The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette Page A

He’s everywhere here.”
    Mally’s attention was gratefully diverted as the same girl a rrived with their drinks and a small wedge of daffodil yellow cheddar. She was trembling. Mally smiled kindly in silent gratitude. The girl nodded stiffly, her lips pressed together so tightly they were white. Mally watched her disappear through the door behind the bar as if it were her sanctuary.
    “But that does bring up an important topic,” Ivan said as if they were continuing a conversation. “It is imperative that Molick doesn’t suspect you. He’s been trying to sniff the rebel members out ever since the group formed. He’s o bsessed with catching us.”
    “Does he suspect you?” Mally asked quietly, suddenly ner vous. She felt that it was reckless for them to be discussing such a topic in a room where six intoxicated knights sat.
    “If they did, I doubt that I’d be here.”
    On that foreboding note, they sat in silence, each sipping on their drink and watching the customers. They all spoke quietly, shooting wary glances at the knights who seemed to be reveling in the discomfort their presence had created.
    “Ah! And here’s Galen!” Ivan said happily, his eyes fixed over Mally’s head.
    Mally turned in her seat and saw a young man with sandy-blonde hair walk up to them. A curious grin played upon his face as he made his way to them.
    “Ivan,” he said, once he’d reached their table. “Nice to see you back.”
    “Pull up a chair!”
    “No, I really—don’t want to intrude.” His gaze had fallen on Mally and Mally returned it with a smile.
    “You won’t be,” Ivan laughed, pulling out a chair beside him. “Sit!”
    With a quick glance at Mally, Galen sat.
    “Galen, may I introduce to you Miss Mally Biddle. Mally, this is Galen Dunker, the friend I told you about.”
    Galen and Mally shook hands.
    “Pleasure,” said Galen.
    Mally smiled in reply.
    “She’s going to help me,” Ivan revealed in an excited undertone, leaning toward Galen.
    Galen’s head shot around and he released Mally’s hand.
    “Help you?” he repeated a little more loudly than necessary.
    “Yes. Don’t worry, she knows all about the plan,” he rushed, in answer to Galen’s sharpened gaze. “You can trust her.”
Galen looked uncomfortable and he shot another quick glance at Mally before whispering to Ivan, “What exactly are you going to have her do?”
    “What I told you I’d have her do,” Ivan responded rather impatiently and mouthed, “Snoop around the castle.”
    Galen opened his mouth, but closed it again. With an agitated glance at Mally, he scooted his chair closer to the table and leaned his head nearer to Ivan’s. Mally had the distinct impression that Galen didn’t want her to hear what he wan ted to say.
    “Does she know,” Galen whispered so low that he was bar ely moving his lips, “does she know the—”
    Mally had a feeling she knew what Galen was trying to say without her noticing and decided it was time to speak up.
    “I know the dangers involved, Galen, thank you,” Mally said clearly, breaking up Ivan and Galen’s conversation. “Ivan has already told me what I’ll be doing and I understand my situation.”
    Ivan looked pleased and took a large swig of beer, but Galen looked mutinous.
    “Galen! Galen, where— there you are !”
    A boy who looked about fourteen with pale freckles on his face rushed to their table.
    “Galen, I’ve been looking all over for you!” he gasped, slightly out of breath. “Mom’s hav’n’ a fit. The potatoes burned and Sarah still hasn’t shown.”
    “Tell her I’m coming,” Galen told the sweating boy, who no dded and hurried off.
    Galen turned to Ivan and rose.
    “I’ll talk to you later. Nice to meet you,” he said to Mally.
    “You worry too much,” Ivan told Galen’s retreating back.
    Mally watched him disappear through the door behind the bar, feeling uneasy.
    “Don’t let Galen upset you,” Ivan said. He picked his mug up off the