THE COURTING OF TESSA

By Maril
maril.swan@sympatico.ca

Disclaimers: Fireworks owns the copyrights to the characters from the Queen of Swords. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author: Maril Swan
Rating: G
Feedback: yes, please. Your comments and suggestions help keep me inspired to continue writing these stories.

~~~~~
PART 1: THE RIVAL

There, he did it again! Helm set his wineglass down heavily, sloshing the red fluid over the rim onto his hand. The smooth bastard. Anger roiled in his gut as he watched the man dancing with Señorita Alvarado. Couldn't she see what a smarmy, oily Casanova he was? The doctor seethed as his eyes followed them around the Rose Courtyard, impotently watching Tessa's partner sneaking little touches and light kisses as they danced. How could she fall for such a transparent seducer?

His temper rose as the man ran his hands over her neck, and down her bared shoulders. In the warm light of the many candles illuminating the courtyard, he could see the banked passion in her eyes, the way her body swayed dangerously near the man's. Helm was almost choking with indignation. Where was Marta? he wondered, glancing around the crowded patio. He finally spied her sitting and chatting with a group of servants on the periphery of the fiesta. He had a mind to take her to task over her lack of vigilance with her charge.

Impulsively, he stood up, swaying a little from the many glasses of wine he had quaffed this evening, first out of boredom then out of frustration. If Marta wouldn't do her job, he would do it for her, by god! Helm marched across the tiled floor to the dancing couple and tapped Tessa's partner on the shoulder. The man's eyes were locked onto Tessa's, and for a second he did not respond. When he turned to Helm it was with an impatient glare.

Helm had to admit the fellow had everything going for him. Finely featured with wavy dark hair that was oiled smoothly to his shapely head, tall and muscular, and above all, he seemed to have a way with women. From the moment Arturo de Sallas had turned up in Santa Helena, all his efforts seemed to be concentrated on wooing Tessa Alvarado. It was almost as if he had a mission. Helm had seen from the first that she was taken in by him. In the days that followed, de Sallas seemed to take every opportunity to further his interest. Tonight, at Montoya's fiesta, was the final straw as far as Helm was concerned. The blackguard was blatantly seducing that innocent young woman under the eyes of the whole pueblo. He would put an end to it.

"Excuse my interruption, Señor de Sallas, but you have been monopolising the most beautiful woman in the room. I would ask for the pleasure of the next dance with Señorita Alvarado. If she will permit, of course," he added, bowing with a wry smile at Tessa.

Tessa returned his smile. "Of course, Doctor." She stepped away from her partner who looked on with ill-concealed annoyance. "The next dance is a waltz." She moved into his embrace as the small band began to play again.

"If music be the food of love, play on..." Helm quoted with a quirk of his lips. He held her at a decent distance, enjoying the fluidity of her graceful movements. She knew how to dance, making even his awkwardness seem smooth. She seemed especially lovely tonight, quite radiant in fact. He forced his mind back to the reason he had asked for this dance.

"Señorita Alvarado," he began hesitantly. "In the time since I've gotten to know you, I have developed certain feelings for you." He felt her body move reflexively and she looked startled. "As you have no near male relatives, I've begun to feel a kind of brotherly concern for you." The banked passion he saw in her eyes earlier now flared into fire and she suddenly became rigid in his arms. He plunged on. "What I mean to say is, de Sallas is the kind of man who tries to seduce women, not because he loves them but because of the challenge. I don't want to see you get hurt."

But she did look hurt as she pushed him away . "Perhaps, Doctor, you should mind your own business!" she snapped and strode briskly away toward Marta. Several faces turned to Helm, and he felt his cheeks beginning to burn as if she had slapped him.

He turned away from the group and walked out of the Rose Courtyard, leaving the noise of conversation and the music behind. 'She's right,' he thought. 'What business is it of mine if she gives herself to that cad? It isn't as if I could do anything to stop her.' Helm reached his office but the din from the fiesta could still be heard faintly. He stood outside for a long time, bathed in the silver moonlight, wondering why he felt so wretched.

~~~~~
PART 2: THE WHITE KNIGHT

Tessa stared ahead moodily while Marta drove the wagon home from the fiesta. It should have been a wonderful evening, with Arturo's ardent attentions to her, his seeming to hang upon her every word. But it wasn't. Not after her dance with Doctor Helm. It all seemed like ashes in her mouth now. 'Damn him!' she thought angrily as she pulled her shawl more closely around her bare shoulders.

"Are you cold, Tessa?" Marta asked, breaking into her thoughts. As if sensing her mood, she added, "Your dance with Doctor Helm was brief. What did he say to make you so angry?"

Tessa shifted on the bench, briefly annoyed at Marta's intrusion. She could never hide anything from the Gypsy woman. It was almost as if Marta could read her thoughts.

Tessa sighed heavily as she reviewed the doctor's words in her mind. Aloud she said, "He thinks of me as a sister, and one who needs brotherly advice, and protection from other men." Tessa laughed bitterly then relapsed into a morose silence once more. Her attention was caught by the full moon as it seemed to chase beside the moving wagon, casting vivid shadows on the rugged trail. 'So big and bright - a moon made for romance.' She sunk further into gloom and turned away from its unsettling brilliance.

"Why did you invite Señor de Sallas to dinner tomorrow, Tessa? You can't be serious about letting him court you. Not if your feelings are already involved with Doctor Helm."

"Why not, Marta? At least I will show the other women in the pueblo that a man can be interested in me. I have the feeling they laugh at me behind my back, or pity me that I don't have a man."

Marta shook her head. "You should ignore them. That is all they have to talk about. Your life is so full, and you have so much they do not even know about. Your intelligence, your skills, your double life. What do you really need a man for?"

Tessa raised her eyebrows and gave Marta a wry look.

"Other than that, I mean," Marta laughed. "And of course, Doctor Helm is in love with the Queen. What more could you want?"

"She's a phantom, not real. I want him to love me - the real woman, not some romantic figure he imagines the Queen to be. He's in love with a myth." Tessa sighed deeply and settled back against the wagon seat.

~~~~~

Arturo de Sallas presented himself at the door of the Alvarado villa with a large bouquet of roses. Marta wondered vaguely whose gardens he had plundered for these beautiful red blooms. She forced herself not to glance toward Tessa's garden to see if some of her roses were missing.

"Señor de Sallas," she said, a tight smile pasted on her lips. "Please come in. My mistress will join you in the main salon." She allowed herself a quick look at him, realising how handsome he was. He was elegantly and formally dressed in a dark suit with a burgundy cravat pinned to his white shirt. Those heavy-lidded black eyes seemed to simmer with a promise of secret pleasures. A flash of smile revealed a row of brilliant teeth over a pair of full crimson lips that betokened powerful passions. However, Marta found him quite resistible as her eyes began to water from the strong cologne he wore. 'Another peacock,' she thought in disgust, as she led him into the salon. 'Tessa has absolutely no taste in men - except for Doctor Helm, that is.' she added. Excusing herself, she went to inform Tessa that her guest had arrived.

*********

Tessa stood for a moment in the doorway of the salon watching Arturo gazing around the bright room with its elegant furnishings. Was there a hint of calculation in his eyes? She stepped into the room and startled him. He covered his surprise with a warm smile and greeted her with an elegant bow, his hand over his heart.

"Señorita Alvarado!" he said fervently. "Though the sun has shone brightly all day, my heart was dimmed until now, being illuminated by the radiance of your smile." He took her hand and kissed it, then turning it over continued his kiss from her wrist to the crook of her elbow. All the while, he studied her face under his heavy-lidded eyes as if watching for her reaction.

His sensuous kisses made her almost giddy. The heavy languor of those dark eyes was mesmerizing with a promise of passionate delights. Steeling herself against his powerful appeal, she pulled away gently and gestured to one of the chairs. "Please make yourself comfortable, Señor de Sallas. The dinner will be ready in a few minutes. May I offer you some cognac?" Tessa moved across to the sideboard and lifted the bottle.

"Make that two, por favor," a familiar voice said from the entrance. Doctor Helm stepped in and grinned at her surprise. "I was just passing and thought I would stop in to say hello."

At that moment, Marta entered and announced, "Dinner is ready." She appeared taken aback by Helm's presence in the room, but seemed to recover quickly. "Perhaps, Doctor, if you have not already eaten, you would like to join us for dinner." She seemed to ignore the crimson that had risen to Tessa's cheeks and the way her mouth opened then closed quickly. Marta gave Tessa a brief smile. "With my mistress' approval, of course," she added, almost as an afterthought.

"Of course, Doctor Helm. Please join us," Tessa added after a second's hesitation. If the invitation sounded half-hearted, Helm didn't seem to notice. Tessa took Arturo's arm and led him to the dining room.

~~~~~

The table had been set for two, but Tessa insisted that Marta should also join them, so a setting for four was quickly arranged. The meal proceeded with the usual compliments to the cook which made Marta blush --- or perhaps it was the wine that brought the roses to her cheeks. She was unusually chatty and effervescent, making Tessa realise that Marta was either nervous or excited, or both. She glanced covertly at her friend, wondering what Marta was up to.

Indeed, most of the table conversation flowed between Marta and the doctor, leaving Arturo to chew his meal in a sullen silence, and Tessa to interject comments in the intervals. When the meal was finally over, Tessa took her guests into the salon again.

"Ah," Arturo said with a pleased look. "I see you have a small pianoforte. Do you play, Señorita Alvarado?" She shook her head negatively, and he strode over to the shiny instrument and pushed the cover off the keyboard. "Con permisso?" he asked with an ingratiating smile. When Tessa nodded, he seated himself with studied assurance and began to ply the keys as if testing the tone. Seeming to be satisfied, he launched into a baroque piece by Mozart. His playing was polished and mannered, though not brilliant. When he finished with a flourish, Helm applauded enthusiastically.

"Bravo, Señor de Sallas," he said. "Would you play another tune for us?"

It was all the encouragement Arturo needed and for the rest of the evening, conversation was unnecessary as he was prompted by the doctor to continue playing one piano piece after another. Tessa and Marta sat together on the brocade sofa. Now and then, Tessa nudged her when she seemed in danger of falling asleep.

Finally, Arturo stopped playing and stood up. "You have been a most appreciative audience." He bowed modestly with his hand on his chest. "But I feel I have monopolised the evening. Perhaps, now we should..."

His words were cut off by Helm who exclaimed, "Oh dear, look at the hour. Past eleven o'clock. Time flies when you're having fun. I must go." Helm bent to Tessa and took her hand, kissing it warmly. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Señorita Alvarado." He turned to Arturo. "We might as well ride back together. It's a long ride and safer that way."

"I think I will stay a while and speak with the señorita. We have not had a minute together all evening." Arturo smiled into Tessa's eyes, as if waiting for the signal to remain.

"Dr. Helm is right, Señor de Sallas. It is late and you should not ride alone at night. There are bandits in this area, like the Queen of Swords, and one never knows where she will strike next," Tessa said with a meaningful look at Marta. She stifled a yawn and began to walk toward the door.

As soon as Arturo and Tessa left the room, Helm bent to Marta's ear. "Thank you for giving me the dinner invitation in town today. I can see you are as concerned as I am about this Don Juan. I think we showed her tonight what an absolute bore he is." Helm laughed at the twinkle of mischief in Marta's eyes.

"Yes, but I think this is not over yet. He will not give up so easily. We must come up with something else to convince Tessa he is not the man for her." Marta moved toward the door, and Helm followed as she went through the house to the front door. He noted how a smile kept trying to tug its way across her face. A bubble of laughter tried to force itself past her throat and she coughed to hide it. Once outside, she turned to him. "Good night, Doctor Helm. And thank you for coming tonight."

"The pleasure was mine," he said earnestly. His eyes flicked to Tessa and Arturo standing near the horses. Arturo's voice was too low for Helm to hear what he was saying, but the tone was unmistakeable, as was the way he was pulling Tessa toward him, bending his head toward her. A sudden flush of anger ripped through Helm.

He moved swiftly to his horse, startling it. The horse sidled and bumped into Arturo, nearly knocking him over. He glared at Helm, who shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, old man. My horse is a bit skittish, especially at night. I hope I didn't interrupt anything," he added with a wry grin at Tessa.

"Of course not," she said archly. "And now I bid you both good night." With that, she turned abruptly and went into the house without a backward glance.

The doctor mounted his horse, humming under his breath. When Arturo had gained his saddle, Helm said, "Well, that was a most satisfactory evening, wouldn't you say, de Sallas?" Ignoring him, de Sallas kneed his horse into a trot, and Helm followed, his spirits suddenly ebullient. Maybe La Con-Tessa deserved de Sallas for all that she was an aristocratic spoiled brat, but Helm felt she needed his protection from this obvious gold-digger.

He shook his head. 'Why she can't see through him is beyond me. It's as clear as glass that he's after her wealth. The fact that she's rather attractive is a bonus for someone like him.' As he recalled her face, his heart lurched strangely. 'Rather attractive is putting it mildly,' he thought. 'She's quite beautiful. If only she showed a bit more character, like...' He veered his thoughts away from that masked woman who tormented his conscience, and attracted him like a magnet. He forced his thoughts back to Tessa. 'In spite of the fact that she seems a bit of a scatterbrain, Tessa Alvarado is an interesting woman. The more I get to know her, the more I see there are some hidden depths. And she has no one but Marta to advise her and protect her.'

Tonight he'd fired the warning volley over de Salla's bows. 'Maybe he'll take the hint and look elsewhere for his quick fortune. If he thinks she is easy pickings, he is about to find out differently. The lonely princessa now has her own knight to defend her against ignoble fortune-hunters. Sir Robert Helm.' He grinned into the darkness as he followed the other rider, keeping back far enough to discourage any conversation. 'Wouldn't my mother laugh herself silly if she could see me now. She would say, "See, Robert. Chivalry is not dead." And I guess she would be right -- as usual.'

~~~~~
CHAPTER 3: QUEEN OF THE FAIR

The day had dawned clear and warm, but Tessa noted with apprehension, a bank of dark clouds hovered on the horizon. Of all days to threaten rain it had to be on the Fair day. Tossing her worry aside, Tessa squeezed Marta's arm excitedly as they strolled through the milling crowds in the square. Everyone for miles around seemed to be here for the town fair. The merrymakers, including the poorest peasants, were turned out in their finest clothes and all seemed to be in a festive mood. The sights, the sounds, the smells... they reminded her of the Rambla in Barcelona with its long avenue of vendors and hawkers, and the promenading Barcelonians who ambled along its length to see and be seen. 'This is better,' Tessa thought as she glanced around the plaza. 'In Barcelona, I didn't know anyone even though many men smiled and nodded towards me. Here, I know almost everyone we pass.'

Indeed, she and Marta were greeted many times, slowing their progress toward the viewing stands that had been set up for the games. When they finally reached the wooden structure it was already nearly filled with the dons and their families. Children ran wildly around and through its framework, their screams and laughter adding to the excited din. One of the youngsters nearly collided with Tessa as she tried to climb up to an empty space beside Vera and Gaspar. She and Marta managed to wedge themselves in, and settled to wait for the games to begin.

Vera leaned toward her and laughed. "Maybe one day those will be our children, Tessa."

"We can only hope so, Vera. Someday." Tessa smiled wistfully at the uncontained energy of the children as they raced and played in the plaza. She raised her eyes to survey the rest of the square, searching. Her lips compressed with disappointment as she did not see the man she was looking for in the crowd. Perhaps he was not coming after all.

Her attention was drawn to the governor's residence where a squad of soldiers was carrying a large ornate chair down the steps and toward the stands. Behind them, Colonel Montoya walked in a stately march, resplendent in his dark uniform with its wealth of gold braid. The noise of the fair quietened somewhat as all eyes followed their progress to the viewing stand. There the soldiers halted and set the chair down on a slightly raised platform. The colonel scanned the crowds in the square then turned and bowed to the gentry seated above him on the benches. He faced the plaza again and held up his hands for silence. After a few seconds, a hush fell over the whole plaza and he began to speak.

"In Santa Helena we are truly blessed, with our good health, and with the bounty the earth provides, by the grace of God." He smiled as many heads bowed and several crossed themselves. "Today we celebrate our good fortune with this, the first of our town fairs. May this celebration be repeated over the years, and may this Fair be memorable and pleasurable for all." Montoya smiled with satisfaction for the importance of his part in this special fiesta. It was his idea, and from what he could see it was turning out to be a resounding success. He had modelled this Fair on the village fairs he had seen in England, pagan festivals though they might have been. One more thing needed to be done to get this day off to a perfect start.

"A day like this needs to have a representative of the people. The Fair needs a queen." Montoya turned again to the stands and glanced among the young girls giggling behind their fans as his eyes lit upon them. His gaze halted on one young woman who was looking elsewhere as if searching for someone. Her companion nudged her and she started to see the colonel staring at her. "I have chosen ...Maria Theresa Alvarado to be Queen of the Fair." A few disappointed groans mixed with the spontaneous applause that accompanied his announcement.

For a second Tessa was too taken aback to move then she felt a blush of pleasure rising in her cheeks. The warmth seemed to spread all through her as she listened to the approval and encouragement of the people around her. She arose and began to make her way down to the ground. A radiant smile spread over her face as Colonel Montoya took her hand and led her to his magisterial chair. He gave a courtly bow as she seated herself. The crowds in the stands and in the plaza roared with delight.

Montoya held his hands up for silence again. "It is the duty of the Queen of the Fair to open the games and preside over the giving of the prizes." He stepped back as Tessa stood up.

She gazed into the shining faces of the gathered crowd and smiled. "Let the games begin," she said in a loud, clear voice, recalling the games of Olympus from her classical studies. 'At least I remembered that much,' she thought in amusement. The day was turning out far better than she had expected except for two clouds on her horizon - the one that threatened rain and the one which his non-appearance portended. 'I won't let him spoil my day,' Tessa decided staunchly as the first of the games was being organized in the square.

As the morning moved toward midday, Tessa fulfilled her duties as Queen, handing out a silver reale to the winners of the foot races, wrestling matches, tug-of-war, and other games. The sun stood at its zenith when Montoya stepped forward and announced a break in the games for food and relaxation.

"The ladies may take advantage of my residence to refresh themselves," he said delicately, gesturing toward his villa. "And the gentlemen may avail themselves of the Rose Courtyard to smoke their cigars and enjoy their wine. The games will resume at two o'clock."

As Montoya strode toward the courtyard accompanied by some of the dons, Tessa finally saw the man she had been waiting for. He was too far away to hail him without looking foolish but he saw her and waved as Montoya took him by the arm, leading him through the iron gate into the courtyard.

Vera sidled up beside her and said, "Wasn't that Señor de Sallas with the colonel? We haven't seen him in town for over a week."

"Señor de Sallas told me he had to go to Monterrey on some business. He said he would be back in time for the Fair." Tessa couldn't restrain her smile. Arturo was certainly the handsomest man she had ever seen. And those eyes, with their heat and promise of passion. Her knees felt weak and she felt flushed just thinking about it. In spite of the cloud bank now sliding dangerously close across the sky, Tessa's spirits rose and she laughed with delight. "This is such a wonderful day, Vera. Nothing can spoil it for me." Behind her, she heard Marta mutter something in Rom, and recognised her invocation against tempting Fate. Tessa laughed again and followed the other women into Montoya's residence.

~~~~~

Shadows were stretching across the plaza as Tessa handed out the last prize of the games. Though tired, she was exhilarated by the day's events. The young man smiled shyly and bowed as he accepted the silver reale from her. A cheer rose up from the crowd as he held it aloft and charged amongst them with many a hand pounding him on the back in congratulations. From the corner of her eye, she spied Arturo talking with Montoya. The colonel grinned and began nodding vigorously. Tessa frowned slightly and wondered what they seemed to be planning. She didn't have long to wait. Arturo ran up the steps into the governor's residence and went inside.

Montoya strode in front of the viewing stand and said, "The games are officially ended, but Señor de Sallas has offered one more contest." He gestured to Arturo who had returned with two guarded epees. "A fencing match to anyone who wishes to challenge him." The crowd murmured excitedly as Arturo stood beside the colonel and waited for an opponent to declare himself. A rustle started at the back of the gathering as Grisham elbowed his way through.

He took one of the epees in his hand and hefted it. "A girl's weapon," he declared with a laugh, whipping it around. The crowd laughed with him. "But *I'll* fight you with this little pig-sticker."

Tessa hid her smile with her fan as she watched the pained expression flash across Montoya's face. 'This should be interesting,' she thought as Grisham swaggered around Arturo, flexing the sword disdainfully.

Montoya spoke again. "The prize is a gold reale to the winner."

Arturo fixed his languorous dark eyes on Tessa, a sly smile beginning at the corners of his mouth. "I will donate my prize to the Church if I may have something more precious in exchange." He paused dramatically, then added, "A kiss from the Queen."

Laughter, cheers and whistles accompanied this declaration, and Tessa knew her cheeks were burning with embarrassment. Yet, she was thrilled. She stood up and said, "I agree to the exchange. I would not want to deprive the Church of your generous donation." A loud roar of approval came from the crowd as she sat down.

The colonel took a sabre from one of the soldiers and drew a large circle in the dirt with it. "The audience must stay behind this line for their own safety," he said. "And the combatants must stay inside. If you step outside the line, the match is forfeit. I will referee the contest. The match ends with first blood, that is, a touch on the opponent's clothing or person. The blades are guarded but can still be dangerous. May the better opponent emerge victorious."

Montoya stood aside from the two fencers. Arturo had taken off his jacket and rolled up one sleeve of his loose-fitting white blouse, revealing a well-muscled forearm. He pulled on a glove and then held his weapon at the ready while Grisham divested himself of his tunic. Underneath he wore a white shirt which he unbuttoned half-way, baring his chest. When they seemed ready, Montoya said, "En garde," and the fencers touched swords. Upon "Engage", the match began.

The whine and flash of the epee in Arturo's hand was almost too rapid to follow. Suddenly, Grisham yelped in pain as a red welt began to form on his neck. He threw down the sword and started toward Arturo, only to be checked by Montoya. "The match is over, Grisham. Step outside the ring. Now!" he added more forcefully, seeing the captain hesitate. Grisham turned and pushed back through the crowd. "And now I will claim my prize," Arturo said as he started toward Tessa.

"Now just yet," Montoya interjected with a restraining hand. "I challenge you." The colonel's grey eyes sparkled with the light of battle as he picked up the epee that Grisham had thrown down. "This is a game for gentlemen," he added. He unbuttoned his jacket and handed it to a soldier, then rolled up the right sleeve of his shirt. The fluid muscles of his arm rippled as he held the weapon and tested its flex and balance. Satisfied, he said, "We need a referee."

Tessa stood up and joined them in the ring. "I will referee since I have the most to lose," she laughed. "Now what was that you said, Colonel? Oh yes. En Garde." She moved out of the way as the two men touched swords, their eyes locked as they waited for the word to start the match. Tessa felt there more involved in this contest that just a kiss. "Engage," she said, stepping outside the ring.

This time the fencing match more like a ballet, each fencer agilely advancing and retreating, circling, parrying, thrusting. The epees flashed like fire in the setting sun as the whine and clang of steel on steel continued for several minutes. Suddenly, Montoya dropped his weapon and grasped his forearm. A thin trickle of blood broke the surface of his skin.

Tessa pulled her handkerchief from her reticule and offered it to the colonel. As he took it, he nodded gratefully and wrapped the cloth around the wound. His eyes were glittering with barely contained rage as they encountered hers. She had met that look before and under similar circumstances, she thought, stifling a smile.

Montoya picked up his sword and saluted Arturo. "My congratulations on your victory, Señor de Sallas. Unless we have another challenger, you may claim your prize."

Arturo bowed humbly. "It was a lucky stroke, Colonel. You are the most worthy opponent I have ever encountered." He saluted the colonel with the epee and lowered it.

Tessa moved toward Arturo, preparing to give him his victory kiss, when a voice nearby called out, "Is it too late to enter the challenge?"

The crowd parted for Doctor Helm as he progressed toward the ring. He was wearing a long wrinkled duster and a battered old wide-brimmed hat. His face was coated with sweat and grime as if he had ridden from a distance. Tessa could see someone holding the reins of the doctor's horse at the periphery of the crowd. Her heart was doing a strange flip-flop as she watched him coming near. 'What is he doing?' she wondered. 'Didn't he see the beating that Montoya and Grisham took? Surely, he can't think he's a match for Arturo. I'd be hard pressed to beat him myself,' she conceded.

When he reached the ring, Helm said, "If you'll give me a minute to freshen up, I'll take up the gauntlet for the lady." He cracked a wide grin at Tessa, then turned back to Arturo. "Con permisso, señor?" he added civilly. The remarks were belied by the mocking expression in his eyes as they locked onto Arturo's.

"Of course. I will take on all comers, for the prize is worthy of any effort." Arturo flourished a courtly bow in Tessa's direction to which she nodded regally with a warm smile.

While Tessa returned to the magisterial seat, Helm broke through the crowd and went to the town fountain. He took off the coat and hat, handing them to the nearest person. He splashed water over his face and hair, shaking the excess off like a playful animal. Then he started back to where his adversary waited, noting the look of tolerant amusement on Arturo's face.

"Let us get this over with, Doctor," Arturo said disdainfully. "It is rude to keep a lady waiting."

Montoya handed Helm the epee and stepped out of the way of the fencers. As he said, "Engage," the combatants launched fiercely at each other. The colonel's eyebrows raised as he watched the doctor skilfully parrying and resisting all the traps Arturo was setting. In less than three minutes, a sword arced above the heads of the crowd and an astonished Arturo stood, dumfounded and empty-handed. A wide smile opened across Montoya's lips as he announced, "The winner of the prize is ...Doctor Helm." A roar of cheering arose and hats flew into the air as the crowd seemed beside itself with ecstasy. It seemed a new hero had arisen in their midst. Worthy of their Queen.

He was instantly surrounded by a crowd, shaking his hand and clapping his back as he tried to wade through to Tessa. She seemed rooted to the spot as he made his way to her.

He tried to read her expression as he finally stood before her. She seemed embarrassed, a little frightened and then she smiled. He felt the blood creeping into his cheeks as he waited uncertainly, not sure who should initiate the kiss. She moved closer, taking his face into her hands, and placed her lips on his. He closed his eyes, feeling the earth rocking and spinning as he touched her lips, their softness, their promise. He felt like he was floating, and then he was, as some men in the crowd lifted him onto their shoulders and carried him away to the cantina to celebrate his victory.

He looked back and she was gone. The sky had blackened and the clouds had opened up as a deluge of rain hit the dusty plaza like fluid bullets. In seconds, everyone had run for shelter, and the cantina was jammed. Helm was set down by the railing. He gazed out through the silver veil of rain upon the muddy street, wondering where she had gone. Wondering why he felt this was not yet finished.

CONTINUED