Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION I interrupted, “but I have not asked you for a prophecy of doom. I have given you an _ instruction to protect me.” “Sir,” the robot said, “I am indicating to you the im- possibility of carrying out your orders with complete success. I estimate that the chances of your living another ten years more, even with the protection I can afford you, are about one in a hundred. Without my pro- tection, you have one chance in fifty of living another three years.” “You tend to be rather ex- cessively mathematical for me,” I told him. “‘Of course, I realise quite well that you cannot carry out such an instruction with the same cer- tainty as you can take my sword away and retemper it. I understand also that sooner or later brother Tomos will do me down. But if by means of your protection I can live another ten years instead of three, I shall consider my order sufficiently complied with,” “Very good, sir,” the robot conceded. “Now, for your protection I must ask you to conform to certain rules.” “Such as?’ I asked. “You must practice to be- 20 come a more expert swords- man.” ‘But already I’m considered to be one of the best in the nation.” “That opinion is incorrect, sir. Such assurances have been mere flattery. There are perhaps a dozen noblemen who could kill you within five minufes. And further, you must be prepared within a year or so from now to meet some of the swordsmen of Argol.”’ “Why should I fight any man from Argol?” “Your brother is bound to continue the programme of conquest started by your father. Even if he himself were unwilling, his noblemen would force him to it. Fur- ther, you have a powerful space navy, whose captains are fretting for glory. Before he can start such a programme, however, he must have an alliance with Argol. He will seek this by means of marriage with the daughter of the ruler of the chief nation of that planet. Thus there will be much coming and going be- tween us and Argol. Thus it will be easy for your brother to draw you into a fight with one of their young men. Or perhaps your brother’s wife, conmmiclooolkks.com