Yes! It was the other markings, the ones just placed upon him. Abrafoa had called them weak magic, and they moved easily. In short moments he made quick work of one, shifting his skin until it broke and peeled away. Sensation returned quickly to his chest again, and his own markings began their familiar dance. Concentrating he worked upon the second symbol. It twisted and then gave, untying like a knot undone and dripping away. And then there was pain. Terrible pain flooded his body as the markings on his chest swirled about furiously. The lines and arcs began to fit into each other, falling into place, creating a symbol before going still. He braced for what he knew would come next.
Makami heard his own screams as fire erupted from his chest. He did not seem to burn, but the heat was more intense than anything he had ever felt. The thing that emerged from him was shrouded in flames, and he imagined that whatever place it came from was an endless inferno. Its massive bulk towered into the night, like a flaming beacon in the darkness. Unknown symbols like writing adorned the skin of its pale and reddish muscled body which slightly resembled that of a man. Its head had no face or features of any kind, only a crown of endless horns. Where forearms should have been, its arms extended into two large blades of bone that glistened like steel.
By now, Master Dawan’s prayers had ended, and all had gone silent, bearing witness in awe to the nightmare before them. The first person Makami heard speak was the man who stood over him. It was a whispered prayer as the great being swiveled a horned head to look down at them with its eyeless face. It raised one of its arms and there was a blur as the great blade came down swiftly. Makami felt the knife at his throat fall away, along with the half of his captor that held it. The man had been sliced in two, the heated blade from the being cauterizing the wound so well that no blood splattered.
At sight of his companion’s demise, another of the men cried in fear and made as if to run. There was another blur of the creature’s arm came down, this time cutting cleanly in one stroke from head to crotch, impacting heavily against the sand which was sent up in a billowing cloud. It shifted its horned head then to Abrafo.
The big man stared up at the behemoth that dwarfed him, his sword hanging limply at his side. He turned to Makami, a look of absolute wonder in his eyes. Then, as a familiar smile crept across his rapt face, he uttered one word.
“Magnificent!”
It was his last, before the great being lifted a thick flaming leg, looking somewhat like an elephant’s only ten times as big, and brought it down, crushing the man beneath tons of flesh and flames. It stood there for a moment, seeming to exult in its kills. And then it turned that horned and faceless head to those that remained.
Master Dawan had long ago scrambled towards his family, and now spread his arms protectively against his daughters, as if that could possibly shield them. The great being gazed down at them hungrily, lifting its blade with murderous intent.
“No!” Makami was surprised that the cry came from his weakened lips. He was even more amazed when the great being turned to stare at him, with its odd eyeless gaze. Whoever wields the magic . . . he recalled.
“It is the skin that is magic. And as the markings are drawn onto my skin, I hold power over them—I hold power over you.” The great being reared up—the flames that shrouded it flaring in anger. It stalked forward, in two giant steps coming to tower above him. Makami could feel its terrible heat fierce upon his skin, but he continued. “I hold power over you! And I command, you leave them unharmed!” Makami knew his words would have sounded stronger if he was more certain, and they didn’t come in ragged breaths. He was not sure what he expected to happen next. This monster could kill them all.
But instead, the great being did the unexpected, suddenly dropping to one knee and bowing deeply. Makami grimaced as words emanated from that face without a mouth, echoing in the still night and ringing within his ears. The language was unlike anything he had ever heard and it pounded against his skull. But he understood it all the same.
As you wish.
Makami released a breath of relief, his body shuddering. “Go back,” he said hoarsely. “Return from where you came. I command you.”
The great being’s return through the doorway in his chest was painful, as it always was. But when it had gone the markings broke apart again and returned to their usual movements. Eyeing Master Dawan and his family he could see their awestruck faces. Kahya too glared with wide eyes. And he thought that perhaps, for the first time, he had impressed her. Those were his final thoughts before darkness claimed him and he could think nothing more.
* * *
Makami fitted the straps onto the remaining mjaasi tightly. They had set the other mounts free into the desert, to erase all traces of Abrafo and his men. But he had kept this giant lizard as his own steed. It would serve well in his coming travels.
“Take more water than that.” He looked to find Kahya offering him yet another pouch.
“I cannot take it all from you,” he said. She wrinkled her unveiled face at him.
“Do not be foolish. I would not have us die of thirst in the desert. I offer it to you because we have enough to last us and know where to find more.”
Makami took it, smiling his thanks. Despite all that had occurred, her demeanor towards him had not changed greatly. He was
