The Clockwork War by Nathaniel Sullivan

Author:Nathaniel Sullivan [Sullivan, Nathaniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1502952459
Published: 2018-12-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: The Confrontation

You cannot teach those who are unwilling to learn, no more than you can understand something for another. So be a beacon of warm light, not a raging fire that burns others down, and then you will attract those willing to learn towards you.

—The Book of Marr

Nandor marched down the stairs to the ball room with meaning, Nix tagging along irritatingly at his heels.

“Perhaps he isn’t the same man!” Nix protested, attempting to sway Nandor’s temperament.

“Oh, it’s him,” he replied. “At first when you spoke of a nice man offering to help, I thought there was a possibility it was a genuinely kind soul—but now, now I know for certain what that man’s intent was—and let me tell you, it had everything to do with your looks and nothing to do with his talents as a healer…” His mutter grew low. “He took one class in first-aid—one, the same as me. In fact, we took the class together. I know who he is. He’s a flirt—always has been. Likes ladies—loves ‘em in fact, so long as it’s only for a night or two.” He turned to bare a bitter smile. “A real winner. Bet you even fell for his charm.”

Nix didn’t bother to reply, but her silence said more than words.

Nandor entered the ball room, and paused, his eyes searching from person to person. At the far side of the room, he spotted his target. Tall, lean, chiseled, and well-dressed in a proper black and blue suit complete with a red-phoenix embroidery marking his status as a lead headmaster at the college. It was Benjfrost, alright. He hadn’t changed a bit in the time they had spent apart. Although they were nearly the same age, Ben’s face didn’t look worn or weathered, it had only matured. If anything, his looks had improved over time. And his smile—it was as deceitful as ever, but most would have found it charming. Captivating, even. Intelligent eyes. Smart accessories. Successful bearing.

He was a man who had everything lined up—the kind of man most men wanted to be. He probably thought he had it all figured out. His life was good, and it came easily to him. He was happy.

Nandor’s eyes suddenly shifted away, in a rapid wave of shame. Had he really intended on picking a fight with someone whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade? Where was the wisdom in that? Their lives were different, sure, and obviously Nandor would never agree with Ben’s lifestyle of using women for personal satisfaction, and sliming his way to the top by edging out those below him. But that didn’t make Ben a terrible person, did it? Unwise? Perhaps. Nauseating? Sure. But not evil, not cruel. And certainly not the demon Nandor’s mind had turned him into.

He looked to the ground, angered now with himself more than Ben. “This… this isn’t who I am,” he muttered. “Forgive me.”

Nix stood facing Nandor, unsure of how to respond. “What did you plan on doing, anyway?”

The nomad let out a soft snort.

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