Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION seek an answer to the same question ?”’ I asked. “TI do,” said one of his friends. “Tomorrow ?”’ I suggested. *‘Tomorrow,”’ he agreed. I-fought him for an hour next day, and the third mem- ber. of the party on the next. . I stabbed both of them in the right arm, just above the elbow. So there were three young men of the court walking about with arms in a sling. In such a place as this it was enough to cause whispering and smiles—and glances. It even caused me to receive an interesting little note—which I did not answer—and Prin- cess Nara herself, when we met at table, asked me whether I was enjoying myself at the court, “Frankly, no,” I replied. “IT have been much occupied in a task which much re- sembles that of whipping un- mannered schoolboys.”’ I said this rather loudly, and it was Overheard. ‘“‘There are other and pleasanter occupations for which I seem to have no time.” “I believe you have up till now been rather a disappoint- ment to some of the young women,”’ she commented. “What other women?’ I 28 asked, with a great appearance of blankness. “I have seen no other woman since I first saw you.” “Ah! Beautifully taken she applauded. ‘I have never heard a compliment more neatly turned. How fortunate I am to have you as brother- in-law. When I am bored you must come and say such things to me in that delightful Tauron accent of yours.”’ *““Were you not my brother’s wife-to-be, and were you not a Princess, I could say much more even before we become relatives.” “I think you have done sufficiently well and gone far enough in our first conversa- tion.”” She smiled at me sweetly. “Since we are to be brother and sister-in-law, and to know each other all our lives, it would be a mistake to discharge all your conversa- tional artillery in the first minute of our acquaintance.” Which, I’m sure you will agree, is the sort of answer that showed the young woman to be not nearly as dumb as she was beautiful. But I had business on my hands. There were two new applicants for the honour of finishing the life of the best swordsman of Tauron. They sought me out as soon as we 33 ! conmicloooks.com