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”It’s not far now, my friend. We’re soon home.”
The howling wind harshly blasted sand at the duo. Toronado snorted, bowing forward to avoid the worst assault. On his back, Diego de la Vega dressed as Zorro pulled up a black bandana tighter over his face, while pulling down the brim of his signature hat to shield his eyes.
The intensity grew; gusts of sand blasting relentlessly at them. Toronado had trouble walking straight. Any visual characteristics of the land were fully distorted in the harsh sandstorm. Smelling or hearing proving useless as well.
Seeing his friend’s struggle, Zorro gently pulled on the reigns and they came to a halt. He skipped off, a hand trailing the flowing pitch-black mane; now partially tainted beige. Diego placed himself before his friend, brushing sand out of the furry face.
Talking through the bandana, his voice was slightly muffled. ”You’ve done great, my friend. Now, allow me to guide youthe remaining way.”
Diego removed his cape. The black fabric flapped in the wind as the caballero gently draped it across Toronado’s head – shielding his eyes and mule from the constantly assaulting corns pricking at them.
”Is that okay?” Diego queried. Toronado neighed in response; his head bopping up and down in happy confirmation.
When finished attaching the fabric, Diego slipped his hand in beneath the cape and grabbed hold of Toronado’s cheekpiece and noseband. Now being the guide, Diego restarted their slow pacing, Toronado trotting beside him.
The gusts shoved them around; steps wobbly and uneven. It was a painfully slow progress – but progress, they did!
Sweat pouring down his forehead, with the bandana moistly damp from his deep breaths, Diego sighed from relief as he spotted the characteristic landmark indicating they were now close to their final destination – home.
”Not far now, Toronado! We are almost home! The cave is just ahead!”
Toronado neighed, mule bumping blindly at Diego’s cheek. The latter chuckled, giving an affectionate pat in return. They kept pacing; digging their gaze down into the ground to shield from the harsh sandblasts.
Then suddenly, Toronado tensed. The stallion froze mid-step, and Diego – who sensed the shift in mood merely through their physical touch – immediately flapped the cape away from the stallion’s face. The black ears stoop straight up; working like two antennas trying to tune in on whatever it was that Toronado had picked up on. Zorro had in one swift move unholstered his stiletto blade, holding it up against the howling wind – trying to expect the unexpected.
But nothing in the world could have prepared Diego for what he was about to see.
Just as Toronado’s ears zoned in on something straight ahead, the constant howling was suddenly interrupted by a strange jingle coming closer and closer; now loud enough so Diego picked up on it too.
”What on earth-”, he was interrupted midsentence, as a loud deep voice cut through the storm.
”WHOOOOA!! HANG ON! WE’RE GOING DOWN!”
Mid-air, several hoofed animals broke through the wall of beige sand – flying! In a string of two, they pulled behind a wagon of sort painted in the brightest red. The transport swooshed past some meters above Zorro and Toronado, vanishing into the flowing sand wall again. Only a few seconds later, a loud crash was heard.
Hidden behind the bandana, Diego’s jaw had visibly dropped. However, when hearing the characteristic sound of a harsh crash, his initial shock quickly subsided. Zorro jumped up on Toronado’s back, and both without hesitation headed for the crash site.
The visibility was poor, but they quickly found long deep skid marks on the sandy land.
Up on the slight hill ahead, the entire company lay scattered across the ground.
The strange red wagon had no wheels, but instead fashioned sleds. One of these supporting structures had collapsed; metal bent in unnatural angels. The curious looking animals with antlers made somewhat of a honking sound, as they spotted Zorro and Toronado approaching.
Cautiously nearing, Diego thought it better to call out and announce his presence. ”Hello…? Are you alright?”
There was some movement in the red wagon, followed by a painful cry.
The worst sandstorm had now started to move further south – greatly improving the visibility and breathing conditions – so Diego pulled down the bandana, but the rest of his disguise remained firmly in place. He skipped of Toronado. Zorro carefully approached; a hand resting gently on the sword hilt, but his gut feeling told him that it would not be necessary to use.
An aggressive huff was heard, and the nearest animal lunged slightly at him, antlers swinging his way.
”Whooah, easy there!” Zorro raised his hands. ”I mean you no harm.”
A deep voice called out. ”Dasher! There is no need for that. Young Diego de la Vega here is a man we can trust.”
A head wearing a red woolen cap had popped up from within the wagon. With fluffy white beard covering most facial features, the traces of pain were still visible in the azure eyes of the man. Leaning, supporting his own weight – which in this case was quite a large mass – the man used his arms to try and heave himself up on the seat.
Ignoring the snorting animal, Diego hurried over and helped the bearded man up. The latter hissed through clenched teeth, hands grabbing hold of his leg. Now seated, it was wholly clear that the right leg was broken; foot pointing at a nauseatingly odd angle.
Starting to examine the injury, it took a few moments before Diego’s mind realised that the bearded old man had just used his name – his real name.
Zorro looked up and met the man’s gaze. ”Wait a minute… What did you just call me…?”
A warm chuckle rang out, before the man clasped his hands together over his round big belly, and leaned back in the seat; x-rayingly studying the masked man before him. Then he started to ramble, almost like reading from a lexicon.
”Name: Diego de la Vega. Current age: 20 years old. Title: Don. Mother: Sadly deceased. Father: Alive, however not yet included in the knowledge of his son’s hidden persona. General status note: When Diego is not helping his fellow men by being a most selfless caring non-violent person, he secretly roams the land as his secret persona Zorro – who in turn has a great tendency for violence (however, only ever used when others are in danger or under threat). Current status: on the Nice List. Magic believer: Firm denier – unless shown undisputable evidence of its existence.”
The young caballero looked like someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him. ”What-How-….. Wh-who are you?”
”Santa Clause. Some says Father Christmas, but I have always found that said name sounds like an old man. You know, I’m only 326, but you can’t tell me I look a day over 150, right? Hohoho! With the job comes the ability – for lack of better words – to be able to by heart know general information about men, women or children I’m in close proximity of. Just like now, knowing about you, Diego.”
A surprised neigh was at that moment heard from behind, as Toronado had just approached one of the strange horses with antlers. Just as their mules were about to touch, that reindeer’s mule turned a shiny bright red. The stallion skipped backwards from a mixed fright and amazement; sharing a brief confused glance with Zorro, who shrugged and looked equally puzzled.
Santa continued with another chuckle. ”Meet the gang! Here you have: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen. And the one with the red mule is Rudolph.” Each had nodded their heads in greeting when being named. Rudolph had also blinked twice with his mule.
Still quite taken by the whole situation, Diego still managed to present his trusted companion, ”Toronado.”
”Great to meet the both of you!” Santa then seemed to tense slightly, and the reindeers too. ”I do however sense that we will soon have company… Ah, it’s that very charming lad Jaíme Mendoza – he wrote me the sweetest letter when he was a wee boy of 12. He is getting closer, together with that Luís Ramón fellow – he on the other hand has been on the Naughty List ever since he was 3 years old; the only one currently worse of is his twin brother!”
Diego by now knew better than to question how Santa knew what he knew. ”Toronado can lure them away. It will take some time to fix your wagon, not to mention stabilise your leg so you can move, so meanwhile he can divert their attention.”
Smiling warmly, Santa shook his head. ”Never loose this caring side of yourself, Diego. But no worries – I have already led them on a slight goose chase, which will steer them back towards town.”
Frowning, Diego raised a brow. ”How?”
”Magic.”
Snorting, Diego simply shook his head. ”There is no such thing.”
Vixen, Prancer and Comet made a sound which almost resembled laughing. Santa glanced unapproving at the reindeers, then back at Diego. ”I know how highly you treasure science and logic. You won’t believe the unbelievable, until proven so. So, allow me to demonstrate.”
Clearing his throat, Santa cracked his knuckles in preparation, before gently gesturing towards the broken runners of the sleigh. A golden glitter sparkled around the disfigured metal, and they soundlessly were bent back to their original shape, sending a slight rattle through the sleigh as it was raised to its original height.
Diego skipped out of the wagon, gaping. ”That is not possible…”
He cautiously bent down to examinate the metal – which moments before had been destroyed beyond recognition. Now, not a scratch remained, nor any traces of toolmarks that had repaired it. The scraped off golden paint had also been reapplied – without the aid of a brush.
Gripping the metal hard, Diego tried to move it, but the solid structure proved unwilling to move at all from his physical test. All his effort did was rock the sleigh slightly.
His mouth was shaped as an O, as he rose.
Santa smirked mischievously. ”I told you. Magic.”
Santa gestured towards the reindeers, and the reigns and harnesses that had also been slightly damaged, glittered in gold as they repaired themselves to their previous state.
Still gaping, Diego shook his head in disbelief.
”Incredible…” Having now been shown the impossible possible, Diego’s logical brain worked hard and processed the current situation with these new facts known. ”But… if you fixed the wagon without breaking a sweat, can’t you mend your broken bone too? Or does the magic only work on non-living-things?”
At this, the so far jolly man looked slightly sulky. ”Can’t, I’m afraid… As Santa, there exists quite some rules and regulations one must follow. Long story short: five Santas-”, all reindeers simultaneously honked in disapproval, ”ALRIGHT, alright! FOUR Santas ago, one became bad. Used magic to make himself stronger; spreading fear instead of joy across the world. It was dark times, dark times… He was eventually dethroned. But since that day, there exists aClause – a rule for Santa, that is – which makes Santa unable to in any way enhance himself with the use of magic.”
Diego bit his lip. ”This limitation includes healing faster than normal, I presume… Meaning, you will need time to heal, like any normal man… But… wait a minute… Christmas is tomorrow!”
Grinning widely, Santa pointed towards the caballero. ”That’s where you come in, my dear boy!”
”Me?”
”Yes, you! You can help me deliver all the packages around the world!”
Diego looked taken back. ”Now, wait a minute-”
”You can do it – a strong agile man like yourself. The only thing I need help with, is going down the chimneys and drop of the packages by the trees. Sometimes have a brief chat with a kid or two, plus eat some snacks. Easy-peasy! I will be with you in the sleigh at all times, handing you the correct presents and cheer you on. …and with this little time-device we have built in, no one will even realise you’ve been gone! So, what do you say?”
Diego was flabbergasted. This day had certainly taken the most unexpected turn. But he smiled, nodding affirmatively. ”Whatever I can do to help, I will try to do. But let’s first stabilize that leg of yours.”
——— z - Z - z ———
A short while later, Toronado had returned to the cave, while Diego sat beside Santa in the Sleigh; as they prepared to take off.
Santa chuckled. ”Alright! Pre-flight-check! Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Comet! Cupid! Donner! Blitzen! Rudolph!”
Every reindeer whined affirmatively when being called. Santa then gave a distinct flick with the reign, and the entire company set of. The hoofs treaded sand for a few steps, gaining speed, before they started to tread air. With a jerk, the wagon became airborne, and vanished of into the Christmas night sky.
Diego – now dressed in the same black attire as before, but without the mask and hat – looked over the railing. Below, lights flashed by like a starry sky; but below instead of above. The jingle of bells was like music, as the reindeers kept running across the night sky.
Even though he tried to merely enjoy it, Diego’s logical brain could not help but start spinning. ”But… exactly how do you do this? If we assume there are approximately 2 billion children under the age of 18 in the world – how can you visit them all in one night?”
That warm chuckle followed, as they dove down and started to descend towards a housed area. ”The elves help with many many many deliveries. I visit only a small fraction – and not only children either. I stop by people who start to lose hope. Who are sick and need a little lifting up. Who need a spark of joy in their otherwise dark days. Magic believers, who start to lose their belief. To give them some jolly Christmas spirit, is what my mission is. The physical gift is merely a reason to come, but the interaction is the important part. Speaking of which…”
Santa glanced at Diego, and a golden glow engulfed him. As he reemerged, Diego was dressed in a Santa costume, with a fluffy white beard.
”There you go! Now you look just the part!”
The sleigh at that moment touched down on a snowy roof top. From the filled sack, a present floated out – unmistakingly a pair of skies, based on the characteristic shape.
”We are now over the northern parts of Sweden, in Europe. This little girl – Anna Andersson – has been a recurring visit for many many many years. She is bullied in school, but despite this, she never loses her spark and her cheer. She believed in magic, and we want her to remain the strong little lass she has always been and not loose herself, due to those idiots who treat her bad. So, take this package, and down the chimney you go!”
Feeling slightly nervous, Diego’s sweaty palms grabbed the gift, then he skipped out of the sleigh and onto the roof. The snow creaked beneath his black boots. Glancing around, he did not spot any chimney. Just as Diego was about to ask, he felt a slight tingle in the stomach, as he was sucked down through the solid roof.
He gasped, as his soles landed on the fluffy living room carpet one floor below with a thud. The pretty Christmas tree was decorated with glitter, glass-orbs in various colours, and also small tags with written words of wisdom.
A warmth filled up Diego inside as he took in one of the sayings: It didn't matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.
”You look very skinny this year.”
Diego spun on the spot – now standing face to face with a small 9-year-old brown-haired girl. Hair tied up in two tight buns, she clasped a fluffy worn teddy in a firm hug, tilting her head as she took him in from head to toe.
At first, Diego did not know what to say. But knowing kids, they are smart – smarter than many adults give them credit for. He thought it better to tell the truth. He knelt down so his face was at her level.
”Well… to be completely honest with you –this is my very first time doing this… The Santa from last year is actually also here, but he is up on the rooftop in the sleigh with a broken leg-”
”I broke my leg skiing last year. Did Santa ski too?”
”No… He actually crashed with the sleigh near my home. And it was actually a sandstorm causing it; so no snow anywhere around. Never is, unfortunately.”
She was deep in thought for a moment. Tilting her head slightly, she studied the skinny Santa before her. Diego smiled warmly, as the little girl without a word came up to him and sat down in his lap.
Then followed the very deep question, that had clearly been mulling in her mind. ”Can you ski on sand…?”
Now bombarded with the most fascinating queries, it took quite some time before Diego gently could carry the little lass over to the sofa and drape a blanket over her sleeping form. With a warmth inside, Diego left a very happy and satisfied – but also very tired – little girl behind. Now sleeping soundly, she dreamt about being the very first adventurer to ever ski on sand.
Santa must possess some natural way of knowing that Diego was done, cause he suddenly felt a surge in his stomach and felt himself being sucked upwards; to moments later stand on the snowy rooftop again.
A warm chuckle echoed out beside him. ”Sweet lass, ain’t she?”
”Indeed so.” The caballero smirked at the fresh memory of the recent conversation. Then, Diego looked a bit unsecure. ”Did I do the right thing – revealing I was not you?”
”Ah, Diego… As you will realise, the more visits you do – children are cleverer than many adults give them credit for. The truth will in most cases be the very best approach.”
The young caballero smiled. ”I firmly believe Anna will be the very first sand-skier in the world.”
”As do I. As do I… Shall we move on to the next?”
”Happily!”
With that, Diego skipped back up in the sleigh. A flick of the reigns made them airborne again, heading for the next house on the long list.
——— z - Z - z ———
Many hours, miles and visits later – the sleigh was once more cruising in over Los Angeles and the de la Vega hacienda. They touched down just outside the caves entrance; this time in a controlled manner.
Now beardless and back in black, Diego skipped out of the sleigh. ”Exhausting, but a very heartwarming experience. How long were we away?”
Santa chuckled. ”For you and me – a loooong time. For your friends and family here – no time at all.”
Frowning, Diego crossed his arms. ”Let me guess: magic…?”
”Hohoho! Very much so!” Turning a bit more sincere, Santa continued. ”Thank you once again for the help, Diego. Now when this year’s tasks are done, I’m returning to the North Pole for some recuperation, and hope that this darn leg will heal soon. I’m just like you – crawling on the walls when restricted to unwanted bedrest… So, until next year – take care, my friend! And great job today!”
Nodding thankfully, Diego also gave the reindeers an appreciative wink. ”Safe flight home! Hope our paths will cross again in the future – but maybe not in such a dramatic fashion next time, alright?”
The reindeers snorted and Santa laughed. ”Like the crew just said: hopefully there will be no more crashes in the next centuries to come! Alright fellows, let’s go!”
By that, the reindeers rushed off and quickly kicked away from the sandy land. Diego waved after them, before he went in to spend Christmas with his own family.
——— z - Z - z ———
On some hills not far away, Jaíme Mendoza just exited his home to give some leftover carrots to his horse, when he heard a familiar jingle above.
Glancing up, he saw a sight he had not seen since he was a small boy.
Passing the full moon was a sleigh pulled by reindeers; their characteristic profile standing out against the bright light.
After that, a warm deep voice magically spoke to him. ”Merry Christmas, little Jamíe!”
The man with the mustache smiled, waving upwards. ”¡Feliz Navidad, Papá Noel! Safe travels and thanks for the tamales!”
THE END