SORCERER (The Elemental Magic Series Book 1) by Michael Nowotny Page B

find out where I need to go. Just came from Mr. Caller's classroom for general learning which I have after lunch. Then at eight bells I've combat with Master Stolle,” Alec ignored the open mouths of disbelief. “I need to find out where to meet him for lessons."
    "They gave you Master Stolle? Why would they give you, a first year, to him? You have Master Steadhold, right?" Bill asked Christi in disbelief.
    "Do you know where he is by chance?" Alec asked.
    "We'll show you." Christi took his hand in hers gaining him a look from Bill.
    They made their way to a small building set back and off in the corner of the guard wall. The small open courtyard area in front of it had several people paired off and fighting with different weapons. Bill pointed at an older man with a bald head who was sparring with a younger guy. It was obvious the instructor way out classed the other guy. His movements were so fluid from one stroke of his stave to the next. When it contacted the other's stave you'd think he planned it if the younger man hadn't been sweating profusely and losing ground quickly.
    Suddenly in a flurry of strikes the younger man was on the ground with Master Stolle's stave pointed at his neck and the younger man's beside him just out of reach. A tight shiver started at Alec’s lower back and began to climb its way up his spine.
    Alec had a crazy idea on how to get on the good side of this instructor. One of two things will happen. I'll either be made into a puddle or I'll gain a bit of respect for my courage, Alec thought. Please let it be the respect Alec silently prayed to no god in particular.
    Alec waited till the applause had stopped and people began to move off. He stepped into the path that Master Stolle would have to take to go inside.
    Christi and Bill gave him a look that asked if he was crazy. Master Stolle headed straight for him. Alec straightened his shoulders and held his hand out to the instructor as he came to a stop in front of him.
    "Alec Carter, sir. I'm to be in your eighth bell class, sir."
    Master Stolle shook his hand with an amused half smile on his face. "We'll meet here in front of this building at eight bells sharp. If you have a weapon and want to learn to use it, bring it."
    Alec stepped out of his way with a "Yes sir." He felt a little light headed and his knees started shaking.
    Bill and Christi took him by the elbows and led him over to a bench across the courtyard.
    "That was brilliant." Bill started.
    "Stupid is more like it." Christi refuted.
    "You must have some serious stones on you, and standing in Master Stolle’s path like that, simply brilliant. That was great!" Bill told him still excited about the whole thing.
    "I just figured I needed to make sure he knew I was serious."
    "Serious? Seriously stupid!" Christi smacked him up the back of the head. "You could have transferred to a different class. Now if he likes you he won't let you transfer."
    Alec and Christi left Bill and made their way back to the sorcerer’s tower. They had a while till supper. Alec headed toward the store to get some hangers and other toiletries he didn't bring with him while Christi went on to get her formal schedule from Peter.
    Alec was just passing the wizard’s tower as Travis and some of the other early upper class men came out.
    "Hi, Alec isn't it? No hard feelings about this morning right." Travis said to him putting his arm around his neck and slowly squeezing harder.
    Alec realized he was being herded toward the back of the store tower. Alec noted then a faint blue glow coming from under his shirt and realized it must be coming from the necklace him Aunt had given him.
    "Excuse me. I need to stop at the store." He told them while trying to make his way in that direction. Three of the other guys pushed him back the way they were going.
    "Let's go over here first, buddy." One of them said with a sneer.
    Alec knew they meant trouble for him and started trying to back away from them.
    As they went out of