Chapter 2

The Plan

"You want me to do what? You do know what the punishment for that is do you not? There is no way that I'm going to do that!" ranted Nicholas.

"But Nick, you said that you'd do anything to help me! Please? I really need you to do this!" begged his friend the Princess Clair.

"Yeah, but I'm not going to kidnap you! Come on, can't you think of anything better? Let me think on this a while, and then I'll get back to you on what I will do to help, but I am so not going to do that."

"I have thought an awful lot on this, and it's the only thing we could come up with!"

"Whoa, someone else is in on this? Who?" demanded Nicolas.

"Who do you think? Natalie of course, I tell her everything! Come on Nick, please? Please will you help me?"

"I'll think about it. But I'm not saying that I will or will not do it. Not yet. Let me ask around town what people are thinking about what is up with Jeremy."

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!!" Clair squealed as she gave Nicholas a hug and pecked him on the cheek.

"Now you listen to me Clair, nobody else can find out about this, or else your father with have my head before we even do anything." Nick said as he pushed her away gently, blushing to himself.

"I promise. Oh thank you so much for helping me. I have to get back to my lessons now. Father in introducing a new ridding instructor for my since, well, since Jeremy in indisposed of at the moment. I'll be back though, you can count on it!" she said as she raced back towards the castle stables. This is going to be great! Clair thought to herself, as giddy as a little girl after she got a new doll. I love spending time with Nicholas. He is so sweet and funny. I hope this goes well though. I know that we were not really friends, Jeremy and I, but I just can't stand the thought of someone I have known for such a long time, being put to death because of me! Over a silly little crush! I wonder who my new ridding instructor is? As she ran, she never noticed that she was not in her ridding skirts until her father stepped out of her horses stall.

"Where have you been? We have been waiting for you for a while now. Why are you not dressed? You knew you would be ridding today!" ranted her father, King Andrew.

"Sorry, father, I lost track of time. I was out talking with Lord Nicholas, for it has been such a long time since I have seen him. I will go change if you wish it." Clair stammered as she looked around trying to see who would be her new teacher.

"Don't worry Sire, she is fine how she is. We can start ridding tomorrow." said a voice from behind her. "I do suggest that we let the princess catch her breath though, for it looks like she has had a long run." it said laughing.

As Clair whirled around, she gasped at who was there. "Rand? Oh my gosh! You came back! Where did you go? What did you see? Was it fun? Oh my gosh! Wait, you are going to be my new ridding instructor? That is so cool!" she squealed with delight at the sight of her older brother, giving him the biggest hug she could.

"Calm down child! He has barely been back two hours and you are already slamming him with a million questions! Yes, Lord Randal will be giving you your lessons from now on." Her father said, trying to calm his daughter down.