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

is your bargain, boy? What bargain do you wish to make with me?”
    Ned stared openmouthed into the dark doorway. “I have no answer,” he said finally. “I offer myself as a humble worker.”
    He saw Gregory, the black-robed servant, return to the doorway. He and the Dragon Master had a hushed conversation. As they talked, the clouds rolled away from the sun. Behind the wall several dragons raised their heads to the sunlight.
    â€œCome a bit closer, boy,” Sir Darkwind ordered. “I have a bargain for you.”
    Ned took a few steps toward the house. He still couldn’t see the man clearly. He could see only the wide expanse of his white robe.
    â€œThere is one dragon still roaming free,” Sir Darkwind announced. “One dragon not in my collection. And I want them all! All! Here is the bargain I will make with you. Bring the last free dragon to me, and I will make you my apprentice.”
    Ned uttered a startled gasp. “Capture a dragon?” he cried. “But how? It will breathe fire on me, and I will perish.”
    From inside the house Gregory laughed.
    â€œFool! Dragons don’t breathe fire,” Sir Darkwind boomed. “That is a fairy tale.”
    â€œBut—I have no weapon to use against a mighty dragon!” Ned cried.
    â€œAnd I have none to give you. You must use your wits, boy,” the Dragon Master said.
    â€œHow did you capture all these dragons?” Ned asked, pointing to the fierce creatures watching from the stone wall.
    â€œI made a simple bargain with them,” Sir Darkwind replied. “I told them if they came to stay here, I wouldn’t kill them and use their meat for dragon stew.”
    Some bargain, Ned thought.
    â€œListen to me carefully, boy,” the Dragon Master called from the darkness of his doorway. “The last free dragon is called Ulrick. It lives in a cave on top of Stone Hill. If you capture this dragon and bring it to me, my collection will be complete. I will give you a job so that your family can eat.”
    â€œBut—but—” Ned sputtered.
    Sir Darkwind disappeared into his house. The door slammed hard.
    Behind the wall the dragons all began to shriek. Several of them snapped their jaws at Ned. A very young one, still green and slender, raised its head and uttered a high wail that sounded like crying.
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    The afternoon sun was high in the sky as Ned began to walk backthrough the forest. Waves of heat rose up from the ground, making the trees appear to bend and shimmer.
    Stone Hill, a steep-sloped mountain of smooth gray rock, led to a high cliff. Ned knew that deep caves were cut into the sides of the hill.
    No one ever explored those caves. People were afraid of the fierce creatures that lived inside.
    What weapon can I use to battle a dragon? Ned asked himself. The dragon will have talons a foot long and teeth the size of tree stumps. How can I make a bargain with a dragon like that?
    The sun beat down on him, making him feel as if he were melting. He stopped in the shadow of tall ferns to catch his breath.
    He thought of the cruelty of the Dragon Master. How he whipped the old dragons. How he kept them prisoners in that walled pen.
    Imagine, thought Ned, having so many enemies that he cannot leave his house!
    After several hours’ walking, Ned reached the bottom of Stone Hill. He mopped his forehead with his sleeve and took a deep breath.
    He could see black holes all along the side of the smooth rock hill. He shuddered, wondering what kinds of creatures made their homes in those caves.
    He leaned forward, lowered his head, and began to climb. His boots slid on the smooth stone. He kept his arms stretched out at his sides to keep his balance.
    Halfway up the steep slope his leg muscles began to cramp. With a troubled sigh Ned slipped into the dark opening of a cave. He dropped to the dusty cave floor and rubbed his aching leg muscles.
    Despite the heat of the day, the cave felt