Neophyte

Esteban Morales

Metztli sat by one of the bonfires as she watched everything being prepared; she offered to help. Mariana wouldn't allow it since she was one of her honored guests. 

"May I sit beside you?" Esteban stood close to her but kept his distance to keep her comfortable.

"Um, sure. Hopefully, Mariana doesn't mind."

Esteban smiled as he sat beside her. "She won't. I always sit beside her whenever she invites me to her people's gatherings."

 Metztli looked at him curiously and couldn't help but notice the type of uniform he wore. The uniform consisted of a short blue woolen jacket with small red cuffs and a red collar, and the breeches were blue. Esteban also wore a cloth cap of the same color, a black neckerchief, a hat with a red band, shoes, and leggings. 

She realized what he was. 

"Your uniform. Are you a Soldado de Cuera?"

"Yes, I am." Esteban looked slightly off as he admitted his position.

Soldados de Cuera (leather-jacket soldiers) were known as guards of the Missions of California. Metztli learned in history class that the soldados (soldiers) fought against 'hostile' natives but also worked as guards for merchants and travelers. "Wow, I find it amazing that I'm speaking to a Soldado de Cuera!"

"You never seen any of us before?" asked Esteban, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm new here and have been traveling here and there. I try not to capture any attention since I tend to be cautious."

"So you are a traveler, interesting. It is dangerous for a woman to travel alone. What I find curious is why you decided to come here out of all places."

Metztli looked at the fire, enjoying the warmth while it soothed her nerves. "Well, story short,  I am an herbalist. Bishop Victoriano was kind to give me a position here."

"Buenas noches a todos (Good evening to all)." Metztli and Esteban flinched and turned to see who called out behind them. "Lo siento pro venir tarde (Sorry for coming late)." Guillermo arrived holding two wooden baskets of bread. 

Mariana, who assisted the women in cutting cattle meat, noticed her son and smiled. "Guillermo, hijo mio." She then went to her son and hugged him. "Nos trajiste pan (You brought us bread)."

"Sí, madre. Le pedí permiso al obispo Victoriano para traer algunos para la reunión de esta noche. Quiero que tengamos la barriga llena (Yes, mother. I asked Bishop Victoriano if I could bring some for tonight's gathering. I want our bellies full)." Guillermo put the baskets down, and many guests went to him to get a piece of bread. Guillermo went to Valentina and Toypurina and gave them some bread. 

He then went to Metztli and Esteban. 

Esteban smiled as he stood. "Guillermo, how are you, my friend?"

"I am well, gracias a Dios (thanks be to God)." The men hugged each other quickly, and Guillermo gave Estaban bread. He then looked at Metztli, who slowly stood up. "Hello, Metztli. Would you like one?" 

Metztli felt her stomach grumble and noticed the meat was put by the fire. It was going to take a while for the meat to cook. "Yes, please." Taking a bite of the piece of bread, it tasted bland. The urge to spit it out was strong, but the hunger was intense; Metztli swallowed. "What bread is this?"

"Wheat bread! I was late because I was making this for the gathering. It is not perfect, but it is better than nothing."

Esteban noticed Metztli's discomfort after eating the bread; he wanted to laugh but refrained. He took a bite of the bread; it had no flavor. "Agreed, my friend. Perhaps you should be careful with the dough."

"I am still practicing, Esteban." Guillermo focused on Metztli, who was taking small bites of the bread. "We didn't have the opportunity to speak more after our first meeting. I hope you weren't frightened on your first day in the Mission."

"Not at all. I am still new and need to get used to everything and everyone. So, um, what do you do here in the Mission?"

Guillermo put down the basket. "I'm an acolyte and assist in teaching children music. Sometimes I enjoy cooking but I am not that proficient yet."

"Just keep on practicing. I know your cooking skills will get better. I also find it great to see a man enjoy cooking. Many men believe it is more of a woman's job." 

Esteban then cleared his throat and motioned for Guillermo to sit, who complied.

The trio watched the meat cook, and Mariana and the other women began cutting it and serving it on plates. They were given plates and said their thanks; they waited until everyone was seated. Mariana then stood and asked to hold each other's hands for prayer. 

Everyone did so except for Nicolas, Toypurina, and Valentina. Mariana didn't want to argue and began speaking a Spanish prayer. 

Nicolas whispered to the women he sat beside. "He oído que la situación de nuestro pueblo se está volviendo crítica debido a las enfermedades y a la falta de alimentos (I heard our village is getting dire due to illness and lack of food)."

Toypurina was silent as she watched and heard everyone pray. "Sí, la situación se está volviendo crítica, pero el obispo Victoriano escucha la súplica de ayuda de mi hermano. Tenemos la esperanza de que las cosas cambien (Yes, it is getting dire, but Bishop Victoriano hears my brother's plea for assistance. We have hope that things will change."

Valentina took a bite of her beef. "No siempre te aferres a la fe, Toypurina. Mira lo que le hizo a nuestra gente (Don't always hold onto faith, Toypurina. Look what it did to our people)."

Mariana finished the prayer and motioned everyone to eat. Nicolas couldn't stop looking at Metztli, who spoke with Guillermo and Esteban while they were eating her food. He couldn't help but believe that she was hiding something and that Metztli was destined to impact their people. "Esperemos a ver qué sucede; no puedo evitar sentir que ocurrirán acontecimientos importantes (Let us wait and see what happens; I can't help but feel that major events will occur)."