A Prelude to Nightmares by Max Clarke

Author:Max Clarke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: nature, fantasy, politics, betrayal, transhumanism, sciencefiction

A bitter chill rushed through the room and Calschtott felt cold despite the heat outside.

‘That was cold,’ and he hugged his body for warmth.

Nazair stared at him like he was mad.

‘Cold? I haven’t opened any windows yet, are you sure you’re alright?’

‘Oh, well, I don’t know.’ Calschtott fumbled around for a moment, wondering how to put impending and very sharp imperial doom into words. ‘Look… I need to explain…’

‘What?’

Nazair looked suspicious now, the look he had given Calschtott the night outside the village. Nothing good came of that look and Calschtott knew he was to blame. Nazair started pacing slowly back and forth over the tiles, scratching his left arm beneath the robe as if by some unconscious habit. Then he stopped and blinked like he had only just noticed. Calschtott cleared his throat.

‘Look I-‘

Then Nazair was suddenly furious and smashed his hand onto a table.

‘You did it! Didn’t you? You fucking spineless wretch you did it.’

Calschtott raised his arms in defence and backed against the wall.

‘I… no wait... look please-‘

‘It was always the same with you, good fucking intentions all the time but you play the resident state lap dog, always trying to save your own skin.’

Nazair’s narrowed eyes spat spite at him like venom and he just stared in horror at the enemy he had made. He tried explaining but Nazair stopped him.

‘Don’t fucking try,’ the fist swinging in the air like a dart making to find the bullseye.

Calschtott ducked and rolled over the stone tiles until the table was between them. Nazair swung over and Calschtott went down on all fours, clambering underneath and crawling between the chair legs. He felt something grasp his foot and he was pulled by immense strength out from under top. A kick made for the side of his head but he grabbed the leg and swung it over him, causing Nazair to lose balance. It gave him the opening to get out from the table and stand at the other end of the room panting, trying desperately to find something he could defend himself with.

Nazair rubbed the back of his bruised head. ‘Fucking traitor... you’d give up your best friend for your upstart king.’

‘No you don’t see, please I want-‘

The next lunge came faster than he was ready for, just dodging in time to see the fist crack into the wall. The impact left a crater of plaster and stone and Nazair winced as he pulled the fist back.

‘We don’t need to do this!’ Calschtott tried reasoning whilst evading further blows and thrusts. ‘I’m here to help, I screwed up in a moment of weakness but I had no choice, I can save you though!’

He dodged another swipe and battered another punch out of the way.

‘But I can’t save your friend.’

Nazair stopped and Calschtott wondered if he suddenly understood him. The next blow however convinced him he didn’t, but Calschtott was ready and grabbed the arm, surprised at the notched surface beneath the robe, but with no time to think about it he pulled Nazair off balance and his friend went careering into the floor.

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