In the Time of the Forest by M. C. Dulac EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: M. C. Dulac
- Language: English
- Genre:Metaphysical Fantasy eBooks
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
In the year 1682, Europe stood at the crossroads between the age of
reason and the age of demons. In the grand cities of the continent, learned
men debated science and philosophy, while in the countryside people
whispered tales of spirits and legends. For those who lived in the vast
forests and high on the mountain slopes, the shadows of nightfall still hid
many dangers.
The town of Märchenstadt, lying deep in the mountains, was one place
where superstition remained strong. The Cathedral bells heralding the end
of the day rang early, even in midsummer. At their sound, the cobblestone
streets echoed with the rattling of carts and the clip clop of horses, of doors
being shut and windows being locked. The young laughed and lingered in
the fading light, but older people watched the afternoon sun warily, as if in
the coming darkness, lurked a danger that was no folktale.
In the heart of Märchenstadt, where the timber-framed houses had
changed little since the Middle Ages, a young woman lay down her needle
and raised her face to the window.
She had been lost for hours in the creation of intricately embroidered
flowers, branches and leaves, which now unfurled across the linen cloth like
the border of a garden.
“It is beautiful, Lena,” murmured the middle-aged woman by her side.
Lena had not heard Martha Meyer, her employer, approaching, “The
duchess will like it. You have done well. The light has gone now, you can
begin again tomorrow.”
Lena kept her eyes on a patch of golden sky.
“I must go for a walk.”
Martha folded her hands over her formidable figure, “It is evening.”
“It is dark here in the town because the houses block out the sun. But
there will be a good hour of daylight left in the valley.”
“The sun sets quickly at this time of year. It is only three months since
you have come to Märchenstadt, Lena. You do not know the ways of the
mountains.”
“Grandma and I lived in the mountains for years.”
“But not near Märchenstadt. I am sorry for your grandmother’s passing,
Lena. She was a fine seamstress, like yourself, and I promised her I would
look after you when she had gone.”
Lena looked around the rustic room that was now her home and
workshop. She was glad for Martha’s kindness, but sometimes it was so
hard to spend the whole day indoors.
“Please, Martha. I will not go far. I need to be outside. How else am I to
find the inspiration for these wildflowers and butterflies, which, as you say,
the duchess likes so much?”
Martha’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Lena’s embroidered cloth.
“All right then. Be no more than half an hour and take care walking the
streets, Lena. A girl of seventeen should not be out alone.”
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