Neophyte

Determination

Esteban returned to the Soldados' barracks, feeling disturbed. He couldn't forget what he heard and witnessed in the church; Padre Federico had a disturbing interest in Metztli. What made it more disturbing was that Federico was a Padre who took a vow of chastity, but Esteban would forget that Padres were men. 

Men had urges that were sometimes difficult to suppress, and being a man of God was no easy task. Although Esteban's duty was to obey orders from the Mission and others who paid for his services, it still didn't sit right with him on the wrongdoings of the Padres. He could lose his position if he became too involved in the Padres' business, as they were powerful and had secret wealth.

However, since he met Metztli and got to know her, Esteban felt the need to protect her. He never felt that way for anyone. Metztli was brave, selfless, and cared about the well-being of others. Her type of character wasn't common, and the more Esteban thought about her, the more he wondered if his feelings for her were slowly developing. He barely met her, but she immediately captured his attention. Of all the women he had met, none of them made him feel intrigued like her. 

"Lieutenant?"

Esteban left his thoughts and looked toward the door, where another Soldado de Cuera stood. The man was shorter than he was and had medium-tan skin with a couple of scars on his face and hands. He had short, curly black hair that looked tangled in certain parts. His black mustache was thin, and his face was slightly chubby, giving him a baby-like appearance. His eyes were black with a hint of shine, and his eyebrows almost made a unibrow. "Hola Manuel."

"No te vi afuera. Pensé que estarías aquí (I didn't see you outside. I thought you would be here)". Manuel entered the room, closing the door behind him. "¿Molestado lo que pasó hoy (Bothered on what happened today)?" Manuel was Esteban's second-in-command; they became close and saw each other as brothers. Like Esteban, Manuel didn't agree with how the Tongva people were treated, but they couldn't say anything, for fear of losing their positions. Being a Soldado de Cuera was their only livelihood. 

"Si, hoy se perdieron tres vidas (Yes, three lives were lost)."

Manuel slowly walked toward Esteban, but stood at the corner of his bed. "¿Tres (Three)?"

Esteban nodded. "A ese hombre que fue azotado también le quitaron la vida, su familia (That man who was whipped also had his life taken away, his family)." He looked at Manuel, who returned his gaze with a tired expression. The event left him emotionally exhausted; it made Esteban wonder how long he could survive being a soldado. 

"¿Qué pensaste de esa mujer que suplicó por sus vidas? Ella era valiente, pero imprudente (What did you think of that woman who pleaded for their lives? She was brave, but reckless)."

"Se llama Metztli. No diría que fue imprudente. Ella es una inocente a la que no le gusta ver sufrir a los demás (Her name is Metztli. I wouldn't say she was reckless. She is innocent who doesn't like to see others suffer)."

Manuel raised an eyebrow as he noticed the way Esteban spoke of Metztli. The fact that Esteban knew her name in the first place surprised him. A few women tried to get Esteban's attention, but he wasn't interested in them. It surprised Manuel since one of the many complaints of the soldados was that there weren't many Spanish women available to marry. When catching a glimpse of Metztli, Manuel was surprised at her beauty, even though she looked like a mestiza. He could understand if Esteban would become interested in her. "Parece que pareces estar interesado en ella (It looks like you are interested in her)."

Esteban chuckled. "¿Cómo estás con Toypurina (Like how you are with Toypurina)?"

Manuel tried to refrain from blushing when Esteban mentioned Toypurina. His lieutenant was the only one who knew he had feelings for Toypurina, but was afraid to express his feelings. Manuel believed that Toypurina hated the Spaniards after what they had done to her people. He cleared his throat. "Se nos ordenó vigilar la Misión y sus trabajadores. Alguien importante llegará en un par de días (We were ordered to monitor the Mission and its workers. Someone important will arrive in a couple of days).

"Muy bien, de cualquier manera, debemos estar atentos (Very well, either way, we need to be vigilant)."

Meanwhile, everyone returned to the Mission, but many didn't have the strength to continue working. Some people went to the infirmary, where Anna Maria's husband was still healing from the lashes. Mariana and Metztli walked together with Guillermo behind them. "Madre, Metztli, I think it would be best that you two rest. It has been exhausting and troubling for all of us."

"No, I can't rest. Not yet." 

Guillermo and Mariana looked at Metztli and were concerned with her mental well-being. "Young one, you mustn't force yourself too much. You have been through enough and-"

"No, I haven't, Mariana. You all have been through more hell than I have." Metztli separated from Mariana as she wrapped her arms and hands around herself while looking at the Mission. The place that was part of her childhood, a place that held hell on earth. "I have orders to follow since I am to sing for Fermín de Lasuén well, I will sing."

Mother and son looked at one another, and then Metztli, who looked emotionally exhausted but had a hint of determination. "I understand, young one. Still, you must rest. You-"

"Mariana, I can't always run away from the realities of life and rest. There will come a time when I can't always rest. I am starting to realize how dangerous this place is and how vigilant I have to be. Anyway, if I impress Padre Fermin then I can try to convince him to help the Tongva."

"Metztli, we understand that you mean well, but it's not wise to put yourself in a situation you are not fully familiar with. The Padres here are dangerous and will not hesitate to try to dispose of you, even if you had the Bishop's support," explained Guillermo. He stepped forward. "No matter what we try, there will be no difference. The Padres have friends in high places; Padre Fermin will do anything to keep the Missions afloat."

It was silent between the trio; the image of the whipping and death of Anna Maria and her husband plagued her mind. She was traumatized and felt guilty for not being able to stop their suffering. Metztli didn't want to give up; she wanted to try. "Guillermo, I amthinkingk of a song I want to sing and I wanted to see if you think it would be worth singing."

Guillermo sighed. "Very well, we will go to one of the classrooms and I will hear you sing." He then looked at his mother. "No matter what we tell her, Metztli will not rest. Either way, we have to ensure to have a song for her to sing when Padre Fermin arrives. Go rest, mother."

Mariana said nothing, knowing it wouldn't have made a difference. She nodded and watched the two walk away. It amazed the older woman of Metztli's determination to try to make a change and difference. She grabbed her rosary and decided to pray for Metztli's safety. 

.