Neophyte

Tranquil

Metztli ate her beef and bread slowly, but she was grateful to have food. Guillermo was a chatterbox, but sometimes made it difficult for anyone to speak. Esteban chuckled now and then but knew that Guillermo wouldn't stop if he weren't told to. After swallowing a beef, he intervened, "My friend, I believe it would be best if you let the lady speak. You tend to get carried away."

Guillermo noticed Metztli trying to hold back a laugh; a blush crossed his face. "Oh, dios mio. Perdon (Sorry), I tend to talk a lot since I get into the conversations."

"It's quite all right, Guillermo. I can see that you're filled with energy; I don't come across many people like that." In Metztli's era, people relied on social media and tended to live online rather than in reality. People in her time forgot how to become a community and know how to communicate with others. 

"You mentioned being a traveler. I imagine that you met many people from different walks of life."

"I have; it soothes the spirit. Have you always been a part of this Mission?"

Guillermo nodded as he sipped water. "My sister and I were born in Jachivit Village, which is not far from here. Bishop Victoriano, who was still a Padre at the time, taught children the Spanish language and other skills. However, he and my mother were friends before we were born. The Bishop once told me that my mother saved his life from an illness."

"Wow, Bishop Victoriano sounds like a kind man. He taught you how to speak English, right?"

"He did. Bishop Victoriano became a father figure to my sister and me since our father was killed. I became a Neophyte because of him. Valentina, however..." Guillermo took a glance at his sister, who was speaking with Toypurina. "...believes that the Padres and Spaniards were the cause of our father's death. She refuses to learn the ways of the Mission, but still takes advantage of being educated."

Metztli noticed Valentina sitting far from the rest and looked to speak with Nicolas and Toypurina. "So, Valentina hates the Spaniards and the Mission because they were the cause of your father's death? I'm so sorry."

"My sister and I were very close, but as we got older and chose our paths, we didn't always see eye to eye. Valentina views me as a traitor to our people, but I still speak our language and respect our traditions."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Metztli then turned to Esteban, who ate quietly. "What is your story, Esteban? Were we born in this land?"

Esteban shook his head. "I was born in Seville, Spain, to a family of merchants. I had eight brothers, and I was the youngest. My parents wanted to put me into the priesthood, but I wanted to be a traveler, so I ran away. Due to my financial circumstances, I became a soldier. When I heard about this place needing Soldados de Cuera, I took the opportunity to fulfill my dream of traveling. Now I am here."

"Are you happy being a Soldado de Cuera?" Esteban looked hesitant to respond. Metztli believed that being a Soldado had its perks, but they had their fair share of complaints about their positions. 

"It has its privileges, but everything is not what it seems." He cleared his throat and called upon as he noticed musicians sitting close to the bonfire; they played their instruments. He and the others watched as many of the people stood and danced.

"Do you know how to sing, Metztli?" asked Guillermo. 

"Oh, uh, I have sung when I was in the choir, but it has been a while."

"Come now, give it a try. It will be a while before we can all be together. Besides, everyone will get to know what you can do!"

"Well, I guess I could try. Maybe I can bring back the voice I thought I lost." 

The trio waited until the musicians played their song. Guillermo stood and informed the musicians that Metztli would sing for everyone. The musicians put their instruments down, confusing everyone. 

Everyone noticed where Guillermo motioned Metztli to stand, announcing that she would sing for everyone. Metztli couldn't believe she agreed to it, especially in front of everyone. It was too late to turn back.

She took a deep breath and began to sing.

Everyone became silent as they listened. 

The sound of her voice and the guitar made almost everyone quiver in awe. Her voice was soft and gentle so that it could touch the soul. 

Mariana put a hand over her chest as she felt her heart beating with emotion. 

Nicolas, Toypurina, and Valentina sat and listened.

 Eventually, Metztli finished singing, and everyone clapped and cheered.

As everyone was preoccupied, no one noticed that someone was watching and listening to them from afar.

Federico couldn't sleep because of the noise, and he wanted to silence them. He stopped when listening to Metztli sing. She sang as if she were from heaven; he couldn't bring himself to stop the festivities. It was as if he didn't want Metztli to think lowly of him.

Metztli's voice echoed in his mind. "Dios mío, ¿qué me está haciendo? ¿Es esto parte de tu testamento (My god, what is she doing to me? Is this part of your will)? Why does she affect me? Well, I will soon find out more tomorrow."