Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords series are copyright to Fireworks and Paramount. No infringement is intended nor revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, Maril Swan.

VS Episode #207

The Last Knight
by Maril

Part Two of Three

Act Two, Scene 1

Despite the earliness of the day, the sun beat down on the three occupants of the wagon. The sky was clear as crystal and the air was filled with the scent of warm earth and desert flowers. Tessa inhaled deeply and smiled at her companions.

The old don was seated between the two women. He gazed about in silent absorption. Tessa watched him covertly, hoping something might trigger a memory, a clue to his identity. As they turned from the path leading from the villa onto the main road to Santa Elena, Tessa finally spoke.

"Don Quixote," she began. "Your fame has spread far and wide, your name is well-known. Until we know what happened to you yesterday, perhaps we should hide your identity. Use another name for now. What would you like to be called?"

He narrowed his eyes and pursed his thin lips. "You are right, my dear. Who knows what evil sorcerer or wicked prince is plotting my destruction. What name do you suggest?"

Tessa thought a moment then brightened and winked at Marta. "Don Alfonso," she said with a chuckle. "That was my grandfather's name. Will it do, señor?"

"Yes, Dulcinea. I will be called Don Alfonso to keep my identity a secret so that I may protect you from the evils that afflict this land." The old man took Tessa's hand and pressed it fondly. "Now that your champion has returned, my lady, you are safe from all harm."

Tessa felt a sudden rush of protectiveness for this old gentleman whom Fate had cast in her path. She kissed his dry cheek, which had been smoothly shaved earlier that morning by Marta.

A short while later, the pueblo Santa Elena shimmered into view on the horizon. The old buildings seemed to grow out of the desert sands and stand starkly against the vivid blue of the wide sky. Don Alfonso seemed to become more agitated as they drew closer. Finally, he grabbed the reins and pulled the team to a halt.

"The enchanted fortress!" he exclaimed, his thin voice rising as he trembled. "Turn back, Dulcinea, before it is too late."

The two women exchanged a confused glance. Marta took the reins back and started the team forward. "Don Alfonso," she said carefully. "We are immune from the enchantment. A Gypsy woman gave us secret words to say that broke the spell. It is safe for us to enter the fortress." She smiled encouragingly at the old man, placing her hand on his. He seemed to become calmer.

"Very good, Sancho," Tessa said with a light laugh.

As they passed through the town gate, Don Alfonso suddenly pointed at the governor's residence, a pastel pink building that stood out from the rest of the dull structures around it. "The palace of the evil prince!" he croaked. "I knew it! Stay near me, Dulcinea. I will not let him harm you."

"Yes, Don Alfonso. I will stay very close to you." Tessa noted the large crowd already thronging the streets and realised a supply ship or merchantman must have coasted into their tiny harbour.

Marta carefully guided the wagon through the bustling main street, around carts, people and wagonloads of goods. There seemed to be no place to park the wagon so she steered through a narrow sidestreet onto the street behind, where the doctor had his office. "It is very busy in town today," Marta remarked as she got down from the wagon. With a sly smile at Tessa, she added, "I wonder if Doctor Helm's office is open yet. Perhaps you should go and knock on his door."

Tessa frowned reprovingly at her friend. "Why would I do that ...Sancho? Come on, let's go into the market square. And I must find the colonel." Both women assisted Don Alfonso from the wagon and each taking one of his arms, led him down the sidestreet into the busy town square. Many people glanced curiously at the old man, but Tessa's hopes sank as no one showed any sign of recognition.

As they strolled toward the market stalls, Marta suddenly hissed, "Tessa, the colonel is coming this way."

Montoya bore down on them as they waited, and Tessa forced a welcoming smile on her lips. Beside her, she could feel Don Alfonso's nervousness increasing as the colonel got nearer.

"It's him!" Don Alfonso whispered urgently. "The evil prince. Do not worry, Dulcinea. I will save you from him."

"If only you could," Tessa muttered under her breath just as Colonel Montoya stopped in front of her. Aloud she said brightly, "Colonel Montoya. Buenos dias. Is there a ship in the harbour today? So many people in town. So much colour. It's quite taking my breath away."

The colonel bowed curtly, taking her hand and pressing a brief kiss on the back. "Señorita Alvarado, your presence always brightens any day." He turned his sharp grey eyes on the old man. "I see you have a visitor. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing, señor?"

The old don straightened, striking a noble stance, with his chin high, and said, "I am Don Alfonso, señor. And now you have the advantage of me. Who might you be?"

Montoya smiled patronizingly with a curt bow. "Colonel Luis Montoya, at your service, Don Alfonso. I am the military commander of this charming pueblo and surrounding territory. I hope your stay will be a pleasant one. How long will you be gracing us with your presence?"

Tessa interrupted with, "I must speak with you, Colonel. A matter concerning my hacienda."

"Ah yes, your hacienda. The one with the overdue taxes, I believe. When might I expect to receive the delinquent funds, Señorita? I would hate to have to foreclose on your estate. That would be most painful to me."

The old don pushed in front of Tessa, pressing Montoya back with his bony hand. His face was flushed with indignation. "How dare you speak to my lady like that? Abusing her in public. I will have an apology or I will have satisfaction!" Don Alfonso's hand moved to the rapier that was sheathed at his side.

Montoya stepped back a pace and regarded the old man with amusement and surprise. "Indeed, señor. You wish to duel with me over a few ill-chosen words?" The colonel made a small bow to Tessa, and said, "If my tone offended you, señorita, I humbly apologize. There is no need for blood to be spilled over such a trifle." He fixed his steely gaze on Tessa and added, "Señorita, may I speak with you privately for a moment? With your permission, of course, Don Alfonso."

"Marta ... er... Sancho. Please take Don Alfonso to the cantina for some refreshment after our long ride. I will join you there in a few moments." As soon as they had departed, Tessa turned her attention to the colonel. A grim scowl met her gaze.

"Now, Señorita Alvarado. Who is that demented old man and what is he doing walking around with a sword? He is a menace to peace in this pueblo."

"Marta found him yesterday on the trail. He was alone and dying of thirst. She brought him back to my villa. So far, we don't know anything about him, except he has this delusion that he is Don Quixote." Her explanation was cut short by Montoya's sudden burst of laughter.

"Well, that does explain quite a bit."

"And he thinks Marta is his squire, Sancho Panza."

Montoya's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he chuckled to himself. "The old man's wits must indeed be addled if he mistakes Marta for a man."

"He seems to see what he wants to see," Tessa replied shortly. "Has anyone mentioned a missing father or grandfather, Colonel? He seems to be a don, but I've never seen him around here and I know almost everyone."

"There has been no mention of any lost parents that I have heard." He regarded Tessa intently for a moment. "What if no one claims him? What will you do with the old man?"

Tessa shrugged. "I suppose we will have to take care of him until we find his family. If no one recognises him or looks for him, he will have to stay with us. Marta seems to be quite fond of him already. He is a nice man, in spite of his delusions."

Montoya shook his head deprecatingly. "He is hardly like a stray animal that you picked up and can be kept for a pet. He belongs somewhere. I will make enquiries to see if anyone knows of a missing person."

"Gracias, Colonel." She took Montoya's arm and began to walk toward the market square, her brow drawn in thought. "Colonel Montoya. I have a problem at my hacienda that I must bring to your attention. Many of my cattle are missing. I believe they are being stolen. Have any of the other dons reported anything about cattle rustlers?"

Montoya halted. "This is a serious problem, Tessa." He patted her hand paternally. "If a man was managing your hacienda, such things might not happen to you. It is likely your own workers who are stealing from you. They would be afraid to steal from a man. To answer your question, so far no other dons have complained of cattle theft. It seems to be an isolated incident on your hacienda. You must look to your own people for the culprits. I do not see how I can help you in this matter. With the Queen of Swords always menacing the pueblo, I cannot spare any men to guard your cattle. I hope you understand, señorita. My resources are already spread quite thinly." As he turned to leave, he said over his shoulder, "And do not forget the tax money. Or you may not have to worry about your hacienda much longer."

Act Two, Scene 2

While Tessa had been talking with the colonel, Marta had led Don Alfonso past the market stalls toward the cantina. At one stall, the old don halted abruptly, taking Marta's arm. "Oh, the iniquity in this place, Sancho! Look." He pointed a trembling finger at a row of ripe red tomatoes, lined up invitingly on the shelf of the market stall. One tomato had burst in the harsh sunlight and dripped its seeds and juice onto those below. "Those hearts, torn from innocent knights and left on display like that! Ah, my senses swoon at the foulness of it."

The tomato vendor glared at the old don whose loud declamation had drawn unwonted attention to his wares. Several people laughed and chided the vendor while most stared at Don Alfonso, and talked behind their hands. Marta's cheeks burned with chagrin at some of the comments aimed at the don, loud enough for him to hear; "poor old soul", "he should be kept at home", "crazy old man". She tried to draw him away but he pulled his sword and advanced on the tomato vendor.

"This outrage must be stopped! I challenge you, Evil Sorcerer, for the souls of these poor knights. Defend yourself." The old don's voice cracked with emotion, as he raised his sword in a salute and took the en garde stance.

The vendor's eyes widened in fear and he stepped around his stall to put the tomatoes between himself and his attacker. "Keep that lunatic away from me!" he shouted at Marta.

"Don Alfonso," Marta cried out, grabbing his sword arm. With little difficulty, she wrested the weapon from his gnarled hand. "We are outnumbered here," she whispered in his ear. "Sheath the sword and fight the sorcerer another day."

The old don glanced around at the crowd that had gathered, and nodded to Marta. "You are right, Sancho. Better to choose our battleground when the numbers are not so much against us." He added in a hushed voice. "They're a surly-looking lot, to be sure. Don't show your back to any of them, compadre." With that, he sheathed his sword and backed away with Marta at his side.

She gave the crowd a rather shamefaced smile and shrugged. As the onlookers dispersed, she took his arm firmly and led him into the cantina. As soon as he entered the wide verandah, the don began to gape at his surroundings and Marta steeled herself for whatever might come next.

The cantina owner, Señor Paredes, came toward their table, an affable smile forming on his face at seeing Marta. He was a smallish man with a wisp of dark hair surrounding his head like a tonsure. No moustache or beard obscured his olive features which were moistened with perspiration. Before he could speak, Don Alfonso stood and bowed courteously.

"My lord," he said respectfully, "I am unworthy to be in your presence. But I beg you to renew my vows of knighthood and reaffirm my oath of fealty to the lady Dulcinea." He handed his sword to the taverner, hilt first, and knelt before him.

Señor Paredes gasped, nonplussed, as he took the sword. He looked over Don Alfonso's bowed head at Marta. She gestured encouragingly and he cleared his throat several times before he could speak. "By the Holy Church and all its saints and martyrs, I do hereby dub thee knight." He tapped the sword on the don's shoulder.

Don Alfonso arose and beamed around to the sound of sudden spontaneous applause from the other patrons in the cantina. He bowed modestly, a spot of crimson staining his gaunt cheeks.

"Thank you, Señor Paredes," Marta said with a heartfelt smile. "Please bring us some wine and perhaps some of your famous empanadas. My mistress will join us in a few minutes." She had scarcely given their order before Tessa stepped onto the verandah and dropped into a chair at their table.

"As I expected, Montoya will be no help. And he hasn't heard of anyone looking for a missing person." Tessa sighed deeply. "So, 'Sancho', I suppose it is up to us to solve these problems. As usual." She glanced at Don Alfonso who was looking around in seeming fascination at the town and its inhabitants. The wide porch gave an almost panoramic view of the whole pueblo's main street and square. "Anything happen while I was talking to Montoya?" she asked, nodding at the don.

"I'll tell you later, 'Dulcinea'." Marta's eyes lit fondly on the old don. "We have had a few adventures."

Tessa regarded the pair for a few seconds, her curiosity piqued. With a resigned shrug, she leaned toward Marta, and said, "I think I will go out to the Hidalgo hacienda to see if they are missing any cattle. Gaspar has a large herd, must be over a thousand animals. Surely, if someone is stealing cattle, they would go after the large herds. I would hate to think it is my own workers who are stealing from me. I just won't believe it, no matter what Montoya says." Her brow wrinkled in worry as she meditatively took a sip of the red wine that had been set before her.

The trio ate their midday meal mostly in silence. Now and then, Tessa would exchange a greeting with a passerby who looked at the don with curiosity. She told them he was a friend of her father's, all the while hoping someone might recognise him. 'Until we know more about why he was alone on that trail, it might be better to keep up this pretence. There might have been foul play involved, though', she thought looking at the befuddled old man, 'it is just as likely that he wandered away from whoever was looking after him and got lost.'

"We might as well do some shopping while we're in town," Tessa said, arising after the meal. "We don't often have such a wide selection of goods as this." She gestured at the overflowing carts of fruits and vegetables, cheeses and sausages, and many other foods, all laid out on the vendors' carts. "Oh, and look, Marta, fresh tomatoes!"

"I do not think Don Alfonso cares for tomatoes," Marta said with a quick smile. "But we can purchase whatever else you wish."

Act Two, Scene 3

Marta steered the wagon down the path toward the villa. The return trip had been mercifully uneventful, and the don seemed to be tired from his adventures in the town. He had half-dozed most of the way, and leaned heavily against her. As was her wont, Tessa kept a meditative silence, lost in her own thoughts. Marta respected her need for introspection and concentrated on her own reflections. 'No one in town knew him,' she mused. 'Does that mean he has come from a long distance? Perhaps he came in on a ship, and wandered away from the harbour. Or maybe he was in a coach and got off at the wrong place.' These deliberations did not seem to lead anywhere except to the conclusion that the old don was now her responsibility. 'It is like having two children to care for,' she thought with a sidelong glance at her companions. She smiled to herself. 'Two dangerous children who both think they are knights.'

Her deliberations were interrupted by a small herd of horned steers coming down the trail toward them. Señor Casillas and several rancheros were driving the animals to their new pasture in La Luna Canyon. As they got closer, Marta turned the wagon off the trail and halted to allow the herd to pass. At that moment, Don Alfonso sat bolt upright when he saw the cattle. With a loud cry, he scrambled down from the wagon before Marta could react.

"Evil, sorcery, chicanery," his weak voice quavered at Señor Casillas as he tottered toward the foreman's horse. "Putting a spell on all these brave men, turning them into cattle." He stepped boldly in front of the approaching herd, causing the cattle to become alarmed. Several tried to jump away from the obstacle but others pressed forward, threatening to trample the old don. "I, Don Quixote de la Mancha, will break the enchantment and set you free." With that, he pulled off his jacket and began to flourish it at the cattle, now only a dozen yards distant. Standing rigidly, Don Alfonso splayed the coat to his side, like a matador, saying "Aha, toro, aha, toro," while waiting for the long-horned beasts to charge.

Tessa jumped from the wagon and rushed to the don's side. She pulled the jacket from his hands and waved it frantically at the oncoming herd, trying to divert them from trampling the don. The animals in front reared in panic causing those behind to try to break to the sides. Loud anxious bellows accompanied their skirmish to get away from the frightful things before them. A bull charged at the jacket just as Tessa pulled it away. The frightened animal passed within inches of Tessa and bolted away to catch up with its companions. Tessa thought she heard the old don shout, "Ole!" but in the din of thundering hoofs, she wasn't sure.

The rancheros suddenly found themselves in the midst of a stampede as the cattle turned away from the trail and headed for open country. The men took off after the herd, trying to steer them back in the direction of the canyon. Señor Casillas cast one fierce glance at the old don, then sped away after the rest.

Don Alfonso grinned and laughed until he lost his breath and nearly toppled. "That will serve him," he cackled, shaking his fist at the foreman. "Run away, mi compadres. Don't let him catch you," he chortled amidst the wheezes.

Marta caught him before he fell, and putting her arm around his waist, she helped him back to the wagon. Meeting Tessa's eyes, she saw a fleeting anger there, then Tessa burst out laughing.

"If you ever tire of knighthood, Don Alfonso, you could always try being a matador," she jested. Tessa helped the old man back onto the bench.

He sank down with a worried and melancholy expression. "They are still under the enchantment," he muttered dolefully. "I could not save them." The herd had stampeded around a bend in the trail and disappeared behind some rocky hills with the rancheros chasing after them.

Tessa stood up and raised her arms. "I know the secret of the spell. I will break it and they will be free, Don Alfonso." She murmured some Rom words that Marta had taught her, a line from an old Romani poem. When she resumed her place, the old man raised her hand and kissed it fervently.

"You have a good heart, Dulcinea. I am honoured to be your champion."

Act Three, Scene 1

Vera Hidalgo was distressed! She drew the buggy up in front of the Alvarado villa and jumped down, handing the reins to Pablo, the groom. With scarcely a glance at him, Vera hurried toward the front door. Her anxious knock was answered by Marta.

"Where is Tessa?" Vera blurted, brushing past into the foyer. "I must see her at once!"

"She is in her room. I will get her for you. Would you like to go into the parlour, señora?"

Vera bustled off toward the double doors at the end of the corridor, leaving Marta to wonder what was causing so much fluster in that young woman. Marta shook her head. 'Vera treads a dangerous path, almost like Tessa. But her dangers are of her own making, and she could prevent them. Her affair with Capitan Grisham is becoming too obvious, even for Don Gaspar not to notice.' She liked the pretty young señora but deplored her need for extramarital adventures.

Marta found Tessa ruefully examining her black silk blouse. She held it up for Marta's inspection, pushing her finger through a hole in its voluminous sleeve.

"That one was too close, Marta," she said. "Can you fix this or do I need a new blouse?"

Clenching her teeth against the reproach that threatened to leap out, Marta said calmly, "I will fix it ...and make you a new one. By the way, Vera is waiting for you in the parlour. She seems very upset about something."

When Tessa entered the parlour, she noted her friend's anxious pacing and the pallor of her face. Vera did indeed seem to be overwrought. She crossed the room and gave Vera a friendly peck on the cheek.

"Oh, Tessa. This is most upsetting. After you left yesterday, Gaspar had the rancheros count all the cattle. There are hundreds missing! Gaspar is furious. He has called a meeting of all the dons for tonight at our hacienda. I told him I would come here to tell you."

Tessa heaved a sigh of relief. "So it isn't just my herd that is being plundered. I was sure it was not my own people. Thank you for bringing me this news. I will be at the meeting." Though she would have preferred to be alone to think, Tessa insisted that Vera should stay for lunch. To do otherwise would have seemed inhospitable.

Concluded in Part Three of Three