47 News (1/2)
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.