Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #18 September 2015 | Page 44

“Your scepticism is well-justified, and I would expect it in my Regent. Please get up Manfred. Sit down both of you and take some tea, it’s really rather good. You see, to me, it seems like I have only been gone a few months. Only a score of years ago, Manfred bounced me on his knee. You’ve hardly changed a bit. It’s ten thousand, three hundred and sixty nine years, to be exact.” Manfred and Gamyon sat in comfortable armchairs, which matched the sofa. King Ubadah served them tea. “Biscuits anyone?” This is surreal, having tea with the King and the Regent. You can bet that sparks will fly soon and they won’t be from my staff. Gamyon couldn’t hold back any longer. “If you are who you say you are, where have you been? Explain yourself!” Rather a curt way to behave with one’s king. There will surely be sparks. I remember when Ubadah was a boy, very cute but very moody if he didn’t get his own way. Better try to smooth it out a bit. “My lord, please be so kind as to tell us what you have been doing these last ten thousand years or so. I know that I’ve been very busy. I wouldn’t know where to start.” That should placate him. Manfred managed to glare at Gamyon and get his attention. For goodness sake, take it easy. Ubadah sighed and then began his story. “Everything seems like yesterday to me, because it almost was. Let me start at the beginning. Help yourselves to more tea and biscuits, because this may take some time. Please don’t interrupt!” He looked hard at Gamyon. Gamyon returned his gaze with interest. Manfred smiled. “There’ll be time enough for questions at the end.” Manfred sat back and listened to Ubadah’s story, transfixed as a few more pieces of the 44