The Stricken Field Read Free

except to deceive you and a few who were with you. I reign, as you see. The Four are all still at large, but we shall run them down in time, and they will suffer for their own sins and the sins of all their uncounted predecessors, back for three thousand years. The Almighty is with us."
    Umpily shot a quick glance at that blue chair. It was empty. When he looked back at Shandie again, it wasn't. "But you did have an enthronement . . ."
    "You were there?" Shandie looked surprised, annoyed, and then amused, in fast succession. "My, you are a dedicated old snoop, aren't you? Well, yes, we did. And yes, it was a total fake. It seemed wisest to follow the ancient practices until the people can be educated in the new ways. That's all. Why not?"
    "S-s-sire?"
    Shandie's smile broadened at the word. "After all, what they don't know won't worry them. Not everyone will understand the truth at first. People can be misled so easily ... even yourself. What you thought you knew was not very probable, now was it?"
    "No, Sire!" Gods, what a fool he had been! What a witless, misguided, idiot!
    Shandie waved his fists overhead in triumph. "And we shall prevail! The Almighty is with us, and we are his chosen vessels! Can you see the glorious future that awaits us, Umpy? No more will the evil Four crouch in their webs and roll dice with human lives. We are blessed among all generations! We shall see the Impire spread out to the four oceans and all men shall know the benefits of universal peace and tranquility. Did you meet the faun?"
    "Yes, Sire."
    "Did he .. ." Shandie was suddenly very intent. "Did he display his powers at all?"
    "Very little. He made some garments. He claims that he is only a very weak sorcerer now, Sire."
    The imperor nodded, as if that were a satisfying piece of confirmation. "Mm? But do we believe him, eh? Well, no matter. Time will tell."
    With difficulty, Umpily heaved himself to his feet. He had been cut almost in half by his belt and it was wonderful to breathe again.
    Shandie threw an arm around his shoulders. "I shall be the first imperor to rule all the world! And you are my first and truest friend!"
    Umpily was blinded by tears. He had never known Shandie to display such emotion-but justifiably, of course! No more wars? Universal justice and prosperity! It was a staggering, awe-inspiring concept.
    "Sire, Sire! I have been a fool!"
    "But no real harm done. You have missed a few good meals, I expect."
    "Worse! I have been tattling all this time to the imposter!" Hurriedly he pulled the little roll from his pocket. "This is a magic scroll, Sire. The imposter has its companion--"
    Shandie snatched the parchment and opened it. His face darkened. "He limns a fair version of my hand, doesn't he?"
    Umpily had often found his ability to read upside down to be a useful knack. In the brief moment before Shandie rolled up the scroll again, he had made out the message: I am grateful. The Good be with you.
    Insolence! That the evil charlatan should have the gall to invoke the Good! The scroll always managed a superb forgery of Shandie's handwriting, of course.
    "I shall hang on to this," Shandie said thoughtfully. "Have you any idea where we might find him?"
    "None, Sire. I left them all on the boat. I suspected that they were heading for the north shore."
    "And long since departed elsewhere! Well, no matter. They can cause little trouble ... Can they? I wonder what they think they can accomplish. Did you hear any of their vile plotting?"
    "Oh, yes! They talk of setting up a new protocol."
    "A what?" Shandie almost never showed his feelings, but now he turned quite pale with shock.
    "A new protocol, Sire! They hope to bribe all the, er, unattached sorcerers in the world to rally to their cause by promising a new order."
    The imperor spun around and stared for a long moment at that ominous blue chair. He licked his lips. "New order? Was this the faun's idea?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Of course! And what exactly is he promising?" Umpily tried