Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION workers. He worked night and day, unregarding of his personal needs. The once rounded, boyish cheeks be- came thin and bearded; his eyes steady and fanatical in their gaze. ONE AFTERNOON, SEVERAL months later, he stood with his band of followers beside him, talking to an attentive audience. The spell of the quiet compelling voice was rudely broken as a troop of heavily armed palace guards rounded the corner with a clattering of hooves. Bearing down on the crowd, they forced their way towards Munson, trampling merci- lessly on those who failed to step aside. Sonlig caught him by the arm. *“Get away while there is still time! The crowd will delay them—anyone in the city will give you shelter.” Munson eyed the approaching soldiers calmly. “No. That isnot the way. This moment had to come, sooner or later.”’ He walked forward to meet the leader of the guards. “Do not harm these people—I am the one you want.” “‘He who calls himself the 88. brother of man?’ said the guard. ‘Munson nodded. “Then come with us. The Khuru demands your pre- sence at the palace.”’ Munson felt the rush of adrenalin to his stomach as the situation he had contem- plated many times closed in on him with the finality of a trap. He raised his arm in a gesture of benediction to the crowd and followed the guard along the street, head held high. , A group of silent Manyhian nobles stood in the great hall of the palace. The golden throne was empty. The Khuru lay on a divan at its foot, writhing in pain. Munson scanned the faces of the nobles, but Rodell was not amongst them. He probably fears that I may implicate him in some way, thought Munson as he was led towards the divan. He looked down im- passively at the contorted features of the Khuru. ““Heal my sickness, brother of man!’ commanded the ruler. Munson smiled and folded his arms. ‘“‘You _misunder- stand, Khuru. I have no supernatural powers—my pa- tients heal themselves.”’ ‘Don’t lie to me, rebellious swine!”’ snarled the ruler, comicloooks.com