Neophyte

Travels

It was dawn, Mariana awoke her children and Metztli, and they were told to get their packed belongings to put them on the wooden cart that Esteban and his other men had gotten for them. 

Metztli was surprised that Esteban would be going with them. It brought her comfort that someone they knew and trusted would be going with them. She watched as Guillermo and the other Soldados helped put their wooden chests on the cart. It took Metztli and the others two days to pack everything they needed.

Mariana wanted to pack food, herbs, and other materials for the village they were going to visit, which the Bishop had granted permission. 

"Good morning, Metztli."

Metztli slightly flinched when seeing Bishop Victoriano standing beside her. "Oh! Bishop Victoriano, you're up early! You startled me!"

The Bishop chuckled. "Ah, forgive me. I wanted to see you all off. It would be appropriate since you all will be gone for a week." 

"That's nice of you, Bishop. You know, you remind me a lot of my Papa. You have his spirit." She noticed Bishop Victoriano raise an eyebrow and noticed his slight blush; he looked away slightly. Her father would always look away whenever he felt embarrassed.

"Her words seem to affect you, Bishop." The duo noticed Mariana carrying a couple of bags. "You have always been the soft heart when it comes to kind words."

Bishop Victoriano felt his blush subside as he gently took the bag off Mariana's hands and walked toward the wooden cart; the women followed. "I imagine you all are excited to be outside of the Mission," he said as he put the bags on the cart.

Guillermo finished putting in the last wooden chest and responded, "Yes, Bishop. It is nice to get away from everything once in a while."

"Now, Guillermo. I will entrust you with the responsibility of protecting your mother, sister, and Metztli. Also, ensure that the people of Jachivit get the materials." Bishop Victoriano noticed Valentina glancing at him, who smiled at her, but she looked away.

Metztli couldn't help but notice. "Mariana always told me that the Bishop helped raise Guillermo and Valentina when left alone. Sadly, Valentina refuses to at least be thankful." Suddenly, she saw Toypurina walk toward the group with a couple of small boxes in her hand. "C-Cualli tlanecic, Toypurina (Good morning, Toypurina!)" 

"Cualli tlanecic, Metztli." Toypurina noticed the many bags and boxes and knew that the Bishop wanted to send gifts to the villagers. "I must thank you, Bishop. All this wasn't necessary."

"Please, it is the least I can do. Please give your brother my regards."

"I will. My brother will also appreciate the gifts that you are giving to our people; we are in high need." Toypurina noticed Esteban and Manuel walking toward them. 

"Buenos dias a todos (Good morning to everyone)," said Esteban.

"Buenos dias, Esteban," Metztli beamed with excitement. "I'm happy you're coming with us!"

Esteban smiled, but the tips of his ears grew warm. "I am happy to come along. It does get tiring to always keep guard in the same place for a long time. It would do everyone good. Oh, you have never met my friend." He motioned for Manuel to walk forward. "Metztli, este es mi amigo Manuel Montero. Manuel, ella es Metztli (Metztli, this is my friend, Manuel Montero. Manuel, she is Metztli)."

The two looked at one another; Metztli motioned with her hand. Manuel gently held her hand, kissed it, and then let her go. "Es un placer conocerte. He estado escuchando muchas cosas sobre ti. Ahora veo que hay muchas razones para hacerlo (It is nice to meet you. I have been hearing many things about you. Now I see there are many reasons to)."

"Un placer (A pleasure)." She then noticed Manuel looking at Toypurina, and she did the same. No one spoke as they watched the two looking at one another in silence. 

"Buenos dias, Toypurina. Espero que estés bien (Good morning, Toypurina. I hope you're doing well)."

Toypurina nodded as she softly smiled. "Sí, muy bien. Gracias. Bueno, ya casi todo está listo. Mas necesitamos agua y nos podemos ir (Yes, I am good. Thank you. Well, everything is almost ready. We just need water and we can go on our way)." She walked away, and everyone else watched. 

Manuel watched as Toypurina walked into the kitchen; his eyes never left her. Esteban cleared his throat, making the Soldado flinch. "Huh?"

"Manuel, por favor, informe a los hombres que es hora de irse (Manuel, please, inform the men that it is time to go)."

The Soldado noticed that everyone looked at him, embarrassed, and he walked away to follow orders. The men chuckled. "Young love," said Bishop Victoriano.

"So, Manuel likes Toypurina? That's adorable! Although I wonder if Toypurina holds the same sentiment," Metztli said with curiosity. 

Esteban shrugged his shoulders. "Toypurina can be challenging to understand. She hides her emotions very well. I believe she knows what Manuel feels for her. Anyway, it is time for us to go, so we have to get prepared."

Metztli nodded; she and the Bishop looked at one another and nodded.

The Bishop stood still as he watched Metztli, Mariana, Guillermo, Toypurina, and Valentina get on the wooden cart. Esteban and his men got on their horses. Manuel sat in the front of the wooden cart and commanded the horses to move forward. He waved farewell to everyone as they went through the Mission's doors. 

Metztli, Mariana, and Guillermo waved back. "Don't worry, Bishop! I will bring you back something!" yelled Metztli.

Bishop Victoriano chuckled as he watched everyone leave farther and farther away. He prayed to God for a safe journey. 

However, neither the Bishop nor anyone knew that they were watched by Padre Federico, who hid himself behind a wall. 

Padre Federio squeezed onto the walls with rage; Metztli was going to be far from his sight. She was going to be around other men. He blamed and despised Bishop Victoriano. He immediately walked from his hiding position.

The Bishop was a threat to Padre Federico and his plans. He planned to leave the Mission, but not alone. Padre Federico wished for Metztli to be by his side, so he had to put a plan in place. 

Finding any secrets that the Bishop may contain.

A secret so powerful that his position as Bishop would be stripped of his position. "No one is truly a saint. Good men have a past that made them good men in the first place." Padre Federico immediately went to Bishop Victoriano's chamber and ensured that he wasn't seen.

Upon arrival, Padre Federico closed the door and immediately went to work. 

He went to the Bishop's desk, where there were a couple of journals and paperwork. The Bishop was organized, and the Padre hoped that he would find a journal or something that would give him a clue of something to use. 

There was nothing in the Bishop's desk that would assist him, and he looked around.

A wooden chest was noticed; he opened it, and there was nothing but clothing and a sword. "Curses!" he mumbled to himself. Padre Federico believed it was best to leave. While walking too quickly, he accidentally hit his leg on the corner of the bed, making him flinch violently. "Aggghhh!" The Padre kicked the bed so hard that a third was heard.

Something was heard falling on the floor, catching Padre Federico's curiosity. He looked under the bed and noticed what appeared to be a journal. He got hold of it and slowly opened it. 

The journal was old, and most of the pages were withered; all the pages were written on. When looking at the last page, it was written twenty years ago.

Padre Federico smirked. "Hm, this will do nicely."