The Tales of Tikum Kadlum

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In the islands of Vijayas, magic and monsters abound. Here, victory does not come to the strong, nor to the swift, but only to the most sly. And Tikum "The Black Dog" Kadlum might just be the craftiest of them all.

A former timawa and all-time scoundrel, the man himself is no stranger to the arcane and the mysterious things hidden in the Great Archipelago. He's been through it all, betraying and scamming his way from one adventurous caper to the next. Now, he just wants to return to his hometown with his daughter, Ukok, and live a peaceful life. But things are about to change when the Black Dog starts a cat and mouse chase against Amburukay, the queen of the manghihiwit...

Follow Tikum and Ukok journey through the lands of Vijayas and avoid the clutches of a sorceress with a grudge to settle, steal from a powerful babaylan and her bagani sister, slay hungry monsters, fight against bandits, outsmart a cunning foe, escape from a few killers here and there. And perhaps, defeat someone as strong as a demi-god.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This novel is a mash-up of sword and sorcery and dark fantasy set in the Pre-Hispanic / Pre-Colonial times of the Philippines long before THE SONGS OF STRIFE story. With excerpts from A Study of Our Baganis by Lamberto Aguilar

Disclaimer:
Some names used in the story are taken from the Suguidanon Epics of Ilo Ilo and Panay. But they are, in no way, accurate representation of the actual characters of the epic chants. If you like to read short stories with overarching arcs this one is for you!