Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION presented in proper order of precedence, we found our- ‘selves in the wing of the palace set aside for the royal party. My brother summoned me to him. He was in one of his most royal moods. ““A word to you in con- fidence, brother. It has been a source of great satisfaction to me that of recent years you have earned the reputa- tion of being the finest swords- man of our race; in this you have been worthy of our great father. But while we are on this foreign planet, do not be too quarrelsome; do not be too eager to add to your list of victories.” Perhaps I have not made it clear that my brother was an intelligent man. True, his type of intelligence might almost as well be called cunning, but nevertheless all his acts were directed towards some cal- culated end. I wondered what his devious purpose was in this. “You forbid me, then, to fight any duel while we are here ?’”’ I asked. | “Not at all.”” He waved his hand. “Should I ever ask you to swallow an insult? But let us have no killings. Be gentle with them. You know how necessary it is to win their friendship.” 26 expect. I revolved this instruction in my mind and very soon saw what an ingenious device it was. Now any young spark at the court might challenge me, and might kill me if he could. Since my reputation had, without doubt, preceded me, there must be several who ere eager to try. But I was forbidden to do the like to him. I saw that I was unlikely to find life dull. When I told my predica- ment to James, his prescrip- tion was what one might Constant practice. No alcohol. No late nights. While I agreed with this, I thought it rather a pity, for the young ladies of the court were particularly attractive, and already it seemed to me that one or two of them had turned a dewy and a contem- plative eye in my direction.... But if I wished to remain alive, there was nothing I could do about it—or was there? It was not long before a first test was made of my quality as a swordsman. At the reception given in our honour, three of the young sparks of the court came over to me. I was leaning against a pillar in the main hall, watching the Princess Nara at connicloooks.comn