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 Three of Three

Act Three, Scene 2

As Tessa entered the large salon at the Hidalgo residence, she was greeted by the sound of many raised male voices. Marta had stayed behind to look after Don Alfonso, so Tessa entered alone, with some trepidation. This was the first time she had been included in one of these landowners' meetings and she was not sure of her reception. It had taken much deliberation to decide on the right clothing for this important debut. With Marta's help, she chose the deep blue satin dress with a black lace shawl draped over her shoulders. Her long hair was pinned closely behind her neck and she wore her black beaded necklace with matching earrings. The effect, she hoped, was to make her look older, more mature, so her words in the meeting would carry as much weight as those of the men.

She straightened and lifted her chin, drawing in a steadying breath. The loud conversations dimmed somewhat as the other dons became aware of her. Tessa glanced around the elegant room, searching for Don Hidalgo. A long wooden table stretched most of the length of the room, and some of the dons were already seated, waiting for the meeting to start. Others were gathered in small groups, in heated debate, it seemed. Gaspar Hidalgo caught her eye and gestured for Tessa to come forward to the cluster of men in which he seemed to be holding court. She tightened her gloved hands in front of her, realising just how nervous she was in this company. Fighting with men as the Queen was one thing, but debating as the lone woman among them was quite another.

As she walked down the room, she nodded to the dons she knew. Some had been here while she was a child, others had emigrated to Alta California while she was in Spain. She was able to put names to all of the faces. The thought occurred to her as she scanned the crowded room, that perhaps one or more of these men had conspired in her father's death. His cryptic statement, "One man pulled the trigger, but there were many hands on the gun," recurred to her now and she watched carefully for an averted glance, a guilty look. Her attention was drawn to Don Hidalgo as he came forward to greet her.

"Ah, my dear Maria Theresa," Don Hidalgo said, as with an affable smile, he took her hand and kissed it tenderly. "How good of you to come. Now we can begin the meeting. I believe everyone is here." Don Hidalgo turned to the room which had quietened and announced. "Please take a seat at the table so that we can discuss this most disturbing news that Señorita Alvarado has brought to my attention."

He pulled out a chair for Tessa at his right, next to the head of the table. He took his place at the head, and waited while the other men found seats for themselves. Two servants set glasses of wine before the dons, as well as placing several pitchers of water at intervals on the white linen table cloth. When these functions were complete, he waved the servants out of the room. The doors to the salon were closed and Don Hidalgo rose with his wine glass.

"A toast to the King and Queen of Spain. And may God assist us in our deliberations tonight." His toast was returned by all, then a silence fell as the don looked around the table gravely. "Had it not been for Señorita Alvarado's vigilance with her own herd, we might not be here tonight to decide what to do about this cattle rustling. Yesterday, she came to see me about the loss of twenty head of her cattle. She recommended that I should count my own herd to see if any were missing. I was astounded to find over two hundred less than there should have been. I sent word to the other dons, and found all of you here tonight have suffered similar losses to your herds." He paused dramatically, obviously relishing the tension in the room. "Someone has been stealing cattle from all the herds in this area. Not enough to be noticed immediately, but enough that the culprits must have a sizeable herd by now. The questions before us are — how to stop the thefts and how to get our cattle back."

A tumult of voices arose suddenly, making Tessa wonder if anything would be accomplished here tonight. She stood up and the din subsided quickly. "Cattle leave tracks. Perhaps we could try to follow their tracks and see where they lead. Those tracks could lead us to the thieves and their hideout. Cattle can only travel at a slow speed when they're being driven so they must be still somewhere in this area." With a quick glance at the men to see if her words had any effect, she sat down. A few smiles and patronizing looks were the reward for her idea.

Don Selvera arose. His son, Teodoro sat sullenly next to him, fiddling abstractedly with his wineglass. "Señores, ...and señorita," he said with a small bow toward Tessa, "This is the responsibility of Colonel Montoya. It is not up to us to police our own territory. That is what we pay taxes for --- protection from criminals and for upholding the law. What can we expect to accomplish? We have already too much to do just keeping the cattle watered and fed in this hostile land. Now we should become vigilantes and go after the thieves ourselves? As for me, I plan to guard my herd more carefully, and shoot anyone who tries to steal from me. Apprehending the thieves is not my responsibility. I will protect what is mine, and that is all." He sat with a conclusive thump and crossed his arms.

Loud murmurs coursed around the table, and Don Hidalgo hammered its surface for order. "It is true that the military governor should take responsibility for apprehending the cattle thieves. But he has only about thirty men in the garrison. They cannot cover all the canyons and arroyos in the area to look for the cattle. We have over two hundred men when you add up all our rancheros and other workers. We can search more thoroughly, and as Maria Theresa suggested, perhaps find the tracks of the stolen cattle to lead us to the thieves." He smiled benignly upon Tessa, then continued. "We pay our taxes for the protection of the law. But, as we have seen, Colonel Montoya has his hands full just chasing the Queen of Swords. He cannot be relied upon to help us. We must help ourselves in this matter."

One of the dons shouted, "Perhaps it is she who is stealing our cattle." The other men laughed at this preposterous idea and the din of many voices arose again.

The evening wore on with many of the dons suggesting solutions, and being shouted down by others. The roar of debate continued until Tessa had a headache. Finally, Don Hidalgo said, "We have heard many good ideas tonight. It is obvious we cannot come to a consensus. But we have accomplished one thing — we are all now aware of the danger to our herds and can take steps to prevent further depredations. I thank Señorita Alvarado for the warning and for her excellent suggestions. This meeting is adjourned. Coffee and cigars will be provided in a few minutes for anyone who wishes to remain."

Tessa got up and turned to Don Hidalgo with a wry smile. "I will forego the cigars, Don Hidalgo, and return home now. Thank you for inviting me to the meeting. I look forward to the next one." She held her hand to the don and he kissed it fondly, giving it a paternal squeeze.

"Buenas noches, Maria Theresa. Do you want one of my men to accompany you safely home? I would worry about you going all that way alone."

Quickly turning this over in her mind, she decided it would be prudent to accept his offer. "Si, Don Hidalgo, if it is not too much trouble. I would feel safer with a man to protect me. Gracias." To be seen as too independent might lead to suspicion, and Tessa did not want to risk anyone wondering why she would decline the offer of protection. She knew her sword was handily strapped under the wagon seat and nearly smiled at the unnecessary precaution of an escort.

Act Three, Scene 3

Marta looked up from her needlepoint as Tessa entered the room. In the flickering candlelight, Marta could see her ward was tired and discouraged. Tessa's eyes were troubled. She smiled tightly at Marta and shook her head.

"How did men ever get to rule the world, Marta?" she asked sardonically as she dropped onto the brocade sofa. "You would not believe the meeting tonight. Nothing was decided, no action taken. I guess we are on our own as the dons seem concerned only with their own interests and will not get together to solve this problem." She sighed wearily. "How was your evening? Any more adventures with our knight?"

"No. He was tired from the day, and after his supper, he seemed ready to go to bed. He is asleep now." Marta's face softened and she smiled. "Don Alfonso is such a fine man. I wonder why no one has come to look for him. It is sad for the old when the young will not care for them. Among my people, the elders are revered for their wisdom, and cared for until death."

Marta began to put away her needles and thread. "Now that you are safely home, I think I will go to bed. I will check on Don Alfonso first." She arose and went down the hallway to the guest room, carefully opening the door. With a gasp, she drew back and called out, "He is gone! Tessa, we must find him. Madre de dios, how did he get out without my seeing him?" Marta rushed back down the hall toward the front door.

Tessa groaned and rose wearily to her feet. "He can't have gone far, Marta. Maybe he's just in another part of the house. I'll look outside and you check all the rooms. We'll find him. Don't worry." This last comment seemed wasted on Marta as she cast a frightened look at Tessa and hurried toward the kitchen. Tessa pushed open the front door and stepped onto the verandah. The chirring of crickets and some rustling in the nearby trees greeted her. The breeze brought exhalations of roses from the garden and the warm scent of the earth releasing its heat to the night. She breathed deeply and looked up at the stars. A sliver of moon hung like a silver crescent with Venus shining like a diamond off its earthside point. A beautiful evening. Tessa was so caught up in the peaceful splendour of the night she nearly forgot why she was outside.

A loud whinny and anxious stamping from the stable broke her reverie and she ran to the stable door. In the dimness, she could hear Chico's nervous grunting and whickering. Then she heard a voice.

"Rocinante, old fellow. Do not be afraid. It is I, your old master, Don Quixote." The quavering voice of the old don seemed to be making the stallion uneasy.

Tessa froze for a moment as she realised he had opened Chico's stall and had stepped inside with the horse. Her heart seemed to still as she moved carefully forward, trying not to alarm her horse more than it was.

"Don Quixote," she whispered. "That stallion is very high-spirited. He will not allow anyone but me to ride him. Please come out of his stall. He can be dangerous when he is frightened."

"Nonsense, my dear Dulcinea. Rocinante knows me. My own fine and loyal steed. He is just surprised to see me." The don moved to take hold of Chico's bridle and the horse screamed in fear and reared, knocking the old man onto the straw bedding. Its large front hoofs landed only inches from Don Alfonso's head.

Stepping past the don, Tessa moved quickly to her horse, and grabbed the bridle, all the while speaking calmly to him, trying to settle him down. The stallion grunted and sidled away from her, finally coming to rest on the far side of his large box stall. His chest filled and emptied like a bellows and he shivered under Tessa's soothing strokes on his long neck and her quiet, gentle words.

Marta appeared at the entrance of the stall. With a muffled cry, she moved to the don, who was shakily trying to rise off the straw bedding. She lifted him and hustled him out into the alley between the enclosures. In a moment, Tessa joined her after closing the gate to Chico's stall.

Don Alfonso wheezed and coughed. At length, he said angrily, "The horse is under an enchantment. Someone has bewitched him into forgetting his old master. We must go out into the night and find the sorcerer who has done this."

"Let us go tomorrow in the daylight, Don Alfonso," Marta coaxed. "We will not find him in the dark." She tucked his arm in hers and led him unresistingly from the stable. "Tomorrow we will set out on our quest."

Act Four, Scene 1

Teodoro Selvera dismounted quickly and tossed the reins of his horse to Pablo. "See he is watered and brushed," the young don said brusquely. "And be careful. He is a valuable horse, not one of your spavined old mules." Teodoro's features settled back into their usual haughty expression, the disdainful look he cast upon the whole world. He swaggered toward the front door of the Alvarado villa, and knocked sharply.

Rosa answered, her bulk almost filling the doorway. "Si, señor," she said inquiringly, not recognising him.

"Tell your mistress Señor Selvera is here to see her, and be quick about it." Turning from her abruptly, he dropped into one of the wicker chairs on the patio. He glanced around the hacienda landscape with its fields of waving grain and gardens. 'Señorita Alvarado has done a lot here in less than a year. I would not have expected it of her. She must have a good man managing the place.' His thoughts were interrupted by Tessa who seemed to glide gracefully toward him in her flowing printed skirt. He stood and it seemed, for the first time, really saw her. 'Such a beauty,' he thought. 'Why have I not thought of courting her before this? Instead of all the hard work of stealing with Ramon and Isabelle, I could have simply married Tessa. But it is not too late.'

Teodoro bowed formally, taking her hand and pressing it tenderly while planting a lingering kiss on the back. His expression was warm and intense as he gazed into her confused eyes.

"Teodoro," she said, pulling her hand back a bit too quickly. His touch revolted her as she remembered only too vividly how his careless shot had killed her godfather. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" she said with irony.

He smiled, an act which did nothing to relieve the arrogance firmly marked on his features. "I had nearly forgotten why I came here," he said softly, "so lost was I in your beauty." The quick flush which rose in her face emboldened him and he added, "A man could lose himself in the dark depths of your eyes and ..."

Tessa cut off whatever he was about to say. "Just tell me why you're here. I'm sure you didn't ride all this way to offer me flowery phrases. What do you want?" she said sharply. Her expression hardened as she stepped away from him. It was all she could do to remain anywhere near this murderer without wishing she had her sword in her hand.

Anger flickered across his face. "I understand you found an old man near your hacienda. I believe he is my grandfather. If you would be good enough to fetch him for me, I could identify him. My grandfather disappeared a few days ago from his hacienda and I have been looking for him ever since." With that he turned away and sat back down in the chair, dismissing her as he gazed out over her lands. He didn't hear her leave but in a few minutes she had returned. The sharp cry of fear made him turn.

"The Knight of the White Moon!" Don Alfonso shouted. "Where is my sword? This blackguard has defamed your name, Dulcinea. He will die for that dishonour. Get my sword, Sancho!"

Marta grasped the old man's arms and held him back as he tried to advance on Teodoro. Don Alfonso's face was suffused with blood, his bright blue eyes bulged with hatred. He trembled as he struggled to free himself from Marta's grip.

Teodoro laughed heartily and shook his head. "The crazy old fool. He's quite comical, isn't he? That's my grandfather." He chuckled as he strode forward to take hold of the old don. "Come on, abuelo. I'll take you home now," he said coaxingly as Don Alfonso tried to back away. "Don't make a fuss. You know how that makes me angry."

As Teodoro reached for the old man's arm, Marta pushed his hand away. "How will you take him back? You only have your horse. You can't expect him to ride all that way on a horse. I will go with you in the wagon."

The young man frowned. "You seem to take great liberties for a servant. Who do you think you are, telling me what I can or can't do? Get out of the way. You are not on 'my' level, Gypsy."

Tessa grabbed his arm and spun him around. "Marta is very definitely not on 'your' level, Teo. And what she says is true. We will not let your grandfather suffer the discomfort of riding on the back of your horse. Either you bring your own wagon, or take ours. Marta will go with you to see him safely home."

He waved airily. "As you wish. Get him ready to go. I don't have all day. Bring some food and water. It is nearly half a day's ride to Grandfather's hacienda." He sauntered down the verandah steps and called to Pablo. "Bring my horse."

Tessa exchanged a look with Marta who nodded and led Don Alfonso back inside the villa.

Act Four, Scene 2

The long ride took them onto the Camino Real for some distance, then following Teo Selvera on his horse, they branched off onto a narrow trail that led between high rocky cliffs. Eventually, that gave onto a wide plain. In the distance, Marta could see another line of hills ahead and hoped the wagon trail did not lead up their steep inclines. Don Alfonso had been quiet the whole trip. He seemed to have settled into a resigned melancholy that tore at Marta's heart but she did not know how to help him. His grandson had come to claim him, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Keeping her eyes on the ground, Marta began to notice the indentation of many tracks. She studied them as the wagon rolled over the marks and with a frown of consternation, realised they were the hoof prints of cattle, many cattle. Her scalp prickled suddenly as the truth hit her. She felt suffocated by this revelation. Stolen cattle? Could it be that Teo was the cattle thief?

So intent was she on the tracks, she was not aware that Teo had halted, waiting for the wagon to draw near. "This is far enough, Gypsy," he said harshly.

Marta looked up into the black muzzle of a pistole aimed at her. "What are you doing, señor?" She swallowed her fear in worry over the old man. As she watched Teo warily, a group of three riders converged on them from the direction of the hills. Their dust enveloped the wagon as they reined in beside Teo.

"Take them to that canyon, and kill them," he said carelessly to the men.

"You are the cattle thief," Marta said sharply. "I should have known. Is your father involved in this too?"

"I have stolen more cattle from my father than from any of the others." He bellowed out a malicious laugh that seemed to echo off the surrounding hills. "He sent me to look after my grandfather as a punishment for my, shall we say, transgressions. Since Grandfather had become a witless old fool, I ran the hacienda for him. But it was run-down from his neglect, and poor. Taxes were owing and I was afraid of losing the place. That's when I got the idea of adding to his herd with donations from the other dons." Teo snickered. "I am becoming rich, thanks to my father and his friends. And until your mistress noticed her loss, it was a thriving business. Take fifty head from here, a hundred from there, with no one the wiser."

"But you got greedy and took some of Señorita Alvarado's cattle, a loss she could not miss from her small herd."

Teo shrugged. "Who could have guessed she was paying any attention to her cattle? She has her vineyards and winery. A small slip, but one I am about to fix. It is unfortunate for you and my grandfather that banditos killed you and stole your wagon. And of course, no one will ever know what became of you. Except, perhaps, those," he said pointing to the sky. A pair of vultures circled above the plain, their dark shadows passing over the wagon. Marta could not restrain the shiver that ran through her.

"Tessa knows we left with you. They will come searching for us, and discover your stolen cattle. You will hang for this. You are already cursed by the murder of Tessa's godfather." A tight smile flashed across her lips as his face paled slightly. He was frightened by her. Superstitiously afraid.

"You know, Gypsy, you talk too much." He lifted the pistol and aimed at her head.

As he cocked the trigger, Marta suddenly flicked the traces over the horses, driving the wagon straight at his horse. It shied, and his shot went astray. She whipped the team into a gallop, speeding in a wide arc away from the gang. She was aiming for the narrow pass they had just come through, hoping they would not catch up before she got there. As she handled the team, she felt under the wagon bench and her fingers touched the cool metal. She smiled. Carefully, she pulled the pistol out and set it beside her.

Don Alfonso cackled, almost beside himself with glee. "Sancho, you amaze me," he shouted over the din of the wagon. "With my trusty companion, I am invincible!" He pulled his rapier from its scabbard and swung it around, nearly falling off the bench. "Let them catch us. We'll show them." His blue eyes gleamed merrily as he hung onto the swaying bench with one hand, waving his sword in the other.

The gang was closing fast on the wagon and Marta drove the team for all it was worth. She would not make it. Too far away. And the team was tiring. One of the bandits drew even with the one of her horses and grabbed the bridle. Marta levelled the gun and fired. He fell under the wagon, and was obscured by the dust as she glanced back. "Can you reload a gun?" she asked Don Alfonso.

He shook his head. "But I have my sword. That will be enough." His grin faltered as another man got hold of the team and slowly brought it to a halt. The old man jumped off the wagon, brandishing his sword.

"Come on, varlets! I am prepared to fight you all." He staggered on his unsteady legs as the men laughed and jostled him with their horses.

"Old man," said Teo, climbing off his horse. "You are in my way." He pulled his sword and advanced on Don Alfonso.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own age?" a voice called from the pass. All eyes turned to a woman in black, trotting toward them. The upper half of her lovely face was obscured by a lace mask. One of the men pulled his pistol and aimed. A dagger flew into his shoulder and with a yell of anguish, he dropped the gun.

Marta leapt down from the wagon to retrieve her knife. The man roiled on the ground in pain, but when he saw Marta approaching, he tried to stagger to his feet. She wrenched the dagger from his shoulder and he grappled with her, trying to take the weapon. The fight was brief, the wounded man weakened from pain. Soon, Marta pulled away from him and he passed out. She turned in alarm as another shot burst from somewhere near.

The last bandit fired at the Queen and missed. She bore down upon him and knocked him off his horse with hard shove. He got up quickly and drew his sword. Tessa jumped off her horse while unsheathing her own weapon. They circled a few times, waiting for an opening. Then the bandit lunged and Tessa parried easily. The clash of swords rang over the plains. Two pairs of unlikely combatants duelled fiercely as Marta watched, unable to do anything.

Teo slashed at his grandfather and the old man blocked and thrust. Teo smiled. "So you're going to make a fight of it. Well, this should be fun." In earnest, Teo began to hack at the old knight's defences, driving him back and making him stumble over the rough terrain. Don Alfonso's face became flushed, his breath wheezed loudly in his chest, but he fought on.

"Why don't you give up, old man? You know I am going to kill you. Make it easier on yourself." Teo lunged and Don Alfonso counterparried and gave him a slice on the upper arm in passing. Enraged, the younger man bellowed and charged. Nimbly, Don Alfonso stepped aside, giving Teo a slap on the rump with the flat of his sword.

The old don laughed gleefully. All at once, his face constricted with pain and he grabbed his chest. He staggered, and fell. Teo quickly advanced on his fallen opponent and lifted his sword. "The coup de grace," he said as he began the downward stroke toward Don Alfonso's neck. Suddenly, Teo dropped his sword and arched backwards. The hilt of a dagger was lodged between his shoulder blades and he reached back futilely to pull it out even as he dropped lifelessly to the ground.

Marta knelt and lifted the old man's head onto her lap. Her whole being trembled with the aftermath of the fight. She had killed, but would not think of it yet. Right now, Don Alfonso needed her. She touched his pale cheek fondly. His eyelids flicked open and he tried to smile. "We beat them all, didn't we, Sancho?" his weak voice quavered. "Don Quixote has vanquished the evil foe."

"Si, you are the bravest of all the knights. The last one. The last and the best," she whispered as his slight body relaxed in her arms, and his blue eyes gazed sightlessly into the eternal sky. She closed them gently, ignoring the tears that fell on his gaunt cheeks, brushing the fine white locks of hair off his forehead. She felt Tessa put her arms around her shoulders. That tender gesture unleashed her grief and she wept silently for her fallen comrade. The last knight.

Act Four, Scene 3

Don Hidalgo sipped his wine reflectively as he watched Tessa and Marta drive up to his villa in their wagon. He arose and stepped down his stone steps toward them. "Well," he called out, "Hail the conquering heroes." The portly don helped Tessa down and then with a wry smile, took Marta's hand and kissed it. "I hear you were very brave, Marta, against a whole gang of thieves."

Marta blushed and looked away. "I was lucky, I suppose. And I had a lot of help from the Queen of Swords."

He smiled gently at her discomfort. It was obvious she did not like to draw attention to herself. He turned to Tessa. "We have most of our cattle back and the rest of the culprits have been caught. We owe it all to you and Marta. You gave us the warning and Marta, almost singlehandedly, broke up the ring." He chuckled, his stout frame jiggling. "Perhaps we would do better to hire you as our protectors," he jibed. "But now, let us go in to enjoy the lunch that my petal has prepared for us."

Epilogue:

Marta sat on the warm sand, tossing pebbles at the frothy fringes of the waves that lapped gently on the shore. Overhead, the dark shadow of a bird passed over her and she shivered as she looked up. A wry smile crossed her face as she saw the white gull glide on the warm air, then skim the sea and land upon its smooth waves. It bobbed up and down almost comically and she watched for a while, trying to empty her mind of the chaos within.

She was troubled by the deaths she had caused. 'Now I know how Tessa must feel. What torments she must endure." The crunch of sand alerted her to someone approaching. Shading her eyes against the harsh glare of sunlight on the white beach, she saw Tessa striding toward her. She waited with mixed feelings as the young woman approached. She had come here to be alone, but was suddenly glad of the company, a relief from her own melancholy thoughts.

"I thought I might find you here," Tessa said as she plopped down onto the sand. She sighed. "I like to come here to think sometimes too." She gazed out over the breakers, letting the warm breeze caress her face. "It's so peaceful in this little cove. When my life gets too heavy, I like to just sit and watch how Nature takes care of everything in her own way. Sometimes, I feel as if nothing anyone does makes a difference. The earth will go on as it always has. I guess the only difference we make is to the lives of those we care for. Like Don Alfonso." She took Marta's hand and patted it affectionately.

"His life with Teo must have been a living hell for him. He escaped into a fantasy world, and then he ran away and met you. Through you, Marta, he was able to live out his dreams. You were his true companion, his trusty Sancho. And he died a knight's death. Just as he would have wanted."

Tessa stood up, and without another word, began to walk back along the beach toward the trail that wound up the cliff. Her horse was tied there, next to Marta's mare.

"Wait, Tessa, I am coming with you." As Marta hastened to catch up to the younger woman, Tessa turned and smiled, the sunlight giving her a sudden surreal radiance. Marta thought, 'The sword has been passed to another. Perhaps he was not the last knight after all.'

THE END

©The Last Knight - Maril Swan - November 2001

Please send your comments on this story to the author, Maril Swan