Read Online The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette - Free Book Online Page A

how to handle them,” Mally said. “But it’s usually just Gibbs that we see here.”
    “Not everyone has that kind of bravery,” Ivan commended her. “You would make a good rebel.”
    At his compliments, Mally flushed even deeper and smiled bashfully.
    “I once heard from a trader that the rebels somehow snuck into the royal stables and released all the knights’ horses,” said Mally. “He said Molick was spitting he was so angry.”
    “We’re very grateful for your approval!” Ivan grinned with a short bow.
    Mally’s eyes widened.
    “You mean … you’re ...?”
    “Ivan Finley, rebel and aristocrat, at your service.” Ivan beamed at the excited awe that covered Mally’s face. “I’ve been given a very important task—very secret.”
    “What is it?” Mally asked immediately.
    Ivan glanced over his shoulder again before whispering, “I convinced the other rebels that Princess Avona may still be alive.”
    “But … you think she is?” Mally asked, startled.
    Ivan nodded, still glancing up and down the lane.
    “But how would you find her? How would you know if she were alive?” Mally asked, her voice hushed as if she too were afraid someone was hiding behind a tree.
    “I’d need someone on the inside,” Ivan answered, closing the small distance between Mally and himself with a small step. “I’d need to get someone in the castle … to work there. She’d snoop around and tell me what information Molick and the king might be hiding.”
    “So, do you have someone?”
    “I’m hoping I do.”
    Ivan’s eyes met Mally’s and understanding came to her.
    “ Me? ”
    “If you want to,” said Ivan, focusing on her eyes. They were very brown. “It would be dangerous, but I think you could handle that.”
    “I—I’d have to think about it.”
    “I don’t have much time,” Ivan pressed, now standing very close to her. “I’m leaving today and I want to take you with me.”
    Mally blinked very fast.
    “My-my mother, like I said, she won’t let me go to Bosc.”
    “Mally, we’re talking about the kingdom … saving the kingdom. Don’t you think that’s worth some risk—some danger?”
     

 
    6 Bosc
    On the way back to the house, Mally and Ivan discussed the best way to inform Susie Biddle of the news. It was a well-known fact that the knights tormented anyone they wanted outside of the castle. Though Mally could hardly believe the stories that she had heard from travelers and her fellow townspeople, the rumor was that the knights didn’t touch those inside the castle’s walls. She guessed it would be bad for business. After all, why would anyone willingly work where the knights lived? But even though Mally could argue to her mother that she would be safer in the castle, she knew that it would be a difficult point to make. Especially with Gibbs’ latest visit.
    “She’s not going to let me go,” Mally stated.
    Ivan narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
    “You don’t know her,” Mally continued, spotting Ivan’s e xpression. “She’s never let me go to the city—no matter how desperately we need the money.”
    “The servants are well paid. You can send part of your salary to her. I know many do that.”
    Mally still looked uncertain. She definitely wanted to go with Ivan. To leave Blighten … to not take care of the blasted goats … to have some adventure … to try to get rid of the knights! Mally could hardly contain her excitement. But her mother … Mally could leave without her approval. She was an adult. But that idea only made Mally’s stomach twist sickly. Mally didn’t like the idea of leaving her mother alone, dealing with the farm and the shopping and the market and the goats and the knights. But if they didn’t somehow start earning more money then it wouldn’t be long before Gibbs snatched the farm away. Winter was coming and the livestock would need hay. They were already low on corn and the chickens would need their share of grain. Mally’s chest seemed