Chapter 5

Unfolding of Plans

Towards dusk, Clair started to stir, indicating that she was awake. "About time you woke up! I was beginning to think that you would never wake." came Nicholas' voice with a hint of amusement.

"Where am I?" Clair asked, sitting up slowly. The last thing I remember is ridding Nutmeg, then Nick coming up, and then being chased by Rand. What happened?

"I can't tell you that. Here, you need to write a letter to your father convincing him that Jeremy is the only one who can find you."

"But, this isn't fair! You are not supposed to actually kidnap me!" but she immediately stopped talking because Nicholas came closer to her, and she thought she would get kissed again. Not that I wouldn't mind exactly butt...

"Just write." he said interrupting her thoughts. "I promise that nothing will happen to you if you cooperate. This was your idea anyways remember, Princess?" was all that he said, getting more frustrated by the minute that he had let her talk him into this.

Taking the pen and paper that he had given her, she began to write.

"Your Highness! A letter from the princess has just arrived! I think it might be a ransom note!" exclaimed one of the palace servants.

Even though it had only been a few hours since the news of his daughters kidnapping, King Andrew was not at all surprised to have a ransom note sent. Taking the letter from his servant, he read what it said.

Father, I hope you are doing well. My kidnapper is being very kind to me, so do not worry about my being hurt. I know that this must be stressful for you, but he promises that if you do as he says, he will let me go.

Now for the instructions. I am afraid that Jeremy is the only one who will be able to do as he says, meaning you have to let him go free father. What he must do is to go to my favorite ridding spot. There will be instructions there showing him how to find me. You must send him alone, or I might never be able to go free! Then, he will escort me home, but only if you promise to let him go afterwards.

Please do as I have instructed. I want to come home!

Your loving daughter,

Princess Clair

"Who delivered this?" Andrew demanded of his servants, but no one spoke up. "Who delivered this? Answer me confound it! Who...delivered...this...letter?" It was all the king could do from breaking down and crying in front of his entire court.

"I am sorry Your Highness, but I found it nailed to the Princess's door this evening when I went to light a fire thinking that she would want it tonight. It is supposed to get nippy tonight, so I just thought that..."

"The princess is not here. Go put out the fire when I am done with you. You say that you found it nailed to her door? When? You must tell me exactly when you found it.

"Well, I light the Princess's fire later on days when she has ridding lessons because she normally returns later, so there is no need to light the fire and just have it sitting there to warm no one. She is really quite a rider I have heard, you must be so proud of her..."

"When did you find the letter!" he all but shouted at the rambling woman standing before him. This is insane! Surly someone would have seen if there had been anyone near my daughter's quarters. Especially someone with hammer, nail and a piece of paper!

"Well, I guess it must have been a few minutes ago Your Highness. If I am not mistaken, it is just after sundown, so that means that it is about nine o'clock. Plus I gave it to the nearest messenger I could find." the bedchamber maid finished close to a near whisper, trying so make herself as small as possible to escape the glare that Andrew was giving her.

"Very well, you may go put out the fire now." he said, then turning to the rest of the servants standing in the hall he asked: "Has anyone seen anyone you think does not belong in the palace wondering around? Someone must have seen something!" But to his great dishevel, no one said a thing. Apparently this young man is more cleaver than I thought. I give him credit for that, but if anything happens to Clair, I swear that he will regret the day his mother caught his father's eye! He will pay!

"Send for the guards!" the king shouted from his throne.

Running in as quickly as they could with all the armor that they wore, the Captain General and a few of his officers ran into the Private Chamber that the king had walked to after his command. "You called Sire? How may we be of service to you? Is anything the matter? You sent for us rather hastily."

"Oh do stop blathering! Go down to the dungeons and bring out the boy prisoner. I must speak with him."

"I beg your pardon? You have already decided the boy's fate my Lord!" one of the officers reminded him.

"I know very well what I have and have not already done! Now go fetch the boy and bring him hear! He is to run an errand for me."

As the soldiers ran off to carry out his orders, Andrew racked his brain for any other possible alternatives as to how to get his daughter back. As Jeremy was shoved into the room, he finally gave up his pondering, and told the boy what had happened that day, and what the letter said.