Free The Ghost of Sir Herbert Dungeonstone by Kate McMullan

Chapter 1
     
     
     
     
    R eady, Wiglaf?” Erica called from the far end of the Class I dorm. “Step on it, Angus,” she added. “We do not want to be late for the feast.”
    “There won’t be any feast,” Angus said as he pulled on a semi-clean DSA tunic. “Uncle Mordred will give us the same supper as always—eel casserole and lumpen pudding.”
    No doubt Angus was right, Wiglaf thought as he stepped into his breeches. But he didn’t mind. His mother’s cooking back home was much, much worse.
    Angus went on. “I wonder what’s happened to the latest goodie box Mother sent. It should have come.”
    Erica hurried over to the boys. “Are my braids sticking out from my helmet?” she whispered, turning around.
    Wiglaf checked. “No,” he told her. “No one would ever guess you are a girl.”
    “Shhh!” Erica looked around to make sure no one had heard. “Do not say that! Mordred will kick me out of DSA if he finds out.”
    “Your secret is safe with us,” Wiglaf said.
    Angus nodded. “My lips are sealed.”
    Erica sighed as she buckled her tool belt. “I do get tired of being the only girl at DSA. And of wearing this disguise.”
    Wiglaf pulled his helmet over his carrot-colored hair. He followed his friends out of the dorm and down the wide staircase.
    “Was not that moaning last night awful?” Erica said as they went.
    “Moaning?” Angus asked. “I heard nothing.”
    “Nor did I,” Wiglaf added. ear not mg. “Nor did I,” Wiglaf added.
    “Really?” said Erica. “Oh, it was terrible. I hardly slept a wink.” They reached the first floor and headed for the dining hall. “I have very sensitive hearing. Sir Lancelot is the same way. In his book, A Knight Like I, he tells how he can hear even the faintest sound.”
    Angus rolled his eyes. But Wiglaf smiled. He knew that Erica’s fondest wish was to be a noble knight just like Sir Lancelot.
    The three walked under a wide stone arch into the crowded DSA dining hall.
    In the glimmering flames from wall-mounted torches, Wiglaf spotted the big Marley brothers—Barley, Charlie, Farley, and Harley. They were bigger and taller than any of the DSA teachers. At another table nearby, Wiglaf saw Coach Plungett, the slaying teacher. And the weapons teacher, Master X. He was an ex-executioner who still wore a black hood over his head. He saw Brother Dave, the DSA librarian. And Mordred’s sister, Lady Lobelia. She wore a purple gown trimmed in feathered plumes.
    Wiglaf also spied three big-boned, yellow-haired strangers sitting at the head table. A father, mother, and daughter. The father had many gold chains around his neck. The mother sported a necklace with a huge blue stone. The girl wore pearls and a fancy gown.
    The girl was also chomping on a bright green wad of what could only be Smilin’ Hal’s Tree Sap Chewing Gum. Wiglaf quickly looked around for Mordred. He always sent gum chewers straight to the dungeon for a time-out.
    “Who are they?” Wiglaf asked Angus.
    Angus shrugged. “They look rich.”
    “Hey!” said Erica, pointing. “Look at that!”
    A black cloth was draped over the arch at the back of the room. It hid words carved into stone that said DRAGON SLAYERS’ ACADEMY FOR LADS.
    “All stand for the headmaster!” called Yorick, Mordred’s scout. “All stand!”
    Everyone rose. Mordred strode to the head table where the three guests were seated. He was decked out in a rich purple velvet robe with gold trim. And a matching hat with a golden tassel.
    Mordred smiled. His gold tooth gleamed in the torchlight. His violet eyes shone.
    “Greetings!” he boomed. “Tomorrow is Founders Day. And tonight we feast to honor the school founders...and to welcome a new student. A student who brings a big change to DSA!”
    “When I came here,” Wiglaf whispered to Angus, “there was no feast in my honor. My first night at DSA, I washed a mountain of dirty dishes!”
    “But I get ahead of myself,” Mordred said. “First, let us hear