Read The Secular Wizard - Wis in Rhyme - 4 for Free Online

Mass," Boncorro finished for him. "It would seem I am not so far gone in sorcery as you yourself, Rebozo, for I can still say the word. Yes, people will go to the priests-but only those who wish to. if Grandfather did nothing else, he did at least free the common folk

from fear of religion and the tyranny of the clergy@nly those who truly believe, or wish to, will go."
    "Satan will scourge the Earth of you!"
    "No, he will not," Boncorro contradicted, "for I am scarcely a saint, Rebozo, and I am not abolishing the law that prohibits the priests, or their services. There is still room for the Devil to think I can be swayed to his service-and more grounds for that than I like to admit. "
    "More grounds indeed," Rebozo said heavily. "You are a young man, Majesty, with a young man's appetites, and a young king's lust for power."
    "As I am even now showing," Boncorro agreed. "But I am not turning this country toward the powers of Heaven, Lord Chancellor-only toward my own."
    And Rebozo realized that this was true. Somewhat reassured that his young king was not really trying to do good, but only to tighten his hold over his kingdom in a way his grandfather never had, the chancellor went out to give the necessary orders.
    The king said, "Send word to all the noblemen that the taxes are being reduced to half of their income."
    Rebozo stared. "To half?"
    "Half." The king turned a sheet of foolscap around so that Rebozo could read it. "I have cast up accounts and found that we can easily maintain this great castle, all our army, and all our servants on half. Indeed, there will remain a substantial sum to squirrel away in the treasury." He sat back with a sigh, shaking his head. "It is quite empty. I was horrified to discover how Grandfather had spent it all."
    Rebozo was horrified to discover that Boncorro did not approve of the old king's extravagances and pleasures. "Majesty, it is those luxuries and affairs of state that held the barons' loyalty!"
    "Stuff and nonsense," said the young king. "It was fear of the royal army and the king's magic that held them in line, naught else-a royal army that will do quite well without a florin's worth of ale for each man, for each day. They will fight all the better for being sober."
    "But these are merchants' tricks!" Rebozo cried. "Where did you learn such lowly notions?"
    "From the traders in the fairs, while my foster brothers were learning how to be fleeced by tricksters," Boncorro replied. "I will not dis-dam any knowledge, if it is sound and will help me to hold my kingdom."
    "But magic, your Majesty! Sorcery! Virgins cost dearly, and animals for slaughter, and dead bodies! There must be money for my sorcery!" limy magic is far less expensive," King Boncorro assured him, "but nonetheless effective for all that.
    Indeed, I look forward to the first baron who seeks to rebel." His eyes glinted with anticipation. "Once I have settled with him, no others will dare."
    Rebozo stared into the guileless blue eyes and felt his blood run cold.
    "Tell the barons their taxes are lowered," Boncorro said softly.
    "That much of my message they will be glad to hear." Rebozo recovered. "Majesty-is it not enough to tell only the dukes? Cannot they send word to their barons, as they always have?"
    "They would not; they would continue to draw every groat of the old tax from their vassals, aye, even if it took thumbscrews to draw it. I wish to make sure that every lord knows of this news, every knight, every squire-for I also wish you to see to it that their own tax on their serfs is cut by at least a third!"
    Rebozo stared, aghast. "Now they will rebel," he whispered. Boncorro grinned like a wolf. "I await it with eagerness."
    "But Majesty-why?"
    "So that I can teach them that I am no less formidable than my grandfather, Rebozo, and my magic no weaker, though nowhere so twisted.
    " That, Rebozo doubted-and he had no wish to see the prince he had formed and nurtured drowned under a wave of greedy