Neophyte

Verdict

Metztli sat by the fireplace as Mariana continued sleeping. It was a difficult night for her since she was worried about Valentina. It took a lot of convincing for Valentina to be okay and to need time alone. 

When Valentina was looked for, she was nowhere to be found. Valentina took some of her belongings, which made Metztli anxious. Mariana and Victoriano were facing too many problems, and Valentina running away would only intensify their worry. Putting her hands together, Metztli hoped to be found. 

"Metztli?"

"Huh?" Mariana awakened from her sleep. "Mariana, you finally woke up."

Mariana slowly sat up in her bed. "Any word about Valentina?"

"No, she needs time, Mariana. She-"

"I am no longer Mariana. It is Mitena."

"I-I-" Metztli didn't expect such a change. Something changed in Mariana, no, Mitena. "I will call you by your name, but why the sudden change...Mitena?"

Mitena looked at Metztli as she slowly put her feet down on the floor. "After the birth of my children, Victoriano and I had to hide who we truly were and what we wanted. It was for the sake of our children. Now that the truth has been reviled there would be no point to hide the truth anymore."

Metztli let out a soft smile. "How does it feel to be called your name again, Mitena?"

"It is a strange feeling, but I feel free. Mariana is a name that holds pain and secrets, even though Victoriano thought of the name."

"What do you think that Victoriano will feel?"

"He wouldn't mind. Victoriano always told me that I had a beautiful name." Mitena stood up from her bed. "Padre Fermin will state his verdict today. I have a feeling that we will be banished from this Mission."

Hearing Mitena speak brought Metztli comfort. She sounded confident; Metztli slowly began to hope that everything would be okay. "Banishment? Would you be okay with that? I mean, I'm worried that you two will be separated?"

"Victoriano will not let that happen. I have much faith to our creator that it will go in our favor."

No hesitation was in Mitena's voice; Metztli felt admiration. However, there was a problem with Valentina's disappearance. Mitena was going to worry and try to find her daughter. She and Victoriano had to go through their verdict. 

A knock echoed; the door opened. A Soldado entered. "Mariana, has sido convocada ante el Padre Fermín (Mariana, you are being summoned before Padre Fermin)."

"Me llamo Mitena, soldado (My name is Mitena, soldado)." Mitena smiled as she looked at Metztli. "Will you be by my side?"

Metztli walked next to her elder, her mother figure. "Nochipa (Always)." Mitena smiled as she listened to Metztli speaking their people's tongue. Valentina's teachings went far. The women were prepared and followed the soldado; two more waited outside, following them. There were a couple of neophtye Tongva already at work while others were still visiting their villages. Metztli noticed Mitena glancing around; she was looking for her children. "Please, let Valentina be found safe."

Walking down the hall to the meeting room, the women saw Victoriano walking in the opposite direction, with a couple of Soldados around him. The trio stopped as they saw one another. Victoriano asked if he could speak with the women before going to the meeting room. They all looked hesitant, but one of them nodded. Victoriano walked forward; Mitena immediately went and hugged him, surprising him and Metztli.

"Mariana?"

"I am no longer Mariana. I am Mitena, remember?"

Victoriano looked at her, surprised. "Wh-What?"