7.2 WHITE AS FUR

  All was white, high above and down below. Everything around Tikum was the color of bleached bone, of pristine ivory. The Black Dog struggled to free himself but as soon as he did, he realized it was useless. There was nothing substantial to hold on to. All was smoke.

  Tikum sighed and then shook his head. If things take a little more time, it would be in his favor. After all, he still had something under his sleeves, so to speak. The amulet and talisman were still safely hidden on the folds of his lubid belt. The problem was both were useless. He tried to activate the two again, but the twin artifacts just glowed and nothing followed. It ate at him to know he could not fully use them yet. Both were used up after Tikum applied its rejuvenating properties on his injuries and to the Raguetanons. Aside from that, Amburukay also harnessed the braided necklaces' magic to reinvigorate her waning powers, prolonging the cycle of restoration for the two artifacts of magic even more. Tikum sighed again and erred on the side of caution, remembering what happened to the asog who tried to exploit the amulet and talisman. Impatience would do him no good. Maybe he could find a better way to get out of this mess. He raked his mind for any solution, but all possible solutions seemed too elusive at the moment.

  Tikum clawed at the mist in front of him and a strange energy pulsated on his skin. It felt like he was in a Dream realm again, falling from some great height but not quite landing. A very bad dream. He wasn't dead yet. But even that he wasn't sure of.

  Tikum cursed.

  He didn't know where exactly he was. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was the old man veiled by the trees shadow. The strange senile fool must've done this to him. He looked around. The wispy mist around him felt familiar. The fog, the answer struck him. He was still in the fog. He paused as his heart drummed frantically all the while trying to figure out what to do next. The old man must have hexed him. That was it! He again tried his best to look for a quick exit, but he still couldn't find one. Then, he heard the sound outside. It was dull, deep and almost rhythmic to the ears. At first, he thought it was just inside his head. But it continued on and finally he recognized what it was– the sound of hooves! But it was all muffled by the very thick smoke that enveloped him.

  Hope pushed him on as he mustered enough courage to speak. "Where are you taking me?"

  He didn't expect anyone to answer and was pleasantly surprised that someone did. "Silence, you dunce. Silence before I change my mind and give you a beating." The voice wasn't gravelly, but it sure sounded like it came from deep underground.

  "Who are you?" Tikum said. "Where are you taking me?"

  "Oh, quiet down. If you do not stop chattering about–"

  "Help! Someone out there! Help!"

  "Silence." As soon as the word was uttered the mist dissipated, leaving Tikum falling on the ground. The Black Dog cursed, landing awkwardly on the rocky path.

  He did a quick scan of his surrounding. He was no longer at the foot of Mount Laon and the sun looked as if it had moved too far in the horizon. Instead of the forested area they arrived in, he was now on a valley east, near the middle of the Exalted One's domain. He struggled with his breathing. The air was thinner here, perhaps a higher elevation than what he was used to. He scrambled up as nimble as a monkey, but magic moved swiftly. As though animated by hidden hands, thick abaca twines wrapped around Tikum's limbs, rendering him immobilized in a blink of an eye.

  "Tut. Tut. Tut." Beside him, an old man riding a panigotlo shook his head in disapproval. "Do not move yet. I am thinking, stranger." He took the tobacco cigar off his mouth, blowing out a steady stream of ghostly smoke.

  Tikum swallowed a curse but he let it sink down his throat as the old man's giant steed moved its lichen covered prongs to face him. Then, the creature, that stood about eight feet tall or so, bowed low enough that its wet nose almost touched Tikum's bare face. With glowing eyes, the deer-like mount regarded the bound man with curiosity. Its bristled-neck relaxed and the color of its fur changed from red to milky brown. Tikum wiggled away from the musky creature. He didn't like the enormous thing. Generally speaking, he didn't like anything that had hooves big enough to punch a hole through him. Suffice to say, he wasn't a big fan of being trampled by those things to bits.

  "This little runt seems to like you." The old man rubbed the panigotlo's tawny fur behind its speckled neck, making the beast drop its hind legs and letting its rider jumped off as spry as a civet cat to the ground.

  "Where are you going?" he said as Tikum tried to escape, moving like a worm about to be pecked to death by a hungry rooster. The Black Dog snarled at the old man as he barred his way with his foot.

  "I asked you something," the old man said, "you should show some courtesy and answer back... politely." He gave his tobacco cigar a long suck before blowing out small circles of smoke at Tikum's face.

  Tikum eyed him, coughing profusely. It was the same fellow who snatched him from his companions. The same old man that leaped from the fog, riding of all things, a panigotlo. Tikum didn't like him already. He studied the man's face, his features were ancient and there was a subtle hint of magic around him that made the Black Dog more wary than usual. Tikum did not also like how he occasionally glanced back at him with his sharp brown eyes. There was something in them that made him uncomfortable. And it wasn't old wisdom alone. Tikum hissed. He was clearly a villain crafty enough to distract Amburukay. Oh, and hiding in the mist to surprise the Black Dog? Clearly a wily foe.

  Apart from the obvious, both him and his panigotlo reeked like trouble too. As if on cue, the creature whinnied, shaking its branch-like prongs. It exhaled deeply and the smell of wild flowers filled their proximity.

  The old man soothed the panigotlo, rubbing its side. "Do you sense something? Don't be skittish girl... I'm here... Okay, I won't tarry anymore."

  Tikum balled his fist. This old man, whoever he was– was delaying his pursuit of Sri Kihod. He was inadvertently endangering Tikum's daughter. And the fool was another unknown factor in all this mess. He must be dealt with accordingly, Tikum told himself. As soon as he could.

  "Back to more important things. I asked you something, " the old man said but Tikum looked away.

  The old man smiled. "You suddenly turn into a mute?" He put his tobacco cigar out. "How very convenient! You know, you are a curious case. Not the usual kind of people who frequent this area," he said. "My little companion here–" He placed a hand on the panigotlo's mane. "–can sniff out evil. Odd talent but very helpful in my work. But somehow–" He paused thinking of the specific word to use but it eluded him at the last second.

  "Maybe I'm wrong." He turned away, grumbling something too faint for Tikum to hear. For awhile, the mangy-looking timawa's captor ignored him, focusing on his steed instead. The creature was indeed skittish, as though it was spooked by some unknown thing. The old man tried his best at divining his creatures actions, but could not even get closer to the truth.

  "This and his ilks are the ones who suffer from humanity's follies first," he said, not particularly addressing Tikum. " Yes, this poor innocent things," he said before starting to complain about how precious and rare the panigotlo was. After that, he droned on and on about its beauty, making snide comments about how egregious humanity's ignorance was. He continued for a while, extrapolating how men killed and plundered nature and its wild creatures just for petty greed. Man, the old stranger said, was an insecure fiend that made foul even the most beautiful of nature's creation. A putrid excuse of a beast, he spat the words. He sighed as he lead his steed near the grasses to graze. "The worst of them all," he added, turning to Tikum. He seemed to remember the Black Dog and so he went back to him, uncomfortably close. Unlike the panigotlo, his breath reeked of betel nut, arak and magic combined.

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  "Are you like those men?" the old man said, showing all his black teeth.Using his aquiline nose, he sniffed the air around the former timawa and spoke,

  "You smell like a wet dog." The old man drew away, crossing his arms behind his thick white robe before Tikum could retort back. "But you don't have any chaos magic in your bones," the old man added. "Foul smell, on the other hand, yes. That at least I am sure of. But that doesn't really mean anything."

  "So, you'll let me go?"

  "Man do not need magic to murder. Nor destroy."

  Tikum eyed him. "But magic just makes it easier, right?" He struggled with his binds, but they were far too durable than he thought. He gave up.

  "Hah. Does thou envy what thyself do not possess?"

  "Oh, enough of this quack nonsense! I didn't do anything to you! Why–"

  "You were the first to run."

  Tikum snapped his head towards the old man, eyes seething in anger. "I don't like what you're getting at. I'm no coward..."

  "Oh, no one said you were. Why would you bring that up."

  "I was just looking for a better position. I wasn't planning on ditching anyone back there. I'm never running away again."

  The old man sneered. "Sure."

  Tikum scowled. Honestly, though it was the fatigue impairing his good judgement earlier. He just got through a fight with a giantess and then before that. Well, anyone would understand. But there was no denying that physically he felt so burned out. The emotional toll of everything happening to him this past few months was chipping away at his core too. He felt as though he was tethering on a frayed rope whose threads were slowly tearing away every second. He wanted to slow things down. He needed to catch up. He gritted his teeth. He can't do anything about it now.

  "You think I have anything valuable with me?" he said mockingly but the old man's face remained stoic. "Is that why you took me? Oh, you foolish old fart."

  "Hah, that is another way of seeing it. But no. You were just easier for me to catch. I did not single you out from the rest of your gang of timawas, you egotistical bastard."

  "What?" Tikum screamed. "What did you say?"

  "I would've taken anyone. I just wanted to ask one of you a simple question."

  "You should've taken someone else then!"

  "Everyone else huddled behind that buruhisan woman! Was she a manghihiwit?" He smiled, seeing Tikum's face confirm his deduction. "That one, was dangerous. Strong-willed and stubborn as any. Not as strong as I, but still." He went silent all of the sudden. "Was she by chance, using the Exalted One's powers? You know... channeling it?" His bushy brow arched. "Oh my... Perhaps, she was the one who alerted our little panigotlo friend! Oh, my, indeed."

  "Wait, all of this, is for a damned question? Do you snatch people every time you're curious about something?"

  "I'm not here to answer your questions. You're here to answer mine. Who sent you here?"

  "No one did," Tikum said. "There, wasn't that simple?"

  "Why did you trespass the Exalted One's domain?"

  "We didn't intend to–"

  "Wait, let me guess..." The old man raised a finger to shut him up. "Clearly you do not seek power like the babaylanons that came here for my master's blessings." He started pacing back and forth, dragging his pristine robe with him. "And it is not time for the harvest prayers yet. Nor is it the season for pilgrimage to strengthen ones' anting-anting." He placed a foot on Tikum's chest. "Why are you here, stranger? Declare your dark schemes!"

  "I–"

  "Shushhhh. Let me think... You don't look like a shunned priestess of the Ivory Temple." He stared at him from head to foot. "Or are you? Speak honestly!"

  "Could you let me finish first–"

  "Aye, but be careful. For every lie you utter will be a limb I break, trespasser."

  Tikum sighed. This was getting him nowhere fast. He had to tell the truth. "I'm here to get my daughter back, simple as that."

  "Daughter? I saw no child here. More lies! Why did the seven-headed dragon beneath Mount Laon stir when you arrived? It has awaken and that is no coincidence!"

  "I don't even know what you're–"

  "Do you intend to bring the apocalypse to Buglas? Who sent you to free it? You do not comprehend the effects of your actions, mortal. Worse things will happen if you continue."

  "What's this about a dragon? What're you talking about? And who in Sidapa's name are you?"

  The old man leaned towards Tikum. "I'm just a tobacco farmer. No one of importance."

  "A farmer who knows magic?" Tikum raised both hands, presenting the abaca twines that wrapped around his limbs as though it was enough evidence to support his point but the old man seemed to disagree. "Yeah, sure, No-One-of-Importance."

  "Again, I don't need to answer. As you expertly pointed out, I'm not the one who's tied up. So, who are you, stranger?"

  "A nobody."

  "A-Nobody, that seems fair." The old man chuckled. "Come to think of it... you do look like a nobody and a-no-good as well. Hah."

  "You look like you're too satisfied with yourself. Now, that were introduced, could you unbound me? I have a daughter to find."

  "No. No. Look for her somewhere else! The dragon will wake and trample this land. That is why I must find who's making all the ruckus. The black sun will soon rise too and creatures of the dark living near the mount will grow strong as well! This place will not be safe even with me by your side."

  Tikum was suddenly alerted. The black sun? Did the old man mean the eclipse? "What day is it?"

  "For you? It is the day to tell the truth. If you are not him. Then, are you in cahoots with the person I'm looking for?"

  "No. How long have I been knocked out?"

  "Long enough for me to think that you were already dead. And I guess I like that better since you are so vexing."

  Tikum cursed in silent. He was still disorientated. He couldn't tell how much time had passed and worst, he didn't know if he still had time to prevent Sri Kihod's scheme. The thought of failing, haunted him. A seed of panic and anxiety grew inside Tikum. He had to do something about it. And he had to do it now.

  "You look pained..." the old man said as he eyed Tikum.

  "Gi-atay," the Black Dog blurted out.

  "Hmmm?"

  "Okay, I'm sorry. We started off on the wrong foot... I was supposed to find my daughter, Ukok. I'm Tikum Kadlum of Ananipay." He paused. "A fiend of a man took her from us. Perhaps out of spite. Or petty vengeance. We had before the eclipse to do get her back from him– before the black sun that you speak of rises. And–"

  "Hah. Then, you have a day or two. Enough time. Or so I think... time here is, how do I put it? Relative? Yes, yes that it can be. Lord Laon wills it to be."

  "So, from how things are going I'm thinking that you'll actually set me free?"

  "You look untrustworthy. But you seem to speak the truth about your daughter." The old man cleared a phlegm off his throat. "I'll try to find her if I get the chance. You, on the other hand, must go."

  "No... No... No..."

  "That is final and not for negotiation. If she is indeed here, then, she is good as dead if the seven-headed dragon awakens."

  "Gi-atay!"

  "I am doubtful if I can still find the perpetrator of this whole mess. So, you must flee before it tears up the seams between the realms. But I will stay. I must stop it. It is always I. Always. Had this old bet with the king you see–"

  "Stop! Let's not get off topic here."

  The old man seemed to not hear Tikum as he continued, "told the king that I could save his kingdom... Of course, I was young then. Very mischievous. Played stupid pranks on other people. One day, pride got the better of me. I wagered everything I had. Told him I could save his kingdom."

  Tikum made a face, confused with all he was talking about. But there was no stopping the old man.

  "There was another man who came with me... really long story..." He shook his head and grumbled something Tikum could not hear. "He got the better of me. And I, poor Lokangan, utterly failed. But that was not the worse..." The old man sighed. "Then, I found out that the king was just wearing a false-face! A magical glamour. Who would've known that he was a devata? And the Exalted One at that! Can you even tell a man from a god these days? No? Me neither! So, poor Lokangan becomes his eternal servant–"

  "Hey, old fool!" Tikum said, struggling with his binds. He had to try. Perhaps, intimidation would be a better way. "You will not stop me from saving my daughter. You either help me. Or get out of my way you fuc–"

  With sudden focus the old man Lokangan faced Tikum. "You know, I could just push you off from one of the cliffs here. I have spare time. Could do it before I stop the monster under Mount Laon..."

  Tikum paused as he looked old Lokangan in the eyes. "Wait. Shit! Shit... Shit... Shit!"

  "Do I have it on me?" Apo Lokangan rubbed his whole face. He looked more disappointed when he found nothing. "Do you feel better with all that cussing around, mortal?"

  "I just realized something," Tikum said. "And it couldn't be more obvious!"

  "Well, go on..."

  "You were talking about waking the dragon of Mount Laon earlier... tearing the seams between the realms?" He smiled. "When the black sun rises?"

  Apo Lokangan nodded his bare pate. He still didn't understand him. The Black Dog was an odd creature for him. Even more odd compared to his panigotlo. And he wasn't making any sense. Tikum, on the other hand, could not stop laughing as things dawned on him. Luck was still at his side as things fell according to their proper place.

  "I don't believe it," he said. "Gi-atay! I think I know who it is you're looking for, old man."

  "Who? What do you mean?" Apo Lokangan grabbed Tikum by the throat. "Speak clearly!" he said, not realizing the irony in his words.

  Tikum smiled, struggling as Old Lokangan's grip grew stronger. "I think I know his plan!" the Black Dog said. "I know Sri Kihod's grand plan!"

  "Sri Kihod? Nonsense!"

  "Do you want to find out or not?" Tikum said with a glint of triumph at the corner of his eyes.

  "Of course, fool!"

  "Then, I guess you know what to do."

  The old man backed away from Tikum as he raised his bound hands. Right then, Tikum knew he had the upper hand against the old man. "Release me now!"

  Apo Lokangan drew his spidery hands away from him. "Free you? Why so?"

  "So, I could cramp the Lord of Manghihiwit's style and get my daughter back!"

  Apo Lokangan's enormous ungulate mount bleated, nodding its pronged head a few times as though it was in support of the Black Dog.

  "I can save all of this, too!" Tikum finally declared. "If I'm not too late, that is. Do we have a deal?"