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Full Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction and was written for pure reading pleasure
and entertainment. The names of the characters in the story related
to the television series "Queen of Swords" are owned and copyrighted
to the Production Company of Fireworks Entertainment. The names, characters,
places and incidents are used fictitiously and any similarity is entirely
coincidental with no infringement intended. The original story is copyrighted
to the author and no monetary worth is proposed or gained. List of
Unknown Characters: Translated
Words: Dulce
Venganza
Part 2 of 3 At the sound of the rooster crowing in the distance, Marta looked towards the open window of Tessa's room and realized that the night had ended and with it a brand new day had begun. The early morning dawn had caused the first early rays of sunlight to penetrate inside and light up the gloomy room. The long night had placed a tough strain on Marta and she welcomed the freshness of the Saturday morning. Marta spent a tireless night by Tessa's bedside watching and giving her the elixir. Throughout the night, Tessa on separate occasions would toss and turn in her bed sometimes mumbling and moaning in pain, indications that the fever caused her much suffering. Marta felt helpless as she carefully watched Tessa's progress and knew her condition was not changing. The mysterious fever was making Tessa worse and Marta did not know what else she could do to help Tessa fight and overcome the evil invading her body. Reaching over to change the cloth on Tessa's forehead, Marta noticed that Tessa's nightgown was soaked from the persistent fever and cold sweat that emanated from her hot body. To alleviate some of Tessa's discomfort, Marta decided to change the nightgown for a fresh, light and rose colored silk robe. After she changed Tessa with a new outer garment, Marta thought, Tessa is showing no signs of getting better and she needs help. Marta knew that all the criados on the hacienda were early risers and would be busy with their house chores. Worried and concerned for Tessa's life, Marta, still dressed in her nightgown, grabbed her shawl and left Tessa's room. Just outside the doorway Marta saw Carmelita, Felipe Moreno's wife, in the hallway cleaning and sweeping the floors. Marta walked up to her. "Carmelita, where is your husband?" The woman stopped her chore and looked at Marta, "He's in the barn fixing a door, I think", she answered. Carmelita saw Marta's distressed faced and asked, "Qué pasa Marta?" Marta, needing to relieve some grief, told Carmelita what had happened to their mistress and the woman took the news by surprise. "Marta, tell me what I can do to help", responded Carmelita. Marta pleaded with Carmelita to stay by Tessa's side so that she would not be alone, while she went in search of her husband. Marta went outside and looked around for the criado and caretaker of the hacienda and finally spotted him at the barn. She walked towards him. Felipe Moreno, who was repairing a wooden gate, heard someone call out his name. "Felipe". The middle aged man stopped his chore and looked up as he saw Marta approach him. "Buenos Días, Martita, como estas?", Felipe responded. Marta stood before him and he saw the look on her face, an indication that something was not right. Felipe had noticed that from her appearance and the tired look in her eyes, Marta had not slept all night long. "Felipe, our mistress has taken ill and she needs help. Go into town and ask Doctor Helm to come to the hacienda and hurry, por favor", Marta implored. Hearing and seeing her exasperated voice and face, Felipe stopped his chore and within minutes Marta saw him saddle a horse, mount it and ride off towards the town of Santa Helena. As Marta returned to the house, she noticed the day had started to warm up and the coolness of the night had disappeared. Today was going to be no exception. The day would be just like all the other hot summer days. Marta walked into Tessa's room and saw Carmelita sitting by Tessa's bedside. Carmelita saw Marta and was about to leave when Marta requested the woman notify her when Felipe returned. Carmelita acknowledged her inquiry and left the room. Marta sat down on the chair next to the bed and stared at Tessa. Feeling her eyes well up with tears, Marta thought, Dios Mio, I can't believe this is happening. Por Qué? Tessa is a strong young woman. She has to get over this. With tears streaming down her cheek, Marta prayed in silence that Dr. Helm would hurry and get there soon to save Tessa's life. << ======================================= >> The moment Dr. Helm heard from Felipe that Tessa Alvarado was ill, he grabbed his medicine bag and walked out the door followed by Felipe. He headed towards the stable to get his horse. Following Felipe on his Andalusian mare, Furia, the two headed out of town and rode at full gallop to reach the Alvarado hacienda. Riding alongside Felipe, Helm thought, I knew something was wrong. She is so stubborn. But she will hear me out on this one. The two riders rode in silence making each minute count. << =========================================== >> While waiting for Dr. Helm to arrive, Marta requested that Carmelita once again stay with Tessa as she took some time to fix herself up and change into suitable clothing. When she finished she immediately went back to Tessa's side to dismiss Carmelita from her responsibility. A half an hour later, a criado had gone to inform her that two riders were seen approaching the hacienda. Marta once again left Tessa's side and made her way to the front door and opened it. Dismounting his mare, Dr. Helm handed the reins over to Felipe, who took the horse and led it towards the barn. Dr. Helm saw Marta standing by the doorway and walked towards her as she greeted him. "Gracias for coming Doctor", Marta told him in a worried tone. Marta motioned for him to come inside and he followed her in. Dr. Helm responded, "When Felipe told me, I came as fast as I could. How is Señorita Alvarado?" As she closed the door, Marta answered him, "Tessa came home last night complaining she wasn't feeling good and I told her to go to bed and get some sleep. Before I retired for the evening, I decided to check in on her and discovered that something was terribly wrong. Somehow she developed a high fever and all night long she has been complaining of pain. I gave her a remedy that I know of, but I could not get her temperature down and I do not know what else is wrong." Dr. Helm could feel the anguish in Marta's tone of voice. "Marta I need to examine her to determine what could be the cause of her illness. Don't worry she is in my good hands now", he reassured her. Marta led Dr. Helm towards Tessa's room. The moment he stepped inside and saw her, his heart sank. He could not believe that just yesterday, both she and he had been at a joyous party and she looked fit and cheery. Now she was lying in bed, unconscious, and needed his care. He thought, I hope it is not to late to determine the origin of her illness so that I can see this young and beautiful woman well again. Dr. Helm walked over and sat down on the bed to examine Tessa. Before he got started, he saw the pretty silk gown Tessa was wearing. His eyes immediately noticed that it was very sheer and almost see through. Her half-naked body made his insides react in a different manner that surprised him. He thought, I am a medical doctor and I have seen countless patients naked or covered, why is it so different with the beautiful Tessa Alvarado? He shrugged the feeling away and concentrated on his patient. Marta watched as he poked and prodded Tessa's neck, arms and legs to check for any inflammation on the body. As he touched her, Dr. Helm realized that her skin was very hot. Tessa would react each time Dr. Helm touched a part of her body and moaned in pain. Marta then saw him check her eyes and chest to ensure the pupils were not enlarged and her breathing rhythms were consistent to normal behavior. She definitely has the symptoms of a fever., he thought. Upon finishing his examination, Dr. Helm confirmed that Tessa's high body temperature was consistent with an infection, but could not explain her pain. It was hard for him to determine the stage of Tessa's condition. Looking at Marta, who was standing nearby waiting for his prognosis, Dr. Helm gave her is medical opinion. "Marta, since Señorita Alvarado has been feeling this way all night long and in order for me to determine the best course of action in treating her, I suggest we transport her back to my office in town. I have access to all the necessary medications and I can make a better judgement of her illness and begin her treatment", he remarked. << ===================================== >> Montoya woke up content and satisfied. He climbed off his bed, grabbed his robe and walked over to the door that led out to his veranda to greet the new day. His revenge had worked and now all he had to do was just sit back and gloat. Everything had worked out according to his plan. Admiring the blue sky filled with floating white clouds, Montoya thought The day is going to be another scorcher, but I'll take the heat over the suffering that Gaspar must be enduring right now. He smiled then chuckled. As he stood on the porch of his private quarters, Montoya saw Dr. Helm and another man ride off at full gallop in the direction of the Alvarado hacienda. Well, maybe the good Doctor and Tessa Alvarado hit it off last night., he thought. Smiling again he went back inside to dress so he could go to the Cantina and enjoy his morning breakfast. << ===================================== >> The criados of the hacienda were standing by awaiting any orders. Marta agreed with Dr. Helm's recommendation of moving Tessa to his office so that he could treat her properly. She packed a few items in a bag for Tessa and herself, feeling that it would be days before they could return home again. Not wanting to waste precious time, she immediately went to make arrangements and mobilized a few criados to have them move Tessa on a stretcher onto the back of a wagon so that she could be transported back to Santa Helena. The suffocating heat from the day made the ride back into town unbearable. Marta decided that Felipe should drive the wagon so she could sit in the back to watch over Tessa and to ensure that she was comfortable. She had begged Felipe to drive the team of horses as carefully as he could. The arrival of the wagon into town with Marta sitting in the back and Dr. Helm riding behind, caused a commotion and inquisitive looks from a few of the citizens, who witnessed their entrance. A few dared to ask and learned what had happened. Immediately news spread like wildfire throughout the little pueblo that the young Tessa Alvarado had been brought in seriously ill. Montoya sat at a table on the porch of the Cantina finishing his morning breakfast. He watched as the local inhabitants went about with their normal daily business. Always the same activities going on, with the exception that, it's another new day in our humble little pueblo, he thought. A slight breeze brushed over his face and with it the notion that maybe the wind would cooperate today and blow stronger, offering a balance to relieve the heat. At a table next to him, another couple was talking over breakfast and he overheard their topic of discussion that took him by surprise. He learned from their conversation that Dr. Helm had brought back into town to his office a very sick person. Upon hearing this information, Montoya immediately got out of his chair, dropped a gold reale on the table, left the Cantina and went in search of Grisham. Six soldiers followed closely behind Grisham back into town. They rode to the garrison stables and dismounted. Grisham handed the reins of his horse, Montero, and ordered that the horse be given a good wash and rubdown. The sweat of the animal combined with the dust often stirred up from the ride through the canyon passage caused the animal to look brown instead of his magnificent color of white. Grisham and his men had gone to patrol the area of Cabrillo Canyon, just south of the town. It was a very mountainous terrain with a vast valley of desert plains. Grisham exited the stables to return to his quarters. He felt dusty and wanted to freshen up and possibly change into a new uniform. From a distance he heard his name called out loud and knew it was Montoya who had singled him out. He saw Montoya heading in his direction. He rolled his eyes, shook his head and looked down at the ground frustrated. Grisham wondered, Oh no, Montoya has a look on his face. He immediately looked up and started to walk in Montoya's direction. Montoya spotted Grisham leaving the stables and called out his name. "Grisham". He walked towards him using a commanding stride that signaled him as a man with authority. He met Grisham in the center of town. "Morning Colonel, I just came back from my morning patrol. I covered the surrounding area of Cabrillo Canyon and there was no sign of the Queen of Swords", Grisham reported. Montoya stood before him and looked at Grisham with an expression of disappointment. Montoya immediately changed his attitude and went straight to his point of interest. "Grisham, I want you to find out who was brought into the Doctor's office this morning. I heard a rumor and I want to confirm it", Montoya ordered. He directed his attention towards the building of Dr. Helm's medical office. Grisham looked at Montoya and responded. "But Sir, I was just going to freshen up and have some breakfast". He realized that he had just given him the wrong answer. Montoya turned his head around and looked annoyed. With his piercing eyes he stared at Grisham and replied to his pathetic remark. "Now Grisham, I will wait for your report in my office". Montoya turned and departed, leaving Grisham standing all alone in the middle of the street. Grisham watched as Montoya walked towards his office building and disappeared inside. He stood there a few minutes to cool down. Montoya had rubbed him the wrong way again. He is wearing my patience thin, one of these days I'm going to lose my temper and hit him. He treats me like a lap dog and expects me to do his bidding when he wants. I am going to make him pay for the way he treats me. Let me get this over with. Grisham figured he better take care of his master's orders or else he would not hear the end of it. Montoya sat in his chair staring at a game of chess pieces sitting on top of his parlor table. He enjoyed a good game that would challenge his intellect, but could never find a worthy opponent to test his abilities. A knock on the door broke his concentration. "Enter", he shouted. Grisham opened the door and walked in to stand before him. "Well Grisham, what did you learn?" Montoya asked inquisitively. Grisham could see that Montoya was interested in learning his answer. "Colonel, a sick person arrived in a wagon to Dr. Helm's office. Apparently it is a 'woman'. Montoya stared waiting to hear more. "A woman? What else Grisham?" he demanded. "The woman is Tessa Alvarado, Sir. She got sick last night and developed a high fever. Dr. Helm brought her back to his office so he could treat her", Grisham ended his report. He saw the look of surprise on Montoya's face, who apparently took the news as a shock. "Thank you Grisham, that is all for now", Montoya responded. Grisham turned around and walked back to open the door and leave. Before he closed the door behind him, he saw Montoya sitting in a state of trance just staring at nothing. Montoya did not notice that Grisham had left him alone in his office. The news of Tessa Alvarado had indeed been a surprise. He did not expect to discover that Don Gaspar never drank the special glass of wine intended for him. He never thought the victim of his punishment would be the lovely Tessa Alvarado. Getting up from his chair, he strolled over to the door of his veranda and opened it. Staring out to overlook out at the town's bustling activity below, Montoya thought, Damn, I can not believe it. My plan backfired. Everything had worked out so perfectly. Too bad Señorita Alvarado ended up as my target instead of Don Gaspar. I do not think Dr. Helm will realize that she has been poisoned. That will remain my secret. Maybe I can make this unfortunate accident work to my advantage. Tessa had been moved to the patient cot in Dr. Helm's back office. Marta saw Tessa lying there quietly and unconscious after hearing her complain from pain as a result of her move. She glanced over and saw Dr. Helm pulling out some medical books from his shelves and leafing through the pages, as if looking up some information to get a better idea of Tessa's condition. Dr. Helm read through one book, then picked up another and read some more. After locating the information he wanted from the medicine books, he confirmed his original diagnosis. He returned the books to their shelves and went over to his medicine cabinet. Picking through the various bottles stocked on the shelves, he pulled out three small bottles and placed them on his worktable. He grabbed a bowl and spooned out a few quantities of the powdery substance from each of the bottles and started to mix the ingredients. The remedy he prepared would be given to Tessa to help reduce the fever and stop her pain. When he finished he set it aside to check on his patient once again. Marta stood by and watched him at work. Dr. Helm went over to Tessa and checked on her temperature again and placed his hand over her forehead and rubbed her arms. The intense heat indicated that Tessa's body temperature needed to come down or else the fever could cause brain damage. He turned to look at Marta, who waited patiently for his prognosis. "Marta, Señorita Alvarado has a very high body temperature. Right now it seems warmer, but it will fluctuate back and forth during the day. She is also going to experience an increase in emotions and will complain physically from pain. The reaction from the fever will provoke a hot skin, a flushed face, constant sweating, chills, aches, pains and dry mouth", Dr. Helm reported. "Grab that bowl over there near the wash bin and fill it with the cool water that I have in the pitcher. There are some cloths in that drawer over there by the cabinet. Start applying the wet cloth over Tessa's body to give her a cool bath. It will help to reduce some of the body heat." he ordered. Marta did exactly as the Doctor had ordered. As she began her task, she was still astonished to hear all the information Dr. Helm had just explained to her. She silently hoped and prayed that he could help her Tessa get better. Dr. Helm showed Marta the medication he had prepared. "I will begin treating her with a combination of some thyme and yarrow tea to help reduce the fever and I have also added in some willow bark to help with the relief of aches and pains. Tessa needs to be given lots of fluids to avoid any dehydration. Make sure she drinks plenty of water." Marta nodded affirmatively. Marta did not realize that a fever could cause her so much heartache. As she applied the cold compresses, Tessa began to stir and tried to speak. In her weakened state of mind, Tessa opened her eyes and saw Marta. In a low voice, Tessa asked "Marta, what happened?" Marta could see that Tessa was dazed and confused. She tried to calm her with soothing words. "Tessita, tranquilla, I'm here for you. You are very sick and we are at Dr. Helm's office so he can help you", she responded. Tessa barely heard Marta and succumbed to another dark void of unconsciousness. Marta looked over at Dr. Helm and he saw the look of fear in her eyes. With the solution in his hands, Dr. Helm propped Tessa's head up and fed her the liquid. Tessa responded and swallowed the medication. He laid her head back down and saw Marta's reaction of relief. "It is good that she has accepted the medication I have given her. Now we will have to wait and see how she reacts to the potion. I will continue to give her more every four hours until the fever breaks", Dr. Helm remarked. Marta continued to give Tessa the cold compress baths and liquids. The waiting period would be the hardest to endure. The hours would seem like days, but Marta knew that the medication was going to work. << ===================================== >> The day had turned into late evening and during those long hours of waiting, Tessa had awakened several times. On one of those occasions, Tessa in her delirium would begin to speak incoherently and it scared Marta. Dr. Helm continued giving Tessa the medication and monitored her condition. Marta would see Tessa shiver with chills and break out into a cold sweat. Her face would look flushed and she would complain of pain. Marta's heart sank as she saw Tessa lying incapacitated and struggling for her life. She continued to follow her routine as Dr. Helm had ordered and tried to make Tessa as comfortable as possible. Seated in a chair nearby, Marta looked out the open window and saw as the dusk turned into night. Suddenly she heard Tessa restless again. She got up and walked over to her cot and tried to calm her down. She looked out the door and into the front office and saw Dr. Helm seated at his desk writing. Worried that Tessa would say anything revealing while in her delirious state of mind, she rubbed Tessa's arm back and forth hoping it would ease her uneasiness. Tessa mumbled in her sleep and suddenly opened her eyes. Trying to speak she looked at Marta and saw her frantic look. "Calm down Tessa, let the effect of the medication take its course. You are going to get better, I promise", Marta assured her. Tessa closed her eyes and again went back to sleep. Marta was relieved to see that Dr. Helm had not heard Tessa and knew it was going to be a long night of anguish. << ===================================== >> In the early dawn of Sunday morning, the daybreak announced the arrival of another new day. The morning was always a good time to travel when the temperature was still pleasant from the previous night. Vera had traveled into town to visit the general store for merchandise she hoped had arrived from Monterey. She parked her buggy in front of the store and climbed down. Grabbing her basket from the back, she walked towards the door and opened it. Vera walked around the store and looked at some of the new merchandise that had arrived, and managed to find the few items she had wanted. Making her way to the front counter to pay, she overheard the storeowner, Pablo Gutierrez, telling one of his customers that Tessa Alvarado was sick with some disease and was being treated at Dr. Helm's office. Vera was totally surprised to hear the news of Tessa being ill and decided to pay her friend a visit. Upon arriving at Dr. Helm's office, Vera walked into the front office and saw him come in from the back room and stand by his desk. Dr. Helm looked at Vera and greeted her. "Good morning Señora, can I help you?" he asked her. Vera walked over to him and inquisitively responded, "Yes Doctor, I heard Tessa is ill, is this true?" Dr. Helm nodded his head affirmatively. "What is wrong with her Doctor?" Vera inquired. Seeing the look of concern on Vera's face, Dr. Helm motioned for her to sit down on one of his chairs and he sat down behind his desk. He offered to tell her just enough information to appease her curiosity. After Dr. Helm's brief explanation, Vera again attacked him with more questions. "Doctor, is this illness contagious? Can you die from it? Will she get better?" Vera asked in a worried tone of voice. Dr. Helm did not know whether she was concerned for herself or for the welfare of Tessa Alvarado. He reassured Vera that he was overseeing Tessa's treatment very closely and that she should not fear anything worse. "Doctor, would it be alright for me to see her?" Vera asked calmly. Dr. Helm and Vera both got up and he escorted her towards the back room. Vera followed him in and saw him motion to her to remain silent. In a corner of the room Marta sat in a chair with her head resting against the wall, completely asleep. Dr. Helm whispered to Vera, "She's been up all night and has not slept. She must have dozed off. She has not separated from Tessa's side not even once. She is very worried about her mistress". He looked at Marta and wondered, This woman acts more like a mother than a servant does. She has demonstrated an immense love and concern for Tessa. Dr. Helm walked over to see his patient again. Vera kept quiet as she moved closer to Tessa's cot. Dr. Helm checked on Tessa and saw that she was resting comfortably, but still had a slight fever. Vera approached her just when Tessa, in her delirium, began to get agitated again and mumbled some words. At first the words were hard to understand but then they became very clear. With Marta dead asleep, Dr. Helm and Vera witnessed a surprise revelation. They listened shocked and amazed at Tessa's act of confession. While her head tossed back and forth, Tessa began her declaration. "Papa, help me.........I know it is my destiny.........my sword seeks justice for your murder.......I fight and kill......I hide behind the mask........I am your avenging angel, the Queen" Tessa proclaimed and then relaxed once again not realizing that she had just divulged her most precious secret. Dr. Helm and Vera stood there quietly, unable to say a word at being stunned from what they had just heard. Vera broke the silence. "I do not believe it. How could I have not seen it before? Tessa and the Queen are the same person." she expressed overwhelmed. Dr. Helm looked at her, confused by her reaction. He did not want to believe that Vera had come to such a conclusion. "Señora, before you go around spreading any accusations, I suggest you think before passing judgement", Dr. Helm disputed. He saw the look of disgust on her face and the way she took his comment as if he had insulted her. "Well Dr. Helm, I must be going. I will check in on Tessa another time", she told him. She quickly departed and woke Marta when she slammed the door behind her. Marta responded in a startled manner and saw Dr. Helm standing near Tessa's cot just staring at her and caressing her check. Feeling that something had gone wrong, Marta asked him, "Doctor how is she, is everything ok? What is wrong?" She got up and walked up to him. She noticed a change in the way he looked at Tessa. Fearing that her worst nightmare had happened, Marta grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her and waited for him to respond. Dr. Helm began. "While you were asleep Marta, Señora Hidalgo came by to see your mistress. Unfortunately the Señora and I overheard some distressing information. Señorita Alvarado revealed in her sleep that she is the Queen of Swords", he replied. Marta confirmed her worst fear. Her mind racing, she thought, While I was resting, I failed to protect Tessa's secret. Two people now know she has another identity. The fate of Tessa's life now rests in the hands of Dr. Helm and Vera Hidalgo. What will they do with this damaging information, oh Dios Mio, protect her. End of Part 2: Conclusion in Part 3
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