Rain finally fell from the dark gray skies, and the morning mass was finished. Bishop Victoriano and the other Bishops led the Padres out of the church and walked toward the dining room as the rain fell on them. Bishop Victoriano felt at ease as the rain fell on him; it lessened his stress from everyday life in the Mission. Also, when it rained, it gave the Tongva a chance to rest since the other Bishops didn't want them to get ill.

Standing behind the Bishop, Guillermo cleared his throat. "Bishop, if it pleases you, I would like to assist with the preparations."

"Yes, go and assist. Thank you for your hard work."

Guillermo bowed and left the group, heading toward one of the many classrooms where adults and children practiced their instruments or sang. Everyone knew Padre Fermin would arrive tomorrow, and Bishop Victoriano knew everyone was anxious.  He too, felt anxious but the Bishop didn't want to express it.

He and everyone else arrived where a child was finishing lighting the candles. Everyone got in their places until the Bishops stood before the main table, said a small prayer, sat on their seats, and motioned to the Padres to do the same. When everyone sat, Bishop Juan stood again, receiving everyone's attention. "We have an important announcement. I received a message that Padre Fermin is safe and well; he will arrive tomorrow morning." The Padres smiled as they whispered among one another but became silent as Bishop Juan raised his hand. "Which is why all of you must keep the Gabrilienos in check and ensure they perfect everything for Padre Fermin's arrival. Withhold punishments if need be until Padre Fermin leaves the Mission. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Bishop," the Padres said in unison. 

Bishop Victoriano glared at Juan but said nothing. Suddenly, he noticed Mariana, Valentina, and another woman entering with plates and cups of food. Mariana walked toward the main table and bowed as she served them their plates and cups of food. Bishop Victoriano and Mariana looked at one another as she served him his plate and cup. "Mariana, good morning."

"Good morning, Bishop. I imagine you and everyone are excited for Padre Fermin's arrival."

"Yes, his arrival is an honor for all of us. Thank you for your continuous hard work." The Bishop noticed a hint of hesitation in Mariana's eyes and knew something was wrong. He was urged to ask, but the others would hear and become suspicious if he did. Bishop Victoriano motioned his eyes to the left, indicating his office; it was a signal they both agreed upon.

Mariana smiled and nodded while serving the other Bishops their plates of food and drinks. Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the room, and the Padres noticed Esteban standing outside the doorway, wet from the rain. "By Lord in heaven, please enter, Lieutenant. We wouldn't want you to get ill before tomorrow," said Bishop Samuel.

"Thank you, Bishop. I did not wish to disrupt your meal, but something that cannot wait must be discussed." Esteban was motioned to go inside and to go before the main table. While walking toward the Bishop, he glanced at Padre Federico, who was focused on his food. A shiver of disgust went down his spine. Esteban eventually arrived before the main table and gave a short bow. "Bishops, Padre Fermin is currently staying at an Inn that is a couple of hours away. My commanders gave me word that they and some of our men are with Padre Fermin and that he is safe and in good health."

"Ah, praise be to God. Our prayers have been answered. We all feared the worst but we are glad that he will be arriving tomorrow," said Bishop Samuel.

"Yes, I will have my men guard the Mission as long as Padre Fermin stays, and that is not all. There are people from nearby villages and towns that wish to attend and I have received word that Pascual will also be in attendance."

Bishop Victoriano took a sip of his drink, almost spitting it out, but he contained himself. He then noticed Mariana eyeing him and realized she knew about the news. Valentina flinched as she served the last plate of food but didn't look at her mother. "So, Valentina knew about it, too." The Bishop cleared his throat and said, "That man doesn't give up. He has been asking to purchase some of our workers. I constantly refuse his request since we need them for the Mission."

"That man is persistent. He has many workers in his land but wants more? He should ask for the mercenaries to find him more," said Bishop Juan as he took a bite from his porridge. 

Bishop Victoriano stood up from his seat. "My appetite has ceased, and I must go and ensure the preparations are completed. Excuse me, my brothers. Lieutenant, please follow me." He walked out of the dining room with Esteban. When Mariana and Valentina finished serving the Padres, they bowed and excused themselves; they went behind the Bishop. The other female worker went away once she finished serving the Padres. 

They all went inside the Bishop's room where the doors were closed. The Bishop lit up the fireplace to bring warmth. Everyone was quiet; Esteban knew that Victoriano wasn't talking about the news of Pascual. Pascual was known, even among the soldados de cuera, since he would hire them for their services from time to time. Esteban heard about Pascual's cruelty toward the Tongva and hated hearing about the man.  

"Are you certain that Pascual is arriving tomorrow?"

"He is staying somewhere until the Padre's arrival, but I am certain, Bishop. Would you like me to order him away?"

"Even if I try to order him away, Pascual will always find ways to come here. He has many connections and we have to tend to this carefully." He slowly turned and glanced at Valentina, who looked uncomfortable. The Bishop couldn't blame her since Pascual was after her. "Valentina, I have given you and your mother my word to keep you safe here. I refuse to let Pascual get his way."

Mariana put her hands together, worried. "What shall we do, Victoriano. I fear that Pascual wants to speak with Padre Fermin, and I fear what he will ask. You must send him away!"

Bishop Victoriano massaged his face as he then looked at Mariana. "I cannot send him away, Mariana. No matter how much I desire it. I cannot raise suspicions and Pascual is no fool. He will notice that I put too much focus on Valentina. That man will try anything to get any information he could get. We must play his game, no matter how dangerous it is."

"He is right, Mariana. Pascual is one of the wealthiest landowners here and has many connections, but he doesn't have much power in the Missions. The Tongvas here are very important for this Mission's operation. We have to find out his plans to plan our next course of action."

Valentina felt anxious. "We all know what he wants! That sick bastard desires me! He even dared to come here last night and..." She realized what she had said. Everyone looked at her. 

"What!? That man came here!? How did-" Mariana's eyes widened. "You were outside the Mission even when I told you not to! Why did you not tell me!?"

The young woman lowered her head as she massaged her left arm. "It was my business. I didn't want to worry you, Nonantzin."

"Oh, Valentina! You worry me even more when you keep things from us! You are here in this Mission to protect you from that man!"

"Mariana, you need to calm yourself. As long as Valentina stays in the Mission, she is safe. My men and I guard the Mission tenfold, and we will be more astute. We must tend this with caution."

Mariana took a deep breath. Her daughter was stressed, and Mariana didn't want to worsen the situation. "Very well. I will trust you both, but if he tries something, I will not hesitate to take matters into my hands. Come, Valentina, there is much to do." Valentina nodded, not wanting to argue with her mother.

The men watched mother and daughter leave and close the door. Esteban sighed. "Mariana is quite a woman. I do fear her."

Bishop Victoriano chuckled as he sat on his chair. "You should have seen her during her prime. Many men desired her but she would reject them and sometimes fight them off."

Esteban chuckled but remembered his other reason for wanting to speak with Victoriano. "Bishop, there is something else, I wanted to speak to you about."

"Yes?"

"It is about...Padre Federico."

Bishop Victoriano tensed, he put his hands together. "What of him? Did he do something with the Tongva?"

"It is not that. After Anna Maria's death, I wanted to go to the church to pray for her but before I could enter, I saw Padre Federico. He...was making a sort of confession." Victoriano became curious, but he knew it wouldn't be good. "He made a disturbing confession regarding Metztli."

It became quiet between the men. "When you speak of a confession that concerned you for Metztli's safety, would you mean that he...?"

"I am concerned that Padre Federico may lust for her. Although he is a Padre, he is still a man. I fear for Metztli and with your permission, I would like to be closer to the Mission to keep an eye on her."

The Bishop was surprised that Esteban would volunteer himself. "You hold interest in her, do you not?"

The Soldado cleared his throat as he massaged the back of his neck. "It's not that. I-I admire her courage and strength. That is all."

"Very well. I will tell your superiors that I want you to work for me. I want you also to keep an eye on Federico. I tire of his behavior."

"Yes, Bishop and I thank you." Esteban bowed, walked out of the room and closed the door. 

Bishop Victoriano slowly stood up from his seat and walked to the fireplace, looking at the fire. He sighed as he massaged his face once again. "My God. I fear the past is happening again."