Heroes Wanted

Cover art by John Steven Gurney.

"Grover, he wants you to disguise yourself as this Phillip fellow and marry the woman, so you can save the empire. It's a fairly simple hero task if you ask me. You’re in, you’re out and then it’s over."
"Is that the honeymoon or the marriage?” Cilla asked.
Ballah scowled.
"So that's all?" Grover asked. "Nothing else?"
"Sure," the old wizard cut in. "Of course. Absolutely. Would I lie to you?"
Beoweasal started coughing loudly and the old wizard kicked him hard to shut him up.
"Hey, just a second!" Cilla cried out. "There’s something wrong here."

On with the crown. Off with his head.