Neophyte

Ranch

Esteban was on his horse waiting for father and son to arrive. They only had today to try to find Valentina. If they couldn't, then they would have to leave her behind. He then remembered Metztli. She had grown very close to Mitena and Victoriano, and he wondered whether Metztli wanted to leave with him or with them. 

He couldn't make a difficult decision for her. If Esteban had to be honest, he didn't have much of a plan even if they wed. It would be wise if he and Metztli went with them until he had a plan on where they would leave. Staying with them for long wouldn't be too wise since Victoriano was no longer the Bishop. 

The other Bishops wouldn't have qualms about making Tongva into neophytes. Metztli would be put in danger even if she were a mestiza. He would have to speak with her about her thoughts of moving away after they were married. 

Guillermo was noticed arriving on a horse. "You arrived. Where is your-I mean, Victoriano? Isn't he arriving?"

"He will, but I will not wait for him. I need to find my sister by whatever means necessary."

"Guillermo, I do not want to concern myself with your family affairs, but we must wait for Victoriano. I may be a Soldado, but he was also one. He has more experience than any of us and may know where your sister may have gone."

"He may have been a Soldado, but even Soldados have their flaws. Experience and age don't always guarantee wisdom, Esteban."

"I understand, my friend. You are angry with him. I will not convince you to change your mind, but we are in a dire situation. We only have until tonight to try to find your sister. If we cannot, then Victoriano will be executed. We cannot risk that since he still has the respect of the Soldados and Padre Fermin. Please, just this once."

Guillermo sighed but relented. He hated that Esteban had a point. He needed to be patient if he ever wanted to find his sister. 

Minutes passed, and the men noticed Victoriano arrive on his horse. Before them, Victoriano said, "If there was blood on my daughter's clothing, then there was a possibility that she shouldn't have gone far."

"Victoriano, forgive me for asking this but if Valentina is injured, who would try to hurt her? Does she have any enemies?"

Guillermo and Victoriano were silent, but then Guillermo's eyes widened. "My sister may have had a difficult temperament, but she was beloved and respected among our people. No one would hurt her unless..." Realization hit Guillermo; his heart sank. "I know! I know! Pascual!"

Esteban and Victoriano violently flinched. The mention of Pascual made their skin crawl. The thought that Pascual might have done something to Valentina worried Victoriano. "Then, Pascual is where we shall go! Let us go!" 

The trio commanded their horses to go to Pascual's ranch. Esteban knew that if Pascual did something to Valentina, Guillermo and Victoriano wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He hoped that it would go that path. 

Riding through tiny villages of neophytes, they knew that their destination was getting closer. Everyone saw Pascual's ranch from afar; Victoriano commanded his horse to go faster. Guillermo followed suit while Esteban knew that he had no other choice. 

Victoriano felt enraged and had the intent to kill if he found out that Pascual had something to do with his daughter. "I failed my daughter! However, I will not fail her again!" He got closer to the entrance but then noticed something. No. It was more than something. Commanding his horse to stop, he motioned with his hand, making Esteban and Guillermo also command their horses to stop. 

"Why did we stop!? We don't-!"

Esteban noticed what Victoriano was looking at. Soldados swarmed Pascual's ranch and home. It looked as if they were looking everywhere within his ranch. "What is happening here?" 

"I don't know but it would best if we asked." 

Victoriano got off his horse and was about to go, but Esteban motioned his horse closer to him. "No, it's best that I go and ask what is happening. You are no longer Bishop and they will no longer listen to you. Worry not, I will get the answer one way or another." 

Guillermo also got off his horse as he stood slightly away from Victoriano. Father and son watched as Esteban went inside Pascual's property. 

Esteban watched as many Soldados searched various parts of Pascual's property. He saw Manuel and the others standing by the horse stables. Going to them, Manuel noticed him and immediately walked forward. "Esteban, llegaste (Esteban, you arrived)."

"Sí.¿Qué está pasando aquí? (Yes. What's happening here?)"

"Según el comandante, ha habido acusaciones de que Pascual había robado del tesoro de la Misión (According to the commander, there have been allegations that Pascual had stolen from the Mission's treasury)."

The news was unexpected, but it made him wonder who made the allegations. "¿Sabrías quién hizo tales acusaciones (Would you happen to know who made such allegations)?"

"No se (I don't know). Como Pascual no está aquí, debo suponer que está encarcelado (Since Pascual is not here, I must assume he is imprisoned)."

Esteban wondered who would make allegations against Pascual. It also made him wonder how he could steal from the Mission. He thanked Manuel as he returned to Guillermo and Victoriano, who awaited him.

"So, what happened? Why are the Soldados in Pascual's ranch?" Guillermo impatiently asked.

"From what I have been told, Pascual is being investigated. Manuel told me that Pascual was accused of stealing from the Mission's treasury."

"What? Pascual? Steal from the treasury?" Victoriano had a difficult time believing such an accusation. He despised the man to the bone, but Pascual would never steal from the Mission. It would mean severe punishment or even death. "I do not believe that Pascual would do such a thing. He is despicable but even he is not courageous enough to steal from the Mission. Where is he?"

"Manuel does not know, but if Pascual is accused of stealing from the Mission, then I believe that he is being detained in prison."

Victoriano nodded. "That would make sense. It is best if we returned to the Mission. We may find our answers by making Pascual talk."

"What if he doesn't wish to talk? He-" Guillermo was interrupted.

"Cowardly men like him will always talk. He will want something in return. We need to play his game. Come now. We return to the Mission."