Das Buch der Novellen. Erster Band

The first novella opens in a shadow‑filled Alpine valley where towering firs clutch the sky and a sudden storm rolls in over the cliffs. A lone hunter, rifle in hand, stalks through the whipping wind, his breath visible in the cold air. When a hawk is brought down by his shot, the bird hangs limp amid the branches, a stark reminder of the wilderness’s fragile balance. The scene is set for a night of uneasy shelter and unexpected visitors.

He reaches a weather‑worn hut nestled among ancient trees, its chimney pouring orange smoke into the gloom. Inside, a robust coal‑breaker named Kilian tends a crackling fire, his rough hands shaping tools and a warm smile offering hospitality to the stranger. Their brief exchange hints at local superstitions and the looming threat of bandits in the storm‑tossed night. Listeners are invited to share the intimate camaraderie and the tension that builds as the forest howls outside.