Spells from the Earth in the Morning

The mansion creaked. The floor felt cold under his feet.

He stepped out into the dew.

Wince.

The garden was lovely. Statues, flowers he couldn’t name. He made his way from the house past the trees, till he could see the sunrise. Kneeling, he began.

Words rose to heaven, his chant to his god. He declared it loudly, boldly; he did not care if the others overheard. Not here. More likely they were asleep.

“Lugus–!”

The words grew higher; he called down that ancient name, renewed his pledge. When the words stopped he prostrated before the sunrise.

Two hands fell in the wet soil. He felt the cold of the earth and the burn of the sun shudder through him. He stretched there, alive.

Then he drew. A canvas of soil on his left hand, drawing with his right finger. It took form stroke by stroke. A sigil. It bristled in the palm.

As quickly, he drew a second sigil on the other hand. They were not identical.

Breathless he invoked their spells. Two powers to surround him all day and all night. Till again, in the morning, he faced the sun and prayed.

The hands clapped together. A crow landed above. It chanted, too, and he smiled.

Charmed, he went for breakfast.

This is the last call for Lúnasa Days, a semi-fictional novella about August, corn, and a young man who casts spells.

Please help create Lúnasa Days by becoming my patron. Support the work today and you get benefits:

$20 – Advance Copy + Name Recognition

Patrons at the $20 level are guaranteed an advance copy in your preferred digital format. In addition, you’ll be thanked by name in the dedication page, as a patron of the arts.

$50 – Autograph & Special Invitation

Patrons at the $50 level receive the benefits above, plus special perks. Your advance copy will bear a “digital autograph”—a personal handwritten message from yours truly, digitally transposed into the book. You’ll also get a sneak peak of the manuscript before it’s finalized, with an invitation to comment and give feedback. You can help shape the final version of the book.

$75 – Limited Edition Private Collection

Patrons who offer $75 will receive everything above, plus a special gift. Bundled with your autographed, advance copy of Lúnasa Days you’ll find a private collection version of my story Opus for Laura (Adagio). This story is never before released, and will be presented as a full-color digital art book. This is a limited edition version; only patrons will receive it.

[This level no longer available.]



Your support helps an independent writer, and it creates a novella that touches on all the themes of Rogue Priest: adventure, travel, doubt, and the struggle to find out who you are. Corn falls, summers fade, and stories die from the earth.

Help this one stay alive. Add your support today.

Thank you.