Neophyte

Trial Pt.1

The Bishops and Padre Fermin sat silently in the meeting room in their respective seats as they finished mass and breakfast. The other Padres sat silently on the other side of the meeting room. Many noticed a couple of Soldados de Cuera standing in different parts of the room, weapons in hand. The Padres were still shocked by the news that a trial was imminent.

Bishop Victoriano stood from his seat, feeling everyone's eyes on him. "My brothers. I am certain you are all concerned about why a trial is to be held. Unfortunately, one of our brothers was caught in deplorable sins." The Padres murmured to one another, wondering who it was and what sin he may have committed. The Bishop raised his hand, commanding silence. "What sin has this brother committed? You all shall find out." He looked at Manuel, who stood by the door. "¿Están los testigos aquí (Are the witnesses here)?" 

Manuel looked outside and saw Esteban and Valentina arriving. "Acaban de llegar. Les informaré que pueden entrar (They just arrived. I shall inform them to enter)." He walked outside as the duo got closer. 

The two stopped when they saw Manuel; Esteban walked forward. "¿Han llegado todos (Has everyone arrived)?"

"Los Padres y los Obispos están presentes y los están esperando a ambos (The Padres and Bishops are in attendance and are waiting for you both)."

"¿Está aquí Mariana o Guillermo (Are Mariana or Guillermo here)?"

"Estoy aqui, mi niña (I am here, my child)."

Mariana was seen walking toward the trio. Relief set in as Metztli ran to her elder and hugged her. "Mariana, thank you so much for being here."

"Of course, I would be here. I would not leave you alone in times such as these."

The women separated from the hug. "Would they let you enter?"

"I care not if they are pleased. I will enter if they wish it or not. I am now your nonantzin."

Nonantzin, meaning mother in the tongue of their people. Mariana was her nonatzin of the past. "Tlazocamati, Nonantzin."

Esteban smiled as he walked forward. "Forgive me, but we cannot keep the Bishops and Padres waiting."

Mariana nodded. "Yes, you two enter and I shall be there."

Esteban and Metztli walked together as Manuel led them into the meeting room; Mariana followed. Walking inside felt heavy; Metztli felt uneasy. Esteban never left her side as he motioned her to walk to the center of the meeting room, where the Bishops and Padre Fermin watched them. Bishop Victoriano felt Metztli's uncomfort and noticed Mariana at the corner of his eye; she walked inside the meeting room and stood by some Soldados. He wanted to tell her to leave, but she looked at him.

It was a warning glare, as if Mariana were telling him she would not leave. Bishop Victoriano let out a slight smirk. "Stubborn as always." Suddenly, Guillermo arrived but stood outside the meeting room. The Bishop couldn't believe that his son arrived. He was happy and relieved that his son was safe, but looking at his emotionless eyes made him shiver. The happy and energetic Guillermo, whom he raised as a Padre and Bishop, was no longer there. His heart momentarily skipped a beat. "I did this to him." The Bishop wondered whether Metztli had spoken with him and whether he had been moved to support. Either way, he was happy to see his son safe.

"So you are the witness?" Padre Fermin asked sternly.

Metztli flinched as she brought her hands together. "I-I'm not only a witness but also a victim, Padre Fermin."

Padre Fermin raised an eyebrow. "Please tell my brothers whom you are accusing."

Metztli couldn't help but notice a hint of venom in his voice. It was still hard to believe that a man spoken of with reverence in the history of the California Missions was not a good person. "I am not accusing; what I will say is the truth. I witnessed Padre Federico forcing a couple having intimate relations while he was...touching himself."

The Padres were shocked and spoke among themselves. One rose from his seat and pointed at Metztli. "Blasphamey! You dare accuse one of our brothers of doing such a sin!?"

Having enough of being powerless, Metztli looked at the accusatory Padre. "Why is it hard to believe!? Is it because of the color of my skin!?" Everyone became silent. Mariana covered her lips, concerned but proud that Metztli was standing up for herself. Guillermo listened and smiled at her resolve; Esteban felt the same. Metztli then looked at Padre Fermin and the Bishops. "You all look at me and my people worse than livestock. Why? Is it because we have different skin colors? We speak and act differently? If you look at me and my people as less than animals, then what is the point of having this trial? Is it just to keep grace?"

The Padre sat back down; Bishop Victoriano covered his smirk while feeling the rage among Padre Fermin and the Bishops. "Metztli, you say that you saw Padre Federico forcing a couple to be intimate. Is that all that happened?"

"No, Bishop. He saw that I caught him; I was horrified and ran to the church. Padre Federico followed me. I was so scared as he got to me. I thought of the worst until Esteban heard my screams and came to my rescue. I fainted, and when I awoke, I was told that he was put in prison."

The room was silent, the air heavy with tension.

Bishop Juan was next to ask the question. "Esteban, what did you witness when you entered the church?"

"I was outside, finishing my duties. I had to walk by the church to get to the barracks until I heard screams. I immediately entered, and inside, before the altar, Padre Federico mounted onto this young woman as she pleaded for him to be away from her. I immediately intervened, where I beat him."

"You dare lay a hand on one of our brothers!?" Bishop Samuel yelled.

"Yes, Bishop. Was I to let a supposed man of god take advantage of a woman? That is a sin! Yet he made a vow to god to be celibate and to do god's work. What Padre Federico did was not god's work but a of a vile man!" Bishop Samuel twitched as he squeezed the chair handles as hard as he could with his frail hands. "For this trial, we all must be just and have open minds."

The Bishops and Padre Fermin looked at one another. Bishop Victoriano looked at the Soldados near the door. "Bring in Padre Federico."

Hearing his name made Metztli flinch. Esteban gently patted her on the shoulder. Everyone silently waited until footsteps echoed outside. They were getting closer and closer. 

Three figures were by the door. Two Soldados stood side by side with Padre Federico between them. 

The Padre finally arrived.