The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles by Andrew Wood Read Free Book Online Page B

him worked out in a matter of minutes."
     
    After a little while, Mikel walked the last of the horses aboard, as Melia assisted Samuel. The young Bosarian lad had improved steadily day by day, but she knew he still needed to be kept close so she could keep an eye on him. As a result, twice a day she had been using her powers to give him a thorough check up just to ensure the repairs she had carried out were continuing to heal as she intended. Danton remained on shore, ready to give them a push off, but Maxim gestured for him to climb aboard with the rest of them.
     
    Darion was just about to make some comment about why Maxim had done such a thing, when the barge jolted forward and drifted freely onto the water's surface.
    "I suppose we need to row," Mikel said, gesturing for the others to join him below.
    "No need Mikel, I'll get us over," Maxim told him as he stood near the rear of the craft looking at the water below them. The others watched on as the young magician held out his two hands, and barge moved forward across the water. The movement was a little shaky at first with the craft jolting forward a little, causing the others to steady themselves, but once Maxim was confident he was doing it right, he managed to keep it smooth.
     
    Zack was first to walk over to him, "How did you learn to do that?" He asked quietly trying not to disturb his friend's concentration.
    "I'm not really sure Zack if I'm honest, but I feel able to do almost anything. I know things I had no knowledge of before...it's strange," he replied, not sure that his explanation was a particularly good one. Zack must have been happy with it, as no further questions came, and instead the young royal seemed intent on just watching, standing quietly beside him. The barge did not move particularly quickly through the dark murky waters of the lake, but probably faster than if they had attempted to row across themselves. The only question in Maxim's mind was whether he could now keep his concentration for long enough to get them to the other side.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 6.
     
     
     
    Connor sat near the rear of the craft watching Maxim work his magic, although he occasionally kept glancing over to the direction of the large wolf that appeared to be allowed a free rein around the deck. He was a little confused as to why such a beast was walking around them and not doing so viciously. The image in his mind of the way a wolf was portrayed, and the way the animal before him was acting, just did not seem to weigh up. He then turned to see the little girl in the group walk right up to the beast in question and pat it on the head, as if it were some playful puppy.
     
    Maxim looked down at his young companion, "You can go pat Shadow if you wish. I'm sure he won't mind...just best ask Mikel first," he added as an afterthought. Before Connor could ask which one was Mikel, Maxim nodded his head over that direction, "Him over there," he added as his concentration just lapsed a little making the barge judder, causing everyone else aboard to turn their gaze his direction. "Sorry..." he shouted as he steadied the barge back on to its previous smooth line.
     
    Connor slowly edged his way over to Mikel, "Excuse me can I pat your dog...err wolf?" he asked. Mikel looked down at the young Bosarian and shrugged, "Sure...Here give him this," he added grabbing a piece of meat from a package in one of his saddlebags. Connor looked at the rather fatty lump of flesh he had been given, and took it before holding it out cautiously for the wolf. "If he likes you, he won't hurt you," Tia told him, taking charge of the situation. "He is linked to my friend Mikel," she told.
    "Yes I know," Connor replied as Shadow very carefully took the meat from his small hand.
    "He is magic you know...so is my brother...over there," she added pointing to Samuel.
    "Yes I know that too...My Master is magic...and more powerful than anyone in the whole wide world."
    "No he is not...You