Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

HIDBEN TREASURE OF KALIN Kalin halted and stared down at it with sombre eyes. “"This treasure,” he said to the Reader. ‘“ Where is it?” “IT don’t know, but the Trader said that the clans were using the Books for fuel.” “They found a better use for them than we did, then,” said the king dryly. He stiffened as a thin thread of smoke rose from among the shattered buildings. ‘‘Morry, Sen, Willie.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. ‘Take men and enter, sweep and cut. ‘Twangers ready but hold. Whistle when ready.” The three he had named erunted, and each touched a couple of men _ on_ the shoulder. Silently they slipped into the ruins, bows ready, and vanished from sight. Kalin gestured again. “Drop. Watch and wait.” Together the horses moved slowly towards the edge of the city, the warriors fanning out and circling the mounts. 83 Even though he didn’t under- stand what they were doing, the old Reader could admire their efficiency. Tensely they waited while the sun crawled towards the horizon and shadows began to thicken be- tween the buildings. From somewhere came a thin whistle, and Kalin ex- ploded into action. “On,” he snapped. “Open and take. Hold until told.” Swiftly they advanced, bows ready and arrows tight against strings. The old man groaned as his mount jarred his sore bones, then forgot his discomfort as they broke out into a small clearing between the ruined buildings. A fire burned steadily on a slab of uneven concrete, and around it two score men and women sat, tense with fear, as they stared at the circling warriors. They were wild, shaggy, dressed in garments of a short brown fur. The men had beards and wore knives at their belts. Kalin wasted no time. “You.” He pointed at a comicloooks.com