Nick's Saga

Part 13

by nlindabrit

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Part 13A -- Death and Life

(Nick is happy to be reunited with the other Barkleys, but is torn about his future. There are still clouds on the horizon and there will be deaths before there can also be new lives.)

After seeing his mother and brother off on their journey to Mexico, Heath Barkley resumed his duties at the Barkley ranch. Life had calmed down a little bit, with the bulk of the Fall round-up completed, but there was still more than enough work to keep Heath far too occupied to speculate much on what might be happening down in Mexico. He had great faith in the abilities of Victoria and Jarrod Barkley to get to the bottom of the mystery concerning his two missing brothers, Nick and Eugene and in the meantime it was up to him to keep the ranch running smoothly.

Despite pressure of work, Heath found time every day to do three things, firstly he rode over to see Jarrod's wife Sarah every morning, to check that all was well with her and baby Jack. He tried to stop Sarah worrying too much and knew she appreciated his daily calls. Secondly, Heath took time each day to talk to his anxious sister Audra, patiently reassuring her that everything would turn out all right. Heath felt sorry for Audra, she adored all her brothers, Jarrod who had practically raised her in the years since her father died. Nick, the big brother who watched over her like a mother hen and Eugene, her playfellow from the cradle. She missed all three and was anxious about any possible rifts between them. Heath's calm good sense was invaluable in keeping his sister from fretting, so he tried never to neglect her or to let his patience wear thin. The third daily task Heath imposed upon himself was at least one, sometimes two extra trips into Stockton every day to check for new mail. He wanted to ensure that as soon as letters from Santa Alva arrived, they would be distributed without delay. Heath knew full well, that only letters from Mexico were going to put the rest of the Barkley clan out of their suspense.

So far, his persistence with the telegraph and mail offices had yielded sparse results, in fact just two identical wires, both from Jarrod, one for Sarah and the other for Heath himself. He had taken the wires to Jarrod's house and he and Sarah had opened them together. Counselor Barkley's wire was almost as masterly a piece of understatement as the infamous one sent from Mexico by Nick. Indeed it was only one word longer, the text read:

NICK AND EUGENE SAFE AND WELL. LONG LETTER FOLLOWS.

Heath glanced cautiously at the lady-journalist, fearing that this terse communication would not be well received, for she had been worried about Jarrod before her husband left for San Francisco to try and think through his real and imagined difficulties with his rancher brother Nick. To Heath's relief, a rich gurgle of laughter escaped Sarah as her smoky blue eyes met his gaze and she said lightly, "well Counselor Barkley doesn't appear to have lost his sense of humour! This wire is precisely one word longer than Nick's effort, Jarrod's spoiling us."

Heath's lop-sided smile dawned, "he doesn't say, but I figure Jarrod's settled any differences he had with Nick, hopefully with the boy too."

"No, he doesn't say," agreed Sarah, "in fact, he doesn't say much! Heath are you fighting an almost overwhelming urge to travel to Mexico and knock a few heads together, because I am!"

The fair-haired rancher laughed, "I know what you mean Sarah, let's hope the promised long letter turns up soon huh?"

"It had better," retorted Sarah.

Heath touched his hat to her and turned to leave, looking back to say with a smile, "we'd better hope it's Jarrod that writes and not Nick! I tried deciphering a long explanation from Nick once," he broke off, shaking his head.

Sarah rose to the bait, "what happened?"

Heath grinned, "oh, I just lay down in a darkened room for a day or two, then I was just fine."

Sarah's laughter followed him out of the door.

When the first mail of any substance arrived from Santa Alva, it consisted of not one but eight different letters. There were two from Jarrod, one for his wife and one for his brother. In addition there were letters for Sarah, Audra and Heath from Victoria and two from Eugene, one each for his sister and brother. The eighth and shortest letter was for Heath, from his long-absent ranching partner and older brother, Nick. Counselor Barkley's letter to Sarah began with a paragraph of reassurance, to the effect that all was now well between the lawyer and both his brothers. Sarah heaved a sigh of relief and prepared to enjoy the rest of the letter, which was long, cogently written and crammed with all the relevant facts about Nick's many adventures since leaving his home.

Sarah was astounded to read that Nick was married, her amazement at Nick's marriage only yielding to the even more stunning news that he had become the father of two adopted children as well. When at last Sarah got to the end of her husband's lengthy epistle, she promptly read it through a second time, more slowly than the first reading, to ensure that she had absorbed the myriad of news and sensational news at that contained within it. Her mother-in-law's letter was less detailed as to the actual events, Victoria having reasoned, quite rightly, that Jarrod would fill in the blanks. What Victoria did tell her daughter-in-law was a good deal about the personalities of the new people she had met in Mexico and the impressions that each of these people had made on her. This second letter, Sarah also carefully re-read, feeling as she reached the end, that she now knew a great deal about what had been happening. Which was a relief after all the anxious weeks waiting for news. She decided that she would drive over to the Barkley ranch the next morning, it was clearly time that she, Heath and Audra held a conference!

Heath's letter from Jarrod was highly detailed and he too gaped, as he learned that both marriage and fatherhood had caught up with his big brother Nick! Like Sarah, Heath found it necessary to read his letters through more than once, in order to absorb the huge amount of news in them. His mother's letter told him a good bit about the new people in Nick's life and although neither she nor Jarrod actually said so, Heath guessed that there was now a huge doubt about one question. Would Nick, or would Nick not return to the ranch? Heath resolutely put this worrying question from his mind for the present and read the third of his four letters, which was from his younger brother Eugene. It wasn't a long letter but to Heath it said a very great deal. It had been written in a frank and humble penitence by a young man anxious both to explain his past conduct and to promise amendment. It was touchingly sincere and Heath resolved to reply immediately, he wished to leave Gene in no doubt that he was forgiven and that as far as Heath was concerned, the past was buried and forgotten.

Nick's letter to Heath was brief but as frankly sincere as Gene's had been, he thanked his brother for holding the fort and promised a full explanation when next the two met. God help me, thought Heath with a grin! He knew Nick well enough to read between the lines and easily discerned the elder brother's very real gratitude for all his efforts, which led Heath again to the question he was unwilling to face, but knew he must. Was Nick ever coming home again?

Heath wandered out to the corral and patted the velvet necks of a couple of curious horses, as he stood gazing out into the gathering evening gloom. He had only been here at the ranch for three years and those years had passed with breathtaking swiftness, sometimes it seemed like only yesterday that he had ridden in through the iron gate to claim his birthright. He smiled to himself, remembering how bitter and angry he had been then, sitting astride his little Modoc, confronting his three half-brothers, not a doubt but that he felt very differently now. He had changed a great deal in the last three years, the bitter fury and resentment were buried, not entirely gone perhaps, but rigidly held in check and Heath knew that he viewed things in a more balanced way now than he had once. He felt that he had matured, had learned to keep things in proportion and perhaps had also grown spiritually, for which he was grateful to his new family, for they had helped him to do so. With a flash of inner pride, Heath acknowledged that this was not a one way transfer, he had brought an added dimension to the Barkleys too, they had benefited from his inclusion in the family and various members of the family had said as much.

It was strange mused Heath, on the one hand it seemed like no time at all since he had arrived, yet on the other hand, it was as though he had always been here. So completely had he settled into his new life as a Barkley, especially his role as Nick's partner in running the ranch, that it was hard to imagine that any other kind of life was a possibility. Trouble is, he thought, it seems pretty certain that I'm going to have to face the fact that Nick may not be coming back. Which leaves me in sole charge of the ranch. Heath wondered how he felt about that and for a moment a rush of confused and conflicting emotions coursed through him. He was a hard-working young man and didn't shrink from the task of bossing the ranch, but that didn't necessarily mean he wanted to do it alone. He had enjoyed the last few months of solitary power, but he had all those months been in the expectation of Nick's eventual return, the prospect of a continuation of sole authority was, he finally concluded, unwelcome to him. He couldn't exactly say why this was so, there were times when noisy, overbearing Nick severely tried his younger brother's patience but there were other times when Heath was glad of that solid and stalwart presence.

Heath's lonely and isolated boyhood had bred in him a need for peace and his own personal space but his insertion into the vibrant and warm heart of the Barkley family had taught him what family life could be like. Nick had become his close companion and his best friend, Heath had imagined that nothing would ever alter that, that he and Nick would run the ranch side by side for the rest of their days. Faced with the prospect of losing that hard-won friendship, Heath felt a weight of sadness descending on him and with a shiver faced a future that looked suddenly bleaker and lonelier than he wanted it to be. He gave himself a mental shake, shrugging off the feeling of depression, Jarrod had said that nothing was decided as yet, very well then, time enough to face the worst if it actually happened. With a visible squaring of his shoulders, Heath turned away from the corral and headed indoors to the cheering lamplight.

Audra's letter from her mother told her all her elder brother's adventures in Mexico and she was as astounded as the rest of the family by the news of Nick's marriage. She was perhaps the least surprised member of the Barkley clan to learn of the adoption of the children. She knew how much Nick loved kids and found it easy to understand how he had come to take responsibility for these two unfortunate little mites. She longed to play a part in their care herself, it was clear from Victoria's letter that she had lost her heart to the tiny crippled girl, Audra had a talent both for nursing and for nurturing small children. She would ask Heath if he thought she might perhaps go to Santa Alva herself and there were other things she wished to ask Heath too.

Gene's letter to his sister was not very long but highly detailed and deeply personal. Audra was his confidante and he always told her everything that went on with him. She was relieved to know that he had opened his heart to Jarrod, knowing that her adored eldest brother would both understand and help the youngest of the Barkley siblings. She was less pleased to learn that Nick had taken a whip to Gene, but he explained that it was his own wish that Nick should do so and she forgave it, even if she was far from understanding it. Audra hoped that life would be a little happier for her childhood playmate, they were an unusually close brother and sister and she had ached for him when he had been so lost and forlorn.

Audra found Heath thoughtfully staring into the bright living room fire and came to him, her brow creased in a frown. Heath traced the frown line with a finger, "what's on your mind Sis?"

Audra didn't beat about the bush, "Heath, the letters...it...well it kind of sounds as though Nick isn't coming back here to live doesn't it?"

Heath nodded and said quietly, "I have to admit Sis, it does kind of sound that way."

Audra's blue eyes swam with tears, "I...simply can't imagine life around here without him."

Heath gave her a hug and she felt his kiss in her hair, "try not to worry Sis, Jarrod says nothing is decided as yet, we just have to wait and see, that's all we can do."

Next morning, Heath and Audra sat with Sarah discussing the amazing contents of the various letters they had received from the truants in Mexico. Some of the letters had been handed around and each had read through them, although Heath had not shown the women his letter from Nick and Audra had kept her letter from Gene to herself too. Silas had brought coffee and had been invited to sit and hear all about his precious Nick's exploits and he had listened with rapt attention, a broad grin on his face to all the news about Nick. When Audra once more expressed her anxiety about whether or not Nick meant to return home, Silas for one had no doubts about the matter. With a serene smile the old man had said simply, "not come back home? Mr. Nick? Now don't you fret about that Miss Audra Honey, you just remember Soreback meadow, that tells you all you need to know about how your brother feels about this place!"

Part 13B

In Mexico, day succeeded contented day as the re-united members of the Barkley family enjoyed each other's company. Although Nick Barkley was beginning to feel very guilty about his own pleasure in the continued presence of his mother and brothers, knowing as he did, that they each had their own lives to get on with. In fact, Nick was a worried man, he deeply appreciated the intelligent insights into his new son's behaviour provided by Jarrod and the impressive skills his mother demonstrated in her handling of young Marric. He was grateful to Victoria and Jarrod and the thought of dealing with Marric without their help and support made him as near to being afraid as it was possible for a man of his courage to be. Nick was never a man to ignore an unpleasant reality though and he knew that he couldn't hope to keep his all his visitors at the estancia for much longer.

Young Eugene was clearly quite recovered from his feverish illness and the weeks spent in Mexico had given him the rest, recuperation and fresh air he required to complete his return to good health. He had drunk alcohol only sparingly and the two search parties he had participated in had tanned his skin a healthy golden brown. It was plain to his family that psychologically as well as physically, he felt very much better than he had for a long time past. He was obviously raring to go and anxious to get back to Berkeley and his medical studies. There was a new clarity in his pale blue eyes and an air of suppressed excitement about the boy, a barely hidden intensity of purpose. It was clear that he intended to harness his share of Barkley determination and buckle down to his academic work with a will. His intention was unspoken but obvious, Eugene was going to show anyone who cared to watch that he was worthy to bear the name of Barkley. Jarrod and Victoria had both thanked Nick for bringing the boy into Mexico with him and triggering this redemption of his youngest brother. Nick had denied that any of it was his doing but he was more than pleased at the positive change in his young sibling and certainly didn't want to inhibit the boy from making good now that he had regained his enthusiasm for college.

Gene had already asked Jarrod, humbly but hopefully if he would return to Berkeley with his ward and help smooth his path with the Dean and naturally Jarrod had willingly agreed to do so. Nick therefore knew that parting with Gene meant that he must also part with Jarrod and this he was reluctant to do. Yet he knew that his brother must have a mountain of legal work awaiting him, both in his San Francisco and Stockton offices and that Jarrod could not ignore his own responsibilities indefinitely. Nick was also uncomfortably aware that every day of Jarrod's company that he enjoyed, marked another day of separation for the lawyer from his wife and baby son.

As to his mother, Nick fervently hoped that he could persuade Victoria to extend her visit at the estancia. She had already hinted to him that she might be willing to do so and she had suggested sending for Audra as well. Nick wanted his mother to stay, both for the pleasure of her company and for her assistance with the children and he would certainly welcome a visit from his sister, a gifted nurse, especially where children were concerned.

There were many aspects of Nick Barkley's new life that gave him pleasure and fulfillment, he enjoyed running the estancia and seeing his old friend's domain return slowly to prosperity and stability again. He was deeply happy in his marriage, despite Dominica's fierce temper and spoilt nature, she made him gloriously and passionately content. He was deriving deep satisfaction from fatherhood too, despite his doubts as to his own ability to be the father these two children needed. It was not a life of unalloyed happiness though, he was still terribly torn between his old loyalties, those being to his late father and the ranch they had built together and the newer partnership with his brother Heath, now arguably his best friend as well as his partner in running the Barkley ranch. Ranged against these ties were his new loyalties, to the Del Rio estancia, of which he was now Patrone, also his wife and adopted children and his ward Adrienne. These conflicting ties were slowly, inexorably and painfully tearing Nick apart and his mother and brothers knew it and ached for him, while being almost totally powerless to help him come to terms with the realities of the situation in which he now found himself.

Jarrod Barkley knew that the day when he must leave Santa Alva was fast approaching, but before he was again parted from his brother, he wanted to do all in his power to help Nick with the many and varied problems besetting him. Some things were relatively simple to take care of, he had for instance, drawn up a detailed document putting Nick's guardianship of Adrienne Derval and her child on a proper legal footing. Adrienne had protested that she had no rightful claim to Nick's protection but it had not been difficult to persuade her to grateful acceptance of the situation.

Jarrod had discussed Nick's willful bride with his mother and at Victoria's prompting, the lawyer talked with paternal kindness and considerable frankness to Dominica about the type of man she was married to and what kind of conduct her flirtatious behaviour could easily drive Nick to. She had initially resented his high-handedness but as he persisted, his persuasive arguments touched the core of honesty at the heart of her tempestuous nature and she had ended by promising her new brother-in-law that she would try to behave with greater circumspection.

The lawyer visited Professor Andre Rakovsky's sick-room several more times but gained little in the way of further information about the mysteries of Marric's past. It was plain to the lawyer that the old man was dying, worn out by years of hardship and privation. Jarrod was convinced that Rakovsky knew a lot more about Marric than he had told his rescuers, but the old man made it clear that he thought Marric was better off as Nick Barkley's adopted son than returned to where he actually came from and reluctantly, Jarrod concluded that the professor intended to take the mystery of Marric's antecedents to the grave with him.

This proved to be the case, despite the best medical help available, Andre Rakovsky died one bright Autumn morning and his passing lost Counselor Barkley his one chance of solving the mystery of Marric's past. Marric wept at his old friend's passing but was easily comforted by his new father's embrace and appeared to recover from the bereavement remarkably swiftly. Victoria remarked that it wasn't fair to expect normal emotional reactions from a boy who had been so badly treated for so long and Nick agreed with her. Resting enigmatic blue eyes on Marric's bland face, Counselor Barkley was of a different opinion. He had seen the swift flash of relief in the boy's expressive green eyes, his new nephew was now aware that his past was safe from discovery and he was glad to have it so. Thinking the matter over, Jarrod concluded that he had too little information to usefully make enquiries elsewhere and that there was now no further bar to him drawing up formal adoption papers to make Nick Marric's legal father. He did this, and Nick signed the papers to make him the legal parent of Marric and Audra-Jane. A further paper changed the surname of both children to Barkley and that it seemed was that. It would be eight long years before the story of Marric Barkley's parentage would at last come to light, but for now, his future seemed settled as he continued to thrive under Nick's care.

Every day that passed saw a deepening of the relationship between father and son, Marric accompanied Nick almost everywhere he went and still regarded his father with almost slavish adoration. The depth of his hero-worship made Nick slightly uncomfortable and he discussed the matter with his brother. Jarrod gave it as his opinion that it was a temporary state of affairs and that Nick shouldn't worry about it but he thought it right to warn his brother, "One of these days Nick, you're going to fall off the pedestal Marric has you on. He's likely to look at you and see just a man, not the demi-god he sees now! You need to be prepared for that and to accept the change. He's still going to love you, not a doubt of that, but this devotion can't last forever, indeed it wouldn't be healthy if it did."

Nick agreed and promised his brother he would bear this wise advice in mind. In the meantime Marric made steady progress in his health and wellbeing, if he still had evil dreams, they did not now occur every night and he was slowly gaining in strength under the watchful care of his adopted father, uncle and grandmother.

Brooke Sanders rode over to the estancia from the Mission four times a week and gave Marric lessons, Nick had half expected his son to protest but Marric had a thirst for knowledge and worked diligently with Brooke. The gentle young Southerner had established a surprisingly good rapport with his pupil and for now, no further arrangements for his education needed to be made.

Marric had discovered his grandmother playing the piano one afternoon and had been enchanted by her skill. Victoria offered to arrange for Susannah Charles to teach him to play and the boy enthusiastically agreed. So Susannah too started to call regularly at the house to give Marric his music lessons.

Marric loved to ride and also to explore the estancia lands, he was permitted a good deal of liberty to do so. Nick felt that the boy derived a lot of benefit from this freedom and was content to let the child roam, though he usually kept a discreetly watchful eye on his son, ready to protect him from any predator, animal or human that might threaten the child's safety. One morning, Marric was exploring the boundary of the estancia when he saw the dust of distant horsemen and turning his pony, he rode swiftly home to tell Nick there were riders approaching the estancia.

By the time the approaching column of riders neared the estancia courtyard, half Nick's men were there, armed and vigilant, in case the riders proved to be hostile. As the horsemen trotted down the road approaching the estancia gates, Nick Barkley's face split in a relieved grin as he turned to his brothers, "relax, it's Major Remedios and his men, I wonder what brings them back here, they're supposed to be on Jai's trail!"

Antonio Remedios waved a hand in greeting as his horse passed through the gates and Nick held out his hand as the young Mexican came down out of his saddle. "Well Antonio this is a surprise, I hope you haven't lost track of Jai?"

Remedios shook his host's hand but there was no answering smile in his sombre eyes, "forgive me Nick, that is exactly what we have done!"

Nick's frowning eyes took in the younger man's weary pallor and he put a firm hand on his young friend's arm, "come on Antonio, first things first, you need rest and food and so do your men, time enough for explanations after that!"

After ensuring that his tired men were being well cared for, Remedios consented to eat some hot food and change his travel-stained uniform. When he was seated before the crackling log fire with a stiff drink in his hand, the embarrassed young officer explained what had happened to the listening Barkley brothers. "We pursued Jai's gang of renegades right to the other end of our territory, we were always hot on their trail, never giving them a chance to stop for long and eventually we flushed them from all of their lairs and surrounded them. But...when we took them into custody, Jai and his two closest lieutenants were not among those captured." The young man met Nick Barkley's hard gaze bravely, "I am sorry Nick, we have betrayed your trust, Colonel Ruiz has continued to hunt for Jai but he ordered me to bring my men here to bolster your defences. I suppose there can be no doubt that Jai will return here and once again try to take Mademoiselle Derval."

Nick nodded grimly, "you can count on it! But as to betraying my trust, that's nonsense Antonio, Jai knows this country like the back of his hand and he's been giving lawmen and soldiers the slip all his life! I'm grateful to the Mexican army for all you've done so far and I want you to thank Colonel Ruiz for sending you back here, I mean that Antonio."

"Gracias Nick, myself and my men are entirely at your service for as long as it takes to cage this monster!"

Nick refilled the men's glasses and said "I think it's time we asked the ladies to join us." He gave a sign to Luis and the dapper servant bowed slightly and went quietly away.

Antonio Remedios's eyes dwelt appreciatively on his hostess, he had rather lost his heart to the flighty Dominica on his first visit to the estancia and was looking forward to resuming his dalliance with her. To his intense disappointment, he found the lady disinclined for flirtation, indeed she regarded him coldly her eyes haughty and her voice equally frosty. The young officer searched his memory, trying to discover in what way he could possibly have offended her but could not account for her strangely distant behaviour. He was given no opportunity to engage Dominica in any private conversation for as soon as Nick had gently explained the reason for Remedios's presence, Adrienne sprang up with a sob of fright and ran from the room. Dominica and Victoria followed her to give her what comfort they could and Major Remedios apologized again for being the cause of Adrienne's distress. Nick shook his head, "only the death of that renegade can give Adrienne any peace of mind and if he comes here, death is what he's gonna find!"

Part 13C

Later that evening, Victoria came to Nick and Jarrod and the three went into the study to talk privately. The Barkley matriarch got straight to the point, "Nick I want you to persuade Dominica to part with Adrienne for a while. I want to take Adri to California with me, she'd be far safer there."

Nick considered for a moment, "I can see the sense of that Mother, but I know Adri pretty well and I don't think she'd agree to go."

His mother's voice was firm, "you are Adri's legal guardian Nick, you can make her agree."

The rancher prowled restlessly away from her, "I'll think about it Mother," he said reluctantly.

"After all, there's a chance Jai doesn't intend trying anything, he may be making good his escape."

Jarrod said in a carefully conciliatory tone, "I don't think you really believe that do you Nick?"

Nick Barkley's sigh touched both his mother and brother, "no I don't believe it, Jai will try to take Adri again, no doubt about it!" He glanced at Victoria, "I know you're right Mother, it would be best if you took Adri and little Missy home with you, but Dominica will hate losing her...and I don't want to lose you either. I want...well...I want lots of impossible things and I can't have them I guess." He sounded weary and defeated and his mother came to him, hugging him close, her own voice choked with tears as she said simply, "oh Nick!"

Jarrod filled three glasses and they all sat down, the lawyer smiled at his brother, "I wish I had some magic answers and perfect solutions for you Nick, but I don't. All we can do is try to get through the next few days and see what develops. It goes without saying that whatever happens, we are all in this together as a family."

"Indeed we are," endorsed Victoria, "that's the Barkley way!"

Nick had been looking very sombre but he brightened at their words, his old spirit re-asserting itself, "yeah, it is the Barkley way!" He raised his glass and his mother and brother clinked theirs to his in a triple affirmation of their mutual faith and love.

If the people of Santa Alva and the Del Rio estancia needed any proof that the menace of Jai was once again among them, it was forthcoming the next day. Carlos Castillo had decreed that no man, woman or child on the estancia should stir from the estate alone. All trips away from the immediate vicinity of the house had to be sanctioned and suitable escorts provided. None of the employees or the residents of the big house dared to contravene Carlos's orders, but his youngest brother Tomas was made of sterner stuff. He prided himself on his ability to track any animal or human, without detection and he had no intention of curtailing his antics because of Jai. After all, it had been he who had tracked down Jai's men the last time they raided the estancia. It was thanks to Tomas that the estate had warning of Jai's impending attack.

Carlos Castillo was not an easy man to impress, he was many years older than his trio of young half-brothers and ruled all three with a rod of iron. They had been raised by him with a mixture of fairness and harsh discipline, with little outward show of affection. He was though, very deeply attached to all three and the younger Castillos were intelligent enough to know this. Tomas had been aware, when he raised the alarm at the time of Jai's last raid, that his formidable elder brother and mentor was proud of him and he had a burning desire to make Carlos proud again.

Tomas wanted to please his new master too, the youngster had a cherished ambition, a very secret one, which he hoped Nick Barkley might help him to achieve. All his young life, Tomas had loved stories of ships and the sea. He wanted desperately to go to sea himself, perhaps one day be a captain with his own ship. Older brother Raoul had learned from Eugene Barkley that Nick Barkley had spent a year at sea himself and that he had a friend who was in charge of the many ships in the Barkley fleet. Raoul told Tomas about this and the thirteen year old hatched his plan to bring himself into the favour of the new Patrone. He could foresee a golden future for himself and so he stole away from the estancia at first light to track down the elusive Jai again and return to his family in glory. He did not doubt that praise would be heaped upon him, Carlos would be proud of him and perhaps Patrone might agree to help him realize his maritime dreams!

This time, Tomas did not find Jai, but Jai did find Tomas, capturing him before the youngster even knew what was happening and binding him securely to a convenient tree. Inwardly quaking with terror, Tomas tried to present a bold front to his captors, but the stony, dead look in the diminutive Jai's eyes chilled the boy's blood and so did Jai's soft, silky voice as he said, "well now amigos, what have we here?"

Jai's companions put forward two suggestions for the use of their captive. Renaldo, a vicious half-breed said simply, "kill the brat, cut off his head and send it back to the estancia in a sack!"

Tomas felt his guts turn to water and hoped he did not betray his fear to the three men. He inwardly sighed with relief as Jai replied to Renaldo, "no, I have no intention of killing our prize, that would be a waste."

Santos, the third bandit spat on the ground before Tomas's feet, "his brother Carlos fired me from the estancia, I say we offer the kid as a trade for the French girl you want, what do you say Jai?"

The Yaqui turned to his two companions and his thin-lipped smile turned Tomas's blood to ice in his veins, "you do not know the people with whom we are dealing, but I do! They will not sacrifice Adrienne, not even to save this child. No, I need to send a message to Mademoiselle, a message clear enough for her to understand." He ruffled Tomas's dark hair and the boy squirmed angrily away from the mock caress. There was no mistaking the menace in Jai's deceptively soft voice, "you shall be my messenger Nino." He laughed mirthlessly and Tomas prayed for death, rather than what he dreaded might be to come.

Ramon and Tomas rode over each day to the Mission school for lessons and this morning Carlos had sent a small, but heavily armed escort with them to ensure their safety. Only when their escorts had departed for the ranch, did Tomas slip away and though Ramon saw him go and yelled for him to stop, he made no effort to pursue his younger brother. Ramon was a quiet, gentle young man and also a devout one, his ambition was to be a priest and spend his life working at the Santa Alva Mission. He was no coward, but he was greatly in awe of his eldest brother Carlos and had no wish to endure one of Carlos's beatings, so he decided that he would not raise the alarm. Tomas had more lives than a cat and would doubtless return in time to meet their escort for the trip home at the end of the school day.

When Tomas did not re-appear at the Mission that evening Ramon's heart sank. He had no wish to bring the wrath of Carlos down on Tomas's head, but he was afraid that something might have happened to the youngster. He saw no alternative but confession and his gentle spirit shrank from the inevitable confrontation with his eldest brother. He rode sombrely back to the estancia and finding his brother Raoul in the barn, Ramon swiftly told his tale.

"Madre de dios! How could you let him do such a stupid thing and after Carlos ordered you not to stray?"

Ramon hung his head, "I should have raised the alarm as soon as he ran off," he said remorsefully.

Raoul's hand squeezed his shoulder, "I understand why you didn't," he said sympathetically, "but Carlos will not!"

Ramon's voice trembled, "he will kill me," he said miserably.

Raoul did not contradict his brother, Carlos would not of course kill Ramon but he would most certainly make him wish he had never been born! Still, there was no avoiding that, they had to tell Carlos and they had to do it now.

"Come with me Hermano, we will face Carlos together," he said encouragingly.

They found Carlos in the courtyard with all three of the Barkley brothers and Ramon's spirits sank even lower, worse than confessing to his eldest brother, he was going to have to do it in front of Patrone and others!

As soon as he saw their taut faces, Carlos knew there was trouble and his shrewd eyes searched for the brother who was not there. "Tell me," he said flatly

Ramon did so, in a quiet, tense voice that shook slightly as he told his tale. When he had finished there was a moment of heart-stopping silence before Carlos asked in a voice of quiet, deadly rage, "do you mean to tell me that you let your little brother play truant all day and are only now raising the alarm?"

"Yes Sir," replied the unhappy Ramon.

"Are you mad or merely stupid? Did it not occur to you that Jai might this time track Tomas, instead of the other way around?"

Ramon forced himself to meet the wrathful gaze of his mentor, he could think of nothing to say in his own defence, "I am...sorry," he said miserably.

Carlos's dark eyes were as hard as iron, "go to your room at once, I will deal with you as you deserve later!"

Ramon protested, "por favor Carlos, I want to help in the search...please!"

"No," replied Carlos flatly, "your concern for your brother comes a little late. Now get out of my sight!"

Ramon turned and fled and Raoul spoke up bravely in his defence, "let him help, he feels bad enough already!"

Carlos Castillo's dark eyes flashed angrily and he said ominously, "he will feel much worse presently, I promise you that!"

Nick was already bellowing orders to his men and horses were hastily saddled. Jarrod told Eugene he would undertake to remain at the estancia with some of the men to protect the women and children, "you can go with Nick and join the search, but look after yourself Son!"

"I will Jarrod, thanks for letting me go."

Major Remedios told his sergeant to get the troops ready to ride and in a remarkably short space of time the men were galloping out of the wrought iron gates to find out just exactly what had happened to Tomas Castillo.

The searchers were broken up into three parties, one led by the grim-faced Carlos Castillo, one by Nick Barkley and the third consisting of Antonio Remedios's soldiers. The men agreed a signal between them to be used when they found Tomas, and the three groups diverged to begin a systematic search. For the next hour, as dusk settled over the estancia lands, the search continued. Then Eugene Barkley, riding in the vanguard of Nick's party, made a sickening discovery. He fought to keep control of himself and jerking his rifle free of its holster he fired three times into the air.

Gene heard the thudding of hooves, as Nick and his men galloped to join him, by the time they reached him, the youngest Barkley brother had dismounted from his horse and copiously vomited on the ground.

Staring in horror at the apparition dangling from a nearby tree, Nick Barkley could understand his kid brother's reaction, indeed he felt like throwing up himself. Tomas was strung up and for one horrifying second, Nick thought the child had been lynched, but he sighed with relief as he realised that the rope which held him was twisted around his torso, not his neck. The body hung motionless and inert and as Nick cautiously approached the tree, Gene croaked, "is...is he dead?"

For a moment Nick didn't answer, he was staring in mingled horror and pity at the suspended child's injuries. It was difficult in the gathering gloom to see what exactly had been done to him, but Tomas was bleeding from many lacerations and there were what appeared to be savage burns all over him. As Nick gingerly touched him, the boy gave a thin cry and Nick called out, "no, he's alive, get over here and help me Gene!"

The two other search parties arrived almost simultaneously and Carlos raced to Nick's side, crying out his little brother's name as his agonized eyes took in the horror of Tomas's predicament. Nick stood aside to let Carlos be the one to tenderly cradle the boy's body as other men cut him free of the tree. Castillo carried the boy to a blanket which had been spread on the grass and a detachment of soldiers was despatched to fetch the doctor to the estancia. Carlos sat beside the prone little body and smoothed back Tomas's unruly dark hair from his bruised face. It was evident that the child had been beaten up, tortured with a knife and also cruelly burned. Running experienced hands over the child, Nick said, "I can't feel any broken bones, but it's bad enough, let's get him home."

Carlos swung himself up into the saddle and Nick handed the blanket wrapped Tomas to him. Carlos settled the boy as comfortably as he could and Tomas fleetingly opened his eyes and murmured, "Carlos...I...I'm sorry!"

"Gently Nino, never mind that now, we are taking you home and soon you will feel better, stay quiet and I will take care of you." Tomas closed his eyes and appeared to be unconscious, which thought Carlos is just as well, for it is impossible not to hurt him on the ride back. As carefully as he could Carlos set his horse in motion and began the painstaking journey back to the house. He was supporting Tomas with his injured arm and Nick asked him if it would hold up, Castillo nodded, "I can manage fine Nick, gracias."

The whole body of men rode home together and when they reached the house, everyone was in the courtyard to meet them, including Ramon Castillo.

Carlos handed Tomas to the waiting Jarrod Barkley and at once the lawyer carried the boy into the house, closely followed by Victoria, Dominica and Adrienne. Ramon Castillo's agonized eyes watched his little brother's limp body carried into the house and he made to follow but was stopped by an iron hand on his shoulder, "I told you to wait in your room," snapped Carlos.

"May...may I see him, por favor Carlos?"

The estancia foreman looked into his younger brother's anguished face and he nodded abruptly, "very well, come and see what you have allowed to happen to Tomas."

White-faced and shaking with distress, Ramon Castillo stood beside the bed on which the pitiful figure of his brother lay. Tomas seemed to him unnaturally still and Ramon turned anxiously to his eldest brother, "Carlos...he...he is alive isn't he?"

"No thanks to you," came the uncompromising answer.

The three women were working with quiet, gentle efficiency, tenderly stripping away the rags of clothing from the child's injured body and Adrienne Derval was already beginning to treat the wicked looking burns that covered Tomas from head to foot. Victoria glanced at Carlos's grim face and explained, "it may be some time before the doctor can get here, but we will do all we can to start treating Tomas in the meantime. Leave him to us for now."

The Mexican nodded, "gracias Senora." He took the unresisting Ramon by the arm and led him away.

For the next hour, all was bustle and activity as the soldiers and estancia men saw to their horses and disposed guards around the house in case Jai tried to sneak in and abduct Adrienne. The doctor arrived and examined Tomas. He inspected Adrienne's handiwork and pronounced himself well-satisfied with her skill. He left pain-killing medicine for use when the child recovered from his deep swoon and left, promising to return next day. Adrienne, who had a genuine gift for healing and nursing, insisted on staying beside her patient and Dominica and Victoria let her. Victoria said to her daughter-in-law, "looking after Tomas is stopping her from worrying about Jai, let her be."

Dominica agreed, "she is so frightened, we must protect her. Oh how glad I am that you are here Victoria!"

The two women hugged and Victoria assured the younger woman that all would be well, reminding her that besides Nick and his brothers they had a sizeable contingent of the Mexican army defending them.

Nick came out of the barn, where he had been checking on his dear old horse Coco and saw Ramon Castillo walking over to the corral. The boy's face was pale and tear-stained and he walked stiffly, it was plain to Nick that Carlos must have inflicted severe retribution on his unfortunate brother. Nick frowned, surely punishment was superfluous! From the stricken look in Ramon's eyes as he gazed at his tortured younger sibling, the boy was unlikely ever to forgive himself, he didn't need a beating as well!

The rancher came and stood beside Ramon, who was stroking the sensitive and responsive nose of the beautiful mare Royale. Nick slipped a comforting arm around the boy, "you've had a tough day Ramon," he said gently.

"Not as tough as my little brother," whispered Ramon miserably.

Nick smiled, "he's a feisty little beggar, he'll get over this, don't worry."

Ramon's voice was sad, "I don't think I'll ever forgive myself and I don't think Carlos will ever forgive me."

Nick's voice was gentle, "it wasn't you that hurt Tomas, it was Jai, all you did was make a poor decision, don't take it too much to heart."

Royale butted Nick and he laughed stretching out a hand to stroke her, "what's up Girl, am I ignoring you?"

Ramon managed a wan smile, "Raoul loves this horse," he confided.

"Yeah, I know he does and he rides her well too," agreed Nick. "I wish I could teach Dominica to be as gentle with her, this is a very nervous little lady, aren't you Girl?"

Ramon looked into Nick Barkley's kindly face, "Patrone?"

"Yeah, what is it Son?"

"Do...do you really think Tomas will recover?"

Nick patted the boy's shoulder, "I'm sure of it Ramon."

Carlos Castillo emerged from the house and came across to the corral, at once Ramon straightened, standing almost to attention. To his surprise his eldest brother's voice was quite gentle, "Tomas is awake, you may sit with him for a while if you wish."

"Thank you Sir," said Ramon hurrying gratefully into the house. Carlos watched him go in frowning silence.

"He's a good boy," commented Nick, "he feels badly over what's happened."

"I know," sighed Carlos, "I was too hard on him I suppose, but I was so angry." He glanced at Nick, "being a father, or acting as one as I must do, it is not an easy thing is it Patrone?"

Nick thought about his volatile adopted son, "no Carlos it isn't easy at all!"

Jarrod Barkley's apologetic voice sounded behind Nick and Carlos, "I'm sorry to interrupt but I think you should both come into the house, Gene has something to show you."

Part 13D

In the study the youngest Barkley brother handed Nick a folded piece of paper. "It was nailed to the tree poor little Tomas was hanging from. I read it, couldn't make any sense of it, so I just put it in my pocket and brought it back here to show Jarrod. I assume it's a message from Jai, but don't ask me what it means."

Nick read the brief note in frowning silence and handed it to Carlos. The Mexican read the text aloud.

"All you love and all who love you."

Nick glanced at Jarrod, "what the hell does that mean?"

The lawyer was looking at Castillo, "I thought perhaps Carlos could tell us."

Castillo nodded, "there have been other such notes, Jai intends them for Adrienne. He means that he will hurt or kill every person she cares for and every person who cares for her."

Nick shook his head, "damn his evil hide! I don't want Adri told about this."

Carlos smiled ruefully, "alas she doesn't need telling Patrone, she will know already."

Later, Carlos came softly into the room where Ramon was still keeping vigil beside his little brother's bed. Tomas seemed to be sleeping peacefully and in a rare gesture of affection, Carlos squeezed the back of Ramon's neck, whispering, "you need rest, go to bed now, I will sit with him."

Ramon obediently rose and told his brother that Adrienne would bring more medicine for Tomas when he awoke. The boy looked uncertainly at Carlos, "I am so sorry, I was a fool today and it is my fault Tomas has come to this."

Carlos shook his head, "you made an error of judgement and you will know better another time. You are not responsible for this, Jai is responsible and one day I will reckon with him!" Castillo had spoken quietly, but there was no mistaking the deadly purpose in his voice.

Carlos took the seat vacated by Ramon and for a time kept solitary vigil beside the child's bed. Once, Tomas awoke with a start, as though from an evil dream and for a moment he looked blindly around the room. Then as he focused on his eldest brother's face, he relaxed with a sigh of relief, murmuring, "Carlos," in a sleepy voice.

"I am here and you are safe, go back to sleep."

"Are you angry with me?"

"No, sleep now."

The child sank into drugged sleep again and did not stir for another hour. When he awoke again, he was tearful and wriggled fretfully under the quilt, clearly in pain.

The door opened and Adrienne entered, carrying a tray which held a glass and a carafe of water, which she set down on the table. The girl smiled at Carlos, "this will make him comfortable again, hold him up for me please."

Carlos supported his brother's body and Adri swiftly mixed the medicine and held the glass to the child's lips. Tomas drank it slowly and painfully and then the two adults settled him down again. Within minutes his breathing deepened and soon he was peacefully sleeping again.

Adri stood beside Carlos looking down at the pathetic little figure and the girl drew a shaky breath as she glanced at Castillo. "You must hate me for this," she whispered sadly. The Mexican turned her to face him, his hands on her shoulders and he smiled into her soft brown eyes. Taking her face between his hands he gently kissed her forehead. "Any man who could hate a child as brave and as innocent as you, is not worthy to be called a man. Thank you for taking care of my disobedient little brother for me. Good night Adrienne." He went away and left Adri to the care of her patient.

Victoria came into the room half an hour after Carlos had left it and found Adri, sitting beside Tomas, softly weeping. At once the older woman came to the younger, enfolding her in a comforting embrace. "What is it Adri?"

Adri wiped away a tear, "I told you once, I am death, death to anyone who is kind to me. I sometimes think I should kill myself, then I could no longer hurt those I care for."

Victoria took Adri firmly by the arms and spoke quietly but compellingly to her, "now you listen to me Adrienne, you are the innocent victim of this wicked young man's obsession! You are not responsible for any of the bad things that have happened to you and to those you love. Jai and only Jai is the one responsible and you mustn't think otherwise or he will have won! Do you understand Adri, he will have gained a victory and you can't let him."

"When will it end Victoria, must I live under Jai's curse for the rest of my life, how can I do that without...without losing my mind?"

The Barkley matriarch shook her head decisively "no, it has to be settled, and one way or another it will be, just hold on for now, be the brave girl you've always been and I promise you we'll find a way out of this nightmare for you."

Throughout the next day, the estancia men and soldiers did their utmost to flush out Jai and his two companions, but all searches proved fruitless and as darkness fell Nick Barkley and Major Remedios reluctantly abandoned their quest until first light. It was as they rode into the courtyard and dismounted from their horses that they heard the unmistakeable sound of gunfire and it was coming from inside the house.

Jai was adept at passing unseen and despite the tight security all around the estancia, he had been able to make his way over the back wall of the courtyard and into the rear of the big house. It was not hard for him to determine which room was being used as a sick room, he had only to observe the comings and goings for a short time. Jai crept along the passageway and into the darkness of the adjoining room, to wait for a chance to get Adrienne on her own.

Unbeknown to Jai, there was another person in this house, as adept as he at moving around unseen and as Jai made his stealthy way up to his current hiding place, he was shadowed every step of the way by the thin figure of Marric Barkley. As Jai went to ground in the room next to the one occupied by Tomas, Marric knew he would have to act fast. He ran down the passageway to the room that had been occupied by Andre Rakovsky and Jim, it was still Jim's room, until Nick decided what to do with the huge but largely helpless man. Jim was sitting disconsolately beside his old friend's bed and Marric whispered fiercely to him, "come with me Jim, Jai is in the room next to Tomas and he is lying in wait for Adri, you have to get help." Jim obediently scrambled up out of his chair and the man and boy came out onto the passageway. Marric gestured to Jim to go for help but the big black face was resolute and Jim shook his head. "You go, I will protect Tomas." He turned away and headed for the sick room before Marric could prevent him.

Marric ran for the stairs, swift as a deer and went in search of help. In that same moment, Adri emerged from her own room and came along the passageway towards Tomas's room. She had no time even to cry out as Jai's noiseless form glided out of his hiding place, clamped an iron hand over her mouth and dragged her into the darkened room. Heart thumping with fright, Adri knew who it was that held her and a grey tide of despair washed over her. Not the strong Patrone of the estancia, not the Mexican army, nothing and no-one could save her from this evil being. Jai, with his wizard-like ability to move unseen, he would always find her, there was nothing she could do, except surrender herself to him.

When at last he took his hand from her mouth, she rushed into whispered speech, "Jai, I beg of you not to hurt anyone else, I...I will come with you, but I beg you to hurt no other soul here."

Jai's face was close to hers, she could see the glitter of madness in his eyes, those mud coloured, dead eyes, which she feared so greatly.

His cruel smile mocked her, "all you love and all who love you," he said with soft menace.

Tears brimmed from her soft brown eyes, "no...please," she whispered brokenly and shrank away as his questing hands reached for her with sudden desire.

Tomas was awake and the drug-induced sleep of the past twenty four hours had done him a lot of good. He was in pain from the cuts and burns on his body but he was at peace with himself, even a little proud of how bravely he had withstood the torment of his captors. When the gentle giant Jim came into the room, Tomas could tell at once that there was something wrong.

"What is it Jim?"

The great forehead creased in an effort of concentration, "the bad man is here," he said slowly.

Tomas jerked painfully upright and began to heave himself out of bed. "Here? Tell me what you mean Jim, exactly where?"

"There," answered Jim, pointing at the wall which adjoined the next bedroom.

Tomas tried to stand and failed, as a wave of agony coursed through his burned feet, he gamely tried again, saying urgently to Jim, "go and get help Jim, you go...quickly!"

Jim shook his head, "protect you," he said simply.

From the adjoining room there was a scuffle of movement and a muffled squeal of terror from Adrienne and Tomas shouted at Jim, "Go! Help her, I'm coming too."

At last the huge man lumbered into movement and went out of the room and into the one next door. Tomas followed as well as he was able, dragging his tortured feet, gasping with the pain as he did so. By the time he reached the open door of the next room, it was almost all over. He heard the pistol shot, saw Jim's body crumple and fall and Adri, standing against the wall, her dress torn across the bosom and her eyes wide with terror. Jai was already gone, having slid from the window as soon as he had shot poor Jim.

As Marric reached the front door, the gunshot sounded and it didn't need his shrill cry of "Father! Come quickly, Jai is here," for Nick and both his brothers were already racing for the house, closely followed by other men. The next few minutes passed in a frenzy of confused activity, Remedios and his men frantically mounting up and setting out on an almost certainly pointless search for Jai and his two men. Nick comforting the distraught Adrienne and handing her over to his wife and mother to be cared for. Jarrod and Gene, covering and then overseeing the removal of Jim's lifeless body from the floor.

In the bustle, nobody noticed the stricken figure of Marric, standing rooted to the spot, gazing at the patch of rapidly darkening blood, where Jim's corpse had lain. Quietly and sadly, the boy turned and went out, his green eyes wet with tears as he silently grieved for his dead friend. He knew what he must do and going out to the big barn beside the corral, he searched for what was needed to accomplish his goal.

By the time Adrienne had been calmed and settled into bed, a concerned Dominica in attendance at her bedside, the soldiers had returned. Remedios was apologetic but the inevitable had happened, Jai and his two accomplices had vanished as stealthily as they had come and no trace of their trail remained. Tomas was put back to bed, tears pouring down his face at his failure to come to Jim's aid. Older brothers Raoul and Ramon soothed his distress as best they could, assuring him that he could have done no more and after Victoria had dosed him with his medicine the weary child fell asleep. Both his brothers stayed beside him and Victoria went to check on Adrienne. She was clearly traumatized by her encounter with Jai, but in answer to Dominica's anxious question, Victoria was able to assure her daughter-in-law that Jai had not had a chance to hurt her friend. Victoria gave Adri a dose of Tomas's medicine and soon she too slept. Dominica stayed with Adri and Victoria went to the nursery to ensure that the ailing Audra-Jane and little Missy were both being properly cared for. Having done this, she joined her sons in the living room and gratefully accepted the drink Jarrod handed to her.

It was only then that Nick glanced swiftly around and said, "anyone seen Marric?"

No-one had and an icy dread wrapped itself around Nick's heart as he called imperatively for Luis and initiated a search for his son. For the next few anxious minutes both house and courtyard were scoured for the missing Marric, it seemed unlikely that he had strayed further, his own horse was in the corral and no others appeared to be missing. It was Gene who found the motionless and oddly shrouded figure in the darkest corner of the barn and he shouted for help.

Nick came running and when he saw what Marric had done he quietly told Gene to keep everybody else out of the barn. Soon, Nick was alone with his son and he approached Marric, talking in his deep, soothing voice. "Marric, it's me, I'm gonna take that...that thing off your head now Son."

There was no response from the inert little figure and Nick abandoned caution and swiftly drew his pocket knife and set about the swathed sacking material, which Marric had wound tightly around his head and neck. Once again, just as he had been when Nick first laid eyes on him, Marric was entombed in a makeshift mask. Nick cut away the binding carefully and was unsurprised to find Marric unconscious when he at last stripped away the last of the sacking. Indeed, thought Nick, the only wonder is that he's still alive at all! He must have damn near smothered himself. He carried the boy into the house and up to his room, tenderly undressing him and washing away the sweat from his head.

As Nick settled himself in the armchair beside Marric's bed, with the child in his arms, Marric stirred into consciousness again. Nick kissed his damp hair, "welcome back, you left us for a while."

Marric's green eyes spilled tears, "you...you should have...left the mask on."

"If I had Soldier, you'd be a dead boy now, you pretty well smothered yourself."

"I wish I had! I...I'm a killer."

"No you're not, that evil woman tried to turn you into one, but she failed. You know what you are, your grandmother taught you that...that thing, what did Jarrod call it? I remember, a mantra, it's called a mantra. Can you say it for me now?"

The boy shook his head whispering "no," miserably.

"Sure you can, I know you remember it, say it for me now," Nick encouraged him.

"I...I am Marric Barkley and I'm a good boy."

"Indeed you are!"

"I'm not! I'm not, I killed poor Jim."

"No," corrected Nick gently, "it was Jai who did that, not you."

Marric's tears were flowing fast now, "I should have left him in his room, I knew he couldn't hurt anyone! I shouldn't have asked him to go for help, I should have done it myself!"

"You did do it yourself and I'm glad you did! The last thing I wanted was you taking on a killer like Jai all on your own."

Marric vehemently shook his head, "I killed Jim and after all the years I took care of him, how could I do that?"

Nick turned the boy around in his lap so that the tear-drenched face was towards his and he tilted up Marric's chin so that their gazes locked. "Now I want you to listen to me Son. You had to think fast and act even faster when you spotted Jai. You needed help and your friend Jim was the closest person to give it to you. If it didn't turn out the way you hoped, well, that just happens sometimes. You did your best and I want you to know that I'm very proud of you. Don't blame yourself for Jim, ask yourself a question instead. Would your friend Jim want you to blame yourself and even worse hurt yourself?"

Marric caught his breath on a sob but didn't answer.

"Well Marric, would Jim want that?"

After a long pause, Marric said "no, no he wouldn't want that." Fresh tears shook his thin frame, "first Andre, now Jim, I don't want anyone else to die Papa."

Nick cuddled him close and kissed his fair head, "don't you worry Soldier, I don't expect anyone else will die." Fortunately for his peace of mind Nick could not know how wrong he was destined to be.

Part 13E

Dinner was a sombre affair and to Antonio Remedios's intense disappointment Dominica was just as distantly cold with him as she had been the day before. He could not understand the bewildering change in her manner towards him and he determined to get her alone at the earliest opportunity and beg her forgiveness for whatever insult he had unintentionally given her. He got his chance as Dominica went to check that her friend Adrienne was still sleeping. Antonio was lying in wait as Dominica reached the landing and startled her when he suddenly appeared right in front of her.

"Madre de dios Major! You gave me a fright," snapped the angry Dominica.

"Forgive me," Remedios begged urgently, "but I must speak with you! I have obviously offended you and I wish to beg your pardon, please believe that I had no intention of doing so."

She softened, "you...you have not offended me Major Remedios, it is I who have been willful and foolish! I flirted quite dreadfully with you when you were here before and I should not have done so. I am merely trying to behave more respectably, you have not offended me in any way."

The young officer sighed with relief, "you have taken a great weight off my mind," he said, raising her hand to his lips and fervently kissing it.

Dominica was displeased and pulled her hand away, "please Major, if I am behaving with more circumspection, so must you!"

It was then that Antonio lost his head, grasping her by the arms and speaking in a low urgent voice, "I cannot help myself Dominica! You are in my thoughts all the time, every minute, when I should be attending to my duties all I can think about is you and your beauty and...and how I feel about you!"

"Stop this," ordered Dominica wrathfully, "I am very sorry and I know that I led you on before but I did not mean any harm. I am a married woman and your...your advances are not welcome to me!"

Remedios was not listening to her, indeed he was doing his best to kiss her and the lady decided on drastic action to get his attention, she slapped his face as hard as she could and wrenched herself free from his grasp.

The young officer seemed to come to his senses and stood regarding his hostess in shamed silence for a moment.

Nick Barkley's appearance at the top of the stairs, with his brother Jarrod, came as an unwelcome interruption and it would have been hard to choose between Dominica and Antonio as to which was the more embarrassed at being discovered in such questionable circumstances.

The stern frown on Nick's face would have daunted a lesser man than Major Remedios but the young officer stood his ground and clicked his heels in salute, "Senor Barkley, I owe you an apology, I have abused your hospitality by making a nuisance of myself to your wife, I will leave at once!" He bowed and turned away toward his room followed by Nick's voice, "now hold on a minute Antonio, there's no need for you to go."

Jarrod's restraining hand stopped Nick from pursuing his young friend, "let him go Nick, he's upset and he needs time to recover."

The lawyer glanced at Dominica and she put up her chin, "you need not look at me that way Jarrod, I did not encourage him!"

"Not this time you didn't," said Jarrod quietly.

She flushed scarlet and turned pleadingly to Nick, "it is true Nicholas, I...I did flirt outrageously with him on his last visit but I meant no harm, I have tried to behave better this time, but...but I think the damage was already done." She hung her head begging tearfully, "please don't be angry with me Nick."

The gentleness of her husband's voice surprised her, "I'm not angry with you Honey, I know flirting's always been a game with you but you need to remember how lovely you are. It's no wonder a young fellow like Antonio should be smitten with you, I'm not angry with him either." He kissed her forehead, "you run along and look in on Adri, and don't worry about Antonio, I'll talk to him."

When Major Remedios came downstairs, he was carrying his travelling bag and clearly intended to leave immediately. He was at his most stiff and formal, calling Nick ‘Senor Barkley' and would not listen as his host tried to persuade him to stay. Victoria hesitated, if this had been her house, she would have intervened at once, but she was conscious that Nick was master here and she didn't wish to undermine him. At length, she said diffidently, "Nick, may I make a suggestion?"

He turned eagerly toward her, "of course Mother!"

She said, "perhaps Senor Castillo would extend his hospitality to Major Remedios, then he would only be on the other side of the courtyard and near to his men." She smiled, "would you feel more comfortable staying with Carlos Antonio?"

The young officer bowed courteously and returned her smile, "Indeed I would Senora, if Senor Castillo does not mind, that would be an excellent solution to this...difficulty."

"Well now we'll go right over there and I'll speak to Carlos," said Nick much relieved. He flashed a grateful grin at Victoria and she was pleased that her idea had been favourably received.

The rancher and the officer left the house together, and Jarrod and Victoria heard Antonio say, "I owe you a thousand apologies for my conduct Senor Barkley."

They also heard Nick's wrathful answer, "now that'll be enough of that Antonio and if you call me Senor Barkley instead of Nick once more, I'm gonna bust you in the mouth, you got that Amigo?"

When they were alone, Jarrod caught his mother to him, "tell me something Lovely Lady, are you ever stuck for an idea?"

She laughed up at him, "with sons like mine, a little ingenuity comes in useful now and again!"

They sat down again and Victoria looked at the lawyer, "Jarrod, do you know what I'm thinking?"

"Yes I think so, you're wondering if this is the same Nick that almost pulverised Heath for looking twice at Hester Converse!"

Victoria laughed, "you have to admit Jarrod, this new less hot-headed Nick takes a bit of getting used to."

Jarrod smiled ruefully, "I think his new responsibilities are taming the old bear a bit, Nick has a lot on his plate you know."

His mother nodded, "yes indeed he has, too much really. Jarrod, I know you and Gene will be leaving any day now but I feel I need to stay and help Nick. Will you do something for me?"

"Of course Mother."

"Will you take Adrienne and little Missy to the ranch? Audra and Sarah can look after them, while I'm here."

"Leave it to me Mother, sending Adri and the little one to the ranch is a good idea. With Heath to protect her, she'll be a whole lot safer than here."

"Thank you Darling, that's a weight off my mind. I've grown very fond of that girl, she's brave and noble, I'm determined to do what I can to help her."

Next day, Remedios despatched his men on searches to flush out Jai and his two companions, or at least ensure that they were driven away from the area. The major did not however go with his men, he badly needed to see Dominica and apologise for his behaviour, especially the brief fit of madness, when her beauty had overwhelmed his good sense. He was anxious to see her alone and thought it would be a good idea to intercept her on her customary morning ride. He knew exactly which meadow she would be riding in, Nick had forbidden his wife to stray far from the house until Jai was dealt with, so she could ride nowhere else.

Antonio was fortunate, spotting Dominica within minutes of setting out to look for her. He rode swiftly towards her and after a moment's indecision, she pulled up her horse and waited for him to catch up with her.

"I am not talking to you," she said at once. "I only flirted with you a little before, I did not mean to make you fall in love with me!"

"I know that and I have not come to you to...to make a pest of myself, I want only to say how sorry I am. Please forgive me, my behaviour was such as to make me a disgrace to this uniform!"

Dominica relented and said in a much softer tone, "You are no such thing and...and if I had not met Nick, I should perhaps have been very much attracted to you. But I love Nicholas with all my heart and I would never betray his trust in me."

"I know that Dominica, I too value your husband, he is a man I am proud to call my friend."

A tiny movement caught Remedios's eye and he glanced over to the far corner of the meadow, what he saw chilled his blood. Jai and the two bandits, Renaldo and Santos, were all three advancing towards him, he was hopelessly out-numbered and there was Dominica to think of too. He turned to her, she too was watching the approach of the three men, her dark eyes wide with fright. Antonio grasped her horse's bridle, "away with you Querida, ride like the wind. Go now!"

She shook her head vehemently, "no! You come too, we will out-ride them."

He smiled gently into her beloved eyes, his soldier's brain had assessed their situation tactically and he had swiftly concluded that they stood no chance of joint escape. His lady-love could get clear only by the sacrifice of his own life and he gave it in her service without a second thought.

"No Dominica, go now and take my love with you!" He swatted the mare's rump hard and the animal leapt forward and galloped away to safety, carrying her precious burden with her. The gallant young officer turned away from Dominica's rapidly diminishing figure to meet his foes. He drew his pistol with a shaking hand, commended his life and his duty to God and prepared to meet his doom.

Dominica rode home as though all the hounds of hell pursued her and came to an abrupt halt in the courtyard, in a swirl of trail dust screaming Nick's name. The estancia men and all three Barkley brothers rode for the meadow like demons, but as they had both feared and expected, they were too late. The body of Major Antonio Remedios lay in the grass, he had been riddled with bullets but his enemies had paid dearly for taking his life. Nearby, the lifeless bodies of Renaldo and Santos, showed that several of Antonio's own bullets had found their mark. He had died to save the girl to whom he had lost his heart, he had died bravely and he had avenged himself by taking two of his killers with him to the grave.

Nick Barkley stood looking down at the corpse of his friend, his face a grim mask of anguished grief. Jarrod quietly told Gene to take all the men back to the estancia and arrange for messengers to recall the troop of soldiers.

"Do you think they ought to stop searching for Jai," asked Gene.

The lawyer's nod was decisive, "Jai is long gone by now. He knows he missed his chance of attacking Dominica, maybe killing her, his men are dead too. He's a lunatic and an obsessive one but he's no fool. He'll go off to lick his wounds, at least for a while."

Carlos Castillo had joined them, "lick his wounds is right. There is a blood trail, I believe Antonio has put at least one bullet in Jai. Madre de dios, he was one against three and he damned near took them all down!"

Jarrod spoke softly, "he was a very fine young man, take the body back to the house now, I'll wait for Nick."

Nick had wandered away slightly, looking at the thin trail of blood which marked Jai's flight. Jarrod came to stand with his brother and said gently, "I'm sorry Nick, I know he was your friend."

A shuddering sigh escaped Nick and tears rolled down his face. He was a tough man and didn't cry easily, but he had indeed made a friend of Antonio Remedios, from the first, the two men had liked and trusted each other. Even the Mexican officer's youthful adoration of the flighty Dominica had done nothing to harm that friendship and Nick grieved now, for the fine young life so tragically cut off.

Jarrod said nothing more just standing close to Nick, letting the mere fact of his presence give what comfort it could. Eventually, Nick grew more composed and the two men started to walk toward their horses. Nick shook his head sadly, "I promised little Marric after Andre and Jim died that there would be no more deaths, it seems there were destined to be three though."

Nick did not know it yet, but once again he was wrong, for there was soon to be a fourth death, and this one would change everything.

Part 13F

At first, Dominica was inconsolable, weeping bitterly over Antonio's death and bewailing the fact that she was his only reason for even being in the meadow that morning. Drawing his wife into the comfort of his embrace, Nick kissed her silky hair and gently told her, "I'm sorry Darling, but I thank God he was there! If he hadn't been, then I would have lost you and I couldn't bear to lose you my Love."

"I know, I know he saved me, but I wish he hadn't had to die." She looked into Nick's concerned face, her own cheeks wet with her tears, "I don't mean that I loved him, I love you, but he...he did love me I think."

"Yes he did, but I'll tell you the truth Dominica, I think Antonio would have done what he did for any woman, he was that kind of young man."

Her little hands tightened on his shirt front and her gaze held his, "I swear to you Nicholas that I have never gone beyond flirting with Antonio, or with any man. I love you and I would never betray you, not ever."

His deep voice soothed her, "I know that Honey, I never doubted you, or Antonio either come to that. He was a fine young man and I'm proud to have known him."

Dominica buried her face in his chest as a fresh wave of grief shook her.

It was a long time before his wife could be calmed and Nick handed her over to his mother to take care of. He needed to join Carlos and his brothers and talk to the grizzled sergeant who was second in command of Remedios's soldiers. Victoria was kind and sympathetic with her daughter-in-law but before long she allowed Adrienne to be the one comforting her friend Dominica. Victoria sensed that it was therapeutic for Adri to be occupied in tending to someone else. If she had time to herself, she became despondent about the danger she stood in from the evil Jai. Victoria promised to take care of Melissa and Audra-Jane while Adri consoled Dominica and left the two girls together.

Sergeant Francisco Mendez was a seasoned veteran of many past battles and he was not the man to be dismayed, not even by the death of his commander. He sighed and said simply, "he was only a boy, but I never saw a braver one! He will be missed, but he died well."

When asked what he intended to do now, his answer was simple, "I am in command now and Colonel Ruiz will expect me to carry out our mission, which is to catch Jai. If as you say, he is wounded, then our task becomes a certainty, we leave at dawn."

Nick frowned, "are you leaving before the Major's funeral?"

"Yes Senor, Major Remedios would wish it," replied Mendez.

Nick thought of his dedicated and determined young friend and slowly smiled, "yes Sergeant, I think you may be right about that."

The next morning saw the soldiers gone and the day after, the estancia family and many of the local population attended the funeral of Antonio Remedios at the Mission. Everyone knew of the brave sacrifice made by the dead officer and there was a huge turnout to pay respect to a brave man. Dominica attended, holding Nick's hand tightly and behaving with enough dignity to please even a stickler like her late father Don Miguel. She continued to behave with sober circumspection for the next day or two and four days after they had left, the troops under the command of Sergeant Mendez arrived at the estancia again in triumph.

They had followed the blood trail left by the wounded Jai and after picking up his tracks, relentlessly pursued him until they caught up with him at last. They had brought him back to the estancia, securely chained and swaying on his feet from loss of blood and the fact that Mendez had made him walk every step of the way. Carlos was for stringing the renegade up on the nearest tree but Nick would not permit it. Mendez promised that he would give his prisoner no opportunity to escape and that he would be taken to face the justice of the Mexican Army, for the murder of Major Remedios.

They left for San Cristobel the same afternoon and as he was dragged away, the maniacal voice of Jai could be heard screaming, "Adrienne! Adrienne!" Over and over the madman's voice repeated the name of his obsession, until at last, the dust of the departing riders had settled and Jai's voice could be heard no longer.

With Jai's departure in chains, Adri seemed to blossom like a flower. She got some colour back in her cheeks and even smiled, though at the back of her mind was the thought that she herself had caused the recent spate of deaths. Victoria talked to her about paying a visit to the ranch in California in due course and was gratified by the younger woman's eager acceptance of the invitation. Nick and Dominica were to come too, though in his heart, Nick dreaded a visit as a guest to a place he still thought of as his domain. He kept these feelings to himself and perhaps only Jarrod and Victoria knew him well enough to guess at how he felt.

The day of Jarrod and Gene's projected departure from the estancia was now only a day away and Nick was steeling himself to the loss of his brothers companionship. Jarrod had asked him anxiously if he would be able to cope with Marric's bad dreams but Nick had reassured the lawyer that he could cope alone now. "It's not as if he has 'em every night you know, I can take the odd broken night's sleep in my stride."

"In fact they've been less and less frequent," remarked Jarrod, "have you noticed how they seem to start up if anything happens around here?"

"Yeah. Any change or upheaval," agreed Nick, "and we've had too many of them lately!"

Jarrod smiled, "here's hoping that life will settle down somewhat Nick."

"Amen to that Big Brother!"

Dominica had spent the morning over-seeing her household, like a good wife. She had been polite and respectful to her mother-in-law and the rest of her visitors, she had done all her duties and carried out all her tasks, all like a good wife. Dominica was now, in the early afternoon, bored with being a good wife, indeed bored with almost everything! It was all very well to curtail her natural tendencies in the short term, but there was no denying that there was little resemblance between her present way of life and the carefree existence she had known in her father's time. She knew in her heart that she had been spoiled and indulged by her devoted parent, he had almost always allowed her to have her own way and however much she loved Nick, or respected his mother, she missed this untrammelled freedom very much.

Wandering restlessly over to the corral, Dominica thought she might resume her habit of riding farther afield, after all there was no longer any threat from Jai. She stopped to stroke Royale's aristocratic nose, murmuring endearments to the lovely mare. The knot of discontent and willfulness in her stomach seemed to harden as she looked at her treasure. For how many weary weeks had Nick been promising to train this beautiful creature so that his wife could ride her?

Her honest nature reminded her of the many and varied calls that had been made on Nick's time in recent months, but she angrily thrust this knowledge aside, he had promised her, and people ought to keep their promises!

In fact, Nick had delegated the task of training Royale to young Raoul Castillo, the slender eighteen year old was of a suitable build for the delicately made horse and he was besides, a consummate horseman. He had succeeded in winning the animal's trust and was making good, steady progress with the nervy, highly-strung horse. His progress was much too steady for Dominica's taste, she was beginning to wonder when she would ever be permitted to take possession of her treasure for herself.

As she stood caressing the lovely mare's sensitive ears, Dominica knew a sudden urge to ride Royale again. She knew herself to be a fine, if rather reckless horsewoman and she felt that Royale was the horse of a lifetime. In her mind, she saw herself, flashing across the meadows, the swift horse's spirit as glorious as her own and felt an almost overwhelming desire to ride Royale this very afternoon.

The only thing that made her hesitate was the certainty of Nick's anger. He had been severely displeased when she disobeyed him the last time, she was a brave young woman but her husband was a formidable man and the thought of facing him if she defied him, gave her pause for thought. She glanced at the cloudless sky, it was a beautiful afternoon, a ride would be delightful, her willful little mouth hardened, ‘do I dare?' she thought. All her life, she had been used to getting her own way, she felt chafed and restricted by the difficulties and sadnesses of recent days. How pleasant it would be to put all that behind her, just for a few hours!

Dominica hesitated no longer, it was still siesta and if she acted swiftly, there would be no-one to see her go or spoil her fun. As quickly as she could, she saddled the nervous Royale, soothing the mare gently by talking to her. "Gently my lovely, gently, I am brave and fearless, you must be so too, if we are to love one another. I shall teach you to be brave my precious Royale, come!"

Dominica thrust the thought of her inevitable showdown with Nick to the back of her mind. He would be enraged, very well, she had spoken the truth to the horse, she was not afraid and would face the music when she had to. She laughed to herself as she joyously galloped through the wrought iron gates of the courtyard and across the meadow beyond the gates. Yes, Nick would be angry, but after the quarrel would come the reconciliation, with a glad heart, the mistress of the Del Rio estancia sped away from her home to enjoy an afternoon in the saddle.

It was perhaps an hour later, when Raoul Castillo returned to the estancia from an errand to the Mission and his startled brown eyes noted the empty corral at once. He set up a shout for the grooms and when they presented themselves, he demanded to know where Royale was. None of the sheepish hands could enlighten him and with a sinking heart, Raoul ran over to the main house and went in to find Patrone. He was out of luck, Luis explained that the whole Barkley family were in Coalhuo shopping for the afternoon. Cursing the entire race of women and his mistress in particular, Raoul ran back to his horse and calling to younger brother Ramon to follow him, he set off after Dominica, fervently hoping that her tempestuous riding style had not undone all his hard work with Royale!

It was growing late when the two brothers found both horse and rider. Dominica lay inert on the grass, utterly motionless and as he and Ramon approached, a serpent of dread writhed in Raoul's stomach. Royale, severely lamed was hobbling nearby and in a shaking voice, Raoul sent his younger brother to catch her and check her over. He watched Ramon calling softly to the frightened mare and expertly catching her. Talking to her all the time in a soothing tone, Ramon began to feel the horses legs for any serious injury.

Raoul squatted beside Dominica, who lay as still as death, her normally vivid countenance, now just a pale mask. With gentle care, the young man raised her shoulders slightly and his worst fears were confirmed, for the lovely woman's head lolled at an impossible angle. The crashing fall from her horse had broken her neck, Dominica Del Rio Barkley, the last of the Del Rios was dead.

Part 13G

Ramon came over to his brother, "I think Royale will be all right, though she is very lame, it as a pity we are so far from home, the walk back will be an ordeal for her I'm afraid."

Raoul had laid his dead mistress down again and stood between her and Ramon, "I am not taking Royale back, I know a place where I can hide her, it is not far from here."

"Hide her?"

Raoul stood aside, "La Senora is dead," he said simply.

"Madre de dios, Patrone will go mad! He might...he might even shoot Royale!"

Raoul's amiable mouth tightened to a thin hard line, "he will not shoot her because I will not let him! Royale is a good horse, this is Senora Dominica's fault not the fault of the horse."

Ramon offered a suggestion, "I suppose we could say we didn't find Royale."

Raoul shook his head, "I shall tell the truth," he declared firmly.

Ramon looked at his older brother respectfully, "you intend to hide Royale and face Carlos and Patrone and tell them you did it?"

Raoul nodded, his jaw jutting determinedly.

Ramon let out a long slow breath, "you are very brave Hermano and also you are entirely insane!"

The two brothers tenderly lifted the body of their mistress and placed it across Raoul's horse, tying it firmly. Then Ramon mounted his own horse and took the reins of Raoul's horse from his brother. Raoul unsaddled Royale, leaving the bridle on her and led her slowly away across the meadow, now shadowed by the beginnings of dusk. Ramon sat his horse for a few minutes watching his brother lead the dead lame mare away, then with a deep sigh, he set off back to the estancia, bearing his sombre burden with him.

When the foreman of the Del Rio estancia returned from his duties around the estate that afternoon, the stable-hands knew that one or other of them must tell him what had happened. However, no-one had any intention of volunteering for this particular task. Castillo was a formidable man and an exacting employer, he was likely to be severely annoyed and since the grooms felt that their mistress was responsible, they felt she and not they should face Carlos Castillo's wrath.

In the event, he noticed Royale's empty corral at once and expressed surprise that Raoul had taken her out so late in the day. Their hand having been thus forced, the truth was sheepishly told and the brows of the estancia foreman snapped into a deep frown. He surveyed the apprehensive, shuffling hands with hard, cold eyes and summed them up with one pithy word, "Idiots!"

Carlos dismissed the men, there was little to be gained by reviling them, none of them had actually assisted Dominica in her folly and they could scarcely have refused to obey her orders anyway.

Carlos was deeply uneasy, he had felt for some time now that Royale was not the right horse for a tempestuous and reckless rider like Dominica and had tentatively said as much to Patrone. Nick Barkley understood his worries, he was too good a horseman not to. He had promised to think the matter over, resolving in his mind to find a truly magnificent, but less nervous horse than Royale to bestow upon his bride. The hunt for Jai had frustrated this scheme, which he had shared with Carlos, now Castillo hoped that it was not too late.

The arrival in the courtyard of Ramon and his pathetic burden told Castillo that it was indeed too late and a wave of grief coursed through him as he saw what fate had befallen the girl that he had loved for so long. None of his teeming emotions showed in his impassive face as he summoned help and had the dead daughter of Don Miguel Del Rio carried upstairs to her room. Mercedes, the oldest and most sensible of the maids undertook to tend her dead mistress and make her presentable for the imminent return to his home of the Patrone.

When Mercedes had finished her work she came out onto the landing to find Castillo standing there. "Thank you for looking after La Senora Mercedes, you are a good girl. I wish to say a prayer over her now, leave me please."

The maid curtseyed and went sadly downstairs, wiping away her tears. Dominica was a hot tempered sometimes exigent mistress but she was so lovely and so vibrant that all her servants adored her, however difficult her moods might be.

Carlos went softly into the death-room, carefully closing the door behind him and came to kneel beside the bed, taking the lifeless hand of his dead love in his. Still he shed no tears, just raising her hand to his lips to press a fervent kiss upon it, whispering, "oh Dominica, my only love, what has brought you to this? I would have loved you all the rest of my days, serving you as best I could. How could you be so foolish as to throw away your life?"

He knew how of course, he himself was responsible for her fate, as was Don Miguel and every other person in Dominica's life who had spoiled her and indulged her every whim. Her husband had not been so foolish, he had recognized her true nature and had shown her from the first that she could no longer do just exactly as she pleased. She had accepted this, because she loved Nick and respected him too, yet even this had not stopped her from this final act of disobedient folly. Laying down his beloved's hand, Carlos Castillo closed his eyes and murmured a short prayer. Then he rose from his knees, and stood looking down at the dead face of the beautiful girl he had loved from afar since she was little more than a child. Crossing himself, Carlos turned away and left Dominica, softly closing the door into the death-room behind him.

As he came downstairs again and out into the courtyard, now enveloped in the fall of dusk, Carlos wondered how he was to find the words to tell Nick Barkley that his young wife was dead. He wondered too, where Raoul was and the horse, or was Royale as dead as her mistress? His eyes sought and found his younger brother Ramon and he summoned the boy to him with an imperative gesture.

On his way back to the house, Ramon had thought about his brother's decision to hide Royale and he had made up his mind to do what he could to deflect the wrath of Carlos and Patrone from Raoul. As he approached his grim-faced mentor, Ramon's stomach twisted itself into a knot of tension. The last thing he wanted from Carlos was another beating but he did not flinch from facing his eldest brother, his one wish was to spare Raoul, who loved Royale with all his heart and could not bear to lose the horse.

Carlos eyed him with concern, for the boy looked sickly pale, he laid a gentle hand on Ramon's shoulder, "are you all right, you look like a ghost?"

"I'm all right, I'm sorry we didn't catch up with La Senora sooner, Raoul and I went after her as soon as we knew she was gone."

Castillo shook his head, "the fault is hers and hers alone, you tried to help her, I cannot ask any more of you than that." His eyes were puzzled, "where is Raoul, is he leading the mare home?"

Ramon stiffened, "no Sir."

Carlos frowned, "then Royale is dead too?"

"No Sir."

"Make sense Boy! What are you saying?"

Ramon drew a deep breath and looked his brother squarely in the eye, "Raoul has taken Royale away," he said simply.

"Taken her away," repeated Castillo, "what do you mean? She is not Raoul's to take away!"

Ramon explained, "Raoul is afraid that Patrone will blame Royale for what has happened and perhaps wish to shoot her, so he has taken her away to hide her." Ramon waited for Carlos to explode but the older man just nodded curtly, "I see, where has he taken her?"

Ramon said quietly, "I don't know and if I did I wouldn't tell you."

Carlos's hand flashed in a slap across Ramon's face that made the boy's ears ring, "don't be impertinent! You are a fool and so is Raoul, Patrone is not the man to shoot an animal for something it could not help."

The sound of a buggy could be heard approaching the estancia gates and Carlos spoke urgently to Ramon, "take horses and find your brother, fetch him here, I wish to speak with him. Go at once, comprende?"

Ramon nodded, "Yes Sir."

Carlos turned away from the boy and with a heavy heart awaited the impending arrival of his master and friend Nick Barkley.

Eugene Barkley was driving the big buggy with Nick seated beside him and Victoria and Jarrod sitting behind them on the bench seat. The back of the buggy was piled high with packages, evidently the afternoon's shopping had gone well. As the buggy glided to a halt beside the corral, Gene triumphantly tied off the reins and turned to Nick, "well?"

Nick swallowed a grin, "passable, no more than passable," he said indifferently.

"Passable! I can drive as well as you can any day and you know it!"

Nick laughed jumping down and holding out his arms to his mother, "ten years practice Boy, then tell me you're as good as me!"

Victoria let him hand her down from the buggy and calmly told him to stop teasing his little brother. Jarrod climbed down and told Gene to give him a hand with the parcels.

Carlos came slowly to the merry family group, heart-sick at the thought of the pain and suffering he was about to inflict.

Nick turned a laughing face to his foreman, "evening Carlos, all well here?"

Carlos drew a resolute breath, "sadly all is not well here Nick, there has been a tragedy."

Nick's face sobered at once, "don't tell me Jai has escaped!"

"No Nick, this concerns you personally, I'm afraid I have bad news, the worst possible news. There is no way to break it gently, I can only tell you that Dominica went riding this afternoon and she took a bad fall. I regret to tell you that she has broken her neck, she is dead Patrone."

The Barkleys all stood rigidly still, each of them stunned by the words of the grim-faced foreman. It was Nick who moved first, he flinched, his shoulders hunching, his abdomen contracting, almost as though he had been shot, his sharp intake of breath was clearly audible. He shook his head as though to clear his senses, blinking with disbelief at Carlos, "she's...dead?"

Carlos ached for his friend's pain, He nodded confirmation, not trusting himself to speak.

Jarrod was at his brother's side, a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry Nick."

Nick turned to Jarrod almost eagerly, as if he wanted his eldest brother to tell him it was all a mistake and his wife, his lovely girl, was not dead but as alive and vibrant as when he had parted from her that morning. Jarrod understood that blind, desperate look and he didn't hesitate, "she's gone Nick, there's nothing you can do to bring her back."

Nick's expression was that of a wounded animal, hopeless and afraid.

Victoria's eyes filled with tears, her vivacious daughter-in-law was dead, it hardly seemed possible that it could be so. She gathered her resources and moved to Nick's side, so that he stood now between her and Jarrod. She took her son's arm speaking gently to him, "come inside Nick, you need a brandy and a few moments to compose yourself."

Jarrod took Nick's other arm, "yes come indoors Nick, please.

He went with them, as obedient as a small child and Gene followed them into the house. After a moment's hesitation, Carlos followed the family, when the initial shock wore off, the Barkleys were going to have questions, it would be as well if he were there to answer them.

Between them, Victoria and Jarrod managed to get Nick into a chair and coaxed him into swallowing a stiff drink. Slowly, he regained his mental balance and began to be able to think again. His eyes sought and found Carlos and he stood to face his foreman, "who found her?"

"My brothers, Raoul and Ramon went after her, when they discovered that she was riding Royale."

Nick nodded, betraying no surprise at all, he had known in his heart that his willful bride had disobeyed him a second time and ridden the nervous horse. "Is the horse hurt?"

"Severely lamed Patrone, nothing worse than that." Carlos hesitated, then decided honesty was the best policy, "Raoul took it into his head that you might shoot Royale, so he has hidden her away somewhere."

Nick shook his head, "I wouldn't do that," he said quietly.

"I know that Nick, I have already told Ramon so, he has gone to find his brother. When Raoul returns, I will make him bring the horse back."

Nick's voice was firm, "no Carlos, tell Raoul to take care of Royale but he can leave her where she is, I don't want to see her."

"I understand Nick, I'll take care of it."

In a low voice Nick asked, "where is she?"

"In your room Patrone, one of the maids has done what is necessary."

Without a word, Nick turned away and headed for the stairs. His youngest brother made as if to follow him, but Victoria stopped him, her voice gentle, "let him go Gene, he needs a little time to himself."

Outside the door of the room he had shared with Dominica, Nick hesitated, steeling himself to go in and bid a final farewell to the lovely girl who had been his bride for just a few short months. Squaring his shoulders, he opened the door and went in, closing it gently behind him. He felt strangely detached at this moment, almost numb, which was a relief after the first physical sensation of unbearable agony, when the news of his wife's death had been broken to him in the courtyard.

He stood beside the bed looking down at the still figure of his bride, still beautiful, even in death, but somehow unreal, like a beautiful marble statue, awaiting a magician to breathe life into it. He sank into the chair which Mercedes had thoughtfully placed beside the bed and tried to come to terms with the reality he had to face. She had gone, the vivacious, tempestuous beauty, who so loved life and relished excitement, she had gone. It was almost impossible to believe and for long minutes this disbelief was the only emotion Nick felt as he gazed at his dead love. Then like a storm of rain, the dam of his emotions burst at last and crying out her name, he cast himself down beside the bed, burying his face in Dominica's soft bosom and sobbing as though his world had come to an end.

There was now no question of either Jarrod or Eugene Barkley leaving the estancia imminently and in the difficult days after Dominica's death each did what they could to help their brother come to terms with his wife's death The next few days saw a series of changes in Nick. At first he was silently, deeply grieved, almost stunned by his loss, but this quiet period didn't last long. He became bitterly angry, inwardly raging at his dead wife for throwing her life away in act of stupid and unnecessary defiance. He went through a stage of being wracked by guilt, wondering if he had been wrong not to concentrate his energies on making Royale a fit mount for Dominica. The innate honesty at the core of his nature acknowledged that Royale never would have been a fit mount for so reckless a horsewoman. Then he blamed himself for not telling Dominica that and for not finding another wondrous horse to take the place of Royale in her affections. He was grim and forbidding with everyone around him and only two people successfully penetrated the wall of grief, with which Nick had surrounded himself. One was his mother, the other his adopted son.

Victoria came to him as he sat brooding in his study and tenderly ran her hand through his unruly dark hair. "I hate to see you like this Darling," she said, a distinct break in her voice and he reached for her, laying his head on her breast and accepting the comfort she gave him. Both his brothers had tried to comfort him and been repulsed, but he could let his guard down with his mother and he did so.

Marric was also a comfort, he would slide unnoticed into the place where Nick was, be it barn, corral, house, anywhere. Then, the child would simply stay by Nick, not talking to him or touching him, just being there with him. Eventually, sometimes after just a few minutes, other times after a longer period, Nick would become aware of that silent presence, standing near him like a little sentinel. He would draw the thin figure close, hold the boy in his lap, often for hours at a time. Neither said very much, Marric would lay his head on Nick's breast and Nick would enfold him in a warm, loving embrace. Marric's quiet companionship did the trick, slowly melting away any bitter feelings that Nick harboured. Before long he could mourn properly for his lost wife, unencumbered by any anger or guilt, for these had been banished by his little son's love and company.

It was during one of these restful interludes that Nick, who was becoming more reconciled to his loss with each passing day, realized that there was a shade of trouble in Marric's expressive green eyes. He thought it likely that the boy was in some sort of scrape and didn't want to bother his father with it. It seemed to Nick that to be embroiled in Marric's woes might very well help him to forget his own, so he dropped a kiss on the boy's fair head and said gently, "what's the matter Soldier?"

Marric shook his head, saying unconvincingly, "nothing Papa, there's nothing wrong with me."

Nick turned him around so they faced one another, "well there's something going on in that head of yours, so out with it, maybe I can help."

Those green eyes had an expression much older than the nine or ten years Marric had been alive and Nick was right, there was indeed a shade of worry in their sleepy depth. Marric looked into Nick's clear hazel eyes, "I just...well there have been four deaths here, in just a few weeks. I mean, Professor Andre, he was kind of an old man I guess, but Jim wasn't old. Well...Jim was murdered I suppose and so was the Major. But Dominica...that was just a stupid accident." The boy broke off, not sure how to explain his anxiety but Nick understood him and took the initiative. "You know Marric, when my father was murdered it knocked the stuffing out of me. I was twenty one and suddenly I had to step into the shoes of the finest man I knew. It scared me silly and if it hadn't been for Jarrod, I doubt I could have done it at all! As for Eugene, he was a child and it was even worse for him, because he saw our father killed. I guess he's only really getting past all that now." Nick was watching his son, whose eyes were fixed on him with painful intensity, "I remember how worried I was when my father was killed, I couldn't believe that such a strong man had gone, it made me worry about my mother, what if I lost her too? Is that what you've been doing Son, worrying about maybe losing me?"

Marric's eyes were wet with unshed tears and he nodded, reaching rather blindly for Nick, burrowing close, "y...yes...I...oh Papa what would happen to me if you d...died?"

Nick held the boy away from him, looking into his face, "I'll tell you what would happen Marric, your Uncle Jarrod and your Uncle Heath and your Grandmother would take care of you, you needn't worry Son, I promise you that."

Marric was satisfied, he already knew and loved his Uncle Jarrod and his Grandmother too. He smiled tearfully at Nick, "but I don't know Uncle Heath," he said.

"You'll meet him soon," promised Nick.

"I will? What's he like Papa?"

Into Nick's mind, as sharp and as clear as a Spring horizon floated the image of the brother, from whom he had now been parted for almost six months. Heath Barkley's strong but handsome face, his gentle blue eyes and that curiously lop-sided smile, warmed Nick's heart and he felt himself smiling. "What is Heath like? Well he's a little like you Solider, he always seems to know what's going on and he has a pretty old head on his shoulders for a man of only twenty six. He's brave and honest and just about the kindest man you could hope to meet. He's my partner, running the Barkley ranch and he's as good a friend to me as your Uncle Jarrod." Nick broke off, thinking with deep affection of the absent Heath, was it really only three years since they had met? Things had sure changed in that time. His initial hostility and mistrust of the newcomer had dissolved in the time between then and now, a time in which they had fought and bled together, worked hard and played even harder together.

With blinding clarity the realities of his present situation burst upon Nick with all the force of a lightning strike. He could go home! Oh he had responsibilities to the Del Rio estancia and to the people of Santa Alva and he would fulfill them, but he need not be tied to this place any longer, he could go home! With a quiet inner joy, he ruffled the blond head of his son. "When we go home, you can meet your Uncle Heath and decide for yourself, but I guarantee you'll pretty soon love him as much as you love Uncle Jarrod." Then for some unaccountable reason he added, "your Uncle Heath has fair hair like yours you know."

"He does?" Marric seemed delighted at this similarity between himself and his unknown uncle.

The boy wrinkled his brow, "Papa, you said when we go home...aren't we home now?"

Nick Barkley's hazel eyes gleamed, "no Son, this is our second home and I promise you we'll come back often, but home is the Barkley ranch in California and the ranch is in the biggest and most beautiful valley you ever saw!"

"You love it there don't you Papa?"

Nick grinned at the shrewd little question, "I love it with every fibre of my being," he acknowledged quietly.

"Then I'll love it too," declared Marric.

Nick laughed, setting the child on his feet, "go and tell your grandmother that we're going home will you Son?"

"Yes Sir!" Marric raced from the study and up the stairs calling for Victoria all the way and when her she answered he called, "Grandmother we're going home, we're going home!"

Continued…