Despite his worry about his friend, Ling was still unable to stop himself from eating heartily. It was like it was the first time he had eaten something so sumptuous, making the two adults beside him surprised.
Before the child could choke, Tala passed him a glass of water, then said worriedly, "Slow down, Ling. You choking would just delay what you were rushing to do anyway. I'll ask this uncle what happened while you eat slowly.
After getting a nod from the boy, she turned to the man and asked why the two came here together. "I was also looking for you this morning to talk about tonight's performance but I heard you were gone looking for some boys."
As usual with her, Tala was not interacting much with the other members of the troupe, thereby, making her unaware of who Mayari was looking for. For that matter, she actually never bothered to know the names of most of their members.
"Well, I really was looking for Kisig and his group but then, I saw them stealing from Ling here." His nonchalant attitude at explaining the situation made Tala even more indignant.
"Where were those boys now?!" Her voice was not loud but firm, making Ling look up and saw the 'mist' around her churning. "To actually group up to attack someone younger than them! You! It was your fault for leaving these kids to Wagub."
"Wha~ Why me?"
The Sikat Troupe has been living in Kanan Island for seven years, since that year they met Ling. There was a problem with the clan they were residing in at Gitna that they had to relocate the whole troupe, even the elders and the children.
Fortunately, the troupe was prosperous enough to buy a land in Kanan Island to live on. Although smaller than what they were used to, especially with the increase in their members, they still made do as this became their home now. Most members stayed year round here while the ones in handling the performances sometimes travel to other surrounding islands, as well as to the central islands. Now that the year started again, the troupe were getting ready to travel again, that was why Ling saw the people were busy.
Immediately after he finished eating, Ling looked at the still arguing adults. He thought of speaking up and turned to the stronger one in this argument. "Sister Tala, can I go now to get Maga?"
Distracted, Tala stopped arguing with Mayari, her brows wrinkled at she stared at Ling, trying to understand what he just said. "Ok, since it looks like I can't stop you now, then I'll go with you too." She then glared at Mayari, indicating that their argument was not yet finished so he had to also follow them outside.
As the three walked out the room, they suddenly heard noises from outside the tent, people whispering to each other and shouts to get away from something. Alarmed, the two adults ran with Mayari grabbing and carrying the smaller boy outside the tent.
What these three saw surprised them. Outside the tent entrance was a black creature of around the height of a man, crouching on the ground while growing, with an almost unnoticeable man below its paws.
A while ago, Maga sensed a foreboding feeling that something had happened to Ling. Despite its injuries, it flew high to avoid being seen by the people in the market, then surrounded itself with its 'mist' to remain invisible as he dived down on an area where he could sense the familiar 'haze'.
However, he was unable to find Ling and only saw four other men beaten up until they could not move. Their faces had traces of being handsome once, but now, the purpling bruises were covering that. It looked like their attacker only focused on their faces
Of course Maga did not concern itself much about these men and was about to fly off to look around again, until he sensed a trickle of life 'mist' coming from one of the men.
When Maga poked its nose on the man's hand, it could even sense some other 'mist' on the body including its friend's, although much fainter. Therefore, he decided to follow it.
Unfortunately, after only a few steps, the familiar 'mist' was quickly fading. The big figure moved around the small alley to sense that 'mist' again but it was unsuccessful. Should it fly off and take its chances of finding Ling in the air? But what if this was the strongest trace it could find, then later, it might completely fade away.
After some time of indecision, Maga went back to the man where it could sense the familiar 'mist'. Another much stronger 'mist' was clinging on the body, like the owner had touched this man more times and with intense emotion. Also, the direction where the owner of this 'mist' was going was traceable. Hence, Maga lifted the body in its claws so as not to forget this 'mist' and flew off to the direction where the owner had gone.
And finally, here it was.
After his first shock, Ling immediately ran to Maga, checking to see its injuries and ignoring the still groaning man pushed down by the dragon's paws.
Maga was eating but remained vigilant with the people around until it finally noticed that Ling was in this place too. It never let go of the man it was holding though.
Earlier, the troupe members had given it food and baiting it to leave the man, but of course Maga was reluctant. This man was too noisy when he woke up as they were flying earlier, which made the people below them almost notice them. To scold this one like how Maga had seen Yabang with Tang'ga before, the dragon was keeping it still to self reflect.
"I thought so. You have a dragon. Don't worry, Ling. We have already seen a dragon in the central islands, and sometimes in this island too. Do you plan to go to Gitna then?"
"No, Uncle. I want to take Maga to that place who could be his home, Kal'wa Island."
"What?!" The boy's determined eyes reminded him of another child before who stared tge same at his parents, saying she could outperform the other actors, making him unable to respond immediately.
"Then, Uncle, Sister, we will be going."
"Going? Where? Why don't you stay here?" That was when Tala finally understood Ling's plan. She thought that since the dragon was here, Ling would also be staying here as it would be difficult to travel with just this child and the dragon alone. Besides, the troupe were not afraid of dragons unlike the people in smaller villages.
After that question, Mayari thought of a good idea. "Ling, I'm sure you are a strong boy but you could not be sure you could withstand the 'haze' in the Limaw Sea. Why don't you stay here to practice first? You know that our actors expose themselves to strong 'mists' in their performances. I'll also take you to where we were getting the 'mists' we use for the show."