Double Dragon Trouble by Kate McMullan Read Free Book Online Page A

dragon.”
    â€œThe dragon did flips in the air,” said Maggot as he rose to a wobbly stand. “Can we do it again, dragon? Can we? Can we?”
    â€œYou mean you liked it?” exclaimed Wiglaf.
    â€œYeah,” said Maggot. “It was awesome.”
    â€œEnough!” said Mordred. “Back to business.”
    â€œBack to business!” Bilge mimicked.
    â€œButton it up!” Mordred boomed.
    â€œButton it up!” taunted the twins.
    The twins burst out laughing.
    Mordred glared at the pair. He turned to the dragons. “What about my second wheelbarrow of gold?”
    â€œHere you go,” said Ethelred. She poured her bag of gold into the empty wheelbarrow.
    Mordred sank his arms into the huge pile of gold coins and hugged them tightly. “My gold,” he crooned. “All mine.”
    â€œOnly,” said Lucinda, “if you keep Bilge and Maggot away from our cave.”
    â€œDon’t worry about them,” said Mordred. “My school is known for turning worthless lads into fine young dragon sla—I mean, fine young men. Bilge and Maggot won’t be bothering you again. I’ll whip them into shape in no time.”
    â€œWanna bet?” said Angus softly.
    â€œFarewell, Wiglaf,” said Lucinda. “Farewell, Angus. I wish you could visit us again. But I’m going to booby-trap the path up to our cave.” She shrugged. “Sorry, but no one without wings will ever pop in on us unexpectedly again.”
    â€œThanks for the cookies,” said Angus.
    â€œWe want another ride, dragon!” demanded Bilge.
    â€œYeah!” said Maggot. “Give us another crazy ride!”
    But the dragon twins ignored them. They spread their wings and flew off toward their cave on Keep Away Mountain.
    â€œWell!” Mordred rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get my loot back to DSA. Nephew? You push that wheelbarrow. Wiglaf? You push this one. Nice and smooth now. Can’t have coins dropping out. Hmm. I wonder if I’m going to need a bigger safe.”
    Angus and Wiglaf grabbed the wheelbarrow handles. By gritting their teeth and pushing with all their might, they made the wheels turn. They pushed the giant wheelbarrows down Huntsman’s Path.
    â€œBilge?” called Mordred. “Maggot? You walk behind. Pick up any spillage. I have my eye on you. If I see you slipping coins into your pockets, I’ll turn you upside down and shake them out.”
    The twins skipped along behind the huge wheelbarrows.
    â€œWe must get back to DSA before dawn,” said Mordred, bringing up the rear. “Won’t do to have students and teachers waking up and seeing all this gold.” He cupped his hands to his mouth and called, “Put on a little speed, nephew! You too, Wiglaf. Pick up the pace.”
    It wasn’t easy to push the wobbly, fully loaded wheelbarrows at any speed. But Wiglaf and Angus did their best to go faster.
    The sky was pink with dawn when Wiglaf spotted DSA in the distance.
    Not far from the drawbridge, Angus stopped. “I...can’t...push...more,” he panted.
    Wiglaf stopped, too. He had never been so tired.
    â€œWe’ll help you!” called Bilge. He grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow Angus had been pushing.
    â€œYeah,” said Maggot, grabbing the handles of Wiglaf’s barrow. “We’ll help!”
    Angus and Wiglaf dropped onto the grass, exhausted.
    The little lads shoved hard and managed to get the wheels rolling. Bilge pushed his wheelbarrow up onto the drawbridge. Maggot was right behind.
    â€œThey are strong for such little lads,” said Wiglaf, watching them.
    â€œCareful now, lads,” Mordred called, hurrying toward the drawbridge. “Keep ’em steady. Don’t want any coins spilling into the moat.”
    Hearing this, the twins looked at each other and grinned. Then they started wobbling the wheelbarrows from side to side on the