I've always loved the Drawn to Life series, and Salem has always been my favorite character. The flashback where we see Salem challenge Mayor Rose was my favorite scene, and I wanted to expand upon it based on what I think happened. Hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The beautiful village of Watersong was known for many things. From it's elegant architecture to the ancient Skylamp Gong. But by far, the most important part of Watersong was the music. The gift of song all Raposa received at birth. Wherever you went in Watersong, you could hear breathtaking music. A chorus of children could make your heart flutter, a man singing about love could make you weep, and if you were lucky, the mayor of Watersong would be out on her patio; singing about the prosperity of Watersong. All voices sounded like a shrieking cat compared to Mayor Rose's voice. For generations, Watersongs mayor's voice had blessed the land. Each generation improving from the last. Not only was the voice of the mayor so beautiful, but it was also a vital part of Watersong. For if the Mayor was unable to sing, Watersongs very existence would come to an end. So each mayor of Watersong guarded his or her voice. They took care of their health, and never did anything if it could harm their voice. But Mayor Rose was different. She dripped vanity like a broken faucet. She would always challenge anyone who dared think they had an amazing voice to a contest of song. And she would always win.

This did not go unnoticed. Her son, and future mayor of Watersong would beg her to be more careful. But Mayor Rose would always tell Miles the same thing.

"The power of the Mayors voice is perfected with every generation it is passed down."

Mayor Rose's butler would try to warn her about the dangers of risking her voice so many times. She could damage her vocal chords if not careful. Mayor Rose would just scoff and claim that her vocal chords had been blessed by the Creator himself.

And the mysterious Raposa, Salem. He was the only one that the Mayor listened to without immediately shunning. She didn't know what it was about this Raposa that made her nervous. Perhaps it was because he had an air of elegance and confidence that the mayor had only ever seen on herself. Or maybe because he spoke every word with an emotion that made it sound like he was singing all the time. Every few nights, when the Mayor would sing on her patio, she could see that Salem was hiding in the shadows behind her. Listening to her voice. She always thought it was because her voice was marvelous, but Salem only listened because after she was done singing, he would be able to speak with her.

Once again, Mayor Rose sang to her people during a warm summers night, and they all listened in awe. Miles stood next to his mother and listened with fascination. He couldn't sing well just yet, but when Mayor Rose and himself got older, she would pass the gift of song on to him, and he would assume the role of mayor. Mayor Rose finished her song, and the people below her clapped and cheered. Mayor Rose smiled and waved.

"You have a wonderful voice Mistress Rose. Shame that you have so little respect for it." Salem started when Mayor Rose finished her song. She didn't turn towards him. She just glanced in his direction.

"It is my duty to share my voice with my people, so that the people and Watersong may flourish. If you see that as no respect for my voice then you do not understand what it means to be mayor." She finished waving as the last Raposa left. Then she turned towards Salem while grasping Miles hand and pushing a few strands of her curly golden hair behind her ears. Miles inched towards his mother. He understood that Salem was trying to protect his mother, but he didn't like that he insulted her and her choices. Salem and Mayor Rose gazed at each other. Mayor Rose had a hint of superiority in her eyes, while Salem looked almost sad. Salem broke the gaze and looked pass Mayor Rose. He was observing the silent town of Watersong. Night was the only time that little music filled the air. It was one of the more depressing times of Watersong.

"You claim that everything you do is for Watersong." He tiled his head up and stared at the moon. His black eye dimmed while his white eye, the one behind the mask, glowed. Miles always thought he could do that on command. It always happened whenever Salem was thinking long and hard about something. Miles was a little more observant then his mother. He sometimes could guess what Salem was going to say before he said it. There were little pitch changes in his voice when he was annoyed, pleased, or angry. He normally was sitting on the window edge when he was speaking to his mother, but stood up when he was going to say something that would haunt Miles dreams for days to come. If only his mother was more observant to what was happening, maybe she would be able to hold her ground against Salem. But every time they spoke, Salem would vanish as quietly was a whisper, while his mother would be either enraged or lost in thought. "Everything, eh? So those evenings when you are putting others to shame with your voice, when you know you're going to win, that's for Watersong?" Miles could hear Salem's pitch change just the tiniest bit. Miles wanted to think it was anger, but no, Salem was pleased with something. He didn't like where the conversation was going. Mayor Rose faltered for only a moment, but snapped back with a response. Miles could obviously tell his mother was angry, so Salem must know it as well.

"When I challenge my people, it's to give them inspiration to become better. So that their gift of song may become just as wonderful as mine." Salem snapped his head at Mayor Rose quickly.

"Your vanity will be your ultimate demise Mistress Rose. If you do not wish to lose your 'wonderful' gift, then learn some humility before someone teaches it to you." Miles thought that phrase almost sounded rehearsed. He couldn't take this anymore. His mother was vain, but he would not allow Salem to insult her. He stepped forward, letting go of his mother's hand.

"My Mama's voice has been perfected by our ancestors. Because she is the mayor, that means she has the best voice." Salem chuckled. He didn't bother to look at Mayor Rose or Miles.

"Did your mother tell you that?" Miles hadn't expected that.

"Well…um...yes. But it's true! Watersong was founded on the foundation of song, and my ancestors have always been the mayor because their voice-"

"Yes, yes, I know the story." Salem interrupted. He was becoming annoyed. He always become annoyed when talking to Miles. "And yes, your mother does have the best voice of Watersong. But she acts like a child with the newest toy. She thinks because her voice is superior, that makes her superior. All that makes her is an egotistical fool." Salem glared at Mayor Rose. "Every rose has its thorn." Mayor Rose removed the rose from her hair, and stroked its petals.

"The rose has its thorns so that it survives longer then any other flower. While they are all beautiful, the rose is the only one with protection." Salem stood up and crept towards Mayor Rose until they were arms length. He removed his mask to reveal a black scar covering his white eye. It was the same size as his mask. He had never told Mayor Rose or Miles where it had come from. It looked like an eternal shadow was cast over the right side of his face.

"But no matter how much protection a rose has. It will one day wither and die." He didn't wait for Mayor Rose to respond. He exited through the open window, not even taking a moment to put on his mask. When Mayor Rose lunged through the window, he was gone. She placed the rose back into her hair, and returned outside. She leaned against the railing overlooking her village. A shiver ran through her body.

Miles sat down and looked at the city through the bars of the railing and observed the village. He noticed his mother shiver, and grabbed her hand. Sometimes he felt like he had the weight of Watersong on his shoulders, even though he was just the Mayors son. He could hear his mother muttering to herself. He could only pick out a few of the words. "Salem." "Vanity." And "best" were a few. He guessed she was musing over the recent argument with Salem. It still amazed him how Salem could anger his mother in just a few sentences, when his mother could barely put a scratch in Salem's quiet demeanor. It also scared him.

"Mama. Are you okay?" Miles knew the answer, but couldn't help but ask.

"Of course Miles. I'm fine. Salem doesn't understand what has to be done in in order for Watersong to thrive." Mayor Rose stared at the opera house. Her eyes lit up. "In fact, I'll show him. In a few days, I'll hold a opera concert at the Opera House. So that everyone can learn how to sing as well as I. Salem will also learn how important it is for everyone to hear me." Miles didn't like that idea. It was like his mother had just forgotten everything Salem had just told her. But, he was her son, and nothing he said would change her mind.

"That's…Is that a good idea Mama?" Miles asked. Mayor Rose knelt down to him and embraced him.

"The power of the Mayors voice is perfected with every generation it is passed down."

As Mayor Rose began contemplating the Opera Concert set in a few days, a lone figure stood on the roof of the Mayors Mansion. Even with the heat the figure had his cape wrapped around his body. Salem glared at Mayor Rose as she continued to talk about the concert. He had tried time and time again to warn the Mayor to either step down or face the consequences, but he now knew talking wasn't going to get anything solved.

"Mistress Rose." He spoke softly. "You ignore my warnings, and continue to regard yourself as better then the rest. I will teach you a grave lesson. One that you, your son, nor all of Watersong shall ever forget." Salem slipped into the shadows, and the night was quiet once more.