Neophyte

Padre Lucas

Padre Lucas finished overlooking the men working in the field, but it was difficult for him to concentrate on his tasks. While listening to Padre Fermin's sermons and teachings, he heard that his fellow brother, Padre Federico, had left early due to not feeling well.

It worried him that Padre Federico was ill; a couple of Tongvas were getting ill and dying due to disease. His mind ran rampant with the possibility that his brother may have contracted a disease. Padre Lucas walked inside the Mission and was about to head toward Padre Federico's room when he saw Bishop Victoriano walking toward him. He stopped and bowed his head as the Bishop stood before him. "Bishop."

"Brother, you have fulfilled your duties?"

"I have, Bishop. Was there something else you wished for me to do?"

"I know you are close with Padre Federico and I heard that he left early from Padre Fermin's sermons. I wanted to see if you knew the reason?"

Worry filled the young Padre. He feared that if he said the wrong thing, then it could go bad for his fellow brother. "F-From what I have heard, Padre Federico left due to not feeling well. As you know, many of the natives have been dying from disease; I fear that he may have contracted something."

Bishop Victoriano raised an eyebrow. Looking at Padre Lucas, he could tell the young Padre was nervous with a hint of sincerity. "You were going to him?" The Padre nodded. "Check on him and Padre Lucas."

"Y-Yes, Bishop?"

"Be careful with him." The Bishop walked forward, leaving the confused Padre alone.

The Bishop's words left Padre Lucas's mind, and he continued onward until he arrived at Padre Federico's room. "Padre Federico?" he asked while knocking on the door. There was no answer, and Padre Lucas knocked another three times. There was still no response. The young Padre became worried. "He's not in his room! Is he in the infirmary?" He immediately went to the infirmary, but it was empty. "Where is he?" Footsteps were heard behind him, and a young adolescent girl walked in with some clothes in her hand. The adolescent was asked if she had seen Padre Federico; she saw him walking on the other side of the Mission and looked to be in a hurry. Padre Lucas immediately ran out of the infirmary and went to the farthest side of the Mission. It was strange to him that his fellow brother would be in that section of the Mission. 

Eventually, Padre Lucas arrived at the furthest side, which only contained wooden carts, barrels, and bags of wheat. There was a simple wooden door that led to the outskirts of the valley. The wooden door was slightly open, and Padre Lucas took a peek. 

Padre Federico was out of the Mission but had a horse that was ready with a saddle and a couple of bags. "P-Padre Federico?"

Padre Federico violently flinched while fixing the saddle of his horse. He immediately noticed who called out to him and calmed himself. "You idiot! You startled me!"

"F-Forgive m-me, Padre Federico. I-I was told that you weren't feeling well, and I was worried that you may have contracted a disease from these savages. I am just relieved that you are well." He noticed Padre Federico continued and ignored him. "P-Padre Federico, why are you taking a horse? You know it is forbidden to-"

"Quiet. I won't be out for long. I need to make a visit."

"To whom?"

"None of your concern."

Padre Lucas noticed his fellow brother's tone, and he sounded different; he sounded cold and distant. Something was wrong. "Padre Federico, does it have something to do with Bishop Victoriano?" He noticed Padre Federico stop what he was doing and realized that he was correct, remembering what the Bishop had told him: "Be careful with him." The Bishop and Padre Federico weren't close and seemed to have a tense tolerance for one another that was going to burst eventually. The young Padre knew that was wrong and feared the worst. "If there is something wrong between you and the Bishop, I wish to help you."

"You? Help me?" Padre Federico quickly glanced at his fellow brother. He was annoyed that the Padre would always try to get himself involved in his business. However, it led him to another problem. Padre Lucas knew that there was tension between him and the Bishop. Padre Federico feared that his fellow brother would speak with the Bishop. "I have to find a way to get rid of this fool. However, I will not be in this damned Mission forever." Padre Federico eventually looked at the young Padre, giving him a sincere smile. "Now that you mentioned this, I would appreciate your help. I believed that I should do this alone, but I realized that it would not be wise. If you are willing to help, then you may help."

"Truly!? Shall I get a horse and-?"

"No, one horse will suffice, and where we are going is not too far."

"Where are we going?"

With the sincere smile still plastered on Padre Federico's face, he said, "To Pascual."