The Haunting Hour by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

kept his distance. The boy cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Sir Darkwind! Sir Darkwind, a humble peasant boy wishes to speak with you.”
    To Ned’s surprise the door creaked open. A dark-robed figure stood half hidden in the doorway. He did not step out.
    â€œWhat do you want?” he called. He had a high, boyish voice.
    â€œI have come to see the great Dragon Master,” Ned said. “To ask a favor.”
    â€œI am Gregory, Sir Darkwind’s servant,” came the reply. “Sir Darkwind does no favors.”
    Ned swallowed, his mouth as dry as straw. Had he come all this way for nothing?
    â€œI bring the best wishes of the great Sorcerer Margolin,” he called. “Perhaps if Sir Darkwind would come outside and give me a moment—”
    â€œWe don’t know any sorcerers,” Gregory sneered. “And Sir Darkwind seldom comes out of his house. Only to whip the dragons to keep them in their place.”
    Ned squinted at the figure of the servant, still hidden in the shadow of the doorway. “He never leaves his house?”
    â€œNo,” came the reply. “He has too many enemies.”
    Behind the stone wall the dragons growled and groaned. Afierce-looking creature with curled horns on its gnarled head lowered its head and battered the wall.
    â€œGo away! You are upsetting the dragons!” a deep voice bellowed from inside the house.
    Ned saw another figure move into the doorway, shoving the servant aside. Even from a distance Ned could see that this man was tall and wide, his white robe billowing around him.
    The sight of him sent shivers down Ned’s back. It was known far and wide that Sir Darkwind was the cruelest man in the kingdom. Even the Sorcerer Margolin, with all his powerful magic, had feared him.
    â€œAre you the great Dragon Master?” Ned asked. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. “I am a humble peasant boy, grand sir. I come to beg for work.”
    â€œYou want to work for me, boy?” Sir Darkwind roared. “What do you know about these beasts?”
    They are not beasts, Ned thought. Yes, they are fierce creatures. But they have the wisdom of the ages. Even I know that.
    But he did not correct the Dragon Master. Instead, he said, “I am a fast learner, sir. I need work badly. I have five brothers and sisters, and my family is poor. My father’s foot was crushed under a wagon wheel. Now they all depend on me for their bread.”
    â€œ Tsk tsk ,” the Dragon Master replied sarcastically. “Am I supposed to cry for your ill fortune?”
    Dragons grunted and growled. High clouds rolled over the sun. Inside the house Sir Darkwind appeared to go deeper into shadow.
    â€œHave you worked before, boy?” the Dragon Master asked.
    â€œYes, Sir Darkwind. I was apprenticed to the Sorcerer Margolin,” Ned replied, still on his knees. “But I was forced to leave that job. After Margolin had a terrible argument with another sorcerer,they both suddenly vanished.”
    â€œGood riddance,” Sir Darkwind said. “The world doesn’t need sorcerers. A good strong whip is the only magic I need!”
    Ned climbed to his feet, brushing dirt off the hem of his smock. “It would be an honor to work for you, Sir Darkwind. Everyone knows you are the greatest Dragon Master in the world!”
    A sharp laugh escaped Sir Darkwind, more like the bark of a dog. “I am the only Dragon Master!” he bellowed from the darkness of his doorway. “These are the last dragons to survive. The last in the world.”
    â€œI would be honored to help tend to them,” Ned offered.
    Sir Darkwind laughed again. “You would swing the whip to help teach them their manners?”
    â€œNo, sir. But—”
    â€œWhat then would you do?” the Dragon Master shouted. “What is your bargain? All of life is a bargain. That is the one truth that I have learned. So what