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

Sabriea’s minions, though, didn’t have the sense to run. They advanced on Markle, moving their hands and bodies in quick succession. Waves of air and rolls of earth cascaded toward him, but they were nothing. A minnow swimming alongside a whale. He flicked them away with a note on the mandolin. Then he sent his own spell. A wave of fire, fluid like the ocean, sprang up around Markle and spread out before him.


Now the people were screaming, trying to get away. That was good, as it opened the area, giving him better access to his goal: Sabriea.


He slowly walked to the stairs that led up to the stage. More attacks came at him, but he barely had to think to deflect them before they got close. If his emotion fueled his magic, anger made him a god.


Chapter 48