This story, in which genial King Merrimack and his garrulous physician Celso have to contend with the surly Prince Zebu, can be found in Black Scat Review 25. Here’s how it begins:

KING MERRIMACK

   King Merrimack threw back his quilt, and sat up to look out the window. It was a cold November morning, the castle grounds swirling with mist beneath a leaden sky. He arose and changed into his regal robes. No sooner had he pulled on his second slipper than the court physician, Celso, hobbled into his bedchamber.

   “Good morning, Your Majesty,” said Celso, with a stiff but gracious bow.

   “Good morning, Celso,” replied King Merrimack. “What day is it, anyway? I lose track this time of year.”

   Celso fingered his long white beard and thought for a moment.

   “It’s Tuesday,” he said, “and you lose track of the days because they’re so much alike in November. Yesterday was a damp and chilly day like this, as was the day before.”

   “Not the best day to dedicate a hospital,” the king remarked, carefully centering his coronet on his bald spot.

   “I suppose not,” admitted Celso.  

   “Why is it called Tuesday, anyway?” asked the king.

   “It’s the second day of the week,” explained Celso.

   “That makes sense,” said the king.

   “The days of the week were originally Onesday, Twosday, Threesday, and Foursday,” continued Celso, “but during the Great Vowel Shift of the 15th century, they became Wednesday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. And so they remain today.”

…