Neophyte

Truth

Metztli didn't mean to. She didn't like to pry into other people's business. After speaking with Valentina, she had a possibility in mind. She wanted to speak to Mariana and ask her questions to test her theory. When arriving outside Mariana's kizh, Metztli couldn't help but realize that Mariana and Toypurina spoke to one another. Metztli thought it would be best to wait until they finished speaking and to wait for another time, but then she heard Mariana say something about her past. 

Curiosity got the best of her, and Metztli positioned herself so she wouldn't be too noticeable to others but could still hear more of the conversation. Putting her ear to the kizh's wall, she heard about Mariana's regrets, her children, and then about Victoriano. Metztli felt her heart beat rapidly as she listened to Mariana talking about her past. She didn't know that Mariana was from another tribe and that Victoriano had a long history. Also, Victoriano had feelings for her. The young woman continued to listen to the conversation, and then she heard something that would have sounded impossible. 

"Mariana, how long are you going to keep this secret? Guillermo and Valentina need to know the truth about their father."

"Father? Wait, does that mean...?"

"Are you willing to die with the secret and keep pretending that their supposed father died? I understand Victoriano chose to become a man of God for all of your sakes, but when he can no longer continue his duties, you all will no longer have protection. Go away together and be the family you have always wanted."

Metztli felt her legs go weak as she listened to the conversation. She knew where it was going. The young woman wanted answers, and she would not leave until Mariana and Toypurina explained themselves. She didn't ask for permission and entered the kizh, making the women flinch. "What?"

Mariana and Toypurina looked her way. "M-Metztli!?" Mariana shrieked with horror while covering her lips.

"You heard everything," Toypurina said while looking displeased, but looked at Mariana, who felt she was going to faint. She went to her elder and kept her in balance.

"Yes, everything!" Metztli tried to calm her breathing while looking at Mariana, who was in shock. "I-I can't believe it!"

"Metztli," Toypurina said sternly, "I understand this is a shock but please keep your voice down. If you wish to know everything then keep calm. Understand?"

Metztli was not only in shock but also angry at Mariana. Her mind was going all over the place, but Toypurina spoke to her with sternness and authority. She was the Chief's sister after all. She took deep breaths. "I will keep calm if you tell me everything. The damn truth." She slowly walked away from the entrance and then sat apart from the women. "I can't believe you two. How could you keep such a secret?" Metztli whispered harshly. 

Mariana wiped away the tears that were forming. "P-Please do not be angry with Toypurina. She is not at fault. I begged her and her family to keep this secret hidden for our safety. For the safety of my children."

"You mean the same children you had with Bishop Victoriano? I can't believe this!" Metztli remembered that she had to calm herself down and took another deep breath. "Tell me the whole truth, Mariana. You're not even of the Tongva people, are you?"

Mariana slowly tried to sit on the ground, but Toypurina assisted her to sit; the duo sat together, away from Metztli. "No, I am of the Kumeyaay people, but my people and I were called Diegueños since we lived near the Mission San Diego de Acala. Mariana is not my real name. My actual name is Mitena."

"Wh-What!? How? Why?"

"You heard everything that happened when I was younger. The Bishop, Victoriano, was a Soldado de Cuera who guarded the Padres of the Mission of San Diego de Acala. We met there and he tried to pursue me, but I didn't return his interest. One day, I was almost raped by two Soldados. Victoriano saved me, but he was going to be overpowered, so I killed one of the Soldados while he killed the others. We couldn't return to how we were and how we lived. We left; I had to leave the land where I was born. I was scared, but Victoriano never left my side as we had to go into hiding. As we spent time together my feelings for him developed and well..."

Metztli covered her lips in disbelief. It was challenging to grasp the story of Mariana and Victoriano. "M-Mariana or M-Mitena...what should I even call you?"

"Call me Mariana. I have let go of the name of my birth a long time ago. Victoriano gave me that name."

"Y-You both, I mean, it's hard to grasp that you two had feelings toward each other. Wait, do you two still have feelings with each other?" Mariana looked away, and Metztli's eyes softened. "You two still love each other. It's no wonder why you two are very close and why Vic-I mean, the Bishop has done everything to protect you, Guillermo, and Valentina. You two could have gotten married and could've had a life together."

"Victoriano and I feared that we would have been captured since it would have been a matter of time before the bodies would have been found. The Soldados de Cuera have connections throughout the land, and it would have been dangerous for us. We had nothing, and we feared that our children could have died, but we were taken in by this tribe for shelter. Toypurina's father, the previous Chief, welcomed us as we told them the story. My children and I were able to stay, but since Victoriano was a Spaniard, he could not. He decided to become a Padre to protect us and this village that helped us when we were in desperate need." Mariana took a deep breath. "Victoriano has the power to protect all of us. It was the decision he made for all of us."

Toypurina spoke, "We understand that you may not agree to this, but it was because of Victoriano that we are safe from possible kidnappings and abuses. He helped our village and other villages from the Spaniards."

Metztli sat quietly as she took everything she was told. She almost forgot the reason she was there, but the shock overcame her, and Metztli felt saddened that Mariana or Mitena had to lie to her children, to her. "So...Guillermo and Valentina don't know that the Bishop is their father?"

"No...they can't know. Victoriano and I believed it would be best that they didn't. We made the lie that their father was dead. Victoriano raised them as their father. It could put all of us at risk, Victoriano included, since he is the Bishop and has enemies everywhere, if he loses his position, the wrong people will be in power, which could be the end for our people."

"But there will come a time when he won't be able to protect you all. He is getting older and then what? Will Guillermo and Valentina die without knowing the truth? That is the most selfish thing you can do to your children." Metztli stood up and slowly walked toward the entrance.

"Metztli, you..."

"I won't say anything. It's not my place." Metztli looked at Mariana. "I will say this. You will have to tell your children the truth. They deserve to know. I will see you later." Metztli left without saying anything more. 

Mariana and Toypurina stayed together and were silent.