Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

HIDDEN TREASURE OF KALIN ruins, feeling their way in the dim light of the stars. Shadows followed them, but the thumming bows of the warriors prevented an attack. The Reader grumbled as he walked, still not wholly aware of what he had found and left behind. He carried a single book beneath his arm, one he had snatched as he ran from the great room, and he cried out as he fell, the book falling into the darkness. “The Book,” he babbled. “Help me find the Book.” “No time,” snapped Kalin. “Hurry.” “You must have time. You .’ The old man gulped as flame rose behind them. “The torch,” he whispered. “TI for- got the torch!” Desperately he grabbed at the young king as he pointed towards the rising flames. ‘Save the Books !” “No.” “But that great treasure, it's burning, it’s being lost for ever.” Tears ran down the old man’s cheeks. ‘Save the treasure.” “Treasure?” Kalin shrugged and lifted his right arm against the stars. “This is my treasure.” He touched the sword at his side. “And this.” He gestured to the groaning men and sweating horses. “And these. ‘These things are real: I can touch them, understand them, know them for what they are. Of what use are words to me?” “But the Books?” The Reader stared at the red-lit horizon. “What of the Books ?” “Let them burn,” said Kalin, and rode on into the night. Behind him the flames climbed higher. comicloooks.comn