Magus Rex

the long version

In the year 1,000,000 AD or thereabouts a young wizard has dared to fall in love with Zenobia, only daughter of Magus Rex. What shall it be? Have him torn to pieces by ravenous wild apes? Throw him into the Sun? Turn him into a toucan and give him to Zenobia? (It is hard to love a toucan, especially if you have to clean the cage.) Magus Rex would do all this and more to the wretched boy, but Zenobia, though Perfect, is Willful: She would never forgive Daddy for turning handsome Valorius into a toucan. No, something more subtle is called for. He will take Zenobia on a vacation: Ming China, Imperial Rome, Atomic America. Valorius may follow if he dares. For though any sorceror can travel backward through time, returning is another matter...