Zorro #8 (2008)

Don Diego is removing his mustache and putting on the boots and cowl of Zorro, sheathing his sword and telling Bernardo that Padre Mendoza will need the mercies and blessings of all the Saints because Gonzalez is a brute and would torture him. He was preparing a brazen rescue and told Bernardo to follow through with the predetermined plan when the moon crested the tops of the trees. He wished him luck as he felt like he was really going to need it. In El Presidio de Los Angeles several mendicant monks approach a garrison. Coming to the entrance, one of the soldiers asks if all the sins in heaven are forgiven why so much useless praying and kneeling and such, telling them to lighten up. But another soldier tells Mendez that was enough. One of the monks has a sword seen beneath his frock. In the torture chamber Sergeant Gonzales is burning the feet of Padre Mendoza with hot iron trying to gain information of how he might know Zorro. Mendez addresses the corporal saying one of the Padres seemed missing but the corporal said how much trouble can one stray priest cause? That priest is none other than Zorro. Then an intoxicant is added to the wine barrel that is served to the men and in short order they are all asleep. Zorro then comes to greet the guard that was on post for Padre Mendoza. After rendering him unconscious, Zorro gains access to see the Padre and he exclaims “Can it be true?! You are he, the rogue that they call ‘El Zorro’!!” Zorro replies “Only a rogue to the wicked, Padre — a friend to those in need,” when he tells him he has other prisoners to set free as well. After he released his many prisoners he tells them the plan for their escape and that they are to leave when the gates are opened and to bide their time. As Zorro is leaving with Padre Mendoza he is confronted by an alert Gonzalez, and he states “The fox in league with a supposed Lamb of God — I’ll deal with you later, Priest!” With an instant parry and lunge towards Zorro who easily counters and tells Sergeant Gonzalez that he could not give up his head or tongue since he needed those things. As the combat continues, Zorro swings to a chandelier with candles, striking the Sergeant with his feet on the right chin. Bleeding from the blow to his jaw, he tells Zorro he is still more than a match for him, and about that time there is an explosion outside. Zorro remarks that they must have just cleared the tree line. With that Zorro leaves a mark on his brow completing his signature sign of the Z over his face. Sergeant Gonzales calls him a cabrón saying “What have you done to me?” And he tells him he was only punctuating his unfinished distinction. Zorro, with the Padre limping on his shoulder, comes to a tower and off in the distance outside Bernardo standing next to Tornado is firing explosive cannonballs by a very small catapult. As they soldiers are looking at Bernardo, Zorro renders them unconscious and then, bringing up the Padre while exhorting him thsy would make it “Ye of little faith.”, and gives the signal telling Bernardo via a cannon, to fire a grappling hook at just the right height and distance to send the Padre down on a zip-line rope to waiting Bernardo. The mass of the Padre takes down Bernardo as Zorro comes down off the sentry tower to the woods below. Bernardo’s face is uncovered so the priest certainly will know who he is and Zorro tells him that they’ll rendezvous at the fox’s den later this night. Some of the guards must have awakened from their stupor or perhaps not all were intoxicated and the gates are open allowing the prisoners to escape as well. As Zorro taunts them he tells them “Hola you scoundrels and knaves! You will never capture me nor end my crusade! I ride a path blazed of fairness! Paved with the stones of equality! This is the trail of ‘justice’! Justice for all!”