Chapter Two

Preparing to the protection of Amanda is no small fleet. It's a long and tiring job. When I left Amanda's palace I went straight to my F# key house and right to work.

My house is so cool. You have to enter the Clarinet Tower through the bell of the instrument. Then you take an elevator that ran all the way to the top. So people don't have their homes on the mouth piece, its more our watch tower. The tower has twenty floors, but the tower itself is the tallest building in the world. My home is on the 5th floor so I wasn't waiting too long in the elevator. Finally the elevator stopped and I got out. I found myself face to face with a wooden door that separated me from my home. I pulled out the key and let myself in. When I entered I found Randa sitting on the couch watching a movie.

My house itself is decorated in a light sky blue with a huge California attitude. The bathroom was red with roses and cinnamon stuff.

When I entered, Randa turned around and watched me.

"I have a lot of work to do and I need your help." I explained. "Can you make me a snack and get me my record book. I'll be in the study."

"Of course Cheryl."

With that Randa left to do what she was told and I went into my office. Unlike the rest of the house, my office was a dull gray so I was always focused. I sat down at my desk, turned my laptop on, and waited for Sydney. I hope she didn't take too long; I do have a lot of work to do and with very little time to spare. Amanda's life was in danger and I need to keep her safe.

I didn't have to wait long. Randa came in with my snack and my record book right away. Ah my record book. It is called that because it holds all pieces of information that I needed. I mean every little piece of information, including the shoe size of some people.

"Thanks Randa."

She shrugged and left me to my work. Knowing I didn't have time to spare I set right to work. The first thing I did was contact Cat Orecchia. She promised to leave for China right away. Then I called the rest of the clarinets. I explained the situation and they all promised to meet me back at Amanda's.

After the easy part was done, I opened up the record book. I needed to find out who in the Trumpeters was attacking Amanda. I find that's going to be hard since I don't know anything about this person. I first went though my files for anyone who might be in the area.

"Lets see…it cant be Frank because he's still a rookie. Julie is a good choice but they said it was a boy. The Cornick brothers are in another area. Oh my. Its Braden!"

"Not bad Filippini." Someone said in the shadows.

I jumped up and reached for my handgun.

"Don't even think about it."

I moved my hand away and looked in the shadows. I could feel the fear begin to build up inside and I held my guard up.

"Who's there?"

A person stepped out into the light and looked at me. I found myself glaring back. The person was actually Braden Moglar, a trumpet player a year older than me. He smiled at me and I noticed he had some teeth missing.

"Lose something?"

"I went to take care of your friend Lauren and she punched me in the face."

"Really? Well I must thank her for that."

"Shut up!"

He went towards me in a fit of anger. I kicked my chair at him. He turned to move out of the way but got hit anyways. He was flipped into the chair and slid to the ground.

"Still quite stupid I see."

I walked up to him and grabbed him by the ankle. I dragged him out of my office into the living room. I tied him up to one of the chairs. Randa came out and stared at him.

"You're not tying him tight enough."

"I know."

"He's going to escape."

"I know."

"Then why..."

"Don't worry about it. I know what I'm doing. Trust me on it."

"If you say so."

She left the room and I went back to my office. I started to pack some things for the trip back to Asia. When I was finished I sat back down and waited. A screen that showed what I needed was on.

"How long is he going to be knocked out for?" I wondered out loud.

A few hours later I heard a rustle and the door opening and closing. I looked at the screen on my desk and watched him leave my house and then the Tower all together. I myself stood up and left the Tower too. Outside the Tower was my limo. A long black ride that had everything you ever wanted. A TV, surround sound system, and a mini-bar filled with sodas because I don't like alcohol. The seats are made out of silky cotton because I find leather too flashy and too hot in the summer time.

The limo's doors opened and I got in. With some simple instructions the car pulled away and left for the airport again. I got on the place and flew back to China.

When the plane landed I took a deep breath. As much as I love this job, protecting the leaders of the world is so draining. Why must so many people want to kill them? Oh yeah, they're jealous of us.

I smiled and got off the plane. Waiting for me was a young woman. I remember her well from the past. Except this time there was no glasses or braces. She smiled and waved to me. I noticed her hand was bandage up.

"Lauren! How are you?"

"Good, my hand is sore though."

"Yeah, but I like the make-over that you gave Braden."

"Eh, it was worth it. Guess what!"

"What?"

"I'm teaching."

"Really? What?"

She looked at me with a smirk.

"Economics of course."

"Economics…. good class."

"Very good."

The two of us laughed as we headed out of the airport. Her own limo waited for us. I asked her how she got it over the ocean. She smiled.

"You would be surprise of what Stoner and Brooks can do."

The car pulled away and in twenty minutes I was back at the palace. This time her guards heavily guarded it. Clarinet Rifles were in long rows pointed outward. I'm glad people don't dilly-dawdle like in the old world.

We walked into the main hall and I watched as a group of people surrounded Amanda and were in deep conversation.

"Its not nice to talk about me when I cant defend myself." I called out.

"Cheryl!"

The group ran over to me and I was in a circle of the Clarinets. Each one was a close friend of mine. They knew me and I knew them. Sweet and fun going Katie Stone. Smart and funny Stephanie Brooks. Strong and kind Corey McBride. Smart yet ditzy Andy Ness. Second in Command and a good friend of mine Maria Weinhandl. And then there was the other leader of us, and a good one at that, Mike Chamberlain.

"Its good to see you all together again."

"Yes we must meet on better terms though." Commented Katie. "The last time we got together was when someone wanted to kill Maria."

"Eh, you use with what you get."

The others agreed with that and we headed out of the hall to another room. This room was specially designed for this group. It was a round table with chairs to go with it. At each spot was a laptop, a pad of paper with a pen, and a cup holder. At one end of the room was a large screen that showed our reflections at the moment.

Mike and Amanda sat in their chairs that faced the screen and the rest of us sat in our according seats. Mike raised a hand and began to speak.

"I hope you all realize what is going on."

"Yes, King Arthur! What are we going to do?" Andy called out in a mocking tone of fear.

"We are your Knights of the Round Table, lead us oh great one!" Corey added on.

"I am not King Arthur, you two. I am a king, but not that one."

"Yeah, King Arthur pulled the sword out of the stone. Mike hasn't done that yet." Stephanie said, full of knowledge.

I smiled at Lauren who in turn threw her pen at me.

"Sick!" She screamed at me.

"Sorry." I called back as I tossed the pen back.

"We don't have time for this you two." Mike reminded us dangerously.

We both apologized but I still smiled.

"You thought it too."

Lauren chose not to answer that. I think that was a wise choice. Mike then began to start the meeting.

"Alright, as we all are aware of, someone wants to kill Amanda and we have reason to believe it is one of the Trumpeters."

"Braden at that."

"Yes...what?"

"It's Braden. I figured that out before coming here. Actually he was at my place, that's how I knew about Laurens sore hand."

"Your fast." Stoner said with a pleased look.

"Yes, and that piece of information with help us later." Maria said looking at Amanda. "By the way, did you catch him?"

"Yeah, but he got away."

"I bet you let him go." Andy muttered under his breath.

"And that means what?"

"It's your one weakness! You always capture him or another one and then you let them go."

"I have my reasons Andy, so back off."

"No! Its your stupid feelings for Brian Cornick!"

"I got over him along time ago! Now back down Andy, you are out of Line!"

Everyone got quiet after that. I glared at Andy viciously. Mike then spoke.

"Have a plan?"

I sighed and smiled.

"Yes...First..."