Metztli and the group followed Toypurina deeper into the village, where they noticed everyone stopping what they were doing and eyeing them. Some villagers eyed them with distrust, while others with pity. 

It was the same as the last time they were in the village; they were cautious but more welcoming. The mood in the village was filled with distrust and worry. Metztli would glance at many of the villagers, feeling their aura. She also felt uneasy and knew that more had happened in the village besides Valentina's arrival.

Metztli also noticed how tightly Victoriano held onto Mitena since she was desperate to go to Valentina. She couldn't be blamed since a mother always wanted to be close to her child. 

They all eventually arrived at the chieftain's kizh. Toypurina entered first, and the rest followed. 

The Chief and two other men were inside. One of them looked familiar. 

"¿Nicolás? ¿Qué estás haciendo aquí? (Nicolas? What are you doing here?)" Victoriano asked, confused.

Nicolas didn't answer as he sat silently close to the Chief. Toypurina then motioned everyone to sit down. Victoriano, Mitena, and Guillermo sat next to one another; Metztli sat beside Esteban behind the family. She didn't want him to be left out. 

Toypurina sat close to the group but faced them. Everyone looked at the group, their faces serious. 

"Nicloas has come to us not too long ago, and he has come to us with alarming news," Toypurina spoke. 

"News?" Victoriano glanced at Nicolas, who didn't look at him.

"Firstly, we learned that you are no longer a Bishop of the Mission. Nōāchcāuh (My older brother) and I wanted to know if it was true."

Victoriano sighed as his shoulders slumped. "Yes, it is true. It would seem that Federico found a journal of mine where I have written my personal thoughts and experiences." He felt foolish for having a journal. If it weren't for the journal, then everyone wouldn't be in their current predicament. "I was such a fool to have let my guard down. I ensured to hide my journal in the best of places."

Mitena gently held onto Victoriano's right hand. "You mustn't blame yourself, Victoriano. You held so much within your mind, spirit, and body. If you had kept them all within, it would eventually have destroyed you. Federico is a snake! He and Pascual worked together, but everything was for naught!" She gently squeezed her hand when mentioning Pascual, the man who hurt their daughter. "Pascual paid for everything he has done to Valentina and to our people! Federico is banished from the Mission and is to go far away!" 

Toypurina translated everything that Mitena said to her brother, who listened intently. His expression didn't change as he responded in his native tongue. Toypurina translated, "We do not blame you, Victoriano. You have done so much for our people ever since you became a Padre and then a Bishop. You and Mitena sacrificed your happiness to protect all of us. We thank you." She looked at her brother, who spoke more, and Toypurina translated again. "Now that you are no longer Bishop, my sister and I believe that we will be in far more danger. Nicolas Jose also came to us with news he heard from the Bishops."

"What news?" Victoriano asked.

Metztli could tell the slight hesitation in Victoriano's tone. He was nervous, as was everyone. Esteban glanced at her and gently held her right hand as if trying to tell her that everything was going to be okay. She wondered if, realistically, everything was going to be okay.

"Nicolas Jose overheard some of the Bishops speaking in secret. They wish to have our people stop with our practices."

Everyone flinched. 

Victoriano feared that the Bishops would plan something strenuous, but he didn't think they would do so when he was no longer declared Bishop. "Is it certain that he heard them speak of this?"

"We asked him the same thing, and he swore that it was every word they spoke."

"B-But, didn't they mean the Tongva in the Mission?" Metztli asked nervously. 

Toypurina glanced at Metztli and responded, "It is definite that our people in the Mission may not practice our customs. However, with Victoriano no longer to stop the Bishops and Padre Fermin, the rule may come across the land."

"C-Can that happen? I mean, the land is vast, and surely they can't force everyone to stop practicing their traditions."

"Ever since the white devils arrived in our land, they have fooled our people into believing that they meant no harm. They spread among our land through lies and force. They have weapons that we do not have. We have to assume the worst, that their rules may affect our village and others."

Metztli bit her lip as she squeezed onto Esteban's hand. More bad news came their way. 

History made it their way. 

"Soldado, remind me of your name."

"It is Esteban."

"You are a Soldado de Cuera. How much access do you have to the Mission?"

"I have much access throughout the Mission since I have a somewhat high rank. With Victoriano gone, I am not certain if I will have the same access."

Toypurina translated everything Esteban mentioned. The Chief spoke, and Toypurina translated, "My brother asks what you mean by if you will have the same access?"

Esteban sighed. "I was able to have much access since Victoriano permitted me."

"It is true. The Bishops have certain Soldados they trust to act not only as confidants but as spies. Without my position, the Bishops and Padre Fermin may not want Esteban to have too much access. I am not certain if they wish him to be in the Mission," Victoriano responded.

Toypurina told her brother everything, and he became thoughtful until he spoke again. "My brothers would like to ask you a favor."

"A favor?"

"He would like it if you could be our eyes when you return to the Mission?"

Metztli gasped as she stood, letting go of Esteban. "You want him to be your spy!? That's dangerous! It could put him and everyone in danger if the Bishops are to find out!" She then looked at Victoriano, hoping he would reject the idea. 

He didn't. Victoriano stood up, turned to Metztli. "You may not like the idea, but to have a peace of mind, there needs to be reassurance that the Bishops are not trying to put their rules into law."

"Law? They can't do that! They're just Padres and-"

"And look what they have done to our people? To our land. They will do as they please since they hold power, the Soldados. I understand you worry for Esteban, but he is the only one who can be our eyes. My brother and I must think of the safety of our people, our culture," Toypurina explained. 

Metztli struggled to speak but turned to Esteban, who sat silently. She knelt before him. "Esteban, you don't have to do this. You-"

"I will do so, Metztli. It's the least I can do." He then looked at Toypurina and Victoriano. "I will do it, under one condition."

"What condition?"

"I will marry Metztli before I return to the Mission."

Victoriano, Mitena, and Guillermo were shocked. Toypurina didn't expect his condition but told her brother about it; the Chief agreed. He spoke, and Toypurina translated, "You both may marry, and we will give you both a proper ceremony. You may be the image of our enemy, but many of you do not have dark spirits. You shall stay in the village as we prepare a small ceremony for you both. The meeting has ended."

The Chief motioned everyone to leave. Metztli and Esteban stood and walked out together. They were going to be separated again.