The Tales of Tikum Kadlum

2 ISLAND OF SORCERERS

1.2 A DOGGED APPROACH

Tikum leaped over a dead log and slowed his mad dash. Things didn't exactly went as planned but he could always try again as long as Ambu was still in reach. He whirled back at the path he took, sweating and panting like a horse. He knew there was enough distance between him and Amburukay, but he needed to be sure. It was a matter of principle. But as he continued deeper into the forest, the shadows grew darker. So, Tikum closed his eyes and listened in for any sound from his would-be pursuer. He opened it again, surveying his surroundings. Overgrown cogon grass grew in between the trees and only the scant but soft gray light of the moon lit the area. It wasn't much of a light but it was enough for a man like Tikum. More than enough for a sneak-thief that is.

His previous line of work also taught him tricks that he could use in the dark. The Black Dog widened his peripheral vision, adjusting it as steady as he can. A few seconds passed and his eyes were already accustomed to the thick shadows. Just to be safe, Tikum waited a little bit longer. It always paid to be patient. After all, the dark can hide many things. A long span of silence passed and his heart slowed its frantic beating. Nothing and no one hounded the Black Dog this time.

"Good thing she didn't follow," Tikum whispered, dropping his tensed shoulders. Then, he exhaled deeply as though a heavy weight was lifted away from his chest. For the first time in days, he felt tired, very tired. So, he took his putong off and with it, he wiped the muck that caked his face. "Now, what do we do next, Tikum?" he said as he removed his kangan, careful not to soil the panubok pattern embroidered on it.

He placed the sleeveless jacket on his other shoulder and eased himself on the tangled roots of a molave to let his weary feet rest. Realizing what tree it was, he took his hilt-less dagger to cut a piece of bark from it. After close examination, he placed it on his wounded shoulder.

Tikum cursed at the pain, but that was all he could do. After the sting subsided, he tore a piece of cloth from his head-wrap and used it as a knot to hold the bark in place. He was planning on moving on as soon as he mended the gash on his shoulder, but his fatigued mind drifted.

He thought of the things he needed and wanted to do. There were only few of them, but that didn't mean they were easy. The first one, of course, was rescuing his daughter from the witch. Getting out of the damned island and going back home in Ananipay came close second. And he has to do it before the tides change, leaving too soon would be risking his daughter's life. The sea was still an unforgiving mistress and the rip tides here were infamous. But to do all that, first he needed to reassess his whole approach against Amburukay. He had to plan this out and think it through. She was too powerful. Which was not a surprise in itself. He was, after all, against the best of the manghihiwits, and one of the most ruthless person to walk the winding paths of Vijayas. Amburukay is still one of the remaining gifted ones who could tap to the dark powers of Gadlum, the shadow realm. One of the few who could probably hold herself against a devata and he knew for a fact that the gods of Vijayas weren't push-overs. It was a scary truth he could never deny. He shook his head– too much was at stake. Too many things could go wrong against an enemy far more powerful than any mortal man.

Tikum thought of the tools he could use against her, but nothing seemed to work on someone like Amburukay. They knew each other too well for any of his ploys to succeed. Familiarity made it harder to surprise her.

After three long years, Amburukay seemed to pick up new tricks too. Things she could never have learned from their former master, Sri Kihod. It was clear when she outwitted Tikum to get Ukok. Stealing her at the dead of the night was unexpected. Night raids were not exactly Amburukay's forte but she did it flawlessly. He grumbled a curse, promising not to do the same mistakes again.