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Somewhere in New York Merlin looked at the TV screen and smiled in spite of himself. "I suppose I was wrong about her. It is nice to be wrong every once in a while. But not too often."

He reached over, turned the channel selector. The image of Arthur and Gwen on the beach vanished, to be replaced by another. Merlin settled back with a box of popcorn to watch Bing Crosby.

Oddes and Ends

The description of armor was lifted from a book on armor by Sean Morrison, entitled, unsurprisingly, Armor. It was published by Crowell in 1963.

The following historic landmarks mentioned in this book really exist-Belvedere Castle, the Cloisters, the Camelot Building on Twenty-eighth Street off Broadway (at this writing the home of-honest to God-the Lady Guinevere Theater), and Arthur's Court, a men's clothing store near Central Park. Tell them I sent you. They don't know me from a hole in the wall and you'll probably get a blank stare, if not embarrassed coughs.

Other people and places mentioned in this book are entirely fictional, except where they're named after real people and places.

Lastly, the election depicted in this book is not at all meant to be representative of an actual mayoral campaign in New York City. Unless, of course, Arthur ran for mayor, in which case it would all turn out exactly as has been laid out here.

About Ye Author

is also known for his work at Marvel Comics, including The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man and Merc. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and countless stuffed animals.

Magikal mirth 'n mayhem

from the creator of

Thieves' WorldT

Make no mythstake, this is the wildest,

wackiest, most frolicking fantasy series

around. With the mythfit Skeeve and

his magical mythadventures, Aahz

the pervert demon, Gleep the baby dragon,

and a crazy cast of mythstifylng characters,

Robert Asprln's "Myth" series Is

a guaranteed good time. Join the world of

deveels, dragons and magik-and Join

the wacky adventures of fantasy's

most fun-loving mythflts.

Dedicated to Myra Because she's always been dedicated to me Author's Note

The author would like to cite the following books and/or authors: LeMorte d"Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory

The Once and Future King and The Book of Merlin by T. H. White The Last Enchantment and other assorted titles by Mary Stewart Tales of King Arthur by John Steinbeck Arthur Rex by Thomas Berger. All of the above have been carefully read, or purchased, or checked out from the local library and never returned by the author of this work. In the preparation of this manuscript the author has at the very least skimmed the flap copy, sell copy, and table of contents of all of the above, plus many other titles too numerous or obscure to mention.

The author thanks all of the above for their contribution, however small, to this work. But don't expect royalties.