Santa Helena: street [Harvest Fiesta - Montoya playing guitar with musicians, people dancing, children playing] Tessa - [dancing with Ramon, sees boy & girl run past] Remind you of anyone? Ramon - Yes. There was a girl . . . about fifteen years ago. Tessa, I think her name was. Tessa - A lovely child, I'm sure. Ramon - Horrible creature. She beat me 'til I was black and blue. Tessa - Only after you pulled her hair. Ramon - I don't remember that part. Tessa - Well, it wasn't your hair, was it?   Don - You take your life in your hands, gentlemen. It would be a shame to end our harvest fiesta with one of your feuds. Aguilera - If anyone dies today, it won't be because of my hand. Fuentes - Fifty head of cattle I buy from Don Aguilera. Now almost half are dead from disease. Aguilera - Those cows were healthy enough when I sold them. Fuentes - You think you can ruin my hacienda? Aguilera - Have you checked your water? Or your feed? Fuentes - So now I am to blame?! Aguilera - You run a filthy ranch. If your cattle die, it's not my fault. [leaves] Fuentes - This isn't over yet.   Tessa - [to Dr. Helm] Good day. Dr. Helm - [walking through crowd] Senorita. [sees Don Aguilera] Don Aguilera, you're not enjoying the harvest fiesta? Aguilera - No, it must be the heat. [Latham, on rooftop, loads crossbow] Boy - Hola, senor. Me puede comprar esto? [trans: Hi, mister. Can you buy me this?] [holds up a watermelon] Aguilera - No, no. Boy Mire, por favor. [trans: Look, please.] Aguilera - No, thanks. Boy - Mire, senor. [trans: Look, mister.] Aguilera - Go home. [Latham aims, fires crossbow. Bolt goes through melon, hits Aguilera in the chest.] Aguilera - Aaah. [woman screams] Tessa - Oh my god. Ramon - Oh, papa, what have they done to you? Dr. Helm - My office is too far. We'll take him into the church. [men lift Aguilera] Gently, gently. Tessa - [to Ramon] What are you looking for? What is it? Ramon - [sees Fuentes] A dead man.   Santa Helena: church Ramon - Will he live? Dr. Helm - I'm doing my best. Tessa - [runs in carrying bandages] These are all I could find in your office. Dr. Helm - Great. Ramon - Dr. Helm, will he be alright? Dr. Helm - The bolt missed his heart by an inch. Ramon - You didn't answer my question. [Dr. Helm sighs] Ramon - [turns away] So be it. Tessa - [goes after Ramon] Ramon?   Santa Helena: street Tessa - Ramon, wait. Just let me talk to you, please. Ramon - My father is a great man. I can't let Fuentes get away with this. Tessa - You don't know Fuentes did it. Ramon - Then I'm the only one who doesn't. Tessa - Where are you going? Ramon - This is no business of women. Stay out of it.   Santa Helena: courtyard [children whacking pinata, Montoya supervising] Montoya - [grabs stick before it hits him] What accuracy! [unties girl's blindfold] Now, remember to tell your father what a wonderful time you had at your Uncle Luis's. Girl - Si, senor. Montoya - Now, who's next? [children clamoring] Montoya - [sees Ramon in archway] Pardon me, my darlings. Ramon - You play games while my father fights for his life. Montoya - My deepest sympathy for your tragedy, but we must protect the innocents, no? Ramon - Especially those of the richest dons. Montoya - You are upset. It is understandable. Ramon - Why is Fuentes not behind bars? Montoya - Because I have no proof! Ramon - Proof?! Montoya - The arrow came from a rooftop. Capitan Grisham and his men are combing the town now for his assailant. [to children] Oh, you are having such fun! [Montoya lifts boy down from ledge, boy knocks wine bottle to the ground, splashing Montoya's legs] Montoya - [under his breath] Miserable child. Ramon - Colonel, either you deal with Fuentes or I will. Montoya - You will do nothing. Do not worry. The guilty shall be punished. Ramon - Even if he is one of the most powerful dons in Santa Helena, with influence in the royal courts? Montoya - Out of respect for your great father, I will pretend I did not hear that Ramon - If my father dies, it will not be the last blood spilt in this town. Montoya - On that we are both agreed.   Santa Helena: hotel room [girl with tea tray knocks on room door] Latham - What a big tray for such a small girl. [girl gives him the tray, turns to leave] Senorita . . . come on in. [pulls out coin, hands it to the girl] Girl - Gracias, senor.   Santa Helena: church Tessa - Interesting choice of weapon, wouldn't you say, doctor? Dr. Helm - Crossbow? To say the least. Tessa - Why a crossbow and not a gun? Dr. Helm - Someone wanted to kill silently. Tessa - In broad daylight, in the middle of a crowd? Dr. Helm - But a gun would have revealed his position. Trssa - Ramon thinks it's somebody Fuentes sent. One of his rancheros, maybe. Dr. Helm - Not with this. Whoever did this was a professional. Tessa - An assassin? Dr. Helm - Uh, if you'll excuse me, senorita.   Santa Helena: street Tessa - Marta, you heard what Dr. Helm said. Marta - An assassin, that's what I heard. Tessa - Who won't stop until he gets the job done. Marta - Look, the don is well guarded. Tessa - Marta . . .Ramon and I have been friends since we were children. I can't just wait for it to happen again. Marta - Tessa . . . Tessa - Don't worry! Marta - Why didn't I think of that?   Montoya's rose garden Montoya - Pruning. It's all about control, really. Without my firm hand, these roses will grow wild. Completely take over the garden. And if there is one thing I will not tolerate, it is anarchy. Fuentes - You have my word, colonel. I had nothing to do with the attack. Montoya - Maybe you did, maybe you didn't. I don't intend to be the voice of your conscience. Fuentes - It's true that Don Aguilera and I had words. I won't deny that. Montoya - My point is, Fuentes, that it was all just so vulgar. My town, my fiesta, my assassin. Comprehende? Fuentes - If I wanted to kill Aguilera, I wouldn't do it in public. I'd slit his throat while he slept. Montoya - Ha Ha Ha. That's what I like to hear . . . discretion. When a garden grows out of control, there is only one way to stop it. [snips rose off of stem]   Santa Helena: hotel room Soldier - I have orders to search all rooms. Latham - Yes, of course. After what happened today, we can't be too careful. [Latham closes door] Soldier - Ugh. [hits floor with a thump]   Santa Helena: street, night [Latham knocks out guard at church, Dr. Helm is checking on Don Aguilera, Latham aims crossbow through window, QoS comes up from behind & knocks crossbow away with sword. QoS & Latham fight.] Latham - You're dead. QoS - You took the words right out of my mouth. [more fighting, gunfire] Soldiers - The Queen! Get Captain Grisham! Call out the guards! Latham - We'll finish this later. QoS - [hides behind building, unfolds paper grabbed from Latham's hand] Dr. Helm. . .   Santa Helena: outside church, night Montoya - What is the meaning of this display? Ramon - These men are from my hacienda. Montoya - Send them home! Ramon - One of your soldiers lies dead in the hotel. Two more lie unconscious. Montoya - I am more than capable of doing the arithmetic. Ramon - But not of protecting my father. Montoya - Do not test me, young man, unless you and your men are prepared to suffer the consequences. Dr. Helm - [coming out of the church] Ramon . . . I am sorry. Ramon - Papa. Papa! [runs into the church] Montoya - An unexpected development, doctor? Dr. Helm - With so much bleeding, there was nothing I could do. Montoya - Ah well, one more for the angels, hm?   Dr. Helm's Office: night QoS - [listening to church bells toll] Don Aguilera. Dr. Helm - It's been a long day. QoS - I'm sure you did all you could. Dr. Helm - Look, your sympathy is wasted on me! QoS - I'm looking for someone. Thought maybe you could help. [holds out paper] Recognize him? Dr. Helm - [looks at paper] No, who is he? QoS - Look closer. Are you sure? Dr. Helm - Positive. QoS - What about this? [turns paper over to reveal portion of a map] Dr. Helm - [flashback to battle, cannon roars, man falls] Where did you get that? QoS - The assassin wasn't after Don Aguilera, was he? He was trying to kill you. Dr. Helm - You, get out. QoS - Now that the don is dead, Ramon will stop at nothing to avenge his father. Dr. Helm - I am not responsible for what Ramon does QoS - Aren't you? He still thinks Fuentes is behind it. Dr. Helm - The man you took that from . . . QoS - Got away. Dr. Helm - So he's still alive. Well, let Ramon believe what he believes. It's safer that way. QoS - You can't be serious. Dr. Helm - This is my business. You stay the hell out! QoS - It looks like I'm not the only one who hides behind a mask.   Fuentes's hacienda: night [Ramon sneaks into bedroom with knife] Fuentes - [from doorway] Just like your father. Ramon - Bastard! [runs at Fuentes with knife, rancheros grab him] Fuentes - I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Ramon - Go to hell! [struggles to escape] Ranchero - Not so fast! Fuentes - As soon as I learned of your father's death, I took precautions. [pulls back blanket to reveal pillows] Ramon - Murderer! Fuentes - I give you my solemn word. I did not kill your father. Ramon - Why should I believe you? Fuentes - Because it may be your only hope. Ramon - Blood for blood! Fuentes - I did not kill your father. [Ramon spits in Fuentes's face] I have a wife, children. You leave me no choice. Ramon - You can't. Fuentes - [to Rancheros] Take him away from the hacienda. [to himself] No one can tie this to me. Ramon - No! Fuentes - [crosses himself] May God forgive me.   Santa Helena: hotel room [Dr. Helm breaks into sealed hotel room where soldier was found dead, Montoya sees light from balcony across street.] Montoya - Hm, what have we here? [Dr. Helm searches drawers for clues, finds crossbow bolt under bed, papers in chest] Montoya - [enters with guards] Well, well, Dr. Helm. Looking for anything in particular? Dr. Helm - As a matter of fact, I thought I might lend you a hand. Montoya - Oh, indeed? I'm all ears. Dr. Helm - As a scientist, I'm a trained observer and I thought I might spot something that your soldiers had overlooked. Montoya - And, uh, any luck? Dr. Helm - I'm afraid not. Montoya - Really, doctor, such dedication to your work, and to my investigation, is truly admirable. Almost unbelievable. Dr. Helm - And the killer, colonel, any progress? Montoya - Sadly, he too remains a mystery. But never fear. No one can hide from Montoya forever.   Cliffside: morning Ranchero - You were walking and you slipped. Ramon - No, please! I'll pay you money! Please! Ranchero - You should have kept your mouth shut. Any prayers, say them now. QoS - [riding up] Hiyeah! Hiyeah! Rancheros - The Queen! [QoS fights both rancheros, knocks one down, throws other over the cliff] QoS - [to Ramon] We need to hurry. Fuentes will start looking for his men. Ramon - You saved my life! QoS - Come on! [QoS drops Ramon off in the middle of nowhere] Ramon - What the hell are you doing? QoS - This is close enough. You can walk home from here. I want you to listen to what I'm saying. Don Fuentes was telling you the truth. He didn't kill your father. Ramon - But he was the only one within a hundred miles who had any motive. If it wasn't Fuentes, who was it? QoS - It was a mistake. An accident. The assassin wasn't aiming at Don Aguilera. Your father just got in the way. Ramon - What the hell are you talking about? QoS - It's the truth, I swear it. Ramon - Not the whole truth. QoS - It's all you need to know. Ramon - My father is dead. I want answers! QoS - I'm sorry. Ramon - *You're* sorry?! QoS - Stay away from Don Fuentes. Today I killed a man to save your life. I won't do it again.   Dr. Helm's Office Tessa - . . . and the Queen of Swords rode off into the hills. I can't believe you haven't heard. I mean, the news is all over town. Dr. Helm - I've been very busy. Now, your pulse is fine. When did these headaches start? Tessa - This morning, I think. I wonder what Ramon is thinking right now . . . to come so close to death. I think it's thrilling. Dr. Helm - That's one way of looking at it. I can find no sign of fever at all, what about these chills? Tessa - Such agony. Dr. Helm - Are you in pain now? Tessa - No, not me. Ramon. I mean, imagine the torment he must be going through. Dr. Helm - It sounds very foolish to me. Tessa - I think it's romantic. So young and passionate. Ready to give up his life to avenge his father's death. I'm sure he won't give up until he dies trying. Dr. Helm - I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to excuse me, senorita. Tessa - But my symptoms . . . is it serious? Dr. Helm - Nothing a little sugar water won't cure. [hands her a vial] Now, if you will, I have lots of appointments. Tessa - Of course. Thank you. [leaves]   Santa Helena: church Ramon - I've gotten your message. I'm here. Dr. Helm - Thank you for coming. Ramon - It's my father's funeral tomorrow. There's a lot to do at the ranch. Dr. Helm - I promise you, this is important. Ramon - I'm waiting. Dr. Helm - Just one more person. [door opens, Fuentes enters] Ramon - You! [runs at Fuentes, Dr. Helm pulls Ramon off] I'm still alive, you bastard! Dr. Helm - And I intend to keep it that way. Fuentes - You have one minute to explain yourself, doctor. Dr. Helm - It was me. Fuentes - You're not making sense. Dr. Helm - I was the target, not Aguilera. Ramon - You're crazy. Dr. Helm - It's the truth. The bolt that hit your father was meant for me. Ramon - Why -- Dr. Helm - I'm so sorry, Ramon. Your father was killed in the crossfire. If I could change places with him now -- Ramon - Why would anyone want to kill you? Dr. Helm - Many reasons! But they will go to the grave with me. Ramon - Why should I believe you? Dr. Helm - Look at me! Look into my eyes. That's not life you see. That is Death. And Death leaves a trail.   In Canyon Dr. Helm - [riding horse] Whoa, Whoa. [dismounts, drinks from canteen, hears horse whinny in distance, leaves horse, climbs onto rocks above trail] [QoS rides past Dr. Helm's hiding place, Dr. Helm jumps at her] Dr. Helm - Hiyeah! [knocks QoS from horse, ends up on bottom] QoS - With those kinds of moves, no wonder you're still single. Dr. Helm - Either slit my throat and get it over with, or take your knee off my -- QoS - All right, all right. [helps Dr. Helm to his feet] What the hell are you doing leaping off rocks? Dr. Helm - What the hell are you doing following me? QoS - Tell me why you're leaving town. Dr. Helm - Tell me who's under the mask. QoS - I asked first. [Dr. Helm turns away] I'm talking to you. Dr. Helm - [sighs] This is all your fault. QoS - Are you looking for something? Dr. Helm - My horse. QoS - Your horse? Dr. Helm - Yes, horse. Equus. Four legs, big head, long tail? QoS - There's a ranch a few miles west. You can always get a new one there. If, of course, you're still planning on running away. Dr. Helm - I am NOT running away. [pause] I am walking.   Montoya's Office Latham - We're wasting time, colonel. Yes or no? Montoya - You must forgive my manners. I've already forgotten your name. Latham - I didn't give it. You're obviously not interested in my proposal, so why waste both our time? [gets up to leave] Montoya - Don't be absurd. Sit, my anonymous friend, sit. After all, as the great bard himself once said, "What's in a name?" Latham - Do we have a deal? Montoya - You deliver to me the Queen of Swords -- Latham - And you give me Doctor Helm. Montoya - [shakes hands] Seems like a fair trade to me.   Above Canyon QoS - This is beautiful country. I wish we knew where we were. Dr. Helm - You haven't been here before?! QoS - It's all new to me. Are you sure this is the only way? Dr. Helm - Well, if you remember, I suggested the canyon pass. QoS - I mean leaving town. Dr. Helm - The only way to stop him is to kill him. QoS - And you refuse to take a life, even to save your own? Dr. Helm - I swore an oath. I'm a doctor now. QoS - That man in the sketch . . . the one with the beard . . . who is he? Dr. Helm - That man is dead. QoS - Look. [sees horsemen on opposite ridge of canyon]   Other side of Canyon Latham - [Looking through spy glasss] Over there. They've seen us. Montoya - [takes spy glass and looks] Ah yes. How touching. The honor to you, my mysterious friend. Lead us forward into victory. Latham - First blood is mine! [rides forward] Montoya - [to soldier] As soon as I have the Queen of Swords, kill that son of a bitch. Soldier - Yes, colonel.   Above Canyon QoS - If we've seen Montoya, then he's spotted us. Dr. Helm - And Latham is with him. QoS - You think Montoya has sold you out to the assassin? Dr. Helm - So he could get to you. QoS - What are you doing? Dr. Helm - We'll never make it together. QoS - I'm not leaving you here. Dr. Helm - Hiyeah! [slaps horse on rump, horse rears] QoS - Whoa. Easy now! [Dr. Helm is knocked over the side of the cliff, slides to bottom] Dr. Helm - Oooh. QoS - Doctor, are you alright? Dr. Helm - Go! QoS - [sees Montoya's men approaching] Damn you. [rides off] Montoya - After her! [Montoya and soldiers give chase, Latham remains] Montoya - Whoa! Tracks are heading west. Leading us away from the doctor. The woman has a good heart. I'll keep it in a jar on my desk. [ride forward again]   In Canyon Latham - Quickly or slowly? [Dr. Helm turns] How do you want to die? Dr. Helm - Who are you? Latham - Vengeance. Dr. Helm - I don't understand. Latham - Ian Latham was my brother. Dr. Helm - Ian . . . ? Latham - That's it. Now you remember. The man you murdered. Dr. Helm - That wasn't murder, that was war!   Above Canyon Montoya - The tracks are still heading west, but now they are not so deep. [looks at canyon] Ah, a little voice whispers in my head. Ride on. I am turning back. Ten reales to the man who kills the Queen of Swords.   In Canyon Latham - Doctor, huh, killer's more like it. Dr. Helm - Not any more. Latham - You think Death is something you can wear one day and not the next? [grabs Dr. Helm by the front of his shirt] Tell me you don't dream of it still. All that blood, and the death. Tell me! Dr. Helm - [flashback to battle, cannons, men crying out, falling] I can't.   Northern Spain [Ian folds sheet of paper, Dr. Helm approaches] Ian - [raises bayonet] Bloody hell, farmer, I almost shot you. Dr. Helm - [in thick Spanish accent] It's lucky for me you didn't. It is . . . Corporal Ian Latham? Ian - Do I know you? Dr. Helm - No, [loses accent, pulls out gun] but I know you. Ian - And what's this all about, then? Dr. Helm - The British troop placements you're about to deliver to the French. Ian - Sorry, mate. You've got the wrong -- [attempts to aim and shoot at Dr. Helm] Dr. Helm - [shoots Ian] Where are they? Come on, corporal, you're dying! Ian - Who are you? Dr. Helm - Lieutenant Robert Helm, of His Majesty's service. [finds map] This is what I was looking for. Latham - Hey! Hey, you! [shoots at Dr. Helm] Ian! Oh my god. Ian. Ian, it's me. It's your brother. Ian - Helm . . . [dies]   In Canyon Latham - My brother was no spy. Dr. Helm - He was seen talking with the French. He had the documents on him. Latham - Ian was innocent. Dr. Helm - I had no choice. I had my orders! Latham - You know the funny thing about vengeance? It gets sweeter with age. Goodbye, doctor. QoS - [uses whip to knock crossbow out of Latham's hand] Care to try for two out of three? Latham - You again. [pulls sword] Dr. Helm - Not her! It's me you want. Come here, you bastard. QoS - Doctor! [throws Dr. Helm her sword, Dr. Helm and Latham fight] Montoya - [rides up while Dr. Helm is fighting] So, you have given the doctor your sword. How brave. And how incredibly stupid. QoS - So why don't you just kill me? [Montoya draws sword, QoS snaps whip, uses whip to cut off Montoya's badge] QoS - Oops. Montoya - Now I'm really angry. QoS - Take your best shot. [begin fighting]   Latham - Still have a taste for blood, doctor? Dr. Helm - Let it go. [continue fighting]   Montoya - Die, damn you. [more fighting, QoS knocks Montoya down]   Latham - Die, you bastard! [Dr. Helm knocks Latham down, points sword at his throat] Latham - What are you waiting for? You're a killer. [QoS watches Dr. Helm, Montoya sees fallen crossbow, Dr. Helm knocks Latham unconscious] [Montoya picks up crossbow, Dr. Helm rests sword against Montoya's neck] Dr. Helm - Drop the crossbow, colonel. Montoya - Dr. Helm, have you completely lost your mind? Dr. Helm - You bargained for my life! Montoya - Really, I'm sure there has been some misunderstanding. Dr. Helm - No, colonel, you and I understand each other perfectly. Drop the crossbow. Montoya - I am sure that we can work something out. If you would just be so kind as to run your sword through the young lady behind me. Dr. Helm - [lowers his sword] Which young lady is that, colonel? Montoya - [turns around] Damn her! Damn her! To be so close . . .to smell the scent of her blood. Latham - [jumps at Dr. Helm] Aaah. [Montoya grabs the crossbow, shoots Latham in the stomach] Aagh. Dr. Helm - Whoo, you're a complicated man, colonel. Montoya - Not really. Killers and assassins, they are . . . how you say? . . . a dime a dozen. But where would I find another doctor? Dr. Helm - Or another horse. QoS - [riding off with Montoya's and Latham's horses in tow] Adios, colonel! Montoya - That's my horse! You see? A life for a life. The gods . . . they mock Montoya. Dr. Helm - It's a long walk back to town, colonel. Montoya - Yes, so it is. You know, doctor, sometimes I think I am too virtuous for my own good. Dr. Helm - Don't push it, colonel.   Dr. Helm's Office QoS - You're either a messy housekeeper, or -- Dr. Helm - I've decided to stay. QoS - Till someone else comes gunning for you? Dr. Helm - Something like that. QoS - I don't suppose there's much point in asking what it was all about? Dr. Helm - That's back in the past now, where it belongs. I'm glad you came, though. QoS - You are? Dr. Helm - I wasn't sure when I'd see you again. QoS - Am I missing something? Dr. Helm - Maybe. QoS - Should I be flattered? Dr. Helm - Well, that's up to you. [picks up sword] I'm just returning your sword. QoS - Ah. Thank you, Doctor. [leaves] Dr. Helm - Oh, by the way . . . [turns to empty room] It's nice to be back.