Free The Four Kings by Scott Spotson Page A

this job contributes value.”
    “That job has already been justified!”
    Amanda stepped in. “We can’t have people talking over one another. We need to take turns. Agreed?” Her voice was shaking slightly. “I’ll also make sure people don’t speak too long.”
    “Thank you, Amanda,” Indie acknowledged. “As I was saying and I quote Adam Smith, ‘It is the highest impertinence and presumption, therefore, in kings and ministers to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expense. They are themselves always, and without any exception, the greatest spendthrifts in the society.’ ”
    “I understand the Liberators love quotes,” replied Feldman, “so I brought my own. It’s attributed to one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, and it says as follows: ‘Democracy is direct self-government, over all the people, for all the people, by all the people.’ ”
    “I know what point you’re trying to make,” Demus said, “And surely you agree that, since you’re here addressing millions of people, this is direct democracy at its best?”
    “The divine right of kings,” Feldman said, shaking his head. “They think they’re above the law.”
    “Well, I disagree,” Indie said.
    “The four kings,” Feldman said with a sneer, “The four philosopher kings.”
    Indie started to point her finger at the labor leader, but Amanda quickly intruded. “I think we need to take a break.”
    “Agreed,” Justica said.
    “By the way,” Feldman shrugged, “the main proponent behind the divine right of kings was Jean Bodin. Just thought you might like to know.”
    Amanda started to push the button. “Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Feldman. We’ll all take a fifteen minute break and get back to the next Petitioner.”
    The screens went blank.
    Regi sighed, “Well, that was something.” He glanced down. The three other wizards, and the Supreme Liaison, looked at him.
    “Everyone hates us,” he said.

Chapter Twelve
    Demus spoke confidently into the screen, perched upon a marble floor firmly ensconced about one mile up into the sky over North America. “Get ready for another rough-and-tumble, no-holds-barred, bloody sports day.” He comically raised his eyebrows. “No, no. I’m not talking about yesterday’s Petition Day.” The other wizards laughed, and even Amanda chuckled. “No. Today is another Games Day, and you’re in for a treat. Today’s Duel Day.”
    “Oh boy!” Indie cried out.
    “What is Duel Day?” Regi playfully queried to Demus for the benefit of millions of Mortals, himself fully knowing the answer. The two jovial young men had set themselves up as a television-friendly tag team.
    “Why, Regi,” Demus enunciated a tad too perfectly, more speaking to the camera than to his comrade, “Duel Day’s where we wizards challenge each other in one-on-one battle. Fully clean, of course. We have different Levels of battle. Level One is combat using basic magic tricks. Using magic above Level One is a no-no and after three fouls, you automatically forfeit the match. The winner of each game goes on to challenge the other winner of the next match. It goes on and on until there’s one winner.”
    “Just like a tennis round robin,” Regi said out loud.
    Demus finished off. “That’s right. Level Four’s the most advanced stage of magic and is unlimited. There’s no limit to what you can do with your imagination.”
    “How do you know what tricks are covered by Level One?” Amanda asked, knowing fully well the cameras were trained on her and her face would yet again appear before millions of Mortals.
    She was starting to love her job, although it proved to be very hectic, dealing with thousands of people seeking a connection through to the wizards. In her sparkling new office, she’d be dealing with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, and in the next five minutes, with the President of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de