The sale of the Pyrenees

We continue with the publication of the micro-stories of the first edition of the competition: High Altitude Storieswe let you enjoy with "La venta del Pirineo", by Unai Lanseros.

The sale of the Pyrenees

-by Unai Lanseros-

Who buys a mountain?

Who alters the life of a village, of a valley?

There are some things that money should not buy. Least of all a mountain. Least of all that one.

The whole of Gavarnie had been awaiting the arrival of the man since dawn, especially me, whom he had hired as a miner. We only knew that he was an aristocrat with a foreign name, adventurer and globetrotter, as Pascal had told us.

That it was good for the town, that tourists would come, that they would leave the thermal baths of Luz to come here to spend their money. They believe it all.

The euphoria faded when a man arrived on foot in the early hours of the morning, greeting and thanking the reception. That was the aristocrat? On foot? In that outfit? Alone? Supporting his weight with a cane? Ridiculous.

He greeted me in a friendly way. He shook my hand. I knew he was different.

That was him, Count Henry Russell.