THE VINTNER
By Jim Guy

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: T M CG CM mention of DrH

RATING PG 13

SYNOPSIS: The Queen of Swords gains a guardian angel.

COMMENT: Warning--Character Deaths

~~~~~

1820

The sounds of blades clanging rang out in the canyon as the rider rode the crest of the mesa above. The sounds drew the rider closer until he finally located the battle.  Fifteen soldiers had a solo black dressed figure boxed in.  It wouldn't take long before the soldiers overpowered the lone swordsman. He could see that five soldiers lay on the ground.  Taking his telescope out of his saddlebags, he zeroed in of the fight. Three more soldiers were now on the ground and the lone figure was tiring.

Studying the faces of the combatants, he came to the lone swordsman. He is very good the watcher thought then stopped.  This was a swordswoman. The way the woman moved, the grace attracted him.  This woman needs some help.

He removed his long rifle from the saddle.  His favorite weapon, the long rifle from Tennessee, was just what he needed.  Drawing a bead on the soldier closest to the black figure would get the first bullet.  The black figure stumbled on the loose rock and went down.  The soldier cried out in joy as he prepared to kill the woman.  His sword went up and then started down.  Suddenly the soldier grabbed his throat and dropped.

The sniper quickly reloaded as the soldiers stopped and tried to locate this new attacker.  Another shot and another soldier died.  The rest took cover behind some boulders.  A brave, or stupid soldier raised his head and took a bullet between the eyes.

In the meantime, the woman recovered herself and ran to where her horse was standing.  Two soldiers saw the break and gave chase, but one made it only three feet before a bullet smashed into him.  The rest of the soldiers made a break for their own horses only to find that the horses were gone, startled by the gunfire. The woman had recovered her mount and was racing out of the canyon.  It was a good two miles to the only way out of the canyon.  The gunman mounted and raced to meet the solitaire rider.

As the gunman came to the trail, a black figure charged him with sword flashing.  In an instance, he drew his own sword to defend himself.  When swords met, both figures were unbalanced and they both fell from their horses.  As they landed and recovered, the black figure charged again.

The sound of swords meeting rang out again.  The woman had been fighting for sometime while the man was fresh.  After several minutes the man managed to overpower the woman, disarming her of both sword and dagger. She was against a rock with the man pressing his own dagger to her throat.  He was turned slightly to avoid having the woman jamming her knee into his solar plexus.

"Go ahead, kill me and get it over with," said the woman.

"I just saved your life from those soldiers and then you attacked me. Why?"

"Those soldiers were trying to get the reward by capturing or killing me.  You just want the reward for yourself."

"What reward and who are you? I am not from around here and don't know what you are talking about."

"I am the Queen of Swords and Colonel Montoya has put a price on my head. If you aren't going to kill me, what are you intending to do?"

"First of all, I try not to kill women, unless they are trying to kill me. Second, I saw you fight and your sword skills are excellent.  Third, I will collect a reward for you, from you. A kiss."

"With a knife at my throat, you can do whatever you want and I can't stop you."

The man released her, picked up her sword and dagger and handed them to her, handle first.  "Never let it be said that I took an unfair advantage of a lady," he said as he sheathed his own weapon.

The Queen let her eyes travel up and down this strange man.  He was not unpleasant on the eyes and he had saved her life. He was also a very good swordsman with an unusual style.  She looked into his eyes and then suddenly kissed him.  She had intended a sisterly type kiss but it turned out much differently.

The Queen broke off the kiss and said, out of breath, "My thanks for saving my life. I presume you have now been rewarded sufficiently?" Her face had a slight flush to it.  She turned and walked to her horse. 

The man watched every step and thought, "She is some woman." "By the way, where is Santa Helena?"

"That way" pointed the Queen as she rode away.

Three weeks later a stranger rode into Santa Helena.  Captain Grisham eyed the stranger from his quarters. He quickly dressed, slapped Senora Hidalgo on the rump and went to meet the rider.  There was something about this man that hit him as peculiar but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"We don't get many strangers," said Captain Grisham as the man dismounted.

"Mi Espanol es un poquito y muy mal, but I prefer English" said the man. "It gets worse when I ride alone for a long time."

"You're an American," stated the Captain.

"No Shit? I am American and a very thirsty one and so is my horse," as he came to the fountain. Both the man and the horse drank deeply.  "That's better now Captain where can we sit and have something a little stronger?"

"The cantina is this way, " said the Captain leading the way. "What are you having?"

"A bottle of your best" the man said to the cantina owner "of wine"

"Wine? Not tequila or whiskey?"

"Wine, red" came the answer. As the two men drank, the man told his story.

Slipping into Spanish, he said " I am a farmer by trade but after having fought the Cherokee and then the British in New Orleans, I had no farm left. My father had traveled in France, Spain and Italy as a young man and later came to the United States.  He taught us to appreciate wine.  In New Orleans I met several Spaniards who sail with Jean Lafayte. And they told me that California had a number of vineyards.  I came west looking for a place where I could learn wine making from the ground up, so to speak.  Is there a hacienda that has vineyards or is all they raise here are cows?"

"Good day, Captain" said a soft voice. "I heard your friend mention vineyards."

"Senorita Alvarado, this is; I am sorry I didn't catch your name." 

"I didn't give it," replied the stranger. "Senorita, my name is Jacob Van Der Horst. Please to make your acquaintance." Standing and leaving the Captain still sitting at the table.  "Do you know of a hacienda with vineyards?"

"I am happy to say I have the best vineyards in the pueblo. Do you know grapes?"

"Sadly, no, Senorita, but I want to learn. Do you have any positions open?"

"As it happens but without experience I couldn't pay you much."

"A place to sleep and food is all that I need."

"Captain Grisham, would you please point this gentleman towards our hacienda?"

"After he shows me where I can rid myself of all this trail dust."  He watched her walk away. "Tell me about the senorita, Captain" he said sitting down. Captain Grisham was still smarting from embarrassment since he had remained seated instead of standing, as a gentleman should have.

A few hours later, Jacob rode up to the Alvarado hacienda and was greeted by a watch dog named Marta.  "My mistress said you would be coming, follow me "Gringo"," said Marta. 

"Do you always insult a person the first time you meet them, Senorita? I don't like the word "Gringo" anymore than you like some of the things they call gypsies.  My name is Jacob."

Marta snorted "you can sleep there" she said indicating the stable.

"Been in worse places."

"I see you found our hacienda," came a soft voice.  Jacob turned to see Senorita Alvarado.  "Marta, please bring some wine," Said the senorita. Marta left grumbling under her breath.

"Thank you, my queen," said Jacob after Marta was out of earshot.

"I don't know what you mean" said Tessa.

"The queen of my heart," replied Jacob fixing his eyes on Tessa's, "and of other things."

"I almost thought you were calling me the Queen of Swords," said Tessa with an innocent look on her face.

Jacob cocked his head questioningly "Who is the Queen of Swords."

Tessa was about to open her mouth when Marta reappeared. Damn the man thought Tessa. He almost trapped me.

Jacob learned quickly. He worked hard with the other workers and never said another word about his living quarters or the Queen of Swords.  Several times Tessa caught sight of him watching her and she would blush.

~~~~~

A month later the Queen of Swords rode the night trail in a full moon. Suddenly she found herself surrounded by ten soldiers. Their swords were drawn and there were too many of them. Her escape route was blocked as she had ridden into a boxed arroyo. She drew her sword with her intention of dying rather than surrender.

The crack of a rifle sounded and the sergeant's sword broke in half.  The soldiers were startled and scoured the high ground with their eyes, looking for the unknown gunman.  Two soldiers decided that this was the time to take the Queen.  As they rode toward her with swords drawn, a rifle cracked again and one of the soldiers was lifted from his horse and thrown into the other soldier. The escape route was opened and the Queen did not hesitate in taking it. The soldiers were in turmoil. The Queens horse needed no coaxing and sped away. The soldiers did not pursue. She raced away to safety and home.

An hour later, Tessa had changed and was walking the perimeter of the hacienda lost in thought. That was the second time Jacob had shown up and saved her.

"Nice night for a walk" a male voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Or a horse ride."

Tessa turned to see Jacob sitting on the edge of the wall smoking a pipe. Recovering she relied "Why yes it is, but who would ride out into the dark alone?"

"Only banditos, fools or those on a mission. Do you mind if I walk with you?"

"That would be nice, I seem to be lost in my thoughts." 

"Tell me your thoughts."

"Oh, nothing important. I seem to be thinking about my life here and what I would be doing in Spain."

"Spain is nice this time of year," replied Jacob, taking Tessa aback.

"You have been to Spain?"

"I have been to many places; England, France, Spain. All when I was younger and only for a short while.  When I came home I joined the army and fought the Cherokee and then the British in New Orleans. Of all the places I have been, California is the best."

Tessa laughed. "Really, California is so out of the way and not as sophisticated as Europe. I would never wear my hair down like a peasant if I were in Spain."

"Yes, you are correct but here a man can travel and enjoy life at a slower pace. Besides California has one thing the other places don't."

"And what pray tell is that?"

Jacob turned and faced her. "The most beautiful woman I have ever met." At that he quickly grabbed her in almost a bear hug and kissed her. Tessa started to struggle and then met his kiss with one of her own.

The kiss ended and they stood apart. "I am sorry, I have never done that before. It's just that this urge came over me to kiss you."

Tessa stood still catching her breath. 

"I've heard that no two women kiss exactly alike. Either that is a misconception of I have kissed you before."

"I think I would remember if I had kissed you before," said Tessa.

Jacob looked around to insure they were not overheard. He looked into her eyes. "My Queen, I am yours."

"That is the second time you called me that. Why?" she demanded.

"You are the Queen of Swords - No do not deny it. That kiss confirmed it. That and the way you walk."

"The way I walk?"

"I watched as the Queen of Swords walked away from me and I have watched you. I never forget the way a woman kisses or the way she walks. And your eyes, even in the moonlight they are beautiful."

"I am not the only one who wears a mask Jacob. You act like a farmer but your actions say otherwise."

"I am a farmer but I have been a soldier. You use a sword as if it was a part of you. I use a sword but sometimes I use a long rifle. You need not fear me. I have killed for you to protect you and I will do so again."

"Why? You intervened before we ever met. I might have been a criminal."

"First of all, I didn't like the odds. Second, you are a very skillful swordswoman. Third, you are very beautiful and as for why I intervened tonight, you are my employer. Do you have any objections for my saving you?"

"I do appreciate your help Jacob Van Der Horst but you won't always be there when I might need you."

"Si, but the word will spread that you have a protector and that will make the soldiers less inclined to attack you. They will be looking over their shoulders."

"You shoot very well, Jacob. Where did you learn?"

Jacob paused a moment. "I use a Tennessee rifle with a scope mounted on it, not one of those muskets your soldiers use.  I told you I fought the Cherokee. I learned to shoot to feed my family when I was young. Then I learned to fight, shoot reload and on the run against the Cherokee. Then I fought the British in New Orleans. We killed 1500 out of 8000 with few casualties before they broke and ran."

"TESSA!" said a stern female voice. "You get into this casa immediately. You should not be so familiar with the peons who work for you." Marta grabbed Tessa by the arm and marched her inside as she spat in Jacob's direction. Her look put chills up Jacob's spine.

"I have know pirates who are not as fierce."

At midmorning, Captain Grisham and two soldiers appeared at the Alvarado Hacienda. Tessa and Marta went to meet them.

"Con permisso, Senorita, I am looking for your 'gringo' hired hand," growled the captain.

"Definitely an officer but not a gentleman." Said Jacob from behind. "What can I do for you, Captain?"

"Several of my soldiers were killed last night by someone with a good aim and a very good rifle. I noticed that you carried a rifle when you rode in, where is it?"

"Everyone who travels in Indian country carries a rifle, Captain or no hair. Mine is in my quarters" he indicated the stable.

"Sergeant go get this gringo's rifle" barked the Captain. "When a stranger shows up and my men start dying, I go looking for the cause. That cause is you." The sergeant handed him the rifle. He sniffed the breach, checked the barrel.

"Captain, that rifle has not been fired since before I arrived and the last thing it killed was my dinner." Said Jacob.

The sergeant also handed Grisham a sword. With a surprised look on his face, Grisham faced Jacob. "What does a farmer need with a sword, a British officer's sword at that.

"A souvenir from Jean Laffite. He gave it to me in New Orleans after we routed the British."

"If you are going to own a sword, farmer, you had better know how to use it." Said Grisham as he tossed the sword to Jacob.

Jacob deftly caught it as the captain attacked. Two swords clanged together, back and forth for several minutes. "At least you don't use those flashy Spanish circles," said Grisham as he slashed a piece of Jacob's sleeve.

"Very good Captain, but allow me to show you something that I have learned." At that he slashed through the captain's blouse and left suspender. Grisham has luckily sucked in his stomach and prevented a belly slash. More clanging and Jacob slashed through the right side of Grisham's blouse and remaining suspender. Grisham was infuriated and raised his sword to smash down at Jacob, just as his pants fell to his knees.

It had been a warm summer and Grisham had taken to leaving his long underwear at home. He shouldn't have. As the captain reached for his pants, Jacob disarmed him. At this point three things happened.  Marta and Tessa, who were watching this fight, started giggling. The soldiers started laughing and Jacob placed the tip of his sword at Grisham's family jewels.

"This farmer once saved a pirate's life which is why this farmer has a sword. No I don't use the Spanish circles. I learned from pirates on Galveston Island who stand and fight, not dance." He paused. "Now captain you have two choices. Be circumcised or castrated. Which will it be?"

"Jacob, please don't," yelled Tessa. The look of fear spread over her face as she realized that Jacob was deadly serious.

"Senorita, the good captain accused me of things that he could not prove. Then he insulted me and attacked me. I have every right to kill him but I am giving him a choice. Neither will kill him, but he will walk funny for awhile."

Sweat rolled down Grisham's face. This was the second time he had a sword placed between his legs and the first time was the Queen of Swords. She allowed him to go unscathed. This man would not.

"Nothing to say Captain?" asked Jacob. You are fortunate that a beautiful woman has pleaded for you and protected your manhood." With a flick of his wrist, his sword pricked the inside thigh of the unfortunate captain. "If we face off again, Captain, rest assured that I will kill you. For now, only Senora Hidalgo will be inconvenienced. Now pull up your pants, you are embarrassing these ladies.

The captain complied even as blood flowed down his leg. "You cut me," he complained.

"A blade drawn in anger must drink before it can be sheathed again." Replied Jacob as he picked up Grisham's sword and broke it over his knee.

"You are no farmer," said Grisham as he picked up the pieces.

"Oh but I am, Captain, but I wasn't always." Said Jacob. "Now mount your horse and ride before I forget my manners."

The Captain gingerly mounted his horse. He held the shattered sword  "Some day I will give this back to you." As he rode away.

"Jacob," said Tessa, please come into the casa. As they entered, Tessa turned to him in rage. "How could you do that knowing what you know? Next time he won't be here with two soldiers, there will be ten and with rifles. He won't fight you with a sword, he will just shoot you."

"What does he know Tessita?" asked Marta.

"He knows that I am the Queen of Swords."

"Knows or is he guessing" asked Marta.

"Knows. He saved my life twice."

"And kissed her as the Queen and as Tessa Alvarado" interjected Jacob.

"Madre Dios what else did he do?"

"Nothing!" said Tessa as she turned to face Marta. "He won't betray me without betraying himself."

Turning back to Jacob "How did you fix that rifle?"

"I always carry two. One for hunting and one for assassinations. The other one is well hidden. In your wine cellar, you know the secret one."

"WHAT?" the question came from both women simultaneously.

"You once showed me your wine cellar. I noticed that one bottle showed no trace of dust. One day as I was bringing down supplies, I grabbed the one without dust and got my answer. Hadn't you noticed that there is no dust on any of the bottles? I also found the bolthole. Your father was a very smart man."

"Now what?" said Tessa.

Jacob looked at her and stared into her eyes. "It is now time for me to leave. If Captain Grisham comes looking for me, you can say you feared for your safety and sent me away. I will always remember you Maria Teresa Alvarado, my queen."

An hour later Jacob left the hacienda but he left a gift in the secret room. A British officer's sword and a note which read:I only need one sword and I have two. Someday you may need another sword. Use it in good health.

Indeed, Captain Grisham and Colonel Montoya arrived at the hacienda two days later looking for Jacob.  They were surprised that he was gone. "We will see if the mysterious rifleman shows again and then we will know if your Americano countryman is one and the same, Captain," sneered Montoya. But the rifleman did not return.

Six months later soldiers again had encountered the Queen and had her surrounded. I wish Jacob were here now thought the Queen. But if wishes were horses beggars would ride. She fought like a tigress but twenty to one were not good odds even against a great swordsman or woman.  The battle was sapping the Queen's strength and the men could out last her.

Suddenly a shot rang out and a soldier's blade was broken in half.  The soldiers looked around frightened.  The Queen took full advantage of the break and escaped. She hoped Jacob would reappear, but he didn't.  Two nights later, the queen was fighting soldiers in the pueblo when a lone horseman rode into the square. Confusion grew and Captain Grisham saw his chance to take vengeance against the man who shamed him.

"Did you come to save the Queen, Jacob? I know it was you who has been shooting my soldiers."

"Captain, if you want a return engagement, then you shall have it." Jacob replied unlimbering his sword.

As the two fought, the soldiers stopped to watch, the Queen forgotten. Colonel Montoya saw the Queen escaping.

"Get the Queen you fools," he yelled. The soldiers ran for their horses. They didn't make it far when a rifle sounded and a bullet struck the hat of the lead soldier.  Captain Grisham hesitated but Jacob did not. Two quick slashes and the Captain's pants fell down again.

"Nice to see you are wearing long underwear, Captain"

"STOP!" yelled Montoya.

"Captain, I would suggest that you take some sword lessons before you fight Senor Van Der Horst again. While you decided that he was your target, the Queen escaped, again." He turned to Jacob.

"My apologies, Senor. It seems that you could not possibly be the mysterious rifleman and at the same time be relieving Captain Grisham of his pants."

"Colonel, I left Santa Helena to protect Senorita Alvarado. My presence put her at risk. Now that I have been vindicated, I will go see her. I learned much from her and I owe her everything. I also learned from some vineyard owners near Monterey.  I am leaving California to return home.  See, I have several vine cuttings with which to start my own vineyard in the Los Estados Unidos."

"Vaya con Dios, Jabcob Van Der Horst, I wish you well." Said the Colonel and don't come back he thought.

It was still early enough to visit the Hacienda del Alvarado. Jacob rode directly to the stables and entered the hacienda via the bolthole. As he entered the secret room, he found Marta cleaning a rifle.

"Nice shot" he said. At that moment Tessa entered from the cellar. They all seemed startled to see the others.

"Jacob" cried Tessa as she ran to embrace him. As they met, Tessa kissed him. 

Marta cleared her throat, which broke the kiss and she faced a red-faced man and woman. "Do you always enter through the back door?"

"Marta, what are you doing here?" asked Tessa looking at the rifle.

"Cleaning my alibi," said Jacob. "I have a confession to make. I have been around here for a month. I got together with Marta and trained her to shoot. She is an excellent shot. When I saw the Queen ride out, I told Marta to take the rifle and ride to the pueblo to cover you. It was a perfect time for me to reappear. When Marta made her shot while I was exposing the Captain, I had my alibi and Montoya and Grisham still don't know whom the shooter is. It also gave me another chance to embarrass Grisham. I just hope you don't get used to seeing Grisham with his pants down."

Smiling and proud Marta said, "I hope you notice that I did not kill anyone."

"I wish I did not have to, but better them than me."

"When you fight injustice, my dear Tessa, it comes with the territory," said Jacob.  "Tessa, I am leaving and this time for good. I could not leave without seeing you one more time and insuring that your back was covered. Marta is a good shot and I know that she will cover you. You really have to learn to keep your self from getting trapped. Also, If the Queen of swords can be seen at a distance when Tessa Alvarado is see, you will really confuse Colonel Montoya and that jackass Grisham. How many people know you are the Queen of swords? "

Tessa thought, "Doctor Helm suspects, maybe, Marta and you. Everyone else is dead."

"Then make sure no one else finds out." He kissed her, long and hard then he kissed Marta, but not so long or hard. As they recovered, he turned and left. "Pax vobiscum. (Peace be with you.)" He said.

~~~~~

1846

Tessa, her 20-year-old daughter and Marta were relaxing on the veranda enjoying a glass of wine. The harvest had been good and the wine extraordinary. Suddenly the sound of hoof beats could be heard approaching the hacienda.  The three women met the 20 men in uniform. They were not Mexican soldiers but Americanos.

"Excuse me ladies, is this the Alvarado hacienda?" asked the Captain. 

"It is," replied Tessa. She was shocked as this man spoke excellent Spanish. What surprised her even more was that she had replied in English. Doctor Helm had taught her, her daughter and Marta very well.

"Senorita, since the break between Mexico and Spain, many land grants were given out, many of those were mission lands which were supposed to go to the Indians.  Now with the American government in control of California, many of the land grants, even the Spanish land grants are being taken away and given to others. Yours is one of those.  The new owner has asked that I inform you that you will not be displaced. He will be here shortly to explain.  In the meantime, he asked me to give you these two packages."

Tessa's heart stopped and she felt weak in the knees. " I know this is a shock Senorita and the new owner wishes to make it easier for you. He specifically petitioned for this land, and the next hacienda, which I believe, was left vacant when the previous owner died with out a family. Now is there a place that my men can set up a camp, out of the way. We are here to protect you until the new owner arrives."

"About a mile down the road, Captain there is an open field." Said Tessa as she turned and went into the casa. "I will fight this." She fumed as her daughter and Marta followed.

"Tessita," said Marta. "You cannot fight these men. They would not hesitate to shoot the Queen of Swords and they are not Colonel Montoya.

"We shall see," she said as she headed for the cellar. Her daughter and Marta followed her as she entered the secret room and reached for her sword. The sword that Jacob had left many years ago. All she found was empty space.

"Nice place you have here, Senorita" came a male voice. She searched for the man attached to the voice. He lit a candle. He was holding the sword. "What is a lady like you doing reaching for a sword?" he paused. "My queen," he said as he turned the sword around and handed it to her hilt first."

"Jacob!" cried Tessa, ignoring the sword as she rushed to embrace him. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't you ever use the front door?" smiled Marta as she too rushed to embrace him. "Con permisso, I thought that entering this way would prevent me from getting a sword stuck in me. I knew that once you heard the news, the Queen would ride."

Suddenly a sword flashed as Tessa's daughter swung the Queen's sword at Jacob. "STOP!" yelled Tessa. "Anna Maria, this is Jacob who gave me the sword. Jacob this is Anna Maria, my daughter."

"Now I have three beautiful ladies to contend with. Tessa, I am the new owner." Tessa stepped back in shock.  " When I heard that the lands grants were going to be given to new owners, I petitioned the governor for this hacienda and the one next to it. This hacienda will remain the Alvarado hacienda and you and your family as its owner. I had saved the life of some very influential men so the petition was granted. I never forgot the land or my queen. Everyone wants cattle, I wanted a vineyard and you own the best. I could not bear to see you lose the land you love."

"Jacob, it has been twenty six years and much has changed. I have a daughter."

"I know and you're a widow."

"Perimeter secured, Sir," said another male voice. All turned to see a young man in uniform.

"Did you tell everyone about this room?" yelled Tessa.

"I have never told anyone about this room. The best tracker I know must have followed me. He can track anything, isn't that right Jeremiah?"

"You got it pops." replied the young man. 

"Tessa, this impudent young man is my son Jeremiah. Jeremiah, may I present Senorita Alvarado, her companion Marta and her daughter Anna Maria."

"Is this the Queen of Swords?" Jeremiah asked. "She is beautiful."

Before Tessa could speak, Jacob held up his hand. "He knows of the Queen of Swords, but I never told him who she was."

"Senora, my father told me she was the most beautiful woman he had ever know and knowing my father that has to be you or your daughter. So it has to be you as your daughter is too young to have been born then. Being as secretive as he is and seeing this room I deduced it my self. I would be willing to bet that if the Queen of Swords rode tonight, there would be the two of you."

"You cabr. . ." Started Anna-Maria when Tessa stopped her.

"Jacob, I would know your son anywhere. He looks just like you did the first time we met, and just as cocky. He is also a flatterer just like his father. What did Doctor Helm say, oh yes, you have both kissed the Blarney Stone."

"Doctor Helm taught you well, Tessa," Jacob said laughingly. "Now we have some business to attend to and I would suggest that we do it upstairs."

They went to the parlor and Jacob continued. "Tessa you didn't open the packages."

"I was too upset," she said as she opened the first one. It was a bottle of red wine with a label that read "Regina". "Who or what is Regina? She asked. 

"That is Latin for Queen. It came from the first harvest of the grapes grown from the cuttings you gave me." Over a glass of wine, Jacob recounted his life for the last 26 years.

"I led you astray when I was here before.  I was looking for a vineyard, but my mission was looking for an Americano soldier who was wanted by the Army for murder and desertion. I found him - Captain Grisham.  When I returned home, I bought some land, got married and had a son, Jeremiah.  Then came the Alamo and I went to fight Santa Ana. While I was gone a flood destroyed my vineyards and my wife died saving my son. I raised him from an infant. And when he was old enough he joined the Army and has been with me ever since. We came west with Fremont and when the land grant situation arose, I asked for the position of commandant of Santa Helena and this land.  Fremont was happy to oblige and pulled strings with the new governor." Jacob paused. Tessa just sat and stared at him.

"Tessa, the only way I could protect you and your land was to take the action I did. The only way you can retain your land is through marriage or buy it back. The first is of course the most pleasant but I will not ask that.  Instead I propose that you buy back the land at a reasonable price. Actually a trade, say a kiss and a bottle of Alvarado wine."

"I seem to remember paying you once with a kiss, Jacob. I owe you so much already, we all do."

"What do we owe this arrogant Gringo?" asked Anna-Maria.

"My life and yours. He saved my life twice, no three times and he is here to save our land. He taught Marta how to shoot. Didn't you ever wonder why Marta is an expert marksman?  The sword that the Queen of Swords uses is the one that Jacob gave her when he left.  Now we old friends have much to discuss but not before I buy my land back."

Tessa walked up to Jacob and gave his a kiss that set him back on his heels. This time it was Jacob who had to catch his breath.

"Marta, please get a bottle of our best Alvarado wine and three glasses."

While Marta was gone, Tessa said "Jacob you said you were at the Alamo but they all died.  Marcus Grisham was there also. I don't understand."

"Dear Tessa, I know Marcus was there. I was there. I am one of two men who rode for help. I was the second one. Do you remember when I broke that sword of Marcus'? Here it is. Marcus knew that I had to ride light. He reminded me that he said that one day he would return that sword to me. He never thought it would be that way. He gave me his sword and I gave him my rifle. He looked at it and asked me how long I had it. When I told him since the Cherokee War, he said he always felt that I was the shooter. He was real surprised when the shooter kept showing up long after I was gone.

Tessa, I broke your secret. I told Marcus before I left that you and the Queen of Swords were one in the same. He thought about that for a moment and then he told me he loved you even more and he was glad he never caught you.

Marcus covered my ride with my rifle. When I was out of range of the soldier's guns, I turned and saw Marcus on the wall wearing that damn hat of his and waving my rifle in salute. Then there was an explosion and he was gone. When we finally got back with the relief column, it was all over. The bodies had been put in a pile and burned. I went to the wall where I had last seen him. I found a piece of my rifle under the debris and I dug down. I found the rifle still in his hand. His was the only body that had not been found and burned.  We gave him a Christian burial with military honors.

A bit later we caught Santa Ana napping at San Jacinto. We charged and I used my rifle in the battle. That and the sword. I came across an officer wearing Marcus' hat and I gutted him with Marcus' sword." Jacob paused. "Tessa, this package contains Marcus' hat, and I give it to you."

Tessa took the package and held it close to her as she sobbed. "Thank you, he wrote me a letter and gave it to the Queen of Swords. I didn't read it until I got home and by then the Alamo had fallen. I didn't know you were there."

"I spent most of the nights outside the wall, doing hit and runs against the Mexican Army.  The night before I left, I saw a figure go over the wall, but I was too far to see who it was. When I told Marcus of your identity, he told me about the Queen's visit. Tessa, the place you went over the wall is the place that Marcus died. He and all that died were brave men. They gave their lives holding Santa Ana while our main army was being formed. They fought for freedom from Mexico. We held out for thirteen days. I avenged their deaths and those that died at Goliad. I had a cousin who died, murdered, at Goliad. Only a handful escaped." 

He lifted his glass. "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad,"

The ladies drank to the toast.

Anna-Maria and Jeremiah walked in the garden neither speaking to each other. They both heard Tessa crying and Anna-Maria started to go to her mother.

"Don't," said Jeremiah "She is hearing about the death of an old friend at the Alamo. My father saw him fall."

"You mean Captain Grisham? She told me that she had come to think of him as a friend rather than an adversary."

She stayed quiet for a moment, then turned to Jeremiah

"How many of my people have you and your father killed stealing our land?"

"We didn't steal your land. My father protected it for you and your mother. My father and I are soldiers and soldiers kill other soldiers. Few soldiers want to kill. The politicians want the soldiers to kill while they stay safe in their mansions. For the record, both of us are totally against the land grant policy but he did what he could within the system to protect you. Why else would my father sell it back to your mother?"

"Your father is just a lecherous old man who has always wanted my mother since they first met." Spat Anna-Maria.

"If that was true you and I would be brother and sister."

"Cabron."

"Bitch." replied Jeremiah as they faced each other. Jeremiah then grabbed her and pulled her to him and kissed her. She struggled for a moment then returned the kiss.

"Like father, like son," said Tessa as she and Jacob watched their children.

"Like mother like daughter," Jacob reached for Tessa and they followed their children's lead.

"Jacob, I have a confession to make."

"I am not a priest."

"Anna Maria's father, her real father was Doctor Helm.  I married a month after our affair. My husband was killed in a riding accident three weeks later. I loved my husband and he was a good man, but I was always attracted to Robert. Was I shameless?"

Jacob took her two hands in his. "No Tessa, just two women in love with the same man." Tessa continued "Robert was a good man and I loved him. We both knew that it would not work. I seem to fall in love with men I can't have or they die."

"Tessa, maybe that can change now that the Queen of Swords has retired."

As they watched their children, Jacob said "You know Tessa, you have owned this land for a long time, I officially owned it a short time and you own it again.  Maybe both families as one will hold our two haciendas. If I know my son."

"You maybe right Jacob, if I know my daughter."

"Only your daughter?"

"Only your son?" countered Tessa.

"Let's let the kids have the Hidalgo, I mean the Van Der Horst hacienda." He said as he kissed her.

THE END