Markle Vanrick is cursed by the gods. Nothing in his life has ever worked out. So, when he works up the courage to leave home with only his lute, it’s only natural his money is stolen and he’s stuck without a way to get to his cousin’s farm.<br><br>Enter Frye Indori, a mischievous man who lives life to the fullest -- only because he’s a few steps away from being caught and killed. Blessed with magic from the goddess Magana, Frye fled his hometown to escape the clutches of the corrupt priestess performing evils in the goddess’s name. When he runs into helpless Markle, he feels obligated to show Markle there is some good in the world.<br><br>Like it or not, Markle gets caught up in Frye’s game of fox and hare. When the priestess finally catches them, Markle may have a few surprises of his own.

Music and Magic

The events of last night still seemed a dream. Meeting the dancer and coming up with a plan for earning some money had more fantasy than reality. However, when Markle glanced across the remains of the fire, the dancer was curled up in his blankets, the crimson cloak draped on top for extra warmth. Not a figment of Markle’s imagination, then.


The dancer stirred, likely from the same annoying rays of sunshine. He yawned loudly and rolled over, his eyes meeting Markle’s.


“Good morning,” the dancer greeted cheerfully.


Frye sat up and tsked. “Now, my friend, is that any way to greet a new day?”


Markle furrowed his brows farther. “What are you talking about?”


Markle shook his head. The dancer’s foreign thoughts were hard to follow. Could the simple act of waking in the morning be such an achievement to him? Obviously, it was.


Chapter 5