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Zauberschrift [MultiFormat]
eBook by David D. Levine
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eBook Category: Fantasy
eBook Description:  Ulrich was never really a wizard--he didn't even finish his apprenticeship. But now, when the remains of his masters' last and greatest magic threaten the town, Ulrich must return to the site of his unfinished training and attempt to undo a spell he didn't understand in the first place.
eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Apprentice Fantastic, ed. Martin H. Greenberg and Russell Davis, 2002
Fictionwise Release Date: May 2004
16 Reader Ratings:
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [32 KB]
, ePub (EPUB) [36 KB]
, Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [17 KB]
, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [82 KB]
, Palm Doc (PDB) [18 KB]
, Microsoft Reader (LIT) [69 KB]
, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [89 KB]
, hiebook (KML) [72 KB]
, Sony Reader (LRF) [49 KB]
, iSilo (PDB) [15 KB]
, Mobipocket (PRC) [20 KB]
, Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [47 KB]
, OEBFF Format (IMP) [29 KB]
Words: 5617
Reading time: 16-22 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
 
A cruel wind tugged at Ulrich's cloak and threw rain in his face as he topped a small rise. The weather had worsened steadily as they neared the village, and the mood of his traveling companions Agnes and Nikolaus had soured along with it. But now, as they emerged from the trees, Ulrich's spirits rose as he recognized the ragged cluster of buildings that had been his home nearly twenty years ago.
"Welcome to Lannesdorf," said Agnes, her expression grim. At first it seemed that little had changed. There was the mill, its wheel turning rapidly in the swollen creek; there the tiny church, there the cottages of Konrad and Georg. But as they approached, Ulrich saw how badly the village had been battered by months of constant rain and wind. Several houses had collapsed completely. From those that remained, thin ribbons of smoke rose only a short distance before being shredded by the relentless downpour. A few dispirited goats stood in the street, their ears drooping and their wool hanging soddenly. No people were visible. The feeling that lodged in Ulrich's throat was a strange compound of nostalgia, hope, and despair. He prayed he would be able to find some way to help.
* * * *Ulrich had barely recognized Agnes when she had first appeared at his shop in Auerberg. The ample, jolly woman he had called "foster mother" during the three years of his apprenticeship had become thin and stooped, her face lined and most of her teeth gone. Behind her, the young man she had introduced as Nikolaus the pastor clutched his hat to his chest; he was as thin as she, and his shaven cheeks were sunken. Ulrich was keenly aware of their worn and smelly clothes, and hoped they would leave before any of his more prosperous customers saw them. "Why have you come all this way to ask my help? I am no wizard--I never even finished my apprenticeship. I am just a dyer." "I know," said Agnes, "but Johannes always said you showed great promise." A twinge went through Ulrich at those words--the pain of lost opportunity. He had been making excellent progress in his apprenticeship when his father and three older brothers had been taken by the bilious fever. Suddenly, unexpectedly, he had found himself in charge of his father's business. It brought him a tidy income, to be sure, but also a thousand spirit-sapping tasks that left him exhausted at the end of each day. "Tell Johannes I thank him for his generous words." "Alas, we cannot," said Nikolaus, "for he passed away twelve years ago."
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