Rebuilding Magic

By James Livingood

In a world where food is thin and magic is dying out, one farmer gains enough magic to water his crops.

Jealousy spreads throughout his community. Even giving away all his crops is not enough. His only chance at safety is to reduce his own rarity. He must rebuild magic and make it common again.

But he soon discovers something more ancient lurks below the surface, ready to feast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Livingood
• Release date: Jul 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201521646

James Livingood

James was born in Montana, raised with three brothers, and provided trouble for two parents. In his 20's he fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. He then moved out to Seattle after college and started a life. In 2014, he started to write books.

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REBUILDING MAGIC

James Livingood

Copyright © 2021 James Livingood

All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Percy split the carrot in half as he tried to pry it from the ground. The soil must have been compacted around the root vegetable. He looked around in a quick gaze, trying to make sure they did not see him. His dirty brown clothing, full of holes and stench, certainly would blend him well into the dirt around. However, his piercing blue eyes would stand out wherever he looked. It was one reason he had chosen the life he had found. At the moment, however, Percy needed to fill his satchel with vegetables before the wizard came back.

Percy wasn’t scared of the wizard, whose garden he was now stealing from, but he knew the wizard could simply stop growing food. No one had the seemingly endless supply of food like the wizard did. It was said in town that it was because the wizard could control the heavens.

Percy ripped another carrot from the ground and shook off the dirt. He then bit into the tip of the carrot with a satisfying crunch. These vegetables would fetch a wonderful barter price. He was sure he could get several farm tools for these vegetables. However, he didn’t want the food or the tools, but a better a life. A life in the king’s court, where daily food concerns were never thought about. No matter the policies being thought about, there was always food on a plate in the evening.

What Percy wanted more than anything was the best gossip. He wanted to trade vegetables and slowly accumulate a store of the news. In his heart of hearts, he wanted to know enough that he could join in the king’s court. The problem is that nothing much ever happened here. The only thing that happened was the wizard.

Percy had thought about trading him in several times. However, his family and friends relied on the vegetables the wizard made. While he didn’t want to worry about his belly, he certainly didn’t want his family to starve. So Percy kept his mouth shut about the wizard. In exchange, he felt it was only right that he got to steal a few of the biggest vegetables in the garden.

Percy continued to let his mind wander through thoughts of the king’s court and the plate of food. He did not hear the shuffle of dark blue robes shift up behind him. Not until he heard a booming voice.

Hello again Percy.

Percy flinched as if being stung by a bee. He then tried to play off the involuntary movement by biting more of the carrot. Unfortunately, dribbles of orange bits fell from his mouth, removing any sense of charm Percy