A Blaze in the Dark (A New Dawn #1)

Chapter 4 - Nick

There have been no other quarrels but those of small-town life. I'll send you a separate report for you to read during your sleepless nights. If they can't summon Sloth, nothing can...

After shifting his favourite soft cushion pillow further up, Nick plumped down on the rocking chair by the open window. He reached for the thick book on the nearby table. The sun shone on his face, its heat radiating to the rest of his body. This was it. He wasn't going to move until Mother placed her Sunday roast on the table.

Sundays were for sleeping in, eating ridiculous amounts of food and devouring books for dessert; nothing else. It was the only day of the week that he didn't need to worry about becoming the hunting patrol's catch of the day.

He opened the book, ready to dive into the world of giant Ician dogs travelling hundreds of miles through fierce winds and icy snow. It was far more interesting than bouncing up and down a saddle or boasting about his non-existent archery skills. Plus nobody would complain if he accidentally dozed off instead of guarding the horses.

A post-breakfast nap sounded heavenly. Just him and his thoughts... all alone. His eyes were closing already.

"Wake up, son of Sloth! We're going on a hunting trip to cheer Fox up." Alex's head dangled above him, quickly followed by Seb, who stuck his head through the window as well.

Nick feverishly turned the page, pretending to be busy. These muttonheads weren't going to ruin his lazy day again.

"Yes, we've decided that you need to come too." Seb was nodding like the jack-in-the-box that Abby was playing with on the rug by the fireplace. "No excuses. We know you could use the extra practice, and it would mean the world to Fox."

Nick raised an eyebrow. The puddingbrain didn't need any favours. Not after what he had done. Father and George had spent half the night looking for the colt. And although they had managed to lure it back to the village with some carrots, they were still fast asleep to recover from the mission.

"I can't. I promised Abby we would read fairytales later."

Abby's big blue eyes peered at him, then at Seb and Alex. She abandoned her toys and headed towards them, her hands firmly planted on her hips. "Yes, you two and King Muttonhead are always out with Nick. Today is my turn."

He grinned, his finger tracking the paragraph where he had left off. "As you can see, I have other plans. Maybe next time."

"We had a feeling you were going to say that." Seb bumped Alex in the side. "I have a message for you. Your Lord wishes to remind you that you'll have plenty of time to read once autumn hits these lands."

"Tell your father I want to read today too."

"You want to read every day, goofball." Alex chuckled, her nose wrinkling up.

"Meh. Why can't you accept that I prefer carrying a book instead of a sword? I bet neither of you have touched another book since that winter Lady Karen taught us all to read."

"I did. When Father told me to give all his boring books to you." Seb rested his head on his hand, leaning on the windowsill. A smirk was never far away. "I don't understand how you can keep reading. Laneby doesn't have that many books. Don't you know all of them by heart now?"

"Father recently got me new ones from Sundale. They have bookshops there—actual places where you can buy books."

Mother joined him by the window, keeping a protesting Abby in her arms. "And he bought them so you'd have something new to read during the long autumn and winter nights. Lord Brandon is right, Nicky. It's such a beautiful summer day. You and your sister can read all you want when it's raining outside. My joints are telling me we'll soon get plenty of that."