Story Notes: I'm happy to finally upload this chapter. This chapter begins with the perspective of Haddock and changes throughout. This includes the introduction of other members of The Royal family. I enjoyed designing OCs and attempting a family tree, so I hope these have worked out well. See my Bio for any updates.
Chapter Summary: Haddock and Tintin find a surprise in the mountains. Muskar's brother and sister arrive.
Suggested Music
1. Solang Dein Blut - D'Artagnan
2. My Crown - Max Richter
3. Teufelsgeiger - Dartagan
X
Tintin rose early with Haddock and headed straight back onto the Mountains to continue what they had started. Agent Koziel and two others joined them as they started where they had left the previous day. Haddock paced in the middle but kept his eye on Tintin rather than where he walked.
Somethings wrong... I can't put my finger on it ...
It's good he is so determined but this is different...
Haddock kept walking forward trying to work out everything as Koziel gave some orders to the men. He suddenly lurched forward as his foot caught in a branch and he landed face-first into a prickly bush.
"Billions of blistering blue blistering barnacles!" He cursed loudly. "I swear one of these days I'm going to ... "
A glint of gold hidden in the bush made him stop. He cautiously moved his hand through the roots feeling for the object and removed it from its position.
Blistering Barnacles!
It's a pelican broach... a gold pelican broach...
Don't the royals and the staff wear these, he pondered as he remembered that both the King and aide Lieutenant Kaminski wore one.
"Tintin!"
As he struggled to his feet, The others broke formation and headed straight to him.
"I've found something, that's a pelican.." Haddock exclaimed, showing the others his find.
This could be another lead.
"All the royals wear them.. it must be Kristofor's" Koziel stated.
"It's almost like breadcrumbs," Tintin suggested, glancing at Koziel.
"Breadcrumbs?" Another asked. "I don't ..."
"A deliberate trail," Haddock explained with the slightest hint of exasperation.
And you call yourself a ZEPO Agent?
"Sounds plausible," Koziel agreed, despite his views on the situation and Tintin's involvement. "Kristofor is a resourceful man, just like his father,"
They all nodded just as slight smoke drew Haddock's attention away from the group. As he paced away Tintin and Snowy followed but quickly overtook running down in front of them.
"Tintin! Wait!"
x
Tintin dashed down the hill to find yet another fork in the road but this time a house lay just to the side of the road. Smoke gently ebbed from the chimney drawing him in further. Haddock's cries faded from behind him. Anyone here had to have seen something, Tintin concluded as he opened the gate and headed up the short path. Weeds dominated the garden and creepers crawled up the walls like tentacles ready to pull the house apart piece by piece or swallow it whole. The owner couldn't be bothered to persevere or upkeep the house. Snowy continued to sniff around as Tintin knocked on the door.
After a few moments, the door opened slightly to reveal a mop of unkempt hair and a wiry beard. He didn't say anything, so Tintin spoke first.
"Sir, I'm looking for a friend of mine,"
There was a short pause before the man replied
"My English is .. limited," The man replied, stuttering with a heavy Syldavian accent.
Tintin's eyes narrowed as he registered a series of scratches on the man's face even though he couldn't see his full face. He quickly glanced down.
Your shoes are shining... too clean.
"I just wondered if you'd seen anything suspicious.. car maybe,"
"Seen nothing," The man swiftly replied, shutting the door in his face.
Tintin sighed. That was unfortunate. He started to turn to walk to the gate then paused, and approached the door, knocking yet again. He waited, but nothing happened.
Somethings not right, open the door.
Snowy sniffed around as Tintin knocked again. He glanced around to see Haddock and the agents rushing towards him. His focus changed to his friends, so much so that he didn't see register the door opening until a rope suddenly whipped around his neck and pulled tight.
Tintin jolted as the force pulled him hard against the rope. His hands latched onto the ligature, trying to sever it as Snowy launched himself at the attacker.
Snowy's growls and barks filled his ears as his other hands attempted to hit the guy anywhere else so he would loosen his hold. A fist suddenly appeared in his vision. He dodged in with only seconds to spare before falling to the ground in a heap.
Tintin pulled the ligature from his throat as the ZEPO Agents detained and cuffed him.
As Haddock helped him to his feet, he rubbed his throat.
"First solid lead,"
"That's if the bonehead cooperates.." Haddock exclaimed, looking back as the Agents pulled the man in the direction they came.
X
ZEPO HQ - KLOW
Unfortunately, Haddock's suspicions turned out to be right. Even after SA Kawakczyk arrived the man refused to cooperate. Tintin and Haddock were consigned to the corridor to allow the ZEPO agents to interview the suspect.
Kawalczyk was determined to do this by the book, but after barely a few minutes, he exited the interview room. Tintin glanced up the corridor to find him conversing with Olek Kaminski.
What's he doing here? Tintin thought, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. His mind briefly recalled what happened with the last aide, Colonel Jorgen. As much as he wanted to shake it off he couldn't. If it happened once ...
Tintin joined Haddock at the door, tapping him on the shoulder.
"I'm going to head back to the palace. Muskar will want to know about this,"
"Rightio lad. I'll stay here. They might get something out of him,"
X
As Tintin walked down the corridor, Haddock returned his attention to the door, keen to find out anything useful. From what he could make out the man was Syldavian, speaking with quite a heavy accent.
"You know nothing," The suspect stated.
"How much were you paid? Hundreds? Or thousands to keep your lips sealed?"
The room fell silent, broken only by a tut from the suspect. A slight growl followed, and Kawalczyk raised his voice, likely starting to get irritated by the lack of a response.
"You are here under extremely serious charges. Kidnapping, especially when these three people are members of the royal family!"
"I have nothing to say to you,"
A few seconds later the door sprang open, causing Haddock to spring back. Luckily Kawalczyk didn't seem too bothered about his eavesdropping.
"He's incredibly arrogant. He knows what we want, but he's not giving it up. Where's Tintin?
"On his way back to the palace, he wants to let Muskar know we've got someone,"
"What good is that if he doesn't tell us anything? It makes me wonder who's involved. This man is Slydavian, he has no Bordurian ties at all. Is it possible we are looking at the wrong people.." Kawalczyk exclaimed.
"Why would a Syldavian do this? I mean, betray this king?"
"It wouldn't be the first time..."
X
Muskar snapped awake from the seat, pressing his hand to his chest as he struggled to pull himself to his feet. After managing to restrain his cough a soft knock came across the door. The door opened before he could turn, revealing someone he didn't expect.
"Marianna," He exclaimed happily, immediately returning his younger sisters' warm embrace whilst trying to ignore the pain across his ribs. Her long black hair tumbled down her neck, stretching below her shoulders. Her smart knee-length green dress under her coat matched her eyes. She'd always been his confidant especially after his wife passed. She'd never changed. Her emerald eyes narrowed as they pulled away.
She can see through my facade.
They sat down near the balcony, on the couch together
"It's so good to see you, despite the circumstances,"
Muskar gulped slightly.
"What do you mean?" He asked, clearing his throat.
"Your aide called me. Why didn't you inform me?" Marianna exclaimed, taking his hand into hers.
Muskars face fell. He told his aide to keep the kidnap a secret, until such time that ...
"I didn't wish to burden you. I am worried enough as it is," Muskar replied.
"Your aide is worried about you, and so am I. You need to look after yourself Muskar,"
"How can I possibly do that when my Son could be anywhere.." Muskar had to force himself not to raise his voice.
Marianna took both of his hands into hers forcing him to gaze into her comforting eyes, so much so that he didn't pay attention to the bang of another door in the corridor.
"I heard you involved Sir Tintin, he is one of the best is he not. He returned King Ottokar's Sceptre.. trust in him. If anyone can find Kristofor, Ariadna and Wojtek, he can. He's a vital asset to ZEPO and maybe think about retiring to bed. You are exhausted,"
He found solace in those words until the door opened with a bang, and a voice broke the peace.
"Exhausted? You've never been exhausted in your life. What's wrong with you?" Dymitr, Muskar's youngest sibling, snapped.
Muskar sighed.
You haven't changed Dymitr.
Dymitr's slightly grey hair accentuated the black suit he adorned. Unlike his siblings, he had grey eyes. His grey flecked Black beard made him look older than He was.
Marianna slowly relinquished her grip on Muskar's hands and turned to face their younger sibling, who did not attempt to sit.
There was only a year between them, so they were quite close. Muskar was the eldest and the first in line to the throne, so a lot of pressure had been thrust upon him to succeed his Father, Muskar XI.
Marianna, the second born, had more freedom, although she was required to marry someone in a high position, regardless of whether she agreed. Luckily she did marry the man she loved. Not everyone else in her position had managed to do such a thing. She had two children of her own, both girls.
Dymitr, the youngest sibling, always seemed more interested in Muskar's activities. They frequently paired together to learn from their father, but he'd always been difficult and an attention seeker, something which drove Muskar XI to send him to School in Austria. Now they were all in their 60s, but their lives had transformed them, particularly after Muskar took the throne. Dymitr only had one child, a daughter.
"Dymitr, please be sensible,"
"Sensible? Our brother has just let an amateur lead our best ZEPO to goodness knows where,"
Muskar stood up, approaching his brother
"How did you.."
"There is a lot of titillating gossip in this palace," Dymitr smiled. "Leave it to the Professionals. They'll find Kristofor eventually. You worry far too much. It doesn't suit you, dear brother,"
A knock came across the door, and Muskar exhaled with relief.
"Come.."
Muskar froze waiting in anticipation as Tintin entered the room.
Tintin stopped himself, as he gazed at Marianna and Dymitr.
"Sorry, erm I can come back," Tintin stammered.
"Of course not, please... I assume you have news,"
"We have a lead. I just came from Headquarters,"
Muskar exhaled.
"Excellent, that is good news.. so soon. " Muskar exclaimed, looking at his sister.
"I'm sorry how rude of me, this is my sister, Marianna,"
Marianna immediately reacted and shook his hand.
"It is such an honour to meet you, Mr Tintin. I follow your travels with great interest,"
"Thank you," Tintin smiled.
When Tintin's gaze moved to Dymitr the smile faded in an instant.
"And this my younger brother Dymitr,"
"Ah, the amateur. Interesting...you're even younger than I thought"
"Dymitr!" Marianna scolded.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So .. you have a lead, care to share,"
Tintin swallowed at the comment but spoke anyway.
"ZEPO have a man in custody who may be the answer to all we need,"
Dymitr is staring at Tintin gritting his teeth
"That is good news," Marianna squeezed Muskar's shoulder but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glance of Dymitr gritting his teeth in frustration.
He's the best chance we have...
Before he could speak he turned to see Olek just about to knock on the open door.
"Olek?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. Prince Dymitr, there's a phone call for you. And your Valet wishes to speak to you,"
Dymitr excused himself, pushing into Tintin on the way out, but Muskar couldn't hide his gladness.
There's hope where none existed...This nightmare may be over soon, Muskar thought.