
julie@centurybooks.com

Disclaimers: Fireworks owns 'em. I'm just taking them out for some exercise.
Rating: PG for mild violence
Feedback/Beta: Yes, please
Trio & Quote challenge: Cheese, skull, clock.
"Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error."
"When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite."

~~~~~

Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go;

Colonel Luis Montoya strolled through the pueblo in all his sartorial glory, his boots gleaming, his uniform spotless and the gold trim on his jacket practically shining. He made a striking picture silhouetted against the pale adobe structures.

Pity there was no one out to see him.

The vendors had packed their wares, their silks and saws, their cheeses and fruits, and they would not return until Monday. The dons were at home with their families and would only return for mass tomorrow morning. The Alvarado wagon was parked near the stables, but there was no sign of the Senorita or her servant. One or the other of them was probably badgering the doctor.

The only sound came from behind the guard's quarters, a steady clanking and clanging punctuated by grunts and groans. El Capitan was working the soldiers long today. Montoya walked round the building to watch.

Grisham was sparring with Corporal Sanchez, normally a cocksure fellow and not a half-bad swordsman, but today he appeared beaten down and frustrated. He was not doing well. The Captain pressed on relentlessly and then executed a move Montoya not seen him use before. The hapless Corporal's sword went flying from his hands.

"Again!"

The Corporal gave Grisham a look that intimated he would rather bash in the Captain's skull than continue with the swords. But he obeyed, and the battle was engaged. The Captain used the same move, and the Corporal's sword took flight again.

So the old dog has learned a new trick. Montoya approached the circle of men. "You seem to be having trouble this evening, Corporal."

The man flushed with embarrassment as he reached for the sword. "Si, Coronel. El Capitan has been teaching us some new attacks."

"Against which you have been using the old defenses, which do not seem to be working. Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." Colonel Montoya softened his words with a smile and an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Then he began to unbutton his jacket. "Let us see what we can learn about these new attacks, shall we?"

Grisham approached, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Really Colonel, there's no need. I have the lesson well in hand here."

"Excellent. Then you shall not objection to instructing me." Montoya smiled pleasantly as he exchanged his jacket for a sword.

The two men circled one another and then Grisham grew bold and began to slash aggressively. Montoya parried each stroke with ease and allowed himself a sly smirk. "Grisham, you are so predictable. You move just like a clock. Tick. Tock." He punctuated the last three words with thrusts that pushed Grisham toward the edge of their makeshift arena.

Grisham responded with another burst of strength and tried the move that had been so effective on the men earlier. Montoya deflected the blow with ease.

"You see, gentlemen," Montoya said, addressing the soldiers. "Every move has a counter move. You must train yourself to see these options."

The Captain became ever more frustrated as Montoya continued to addressed the soldiers, who obviously enjoyed the display. "Another thing you must remember is that every opponent, no matter how strong, has a weakness. El Capitan's is a lack of patience."

The sparring went on for another minute and then Grisham's sword clattered to the ground. Montoya held the point of his sword over the Captain's heart.

"You see, gentlemen, with patience, I have bested my opponent. Now, I should give a short bow and run him through."

"Why the bow, Colonel?" a man called from the sidelines.

"Why not? When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite."

The men laughed until a glare from Grisham reduced them to coughs and ill-suppressed smirks. The Colonel bowed to Grisham and returned the sword to Corporal Sanchez.

END

by Maril

Disclaimers: Fireworks owns the copyrights, and I don't know who owns the Queen's sword. Not me <sigh>
Rating: PG - some violence
Feedback/Beta: yes, please

Note: I didn't think there would be time this week for a challenge but... <g>

QUOTE 1: "Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." -- Cicero
QUOTE 2: ""When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite. " - Sir Winston Churchill

~~~~~

Tessa drew up the wagon and gaped in astonishment at the town square. It was filled with peasants, angrily clamouring and shaking their fists at Colonel Montoya who was watching nonchalantly from his balcony. She spied Doctor Helm standing back on the periphery of the crowd. She could see he was also upset by something. Handing the reins to Marta, Tessa climbed down and made her way to the doctor. She touched his shoulder and he jumped. The face he turned to her was not smiling or welcoming.

"What's going on here, Doctor?" she asked, making her voice loud enough to be heard over the din in the square. Helm took her arm and led her a distance away.

"Damned aristos!" he said vehemently. "They think they can run roughshod over anybody and get away with it." Helm's face was flushed and his green eyes sparkled with rage. His hands were balled into fists as if he wanted to hit something or someone.

"Perhaps, Doctor, you could be a bit more specific than just vilifying a whole class of people. What are the peasants so angry about?"

"Yesterday, Don Hernandez was moving his herd to a new pasture and they stampeded. Ran across a couple of small farms, trampling everything to dust. All their crops were destroyed and some small buildings knocked down. The don refuses to pay anything to the farmers for the damages. He says it wasn't his fault that the herd stampeded. An act of God." Helm's voice was harsh, and Tessa could see his blood was up. He seemed ready to fight against this injustice.

"Did the farmers not bring their case to Montoya?" Tessa asked.

Helm snorted. "He sided with Hernandez of course. The best justice money could buy."

The din was getting louder as the peasants urged each other on. Tessa took a quick glance at Marta who was still holding the reins of the team. 'Just in case we need to make a quick exit,' Tessa mused. 'This could get ugly if Montoya doesn't do something'. Almost as if on cue, a squad of soldiers marched from between some buildings, their faces grimly determined and their bayonets fixed and pointed at the crowd. Grisham swaggered at their head.

"Clear the square!" he barked and the soldiers moved as a unit toward the knot of peasants. Jeers and curses met the soldiers, then some stones and dung from the street followed. A melee ensued as the soldiers waded into the crowd, using their guns as clubs, striking without mercy. Many fell, bloodied, onto the ground, and the battle swirled around them.

Tessa heard Helm mutter in horror, "Good God, not again." His eyes seemed to see not just the scene before him but as if he was focussed another landscape. He started forward but Tessa restrained him.

"They don't need your fists in the fray, Doctor, but they will need your skills after." She kept a firm hold on his sleeve while he battled with his instinct to join the fight. If she had a sword in her own hand, what would she do? Tessa wondered. It was hard to stand back and watch the soldiers battering the unarmed peasants. The screams and jeers began to abate as the crowd dispersed, running off into the side alleys of the pueblo. The wounded writhed on the ground, or tried to stagger to their feet only to receive another blow which felled them once more.

Helm shook off her grip and rushed to the victims. He thrust a soldier aside who was kicking one of the men of the ground and knelt to attend his wounds. Other soldiers continued to drag peasants out of their hiding places and beat them severely.

"Haven't you proved your point already?" Tessa shouted as she grabbed one of the soldiers' tunics. "There's no need for further violence. Let them go!" The soldiers, seeing her, backed off suddenly shamefaced.

Colonel Montoya stepped down from his aerie above the skirmish, and wandered through the dozen men, bloodied and beaten, who sat or lay upon the dusty pueblo street. He seemed satisfied, and Tessa felt her own blood beginning to boil. Montoya had won this battle but the war was not over. Not by a long mark. The colonel strolled toward her with an amused expression on his face.

"My, my," he said with a wry smile, "Such mettle, Maria Theresa. Who would have expected it from you?"

"I don't know what came over me, Colonel. The horror of this scene must have made me lose my wits for a few minutes." Tessa held her hand to her head, seeming flustered. "I think I should go home now. I feel rather faint." She turned toward the wagon only to feel the colonel's hand on her bare arm.

"When you take a side, my dear, be sure it is the one which is winning." His grey eyes seemed to bore into her as he added, "Or better yet, stay out of what does not concern you." He let her go and turned back to the square, ordering the soldiers, "Clean this up, and get those men out of here. No point in filling the cells with this rabble." The colonel strode back into his residence without a backward glance.

**********

Don Hernandez' florid face was greasy with sweat as he dismounted his horse. He winced as he walked awkwardly toward a small hut. All around the farm yard was evidence of destruction, overturned fences, trampled gardens. The earth was churned up and indented with the prints of hundreds of hoofs. He swallowed convulsively as a man stepped out of the hut and eyed him belligerently. The man's dark eyes narrowed suspiciously and he advanced warily upon the don.

Hernandez cast a worried look around, seeming to shrink into himself. "Señor," the don croaked out, "I have made a terrible mistake." He shrugged deprecatingly and continued, "Anyone can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error. I have come to pay for the damages to your property." He moved stiffly toward the farmer and pulled out a leather purse which clinked when it moved.

The don's gaze shifted to a hill above this poor farm where a masked woman, clad in black, sat impassively waiting on her dark horse. He shuddered, recalling the bite of her whip, and the warning which came wrapped in a warm smile. "When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite." Her lips smiled but her eyes burned with righteous anger. She would kill him if he resisted. He could see it in her eyes. His back burned with the salty sweat running into that single welt. It was all she had needed to convince him that he had been unjust to the farmers.

He glanced back at the peasant now counting the gold reales, and promised himself, 'She has made me pay today, but she will pay also. When Montoya finally catches her, I will be there to watch her die.' With this small consolation, Hernandez returned to his horse, groaning with pain as he mounted. He turned toward the next farm where he had an obligation to keep, noting the masked woman rode a discreet distance away, making sure he kept his word. 'Yes', he thought, 'Someday she will pay for this.'

END, for now <g>

By Maril

DISCLAIMERS: Fireworks owns the copyrights, we're just nurturing the characters
RATING: G
FEEDBACK/BETA: yes, please

TRIO CHALLENGE: cheese, skull, clock

~~~~~

He bent over the worktable, apparently unaware of her as she crept near. Only the clock ticking on the shelf punctuated the silence. Suddenly, he turned and grabbed both her hands, twisting one arm behind her back. With his face only inches away, he grinned cheekily without relaxing his hold. "Don't you know it's dangerous to sneak up on a man? You never know how they might react." He planted a quick kiss on her lips then released her.

The Queen laughed, rubbing her wrists. "You don't know your own strength, Doctor." She took a step back and said, "I just wanted you to know that justice has been done."

"What does that mean?"

"Señor Hernandez has paid for the damages his cattle did to the farmers' properties." Helm could see her watching his face closely, looking for something from him. What was it - his approval or his respect?

"I see," he said and turned back to his worktable where he pushed aside the remains of his meagre supper - a roll and a piece of cheese. "I've had a busy few days here. Yesterday, I spent most of the day patching up peasants and today, Señor Hernandez called me out to his hacienda to attend to a most unusual injury."

Helm thought back to that afternoon. He had been shown into the don's bedroom and was greeted brusquely. As he helped Señor Hernandez remove his shirt, the doctor gasped silently at the angry red welt on his back. He had seen far too many of these in the army to mistake what it was. Wisely, he decided not to ask about it. He had just coated the wound with salve and given instructions on how to keep it from getting infected.

He returned his attention to the Queen who seemed to be making herself quite at home in his small office. She studied the books on his shelf then peered closely at the row of surgical instruments laid out on a clean cloth. With a slight grimace, she picked up a skull and laughed. "Not one of your greater successes, Doctor? Where is the rest of him?" Her dark eyes twinkled with merriment behind the lace mask. She seemed quite pleased with herself, in high spirits.

Her good humour was wearing on his nerves. "In a trunk. Now, will you please put it down. And stop handling my things."

With a defiant lift of chin and a pretty pout, she set the skull down and wandered across the room. Her presence was disturbing him. He was angry at the world right now and she was part of the problem. If only she wasn't so infuriatingly lovely and attractive, he might have a chance to keep her at a distance. From her position near the door, she watched him, her very stillness unnerving.

Helm's temper was short though he struggled to keep it in check. Finally, his patience gone, he said tersely, "So, you persuaded Hernandez to pay for the damages. How could you do that to him?" He compressed his thin lips in disapproval.

"I tried to talk to him, to make him see how unjust he was being to the farmers. He pulled a gun on me. I guess I used the whip as a reflex." She shrugged, seeming a bit chagrined.

"Remind me to always keep my hands where you can see them," Helm said irascibly. Seeing the hurt look in her eyes, he relented. He stepped toward her and took her gloved hand, pressing it warmly. "Your way of doing things isn't mine but at least someone did something to right the scales of justice. However," he continued, staring earnestly into her eyes, "You've made a powerful enemy. Hernandez has a small army of rancheros and I doubt if he'll take this insult from a woman without seeking vengeance. I'm afraid he'll join forces with Montoya against you."

The warning seemed to find its mark and he saw her take a deep, steadying breath. "I know," she said softly. "Señor Hernandez is not liked by most of the other dons. For years, he has been embroiled in water rights disputes with many of them. He has also ranged his cattle on other dons' lands without permission. I am afraid it may end up in open conflict at some point. At least I can count on the fact that other dons will not ally with him against me."

For a moment, Helm saw the vulnerability beneath the armour that she seemed to keep around her. The proud mask slipped a bit and he knew she was scared. He held her closely, protectively though he knew he couldn't shield her from her enemies. She was a lone vigilante whom few would help if she needed them. She must know that. He felt her loneliness and fear. The thought saddened him that he could do nothing for her. Only love her.

END