Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith

In “The End of the Story” by Clark Ashton Smith, mysterious passion and ardor lead us through forbidden manuscripts, mystical encounters, and matters of the heart. Set in 17th-century France, young law student Christophe Morand discovers the tale of Gerard de Venteillon, a knight seduced by a lamia dwelling in the ruins of Chateau des Faussesflammes near Perigon. Will Morand share his fate? The choice between heart and the abbot’s counsel becomes pivotal, and the enigmatic woman continues to tempt.

In the deep forests of Averoigne, where magic weaves through everyday life, the mysterious sorcerer Gilles Grenier and his wife Sabine lead a life shrouded in secrets. Their renowned love potions, brewed from rare mandrakes growing in the nearby marshes, attract customers from far and wide. But when Sabine suddenly disappears, Gilles is left alone, and his dark experiments begin to yield unexpected results.