The Elementalist (The Kothian Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

as the package was unwrapped. "Breakfast!" Danton explained revealing a dozen sausages. Maxim could not recall ever eating them before, meals at the orphanage had often been gruel. Meat was only kept for special occasions, usually when the premises were being checked by officials from mayor's offices.
     
    It was not long before they were sizzling in a pan, and Maxim waited impatiently. He breathed in, savouring the aroma given off, thinking If they tasted half as good as they smelled, he was certainly going to enjoy eating them. Danton smiled as he watched Maxim clearly excited over the smallest of things. He also felt a sadness and pity, that life for the young man before him had been so harsh and cruel. Somewhere in that young mind was a magic that was so rare and powerful, although Danton almost shuddered at the mere thought of the destruction possible. He was glad nobody else had stumbled upon Maxim before he had, and realised the potential of the young man. Had he fallen into the wrong hands, he could have been used as a terrible weapon.
     
    As it was, he hoped to help and nurture Maxim's powers, and when he got him back home, there were others there, who he hoped could aid him further. He firstly needed to teach him to read, which in its self was not going to be an easy task. Perhaps the others in the group could assist he thought. Zack had already taken quite a shine to Maxim, as he smiled thinking how strange it was, that two people from the very opposites of the social spectrum should become friends so quickly.
     
    Realising the sausages in the pan were cooked, he removed them onto a plate, and turned to see Maxim waiting at the table. "Here you go," he said transferring three of them over to his plate, along with a couple of slices of bread. He watched as Maxim went to pick one up with his fingers before having to drop it again, "Ooh that's too hot," he said cursing. Danton chuckled, "Here use a fork," he said passing one over.
     
    It appeared the smell of food cooking was enough to get the others out of bed. Melia emerged first, arms stretched out and yawning loudly as she sat down. Mikel appeared from the bedroom Maxim had slept in, and after barely casting him a glance, sat at the far end of the table to him. Finally, Zack appeared and wished everyone a good morning, before sitting himself down beside Maxim. "Danton has cooked us sausages," he told his new friend excitedly. Zack smiled, "They smell good," he said.
    "They taste good too," Maxim replied.
    "Pfft anybody would think he has never eaten a sausage before," Mikel mumbled snidely.
    It was Danton who intervened, deciding it was time to put a stop to the remarks. "Perhaps because he has not Mikel. Now stop the sarcastic attitude, we are all on the same side."
     
    Mikel grumbled under his breath, but left it at that. As punishment, Danton also told him he would be washing the breakfast things. "Zack," he asked, "I wonder if you might assist me in helping Maxim."
    Zack swallowed the mouthful of food he had, before answering, "Of course I will, what is it you need of me?"
    Danton explained as nicely as he could that Maxim was not able to read, and would need some intensive tutoring. He himself needed to go back into town to start arranging supplies for their onward journey. Whilst they stayed in the cottage, he wanted Zack to try to teach Maxim. "I would like to help as well," Melia piped up, much to the disappointment of Mikel.
    "Excellent," Danton said, "Then we start as soon as breakfast is finished.
     
    After breakfast, Zach and Melia sat close, one either side of Maxim. Melia had thought it best to start on the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they made. Maxim told them he knew a few of them, because they had been taught to write their names at the orphanage. As it happened, Maxim knew most of the sounds the letters made, although when it came to putting them into words, he was somewhat less successful.
     
    Danton thought it best that Mikel go