"The Witchcraft of Ulua" is a short story by American author

Clark Ashton Smith Clark Ashton Smith (January 13, 1893 – August 14, 1961) was an American writer and artist. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Algernon Charles Swinburne ...

as part of his

Zothique ''Zothique'' is a collection of fantasy short stories by Clark Ashton Smith, edited by Lin Carter. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books as the sixteenth volume of its Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in June 1970. It was the firs ...

cycle, and first published in the February

1934 Events January–February * January 1 – The International Telecommunication Union, a specialist agency of the League of Nations, is established. * January 15 – The 8.0 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, Nepal–Bihar earthquake strik ...

issue of ''

Weird Tales ''Weird Tales'' is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine founded by J. C. Henneberger and J. M. Lansinger in late 1922. The first issue, dated March 1923, appeared on newsstands February 18. The first editor, Edwin Baird, prin ...

''.

Plot

Sabmon lives in a house made of bones on the edge of a northern desert of Tasuun. He was famous for his dark arts and many sought his advice and divination. Amalzain, a great nephew of Sabmon, visits him and he tells that he will be chosen as cupbearer for king Famorgh in Miraab. Sabmon recommends an amulet that contains the ashes of Yos Ebni who weathered temptation until death. Sabmon tells him to abstain from temptation but should it prove too great he should return to Sabmon and work as his apprentice. Amalzain travels to Miraab and finds much decadence in the court of the king Famorgh. Amid his work, he finds that princess Ulua has inherited some of the sorcery from her mother queen Lunalia. While princess Ulua seeks after Amalzain, Amalzain refutes her advances. However, at night, Amalzain is visited by undead things. These visitations drive Amalzain towards madness. Asking the king for a leave of absence, Amalzain returns to Sabmon. Sabmon understands what Amalzain has been through. Sabmon then procures a magic mirror. Through the mirror, Amalzain witnesses the destruction of Miraab. Since then, Amalzain remains Sabmon's student.

Themes

In the 1988 book ''Fantasy: The 100 Best Books'', James Cawthorn and

Michael Moorcock Michael John Moorcock (born 18 December 1939) is an English writer, best-known for science fiction and fantasy, who has published a number of well-received literary novels as well as comic thrillers, graphic novels and non-fiction. He has work ...

noted the stories "

Necromancy in Naat "Necromancy in Naat" is a short story by American author Clark Ashton Smith as part of his Zothique cycle, and first published in the July 1936 issue of ''Weird Tales''. Plot Nomad prince Yadar finds his betrothed Dalili taken up by bandits duri ...

", "The Witchcraft of Ulua", and "

The Black Abbot of Puthuum "The Black Abbot of Puthuum" is a short story by American author Clark Ashton Smith as part of his Zothique cycle, and first published in the March 1936 issue of ''Weird Tales''. Plot In Yoros, Zobal the archer and Cushara the pike-bearer are assi ...

" on the theme of love and lust.

References

External links

*
Text of "The Witchcraft of Ulua"
Short stories by Clark Ashton Smith Fantasy short stories 1934 short stories Works originally published in Weird Tales {{1930s-fantasy-story-stub

Plot

Themes

See also

References

External links