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

“I don’t…I mean…what are you talking about?”


Frye stopped. The little fish was looking at Frye as if he were a shark, there to devour him. Why on earth…? Oh, he thought Frye made a sexual advance. Ha!


“Your lute,” Frye said, letting his outstretched hand fall. “I thought we could discuss which songs to play. It’ll look weird if my dance doesn’t match your melody.”


The red on Markle’s cheeks grew in intensity. “Oh. The performance.” Markle turned his back, using the momentum to pull his travel sack off his shoulders. He bent down and rummaged into the bag, pulling the lute out from the bottom. Markle stood up, the lute—wrapped in a layer of cloth—clutched protectively in his hands.


“May I see it?” Frye asked softly. Despite Markle’s insisted aversion to the instrument, Frye could tell the kid cared for it deeply. He held it with such reverence. Frye respected that, and mimicked Markle’s sincerity as he accepted the instrument.


Chapter 10