Story Notes: I wasn't sure whether to upload this, but now I'm glad I did. I'm enjoying writing and editing this story. The full playlist I used for this story should be on my profile/bio page. I realised I hadn't mentioned this before, I think of this story taking place in about 1950 -51.

Chapter Summary: An argument arises from Muskar's study. What is happening?

Suggested Music

1. Solang Dein Blut - D'artagnan

2. Rosa Mundi - Paul Lewis

3. The Fallen - John Lunn

4. Memory - Andre Rieu

X

As Tintin's eye's flickered, open shouts in Syldavian filled his ears. He pulled himself up and glanced at the clock.

7 am... What's going on?

The shouts intensified, making it impossible for him to go back to sleep, and he couldn't hold back his curiosity.

"Come on, Snowy"

He quickly dressed and they followed the argument, right to Muskar's Study.

What the ...

Haddock stormed from the office as Muskar's voice raised again. Tintin froze for a brief moment. He'd never heard Muskar lose his temper quite like that and even though the argument continued in Syldavian, it didn't sound good.

"Haddock! What's going on?"

"It's blistering Vedran Kawalczyk, the barbequed blister! He's suspended the search,"

He's suspended the search! No!

This isn't over, not If I have anything to do with it.

"Great Snakes! He can't.."

Tintin didn't even think about it. He strode bravely into the office as Kawalczyk was about to leave.

"Kawalczyk, you can't be serious!"

"Tintin, I have limited resources, and I have new orders. I don't have the men to keep up with the search when you keep expanding the search parameters!," Kawalczyk exclaimed, his voice getting louder and more forthright with each word he directed at Tintin.

"What if we stop just short of finding something!"

The Special Agent ignored the comment and turned to Muskar

"I'm sorry, your majesty,"

As Kawalczyk left the room, followed closely by Tintin, Muskar's gaze slipped to the floor.

Everything is falling apart. What am I going to do? Tintin thought. He pushed Dymitr's words from his head.

We're missing something...

We will figure this out, even If I have to walk the entire Mountain Range.

"What should we do now?" Haddock questioned.

"Simple... I'm going back up there. I'm not an agent, I'm not staying here,"

"Count me in you're not going alone,"

Before Tintin could explain his plan, Muskar came to the door. His eyes were heavy again. He could only guess the King hadn't been sleeping properly, but with everything going on, he probably couldn't. Everything could come tumbling down at any moment. Olek's words still hung in his head. Could the long-held monarchy crumble in a matter of days?

"Tintin, can I have a private word,"

Tintin re-entered the office, recalling last night. He didn't mean to sound like he was accusing Muskar. He didn't mean it that way. As the door closed behind them, Tintin remained standing, as did Muskar, looking him straight in the eye.

"I need to apologise,"

Tintin's eye's blinked furiously.

"Sire, there's no need..."

"Tintin, I spoke out of turn," Muskar gently interrupted, his voice controlled and calm. "Had it not been for you, I would not even be here right now. I owe you everything. I shouldn't have reprimanded you like that,"

"Sire, I accused with no evidence. You have every right to say what you did,"

"But as you said, it's a possibility. As much as I do not wish to believe it, it did occur before. I trust my staff, they are loyal. Life changed for the better after the incident with Ottokar's Sceptre. I'm very conflicted. I'm inclined to believe you, but at the same time, I cannot imagine my staff doing something so devious. For years everyone has lived in peace.. why .. why now?"

As the room fell into silence, Tintin finally started to think clearly. Olek's words returned about the succession.

Kristofor is an only child, and he has a son...

Muskar is seriously ill, and no one knows about it...

This situation is indeed a precarious moment in the Syldavian Monarchy, Tintin concluded.

"Maybe someone was waiting for the ideal moment," Tintin vocalised.

Muskar stared at him and swallowed a gulp down the length of his throat.

"Sire. We will get to the bottom of this. Haddock and I are heading back to the mountains,"

"I will..."

"Sire no, you need to rest," Tintin interjected, a little more forcefully than intended. He knew Muskar couldn't sleep, but he needed to rest. He dreaded the thought of Muskar collapsing again.

"I need to find my family.." The King struggled to hold his usual iron-clad composure. Tintin noted his watering eyes he tried to hold back.

"Please, I do not wish to exacerbate your illness. you need to rest,"

X

Tintin and Haddock quickly changed their clothes and headed back to the garage. Snowy skipped through his legs, leaving hairs on his long black trousers, and ran ahead.

"We've missed something..," Tintin exclaimed.

"You think?"

"There's something strange about all of this,"

As Snowy bounced down the stairs, Tintin immediately recognised the people at the bottom.

Agent Koziel?

If he's going to talk down to me again...

"Nothing you say is going to stop me from returning to the mountains," Tintin stated as he strode down the last few steps.

"I have no intention of stopping you, Mr Tintin," Koziel replied.

Tintin paused. He hadn't expected that.

"Why?" Haddock questioned.

"Because we're going with you," Koziel responded, motioning to the four men behind him.

"Kawalczyk has suspended the search," Tintin said, unwilling to believe what he'd just heard. Why would you think that after everything you said to me, trying to stop me?

"We're still going with you. I think your right, and I'd rather be doing something useful,"

"Thank you,"

With their help, we'll have a much better chance.

"Let's get going... before Kawalczyk sees us. I don't exactly have his permission for this,"

"We'd better scarper then," Haddock exclaimed with a smile, motioning them to the garage.

As they entered the outer buildings, Tintin's eyes scanned the entirety despite being there many times already. The cold air hit him, and the sunlight shone through the doors, glinting against the coats at the hangers. His eyes narrowed, closing in on one of the coats.

The sun reflected off a pelican broach, the unique symbol of the royal household, but he couldn't see the coat properly. Only the top portion of the pelican was visible. Many wore those jackets; Olek, other staff and royals. Water dripped from the bottom of the coat adding to the small puddle already gathering beneath.

When did it .. Interesting.

"When was the last rainfall?" Tintin asked, quickly turning to face Haddock as they continued to walk.

"During the night, I got soaked on my way back from Headquarters. Why?"

"Just wondering..."

As they all rushed into the garage, they clambered into the vehicle. Haddock's eye's moved to a motorcycle adjacent to the car, caked from the wheels to the handlebars in thick mud.

"Someone had a mucky ride," Haddock chuckled.

I wonder where the owner has been to get it that dirty? Tintin pondered, joining Koziel, who was already in the car.

"Where are we starting?" Agent Koziel asked

"Exactly where we left,"

X

Muskar couldn't rest. His body and mind wandered through the palace, unable to prevent his thoughts from spreading through him. After a while he trudged outside, sitting on the steps at the back of the palace, overlooking the gardens. He'd spend hours pushing back his tears, remaining the composed gentleman he was supposed to be. The facade was starting to become increasingly difficult to keep up. As the cold air began to close in, his mind recalled the last moment with his family.

Ariadna was determined the baby wouldn't be making an appearance any time soon.

"Are you sure you wish to take a holiday? What if the baby comes early?" Muskar asked, concerned they would be a considerable distance away from aid.

"I will be fine, I have another month to go before the baby arrives," She replied, squeezing her father in Law's shoulder.

"This will be our last chance to get a bit of peace before we have two children under the age of three," Kristofor chuckled as he placed the last of the suitcases in the car and slammed the boot shut. Giggles filled the hallway behind as two Year Old Prince Wojtek ran to catch up with his father.

"Enjoy yourselves. You deserve it," Muskar beamed as he lifted his grandson into his arms, and kissed his forehead.

"Thanks, Father," Kristofor smiled as Muskar carried Wojtek to the car.

Muskar's mind snapped back to the present.

I can't ... I can't keep this in.

As Marianna sat beside him on the step, he welcomed her soothing presence. She'd always had the art of calming those in her company and she'd passed this trait on to her daughters.

"You are deep in thought..,"

"I'm just ... thinking.."

Muskares head drooped, his chin hitting his chest.

I can't do this... I can't hide for much longer.

Marianna stood and moved to stand in front of him. As her hand spread across his cheek, he slowly raised his head. Everything lay on the tip of his tongue.. he couldn't prevent it.

"They called off the search...I can't ... I can't stop thinking about the last time I saw them... "

His emotions started to betray him... He couldn't hold it in.

"What if it's the last .."

"Don't think like that,"

"I can't help it!" He exclaimed, sobbing as his tears broke through, spilling down his cheeks and onto his neck. "When Agnieszka... My heart snapped in two... I don't... I"

In moments his facade crumbled, and he broke down, sobbing uncontrollably in his sister's arms. As they clung to each other on the steps, Muskar poured his heart out.