JIM FILE 2

By Jim
zankoku1946@yahoo.com

Challenge Response: Trio chopsticks, Ink, Bullfighting
Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.
Characters: M T G
Rating: G (for Grin)

~~~~~

It was early morning as Marta sat at Don Alvarado's desk writing out invitations to the upcoming party. She put down the quill and using a blotter, carefully blotted the wet ink. She jerked her head up when she detected the sound of an approaching horse. She met Tessa in the foyer and opened the door to find one of the vaqueros approaching.

"Buenos tardes, Roberto, que pasa?"

Buenos tardes, Marta. The foreign ship has arrived and Senorita Alvarado has received a package. I was asked to deliver it," he said handing the small package to Marta. Tipping his hat in respect, he turned to leave.

"Gracias, Roberto. Perhaps you would like some lemonade to quench your thirst from your ride?

"No gracias, Marta, I must return to my chores."

Tessa quietly slipped up to Marta. "A package for me? Who would send me a package on a foreign ship? Are you going to keep holding it all day?"

"Just like a little child, Tessita, always impatient," she handed the package to Tessa who promptly ripped open the paper without further thought, to find a maroon lacquered box and ignored a piece of white paper that fluttered to the ground.

Marta picked up the paper and read it. "Tessa, it is from Kami."

"Kami? Please read it," Tessa replied as she opened the box to find a pair of ornately decorated black lacquered chopsticks with the picture of a Kirin on the handles.

Senorita Alvarado
Please accept this small token of appreciation for your hospitality during my stay at your hacienda.
I rudely called you a mouse, but I know realize that it takes more courage and strength to wait and abide ones time than to plunge into battle.
Kami

Tessa pondered on these words as she remembered their encounter when Kami chided her for not finding the murderer of Don Alvarado.

~~~~~

It was just past noon as Marta and Tessa arrived in Santa Helena to visit the bazaar that was hastily set up after the unannounced arrival of the Russian fur trader's ship. Any ship was welcomed as it meant the possibility of longed sought after supplies and goods.

The women dismounted and walked towards the bazaar when the caught sight of a shadow moving inside an alley. They peered around the corner to see Captain Grisham dancing in the alley with his sword. A sudden burst of applause stopped him mind mid dance and he turned with crimson face to see the two women.

"Doing a little bullfighting, Captain?" Tessa giggled.

"Senorita Alvarado, I was a a a practicing some moves I saw in Monterey done by a toreador. I think I have what it takes to be a bullfighter."

"Well you are well versed in slinging the bull," Marta muttered under her breath just loud enough for Tessa to hear.

"Yes, Captain, I think you would look dashing in the costume of a toreador, Don't you Marta? You do realize Captain, that there is nothing between your skin and the skin tight pants," replied Tessa with a smile on her lips and a flash in her eyes. "Marta, could you make a costume for our dashing captain of the guards?"

"Thanks, but no thanks Senorita, she'd probably leave some pins in the pants," Grisham tipped his hat and squeezed by the women to escape his tormentors.

Marta grinned at Tessa. "He was right about the pins."

"Marta!"

"All's fair in love and war, Tessita, and he and the Queen are definitely at war."

"True, but can you see him fighting the Queen in toreador pants?" She giggled again.

"Yes I can and she would lose."

"You have some confidence in me, Marta."

"I do, but you would be laughing so hard you would lose."

Tessa contemplated that for a moment. "Put some pins in the jacket too, Marta."

The two women turned towards the bazaar and shared a laugh between them of the imagined duel between the Queen and Grisham.

Grisham stayed in another alleyway; leaning up against a rough-hewn timber and watched the women leave. That gypsy probably would put pins in the jacket too, he thought.

"Ouch!" he yelped as a splinter pierced his britches and his gluteus maximus. He glanced towards the women again as he saw Marta glance over her shoulder with a wicked grin on her face.

THE END

Characters: Q, CM , M and mention of H CG
Rating. G
Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.
Trio challenge # 32 response: Lemon, straight razor, trophy

~~~~~

The American ship sat at anchor off the coast of Santa Helena not far from the Spanish supply ship.The residents of Santa Helena were in ecstasy as never before had two ships arrived at the sleepy pueblo before. This called for a fiesta.

Word spread rapidly and absolutely everyone had come to town, even some of the more reclusive dons. Vaqueros, peasants, dons and townspeople mixed together at the hastily prepared bazaar as the sellers spread out their goods. Not only were goods paid for with reales but also by trade. Some of the buyers bartered for goods with fruit such as lemons, oranges, or limes. These were needed by the crews of the ships to help prevent scurvy.

Don Gaspar Hidalgo was in an unusual jovial and festive mood. His grin was as wide as a Cheshire cat's and his faced radiated sheer joy at the arrival of the Spanish ship. A beautiful gold monstrance which would display the consecrated body of Jesus Christ had just arrived would be given to the padre. The unsuspecting padre wandered the bazaar when he was approached by Don Hidalgo and his lovely spouse, Vera.

"Don Hidalgo, you are in an extremely happy mood. You look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"I am Padre, please accept this poor gift from my family to the church," he turned to one of his men who held the covered monstrance, removed the purple velvet covering and presented the monstrance to the padre.

The padre was shocked and tears gathered in his eyes as he blessed Don Hidalgo and his wife. The previous monstrance had been stolen and not recovered. At least not recovered by the Church. It sat behind the gated secret storeroom in Colonel Montoya's office.

The padre accepted the monstrance with reverence and shaking hands. Carefully raising the monstrance over his head as if he were carrying a trophy, he walked towards the church. An impromptu procession followed him as the bazaar was emptied of buyers, leaving the sellers to scratch their heads and wait for the buyers return.

Senorita Alvarado and her duena, Marta had just arrived at the pueblo to see the padre and the procession. Seeing the monstrance, Tessa turned to Marta.

"I think the Queen will be riding tonight, Marta."

"I am afraid you are correct, but who would steal from God's house?"

"Someone who hopes there is no life after death. Can you see the final judgement of that person standing before the Almighty and explaining why they stole from His house?"

More than two pairs of eyes watched the procession from various locations in the pueblo. One individual wore black pants, black shirt. A red sash and large hoop ear rings in their ears.

~~~~~

It was late evening as the padre knelt before the altar, venerating the newly consecrated monstrance. He heard a noise and started to turn as a blunt object struck his head. He fell, stunned but still concious and was able to see a pair of dark trousers and a red sash approach the altar and then turn and run for the door. The padre looked to see the monstrance gone. He got to his feet. The queen has stolen the monstrance, he thought as he staggered to the door.

"The Queen of Swords has stolen the monstrance!" he yelled as he ran towards the fleeing thief.

The padre caught up to the thief and grabbed the thief's collar, causing the shirt to rip off. The now bare chested thief turned on the padre and slashed at him with a straight razor, cutting the padre's arm. The padre fell, clutching his arm.

"You are not the Queen of Swords!" he yelled at the thief, "You are a man."

At that moment, Montoya, Helm and Grisham appeared at the doorways of their own quarters. Montoya stood on the balcony and watched.

"Get that thief! He yelled as several soldiers entered the square with rifles drawn. The thief charged a soldier, causing the soldier's rifle to rise and discharge. The bullet struck the wooden post next to Montoya and showered the hapless Colonel with wood splinters into his face. The shock knocked Montoya to the ground and his head struck a chair knocking him unconscious for a few moments.

The colonel awoke to find himself on his bed with a cool cloth on his head and a light touch removing the splinters.

"Lay still Colonel there are still three more splinters to come out."

"You, why?"

"Hush, Colonel, let me work. There got the last one," the woman replied as she gently brushed her lips against his and then left. Montoya was speechless.

Montoya heard the yelling of the soldiers and an occasional rife shot and knew the thief was trapped in the pueblo. He rose and went downstairs to the square. As he stepped off the last step, he saw a figure dash into an alleyway. Hugging the wall and keeping in the shadows, Montoya approached the alleyway, sword in hand. Suddenly he felt a sharp object at his neck, a straight razor.

"Drop the sword, Colonel and you might see the sun rise."

Montoya dropped the sword as the man forced him into the square a little, "Drop your weapons or the Colonel dies."

The soldiers held onto the weapons.

The razor nicked the Colonel's throat drawing blood.

Suddenly the man felt the hoop earring in his right ear lift and pull, causing pain.

"Ouch!" he yelped.

"I think you should reconsider your position, Senor. You have soldiers in front of you and me behind you. You have a razor, they have guns and I have a sword. Furthermore, you have stolen from God."

"Who are you?"

"I am the Queen of Swords and the person who will determine whether or not you continue to have a right ear."

The man considered her words a moment and relaxed the razor. The sword was eased out of the hoop.

Suddenly the thief lunged for Montoya's sword and flicked it up to Montoya's throat, but his back was to the soldiers.

"Now I have a sword. If the soldiers shoot at me, they will surely hit the Colonel or you. I understand they can't hit the broadside of a hacienda. Now lower your sword and let me pass or I will kill him."

The Queen paced the blade on her right shoulder as she casually moved just behind Montoya and pressed something into his back with her left hand. Montoya carefully slid his arm to his back and took the object.

"Who are you?" asked Montoya.

"Why do you want to know?" replied the thief.

"I would like to know who tries to kill me not once, but twice in one evening."

"I am Juan Gomez, formerly second mate on the "Esparanza."

"Formerly?" asked Montoya.

"I killed the first mate and that pero Capitan was going to hang me but I escaped. Now I will have something to barter with," he said still clutching the monstrance.

"You would barter with God's property? Juan Gomez, there is only one thing worse than stealing God's property."

"What is that?"

"Trying to kill the commandante of this pueblo." Montoya shifted to the left and threw the dagger the Queen had passed him at Gomez. The dagger imbedded itself in the thief's chest and he collapsed, dead.

Montoya approached the body and removed the dagger, wiping the blood on the man's clothes. He turned to the Queen and offered it to her hilt first.

"You have managed to save my life three times this night and I am grateful."

"Grateful enough to insure this monstrance is returned to the padre?"

"As a gentleman and a officer in the Spanish Army, I pledge that it will be returned," he bowed.

He smiled at her; "There is one favor I must request."

"No I am not going stop helping the poor," she returned his smile.

"I didn't expect you to. Please, just one more kiss."

The Queen blushed but carefully approached him, "Of course Colonel," she came close and kissed his cheek then turned and raced down the alley.

"Pleasant dreams Luis," she called over her shoulder.

Montoya put his fingertips to his cheek and smiled. "I will, Reina."

Montoya turned to see Captain Grisham pick up the monstrance, "Make sure that this is returned to the padre, Captain or your life will be forfeited."

"Of course, Colonel," replied Grisham.

END

Response to Challenge 34 Trio: Bar of soap, wine bottle, latch key
Disclaimer: The Characters belong to Fireworks, the story is mine.
Rated: G

~~~~~

The hot California winds blew hard as Marta and Tessa worked in the rose garden, pruning and weeding. These were her mother's roses and she was not beneath working in the earth. A bucket of water sat precariously on the edge of the brick walkway where Tessa had left it. As she finished a rosebush, she would hand water the bush as the hot weather was sucking the moisture from the flowers.

Kneeling in the dirt, working with the bushes gave Tessa a feeling of closeness to her mother. Tessa had almost finished with the last bush when a sudden gust of wind knocked over the bucket, unbeknownst to Tessa, sending the precious water onto the ground to spread behind her. She got up and stretched backwards to loosen the tightness in her back and turned for the bucket. As she did, her foot slipped in the mud and sent her sprawling face forward into the mud. Spiting and fuming she let out an epitaph of non-lady like words when she heard uproariously laughter from Marta.

"If you are through laughing, Marta you can get the bath ready," she said with a look of frustration, embarrassment and anger.

"I will gladly draw the bath if you are finished wallowing in the mud. I also have a bar of soap to wash your mouth out from using that language."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Don't bet on it Tessita. I am your guardian and it is my job to make sure you are a lady at all times."

Tessa turned and stormed into the house, leaving muddy footprints in the hallway. Marta was still laughing, even as she went into the kitchen to heat the bath water. Later after Tessa had cleaned herself up, Marta handed her a mop.

"What's this for?"

"One commonly uses a mop on a floor."

"So?"

"So, whatever is begun in anger ends in shame. You now get to clean up all the muddy footprints."

Tessa grumbled, but the look in Marta's eyes told her she had best do the chore.

~~~~~

Tessa knew that Colonel Montoya was in Monterey on business and Captain Grisham was in charge. Something had been bothering her for some time and tonight would be a good chance to put it at rest.As she slipped over the roof top, dressed as the Queen of Swords, she saw Grisham heading to his quarters with a girl from the cantina on one arm and a bottle of wine tucked under the other. Tessa smiled, as she knew that Marcus would be out of the way for quite awhile.

Slipping into Montoya's office, quiet as a mouse, Tessa moved the bookcase and came to Montoya's not so secret, secret room. Using her dagger as a latchkey like Dr. Helm had showed her, she opened the door and lit a candle. She didn't know what she was looking for, but seared all the ill-gotten booty in the room. Suddenly the light reflected off of an item behind the stolen monstrance. Tessa picked it up and tears welled up in her eyes. It was Papa's pocket watch. She couldn't open it here, so she carefully tucked it away and closed up the room.

~~~~~

Back at the Alvarado hacienda, Tessa showed Marta the watch.

"Won't Montoya know you took it? How can you be so stupid?"

"Marta, he can't accuse me without implicating himself. I will leave the watch here in this room. If Montoya does come here, he will not find this room. It will be an obstacle for me not to accuse him now. I am now a step closer in avenging my father's death. Remember Marta, the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. Montoya will pay for his crimes one day."

She put the watch in a chest of valuables and closed the lid. Silently they left the room. One day Papa, one day, thought Tessa.

END

By Jim
jimguy@hotmail.com

TRIO CHALLENGE 35: Shears, chair, tomato
DISCLAIMERS: Characters are Fireworks. The story is mine
CHARACTERS: T M H
RATING: G

~~~~~

Doctor Robert Helm sat on his horse on a hill overlooking the Alvarado Hacienda. The young Dona Alvarado had invited him to dinner. Dinner was at seven but it was now only half past four. His last patient had been at two and he cleaned up his surgery before attempting a culinary surprise for his hostess.

Many of his patients paid him with food instead of coin. He always seemed to have enough vegetables and chicken. Today he would put some of it to good use as he hated to be invited to dinner and come empty handed. He took out a tomato, onion, bell pepper, cilantro and some jalapenos. He would make a sauce to die for; or of. The jalapenos were hot and the local inhabitants preferred their food a little spicy but this would be real spicy.

As he watched the house, he noticed Dona Alvarado walk out of the vineyards with a basket full of grapes in one hand and heavy shears in the other. His mind was in turmoil. His heart belonged to the mysterious bandita who visited him at the most inopportune moments. Now he was here to be with a young spoiled rich brat whom he normally would not have noticed. All she cared about was parties and gossip. At least that is what everyone assumed. Helm's eyes scanned the hacienda. It had been in ruins when Tessa had come back to Alta California. Now it was a beautiful hacienda with even the roses coming back to bloom.

He always had thought of her as a spoiled rich brat. Now, looking at this hacienda he knew he was wrong. Over the last few weeks his thoughts had started to change. Sometimes the perfect person for you is the one you least expect, thought Helm. Would a spoiled rich brat go into the vineyards herself to cut grapes? No she would send a servant.

Maria Teresa Alvarado was not the person she presented to the public. He knew that sometime ago she had faced down a racing horse and buggy and calmed the horse. She had stood side by side Mary Rose to defend the former pirate's son.

All alone except for her companion and friend, Marta she had single handedly rescued the hacienda from ruin and made it as successful as it was when her father was alive. There was definitely more to Senorita Alvarado and Helm wanted to know more.

He nudged his horse down the hill, dismounted and knocked on the door. Senorita Alvarado opened the door with the shears still in hand.

"Buenos Tardes, Senorita. Do you always answer the door with a pair of large shears in your hand?"

Tessa looked at Helm trying to see the back of his neck. "What better timing Doctor, you do need a haircut, come find a chair."

"My hair is fine the way it is Senorita, I didn't know you were a barber. I brought this for you," he said handing her the jar of sauce.

"I didn't know you were an expert in the culinary arts, Doctor, you surprise me," she teased.

"One does not stay a bachelor as long as I have without learning how to prepare a meal. It isn't everyday I get invited to dinner by the most attractive Senorita in the pueblo."

"Why Doctor, you are much more than you seem. A Physician, a chef and a charmer all rolled up into one handsome package."

Suddenly both seemed uneasy by the exchange as both were blushing. Fortunately Marta appeared and ushered them into the kitchen. Helm pulled a chair away from the table for Tessa to sit on. Marta brought out some toasted tortilla and broke them into pieces after pouring the sauce Helm brought into a bowl. Marta dipped a chip into the mixture and dropped it into her mouth. She nodded enthusiastically and then went for a glass of water. Tessa also took a bite and the steam could almost be seen coming from her ears and a red flush appeared in her face.

Marta came back to the table.

"That was wonderful. What do you call this salsa?"

"It doesn't have a name. It is just something I concocted today. Why don't we just call it salsa? Tessa did you enjoy it?"

Tessa opened her mouth and nodded her head but no sound emerged. Her eyes were still filled with tears. Finally she was able to gasp, "what did you put it there?"

"Tomato, onion, jalapenos."

Marta laughed, "maybe next time you should cut down on the jalapenos. You know if I breathed on a lit candle I would probably explode."

Suddenly there was a sound of racing horses. Tessa, Marta and Helm went outside to see a work wagon racing to the hacienda. Aboard was Pablo the manager of the winery, Julio one of the vineyard workers and Maria his wife.

"Senorita," called Pablo as he pulled back on the reigns, "Juanito fell and has been hurt, we need help."

Helm out ran Tessa and Marta to the wagon. Helm issued orders to Pablo and Julio as he carried the boy into the kitchen. The boy had fallen onto a log and a broken branch had penetrated the boy's body on the side. Pablo retrieved Helm's medical bag from Equus, as Helm never left home without it.

Putting the boy on the kitchen table, Helm looked around. "I need some more light, please get some more candles."

Tessa and Marta raced around the house getting several candlesticks but Helm was not satisfied.

Tessa took Julio with her down the hallway and returned with two wall mirrors. They positioned them so that the reflection from the light concentrated on the boy's wounded body. As Helm carefully examined the boys wound, Tessa approached the boy from the other side of the table.

"It is times like this I need four hands," muttered Helm.

"Can you use my two?" replied Tessa.

Helm looked up and their eyes met.

"Yes I can."

Instructing Tessa on what he wanted her to do, Helm set about removing the wood from the boy and cauterized the wound with a hot poker supplied by Marta.

"I would rather not have used the poker, but since I didn't have all my instruments and there was no time, I had to do it."

"You saved his life, Doctor."

Helm looked at Tessa and saw the blood that had gotten on Tessa's clothes. "You helped. That was not the action of a spoiled rich brat, Tessa. There is a lot more to you than meets the eye."

Tessa suddenly out her hand to her forehead. "I think I am going to faint." With that she withered into Helms arms.

"Marta, I have been reading of a cure for fainting."

"What is it Doctor?"

"Come I will show you." Helm picked up Tessa easily in his arms and went outside. Marta followed closely. Tessa open one of her eyes to see where they were headed.

Helm stopped at the horse trough. "A woman who can stop racing horses, rebuild a hacienda, help an injured boy during surgery doesn't suddenly faint unless they are ill, and Tessa does not appear to be ill. The treatment is to dunk them in a horse trough."

Tessa opened both of her eyes and tried to squirm from Helm's arms. "You wouldn't dar . . ."

Her sentence stopped as her body made contact with the water and her head went under. Tessa fought her way to the surface, spitting and fuming. A few Rom curses exited her mouth but she stopped when she saw that Helm and Marta were walking away from her laughing.

"I hope she stops portraying the meek mild Dona in front of me."

His words were cut short, as he and Marta were suddenly drenched with water. They turned to see Tessa standing in front of them with an empty bucket and a crooked smile.

"Come children let's go dry off. This night air is not good for us," snickered Marta as she took Tessa's Helm's arms in her own and led them to the house.

END

By Jim
jimguy46@hotmail.com

A mystery, a pistol and a shawl
Rating G

~~~~~

"Marta, have you seen my cameo broach?" Tessa asked as she waded through her room like a tornado.

"Tessa, I couldn't find the floor if I tried," replied Marta as her eyes took in the devastation of the room. Every piece of clothing in the armoire and dresser had been scattered around the room. "I swear Tessa, you tore through all your clothing. Did you check the bed?"

Marta clasped her hand over her mouth at what she had just said and watched as Tessa turned and ripped the bedclothes from the bed, the sheet landing on Marta and covering her completely.

"Nothing," shouted Tessa and then turned to see a sheet shrouded Marta standing in the middle of the room. Giggling, she undraped Marta, who had a scowl on her face. "Marta this is getting to be a big mystery, one I don't find amusing. There is a thief in this house."

"Does that thief wear a mask and a red sash?" Marta countered as she flipped her hair out of her face. The look she got from Tessa would stop a horse at full gallop.

"It isn't funny Marta."

"Who's laughing?" replied Marta stifling a giggle. "Let's pick up all these clothes and start over."

The two women searched every piece of clothing again, replacing the items in their proper place and remade the bed. After two hours, they gave up. Tessa took off her hoop earrings and placed them on the dresser.

"After all of this, I want a glass of wine, Marta. Will you join me?"

"Most assuredly," replied Marta.

They went to the kitchen and as Marta opened a new bottle of wine, Tessa returned to her room for a shawl.

"Marta!"

Startled by the yell, Marta ran towards Tessa's room to find Tessa staring at the dresser top.

"Tessa, what is it?"

"My earrings. I put them there not five minutes ago and they're gone."

Suddenly they heard a soft scratching as if something was being dragged across the floor. They followed the sound to the steps of the cellar. As Marta lit a hurricane lamp, Tessa went and picked a pistol and loaded it.

"Let's go," said Tessa.

Marta hesitated. Tessa looked at her; "he who hesitates is a damned fool Marta, come on."

Seeing the emotion of anger in Tessa's face, Marta held the light high and followed Tessa down the dark stairs. The lamp illuminated the cellar. A scurrying was heard towards the back of the cellar.

Cautiously, Tessa approached the intruder with the loaded pistol cocked and aimed.

Marta suddenly started laughing hysterically as the light clearly showed a determined armed Tessa ready to engage in battle with the owner of 2 beady eyes. The pack rat stared back at her with the hoop earrings in its mouth.

"Bang!" Marta yelled causing Tessa to jump and fire the pistol toward the wall, the bullet striking a wooden post. The terrified pack rat dropped the earrings and high tailed it into a hole in the wall. Carrying the lamp to the wall she shone the light into the hole and looked in. Reaching into the hole she felt around and pulled out twenty gold reales, three forks, a small dagger and the cameo broach.

"To the victor goes the spoils," said Marta grinning and holding up the items.

Tessa looked at the items, the pistol in her hand and the hole in the wall and realized how foolish it looked. "Would that be called overkill?"

The women laughed and started back up the stairs. Two beady eyes looked out another hole in the wall four feet higher than the first hole. I will get those gold circles back, thought the furry body sitting on top of a black piece of lace with eye holes.

THE END