Neophyte

Treaty

Federico sat silently in his prison cell, gazing around him. The cold no longer troubled him; he felt free. Free that he told the truth about all his frustrations. 

He was tired of living a miserable life as a Padre. Federico believed that he would be banished away from the Mission as either a Padre or a just a man. He had no intention to live in the Padre life any longer, but he didn't want to leave empty-handed. 

Metztli.

The memory of how close she was to Esteban made his blood boil. It was her fault that she plagued his mind, body, and heart. There were times when he cursed god and life for bringing her to his path, believing that she was at fault for his misery. Metztli reminded him of the life he didn't have; the life he always wanted. 

The reminder that he lost himself as a man.

No longer. 

Padre Fermin was going to make his verdict tomorrow. Victoriano's journal contained his truths and sins. Federico wanted him executed for all the times he had to deal with him, but he wondered if Padre Fermin would be merciful. Either way, Victoriano would be the least of his problems. He would no longer be Bishop, and the Tongva would no longer have his protection.

A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. 

It was his revenge. The Tongva would suffer, and the thought of it made Federico feel avenged for all the times Victoriano ordered him around. "You will get what you deserve, foolish old man."

The prison's door opened where a Soldado entered. "Tienes un visitante (You have a visitor)."

A visitor?

Federico stood up, wondering who would visit him. He hoped that it would be Metztli, even though she despised him with all her being. It didn't matter if she hated him. Federico wanted to see her alone. To hear her voice, feeling her eyes on him.

The visitor was present, and Federico frowned. "Pascual?"

Pascual looked disheveled and exhausted. "Si, soy yo (Yes, it's me)." 

Federico was disappointed that it wasn't Metztli, but remembered that Pascual was a part of his plan. "Te has tardado bastante (It took you long enough)."

"Bah! ¡Ingrato, Padre! ¿Sabes cuánto tiempo tuvimos que viajar mis hombres y yo? ¡Tienes suerte de que haya regresado (Ungrateful, Padre! Do you know how long my men and I had to travel!? You are fortunate that I returned)!"

Federico asked the Soldado for privacy since their meeting wouldn't be too long. The Soldado looked uncertain but believed that neither man would do anything foolish, and he waited outside. "Han sucedido muchas cosas mientras viajaba y por eso terminé en esta prisión (Much has happened as you were traveling, where I ended up in this prison)."

Pascual looked around, amused that Federico was in prison. "Nunca pensé que vería el día en que un sacerdote estuviera en la cárcel. ¿Qué hiciste (I never thought I would see the day a Padre would be in prison. What did you do)?"

"Eso no es importante. Además, deben saber que ya no seré considerado un Padre. Me conocerán solo por mi nombre (That's not important. Also, you must know that I will no longer be considered a Padre. I will be known by my name alone)."

"Esto es nuevo. Supongo que hiciste algo drástico que provocó que los obispos te obligaran a quedarte aquí en la cárcel (This is new. I assume you did something drastic that made the Bishops keep you here in prison)."

"Basta. ¿Encontraste a alguien que conociera a Victoriano y los crímenes que cometió? (Enough. Did you find someone who knew Victoriano and the crimes he committed?)"

"Muchos de los soldados que trabajaron con Victoriano se han mudado o han fallecido. Había un sacerdote que lo recordaba y también recordaba lo que les sucedió a aquellos soldados que murieron (Many of the Soldados who worked with Victoriano have moved or died. There was one Padre who remembered him, and what happened to those Soldados who were killed)."

Federico smirked, feeling victorious. "¿Lo has traído aquí (Have you brought him here)?"

Pascual shook his head. "Ese anciano se negó a venir debido a su edad y a sus responsabilidades en San Diego. Sin embargo, me entregó una carta con el emblema de la Misión para demostrar que provenía de él. Me contó lo sucedido y los nombres de los soldados que murieron (That old man refused to arrive here due to his age and his responsibilities in San Diego. However, he gave me a letter with the Mission's signia to show it is from him. He told me what occurred and the names of the Soldados who were killed)." He motioned out a folded letter with a signia of the Mission of San Diego de Acala.

It was disappointing that a witness couldn't arrive, but the letter would be enough to punish Victoriano. "Bien hecho. Dale esa carta al Padre Fermín. Él también tiene el diario de Victoriano, pero esa carta reforzará su culpabilidad (Well done. Give that letter to Padre Fermin. He also has Victoriano's journal, but that letter will strengthen his guilt)."

Pascual was at his wits' end since he and his men traveled non-stop. He was paid handsomely, but there were many troubles during his travels. Federico mentioned that he was no longer a Padre, a man who held high positions and respect. Since he no longer had a higher status, Pascual felt that his efforts cost more than he was paid. "Como ya no eres un Padre, no tengo por qué seguir tus órdenes, a menos que mejoremos el trato (Since you're no longer a Padre, I don't have to follow your orders unless we sweeten the deal)."

Federico squeezed his fists. "Quieres más dinero (You want more money)."

"Sí. Fui yo quien viajó durante muchos días, agotado, para conseguirte este simple papel que bien podría haberse enviado por correo. Merezco una recompensa mayor por mi trabajo (Yes. I was the one who traveled for many days, exhausted, to get you this mere paper that could have been sent. I deserve more for my work)."

Without his status as a Padre, it would be difficult for Federico to gain control. He had to find ways to convince him. Federico needed money if he were to leave the Mission. An idea came to him. "Muy bien. Una vez que todo esto terminé, te daré lo que quieres. También quería informarte de otra cosa que descubrí: Victoriano tiene hijos (Very well. Once all this is over, I will give you what you want. I also wanted to let you know what else I found out: Victoriano has children)."

"¿¡Qué!? (What!?)" The news was a shock that Pascual couldn't process. Victoriano had children. A Bishop no less. 

"¿Adivinan quiénes son? ¿Quiénes son las dos personas a las que Victoriano suele defender más? (Guess who they are? Who are the two people that Victoriano tends to defend the most?)"

Pascual thought long and hard; realization hit. "¿Guillermo y Valentina?"

"Exacto. Sus hijos no conocen la verdad y Victoriano está en su punto más vulnerable. Valentina también. Esta es tu oportunidad para reclamar lo que te corresponde (Exactly. His children didn't know the truth, and Victoriano is at his weakest. Valentina is as well. This is your chance to claim your prize)." Federico smirked; he knew Pascual was a man of greed and lack of discipline. Federico wanted revenge against Victoriano, and it would be his last act before leaving the Mission. However, Pascual knew too much, and before putting his new plan into action, he needed to use him for one last time. "Antes de que me vaya de aquí, recibirás tu pago. ¿Tenemos un trato? (Before I leave here, you will receive your payment. Do we have a deal?)"

"Lo tenemos (We have it)."