Making History - K. J. Parker

KJ Parker's new novella is a darkly witty historical fantasy. A group of scholars are asked to do the impossible by a ruthless king. The cost of refusal being death, of course.

History isn't truth...it's propaganda.

Academics can be cocky. Atop their perches of authority high above the thrumming masses of the unquestioning world they can begin to think themselves gods. It is extremely rare for this authority to be tested. But a challenge from an idiotic, power-hungry king--that'll do it.

Our narrator is one of a dozen professors at the University of the Kingdom of Aelia. Early one morning, all of them are rounded up for an audience with their dictator, Gyges. You see, Gyges is new to the job--he only just invaded Aelia last year--and like any good tyrant, he's looking to expand his empire. But he doesn't think his public image can take the hit of (another) unjustified assault. No problem, he's come up with a plan--have the scholars construct an ancient city from scratch that justifies his right to the lands of the neighboring city-state.

Now these bookworms must put their heads together to do the impossible. They must make history. Because if they don't, they'll lose their heads all-together.