SOLVED. Boy works for dragon keepers, steals dragon [s]

[Anna]

I really hope you guys can help, this has been bugging me for about a year!

From what I can remember of this book, there is a boy who is acting as a servant/groom/steward for a rich man, who owns dragons or perhaps is a dragon rider of some sort. Anyway, I think he manages to steal a dragon egg and hatch it without anyone knowing and then he steals the dragon and flies away on it and eventually his master helps him escape.

I'd like to say that it's by David Gemmel but I can't say for certain, I just know I was reading a lot of Gemmel at the time.

Thanks!

EDIT: It was Joust by Mercedes Lackey, thanks to all those who helped!

[Rindy]

Could this be Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen?

[ScottK]

Sounds like it could be the first book in the series Dragon Jousters by Mercedes Lackey. The First book is Joust. A serf somehow gets his hands on a Dragon ( not sure how) and dreams of becoming a part of the elite Dragon Jousters? Just a guess.

[Anna]

That's it, thank you so much!