Free Manly Wade Wellman - Novel 1940 by Twice In Time (v1.1) Page A

like a dove!' Surely such flight would not be
ungodly, unless it were accomplished by the aid of black
magic."
    "Well, Ser Leo?" Lorenzo prompted me. He leaned
back in his cushioned chair of state, crossing one long nobby leg over the
other. His companions grouped themselves gracefully, if sycophantically, around
him. All were waiting for my reply to the abbot's last suggestion.
    " Your Magnificence, there is
no such thing as black magic," I said, "either in my devices, or
elsewhere."
    Every eye widened, and Guaracco stiffened as though I had
prodded him with a dagger. I remembered that he had come close to frightening
me not an hour before, and determined to make some amends to my own
self-respect.
    "Of all human discourses," I elaborated warmly,
watching him, "the most foolish is that which affirms a belief in
necromancy." Guaracco glared, but I did not hesitate. "If this
necromancy, or black magic, did truly exist, he who controlled it would be lord
of all nations, and no human skill could resist him. Buried treasure and the jewels
of Earth's heart would lie manifest to him. No lock,
no fortress could remain shut against his will. He could travel the uttermost
parts of the Universe. But why do I go on adding instance to instance? What
could not be brought to pass by such a mechanician?"
    AS I finished, there was a sigh, a mutter, and finally
Lorenzo struck his hands together in applause. "Well said, Ser Leo!"
he cried. "Do you not think so, Guaracco? Does this not prove that there
are no sorcerers?"
    "It proves, at least, my innocence of the charge of
sorcery." Guaracco smiled, and bowed to give the reply strength. "If I could do such things, would I be so humble and dependent
a servant of Your Magnificence? Surely"—and his eyes found mine once
more—"nothing is impossible to a true necromancer."
    "Nothing," I agreed, "except refuge from
death."
    His smile vanished.
    Lorenzo lolled more easily in his chair. "This
bethinks me," he remarked. "One matter has not been settled. Ser Leo
is a boy, a student of the arts, yet he conquers with ease my nonpareil swordsman.
That smacks of enchantment."
    I spread my hands in one of the free Florentine gestures I
was beginning to use.
    "I make bold to deny that it was aught but
skill."
    "We must make trial." His Magnificence permitted
himself another faint grin. I must have shown an expression of worry, for
Giuliano burst out into confident laughter and sprang forward, hand on hilt.
    "Let me do the trying," he cried, his gay,
handsome face thrusting at me in the white light of the lamps.
    Simonetta's silvery chuckle applauded her cavalier. The
abbot also called for this unecclesiastical performance to take place without
delay.
    Before I well knew what was happening, the chairs, benches
and other furniture had been thrust back, the lamps trimmed to give more light,
and I faced Giuliano in the center of the cleared space. Poliziano had run to fetch
something, and he came close to me.
    "Here, young sir," he said, "defend yourself ." And he thrust a hard object into my hand.
    Giuliano had already drawn his sword and wadded his cloak
into a protection on his free arm. I transferred my own weapon to my left arm, and
at sight of it my heart sank. It was a mere cane of wood, hard and round and of
a sword's length, such as Florentine lads used for fencing practice. Giuliano,
on the other hand, fell on guard with a blade that was one of the finest and
sharpest I ever saw.
    Plainly, I was to furnish sport for this gallant and his
friends, and all the advantages were denied me.
    Because I must, I lifted the cudgel to cross his steel.
Lorenzo grunted. "Your cousin is sinister-handed, Guaracco," he
observed. "Belike that is the secret of his skill."
    "I fear not," said Giuliano, with unmalicious zest,
and he disengaged and thrust at me.
    Apparently he meant business, for the point would have
nicked, wounded my breast had I not shortened my own arm and beat it aside.
Cheers went up from the