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

When they started off again, Markle tried again to get the conversation going. “Didn’t you say you’re from the mountains?”


“Nothing else. It snows seven months out of the year.”


“That does sound miserable. I don’t think I’d be able to live with such a lack of color all around.”


“It was beautiful,” Frye countered softly. “I miss it.”


Frye’s smile became sad. “There was no place for me there.”


Markle let the conversation drop. There was no point in talking to the other man.


The tops of buildings came into view over the horizon in a few miles down the road. In the middle of the path, Frye did a quick little jig, his delight evident.


“There’s a town!” he gushed, still shuffling his feet. “A bath!” He grabbed Markle’s hands and swung him around. “Hot food! Soft bed!”


Chapter 7