Chapter Four
A beautiful
clear blue sky was revealed once the hot morning sun burned off the
dense fog that blanketed the pueblo. Already the plaza was beginning to
fill with carts filled with fresh vegetables, fruit and grains. Other
peons would soon join with their materials of fine silk, assorted
homemade foods and handicrafts. Fighting his way through the crowded
area a feeble old man led a mule pulling a rickety cart brimming with
barrels and shovels. Slowly he hobbled toward the front gates of the
cuartel where he was stopped by one of the sentries.
"Old one, what do you want?" asked the lancer with his rifle in both hands.
"Oh
senor, I am here to clean the stable and pick up the trash," he said
his face partially covered by his hat. "My brother is ill and I will be
taking his place until he is well."
"You may enter," said the guard.
Stepping
aside the two guards allowed the old man to lead his mule into the
cuartel toward the stable. With a sly grin the old one looked about the
garrison. The soldiers went about their daily duties and the jail was
empty except for one prisoner who peered out from behind the bars of
his cell. After tying his mule to a post, the peon began to empty his
cart. A few barrels, some shovels and a broom were placed behind the
cart and others were carried to the stable. Without a glance to the
poor old peasant at work, the soldiers continued to move lazily about
the garrison. Sweeping out the stables and filling the barrels with
trash took the old peasant most of the morning. While carrying one of
the barrels of trash toward the cart, the old man made sure some of the
rubbish fell in the direction of the jail. After emptying the trash
into the cart he went back to pick up the rest which lay near the cells.
"Senor, one should not be locked up on such a lovely day," said the old man.
"Sometimes we have no choice old one," said Miguel.
"Perhaps I can help you to leave this place before it is too late."
"How could you free me from this jail and why?" inquired Miguel surprised.
"Let
us say things are not always what they seem. People are not what they
appear. We have a mutual 'friend' that needs to be taken care of and
your help is needed," said the old one his eyes narrowing.
"Who are you?" asked Miguel suspiciously.
"Someone
that can help you," he said with a smirk. "I will return. You may count
on it." Picking up the trash the peon emptied it into the cart, untied
the mule and headed for the gate. With Don Miguel's help he felt sure
his plan would have a successful end. Then he would begin his life anew
and his enemy would get all that he deserved.
Don Alejandro and
Diego took their time arriving in the pueblo. The older gentleman was
anxious to spend sometime alone with his son and discuss the events
that had taken place over the last few days. Don Alejandro found his
life had suddenly taken a strange direction. He had been overjoyed with
the prospect of his first grandchild but to have Monastario as a member
of his household and his dearest friend's son a murderer was almost
unbearable. What more could the future hold for this family?
"Father,
this has been an unusual time for all of us. It will take a while to
process all we have discovered but I am confident that all will turn
out well."
"My son, you are very optimistic and right of course.
I must not dwell on things I have no control over. We must do what we
can and accept that which is not in our hands."
Entering the
plaza the two dons made their way toward the cuartel where Alejandro
was anxious to speak to young Ramirez and Sergeant Garcia.Tying their
horses outside the garrison the two men headed toward the gate and the
sentries on duty. Before entering they allowed an old peasant to pass
with his cart. As their paths met the peon raised his head to Don Diego
and for a moment their eyes met. A sudden flash of recognition seemed
to pass between the two but before Diego could say anything his father
called out to him. Walking toward Garcia's office to join his father,
Diego found it hard to shake the strange feeling that had come over him
when seeing the old man.
"Is there something wrong my son?" asked Alejandro bewildered.
"I am not sure. For a moment I felt...it was probably nothing," he said shaking off the
odd feeling as he continued walking toward the commandante's office.
Later
that afternoon found Leonar sitting at the bedside of the man she loved
with his hand tenderly held in hers. There had been no improvement in
the commandante's condition and Leonar was becoming disheartened. With
her eyes tightly closed, she folded her hands in her lap and prayed for
a miracle. Padre Felipe tightly grasped her by the shoulders as he
recited a pray for the commandante's recovery.
"My dear child,
Capitan Monastario is not the only victim in this sad situation," he
said trying to lend comfort. "You have been through a great deal. Why
do you not join me in some lunch and then a stroll in the garden?"
"Oh padre I cannot bare to leave him. What if he wakes and needs me? It is very kind of you to think of me but I must remain."
"Very
well child. I promised Diego that I would keep an eye on Anna Maria, so
if you will excuse me. I will return in a little while. Try not to
worry," he said with a smile and left the room.
Once alone
Leonar rose and stood by the window watching the men hard at work in
the vineyards. She thought to herself how strange life could be
continuing on even at the unhappiest times. Turning from the window
Leonar glanced over to the bed where the still form of the ailing
soldier lay. Sadly she made her way to the commandante's side. Unable
to hold back tears she wept openly as her fingers lightly touched
Monastario's face. Leonar felt as though her world had fallen apart.
"Enrique,
please you must wake. I cannot bare to lose you now," her voice
quivered. "Our lives have become entwined. I am nothing without you."
Lowering
her head, Leonar continued to weep as she sat down in a chair alongside
the bed. From the first moment Leonar saw Captitan Monastario at the
wedding of Diego and Anna Maria she lost her heart to the handsome
officer. Each day she became more infatuated and love bloomed.
Monastario was nothing of the monster he appeared to others. Leonar
found him to be a kind, sincere and a sensitive man.
Leonar's
eyes remained firmly fixed on Monastario's face when suddenly the slow
movement of the capitans's head and a soft moaning sound surprised her.
Quickly she ran toward the door and swung it open calling to the doctor
and Padre Felipe. The two men rushed to the bedroom and stopped beside
Leonar. Anna Maria and Bernardo followed behind and stood at the foot
of the bed waiting for word from the doctor.
"Dr. Avila, I believe the capitan is waking up," she said excitedly.
"Anna
Maria, please take the senorita into the sala," said the doctor picking
up his bag. "I will be with you as soon as I have a chance to examine
the patient."
Padre Felipe and Anna Maria ushered Leonar from
the room and showed her to the sala. There she paced back and forth
nervously in front of the fireplace as Anna Maria and Padre Felipe
watched waiting for news from the doctor.
"Oh Anna Maria, this
is a good sign I am sure of it," said Leonar. "I know that you have not
been too enthusiastic about my relationship with Enrique but I love
him."
"I know and he loves you. Leonar, please you must sit.
Everything is going to be all right. The doctor will be with us as soon
as he can," said Anna Maria extending a hand to Leonar.
"Of course you are right," she said taking Anna Maria by the hand. "Enrique is going to be fine. I am sure of it."
Don
Alejandro and Diego returned to the hacienda shortly. Entering the gate
they met Bernardo who in his own way told them of the present condition
of the commandante. The men hurriedly made their way to the sala where
they found the two women and Padre Felipe waiting.
"I am so
happy you both have returned," said Anna Maria running to
Diego."Capitan Monastario is beginning to awake. The doctor is with him
now."
"My dear," said Alejandro taking Leonar's hand, "I am sure the doctor will have good news for us."
All
eyes focused on the grandfather's clock, which struck the hour. Only a
short time had passed but for those in wait it seemed an eternity.
Suddenly the doctor appeared and joined the others in the sala.
"With your permission, I have news of the capitan's condition," said the doctor somberly.
"Doctor, what has happened," asked Leonar standing. "Is he..."
"No child, he is weak but he will live."
Everyone
sighed in relief until the doctor added, "There remains a problem. As
you know the bullet was lodged in the capitan's back and it was
necessary to remove it. It may have caused damage to his spine. We
must wait until the swelling goes down"
"What does that mean," asked Leonar.
"I am afraid the commandante may have lost the use of his legs. Only time will tell."
"No," cried Leonar as she sobbed uncontrollably in Alejandro's arms.
~*~
The Reformation