Editing Tharkay
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− | {{People|name= | + | {{People|name=Tharkay|dob=|service=|rank=|nationality=British/Tibetan or Nepalese|billets=}} |
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
− | Tharkay was the son of a British gentleman, a man of property and possibly a senior officer, and a Nepalese woman. His father may have come from the border region of Scotland, as Tharkay showed some familiarity with an estate there for purposes of requisitioning cattle to feed the [[Aerial Corps]]' dragons during Napoleon's occupation of Britain (December 1807-March 1808). | + | Tharkay was the son of a British gentleman, a man of property and possibly a senior officer, and a Tibetan or Nepalese woman. His father may have come from the border region of Scotland, as Tharkay showed some familiarity with an estate there for purposes of requisitioning cattle to feed the [[Aerial Corps]]' dragons during Napoleon's occupation of Britain (December 1807-March 1808). |
Tharkay's father took some pains with his son's education, and Tharkay spoke English with an upperclass accent, but Tharkay was not accepted as a British gentleman by others. At some point in his life he was embroiled in a lawsuit in Scotland and became "tolerably familiar" with the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's highest civil court. He once told [[Temeraire]], rather sardonically, that lawyers were translators one hires to "say things properly", then added that, "Justice is expensive. That is why there is so little of it, and that reserved for those few with enough money and influence to afford it." | Tharkay's father took some pains with his son's education, and Tharkay spoke English with an upperclass accent, but Tharkay was not accepted as a British gentleman by others. At some point in his life he was embroiled in a lawsuit in Scotland and became "tolerably familiar" with the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's highest civil court. He once told [[Temeraire]], rather sardonically, that lawyers were translators one hires to "say things properly", then added that, "Justice is expensive. That is why there is so little of it, and that reserved for those few with enough money and influence to afford it." | ||
− | Tharkay's lawsuit apparently failed, and he went on to spend "the better part of his life in the wild places of the earth" as an experienced and highly competent | + | Tharkay's lawsuit apparently failed, and he went on to spend "the better part of his life in the wild places of the earth" as an experienced and highly competent traveller with a command of many languages, including Chinese, Turkish and the dragon language [[Durzagh]] (which he taught to Temeraire). He considered himself answerable to no authority but his own conscience and, in contrast to [[William Laurence|Laurence]], had little "natural inclination" to hold himself "responsible for the sins of the world", rather than for his own. |
In appearance Tharkay possessed a lean and angular face with somewhat Oriental features. His eyes were dark and slanting, but more Western in shape than Chinese, and although his skin was "much like polished teak wood" in colour, this was mainly due to sun and weather. He had something of a fondness for taming birds of prey. When Laurence first met him in the summer of 1806, he had an eagle as a companion, although she was later killed in an avalanche in the Pamirs inadvertently caused by Temeraire. Later on, during Napoleon's occupation, he acquired a kestrel. | In appearance Tharkay possessed a lean and angular face with somewhat Oriental features. His eyes were dark and slanting, but more Western in shape than Chinese, and although his skin was "much like polished teak wood" in colour, this was mainly due to sun and weather. He had something of a fondness for taming birds of prey. When Laurence first met him in the summer of 1806, he had an eagle as a companion, although she was later killed in an avalanche in the Pamirs inadvertently caused by Temeraire. Later on, during Napoleon's occupation, he acquired a kestrel. | ||
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<b>The Journey to Istanbul</b> | <b>The Journey to Istanbul</b> | ||
− | Tharkay often carried messages for the East India Company and others during his travels. He and Laurence first met in Macao in the summer of 1806, when Tharkay appeared at the offices of the East India Company to deliver orders sent by Admiral [[Lenton]] from the [[Dover covert]]. The orders had been forwarded by way of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Arbuthnot Charles Arbuthnot], the British ambassador in Istanbul, and of Avraam Maden, who in turn had given them to Tharkay to deliver. Laurence and Temeraire were ordered to proceed without delay to Istanbul, there to receive by Mr. Maden's offices three dragon eggs which the British government had purchased from Sultan [[Selim III]]. Unfortunately, the dragon transport [[HMS Allegiance]] had just been | + | Tharkay often carried messages for the East India Company and others during his travels. He and Laurence first met in Macao in the summer of 1806, when Tharkay appeared at the offices of the East India Company to deliver orders sent by Admiral [[Lenton]] from the [[Dover covert]]. The orders had been forwarded by way of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Arbuthnot Charles Arbuthnot], the British ambassador in Istanbul, and of Avraam Maden, who in turn had given them to Tharkay to deliver. Laurence and Temeraire were ordered to proceed without delay to Istanbul, there to receive by Mr. Maden's offices three dragon eggs which the British government had purchased from Sultan [[Selim III]]. Unfortunately, the dragon transport [[HMS Allegiance]] had just been severly damaged in a fire and would require at least two months of repairs. Against the advice of Captain [[Tom Riley|Riley]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Thomas_Staunton George Staunton], Laurence, [[John Granby|Granby]] and Temeraire decided to make the journey to Istanbul overland, hiring Tharkey as their guide. The latter was initially reluctant to accept the commission, saying that he "had not thought of returning to Istanbul" and had "no real business there." However, he eventually agreed. |
Tharkay proved to be an expert guide, bringing the company through the Taklamakan desert and the Pamir Mountains to Istanbul with only two men lost, [[Macdonaugh]] and [[Baylesworth]]. However, his manner and behaviour initially caused Laurence to distrust him. Experience had taught Tharkay that his face and descent barred him "from the natural relations of gentlemen," who treated him at best as "a superior servant, somewhere between a valet and a trained dog." Knowing that he would not be trusted, he had formed "a habit of anticipation" and preferred to rather "provoke a little open suspicion, freely expressed, than meekly endure endless slights and whispers." | Tharkay proved to be an expert guide, bringing the company through the Taklamakan desert and the Pamir Mountains to Istanbul with only two men lost, [[Macdonaugh]] and [[Baylesworth]]. However, his manner and behaviour initially caused Laurence to distrust him. Experience had taught Tharkay that his face and descent barred him "from the natural relations of gentlemen," who treated him at best as "a superior servant, somewhere between a valet and a trained dog." Knowing that he would not be trusted, he had formed "a habit of anticipation" and preferred to rather "provoke a little open suspicion, freely expressed, than meekly endure endless slights and whispers." | ||
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Tharkay disappeared again in Istanbul, reappearing again just after [[Dunne]] and [[Hackley]] had been flogged. Furious, Laurence told him to take his money and possessions and go - only to once again be brought up short, since Tharkay had returned carrying a dinner invitation from Avraam Maden. Laurence needed to speak with Maden, and he needed Tharkay to bring him to Maden's home. After the dinner, they returned to the palace in which they were being held as "guests" (prisoners) and were about to climb back over the wall when they were spotted by Turkish guards. Tharkay risked his own life to save Laurence's, leading him through an abandoned underground waterway in order to escape the guards. | Tharkay disappeared again in Istanbul, reappearing again just after [[Dunne]] and [[Hackley]] had been flogged. Furious, Laurence told him to take his money and possessions and go - only to once again be brought up short, since Tharkay had returned carrying a dinner invitation from Avraam Maden. Laurence needed to speak with Maden, and he needed Tharkay to bring him to Maden's home. After the dinner, they returned to the palace in which they were being held as "guests" (prisoners) and were about to climb back over the wall when they were spotted by Turkish guards. Tharkay risked his own life to save Laurence's, leading him through an abandoned underground waterway in order to escape the guards. | ||
− | It was because of this incident that Laurence, realizing that Tharkay was intentionally setting himself up to be distrusted, offered to exchange oaths with Tharkay, promising "to give no less than full measure of loyalty" in return for the same. To Laurence, raised to serve his country but also to believe that he | + | It was because of this incident that Laurence, realizing that Tharkay was intentionally setting himself up to be distrusted, offered to exchange oaths with Tharkay, promising "to give no less than full measure of loyalty" in return for the same. To Laurence, raised to serve his country but also to believe that he will be respected for his service, Tharkay appeared to have been driven "to abandon country and companionship for his present solitary existence, beholden to none and of none." In Laurence's view of the world, this existence must necessarily have been "utterly barren, a waste of a man proven worthy of something better." |
− | Tharkay appeared to be somewhat surprised that Laurence was willing to treat him as an equal in this way, but accepted the exchange of oaths. He was also surprised to learn that Temeraire had come to think of him as one of the crew. It became clear that the Sultan would not willingly release the three dragon eggs purchased by the British, so Laurence decided to steal them. The eggs were being kept in the palace baths for warmth, but none of British knew exactly where the baths were, and scouting them out would be extremely dangerous. When Temeraire decided that none of his crew could be allowed to undertake so dangerous a mission, Tharkay volunteered - only to have | + | Tharkay appeared to be somewhat surprised that Laurence was willing to treat him as an equal in this way, but accepted the exchange of oaths. He was also surprised to learn that Temeraire had come to think of him as one of the crew. It became clear that the Sultan would not willingly release the three dragon eggs purchased by the British, so Laurence decided to steal them. The eggs were being kept in the palace baths for warmth, but none of British knew exactly where the baths were, and scouting them out would be extremely dangerous. When Temeraire decided that none of his crew could be allowed to undertake so dangerous a mission, Tharkay volunteered - only to have Temairaire snap, "Not you either!" |
It must have been rather disconcerting to Tharkay to realize that, willy-nilly, he was no longer a solitary outsider but had become part of the company. | It must have been rather disconcerting to Tharkay to realize that, willy-nilly, he was no longer a solitary outsider but had become part of the company. | ||
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<b>Twenty Feral Dragons</b> | <b>Twenty Feral Dragons</b> | ||
− | Tharkay helped Laurence, Granby and other crew members retrieve the eggs from the baths | + | After Tharkay helped Laurence, Granby and other crew members retrieve the eggs from the baths - an action in which he was badly burnt on one leg - Tharkay escaped with them and Temeraire first to Austria, then Prussia. On arriving in Prussia, however, they were refused the promise of safe passage that would have allowed them to continue on to Britain. The [[Aerial Corps]] had promised the Prussians the assitance of twenty dragons, but had mysteriously failed to deliver, so the Prussians requisitioned Temeraire instead. Tharkay chose to leave the company in Dresden, telling Laurence that being untrained, he would be little more than a dangerous nuisance in aerial battle. |
− | He returned to the Pamir Mountains, where he located the band of feral dragons, led by [[Arkady]], who had previously accompanied Temeraire from the Pamirs to Istanbul. He persuaded twenty of them to return to Prussia with him through "vanity and greed." Arkady was "not unhappy to engage himself to ''rescue'' Temeraire, | + | He returned to the Pamir Mountains, where he located the band of feral dragons, led by [[Arkady]], who had previously accompanied Temeraire from the Pamirs to Istanbul. He persuaded twenty of them to return to Prussia with him through "vanity and greed." Arkady was "not unhappy to engage himself to ''rescue'' Temeraire, as Tharkay explained to Laurence when he and ferals located Temeraire in the middle of the [[Siege of Danzig]]. Furthermore, Tharkay promised the ferals that they should each receive one cow every day while they remained in service to the British, a far richer diet than they would have been able to manage for themselves in their home territory. |
− | With the assistance of the feral dragons, Temeraire and Laurence were able to rescue General [[Kalkreuth]]'s troops from Danzig before the French invaded. The British party then finally | + | With the assistance of the feral dragons, Temeraire and Laurence were able to rescue General [[Kalkreuth]]'s troops from Danzig before the French invaded. The British party was then finally able to return to Britain, along with Tharkay, the ferals and [[Iskierka]], a [[Kazilik]] whose egg - one of the eggs stolen from Istanbul - had hatched in Prussia. |
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− | Laurence | + | Laurence wished Tharkay to stay on in Britain and serve as translator for the feral dragons, now needed to patrol the coasts. But Tharkay was unhappy in Britain and [[Jane Roland]] sent him back to the Ottoman Empire to try to find more feral dragons and see if he could convince them to join the Aerial Corps as well. When he came back from the Pamirs he was temporarily commissioned as a captain in the Aerial Corps. After Napoleon's invasion has ended, he decided to sail with Laurence and Temeraire to Australia. |
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[[Category:A-Z]] | [[Category:A-Z]] | ||
− | [[Category:British]] | + | [[Category:British]] |
+ | [[Category:Chinese]] | ||
[[Category:People]] | [[Category:People]] |