53 Dream (2/2)

Suddenly, the boy's stomach also grumbled, making the man smile. ”Ok, but you can't move now, even to guide us where Maga is so let us know where to get your friend and I'll have some of my people get him too.”

Reassured, Ling stopped struggling but he was still worried, ”I have to go too. Maga would not trust anybody else to get him. Uncle, please go faster.”

”Okay.” And the man continued walking faster as the boy commanded.

”Anyway, where are we going? Uncle, have you left you're troupe again?”

”Of course not. Where did you get that bad impression about me?! Well, I haven't told you yet but our troupe is now staying in this part of Kanan Island so I am taking you to our camp.”

Soon, noises from the port reached Ling's ears. Calls from other men made him hunch lower behind the man's back, suddenly afraid of encountering untrustworthy people again.

”Mayari, where did you go? I thought you were going to find Kisig and his group.”

”What do we do about tonight's performance? I heard Tala was mad at Wagub again, refusing to take the lead role.”

”I heard Inggi was bragging about taking the role again.”

However, Mayari just waved to these men clamoring for his attention and entered the big tent beside the port. Even inside the tent, men and women kept calling for the Sikat troupe's owner, sometimes a greeting, most of the time a question.

When they finally reached a door to a room, Mayari did not knock which made the woman inside jump, surprised. Before the woman could scold Mayari however, they heard the growling behind the man.

Ling was still feeling weak but he was worried about Maga so he wanted to ask Mayari to move faster. It made him irritated that they were almost stopped by a lot of people. When it finally seemed like they already reached their destination, the aroma from the room made him remember his other urgent need before getting Maga.

”Why, aren't you Ling?” The surprised voice made Ling reluctantly take away his gaze from the food on the nearby table.

”Sister Tala!” The boy was happy to see this person. From his experience outside his small village since his first time going out, it was this sister whom he felt the safest with.

”It really is you! Why are you always hungry whenever me meet?” Her question was answered this time by another growl of the boy's stomach.

”Okay, let's eat first while you explain to me what was going on here.”

”Yes. I'm hungry too.”

That garnered a glare from Tala. ”Get your own! There's not enough for you too! Come here, Ling.” And she snatched the boy from man's back, then walked to the table, ignoring the gaping man.