A misty rain fell upon the small city of Kettle. Its citizens welcomed the watery relief from the oppressive heat. In the middle of the city, beautiful music came from a small coffeehouse. Inside the cozy, intimate place, many commoners had gathered to hear a unique young lady play her acoustic guitar. She seemed strangely connected to her music, as if her songs were an intricate part of her very soul. To many, she was spiritually connected to her instrument, voice flowing harmoniously sweet with the tunes her guitar made. The crowd, mesmerized by her emotional ballads of everyday life, love, and loss easily identified with her and her lyrics. It was all like a big empathic bond.

Marron Glace sat at a table next to his brother, Carrot. They each nursed steaming mugs of mocha java. The exquisitely beautiful Marron's gaze was fixed on the petite musician. He studied every detail about her from her shoulder length platinum blonde hair to her closed eyes to the intense facial expressions she made to the way she played her instrument. Carrot undressed her with his eyes; he could not stop looking at her firm, taut figure, particularly her very busty chest. Her form fitting light blue tank top and above knee matching skirt left nothing to his imagination. The lady's sex appeal rivaled that of her musical talents. She ended her last song with tears in her eyes; it had expressed a yearning to be free from a relationship that was going nowhere. The enthusiastic applause that came from the assembled crowd brought a slight smile to her lips. She thanked them and bowed her head. The performance was over for the day. Carrot dashed over to her, lustful thoughts in his head.

"Hello lovely lady. That was a marvelous show," he told her.

"Thank you, kindly," she said in her breathy, sultry voice.

"Can I offer you some refreshment?"

"A cappuchino with lotsa whipped cream,please!"

"You like whipped cream? I can think of a lot we could do together with it."

Marron came up next to Carrot and elbowed him slightly in the ribs. His dark eyes met hers.

"Hello Syleste," he handed her the cappuchino with a generous helping of whipped cream.

Carrot stared at his brother, a quizzical look on his face.

"Hi Marron," she said huskily.

"You guys know each other?" Carrot asked.

"Yes," Syleste answered for him. "Marron's been coming here every day for the past week."

"I find her music exhilarating to hear," he said softly.

The older brother put two and two together. Ever since they had been in Kettle, Marron had been less reserved and uptight. He had been smiling a lot more too. Carrot had seen his brother looking long at Syleste while she had been playing; his pupils had dilated. He could sense that his brother did not want him to hit on her as well.

"This is my brother, Carrot."

"Hi. Marron's told me a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope," Carrot winked at her.

Syleste chuckled. Carrot noticed the small red mark on her forehead: she was a sorceress with magical abilities, He kept his calm and pretended not to have noticed. "Well kids, it's been fun meeting you, but now I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."

Carrot disappeared into the crowd, leaving his slightly embarrassed brother with the lovely folk singer.

"He's quite a charmer," she observed.

"That's my brother."

Sylest walked through the park with Marron. Overhead, the sky remained overcast and the misty rain persisted.

"My father's scouts have caught up with me. I spotted them back at the coffeehouse," Syleste told him.

"Why didn't they grab you?"

"Their presence alone is a reminder of my obligation," she replied. "It also tells me that I had better go of my own accord. If not later they will resort to using force to bring me back."

"Has something estranged you from your family?"

She stopped walking, faced him and put her hands on his shoulders.

"We were real close until recently. On my 18th birthday, he revealed to me of my impending nuptials. I had been promised at birth to another noble houses's son."

"Your clan are all sorcerers then?"

"Yes. Anyway, I defied the arrangement. They want me to distance myself from the common people. I want to be able to share my music with them."

"The commoners are very fond of you. They welcome your music and show no deference to your social status."

"I don't want them to. There's a lot wrong with class systems based on the ability to use magic. My family lives in excessive extravagance, while the

common folks labor hard for everything they can. I really feel for them."

"I will protect you," he swore to her.

"Can you? My father's men are quite ruthless."

"Fear not. I am a Sorcerer Hunter."

Syleste regarded him with a knowing smile. "I sensed an aura about you."

"When are you to be married?"

"I have to be back in my province in a few days. I don't want to go, Marron."

She gazed up into his eyes with a fearful, sad look.

"Then do not go. You should not be forced into a loveless marriage."

She sensed the concern, the care he felt. He really feared for her safety, her well being.

"I don't want to marry now. Not yet. Besides there's someone else I really like."

"Who's that?" he asked, heart beating rapidly. Her effect was overwhelming to say the least.

She stood on her tip toes and reached up, her lips moved to his. Marron hesitated at first, shocked by her forwardness. But even her could not resist her eyes, her beauty both inner and outer. Throwing caution to the wind, he returned her kiss with a passion he had struggled to keep in check ever since they had met.

"You, silly," she whispered after they parted. She then kissed him again.

Tira and Chocolate Misu walked gingerly through the park, minding their own business when they saw Marron kissing the busty blonde girl.

Their jaws dropped immediately.

"Ohmigoodness," Tira exclaimed softly.

"It looks like Darling isn't the only lady killer in the Glace family," quipped Chocolate.

Tira lowered her glasses. "Look sis, she's a sorcerer."

"She's got him under her spell that's for sure. Think we should interrupt them?"

"No," replied Tira. "Marron's too powerful to fall under some love spell. I'd say he genuinely likes her."

He escorted Syleste to a nearby school. She taught a few whole classes, giving music lessons to children of all ages. She never forgot the looks on their faces when they played their first songs. Just seeing that made it all worthwhile to her.

Marron sat in the back of the classroom, completely absorbed in watching her teach. He closed his eyes and listened as her fingers gently strummed her guitar strings. Inspiration came to him and he thought up something in his head, mentally filing it away for later. Syleste blew softly into his ear, causing him to open his eyes. Her face was just inches from his.

"Did you like the class?"

"Very much. The children have a gifted, not to mention beautiful teacher."

She smiled broadly. "Listen, I have to be here a few more hours. Would you go to the market and pick up some food for me? It closes before I'll be done here."

"Sure."

She handed him a piece of paper and a silver key. "My address and house key.

You can stash the food in my kitchen and also move your stuff in."

Marron's eyebrows arched slightly after hearing her last sentence. He began to say something, but the innocent look in her eyes silenced whatever misgivings he had intended to convey. "Will you be safe here?"

"I think so."

Just in case, he put a web spinner trace on her and handed her an ofuda.

"This will protect you from evil long enough for me to get to you."

"Okay babe. See you in a few hours," she smiled.

Marron ran his fingers gently across her cheek then headed for the door. He ran outside through the misty rain, life never felt more wonderful.

Gateau Mocha, Carrot, Tira and Chocolate sat at a booth inside Tony's Pizzeria. The lunchtime crowd grew by the minute at the popular eatery.

"Hey guys," greeted the perky waitress with the beehive hairdo. "What can I get y'all?" Her nametag read "Becki".

"How about a Becki and Carrot sandwich hold the clothing, extra dressing?" Carrot suggested with a smirk.

Chocolate kicked him hard underneath the table.

"OWWW!!!"

"We'll take a large pan pizza with half peppers, half meatball," requested Gateau.

"And a pitcher of fruit punch," Tira added.

"An maybe some ice cold water to pour down Darling's pants," Chocolate said with a scowl.

Carrot returned her disapproving look with a frown of his own.

"So is everyone enjoying our week off?" Gateau asked them.

"Yeah," replied Tira. "What'd you do this morning?"

"I spoke with the elders of this city about the resident sorcerer. They surprisingly gave him a vote of confidence. Changing the subject, don't people here seem depressed most of the time?"

"Maybe the weather has something to do with it," suggested Chocolate.

"I know I'm depressed," stated Carrot, resting his chin on both hands. "My suave brother hooked up with that singer, Syleste. She's a major hottie."

"Syleste Seasun?" Gateau repeated incredulous. "And Marron?"

"Have you been to the Daily Grind to see her?" Tira asked. "She's quite good."

"Yeah. Marron and I went the first day we got here. He liked her music more than I did. Nice body, though. You sure about her and Marron, Carrot?"

Carrot simply nodded. Tira grinned. "Carrot's right. We saw her and Marron making out in Arbor Park, right sis?"

"Yeah they were definitely sucking face," Chocolate laughed.

"I wonder if it's wise of him. Big Momma may mind," mused Gateau.

"Well, Carrot here tried to sleep with that Barbara chick. She was a sorceress," Tira spoke with a low voice.

"Aw come on, Tira. You'll never let me live that one down," Carrot complained. "Hey what about you Gateau? Remember Bokuchin? Nudge, nudge

wink, wink?"

"Shut up!' Gateau said hotly. He barely held back from laying Carrot out right then and there.

"Easy boys," Becki interrupted, sliding the pizza into the middle of the table. "Don't get carried away. Fill your stomachs, forget your disagreements."

"You have a point," Gateau noted. He used the stainless steel spatula to put a couple slices on his paper plate. Stringy, melted mozzarella stretched, connected to the rest of the pie by a single strand. Carrot took a fork and diverted it to his awaiting mouth.

Marron arrived at Syleste's chalet, a cozy two story home high on a hill overlooking the city of Kettle. The location was ideal, especially if one wanted to be within walking distance of a major city yet have all the privacy they needed. The next closest home was located over a mile away. He could imagine her writing one of her many songs on this property, atop the grassy hill, maybe under one of many tall trees or near the manmade fountain that stood in the middle of her floral garden. She also had a spot near her home where she grew all kinds of fruits and vegetables; peas, tomatoes, turnips, peppers, squash to name a few.

The interior of her house fit her creative personality. Oil paintings she had done adorned the pastel painted walls as well as posters with lyrics from her songs. Other walls were covered with plain wallpaper meant for crayons and markers during her writing moments. Marron read some of her poetry and wished she was there to recite it in person. Plants of all sorts gave the air a fresh, lively supply of oxygen. Her plush furniture looked expensive and rarely used.

Marron set his belongings in the bedroom that clearly wasn't hers. The big futon held a soft teal colored mattress.

Her bedroom contained a canopy bed with ruffled pink curtains. An entire shelf had been erected, dedicated to the collection of small dolls, stuffed animals, and fragile nick nacks. Accessible from her bedroom lay an adjacent studio. Inside stood a white baby grand piano, several music stands, three different guitars, a violin, and pages of sheet music scattered atop a small rolltop desk. Marron's eyes caught his name on one the pages, an unfinished piece with clefs, notes, and words written in her handwriting. Those words were lyrics visible beneath the notes on the clefs.

" Marron. My one true love, is it really meant to be?" he read aloud. "Yes, I think so, I know you're exactly what I've been looking for my entire life..."

The lyrics ended unfortunately. In his mind he could almost hear her sultry voice saying those words. His heart ached, his lips hungered for her again.

Marron grabbed a pencil and added what he had thought up back at the school.

"Sometimes rain must fall into our lives. But being there for you and you with me matters most. You've touched my heart as no other ever has..."

He stopped writing and almost erased what he had written. It was difficult to convey what he felt for her. He wondered how to proceed.

Syleste kept looking over her shoulder as she made her way home. Her ability to sense things on an emotional level gave her insights few had. Being watched by her father's scouts, she sensed lust, anxiousness, and scorn from them.

Thoughts turned to her father and her forced marriage. Why was it so important she marry Lord Zag Knut? Engagements could be broken. Why could her family not see that? And Marron. She had never encountered a more kindred spirit. He entailed every quality she ever sought in a man: He was smart, educated, compassionate, sensitive, and extremely good looking. Gorgeous, she thought.

She arrived at her chalet, tiptoed to her studio and put her guitar case away.

Her eyes caught sight of the songpage she had started the night before. Tears welled in her eyes as she read Marron's lines. Setting everything aside, she went to the kitchen and stood quietly in the doorway. He wore an apron over his white tunic, carefully slicing up pieces of seafood and rolling them by hand inside what appeared to be black salmon skin. Next, he took a loaf of bread out of the oven along with something in a pie dish that smelled delicious. He set them gently on the countertop then returned the potholder to its hook on the wall. She regarded him with a tender look from her doe eyes, arms folded across her breasts. He smelled her unmistakably sexy scent and turned his head in her direction.

"It's quite wonderful to see a man who knows his way around a kitchen," she said with a shy smile.

Syleste came around the counter, stood behind him and put her arms around his waist. Her head came to a rest against his shoulders. "What are you making, honey?"

Marron resumed his slicing. "Temaki -hand rolled sushi. I bought my favorites,

Hamachi (yellow tail) and amaebi."

"I love sweet shrimp," she let him know.

He put a piece of amaebi to her lips and she took it. Marron pointed to everything he was working on. Chilled cucumber salad, the Temaki, the fresh baked bread, a type of noodle soup, and the dish he had just removed from the oven.

"What is it?" she asked him.

"Its called Quiche Marron."

"Oh. A custom dish. I'm anxious to try it, then!"

"I used some peppers from your garden. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. I've been meaning to pick them."

He handed her a bottle of plum wine. "Want to open this?"

She started to but stopped when she caught sight of something sitting on her window sill. "Apple pie?"

"Why yes. You spoke fondly of it in a song you sung. My mother used to make the best. It's her recipe."

She spun him around and kissed him forcefully. Marron was surprised when she leaned him over the counter. He had to bend a little as she was shorter than he by several inches.

"Careful," he said with a laugh when she let him up. "You almost knocked dinner on the floor."

"You're perfect for me," she said softly, running her fingers through his long jet black hair.

The Province of Cyringe. The Seasun Main Estate, a huge mansion atop a craggy cliff overlooking a mountain lake.

Sylas Seasun, the clan patriarch sat outside by his outdoor pool, a cool drink in his black gloved hand. A burly, sharply dressed man of about thirty five stood in front of him, a serious look on his mustached face.

"Milord, your daughter has not left Kettle. She continues to ignore our silent warnings."

Seasun's eyes narrowed as he took a slow sip from his glass. "Then go there personally, Levi, and retrieve her unharmed."

"She's also been seeing a commoner boy."

Sylas exhaled slowly. "He's of no consequence. Eliminate him if you so desire."

Levi nodded. "Nothing will stop us from regaining what is ours once your daughter and Zag finally wed."

"That's right, Levi. And heaven help those who try and stand in our way."

Syleste and Marron sat in the chair swing together on her back porch, watching the sunset. Her back yard showed miles of wilderness, a sharp contrast to the other side of her house, which provided a spectacular skyline view of the city. Sunlight filtered through the tall trees, individual rays dancing about the tall green grass in her backyard.

"You're quite the gourmet, baby," she told him, leaning close, her head resting against his left shoulder. He breathed in the sweet smell of conditioner she had rinsed her hair with. "It's the best meal I've had in ages."

"I seldom have the opportunity to do it given my hectic line of work."

"Ah. Sorcerer hunting."

He nodded.

"So tell me, Marron about you. How did you become a magician and a sorcerer hunter?"

He paused, looking at her with his mesmerizing dark eyes. Willingly he let his guard down because of her. "I wanted to be strong like my brother...."

Tira knocked on Marron's door back at the inn. An old woman answered it instead.

"Excuse me, I was just looking for Marron Glace."

"Who's that?"

"Sorry."

She checked with the innkeeper at the front office.

"The pretty boy? He checked out this afternoon. Left you a note though, toots."

"Thanks." Tira read the note. Marron had given her Syleste's address and indicated he'd be staying there a few days. Tira quickly ran down the hall, anxious to tell her sister. She passed first by Carrot's room and heard his anguished screams. She kicked in his door and saw him handcuffed to the bedpost, legs shackled together with a heavy chain and padlocked. Tira regarded him curious to know what happened.

"Tira, please let me out," Carrot pleaded, his eyes all innocent.

"What'd you do now, Carrot?" she demanded.

"Nothing! Your vengeful sister did this. Becki wanted me to go with her to that concert in Arbor Park tonight."

Tira didn't buy the "nothing" part. Not for a second.

"Please! I'll be a perfect gentleman! I promise!"

"What about that 'I want a Becki and Carrot sandwich'?"

"I was kidding," Carrot whined. "Please let me out."

"I don't know.."

Carrot's pathetic begging had an effect on her, no matter how hard she tried to ignore it.

Chocolate shot pool a seedy bar at the edge of town. The entire week had been a frustrating one. Carrot continually came up with lame ass excuses why he could not hang out with her. Just when she hoped he had a free night, she found out he was going to the concert with that waitress Becki from the pizza parlor. Well if he wasn't going to go with her, he sure as hell wasn't going with the pretty Becki. She angrily struck the balls with her cue stick, sending them into the pockets. Several interested lowlifes gathered around, one daring one placed a bank note on the cushion.

"Wanna play, missy?"

"Grab a stick, mister. I'm in the mood to take your money."

Tira sat in her bed, reading a book she had recently started, a trashy romance novel. She ate pistachio ice cream from a half gallon tub. A tap on her window startled her momentarily. She rose and walked over to see what it was.

Carrot stood behind her window, looking around pensively. She didn't have time to put a robe on, she really didn't need to. Her nightie was quite modest compared to the flimsy ones her sister usually wore. Carrot slid up the window once she unlatched the lock. He looked around cautiously.

"Chocolate's not here, Carrot. I thought you were going to the concert?"

"Ah. Unfortunately Becki sprained an ankle getting off work. Lousy for her,

good for you."

He handed Becki's ticket to Tira.

"Really?" she asked with a slight smile.

"It's the least I could do," he admitted. "You were kind enough to free me."

"I hope Chocolate doesn't find out," she said, worriedly.

"Then don't wear your red cloak and glasses. How bout something that shows a little more cleavage?"

Tira almost socked him until she realized his comeon was directed at her for a change. It was quite welcome although she would not admit it.

Carrot flopped on the bed and leafed through her book.

"Um you're not going to stay in here while I change, are you?"

"Oh." He grinned lopsidedly and excused himself into the hallway.

Around 9PM, the concert began in the middle of a clearing in Arbor Park. Hundreds of young people had come to the outdoor event, a rarity up until recently. When Syleste had come to the city, she had brought music. She had urged traveling bands and musical artists to bring their unique interpretations to the event. First off was a quartet that sang accapella. Their voices blended nicely, a fine mixture of melody and harmony. Next, a group of tap dancers backed by an ensemble and piano player entertained the crowd. After the dancers,

Jazz musicians joined the ensemble to create a lively band. Their music got the young people in the mood to swing dance.

"C'mon Tira," urged Carrot.

She held back, a little shy. He grabbed her arm and gently led her into the throng of couples. She overcame her fear at never having danced with Carrot before and let herself enjoy the moment. Carrot's happy-go-lucky attitude proved infectious. He didn't care if he looked like a crazy fool in front of his peers.

After more fine acts, a loud ovation erupted when Syleste took the stage. She was well loved in Kettle and it showed. She wore a light blue minidress that hugged her curves nicely. Many boys whistled and she smiled in their direction.

"Oh good, Syleste is going to perform," Tira smiled.

Carrot stared, openmouthed along with every other young man in the crowd. Tira nudged him with her elbow, albeit slightly.

"How's everyone doing tonight?" she asked warmly. "I'd like to thank all the artists who made this get together a rousing success. We should do this more often, huh?"

The crowd cheered wildly.

"I want to play some of my songs for you. Many of you hear me every morning at the Daily Grind. I'll admit that a lot of my songs are quite sad. Fortunately I won't sing any of those tonight because I'm not sad. Maybe being in love for the first time does that."

"We love you, Syleste!" someone shouted from the crowd.

She strummed on her guitar and began her set. Marron watched, transfixed from his front row seat, his eyes never wavering from her. He knew she was referring to him and felt quite touched. She shamelessly stared back, her eyes only for him. After several love songs, she took the mike again.

"I wrote a new song yesterday. Actually it's not even finished, I'll ad lib as I go. It's titled 'Marron Glace', dedicated to you, darling."

"My one true love. Is it really meant to be? I think so.. I know you're what I've been looking for my entire life..."

He could feel the crowds attention on him. They wanted to see how he reacted, the focus of her song. Marron tried to block it all out and concentrate on her.

" I can't imagine going back to how

it was before I met you.

I want to hold your hand,

Feel your touch

Wake up with you beside me,

Know fully and completely the person that is you.

Special and uniquely mine.

Sometimes rain must fall into our lives.

But being there for you and you with me matters most.

You've touched my heart as no one ever has...

... Not complex, really. No doubts at all.

There is a simple magic between us.

And to you, my one true love,

My soul is yours forever."

Tira wiped her eyes, touched by the sugary ballad. Carrot smiled. He could only see the back of Marron's head and could only guess how his brother felt.

Nonetheless, he felt a warm pride.

Sylest ended the song with tears streaming down her cheeks. Marron, despite his reluctance to show his private side, leapt onto the stage and took her into his arms. He smiled broadly, oblivious to the humongous crowd.

"You used my lyrics!"

She grinned back. "I did. Although I made the rest of it up while I was up there!" She had to shout at him over the cheers. Doing so, endeared her even more to him.

"Well I'll be damned," Gateau remarked, arms folded as he leaned against an oak tree. "Marron does like girls after all!"

Tira and Carrot snuck back into Carrot's room. Chocolate had not come home yet. "I think we better put you back as you were. I want to avoid the fireworks," she told him.

Carrot chuckled. "Alright. You can handcuff me to the bedpost again."

He stretched out his arms and Tira put the cuffs around his wrists, then locked them through the heavy head board.

Gateau opened the door abruptly to see Tira putting chain around Carrot's legs. He appeared docile and didn't struggle against her at all.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked with a sly grin.

Tira realized how awkward the situation looked. "It's not what you think, Gateau."

"Yeah right," Gateau winked at her. "Looks like you finally got Carrot whipped!"

She blushed the color of her hair. Carrot wasn't offended by the comment. He was too busy staring at Tira's form fitting tube top.

"Goodnight Carrot," she said softly.

"Wait Tira!"

"Chocolate might be back any minute. Gotta go."

She closed the door behind her, leaving Carrot alone and making him wish he was taking a very cold shower.

To Be Continued.