Tharkay
Character Profile
| Name: | Tharkay |
| Date of Birth: | |
| Service: | |
| Rank: | |
| Nationality: | British/Chinese |
| Billets: |
Biography
Tharkay first appeared in China to deliver William Laurence a letter from Admiral Lenton. The task imparted in the letter, to retrieve three dragon eggs from the Ottoman Empire, was of such importance that Laurence persuaded Tharkay to be their escort, so they can take the dangerous overland route rather than the comfortable sea-going route.
Tharkay's constant companion was his eagle, which perched on his arm. He was noted to have several scars on his hands and arms caused by the eagle's pecking him. However, the eagle was killed in the avalanche caused by Temeraire's first encounter with the feral dragons.
Laurance and the crew were initially distrustful of Tharkay because of Tharkay's disrespect for authority and his secretive ways. However, when in Istanbul, Tharkay risked his life to help the crew's mission, and he finally admitted to Laurence that his manner was intentional. Since he was of mixed heritage, no one accepted him. He told Laurence he would rather provoke freely expressed suspicion than endure slights behind his back. They parted on amicable terms when Temeraire reached Prussia (at which point the Prussians had been expecting 20 dragons from Britain and were disappointed Temeraire was alone).
Tharkay then returned to the feral dragons and somehow persuaded many of them to accompany him to "rescue" Temeraire. He and the dragons finally caught up with Temeraire during the Siege of Danzig, where they were able to evacuate the city and foil Lung Tien Lien. He then accompanied Temeraire's crew back to Britain, with the feral dragons and Iskierka.
At that point, he no longer appeared to have any ties holding him from leaving his old life, although he had apparently had some sort of relationship with Sara Maden (the daughter of Avraam Maden, a banker in Istanbul who had seen the money the British paid for the eggs). He had been visibly upset when her father announced she was soon to be married.
