The Bones of Makaidos

by Bryan Davis

  Mardon stepped forward. “Glewlwyd, I request—”

  “So you know my name, do you?” He pointed his branch. “Let me know yours before you make your requests.”

  “Very well.” Mardon cleared his throat. “I am Mardon, son of Semiramis.”

  Glewlwyd’s eyebrow shot up, but he said nothing.

  “I seek passage to the Bridgelands,” Mardon continued, “in order to provide a great service for all the realms. I intend to find the devil who assumes the body and the great name of Arramos so that I may slay him. He must no longer bring shame to dragons.”

  “A noble task. Impossible, but noble.” Glewlwyd turned to Gabriel. “And who might you be, winged boy?”

  “I am Gabriel, son of Makaidos and Thigocia. I am searching for two friends, and they were last seen here before they disappeared through a portal. We suspect that they might be in the Bridgelands.”

  “I assume you mean Shiloh and Acacia.”

  Gabriel nearly leaped out of his shoes. “Yes. Are they there?”

  “Indeed, they are.” Glewlwyd waved his branch. “Come nearer, and we will go immediately. I have not stood in the snow since the days of Arthur. I did not like it then, and I do not like it now.”

  Gabriel and Mardon stepped close, one on each side of the strange old man. Then, with a quick, snappy motion, Glewlwyd waved his firebrand. Instantly the snow scene disappeared, replaced by a field of green grass and lush forests as well as a surrounding circle of stones.

  Inhaling deeply, Gabriel took in the warm, fragrant air, allowing it to chase away every shiver. “So,” he said as he turned to survey the new scene, “where should we start looking for—”

  “Gabriel!”

  He spun toward the sound. Shiloh and Acacia were riding toward him on a unicorn, but it suddenly stalled, as if frightened. A slight tremble ran across the ground, gentle but noticeable.

  Shiloh slid down and ran, her arms outstretched. Gabriel gathered her into an embrace and pressed his cheek against hers. “Shiloh! Praise the Maker! I finally found you!”

  While they hugged, Acacia dismounted and stood nearby, smiling as she looked on.

  Gabriel studied her petite frame—thin, fragile, almost cadaverous. Although pale and gaunt, her face was still lovely, yet it carried a morbid sort of beauty, like a comely child dying of cancer.

  As another tremor, stronger this time, rolled through the meadow, Gabriel extended his arm. “Acacia, it’s good to see you as well.”

  Acacia glanced at Glewlwyd. He had dropped to his knees and set his palm against the ground, his head tilted upward as if listening. She joined in an embrace with Gabriel and Shiloh for a moment before pushing away, her eyes narrowing. “Your traveling companion looks familiar.”

  Gabriel looked over his shoulder at Mardon. The mad scientist was staring at Acacia, seemingly mesmerized, or perhaps appalled at her appearance.

  Acacia stepped closer to him, her face drooping into a piteous frown. “Hunter, I see you never found your companion. I hope—” She paused and stared. “You look different here … more distinct, more focused.”

  Mardon held out his hand. “I was worried that you would recognize me in Second Eden, but apparently there are no secrets here in the Bridgelands, so I will no longer disguise my voice. My usual voice is hampered by burn damage, but you will likely recognize it.”

  Gasping, she raised her fingers to her lips. “Mardon!”

  “Yes, my child.” Mardon stepped closer and gazed into her eyes. “You are wasting away.”

  Acacia inched back and pulled her tunic higher on her bony shoulders. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I have been ill.”

  A tear slipped down Mardon’s ravaged cheek. “I created your genetic blend. Perhaps I can do something to help you if you will let me examine you thoroughly.”

  “Uh … thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” She shot Gabriel a look that seemed to communicate, “Why are the two of you together?” but she said no more.

  Gabriel stepped between them. “Mardon and I sort of ran into each other while I was looking for you.” He gave his wings a quick shake. “For some reason, I got my body back in Second Eden. Mardon says that Second Eden has now combined with Earth and Hades, so that would explain the change.”

  “And your explanation,” Glewlwyd said, rising to his feet, “tells me all I need to know.”

  Gabriel slid his foot across the grass. “Is that what all the shaking is about?”

  “Indeed, and it will increase to catastrophic proportions. In fact, the portal by which you entered here has already dissolved.” Glewlwyd waved his arm. “Come. The Bridgelands will crumble. We must go to the bridge. It is our only hope of escape.”

  “The bridge?” Acacia said. “It’s in ruins.”

  Glewlwyd’s voice grew animated. “Do not judge by appearances, for salvation often comes in broken vessels.”

  “How far is it?” Gabriel asked.

  “If we hurry on foot, perhaps fifteen minutes by your measurements. If, however, the ladies ride the unicorn and you fly, the three of you will get there more quickly. Mardon and I will get there when we can. We are both already dead souls, so the worst that can happen to us is a quicker entry into our ultimate destination.”

  “The worst is right,” Mardon said. “I hope to convince Elohim that I be allowed into Heaven. My current destiny is one that I would like to avoid.”

  Gabriel flapped his wings and drifted behind Acacia. “I’ll carry her, and Mardon can ride with Shiloh. But what do we do when we get there?”

  Glewlwyd raised a pair of fingers. “You have two choices. You may cross the bridge and go from there to Heaven’s Gate where you may petition for entry into the altar, or you may go into the chasm, which would lead you to Second Eden. The problem is that if you are unable to slow your descent, you will be crushed when you arrive.”

  “I might be able to carry two,” Gabriel said, “but not all three.”

  “Then the ladies should go, and Mardon will cross the bridge with me. That way—”

  “No!” Mardon shouted. “I must return to Second Eden! I must complete my mission!”

  “What mission?” Gabriel asked. “To convince Elohim that—”

  “Never mind.” Mardon thrust a finger toward Acacia. “I know what’s wrong with her, and I can heal her. But if you refuse to let me come, I cannot help, and she will surely die.”

  “But you’re probably as heavy as both girls combined. I can’t carry everyone.”

  “Gabriel,” Acacia said. “Have no fear for my health. I have lived for thousands of years, and I am glad to go to my Lord. Our embrace has been delayed far too long. Take him and leave me to Glewlwyd’s care.”

  Firming his jaw, Gabriel wagged his head. “I will not trade you for this mad scientist! I’d rather leave him here and have you die in my arms!”

  “Then leave me,” Shiloh said. “I’m not afraid to die.”

  A strong tremor raced across the ground, nearly knocking them from their feet. Gabriel grasped Acacia’s arm and helped her stay balanced. “We can’t keep arguing. I’m carrying Acacia and Shiloh, and that’s the end of it.”

  “Then more will perish,” Mardon said, shaking his fist. “Sapphira has identical genetics, so she will suffer the same fate Acacia does unless you take me to her.”

  His words hit Gabriel like a hammer. How could he let both Oracles waste away like this? These twin beacons couldn’t be allowed to fade. No! It just couldn’t happen!

  “Gabriel,” Shiloh said softly as she eased up to him. “Take Mardon and Acacia. After you jump into the chasm, I will wait two minutes and follow. When you land safely, fly back up and catch me.”

  “But what if I can’t—”

  “You will catch me.” She laid her head against his chest. “I trust you with all my heart.”

  Gabriel drew in his lower lip. How could he let her take such a risk? Impossible! Yet, there seemed to be no choice. He had to trade one impossib
le situation for another.

  Laying a hand on the back of her head, he whispered, “I’ll do it. Your faith in me is beyond anything I have ever seen.”

  After getting directions from Glewlwyd, Gabriel flew Acacia to the chasm and waited near the edge for Mardon and Shiloh to arrive. In the distance, the muscular unicorn galloped across the expanse of green, a magnificent sight.

  Another tremor shook the ground. Again Gabriel held Acacia in place. As he grasped her shoulders, the reality of her emaciated state crushed his heart. She was so thin, so frail. How much life could be left in this broken jar of clay?

  As if sensing his dismay, Acacia turned and, staring at him with her still brilliant blue eyes, spoke with firm resolve. “Fear not, Gabriel. Although I am now but dust in the wind, I still have one gift remaining that I might yet use to great purpose in Second Eden.”

  “What gift? And how will you use it?”

  “The gift will remain my secret. How I will use it, I do not yet know, but I assume when the opportunity presents itself, I will recognize it.”

  An even stronger quake rocked the earth. Acacia’s legs gave way, but Gabriel caught her and lifted her into his arms. He beat his wings and hovered in place, now immune to the unstable ground.

  A loud groan sounded from across the chasm, a low, creaking grumble of rocks grinding against rocks.

  Acacia whispered in his ear. “There is a portal here. It’s making me sicker than ever. But my eyesight is sharp, and it appears that the other side of this chasm is coming this way.”

  “The chasm is closing?”

  “Not quickly, but steadily.” She seemed ready to say something else, but she just leaned her head against him and sighed.

  When Shiloh and Mardon arrived, they dismounted and stood with their feet spread apart. Shiloh petted the unicorn and pointed in the direction they had come. “Cornelius, wait here for Glewlwyd. He’ll figure out how to get you to safety. And thank you for allowing Mardon to ride.”

  As the unicorn’s head bobbed, Gabriel studied the splendid creature. The legends revealed that they couldn’t be ridden by anyone but a virtuous maiden. Apparently Cornelius was willing to make an exception for Mardon.

  Gabriel elevated to about three feet off the ground. “Mardon, you’ll have to hang on to my legs, but you’d better hang on tight, because we’ll be dropping like a rock. I won’t put on the brakes until I see the ground.”

  Mardon wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s legs. “I am ready.”

  As he rose higher and lifted Mardon, he looked at Shiloh. She blew him a kiss, but, straining against Mardon’s weight, he could return only a grimacing smile.

  Flapping his wings mightily, he drifted over the chasm. Mardon trembled and squeezed so tightly, Gabriel’s legs ached. The chasm groaned again, and now the narrowing of the gap was easy to see. The bridge drooped farther, and rocks tumbled in from either side. Shiloh crouched to keep her balance. The quake was really rocking this world now.

  Gabriel took in a deep breath. It was time to go for it. He lunged horizontally, then folded in his wings. Instantly, they plunged. Mardon’s weight eased, though his death grip continued. Acacia buried her face in Gabriel’s shirt, but she showed no other signs of fear.

  As the wall on each side raced by, rushing air whistled in Gabriel’s ears. He tried to breathe, but the wind snatched away most of any mouthful he could grab.

  Soon, their surroundings grew dark, too dark to see the walls, much less any sign of ground below. Would he be able to see it in time? Even if he could, would he be able to grab the hurricane-like wind and put the brakes on three hurtling bullets?

  After a minute or so, the darkness faded, and they floated for a moment in a clear blue sky before descending once again. Although they dropped quickly, that brief pause seemed to start the process over again, so the plunge wasn’t as fast as it had been earlier.

  Acacia whispered, “I see the ground, but it’s still far away.”

  “Yep. I’d better start slowing down now.” He let his wings out a few inches at a time and tried to catch a slowly increasing amount of air. The wind beat against the webbing, and everything heated up, from his toes to his face to the tips of his wings.

  The ground drew closer. He stretched his wings farther. The blast of air lessened, and Mardon’s weight seemed to increase until he felt three times as heavy as before. Acacia sagged in Gabriel’s arms. Fingernails dug into his legs. Pain flooded every limb.

  Gabriel gritted his teeth. He had to make it. There just wasn’t any choice. Letting out a loud groan, he spread his wings fully. The raging wind ripped against his canopy. Agony shot from his wings to his spine. Below, Mardon screamed and dug his nails farther in.

  Finally, just a few hundred feet above the ground, they slowed. His wings aching, Gabriel swung the trio into a controlled, spiral fall until they landed in a muddy field. Mardon dragged on the ground for a few seconds until he let go and slid in the mud. Then, settling his own feet, Gabriel lowered Acacia gently to the ground.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said, stretching out his wings again. “Wait for me here.”

  He shot up into the sky. As he rose higher and higher, he searched the blue ceiling, desperately trying to spot the tiniest speck, the slightest hint of a plunging human body. Of course, the greater the elevation, the better chance he had of slowing her down enough to prevent injury, but since she would be plummeting at an enormous rate, and he would be ascending, timing their meeting would take incredible precision. Fortunately, the physics of Earth didn’t match the rules here, and the brief pause would likely work in their favor. Otherwise, he would have no chance of catching Shiloh. She would be dropping much too quickly.

  Once he reached about five thousand feet in the air, he caught a glimpse of a speck much farther above. It had to be Shiloh.

  He hovered for a moment, trying to gauge her rate of descent. Stretching out his wings, he used them as a parachute and descended slowly. As Shiloh approached, he drew them in a little at a time until he dropped in a feet-first plunge. She had spread her arms and legs, slowing her descent just enough to match his.

  When she came within a hundred feet, her face clarified, wide-eyed and flushed. He reached up for her. She reached back, her fingers groping.

  Slowly, the gap decreased. Gabriel glanced down. The muddy field rushed toward them. Acacia was already easy to see, her white hair a beacon of danger.

  Gabriel let out his wings another inch. Shiloh dropped into his arms. Stretching out fully, he slammed on the brakes. Again, agony shot up and down his spine. The base of his wings strained against his back, feeling as though they might rip away.

  Finally, his feet slammed into the mud. The soft turf absorbed some of the momentum, but as he rolled, he couldn’t keep Shiloh from getting a face full of sloppy soil.

  When they came to a stop, he helped her up. Her face, chest, and arms were covered with mud.

  “I’m so sorry.” He tried to wipe her cheeks with his sleeve but managed only to smear more dirt.

  Shiloh laughed. In fact, she laughed so hard she couldn’t speak. She wrapped her arms around Gabriel’s waist and buried her face in his muddy shirt.

  He laughed with her, feeling light and carefree, but only for a moment. As wonderful as it felt to land safely, they had to figure out what they should do next.

  He set his hand on the back of her head and looked at Acacia and Mardon. “So, where are we?”

  Acacia stooped next to a strange plant. With two big leaves pressed against each other and a lump in between, it seemed to be praying. “This is the birthing garden where once-dead people are given new bodies for life in Second Eden.”

  “I guess that means we made it. Is anyone hurt?”

  “I’m fine.” Acacia straightened. “How about you?”

  After breaking his embrace with Shiloh, Gabriel pulled up a pant leg, revealing a long, deep gash. “It looks worse than it feels.”

  “If anyone cares,” Mard
on said as he tucked something away under his tunic, “I am unharmed.”

  Gabriel eyed Mardon. It was better not to trust even his slightest movements. “What are you hiding?”

  “I am hiding nothing.” Mardon withdrew the object, a long strand of white hair. “I persuaded Acacia to give it to me so that I may confirm my theory about her illness.”

  “You can tell what’s wrong from her hair?”

  “And from the skin cells still attached. I believe her genetic structure has been altered. This will be sufficient.”

  Gabriel offered an approving nod. What could it hurt? Maybe he could help Acacia and Sapphira. He looked around at the surrounding field and bordering walls and forest. “So if we can find a place to clean up, maybe—”

  “Oh, my!” Acacia jumped up and away from the plant.

  Behind the two praying leaves, a bright rectangular light flashed, like sunlight shining through a window. As the rectangle grew, its edges drawing away from the center, its brilliance dimmed, and a transparent circle took shape at the focal point, growing at the same rate the entire box expanded.

  After a few seconds, it looked like an enormous sheet of glass, easy to see through, like a window into another world. On the other side, a stooped old man and a unicorn appeared, standing in a room that looked like an old library.

  Shiloh clapped her hands. “Glewlwyd and Cornelius! They’re safe!”

  Glewlwyd bowed. He moved his lips to speak, but no sound came through. As he straightened, his stoop disappeared, his face smoothed out, and his hair filled in, turning from white to brown.

  Gabriel bowed in return. He reached a hand toward the window, but a sharp tingle made him draw it back. “I guess we can’t go that way.”

  “Is that Heaven’s Gate?” Mardon asked.

  Touching her chin, Acacia studied it. “When I last saw it, it was blue, but I recognize that room. It’s the antechamber that leads to the altar. Since the Bridgelands are likely gone now, maybe it’s the same gate.”