"How long have you been a Shaman?" Miguel asked.
Just like what the Elder said, she did get someone to accompany him on his way to the Dayang's Kanya.
Slowly trekking their way along the densely packed forest which covered the Shrine, Miguel is accompanied by a tall woman that seemed sickly and had a waning face.
When the woman beside her did not immediately answer, Miguel was disappointed.
"Oh great, she did send me one but a pretty useless one..." Miguel inwardly thought as he gripped the cane and stepped at the patches of grass.
"Hey! Are you deaf or something?" Miguel rudely remarked after a brief silence where he only received a stare.
And just when he decided to thoroughly ignore this woman, the Shaman finally spoke.
"The name's Eisha... I am not deaf... You are too noisy and I have to hear about my surroundings. I have to focus on each of the little critters walking around to firmly grasp our way through." Seemingly annoyed, the Shaman stared at Miguel with a deadpan expression on her face and in an insipid tone.
"Hmm fair enough." Then Miguel noticed the woman's eyes, it seemed blank and unmoving. He suddenly became curious and observed her for a while.
"Don't look at me like that... Yes, I am blind. But not deaf, alright?" Eisha said as her nose suddenly turned sour. She looked both sideways and when she determined the right path, she gestured at Miguel to follow her.
Miguel became troubled, he felt a bit guilty. He now learned why this woman beside him is acting weird. Hence, with that, he decided to shut his mouth as he followed the Shaman.
And it didn't take long before they arrived at the heart of the Lumin's Tribe. On their way through, however, Miguel and Eisha received a few stares as they passed through.
He had been the talk of the tribe for a while, especially when the Babaylan suddenly announced to the tribe that she will be taking Argus as her apprentice. In the past, this Babaylan never took in any apprentice and has been refusing anyone even if she was offered gold or other commodities.
They were surprised to hear that it's an Alipin of all the possible candidates she could have chosen. But then again, the Babaylan reasoned that she suspects Argus to be a surrogate of Sidapa and needs her nurturing.
When the Babaylan declared this they gradually accepted it since the whole tribe knew that Argus had been resurrected from death. What else would be the other reason for her not to accept such a boy?
When they reached the Tribal square, Miguel has decided that it would be better to head alone than be accompanied by Eisha. After all, he didn't want anyone overhearing his conversation with the bunch of idiots.
"Alright, you don't have to wait for me. Return to the shrine yourself, I can take care of my own business."
"But the Elder said, I should accompany you..." Eisha refused but she felt apprehensive. She did not really like to accompany this famed boy named Argus especially when the Elder said to go with him at the Tribe.
Eisha had been bullied since she was a child and if not because of the Elder's kindness as she took her as an apprentice, she would've lived her whole life being bullied and branded as useless.
That's why Eisha wants to repay the Elder in any possible way.
"Yeah, this is cute. But woman... Just know your place. Do you think I'll be happy with someone tailing my activities? Your service ends here. Farewell..."
As Miguel said so, he grabbed the token from the hands of Eisha and turned his back, leaving behind an annoyed and dumbfounded Eisha.
It could've been imposing if not with Miguel limping as he tightly grasps the handle of the cane from which he borrowed from the Elder. If Eisha could see him, she probably giggled to herself.
.
.
.
...
Miguel has decided to sneak inside the Saman's Kanya first, he wondered how his baby croc Ario might be doing. And so, like a seasoned thief, Miguel was able to successfully go inside without anyone noticing him.
Lightly closing the door of the Kitchen Hut, Miguel looked for that small wooden box where he placed the baby croc. But then after a few tossing and turning, he was still unable to find any wooden box.
"Did somebody took the box?" Miguel thought but immediately remembered that Argus before participating in the trial, he had instructed the bunch of idiots to take care of the baby croc.
"Well, I guess I should find them first." Inwardly mumbling, Miguel escaped the Saman's Kanya and prepares to find any trace that may lead him towards the bunch.
.
.
.
...
Miguel had been looking around the whole tribe but he found no signs of the bunch. He went to the traders asking for any information but nobody knew the three.
Right now, Miguel was headed to the Alipin's Grounds, he thinks that he might be able to find Aen, Malphi, and Talto there. And perhaps, he may be able to know how Toto is fairing.
But after walking for almost a day, he even forgot to have lunch. Miguel felt himself weakening as he stumbled to the ground.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out...
"Young Master! The rumors are true! You are alive!" The smallest of the bunch, Aen with a chapped lip excitedly exclaimed as hugged the thighs of Miguel.
"You..." Surprised, Miguel is reinvigorated! "Looks like I won't have to look around, here are you guys." Miguel simply commented before trying to stand with the cane. Then two figures at the distance are seen coming close.
There are no other than, Malpi and Talto which upon their arrival became overjoyed greeting him jovially.
"Young Master! We are glad that you are safe! We thought you have forgotten us. I heard that someone is looking for us under the name Argus. When we heard about it we hurriedly rushed here." Malpi spoke first, delighted, and is full of smiles.
On the other hand, Talto who now had a wooden foot attached to his legs bowed in front of Miguel. "My previous oath still holds true, welcome back young master!"
Seeing this scene unfolding in his eyes, Miguel smiled. For the first time ever since coming here, he felt a sense of belongingness. The place to which he had no attachment at first, at that moment became dear to him.
All because of these three bunch whom he called idiots at first. He inwardly thought...
"I guess, it was worth it that I have saved them after all."