Tegus: and the Shards of Solaster

Chapter 14: Takvar Greasehound

“How is it, you know such a…” Tegus paused trying not to offend, “…creature.”

Razahir leaned forward, “I had an unexpected meet with the goblin. I was hired to kill a pirate who was taking peasants and selling them to a slaver. While doing what I had been hired for I bumped into Takvar, who was trying to steal from the man. We had a short duel, which turned out be a mere misunderstanding. I thought he was trying to protect the pirate, and he thought the same of me. Once we had managed to explain to the other while fighting, why we were there, we both laid down our weapons. He was looking for a sapphire that was said the pirate held. I agreed to help and get it if he paid me. It was two pay checks from one mission, so the first thing I did was sneak into the cabin of the Pirate and took the Sapphire. Takvar had already told me exactly where it would be, so after taking it, I went to find the pirate. I snuck through the ship avoiding the crew. As I reached the bridge, I saw Takvar been dangled over the edge by the man I was to kill...” Razahir paused.

“The next thing I saw was an arrow cut through the Pirates neck!” Takvar interrupted, and laughed.

The goblin had changed into what he knew where his finest clothes, leather armour bound with gems of all colours and sizes, and two fine looking daggers that had an enchanted glow to them. He looked like he was attending a ceremony, but was, in fact, trying to show off to the group.

“That was the first man I had ever killed.” Razahir said slowly responding to Takvar’s comment and stealing his glorified entrance.

“I have never forgotten what you did for me Razahir, you gave me the Sapphire and saved my life, and since then I have become rich and have all I want thanks to you.” Takvar bowed to Razahir.

“What can I do for you Razahir? I have not seen you in ten months; I heard you stopped killing people?” Takvar watched the half elf’s reaction.

Razahir paused for a moment, “I never have wanted more than I needed to survive. Killing was the best paid, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. They may have deserved it, but I was no better to have done it. I stopped larceny too. That is why you haven’t seen me in 10 months. I only took food and things I needed.”

“Razahir with a conscience! I never knew you had one. Good for you.” said Takvar.

The goblin walked near them and scratched his head and said, “This is the puzzling thing then, why are you here?”

The goblin stared at him.

“I have learnt of my parents, more particularly, my father. He was the Grand Master of the University.”

Takvar listened intently, this was beyond belief to him.

“He was killed by a man named Vakaroth, and Vakaroth is still at large and as far as we are aware he is seeking something that the dwarfs have, so we need to get to it first.” Razahir said and watched for Takvar’s response.

“I find myself almost not believing that you are Ilfirimain’s son, but that would make sense. I furthermore have heard about the one called Vakaroth and that he has no morals or honour, not even a thief’s honour. I moreover hear if Vakaroth does succeed in finding what he is looking for we must all worry. So I believe your tale Razahir, even the parts that sound unbelievable. I also know why you come to me if you are seeking the dwarves. However, I want payment.” The goblin stared at Razahir.

“You know what we face, and you still want payment?” Razahir said thinking that Takvar had some respect for him.

Tegus and Norsewind just sat back knowing this was not their place to speak. However, the dwarf could not hold his tongue any longer.

“By heck, Razahir saved your life, you know we’re trying to stop an evil that could one day swallow the world, and you still want payment even when you have all this?”

Takvar laughed, “I love dwarves,” he said, “my payment is simple and fast, and is a payment you can give me while I help set up your solution.”

“What is it? What do you wish for, Takvar? We will see that we can compensate you.” Razahir pushed him for what he wanted.

“I wish to know where your two companions come into this, and you can tell me why while we make preparations.” the goblin smiled as he loved winding people up.

He winked at Razahir and Razahir smiled and nodded back as Tegus laughed and Norsewind grumbled.

Straight away they started giving Takvar his payment. They gave him everything he needed to know, about Vakaroth what he had done to the University, to Ilfirimain, and to Tegus’ nanny. The goblin agreed Vakaroth must be stopped and brought to justice for what he did.

“There are dirty deeds and backstabbing’s that happen all the time, but to kill someone, to hurt someone else, is ruthless.” Takvar said to them.

“Takvar please tell us how you can help. We need to get the dwarves city as soon as possible.” Tegus pleaded with him.

“Well, it takes seven weeks to get down there, very few people even bother, unless they’re dwarves.” He paused “Better start walking.”

Takvar gave a wicked smile.

Razahir stayed calm, Tegus looked confused. Razahir had assured him that this goblin would help. Norsewind slammed his fists on the wooden table they were eating at and made everything shake and some drinks spill.

“Listen here Goblin, you wanted to know our story, and we have told you it, if you have just wasted our time I will snap your neck,” Norsewind threatened.

Razahir and Takvar both laughed until they shed tears, from amusement.

“Eh, what’s so funny?” Norsewind said getting redder and redder standing up.

Tegus realised they were winding the dwarf up.

Once they had calmed down, Takvar said, “Come with me.”

Razahir knew what was coming, Norsewind was was currently very unimpressed, and Tegus followed on curiously. They followed the goblin down a corridor to which they could see an iron door.

“Go ahead Norsewind, I apologise for making you angry. Please go through the door and find my solution.” Takvar said honestly.

“It’s okay. I think I’d rather you were first.” Norsewind stated.

Takvar and Razahir chuckled. “I will” Tegus said and before anyone could stop him, he had pushed the iron door and at first was blinded by the change in light.

After a moment, when his eyes had adjusted, he could see a machine of steel and iron, bolts and bits. It had eight legs like a spider, and as they walked around to the front, they could see what looked like a mouth that was filled with hammers, pickaxes and shovels for teeth. There were also two arms to the sides which looked like huge shears.

“This is what I have been building so that I could find all the gems and gold under the surface.” Takvar stated proudly.

“Now it can cut through the ground fast enough, but I never found any gems this close to the top, which shows why dwarves dig so extensively. She’s yours and she’ll help you reach as deep as the dwarves in merely four days, tops. Good Luck!”

The three, including Razahir, were rather impressed.

“How does it work?” Tegus asked.

“It absorbs a small amount of magic from the rocks it cuts away. Norsewind will have a better understanding of the magic within the Earth than both of you.” Takvar explained and nodded to Norsewind.

“I do. I have never seen anyone, but a dwarf manage to harness this energy. I am impressed Takvar.” Norsewind smiled at him.

Takvar smiled at the compliment, “I bid you farewell, there are supplies inside, enjoy the trip”

He bowed and went to walk away as Razahir grabbed his shoulder to stop him and said, “Thank you old friend.”

“You’re welcome,” Takvar responded, “now we are even”

He winked at Razahir and Razahir smiled. Norsewind and Tegus had already climbed into the machine and were exploring it. Razahir climbed in and shut the door behind him. The machine came to life. The magic from the earth made the machines lights glow an amber colour, and the controls ignited.

“How do we see where we are going?” Tegus asked.

“We don’t!” Norsewind responded, we tell it where we are going, and it finds its way by feeling the magic from within the rock.”

Norsewind was excited to see such a contraption. It reminded him of home.

The Machine came to life as it was given its destination, the Dwarf City. The Legs came to life, and the mouth of picks and hammers responded by instantly getting to work on Takvar’s workshop floor.