Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION was a man of middle age, with a grey beard, and a loud and hearty voice. But he had been king for fifty years, since the age of seventeen. He was well accustomed to being king, and to giving orders, and to seeing them obeyed. He came with a Captain of Guard and ten men. His daughter Nara fol- lowed a little in the rear. He started with a roar almost before he had passed through the broken doorway. “Though you are all my guests, and though I have given you this wing of the palace for your use, yet, after all, this is still my palace, and I mean to have no executions, or secret trials, or murders in it. You, sir!’ He pointed to Captain Karan. “Tell your men to give up pointing their weapons in my direction.” As Karan did so, the king’s eye roamed round. “Ah, my young fighting cocks,” he exclaimed, ob- serving the eight young Argo- lan youths. “Put those swords away.” This order also was obeyed. This left only James stand- ing, tall, black and ominous, legs astride, and weapons levelled. The King looked in his direction. “Whose servant are you?” At this point I began to feel 42 a hope of success, for, unless things had not gone in accord- ance with the plan, then James had already talked to the King, and the King knew who he was. So the King was acting a part. “I am the servant of Prince Niklas,’ James answered. “Ah!” the King exclaimed. “Niklas, my dear chap, tell this thing of yours to put his blasters down and to get out.” “hk regret,” sh -tephed. "Tt cannot. I have just been on trial; arrangements were being made to have me killed. The robot is my only protection.” “On trial? To be killed?” The King gave an excellent imitation of a man who is amazed, astounded. ‘‘What is this, Tomos?’’ Tomos proceeded to give a swift resumé of the situation, but the effectiveness of his recital was spoiled when the King interrupted. “The real facts of this swordplay are that you for- bade Niklas to kill any of | my people, but did not forbid him to fight, and let no one know of your order. I dis- liked the flavour of that business when I first heard it, Tomos, and [ like it less now. As to this affair with a ‘woman at the court,’ as you call it, be assured that I know ~ comicloooks.conn