The Master's Apprentice - Oliver Potzsch Page 0,56

doesn’t like to freeze. But let me assure you, we’re nearly there.” Instead of grousing and cracking his whip, the master jumped down from the wagon and helped Johann shovel the snow. Together they were much faster. After another hour, they’d even managed to drag the tree aside. Tonio grabbed the horse by the reins and pulled mercilessly. The old black nag whinnied and shook the ice from its mane, exhausted nearly to death.

When Johann had almost stopped believing they’d ever arrive, the trees suddenly opened up and revealed a hilltop sticking out of the forest, with the tall peaks of the Alps in the background. Atop the hill stood a single stone tower, defiant as a castle, with a derelict stable beside it. The tower looked ancient, its stones polished by countless storms. Several of the battlements had broken off like rotten teeth. Black windows stared at Johann like the eyes of a huge beast. From up here they could see far down into the valley, where gathering clouds warned of the next storm.

To Johann, the tower on the hill seemed like it marked the end of the world.

“We’re here.” Tonio gestured at the building and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “I can tell you now—I wasn’t even sure I’d still find the tower. It’s been a long time since I was here last.” He trudged up the hill while Johann stayed where he was, gaping at the building in front of them. His breath formed little clouds in the icy air. This pile of rocks was supposed to be their winter quarters? He’d expected a hut, or an old mill, perhaps—but this was nothing more than a ruin! Probably an old watchtower that hadn’t been used for centuries. How were they supposed to live here until the spring?

Dejected, he followed Tonio up the hill, which was sparsely overgrown with shrubs at the top. The tower, roughly square in shape, was built from solid granite. Johann could tell by the windows that it contained three stories with a platform on top, which might have been roofed in once upon a time. Now the battlements were crumbled and the walls cracked. When Johann came closer he noticed that some of the windows had shutters that didn’t look as old as the rest of the tower. And there was a solid wooden door, almost completely buried in snow. Tonio scooped the snow aside with his arms.

“Apparently, the Romans lived in this area a long time ago,” he explained as he cleared the entrance. “The Via Claudia Augusta, an old Roman road, leads across the Alps not far from here. Soldiers and their families built this tower as a fortification against hostile tribes on this side of the Alps. There used to be lodges and a small town as well, but at some point the Romans abandoned it all. I’m guessing they were simply overrun—there was great bloodshed. Men, women, and children were crucified, burned alive in huge wicker baskets, or flayed for some forgotten deity.” Tonio winked at his pupil. “They say you can still hear their screams in this tower today.”

“What a pleasant place to spend the winter.” Johann shuddered and helped Tonio clear the snow in front of the door.

“At least it’s a place where we’ll be left alone,” Tonio replied. “Folks believe the tower is cursed. They avoid it, and if we’re lucky, not much has changed since my last visit.”

Johann noticed only now that a hastily scribbled black pentagram had been drawn on the door. “What’s that?” he asked.

“A protection against travelers and other nosy folk,” the master said. “Most people turn around and run when they see that symbol. Now all we need is the key.” He walked back and forth near the door until his foot hit a stone slab hidden by the snow. “There we go!”

Once he’d kicked the snow off the slab, he pulled out a large, rusty key from underneath, stuck it into the lock, and turned it. The lock creaked loudly, and then Tonio kicked the door until it swung open. He nodded after his first glance inside. “I think we’re in luck.”

Johann blinked a few times to get his eyes used to the dim light. He could make out some furniture along the walls: a chest, a table, several stools. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust, but apart from that, it all seemed to be in good order. A steep set of wooden steps led