Toypurina stood before Bishop Victoriano, who sat on his seat; paperwork was in piles. "I thank you for seeing me this morning, Bishop. I am certain you have much to do."

"It is no trouble, Toypurina. You have traveled here from your tribe and I imagine there are concerns that you and your brother have."

"Yes and I am certain you know what our concerns are."

Bishop Victoriano put his hands together and became serious. "I have been reading some reports that there are mercenaries and ranch owners that are kidnapping many of the Tongva to make them work manual labor."

"They are making many of my people slaves, Bishop. We cannot deny what the mercenaries and ranch owners are doing. They kidnap the men and women to make them slaves." Toypruina became more serious as she wrapped her arms around herself. "Other tribes have been invaded and destroyed, making the survivors come to my tribe and others. Some of the survivors, especially many women mentioned that they were raped."

The mention of rape made Victoriano cringe in disgust. He heard that ranchers, mercenaries, and even many of the soldados of cuera were responsible for the rape of many Tongva women. He despised men who took advantage of women, an act that God was against. "I also heard disturbing accounts, but I will speak with the other Bishops and write to the Governor about the situation." There was something else that Vicotirano was concerned about that Toypurina hadn't spoken to him about. "Toypurina, I have been hearing rumors of a possible rebellion. Wouldn't you happen to know about this?"

Toypurina was emotionless. She had heard the rumors, and many believed she was behind the supposed plan. It wasn't her, but Toypurina knew who began the rumors: Nicolas Jose. Nicolas went through many tragedies as he lost his loved ones in the hands of the Padres and the Soldados who worked for them. The need for revenge fired in his heart and spirit. She knew he was slowly trying to convince their people to rebel against the Padres. Toypurina didn't want Nicolas to do something that would cost many lives. Many of their people were dying rapidly; she wanted to help prevent a possible rebellion.  

Although the Bishop did everything he could to improve conditions inside and outside the Mission, the other Bishops and the Governor of Las Californias prevented him from doing enough. Toypuring didn't want to turn in Nicolas since Victoriano might banish him from the Mission or worse. Victoriano was willing to do anything to maintain the peace.

"Be assured, Bishop, that what you heard is just rumors. However, you must understand that my people are suffering and getting frustrated by the day. When people feel angry and fearful for so long, it can turn into rage. You must try to convince the other Bishops and the Governor to tread caution."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Victoriano became annoyed. "Enter." The door opened, and Padre Federico entered. He gave a short nod to the Bishop as he noticed Toypurina. "What is it, Padre Federico?"

"Bishop, forgive for the intrusion, but I must inform you that one of the Native women has given birth; the infant died."

Toypurina squeezed her hands together; she knew what the punishment was when giving birth to a dead infant. Victoriano became serious. "What of the mother and child?"

"I thought it would be best if they were put into the infirmary until you and the other Bishops were informed."

"You informed the other Bishops!?" Victoriano stood from his seat, enraged. 

"Forgive me, Bishop, but the others would eventually discover the news since Padre Miguel was present. As we all know how Padre Miguel is, he will not rest until the Native woman is punished for killing her child."

Toypurina glared at Federico. "That poor mother did not kill her child. She was forced to work during her pregnancy and didn't have time to rest. All of you are to blame, not her."

Padre Federico let out a low smirk while taking a glance at Toypurina. "Before a child is born, it is part of the mother. The mother is responsible for caring for it until it is born. When women become pregnant, we ensure they do not do hard labor. The mother has the blame to giving birth to an infant."

Footsteps echoed until they reached Bishop Victoriano's room. The two Bishops entered while Padres Lucas and Miguel waited outside. Victoriano wanted to vent his frustration; seeing Padre Lucas, he knew Federico had sent him to inform the other Bishops. "Bishop Juan. Bishop Samuel."

"Bishop Victoriano, I am certain Padre Federico informed you of what happened today. An infant has died," stated Bishop Samuel, the oldest of the Bishops. "A Native woman's responsibility is to ensure the birth of new children to make the Mission prosper."

"Bishop Samuel, I have spoken with you and Bishop Juan about not letting pregnant women work in their state. The stress affects them and their unborn child. We also have the blame."

"Bah, so what? We let pregnant women reign free? Are they not grateful not to be given difficult labor? You are going to soft with these savages!" exclaimed Bishop Samuel. 

Bishop Juan stepped forward. "We mustn't argue like this. I understand where you both stand but we have to think of the prosperity of this Mission. It is also our livelihood." He looked at Bishop Victoriano. "You know what must be done; she must be made an example of."

Victoriano was at a loss; he didn't want to order the punishment of a mother who lost her child. Toypurina eyed as if pleading with him not to go through with the punishment. He didn't want to, but he was known to go easy with the Tongva, and if he weren't 'fair,' then his position as Bishop would be questioned. If he didn't hold his title, then he couldn't protect the Tongva. "So the mother is in the infirmity?"

"Yes, Bishop," Federico responded, feeling victorious. 

"We also asked for the Soldados de Cuera to be present; we don't want there to be any trouble," said Padre Lucas.

.......................

Metztli was in the gardens alone; she couldn't bring herself to be in the infirmity seeing the broken-hearted parents. Seeing a mother give birth to her deceased child was a daunting experience; she felt helpless. The image of the dead infant and crying mother plagued her thoughts. Tears formed and dripped from her eyes.

"Metztli?"

The young woman flinched and turned; it was Guillermo. "Oh, hi." She wiped her tears away. "I didn't see you there."

Guillermo slowly walked into the gardens and stood beside Metztli, who sat on a wooden bench. "I heard what happened today. I also heard you tried to revive the infant."

"I-I was in fight or flight mode. I-I didn't want those parents to suffer the loss of their child. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion." Metztli looked up at Guillermo. "Is it true? That when mothers lose their child they get...punished?" He was silent, and Metztli knew that Valentina's words were valid. "I-I was lied to..." Guillermo was about to speak but was interrupted when he and Metztli heard screams. "Wh-What was that!? What's happening!?"

The screams came from the infirmity. The two ran out of the garden and saw that a couple of Soldados de Cuera had entered the infirmity and taken Anna Maria and her husband out. Valentina tried to run after them, telling the soldados to let them go, but she was hardly pushed and fell.

The couple was let out of the Mission's walls while everyone watched in horror or pity. Metztli and Guillermo saw Mariana go to her daughter, so they went to her. "Madre (Mother), what is happening!?"

"What do you think is happening!? They are going to get lashed!" yelled Valentina as she punched the ground. "Bishop Victoriano gave the order!"

Metztli was horrified; she didn't want to believe Bishop Victoriano was cruel. 

"¡Todos fuera de la misión (Everyone, out of the Mission)!" commanded some of the Soldados.

The Soldados went to different parts of the Mission and commanded the Tongva to leave. Valentina stood and ran out. Mariana yelled for her daughter but was ignored. Guillermo and Metztli walked with her.

Metztli became frightened, not knowing what to expect. Once outside, it was nothing but barren lands and kiches. There were a couple of trees where Anna Maria and her husband were led to. Everyone from the Mission was standing outside; Metztli saw Bishop Victoriano, the Padres, and some Soldados de Cuera stand in front of the Mission's church. 

Esteban stood by the other Soldados in his uniform. Metztli noticed that Estaban looked at her, his eyes filled with pity. He looked away.

She watched as the couple's hands and feet were tied with ropes. Their hands were then motioned upward on the tree branches; their upper clothing was ripped off, exposing their upper body. Metztli couldn't believe they were exposed in such a way; she then noticed two soldiers holding whips. "Oh, Dios mio (Oh, my God)..."

Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Toypurina walking beside her; she was expressionless. She then looked at Metztli and said, "You will now see, why you worship your god."

Metztli looked at Mariana, who tried hard not to cry; her hands were on her daughter's shoulder. Guillermo gently held onto his mother. "Please...don't tell me that they will..." No one responded. The Tongva stood silently as many Soldados surrounded them with weapons on their hands.

One of the Soldados who stood by the church walked forward and looked at the Tongva. "¡Todos estan aquí hoy para presenciar el castigo de estos pecadores! ¡Su crimen fue la muerte de su hijo! ¡Tal acto es un acto contra Dios y serán castigados en consecuencia (You are all here today to witness the punishment of these sinners! Their crime was the death of their child! Such an act is an act against God and will be punished accordingly)!"

The two Soldados behind the couple had their whips ready. Metztli couldn't fathom seeing such terror. "I have to do something!" With all her courage, she ran close to the Bishops but was stopped by nearby soldados; everyone looked at her, shocked. 

Guillermo, Mariana, and Valentina were stunned. "Obispos, ¡por favor no hagan esto! ¡No es su culpa que hayan perdido a su bebé (Bishops, please don't do this! It's not their fault their baby died)!"

Bishop Victoriano couldn't believe Metztli would have the gall to stand before them. The way she looked at him and the others pleadingly made him feel ashamed. He wanted to stop everything, but he was overruled. 

Padre Federico watched quietly and was shocked that Metztli would share and try to speak with the Bishops. He often enjoyed seeing the fear and misery of the Natives, but it was different with Metztli. Seeing her distressed made him feel uneasy. 

Metztli was forced to return with the group, but she tried to go against them. "Si quieres castigar a alguien, ¡castígame a mí! ¡Soy un herbolaria que intentó devolverle la vida al bebé! ¡Soy responsable de su muerte (If you want someone to punish, then punish me! I am an herbalist who tried to bring the baby back to life! I am responsible for its death)!"

The soldados stopped. Many in the audience gasped and murmured to one another, and the bishops and Padres murmured. Esteban and the other Soldados were astounded. 

Never had Esteban seen someone try to exchange themselves to suffer a punishment. He felt so much respect for her but feared for her. 

"¡Salvaje! ¿¡Tratando de echarte la culpa a ti mismo!? ¡Bah! ¡Que esta sea la primera y última vez que hables en nuestra presencia! ¡Continúa con el castigo (Savage! Trying to pin the blame on yourself!? Bah! May this be the first and last time you speak in our presence! Continue with the punishment)!" ordered Bishop Samuel.

The two soldados looked at each other and nodded. They faced the couple whose backs were turned to them. The newly made mother was emotionless; her husband feared for her. The whips were lashed onto their backs, making a disgusting impact. Husband and wife yelled at the pain.

Everyone flinched. Some tried to look away. Metztli heard the whips and couldn't bear looking at the couple. She pleadingly looked at Bishop Victoriano, who was emotionless, then at Esteban, who had his eyes closed. "¡Por el amor de Dios! ¿Dónde está tu compasión (For the love of God! Where is your compassion)!?"

The two soldados continued whipping the couple whose backs had wounds so deep into the skin that parts of muscles were exposed. Blood poured down like a river. Anna Maria stopped screaming as the pain and blood loss were too much. Her husband lost consciousness due to the shock.

Mariana held her children's arms tightly as they were forced to watch the scene. It was a scene they were used to, but it was difficult to watch. Mariana wanted to go to Metztli to make her stop her pleading, but the need to be with her children was greater. 

Metztli still pleaded while she tried to get away from the soldados, but then they gathered their strength and pushed her to the ground. Her arms were sore due to the pull and strain; the sounds of the whips echoed, and the screams of the couple stopped. Metztli closed her eyes as tears dripped.

Bishop Juan ordered the lashings to stop, and the Soldados obeyed and checked the couple's pulses. One of them shook their head. They cut the ropes, letting the couple land on the ground; they walked past Metztli and toward the Bishops, Padres, and their other comrades. "Bishops, I wanted to inform you that the Native woman is dead."

Metztli heard the news: Anna Maria was dead. She slowly opened her tear-stricken eyes and looked at the Bishops, Padres, and Soldados. Reality made her realize that men of God ordered the death of an innocent.

............................

Note:

Las Californias was the name of the State of California in the 1700s.