
In a dimly lit study filled with alchemical instruments and a glowing telescope, the enigmatic astrologer Côme Ruggieri is summoned by the formidable Catherine de Medici. Their hushed conversation reveals a desperate plan to harness celestial forces against the looming threats at the French court. The scene crackles with tension as Catherine, cloaked in secrecy, demands Ruggieri’s aid to protect her son and to thwart unseen enemies.
Beyond the study, the court of Henry III teems with rivalry, ambition, and fragile alliances. Noble factions, including the ambitious Duke of Guise and the shadowy League, circle the throne, each seeking advantage through intrigue or sorcery. Dumas weaves together politics, superstition, and personal ambition, offering listeners a vivid portrait of a turbulent era where the line between science and witchcraft is perilously thin. The opening promises a dramatic clash of intellect, power, and the relentless quest for control.
Language
fr
Duration
~2 hours (123K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2001-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1802–1870
Best known for The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, this wildly popular French storyteller helped define the adventure novel. His life was dramatic too, shaped by family history that reached from France to Saint-Domingue, now Haiti.
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