Neophyte

Different

The sun finally rose, and the morning chill dissipated; birds flew in the blue skies. Metztli looked up at the sky, enjoying the sight of the flying birds. "They're so free," she spoke to herself. She then glanced at Guillermo and Mitena, who sat silently along the way. 

What could they speak about?

Every moment that they got closer to the village, the more tense everyone felt. Metztli's anxiety intensified as she felt Mitena and Guillermo feeling the same. Esteban looked as if he wanted to sleep; Metztli theorized that he hadn't slept last night.

Metztli glanced at the trail ahead, and she knew they were getting closer; it was recognizable. She then glanced at Mitena, who looked tense. "M-Mitena, are you thirsty?"

Mitena flinched as she looked back at Metztli. "No, child. We will be arriving at the village."

"Okay. I was worried about you." Metztli then glanced at Guillermo and Victoriano. "How about either of you? Neither of you has drunk or eaten anything."

Guillermo still had his eyes on the road; he massaged his eyelids. "Thank you, but I am not hungry."

"How about some water? You look tired, and a glass of water will give you some energy. I can combine it with some herbs so it can make up for the food you missed eating."

Guillermo was quiet, but he nodded. 

Metztli knew where the herbs were since she had some in her belongings. She opened her wooden chest, taking out a bag that had herbs and flowers. Opening it, Metztli took out some dried California poppies. She got a jug of water, a couple of cups, and a molcajete. The dried poppy flowers were crushed, and the cups were filled with water. Metztli then poured the crushed flowers into each cup. She motioned to Guillermo, who took a sip and flinched from the taste. However, he knew that he needed to stay awake for what was going to happen. "Nonantzin, you need to drink some water, too. You will need to gather your energy from what we are to face." Mitena looked like she was going to disagree, but with one look, she relented.

She was given a cup of water containing crushed poppy flowers. The bitter taste overflowed her tongue, but it soothed her nerves. 

Metztli offered another cup to Esteban, who graciously took it and drank it all in one gulp. He violently flinched. "Esteban, you were supposed to take small sips."

"I didn't know what kind of flower it was!" Esteban coughed and asked for another cup of water without the plant, and Metztli complied. 

She then went to Victoriano and motioned to him a cup; he was still looking at the path ahead. "Victoriano?"

"Hm?" He got out of his thoughts.

"I wanted to give you a cup of water with the poppy flower. It will help give you energy and soothe your nerves."

Victoriano eyed the cup, then took it and slowly sipped the water. His headache was slowly soothed since the poppy flower was potent, but he didn't want to drink the entirety of it. "Thank you, young one."

Metztli smiled softly; there was nothing she could say that would make anyone feel better. Everyone was nervous and terrified. They continued onward, knowing they were getting closer every moment. Metztli made herself a cup and took small sips. The drink was making her sleepy, which suited her well since she couldn't sleep last night. 

She was slowly closing her eyes until a loud thud landed before her. 

It was an arrow that almost struck her feet. She yelped, gaining everyone's attention. Esteban and Victoriano got their weapons ready. Victoriano yelled for the attackers to step forward. 

It was quiet, and no one appeared. Mitena stood from her seat and yelled, "Macamo xicalacahui! (Do not attack!)" Her voice echoed everywhere, as if the Earth were to shake. Suddenly, a group of Tongva men appeared with bows and arrows in hand, pointed at the group. Mitena immediately got off the wooden cart, ignoring Victoriano and her son. "Nehuatl (It is I)."

The group of men still didn't lower their arrows, but one of them walked toward Mitena. Everyone watched as they quietly spoke. Victoriano got his pistol, readying himself to shoot if necessary. Mitena eventually returned with a grim expression.

"Nonantzin, what's the matter? What did they say?"

"They were on guard, where they informed me that Valentina is with them."

Everyone's heart skipped a beat. 

"How is she?" Guillermo asked. 

"They will not say, but they will let us enter. Although..." Mitena looked at Esteban. They do not want him in the village."

"What? Esteban wouldn't harm them, he-" Metztli was interrupted. 

"I will respect their wishes, Metztli. If the village is on guard, then they have their reasons. I will not cause tension."

Mitena got on the wooden cart. "We must head forward. Valentina is with them."

Guillermo and everyone else made haste as they moved forward. Metztli and Esteban looked at one another as they continued onward until they saw Jachivit Village. Men and women were outside doing their daily chores. Before anyone could react, Mitena jumped off the wooden cart and ran. "Nonantzin!" Guillermo yelled for her. Everyone was shocked at Mitena's restlessness. 

Victoriano commanded his horse to follow her. "Mitena! Wait!" He and the horse got before her; Victoriano immediately got off his horse, where he held onto Mitena.

"Victoriano! Let me go! Our daughter! She-!"

"I understand, Mitena! I truly do, but our daughter will be different! We cannot just go and assume that she will want to see us! We have to be careful and consider what she wants!"

"He is correct, Mitena," said a feminine voice. The couple saw Toypurina walking toward them with a couple of men behind her. "Valentina has come to us, but she came with us with a broken body, mind, and spirit. She is no longer the daughter you knew."

Guillermo and Metztli got off the wooden cart while Esteban stayed behind, ensuring not to get too close to the village. "Toypurina, did Valentina tell you what happened to her?" Metztli asked in a low tone, fearing she had asked the wrong question. 

Toypurina eyed Metztli with an unreadable expression but eventually answered, "There was no need to tell me. I knew what had happened because I had seen it with other women who had come before me from other villages. She won't let anyone enter her home except me so that I can do healing rituals."

Mitena tried gett out of Victoriano's grip, but it was impossible. "I have to get to her! Nochpoch! Nochpoch! (My daughter! My daughter!)"

"Mitena, enough," Toypurina spoke in a low, commanding voice, making Mitena and everyone else shiver. Toypurina was very young but had a commanding presence. "Things are not the same, and I am certain more things happened in the Mission, or else Victoriano wouldn't be here. You all will come with me for there is something we need to speak of." She saw Esteban. "You will join us as well. Everyone will respect my order. Come and follow."

Victoriano still held onto Mitena, ensuring she would not run off. He motioned her to follow Toypurina. Guillermo walked behind his parents while Metztli and Esteban stood together, looked at each other, and followed the rest of the group, wondering what bad news would befall them.