Lost & Found

Chapter 19

It took a few hours to procure nice-enough attire for the concert, yet somehow we managed to obtain dress shirts and a more formal dress for me through much bargaining and promises of future money. That is, if we find the treasure.

We walk into the courtyard of Omar Ben Salaad's palace, the building certainly living up to its name. The pristine white walls rise high, despite us already being situated on a mountain, with even taller trees and plants surrounding us. I do a small spin to get a complete look at our surroundings. Yes, it's most definitely a palace.

"This is beautiful. And large," I murmur.

"Indeed. It reminds me of the manor back home, doesn't it?" Tintin asks Haddock.

"I guess. But it's a lot fancier and isn't inhabited by a psychopath like Sakharine."

"What's all this about a manor?"

"It should belong to the Haddocks, but somehow Sakharine came into possession of it. That's the short version. I'll have to explain the rest later."

I nod, satisfied with his promise. "Shall we go in now?"

"Of course. Well, in a moment." Tintin steps off to the side, dragging us with him just before the door. "Haddock," he says, pulling our small scroll out of his wallet, "take this. I need you to look after this."

Haddock looks to me. Then back to Tintin. He points at the scroll, then himself. "Me?"

Him? Why wouldn't he entrust it to me?

Oh, stop being foolish. And jealous. It's really not worth wasting time over. He must have a good reason. Right?

Despite my own reasoning, the jealousy won't stop nagging at me. I try to tamp it down as best as I can as Tintin continues. "Yes, you. They'll most likely be looking for it on Grace and me."

Understanding floods my mind, and I feel my cheeks warming. Well then. Blasted jealousy.

"Just keep it hidden." Tintin takes Haddock's hand and presses the scroll into it. "I'm trusting you with this."

Haddock kneels down on one knee, as if proposing. "I will guard this with my life."

"Get up, get up!" I hiss. "This looks incredibly suspicious."

He rises, looking almost enlightened. "Oh, right. It's just such an honor, lass. I can barely believe it!"

I shake my head, a rueful smile spreading across my face as we make our way inside the palace. The inside is just as, if not more, impressive than the outside was. Soaring ceilings shield us from the sun, polished doorways carved into the walls leading us through the palace and out to a courtyard sort of shelter. The ceiling extends past rows and rows of cushioned seats, lush plants spaced intermittently throughout. Supporting columns stop the ceiling and shade a few feet behind a podium consisting of recently shined wood. And just beyond the columns stands the third Unicorn, ready and waiting, almost daring, for someone to take it.

I twirl around again, noting the people already here and beginning to arrive. Half of the seats are filled at the moment with no sign of Sakharine. Yet.

We take our seats near the back of the courtyard, trying not to look too inconspicuous while simultaneously having a good view of the room. Snowy, tired after following us about the city all day, decides to slump over right next to my chair. I scratch his ears as Tintin pulls out a small telescope that he bought off a street vendor and peers at the case containing the ship. "Just as I thought," he mumbles, "it's bullet-proof. We just have to be ready to grab the model when the Nightingale's singing cracks the glass."

I tilt my head to the side in acknowledgment and look towards the entrance we came in. Still no sign of Sakharine. Surely he'd be here by now and trying to secure a prime seat so he can steal the model. It would be the most logical thing to do.

The Milanese Nightingale enters the room, all seats now full, with Sakharine at her arm. He dramatically takes her hand, kisses it, and allows her to make her way to the stage as we stand and clap. I hide behind the person to my right as he walks right back out of the room. Peculiar.

No, hold on a moment. He would want the best seats in the yard. Those would be the ones in the box on the back wall. And since he's such good friends with the singer, it's almost certain those seats would be reserved for him.

I glance behind me as Ben Salaad enters and takes his seat. The rest of us follow suit. I hesitate, then hurriedly sit when I see Sakharine with a falcon perched on his arm in the box behind us. I lean over to Tintin and whisper, "The box seats behind us. Sakharine has a falcon."

He nods almost imperceptibly as the Nightingale begins. The notes of her song start low, then soar high. Lower, higher. Higher. And somehow higher.

"Blistering barnacles, what a noise! My ears are bleedin'," Haddock mutters. He slaps his hands over his ears in a vain attempt to block out the music.

"Your ears are fine," Tintin insists. "Please, Captain. You're going to cause a scene."

Haddock stands. "Oh Columbus! It's every man for himself. I've got te get outta here!"

"I'll go with him, try and calm him down," I murmur to Tintin. I stand and take Haddock's arm, ushering him out of the palace and into the front courtyard, keeping my head low as we pass Sakharine.

Haddock stops short when we reach a long table with champagne being prepared for after the performance. "Wait, I think I lost the scroll!"

"You can't be serious. Check your pockets."

He does, eyes lighting up when he pulls the scroll back out. "Oh, thank the stars."

I sigh in relief. "Wonderful. Now let's put that away before someone sees."

The inside of the palace erupts in noise, making us turn back to the entrance. Shouts of a thief drift out to us. My mind soars. They must have caught Sakharine.

"Hello, Captain."

We whirl around to face Alan and... Luke. I hurriedly point to Alan. "Luke, you must apprehend this man. He's one of the men who kidnapped us!"

Luke makes no move. Alan laughs. "Oh boy. This guy had you fooled?"

It appears so. I don't say a word. Luke went from saving my life to endangering it in the span of two days. Despite my shock, I must admit, that's impressive.

Without warning, Haddock grabs a bottle of champagne and smashes it on Alan's head. Two more men rush at us, taking on Haddock's punching and kicking form. I try to run away only to be caught in Luke's strong arms. They curl around me, pinning me in place. I flinch as he breathes out three simple words. "Not so fast."

I'm stunned, you guys. I'm sitting here writing this after glancing at the read count and seeing this story has received 230 reads. That is absolutely insane!! You all are amazing for supporting this story. I really do appreciate all of you so much! Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week!