Neophyte

Mariana

Metztli landed on the floor with a loud thud. 

The impact was so loud that Padre Federico immediately opened the door. "Bishop Victoriano, are you alright! What happened-" He saw Metztli on the ground, unresponsive. 

Bishop Victoriano immediately knelt beside her and put two fingers on her neck. "Thanks be to God. She still breaths."

"What happened to her?"

"She fainted." The Bishop then gently put his hand over her forehead. "She is slightly warm; perhaps the heat made her delirious and weak. We need to take her to the infirmary. We need two people to-"

"Bishop, there is no need to call any of the Tongva since we don't want word to spread about this woman. However, having Mariana check on her would be wise."

Victoriano nodded. "Go and have her come to the infirmary."

Padre Federico nodded as he followed his orders. He noticed a Tongva man and instructed him to inform Mariana to go to the infirmary. Turning around, he saw Victoriano gently carrying Metztli as they walked toward the infirmary. Padre Federico followed, and the trio eventually arrived at the infirmary, where many Tongva were injured and ill. Some healers tended to the ill and injured until they noticed the Bishop and Padre. 

"Is there a bed available?" asked Padre Federico.

"Y-Yes, right here," answered one of the healers. Metztli was gently put on the bed; Padre Federico looked at the healers. "Bring some water and other medicines; Mariana will arrive momentarily." The healers did as they were told. "I never have seen this woman in the Mission or any villages. I was surprised to hear that she can speak English. Something unheard of from these heathens."

Bishop Victoriano glared at the Padre. "Must I remind you how to speak about the Tongva, especially before me? They may differ from us, but they are still God's children. Remember our duty to them; we must show them that our God is just and loving." The Bishop knew that Padre Federico didn't think highly of the Tongva. He only saw them as livestock to help the Mission prosper.

"Filthy heathens. I would let you all burn in the depths of hell." Padre Federico focused on the unconscious Metztli; parts of her dress and hair were sprawled throughout the pillow and bed. "How can a woman with heathen blood hold such beauty?"

Bishop Victoriano noticed Metztli's bag; he gently took it off her, but decided not to look inside. He didn't want to invade her privacy. The more the Bishop looked at her, the more he noticed her beauty. It worried him, as many men would desire her, including Spanish men. Although many Spanish soldiers and ranchers wanted a Spanish woman, a mestiza who looked Spanish enough would be acceptable. "I doubt that this young lady would want to marry a Spaniard. I could tell that she has a strong character."

"Obispo, llegue (Bishop, I arrived)."

An older woman who looked to be in her early to mid-forties arrived. Her raven hair, with a couple of white strands, was long and neatly pulled back into a ponytail. She had dark tan skin and black eyes. Her face was slightly round, with light wrinkles, and she had an average figure. Her nose was slightly long. She wore a light-brown dress with floral trim at the hem, a black shawl, and handmade jewelry. 

"Ah, Mariana. You arrived."

"I have. I was told that you needed for me to look at someone."

Bishop Victoriano motioned her to Metztli's bed, and Mariana looked at her; her eyes widened.  In surprise, "Dios mio (My God), she is a beauty." Mariana went to Metztli, gently touching her forehead and checking her neck pulse. "Her heart rate is well but is slightly warm. What happened to this young lady?"

"She and I spoke momentarily, but she spoke of many strange things I had never heard of. She spoke something about a twenty-first century."

Padre Federico and Mariana looked at the Bishop. "Twenty-first century? What nonsense does she speak of? I wonder if she is even from here."

"We will only know until she awakens, and once she is questioned, I will have to decide where she is to go."

Mariana raised an eyebrow. "Surely you will not let her go, Vic-I mean, Bishop?"

Bishop Victoriano sighed. "Mercenaries, rancheros, and the Soldados de Cuera are everywhere. I can tell that she is a mestiza, and with her beauty, it is not wise for her to be let go."

"You are right. Perhaps when the harvest season ends, there will be more leniency. Perhaps, she can come with me and my children. She-"

"I have another suggestion." Bishop Victoriano and Mariana looked at Padre Federico. "Perhaps she can work here in the Mission. This woman can speak English, which only the Padres and those with high ranks know." Padre Federico glared at Mariana. "As well as you, Mariana."

The Bishop looked thoughtful. Nowhere was safe, not even in the Mission, since the Tongva were mistreated. He was against the violence toward them, but cruelty was still practiced, even in secret. Even his superiors believed that punishments were still needed. However, there was no other place Metztli could go to be safe. "Very well, we will keep her here, but I will decide what her duty will be once she awakens. Mariana, will you watch over her?"

"Yes, Bishop. I will stay here until she awakens."

"Good, Padre Federico. Please come with me. I have something I would like to discuss with you."

The men walked out of the infirmary and toward the Bishop's chambers.

Upon arrival, Bishop Victoriano motioned Padre Federico into his chamber. The Padre stood in the center of the room while the Bishop closed the door, went to his desk, and sat upon it. Victoriano eyed the Padre with a calm demeanor. "I wished to speak with you in private regarding concerns that reached me."

"What concerns, Bishop?"

The Bishop got some paperwork regarding the number of deaths of the Tongva people. "As you know, the other Bishops are concerned about the dwindling population of the Tongva. Some have died under your supervision."

"Forgive me, Bishop. I have many responsibilities with these beings. I not only teach the children but I also ensure the workers in the fields."

"Indeed, you do have many responsibilities. I have been told that you punish many under your care with cruelty. However, that is not my only concern." Victoriano's soft expression changed to a serious one. "I have been told that you and the other Padres have been making couples reproduce in front of you to ensure that they can conceive."

Padre Federico put his hands together, squeezing them tightly. "I assure you, Bishop. You were clear when you spoke of your disdain for the act that other Padres and I have done to ensure more births of the neophytes. However, you must understand the pressure that was put upon us by the other Bishops; we are blamed for the deaths."

"I have told you and the others not to abuse and punish the Tongva so severely. It is bad enough that we don't have enough good food for them; they mustn't suffer."

It was tiresome to get blamed for every wrongdoing. The Bishops and other Padres took vows of poverty, but the money was still kept in the Mission's treasury. Padre Federico knew there was corruption within the Mission. Yet, he and low-ranking Padres get blamed for everything.

"With all due respect, Bishopm I feel that you do not understand our positions. You and the other Bishops run this Mission, but we Padres carry a heavier burden to ensure that the products are made and to teach these neophytes the way to God. I will also assure you that the breeding rituals have not been happening."

Bishop Victoriano had difficulty believing him. However, he had other concerns that plagued him. "Let this be a warning to you. There are certain things I will not tolerate in this Mission, even if the other Bishops do. If I find out that you have disobeyed my orders, I won't hesitate to banish you to another Mission. Am I understood?"

The Padre bowed his head. "Fully, Bishop. I have not forgotten my place."

"You may leave." Bishop Victoriano watched Padre Federico walk out of his chambers. Ever since Padre Federico arrived at the Mission, he knew the young man never wanted to be in the priesthood. The Bishop believed that Federico was dangerous, so he kept a close eye on him.