Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen
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| Author | H. Beam Piper |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
| Released | 1965 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-441-49055-7 |
| Followed by | Great Kings' War |
Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen is a 1965 science fiction novel by H. Beam Piper and is part of his Paratime series of stories. It recounts the adventures of a Pennsylvania state trooper who is accidentally transported to a more backward parallel universe.
The book is an expanded version of the novelette Gunpowder God, which had been published in 1964 in Analog Magazine. Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen was Piper's last science fiction novel.
[edit] Plot summary
In one universe, humans discover a second "lateral" time dimension and how to travel to other "worlds of alternate probability". They use it to their advantage and set up the Paratime Police to keep their invention secret and to combat abuses. Occasionally, objects or people get caught in the time "conveyors" and are inadvertently transported to other universes; one day, this happens to Corporal Calvin Morrison of the Pennsylvania state police.
He ends up in a far different Pennsylvania. Morrison finds some friendly peasants who speak an unknown language. In the middle of a meal, they are attacked by a large raiding party, which he is instrumental in routing. Reinforcements arrive and, in the confusion, he is shot by the beautiful young woman leading them.
Fortunately, the bullet hits his badge, saving his life, though he is still seriously wounded. While recuperating, he learns the new language.
It turns out that North America is split up into a number of kingdoms, each composed of small princedoms, with a level of technology about equivalent to that of the Middle Ages. Morrison finds himself the guest of Prince Ptosphes of Hostigos and his blonde, blue-eyed daughter Rylla - his shooter. He learns that they are being threatened by two of their neighbors, Nostor and Sask, with a third hungrily watching on, Beshta. Ptosphes' overlord, King Kaiphranos of Hos-Harphax, refuses to intervene because the priests of Styphon want to see Hostigos conquered. The religious sect is the greatest power in the land due to the gunpowder it alone knows how to manufacture.
Without it, Hostigos is certain to be defeated. But Morrison (or Lord Kalvan, as the people call him) also knows how to make it. He quickly organizes production of superior gunpowder. He also introduces the rapier, improved cannons and rifling. With his understanding of military strategy and tactics, he reorganizes the outnumbered army and repulses Nostor. Then, to undermine the primary enemy, he sees to it that the secret of gunpowder manufacturing is spread far and wide.
Meanwhile, Verkan Vall, a top agent of the Paratime Police, tracks Kalvan down and infiltrates his army. The standard procedure would be to "remove" the displaced person to protect the secret by any means judged necessary, up to committal to an insane asylum or even assassination. But Vall takes a liking to his fellow policeman and realizes that Kalvan wants just as much to hide his entry in this universe. Vall persuades his superiors to his point of view. Furthermore, he interests the historians. They can now test the Great man theory, that is, can a single, extraordinary individual change the course of events?
Sask and Beshta become allies, forcing Kalvan to attack before their armies can unite. After a day of confused fighting against the larger Saskan forces, he emerges victorious once again. Sarrask of Sask is captured and agrees to become a vassal of the new Great King after he learns that he can share in the looting of Styphon's temples. At first, Kalvan wants his future father-in-law to assume the throne, but Ptosphes tells him that the other princes would never stand for one of their own to be elevated over them. Kalvan, as an outsider, is the only one they would accept. And so, Kalvan becomes king, with Rylla as his queen.
When Gormoth of Nostor hears of Kalvan's successes, he turns against Styphon himself. This leads to a bloody civil war. Gormoth is assassinated and is replaced by a more reasonable man, who is willing to acknowledge Kalvan's sovereignty. As for Balthar of Beshta, he at first declines to become subject to Kalvan, until he discovers there are no gunpowder mills in his realm; then, he quickly changes his mind.
King Kaiphranos is infuriated by the defections, as is the Archpriest of Styphon, but the novel ends at this point. It is left to the sequel, Great Kings' War, to pick up the story.
