Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

AS Pe" s “4 me RO POE oe ee ee ee a ee a ee 7 AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION is declared by the Council of the Planet of Tauron that King Tomos, becoming aware of the exceedingly great popu- larity enjoyed here on Argol by his brother, and having learned of the deep affection that has grown up between his brother and the Princess of this planet, which they despite themselves could not conceal, and being desirous above all else of promoting the well- being and good understanding of the two peoples, has con- sidered and offered to us his Councillors that he should abdicate, and that we...’”’ It had all the makings of a good, sonorous, wordy, truth- concealing declaration. The assembled councillors went to work on it while my brother sat and chewed his fingers, and wondered whether this was some sort of nightmare from which he would presently wake up. While they were still talking, the captains of our ships marched into the room in strict order of precedence, saluted stiffly, and were im- mediately put under arrest. It took us half a year to consolidate our grasp on the Kingdom and make my posi- tion secure. During that time any trivial mistake of policy 46 might have sent me tumbling. But we made no mistake; James in his assessment of the situation was unsurpassed. *“Well,”’ I said to him at last one day, “I think we may say that the game is played and won,” “And so now you are King,” James replied; one of the few times he offered a casual comment. “Or perhaps,” I told him pointedly, “you are King, and I am your mouthpiece.” *“That is not true,’’ he ob- jected. “I advise you. You do as I recommend. But I am not King. And [ am not husband of the Queen.” I looked at him sharply. James was quite humorless, of course, but sometimes.... *T think,” I told him, “now is a suitable time to settle a few things between you and me. Tell me, for a start, how do you imagine that affair between the Queen and my- self was discovered ? Who gave the secret away ?”’ “I did,” he answered. “I suspected that. You did it to get me in a spot from which there is no retreat—so that I must advance and seize the kingship, at all costs.” “That is correct,’ he ad- mitted. “Why?” conmicloooks.comn