An Empire Unacquainted With Defeat - Plot & Excerpts
At the time the story was written its world existed principally to support short fiction involving Leiberesque characters Bragi Ragnarson, Mocker, and Haroun bin Yousif. That world had evolved into something much larger, more complex, and deadlier even before this story appeared. An ominous thing was happening at Itaskia's Royal Palace. Aristithorn of Necremnos, the infamous sorcerer, was being cheated by King Norton.The wizard repeated, "Your Highness, your servant is certain he heard the promise of the Princess Yselda's hand to the man who could slay that up-country ogre."Norton asked, "Vizier, did we make that ridiculous promise?""No, Majesty.""You see, wizard?" The King glared. Of course he had made the proclamation—he made it every time a dragon, troll, or other disaster arose—but he had no intention of following through. Never had.Aristithorn sighed. "Ah, so that's the way of it. Hast heard of Ainjar, King of Alfar, Majesty? He cheated Silmagester the Dark—sad, his reward.
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