Episode
#312
Part Four of Five
In the passageway, Tessa and Robert nearly collided with Juan Pablo.
"Ah, good, you are here. Your wife is calling for you," said Robert.
"Is she all right?"
Robert smiled. "She needs to rest. I want you to see that she does so. I'll be visiting regularly."
"Thank you, Doctor. I'm grateful." And he scurried away to the guest room.
Robert turned to Tessa. "Now, perhaps we can enjoy this evening in peace."
On the lip of Luna Canyon, a horseman sat in the darkness waiting for the Queen of Swords. No-one came.
"Very well, Señorita Alvarado. Have it your way. I will see your head on a stake by tomorrow afternoon."
Alonso turned his horse and head back to Santa Elena.
The party lasted all night and early in the morning, Señor and Señora Sean Fenner slipped out of the hacienda, mounted their saddled horses and rode away from the Alvarado hacienda on two of the recently saddle-broken mares.
"Dear husband, are you going to tell me where we are going to spend our honeymoon?"
"I suppose I should, since it will be a day or two before we get there."
"A day or two? Where are we going?"
"There is a place just south of Monterey near Mission Carmel. There is a cabin near the promontory where a lone cypress stands like a sentinel."
"It sounds… remote."
"It is secluded, but we don't want any visitors, do we?"
Josephine smiled coyly. "What are we going to do there? We can't stay in bed all of the time."
Fenner moved his horse away a few feet. "We could," he laughed. "I was there once and, from the point, you look down and you can see the sea otters playing in the kelp beds."
"Sounds…intriguing."
"You will see. But now, I will race you to a little place I found for our first night."
"Race you? That's not fair! I don't know where we're going."
"Then, you will have to follow me." He grinned as he put his horse into a gallop.
"Oooh! You are going to pay for this!" she said under her breath and she raced to catch up.
Fenner pulled up as he found the campsite.
"How did you find this place?" asked Josephine as she caught up to Fenner.
"Juan Pablo told me about it. He and Elena stayed here on the way down from Monterey."
Fenner dismounted and helped Josephine to dismount. He swung her into his arms without letting her touch the ground. "It isn't our home, but this is our wedding night," he said as he carried her to the already-prepared campsite at the base of a hill.
"I know this is just a lean-to that I built and not our home, but this is our wedding night," he said as he carried her to the already prepared campsite at the base of a hill.
Josephine's eyes surveyed the site. A fire ring was set up with stones and wood in the center like a small teepee was ready to light. A small lean-to was up against the hill, covered with pine needles. In the center of the structure was a large rectangular shape of thick pine needles. A quilt was pulled back which would cover the entrance at night.
"Fenner, when did you do this?"
"I came out here when you ladies were working on the wedding arrangements."
"Who ever said you were not sentimental," she said as she kissed him.
Fenner carried her through the doorway and set her down on her feet. He was panting heavily.
"I am not that heavy," said Josephine.
"No, but I am not that strong, either. That is Roman's forte. My strength is in my mind."
"Let's see if there isn't something else you are strong in," she replied as she slid her hands across his chest and down to his belt.
Fenner reached back and pulled down the flap covering the entry way. "Be gentle," he said, as his lips captured hers.
Act Four
Two days and many miles later, it was evening when the newlywed Fenners arrived at the cabin. As they dismounted, they looked at the reddish sky as the sun began to set.
"Red sky at night, sailor's delight," said Josephine.
"Look, there is the lone cypress. Tomorrow, we will have a picnic and watch the sea below. You will be amazed at what you see."
True to his word, Fenner helped Josephine prepare a meal and they settled at the base of the tree and looked over the side of the promontory. Below, they watched as sea otters played in the kelp beds, dove under the water and rose with sea urchins in their front paws. The otters turned over and over in the kelp, securing themselves from being carried out with the tide. Then the animals rolled over on their backs and feasted on their meal.
After lunch, the two mounted their ponies and rode down the coast until they reached a large grassy area near a beach. Their passing barely disturbed a few seals sunning on the rocks in the water. The water creatures looked at the intruders, barked and lay back down. Sea gulls flew overhead, gliding along the air currents and calling with their well-known vocalizations.
After a few hours, they rode back to the cabin and dismounted.
"It is so beautiful here that I never want to leave," said Josephine as she wrapped her arms around her husband's waist.
"I am glad you like it. The cabin is ours forever," he said as he hugged and kissed his wife. "Welcome home, Mrs. Fenner."
Shortly after Fenner and Josephine left the hacienda, Seņor and Seņora Roman Petroff entered a carriage provided by Tessa and were driven by Rafael to their new home, which Marta had not seen since it had been rebuilt. Roman stepped down and helped Marta from the vehicle. The driver got down and opened the door to the house as Roman carried his bride across the threshold. The new father-in-law chuckled as he closed the door and drove away.
It was evening when the newlywed Fenners arrived at the cabin two days later. As they dismounted they looked at the reddish sky as the sun began to set.
The next day, with the wedding over and the newlyweds on their respective honeymoons, the pueblo was back to business as usual. Almost. As Tessa and Helm were having lunch at the Cantina, Alonso Orvieta stormed into the square and began shouting.
"Colonel Montoya! I, Alonso Orvieta, am here to collect the reward on the Queen of Swords!"
The crowd gasped and the Colonel stepped out onto his balcony.
"Really? I don't see a body, and you don't appear to have any captives. Perhaps you could tell me where she is?"
"Give me the reward and I'll tell you."
"I think not. You tell me what you know and I'll decide if it's worth the reward."
"Fair enough. The Queen of Swords is right here in the square, under your very noses." Another gasp from the crowd. "In fact, the Queen is none other than Señorita Alvarado!" He pointed in her direction, the crowd looked in that direction and gasped again, and Tessa angrily bolted out of her chair, with Helm right behind her trying to keep her calm. Montoya left the balcony and walked right up to Alonso until he was inches from his face.
"You, Sir, are on dangerous ground. Unless you can provide me with proof of your claim, I will have you arrested and hanged."
"Why, Colonel, I am the proof. I saw it with my own eyes. There was no mistaking it. Señorita Alvarado and the Queen are one and the same."
"That's a lie!" A furious Tessa stormed off the porch of the Cantina right up to Alonso. "How dare you! Never in my life have I heard such…"
"Oh come off it! Your little act isn't fooling anyone, your Majesty."
"Did I just hear someone call my name?" shouted a female voice.
Montoya looked towards the sound and saw a familiar woman in black standing behind some boxes. He saw that the boxes provided a good barrier from any musket shots and only her shoulders and head could be seen. She waved at him then ducked down.
"The Queen," yelled a soldier as the Queen ran back up the alley as she pulled off the black blouse that she wore over her regular clothes.
As the soldiers ran towards the alley, they ignored the very pregnant woman in the white blouse and yellow skirt walking towards the Doctor's office. She walked out into the street and towards the office door. As she reached Helm's door, she screamed in pain and half stumbled into the office.
Meanwhile, Alonso was standing in the square, confused and furious, with the crowd's laughter ringing in his ears. After a few moments of this, he lost it.
"You bitch!" He lunged for Tessa only to be held back by the guards who hadn't gone after the Queen. "I don't know how the hell you did that, but you'll pay for making me look like a fool. I swear it!"
"Wrong," said Montoya. "You're the one who's going to pay. No-one in this pueblo gets away with making such wild accusations, especially without a shred of proof. Guards, take this piece of dishonorable trash to the jail."
Montoya faced Alonso. "Tomorrow, you will hang."
"But she is the Queen of Swords!"
"And who was that who waved to me? Her twin? Don't even attempt to weasel your way out. You will fail. Guards."
Tessa maintained a look of haughty disdain while the soldiers holding Alonso dragged him off towards the jail with Montoya behind them. As soon as he was out of sight, she put a hand to her forehead, as if she felt faint. On cue, Robert escorted her towards his office and the rest of the town went about their business.
When they were sure they were no longer being watched, Tessa gave Robert a quick kiss and ducked into the alleyway Elena had occupied. She walked past the crates and entered the stables where she slipped off her skirt to reveal the Queens black pants. Picking up the black blouse Elena had hidden, she put the shirt on over her blouse and strapped on the corset. While she tied on the red sash, she saw her sword and slipped it into the sword holder at her side. Nearby, she found the small pistol she had hidden there earlier and tucked it into her pants at the small of her back - just in case.
She smiled as she tied the lace mask into place and went out the back way, leading two saddled horses while carefully checking for soldiers. Once the jail was in sight, she tied the horses to a nearby post and made her way inside. A quick rap on the head with her sword's pommel dispatched the guard and she quickly located Alonso, who was gripping the bars of his cell and yelling something about being unfairly imprisoned. Upon seeing the Queen approach, he stopped his shouting and looked at her curiously.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm breaking you out."
"Changed your mind about me?"
"Hardly. I'd just like to settle this matter personally."
Without another word, the Queen took the keys she'd confiscated from the guard and opened Alonso's cell. While she went to the back door to see if the alarm had been raised, Alonso took the sword off the downed guard's prone body. He was about to snatch up the guard's pistol as well when the Queen took him by the collar and yanked him through the doorway. It was in this same manner that she led him over to where the horses were tied.
As they reached the horses the Queen yanked Alonzo by the collar and turned him around.
"I broke you out of jail so we can finish this in private."
"Don't worry, I won't run. I would rather take you down with my sword."
The two mounted the horses and headed for the desert.
Helm made his way back to his office alone. As he neared the door, a scream emanated from inside. Sprinting the last few steps and going inside, Helm found Elena crouched on the floor, leaning up against the door, moaning in pain. Helm almost ran to her. He didn't like what he saw. It was much too early even for false labour but a miscarriage might well be in progress. Before he could say anything, he turned to see Vera coming towards him with Grisham in tow. They'd seen through the door what was happening.
"May we help?" Vera called out.
"Yes. Señora," replied Helm. "And so may you," he added, nodding to Grisham.
Together, he and Grisham lifted Elena and carried her into the consulting room, laying her down on the bed.
"Grisham, would you go and find the expectant father, please?"
"Right away," said Grisham, giving Helm a mock salute before turning to go. He slammed the door behind him.
"And Vera, you can help me in here. Will you help Elena undress to her shift? Put the sheet over her, then fetch me. And I shall need you to stay in the room, of course. Do you think you can manage that?"
"Of course! But I have never been a midwife."
Helm sighed. The woman was an idiot. "Elena is not in labor, Señora Hidalgo. I doubt we shall need the skills of a midwife."
"But…"
He held up a finger. "There is nothing to panic about. The lady has been having severe cramps; it is unlikely to be more than that. Please do as I ask."
And as she flounced off to do as he asked, he left the room.
Alonso and Tessa arrived at their destination, La Luna Canyon. The pair dismounted and drew their swords.
"It would seem that this is it," said Alonso. "The final duel. You and me. Finally finishing what we started back at Señor Torres' academy. How are we going to do this? First blood, or are we going all the way this time?"
Tessa was grim. She had never wanted this; she had wanted only to be left in peace. If it ended badly, then so be it. Poor, darling Robert. Forgive me, my darling. "Only one of us is walking away this time, Alonso. En garde."
The combatants saluted each other, and the duel began in deadly earnest. Unlike the last time they fought, there was no real style or elegance involved. The only thing that mattered was survival. For a while, the two were evenly matched, meeting thrust for thrust and parry for parry. As they fought, Tessa assessed her opponent for weaknesses, and she soon found what she was looking for - his anger. Alonso soon got frustrated and angry, and therefore became careless. He swung his sword in an arc that could have taken her head off easily, but as it came, she ducked down and swept his legs out from under him. The sweep landed him square on his back and sent his sword skittering away. Tessa planted her left foot on his chest and raised her sword to deliver the final blow. Alonso did not flinch but closed his eyes and waited for her to finish him. But it was not what she wanted. Not now; not ever. When the blow did not come, he opened his eyes.
"I thought this was to the death?" he sneered.
"You're not worth it."
Alonso stood up and brushed himself off. "I should have expected cowardice from a woman."
Was that what it was? Cowardice? She thought not. Mercy? Perhaps not that, either. "Leave town and never come back. Next time, I shall finish what you started."
Without another word, Tessa turned and headed back to where Chico was waiting. As she prepared to mount, she heard the distinct click of a gun being readied. She turned and reached for her own pistol, only to find it missing. She pulled out one of her knives and threw it just as Alonso pulled the trigger on the gun. Tessa felt a searing pain as the bullet struck her left shoulder. As her hand flew up to cover the injury, she looked up saw Alonso staring down at his chest in shock before dropping to his knees and pitching forward, dead.
"What a waste," she muttered before pulling her hand away from her shoulder. It came away covered in her own blood. Alonso's dead fingers still clutched the pistol.
"Perro! Now I know where my pistol went."
She mounted Chico and urged him in the direction of Robert's office at full gallop.
Tessa reached Robert's office and slid off Chico's back. Through the back window, she saw Robert, Vera and Juan Pablo all surrounding Elena; very likely she was in labor. The window that led to Robert's bedroom was open. Being careful of her injured shoulder, she climbed inside and landed with a thud.
Continue to Part Five
If you have missed any episodes so far, you will find them in the Season Three Archives section .
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