Neophyte

Eavesdropping

Nicolas Jose saw everything that transpired, and he knew that it wasn't good news. He didn't understand English. However, he learned Spanish and knew his people's native language. Watching was happening with Victoriano, Guillermo, Mariana, and Valentina; they were all connected. 

He remembered Victoriano introducing the twins at the Mission when he was still a Padre. Nicolas was told that Victoriano was supposedly close to the twins' father. It was odd that Victoriano would always take on the responsibility of caring for Mariana and the twins; he even taught them English and Spanish.

It was suspicious, the more Nicolas Jose thought about it. "¿Puede ser (Can it be)?" He wanted to ease his suspicions. Knowing that he wouldn't be welcomed at the meeting room without Victoriano's presence, Nicolas Jose knew that improvisation was needed. Slowly returning to the meeting room, many Soldados and Padres were seen gathering outside the meeting room. He hid himself in a nearby room to listen to what they were saying.  

The door was slightly open, and Nicolas Jose pressed his ear to the opening, listening.

"No puedo creer lo que pasó allí dentro. ¡No puede ser! (I can't believe what happened in there. It cannot be so!)" said one of the Padres.

"Tanto secretismo dentro de los muros de la iglesia. Federico parecía tan devoto de Dios, pero todo era una mentira (So much secrecy within God's walls. Federico seemed so devoted to God, but it was all a lie)," another Padre responded.

"Sin embargo, dijo que todos tenemos secretos. Yo no. ¿Alguno de ustedes los tiene (Yet, he said that we all have secrets. I do not. Do any of you)?"

Nicolas Jose couldn't deny his curiosity about what had been said in the meeting room. It seemed that Federico had caused an uproar. What intrigued him most was what had happened to Victoriano. He hoped that someone would speak about him. Noticing many of the Padres walking toward his way, Nicolas Jose quietly closed the door, but not entirely. 

When the footsteps were no longer heard, Nicolas Jose slowly opened the door again, noticing a small group of Soldados.

"¿Qué opinan ustedes? ¿Creen que el obispo es culpable (What do you all think? Do you believe that the Bishop is guilty)?" one of the Soldados asked.

"¿Culpable (Guilty)?" He knew something had gone wrong with the Bishop, but it was the reason Victoriano was guilty that Nicolas Jose wanted to know. 

The Soldados got their weapons, preparing to return to their duties. "Escuché muchos rumores sobre la estrecha relación que existía entre el obispo y aquella anciana indígena y sus hijos (I heard many rumors about how close the Bishop was to that old Native woman and her children)."

"Yo también lo creo. Tendría sentido que esos gemelos fueran sus hijos. Pensar que tenía hijos mestizos (As have I. It would make sense if those twins were his children. To think he had mestizo children)."

Nicolas Jose put his hand over his chest, feeling that his heart momentarily stopped. The twins: Guillermo and Valentina. His suspicions came true. They were Victoriano and Mariana's children. "¡Debería haberlo sabido! ¿Por qué no me di cuenta antes? Ahora parece que Victoriano tendrá que afrontar las consecuencias (I should have known! Why didn't I see this sooner? Now it seems Victoriano will face consequences)." 

Another realization hit him. If Victoriano were to face the consequences for his secret, then he and his people would be in danger within the Mission. Victoriano was the only one who protected the Tongva, and if he were banished or killed, he and his people would be in danger. Even the Tongva people who lived outside the Mission wouldn't be safe, since the other Bishops and Padres always wanted more Tongva within the Mission.

Slavery was what they were after.

He contemplated going to the Victoriano to learn more about the situation and whether he would truly be punished, but then heard other voices that sounded familiar. Closing the door to its entirety, he put his ear to the door. 

"Padre Fermín, ¿y si Victoriano es culpable? ¿Qué le sucederá (Padre Fermin, what if Victoriano is guilty? What will happen to him)?" It sounded like Bishop Juan.

"Tendré que leer su diario para tomar mi decisión final. Aunque estoy conmocionado y asqueado por lo que se dijo hoy, debo ser justo. El obispo Victoriano se mantuvo dedicado a la Misión (I will have to read his journal to make my final decision. Though I am shocked and disguisted from what was said today. I must be just. Bishop Victoriano remained dedicated to the Mission)."

"Bah! ¡Todavía miente! ¡Pensar que tiene hijos mestizos! ¡Un pecado imperdonable! ¡No me extraña que se preocupe por esos salvajes sin alma! ¡Les permitió continuar con sus prácticas bárbaras (He still lied! To think that he has mestizo children! A sin beyond repair! It is no wonder he cares for these soulless savages! He let them continue with their barbaric practices)!"

"Finalmente, descubriré la verdad. Los nativos averiguarán qué le sucedió a Victoriano y sería mejor que dejaran de lado sus danzas y prácticas. Deben recordar que deben seguir el camino de Dios. El camino correcto. Informen al resto de los Padres sobre mi decisión (I will eventually find the truth. The native will find out what happened to Victoriano, and it would be best if they did not continue their dances and practices. They must remember to follow God's path. The right path. Inform the rest of the Padres regarding my decision)." 

Nicolas Jose couldn't believe what he had just heard. Padre Fermin denied the Tongva their right to practice their traditions and identity. Their culture and traditions were the only things that gave him and his people faith to keep surviving. If that were taken away, then there would be no hope.

No identity.

Nicolas Jose had enough.

 Without Victoriano, the Tongva wouldn't be safe. He had to take action before it was too late, and he knew the one person who could help save their people.