World's Oldest Living Dragon by Kate McMullan Read Free Book Online

dressed.”
    â€œThank you, lad,” said Sir Roger, perking up. “I needed that.”
    â€œWe need a dress rehearsal of the dance moves with the students,” said Sir Poodleduff. “Let us go out to the castle yard.”
    Wiglaf and his friends went out to the yard ahead of Don Donn and the aged knights. They saw Mordred still sitting on his bags.
    â€œSir!” called Wiglaf as he, Erica, and Janice hurried over to Mordred. “We have brought sixteen knights from Ye Olde—”
    â€œEnough!” boomed Mordred, holding up a gold-ringed hand. “Did you catch sight of my scout Yorick on your way here?”
    â€œNo, sir,” said Erica.
    Mordred frowned. “He was supposed to be here an hour ago to drive me and my gold to—” He looked at them suspiciously. “ — to a safe place.”
    â€œThere is no need to hide your gold from Grizzlegore now, sir,” said Janice.
    â€œNo?” Mordred raised one bushy eyebrow.
    â€œNo, Uncle,” said Angus. “The aged knights will save us from the dragon.”
    Mordred frowned. “Those old bags of bones don’t stand a chance against Grizzlegore.”
    â€œThey know his secret weakness, sir,” said Wiglaf. “’Tis a poem. And they shall recite it to him.”
    â€œYou mean…my gold may be saved?” asked Mordred eagerly.
    â€œYes, Uncle,” said Angus. “Your gold will be saved.”
    Mordred grinned. “Well, what are you lads and lasses waiting for?” he cried. “Pick up my luggage! Take it to my office. Get a move on, now. Chop-chop!”
    Wiglaf had just picked up a heavy bag when there was a commotion at the castle doors. He turned and saw DSA students pouring forth into the castle yard.
    â€œEgad!” cried Mordred. “Don’t let those ruffians near my gold!”
    â€œThey’re not ruffians, Uncle,” said Angus. “They are your students.”
    â€œLet us out of there!” the students cried, running for the gatehouse.
    Erica ran in front of them. “As the Future Dragon Slayer of the Month, I order you to stop!” she cried.
    All the lads and lasses stopped.
    â€œThere is no need to flee,” said Erica.
    â€œBut a dragon is coming to flame the school!” cried Charley Marley.
    â€œA dragon is coming,” said Erica. “But he won’t flame the school. Because we have a secret weapon!”
    â€œAll right!” cheered the lads and lasses. “A secret weapon!”
    â€œWhat is the secret weapon?” asked Farley Marley.
    Just then the castle doors opened again. The aged knights came down the steps, dressed in DSA uniforms.
    â€œBehold!” said Erica, pointing to the castle doors. “Our secret weapon!”
    All the lads and lasses turned toward the doors. When they saw the aged knights in the DSA uniforms, their jaws dropped open.
    â€œ That’s your secret weapon?” cried Barley Marley.
    â€œA bunch of geezers?” cried Charley Marley.
    Without waiting for an answer, they ran screaming for the gatehouse.
    â€œStop!” Erica called after them. “Wait!”
    But they ran on. And as they ran, the sky above darkened.
    Wiglaf looked up. Great black clouds were rolling across the sky.
    The students stopped and looked up, too. The castle yard grew still.
    A sudden whoosh of bright orange flame cut through the clouds. And a voice rang out above them:
    â€œTHE WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING
DRAGON—GRIZZLEGORE—IS HERE! COME
OUT TO GREET ME!”

Chapter 9
    At the sound of Grizzlegore’s voice, Mordred began to scream.
    All the students at the gatehouse screamed, too.
    â€œCancel the dress rehearsal,” Sir Poodleduff called calmly over their screams. “Students, line up. Knights, get behind them.”
    Wiglaf, Angus, and Janice lined up as Sir Poodleduff had asked.
    But Erica ran to the gatehouse.
    â€œAs Future Dragon Slayer of the