Chapter 47: News
Unbeknownst to Ling and the rest, the existence of the dragon was spread around the village before dawn the next day. Only a few hunters went out at dawn since most of the villagers were curious about the news as well as indignant that someone was keeping this kind of creature, resulting to their dilemma about the active volcano.
Despite the unproven idea about dragons, people still chose to believe it since it could be the solution to their problems. If they could eliminate the likely cause, then they would have a far better life without stressing themselves of what could happen with the volcano near their village. Unless no change happened after taking care of the dragon, then they would think of that problem when it came.
Many of them were family of those that perished in the volcano's eruption hundreds of years ago. The despair of their anscestors passed to them. Many of them already had family who left to seek better life in other islands but still met their demise along the way. For most, it was better to stay in the village instead of traversing a world ravaged by 'mists' but the problem with the volcano's activity still persists.
What was worse was that the children who saw the dragon were attacked! They have several bruises on their hands and knees that looked like they tripped while running but the one in the lead said it was the dragon who injured them.
Later in the morning, the gossip spread that it was the chief's son who was keeping the dragon. Regardless of Bobo's incompetencies, most of the villagers like him as their chief because of his personality. When they heard the news however, some villagers together with their neighbors immediately went to the chief's house to ask for an explanation.
The commotion disturbed the ongoing discussion inside the house. Crying the whole night, Mahina was tired and the noises outside their house added to her stress. She had always been emotional and the 'mist' she exuded was strong, regardless of her weakness in controlling it.
Inside the house, the room was stiffling, which was not helping the residents to calm down. Mahina was shouting at her husband about the gossips around the village and the situation of his son. What if the dragon had also attacked her son?!
The children were also awake, watching their mother's tirade while standing outside their bedroom's door, still rubbing the sleepiness off their eyes. They did not dare come close to the two adults since the 'haze' in their living room was too suffocating for them.
The children were startled awake when they heard a loud thud. Opening their eyes wide, they saw that their mother was now quiet while sitting on the dining chair with her head bent down on top of the table. The sound they heard came from their mother's head hitting the soft wood.
Since he was concerned for his wife, Bobo thought that a good rest was best for her so he used a way to calm or control the emotion of a beast, by forcing his own 'mist' on Mahina, thus making her fall asleep.
"Hmm.. Nng.. My baby.. Zzz.." After staring long at their mother gently snoring with her forehead still on top of the table, the five children then turned to their father.
Bobo gently lifted his wife's sleeping figure on his arms, his face still showing concern. "I will lay down your mother on her bed then talk to the villagers outside. Take care of your mother in the meantime."
After several minutes of waiting, the villagers causing the commotion outside the chief's house saw the door open and out came their chief.
Before they could raise their issues however, Bobo spoke loudly, for all those present to hear, "My son is not inside. He hasn't come home after leaving yesterday afternoon. I hope you could help us find him since my wife is currently tired from worrying. Thank you for all your concern. I also request that you don't add any noises to add to her stress." Then, he closed the door to go back to his wife.
The villagers were stunned at first then, they started whispering to themselves, unheard by the people inside the chief's house. They were used to the personality of their chief so they didn't continue to make too much noises. Bobo might get madder at them if something stressed his wife more.
Later, the news that the chief's son ran away, was in hiding or was kidnapped by the dragon was spread around the village. Most of the villagers already knew that the one who spread the news about the dragon was the cousins of Tang'ga.
After leaving the area near the chief's house, they proceeded to talk to these children again. Some wanted to vent their anger on the child making his mother worry, some concerned about the chief's family and wanted to help the chief.
Kul'it was happy because of the attention he was getting. He remembered the time the chief's son pooped on him and he considered this as his revenge. Together with a few of his siblings and cousins, he led the villagers to the area where they found the dragon. Soon, they found the cave near the area and the people entered cautiously.
Since he was still afraid of the dragon, Kul'it was pointing the direction the people should go while remaining in the middle of the pack. If his thoughts were not deceiving him, then he remembered that the creature was large, taller than even some adults when it sat up straight and its body was the size of the adult cows in their farm. Better for him to remain at a safe distance in case he had to run ahead of the group once the dragon attacked.
However, despite the group searching the whole cave, they did not find any dragon or children present. There were traces of fire inside but it seemed like the fire was already extinguished long ago.
"Where are they?" was the question everybody asked to the bewildered boy who led them.
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Yesterday, the group already left the cave. Fortunately, it was not even the cave where Maga frequently stayed at. The cave was just the one nearest the village where the children and the dragon could all fit in. There were also no paths inside that cave that could lead to where the children were at now.
Before the sun went down, the children planned to return to the village. However, they heard the news that the children who saw the dragon was also attacked by the dragon!
Ling was about to run and clarify the news with the guards gossiping to Magna and Wakan just returning from their hunt but was stopped by Yabang. He told the others that maybe it was better that they talk of a plan first before they return to the village.
After the events last night, the group decided to go to where Maga was really staying at. It was far from the village and difficult to find since one had to pass the river. For the children to pass through, Maga had to fly them one by one to the other side. Aside from them, nobody would be able to find and reach the place.
At this time, inside the cave, a prostating boy was apologizing profusely in front of his friends as everything started from him sneaking out. Tang'ga knew it was his fault why the others managed to follow him. He was not good at hiding his presence or sensing others' presence that was why he usually never go hunt on his own and just remain to guard their caught game. Another voice was reprimanding him in between his sobs and apologies.
Surprisingly, it was not Lino who was on the other side of this lecture. Though Yabang was unlike Lino who scolds Tang'ga like the boy was too dumb, Yabang was explaining the mistakes Tang'ga had done so the sobbing reduced to a few hiccups afterwards.
"And why were your cousins telling the villagers that they were attacked by Maga?" Yabang speculated to himself.
"Uh.. I-it *sniff* It was probably Kul'it. He was the same when getting scolded by my parents. Like, when something he did damaged our crops, he blamed it on some stray animals. Or when he broke my mother's vases, h-he *hiccup* he s-said it was me!"
A sigh came out of Lino but he didn't scold the already pitiful boy. He said softly, "Then you should have told us what he was like so we could have stopped them before they spread the wrong information."
"I'm sorry!" Bowing his head again, Tang'ga replied while looking at Yabang in the corner of his eyes. Yabang also knew he was at fault for not detaining the group at that time.
Meanwhile, Ling was deep in thought about the situation. Once the cave became quiet except for the frequent hiccups, he broke the silence with his argument again, insisting to leave with Maga only. It was getting annoying but that started the argument again.
"Okay, let's stop this for now since nobody was willing to agree with the other. We still have to hunt for our dinner and sleep."
Since the others were also tired, they turned their minds to the hunt then, they fell asleep after eating. They were woken up when they heard a known but unfamiliar sound outside.
The long horn sound was a call from the elders introduced to all the villagers. To gather all the Mal'it Clan's people in case of emergencies, this sound was never blown before except for the eruption of the volcano hundreds of years ago.
Despite the children's reluctance as they haven't had a better plan, they still went back to the village, letting Maga return back alone again in the cave after sending them past the river. As they were traversing the dense cluster of trees, the five children looked behind them, back to the volcano as it spewed more lava from its mouth.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone