The Decennarchs are a government that appears only once every ten years. They are like the citizens, but not like them. They count the citizens, the dogs, and the cats, demand payment from a portion of the fruits of the citizens’ labors for the past ten years, which they then pay them to do their bidding. They remake rules, both big and small, to govern the lives of the citizens, then disappear.
This is told with a straight face, with the puzzlement of a citizen who will never understand the ways or whys of government. Happily for the citizens, the government is only around for one day every ten years. Once they’re gone, the people can shrug off the baffling government and get back to living.
I rather liked this little tale and gave it six of seven rocket dragons. Apparently, I liked it more than most people. At the time I rated it, it was rated 4.5.
© 2017 Denise Longrie
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 