Chapter 29: Winning the Hearts Of the People
The next day came as planned, the sun shining bright in the sky casting its radiance over the village. Belk got out of his hut, stretching lavishly as he appreciated the new day. Rather than his usual clothing, he was wearing a white top that draped over him.
The boy yawned, his nose picking up a sweet scent that was carried in the morning breeze, catching his attention. "What kind of meat is that..."
His interest peaked, the curious scientist starting to follow the smell in hopes of seeing what it could possibly be. His eyes landed on a little Aelvarian girl with brown hair sipping noodles from a bowl, her eyes closed as she savoured the sweet lingering flavor.
"Hey, Sylvi, what’re you eating?" The boy asked, trying to hide the drool that would creep past his lips.
Sylvi pulled her bowl away from his prying eyes, her gaze protective of her meal. "Astra gave it to me..."
"Huh? Astra?" He was taken aback, shocked at the mere mention of the technician’s name, his hand coming to his chin as he thought.
’No way she could make something this tasty smelling—she couldn’t even cook for herself!’ His mind played back to the dining hall where she complained about not having proper food in a while, his head nodding as he came to his conclusion.
"Where’s Astra now?" He asked, a sense of urgency laced in his voice now.
"She’s giving wamen to the other villagers!" She announced, pointing to the front of the village where everyone gathered, some skeptical while others had no problem indulging.
"Wamen... is that what it’s called?" He looked down to the delicious bowl Sylvi held in her hand then back to the crowd. His hand raised slightly, clenching into a fist of determination as he marched ahead, leaving Sylvi to enjoy her bowl.
He pushed his way to the front, his hands finally slamming against a makeshift stand Astra made herself, out of one plank of wood and two big rocks with everything she needed behind her.