45 Eavesdrop (2/2)
”Based on the letter, they wanted us to check if there were other causes for the volcano to start being this active again. I heard from my previous travel to Dag'at Port that the dragons in Kal'wa Island was visiting other islands at this time of the year.”
”Let's talk about this later. It seems I have a visitor.”
When Ling heard his master's voice, he inhaled sharply which made him lose control of his 'mist' to hide his presence. Hesistantly, he knocked on the door before opening it since the people inside already sensed him. He stepped in front of his master without looking at the others, acting repentant for his eavesdropping on their serious conversation.
”Sorry to disturb, Master. A letter for you was with my sister's so I came here.” After hastily passing the letter, Ling walking slowly to the door so the others won't notice he was trying to run away. ”Then, I will be taking my leave.”
Before he could reach the door however, his master spoke, ”Ling, I don't want any of what you've heard spreading around.”
”Yes, Master.” Ling turned back with a bow to his elders, then hastily opened the door and left before he was detained further.
”That boy has gone strong. I didn't notice his presence.” The praise seemed like it was received by deaf ears since Shaman Matnaad was still staring at the door where the boy just exited.
After he had gone a few meters away from his master's house, Ling was still lost in his thoughts. Is this the time he had to leave the village and his family? Should he visit the other islands to get more information about dragons? Maga was not yet born when the volcano last erupted so what happened then?
His thoughts was broken once he noticed that he had walked past the border. The surge of life 'mist' in the forest was a huge distraction after the clear atmosphere in the village.
Since he was thinking deeply, the guards were ignored by him but they didn't concern themselves much about their chief's son. He often went to the forest and they thought the boy was still training. They kept comparing the child to their sons who ate dinner after every hunt then went to sleep after.
Back to Ling, he was about to increase his pace to reach the meet up place when he sensed two people behind him. He first thought they were the guards near the border until he was called, ”Hey, Ling!”
When he turned around, he saw Magna and Wakan, the two thieves from Tub'ig Village he met seven years ago, running to him. The two were now part of Ling's hunting group so he knew them well. Same as Ling, they had their knives as well as spear with them like they were going to go hunting even with the time nearing sunset.
”Where are you going? Take us with you. You always get good game even during practice.”
”None of your business.” Since he had experienced hunting with these two, he never hunt with them if he had a choice. Besides, the excursion this time was not to hunt so he had to leave these two before he met with his friends.
All the 'homeless' people from Tub'ig clan chose to move to the Mal'it village even though they were informed of the active volcano. They still thought it was better to reside here with abundant food than beg or steal in Tub'ig Village. Since then, Magna and Wakan became one of the strong hunters of the clan because they were getting more food and guidance now.
”Come on. We don't steal game anymore. It's just that the others were to weak to finish their catch in time before we arrive to 'help'.”
”Then, try to keep up with me if you can.” Ling moved before the other two understood what he said and their shouts for him to slow down gradually faded behind him. Ling soon lost them since he was still faster even compared to the older hunters.
When he reached the place where his friends were waiting, he was panting but readily apologized to them. ”Sorry I'm late. I had to pass a letter to my master then some people intercepted me while I'm leaving the village. Don't worry, I've lost them now.”