“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
For this #Fiestatuesday I am once again scrapping the bottom of my treasure chest to find a Mexican coin. The coin(s) are silver; the older and the largest of these two is a well circulated 1870 50 Centavo and was quite inexpensive from one of my favorite Canadian eBay retailers. If this coin can only talk, what hands it may have passed through.
The smaller 20 1933 Centavo is from my father’s estate with the original price tag still on it for $1. I have no clue where he got it but $1 is an excellent price for this VF+ grade coin.
Part Eleven of Teresa D’Mordecai is already in progress but may be a little wait until I can get my hands on another crown sized Mexican coin.
Viva la Revolution!
The Coin
1870 Mexico 50 Centavos
General Morelos’ glum expression telegraphed his reluctance to do what must be done with captured spies, “I am sorry my old friend.”
Lopez’s eyes turned defiant, “Long live King Ferdinand! And death to….”
A solitary shot rang throughout the cemetery, then all is quiet.
“One less share to pay out,” Captain Oreaga holds out his kerchief and drops it to the ground before jogging his horse to quicken its pace.
Sister Teresa D’Mordeacai: I am a Monster - Part 10
On a gentle rise of the cemetery away from the battle ground he balanced his Baker rifle atop of the lap of a seated Cherub figure and stared down the rear sight then down the barrel. His peripheral vision observing his troops leaving the battleground then focused on his assigned target scanning the gathering crowd of rebel soldiers and villagers. The rhythm of his breath relaxed and steady as he opens the frizzen strike plate. He recognizes the General’s description and selects a shiny pocket button over Morelos’ left chest.
Lieutenant Victoria Guadalupe sheaths his sword in the cessation of hostilities, climbs down his horse and complains to the General, “Captain Oreaga has acted dishonorably so I protest the orders of not pursuing him!” His cavalry officer’s feelings were understandable. His loyalty was almost on the fanatical side and likely to blame himself for not arriving soon enough. But a blind pursuit into the darkness is a Fool’s play. Who knows what trap this sly Captain has set up outside the cemetery? They barely survived and still had two of three treasure wagons.
1870 Mexico 50 Centavos
“Your protest is noted Lieutenant Guadalupe.” General Morelos hands over the spent pistol back to Lieutenant Guerrero.
The exhausted Lieutenant Guerrero snaps to attention, “Your orders my General.” The circle of officers did likewise to Vincente’s prompt.
“Lt. Guadalupe secure the perimeter, Lt. Guerrero see to the remaining wagons, everyone else find and tend to any of the wounded. The dead shall be gathered at mornings light and I must find Sister Teresa.”
1870 Mexico 50 Centavos
Some distance away Teresa crouched behind a large, weathered tombstone over the lifeless body of another Royalist Soldier. She licked the blood from her fingers indulging in its intoxicating effects, fear and terror makes for a most potent drink. The same crimson elixir that powers her body but also maddingly addicts the soul, more than the purest opium experienced, more pleasure than the finest wine or Orchestral selection of music, greater ecstasy than the most passionate love making… The next moment she spat it out and cursed to herself, “No! I don’t want to be like this… this…!”
Her acute hearing immediately pinpoints the recognizable click of a Rifle lock, her night vision focused on a distant gun barrel resting on a Cherub aimed towards…. She turns…to Morelos… ”Oh no.”
Their hand-held torches oil lamps provided ample light and their relaxed posture will be perfect cover when his shot will stir the rebel crowd into a panic allowing him to escape after the kill. His opportunity comes when Morelos finally turns to his direction. He fully sets the Flintlock ready to fire. The shooter licked his lips and drew out a long breath.
The minor bonus Coin
1933 Mexico 20 Centavos
General Morelos nodded, “Now with your assigned orders I will need a squad to help me find Sister Teresa.”
A familiar voice rang out from the darkness, “Look out José!” With inhuman speed Teresa threw herself in front of Morelos.
A whizzing sound followed instantly with the crack of a gun shot.
The round struck her square in the chest.
The impact throwing her body into José and down to the ground in a heap.
Teresa gasped for breath and felt the dampness of her own blood soak her habit.
The wound in her chest felt numb for now, it was a matter of time before feeling the shock. She can hear the crowd panic; the sounds of feet shuffling and running.
Orders shouted.
Men and women ran about looking for cover.
Rebel soldiers firing their guns at perceived shadows among the headstones.
But as the clamor continued Teresa simply stared upward at the moon. The moon always had given her a sense of peace, its calming light and familiar textured subtle shadows.
José’s face appeared above her next to the moon. Teresa reached her right hand up and caressed his bruised face, “I am glad you are unhurt José."
1933 Mexico 20 Centavos
Vincente’s and Victoria’s face also appeared and looked down at her. A torch held close illuminating her appearance.
“Teresa…is that you? José’s expression said it all as he beheld her.
Startled by her situation Teresa sits up and struggles to her feet and staggers away from José and his officers, he instantly follows, “Sister Teresa!”
“No, don’t look at me…. Please!” The Nun screams in pain, a wounded creature, she stumbles and falls upon a grave next to the statue of the Angel of Grace. “I’m a monster!”
Pain radiated from her chest wound. Her arms felt heavy as she struggles to pick herself up off the stone-cold grave slab, her bloody hands staining the slab. A pair of strong hands steadied her shoulders and gently seated her up against the headstone. Her hands became clenched as she held her arms tight against her chest, her body began to shiver, her breathing labored.
Instead of contempt Jose’s eyes where determined and compassionate when their eyes met in the moonlight, with conviction he spoke aloud, “There is no greater love than this is when one sacrifice his... or her life for another."
Teresa felt José put his coat upon her and wrapped his arms around and held her against his body. "Monster? I see no monster, but an Angel sent to protect me. I do not deserve such a high-priced gift. But then my actions betray my own feelings to everyone here and I confess my love of you my Sister. "
Villagers and officers crowd in and circled the couple. A few whispers uttered but no hateful mob or religious inquisition. Sister Argénta using a musket as a crutch hobbles through among the villagers and stood next to Vincente. Her eyes widened at the unusual sight. She grasped her crucifix and prayed something in Latin.
"If there be a way to switch our places I will not hesitate a moment more." José let Teresa's rest her head over his left shoulder and despite the pain in her chest his loving assurance and body warmth began to quell her inner beast.
Argénta and Vincente watches Teresa's distorted facial features softened back to her familiar characteristics.
The Sharpshooter slung his rifle over his shoulder and threw a salute to his commanding officer. Major Colonel Oreaga stood on a crest staring down into the valley. The wagon yielded 92 pounds of gold and 942 pounds of silver dore bars, he can still retire very wealthy after the Viceroy and his men get their shares. He could still see the expansive cemetery from a distance, still lit by the tiny pinpricks of rebel light scattered in a sea of grey moonlit gravestones. He anxiously awaited news and hoped to hear of good results, “Did you kill General Morelos?”
“No, my Capitan, the Sister got in the way of my shot and shielded General Morelos.”
“The Nun that was reported to be with Morelos?”
“Si, my Capitan. I shot her in the chest, no one survives my shooting.”
“At least that witch of a woman is out of the way.” Oreaga turns back overlooking the valley, “I shall have your head General Morelos soon enough.”
RPrevious chapters of Sister Teresa D’Mordecai;
1933 Silver One Peso – Sister Teresa D’Mordecai, Part 1
References
1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
The #fiestatuesday tag is the brainchild of SSG Tag Master 
Viva la Revolution!
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
