Metztli, Mariana, Esteban, and Valentina were at the festivities.

There were many wooden tables and wooden benches filled with plates and bowls of food. The sight reminded Metztli of the events held in the San Gabriel Mission during her time. People from the community came together when there were festivals and other celebrations. It comforted her that the Mission didn't change much in that aspect.

Everyone got plates where they served themselves food, and a plate for Juvencio. While getting a plate for Juvencio, visitors went to Metztli, where they praised her voice. She thanked everyone who gave her kind comments. There were a couple of men who tried to flirt with her, but she would kindly reject them or give an excuse to not continue their flirting.

As she was about to finish serving her food, she heard Mariana speak, "¿Qué quieres ahora, Pascual? (What do you want now, Pascual?)"

Metztli turned around and saw Pascual with some of his men behind him. She then noticed Esteban became firm in his stance.

Esteban walked forward and said, "Pascual, ahora no es el momento de crear problemas (Pascual, now is not the time to create problems)."

Pascual chuckled as he raised his hands. "¿Quién dijo que quiero crear problemas? Sólo vine a expresar mi asombro por el canto de tu amiga. Ella estuvo magnífica (Who said I want to create problems? I just came by to express my awe at your friend's singing. She was superb)." He looked at Metztli, smirking at her.

"Gracias. Ahora, si nos disculpan, tenemos cosas que hacer (Thank you. Now, if you shall excuse us, we have things to do)," Metztli snapped.

Pascual raised an eyebrow, and he crossed his arms. "Tienes el descaro de hablarme así, Mestiza. ¿Crees que el obispo Victoriano podrá protegerte a ti y a los demás para siempre? (You have the nerve to speak to me like that, Mestiza. Do you think Bishop Victoriano can protect you and the others forever?)"

Mariana and Valentina glared at Pascual, while Esteban never took his stare away from Pascual. Metztli put down the plates and slowly walked toward him; Esteban tried to stop her, but she motioned his hand away. "Debes pensar que eres tan poderoso porque tienes dinero. Debes sentirte poderoso para abusar de tu poder sobre los impotentes. Cuando un hombre débil finalmente tiene poder, abusa de él para sentir el poder que nunca sintió (You must think you are so powerful because you have money. You must feel powerful to abuse your power on the powerless. When a weak man finally has power, he abuses it to feel the power he never felt)."

Esteban, Mariana, and Valentina looked at Metztli, who stood her ground—many who were close by listened to the conversation while pretending to mind their business. Pascual tried to maintain his smirk, but his anger was slowly getting the better of him.

His men from behind tried hard to maintain their chuckles and laughter.

"Mira. Incluso tus hombres, piensan que es gracioso porque saben que trabajan para un hombre feo y cobarde que persigue a mujeres que no lo quieren (Look. Even you men think it's funny because they know they work for a cowardly, ugly man who goes after women who do not want him)."

Valentina and others who heard the conversation chuckled, while others softly laughed. Esteban and Mariana were shocked, but Pascual looked beyond furious. His body trembled as he raised his hand and arm, looking like he would strike her, but Metztli caught on. Before Pascual could land a strike, she moved away and did a roundhouse kick on his face so hard that Pascual fell to the ground.

Onlookers gasped, and many people stopped what they were doing when they noticed what had happened. Metztli was in a defensive stance; her gaze never left him. Pascual put a hand over his nose as blood slowly dripped. He ordered his men to get Metztli, but Esteban stepped forward and asked for backup from the other Soldados de Cuera, who had arrived by their lieutenant. Esteban stepped forward and stood beside Metztli, who slowly walked behind him. "Sería mejor que te fueras. No querrás avergonzarte más, ¿verdad? (It would be best if you left. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself any further, would you?)"

Pascual looked around and noticed people looking at him. He immediately stood up and gave a menacing glare at Metztli. "¡Te juro que pagarás por esto! (I swear that you will pay for this!)" He then eyed Valentina. "Crees que ustedes están a salvo. Están equivocados. El obispo no vivirá para siempre y veremos si sobrevivirás después de que él sea muerto (You think you both are safe. You are wrong. The Bishop will not live forever, and we will see if you survive after he is gone)."

Pascual and his men immediately walked out of the Mission. The onlookers looked at the group, but Esteban glared at everyone, who eventually returned to their business.

Esteban looked at Metztli. "How did you learn how to do that?"

"Self-defense training. Since I have been a lone traveler, I have learned certain things. Besides, that ass needed to learn that just because I am a woman, I am not going to tolerate his behavior. No one should."

Esteban chuckled as he ordered his men away, who whispered to one another, mentioning what they saw Metztli do. Valentina was shocked at what Metztli did, but couldn't help but be impressed. She had never seen such actions before and remembered the deal they struck; she would teach Metztli the language while Metztli would teach her self-defense moves. After looking at a fraction of it, Valentina looked forward to learning.

Metztli got some plates of food, as did Valentina. The group came back together, each with trays of food and drinks. "Well, come on, let's take our food and visit Juvencio."

The trio walked toward the infirmary; Metztli felt terrible that Juvencio and the ill could not take part in the festivities. 

Esteban and Mariana held trays of food and drinks for the people who had to work; they went their separate ways.

Eventually, the group arrived at the infirmary and were surprised to see Nicolas Jose and Toypurina. The bedridden patients were awake and sat up as if listening to the trio's conversation. One of the patients saw the group and said, "Visitas (Guests)." 

Nicolas Jose was speaking with Juvencio and Toypurina and eventually stopped when he caught sight of the group. His face was ever serious, but he nodded toward them. "Metztli, Valentina, un milagro veros a los dos juntas (Metztli, Valentina, a miracle to see you two standing side-by-side)," said Nicolas Jose.

Metztli and Valentina cleared their throats as they slowly entered the infirmary. The other patients scrutinized them cautiously, as if trying to guard a secret. "Sí, entramos a darle comida a Juvencio, pero Esteban y Mariana fueron a buscar bandejas de comida para todos los demás (Yeah, we came in to give Juvencio some food, but Esteban and Mariana went to get trays of food for everyone else)."

Toypurina watched the women, particularly Valentina. Valentina was known to have few friends due to her quick temper, but seeing her walk beside Metztli made her curious if Valentina saw something in Metztli that was slowly strengthening her trust. 

Metztli then gave Juvencio his food and drink. Looking at Toypurina, she said, "I am surprised you're not out in the festivities, Toypurina. Although it's nice of you to keep Juvencio company," said Metztli.

Toypurina was slightly silent as she glanced at Juvencio and Nicolas Jose. "I do not wish to celebrate the arrival of Padre Fermin; he and his predecessor, Junipero Serra, are the cause of the continuation of the suffering of my people. All of our people. I am also returning to my village soon, but the tension is slowly worsening. Everyone here is hiding their disdain for this Mission and the Padres, but many of my people are slowly breaking."

"Is everyone thinking about...war?" When Toypurina displayed no emotion, a chill ran down Metztli's spine. The mention of war would shake people, but not her. It was as if Toypurina always knew of the possibility. Seeing Nicolas Jose look at her, Metztli believed that he understood parts of what she spoke of.

"The people are tired, Metztli." Valentina slowly walked beside her with her arms crossed. "You have seen what they have done to Juvencio's wife. She was punished for losing her baby, which was not her fault."

"I know, but I can speak with Padre Fermin to tell him what is going on. He can-"

"Padre Fermin knows what has been happening not only in this Mission, but all the other Missions. He does nothing because he knows the ones in charge will not make changes. The Padres and Bishops are corrupt; they are greedy and love wine and money, Metztli. Your actions will be for naught."

"I can't just give up. At least let me try."

Valentina sighed in annoyance. "You can try, but it is as Toypruina mentioned, your actions will be in vain."

Toypurina slowly stood up from Juvencio's bed, her eyes never leaving Metztli. "I wish to invite you to visit my tribe. It would do you some good to be out of the Mission's walls for a couple of days."

 "Really? I don't think I am allowed to leave the Mission, Bishop Victoriano said it was dangerous."

"I will speak to him tomorrow morning. I know Mariana and her children will not hesitate to come along."

Metztli was thoughtful. Being closed in the Mission was tiring, and it would be interesting to explore more outside to see how San Gabriel was in the past. "I would like that. It would be a nice change of pace."

Toypurina nodded. "Very well. I shall speak with the Bishop tomorrow morning to receive permission."

Metztli wanted to speak up, but she contained herself when she heard footsteps from afar. She knew that Esteban and Mariana were coming. Wanting to maintain the peace, Metztli kept quiet. Her determination to bring change was all that was on her mind. Toypurina and Valentina believed that speaking to Padre Fermin wouldn't make a difference, but she refused to give up. 

However, Toypurina admitted that many of the Tongva wanted war. 

If she told on Toypurina and everyone, it would mean instant punishment or death. Metztli may suffer the same fate. 

It was a sense of blackmail; clever but cruel. 

Metztli realized that she knew a secret.

A secret that would be a matter of life and death.