Neophyte

Payment

The festivities ended quickly as they began. The villagers were told what the Soldados announced, and everyone was horrified and outraged. Also, they were told why Metztli chose to join the Soldados de Cuera. She was being arrested for something that wasn't clarified, and many became worried or outraged.

Meanwhile, in the Chief's kiche, the Chief, Toypurina, Victoriano, Esteban, Mitena, and Valentina were inside. They looked grim and shocked.

Esteban was the only one who stood and paced back and forth. "God damn them all! I do not understand why my wife has been arrested!? She has done nothing! You all have given your word that no one would return to the Mission!"

Mitena and Valentina hugged one another, worried. "They would not know of her unless one of them does. What of Federico?" Valentina asked.

Everyone looked at Valentina; Esteban stopped in his tracks. "Federico? He was banished from the Mission; he shouldn't even be in the Mission at the moment."

"Are you certain that he left the Mission? That devil always finds a way to crawl away from the consequences."

Victoriano felt his stomach quiver painfully as he noticed Mitena slowly panicking. He assured the Bishops that he and his family would not return to the Mission. Metztli was the last person to break any law or bring harm to anyone. It would be the only possible reason Metztli was arrested, but what remained unanswered was why SHE was the one being arrested. "My daughter is right. Federico may have found a way to bide his time to stay in the Mission. He may be trying to get his hands on her."

Esteban scrunched his hair so hard that it looked like he would rip it off his scalp. "That son of a bitch! He won't give up! That snake doesn't want to accept that my wife does not desire him!"

Mitena put her hands together as tears threatened to form. She felt stressed for Metztli's safety; she was afraid that Metztli would be harmed. There was no one there to protect her. "Oh, nopiltzin (my child). I am so scared for her!"

Victoriano sat close to Mitena, hugging her and trying to comfort her. "I know you are worried, Mitena, but Metztli is stronger than you think. She will not give in to what anyone would say. We will get her back."

Toypurina had been translating everything that was being said to her brother. The Chief listened, and he then spoke to his sister. "Everyone, my brother speaks." Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on the Chief. "I know you are worried for your loved one, but we must tread this carefully." The Chief continued to speak, and his sister translated, "However, we cannot get too involved regarding the young woman."

"WHAT!?" Esteban was about to march toward the Chief, but Victoriano immediately stopped him. "Are you trying to say that my wife is not important enough to save!?"

Toypurina looked slightly uncomfortable; she was also surprised by her brother's suggestion. She listened as her brother spoke to her. Hearing him made her feel upset. Metztli had made a difference for Victoriano and his family; she helped Valentina recover from her shock and begin healing. Metztli tried to save Anna Maria and Juvencio from punishment; she took their place. "My brother said that your wife is a good spirit, but if you try to save her from the Bishops and Padres, then it would put too much attention on our village. It is something he is not willing to risk."

Esteban scoffed, finding it too hard to believe what the Chief was telling him. "I do not wish to bring harm to this village! I only want to save my wife! She was willing to sacrifice herself to save Anna Maria, her husband, and their child! My wife was willing to sacrifice herself for the good of the people! You wish to abandon her!?"

Toypurina stood before the situation became unstable. She looked at Esteban, and then the others said, "Please follow me, for we will speak. The rest of you, please rest for now. Tomorrow we will speak more of this." Toypurina told her brother that the meeting should end, a it would only cause more strain. The Chief agreed, and everyone left the kiche.

"So, that's it? We're going to let Metztli be held prisoner!? She will be alone and in danger!" Valentina exclaimed.

"Valentina, calm yourself. Everyone is distressed at the moment, and we mustn't add more to it. I must speak with you all since it is urgent."

The group glanced at one another but followed Toypurina to her kiche. Inside sat Guillermo.

"So you were here the entire time?" Valentina asked.

"Yes, Toypurina told me to stay in here after everything transpired. I guess she didn't want extra stress during your meeting."

Toypurina went to the other side of the kiche and took out a small bag. She motioned everyone to sit, and everyone obliged. Toypurina then made a fire and sat apart from everyone. "I am sorry for my brother's decisions, but I suspected that he would not want to help save Metztli. He thinks for the safety of our people."

"Yet, he was at our wedding and then wishes to forget!?" Esteban said bitterly.

"I know, and I am sorry, but we all should have expected this. However, I wanted to speak to you all in private because what I am about to say and show you is something that my brother does not know." Motioning the bag and opening it, she took out what was inside. 

Beads.

Guillermo, Mitena, and Valentina widened their eyes. "Who gave those to you?" Mitena asked.

"Nicolas Jose."

"Oh no..."

"What do the beads signify?" Victoriano asked.

"Since Toypurina has a high social standing as a medicine woman and is the sister of the Chief, giving beads signifies asking for their service. It is one of the highest forms of respect," Guillermo responded.

Victoriano widened his eyes. "Services? What did he ask of you?"

Everyone looked at Toypurina, holding their breath. "We spoke in private before the wedding. He heard the Bishops' conversation and feared they would try to stop us from practicing our traditions. He wished for me to lead our people to fight against the Mission."

"What!?" Esteban exclaimed.

"Nicolas despises the Bishops and Padres after what they have done to his family; he wants vengeance."

"Toypurina, what is it that you want?" Mitena asked. 

Toypurina was momentarily silent as she looked at the fire. The fire represented her rage and helplessness as she witnessed the many injustices her people suffered throughout the years. She watched and did nothing because her brother thought it would bring their people peace. 

She was tired.

Tired of staying silent.

"What I want is justice." Squeezing onto the beads, she continued, "I will agree to the payment."