Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web - Volume 1 Read Free

wait to tell the world.
    The sweet smell of wood smoke peppered the crisp autumn air as a mischievous breeze sent leaves swishing across the hard dirt road. He lifted his jacket collar up over the back of his neck, blowing a few puffs of air into his hands to warm them. He had been craving some adventure and purpose in his life and now knew where to find it, yet he wondered how Maynard and Adelaide would take the news. But this was something he needed to do. All of his nineteen years had been spent in Kanesbury, the last few of them helping out on Maynard Kurtz’s farm and working as a bookkeeper at the local gristmill. Now it was time to get out, he decided, or else he would surely die of boredom.
    Kanesbury, a tiny community in the kingdom of Arrondale, was nestled on the northern tip of the Cumberland Forest. Morning sunlight dappled the ground as it sliced through clusters of red and orange leaves clinging precariously to the multitude of trees protectively lining its streets. As Nicholas neared the bake shop, two men with weather-beaten faces were digging a hole in front of the establishment. The scent of fresh bread and pastries wafted through the air. He stopped to watch, raking his fingers through a head of light brown hair. A load of long wooden posts rested on the back of a horse-drawn cart. Preparations were underway for the Harvest Festival in five days.
    “We still got half the village to outfit with these posts,” Arlo Brewer told Nicholas. “Ask your boss for the day off so you can help us,” he joked, one thumb wrapped around his suspenders. “You know how fussy Mayor Nibbs is about his festival torches. Wants ‘em just right for the celebration.”
    “You men are doing a fine job, as usual. I’m just here for a slice of pumpkin bread on my way to work,” Nicholas said, examining the posts. “They look taller this year.”
    “Mayor Nibbs ordered the torches half an arm’s length longer,” the other man replied, puffing on a pipe. “Drew Chance caught his straw hat on fire as he walked by one last year, remember? But he is a tall chap.” Zeb Walker spat into the hole. “Only a drunken stilt-walker will be in danger this year,” he added, bursting out laughing.
    Nicholas looked forward to the Harvest Festival, the annual three-day holiday held throughout the village. Most communities observed the tradition during the month of New Autumn. Villages throughout Arrondale set aside the first three days of the second full week to revel day and night. He planned to meet with friends at the Water Barrel Inn that first evening to share a mug of ale and kick off the festivities. He hoped Katherine Durant might accompany him to the village dance on the final night if he could first work up the courage to invite her.
    During those three days, Kanesbury would be inundated with traveling craftsmen and acrobats, soothsayers and conjurers, all looking for a free meal or a few tossed coins for their efforts. The locals loved the entertainment as visitors would wander through the evening streets lit by the giant torches. Crowds of wide-eyed children and chattering adults would play games of chance and gobble down outdoor cooking at its finest. For three autumn evenings the village would appear magical under the stars, a perfect place to live. Nicholas was saddened, realizing that he would soon be leaving it behind.
    He said nothing of his plans to Ned Adams, his employer, while working at his desk that morning. Nicholas performed the bookkeeping for Ned at the stone gristmill perched upon the banks of the Pine River. With the last flour shipments of the season being readied for delivery to other parts of the kingdom, Ned’s mind was juggling enough details at the moment. Nicholas’ news could wait for a less hectic moment. Besides, he thought it best that Maynard, who was like a father to him, should learn of his plans first. The young man decided to tell him sometime after dinner, unsure how he would receive