Free The Continent Makers and Other Tales of the Viagens by L. Sprague de Camp Page B

burn down to the water and then lie sloshing, a waterlogged hulk, as would most ships. The weight of the machinery would take her to the bottom.
    Prince Ferrian wormed out of his remaining clothes and struck out for shore, keeping the blazing Kerukchi between him and the Alashtir. The fresh afternoon breeze blew a long streamer of smoke down over him, making him cough and swallow water but also helping to hide him. The customs of Darya being what they were, he could go ashore as he was without fearing arrest for impropriety.

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    A ten-night later the merchantman Star of Jazmurian docked at Sotaspé, and Prince Ferrian, followed by two men carrying a large box, came ashore. Those who saw him almost fell over with astonishment.
    “Your Serenity!” babbled a man. “We all thought you dead! Your cousin Prince Savarun is about to declare your eldest son Prince Regent . . .”
    “We’ll soon fix that, my good fellow,” said Ferrian. “Get me an aya! I’m for the palace.”
    After the excitement had died down, Prince Ferrian made a speech.
    “First,” he said, “my thanks to my dutiful subjects who have kept the kingdom running so faithfully in my absence. How many rulers could go away for years and return to find their thrones still their own?
    “Second, you know that we’ve suffered a grievous loss. Our sacred relic, our king, is no more. However, I had a replica made of wood in Darya, which will be used in place of the true king. I got the idea from a lawbook I read while among the Terrans.
    “Third, polygamy is hereby abolished. While I appreciate the devotion my wives have given me these many years, there are sound reasons against the institution. I might mention that petty jealousy among my wives caused my great design to fail. (No, no, Tánzi, stop your weeping. You’ll be taken care of.)
    “Fourth, since my plan for industrializing Sotaspé has failed, I’ve been forced to find a substitute. Why, thought I, should we strain every nerve to steal the secrets of Terran science? Why not develop our own? While reading that book on the history of Earthly law I learned of a system whereby the Earthmen have long promoted knowledge and invention on their own planet. ’Tis called a patent system, and as soon as the Privy Council can work out the details, Sotaspé shall have one too . . .”

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    Abreu, wearing the slightly smug air which success always conferred upon him, reported to Comandante Kennedy on the outcome of his foray into the Sadabao Sea. He ended: “Far be it from me to brag, Senhor William, but thanks to the efforts of the good Herculeu and myself, the most dangerous threat in years against the technological blockade is now over, smashed, finished!”

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    And a few ten-nights later Prince Ferrian, who loved speechmaking and public appearances, stood at the head of the great flight of marble steps in front of Coronation Hall. Before him knelt a shabby little Sotaspeu with his arm in a sling. Ferrian, in stentorian tones, read a proclamation:
    “. . . our subject Laiján the carriage-maker has combined the glider wherewith the mainland sportsmen amuse themselves by soaring through the air with the fireworks wherewith we celebrate astrological conjunctions, to create a new and useful device, to wit: a rocket-powered flying-machine with which one can fly like an aqebat whither one wishes. Although the range of the device be yet short, and its control be yet imperfect (as you see from Master Laiján’s broken arm) these difficulties shall be overcome in time.
    “Therefore I, Ferrian bad-Arjanaq, Prince of the Realm, do confer up you, Laiján bad-Zagh, Patent Number 37 of the Sotaspeo patent system, together with the rank of knight in recognition of the outstanding quality of the invention.”
    He touched the kneeling man with his scepter. “Rise, Sir Laiján.” He hung a medal around the little man’s neck. “And now,” he finished, “let a full holiday be declared, with feasting and