Tak

Tak was an armourer in Malaz City. He was an old man with small rheumy eyes and a midnight-blue robe.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1067/1068 Tak walked with a limp due to a stiff leg and misaligned hips, a legacy of having had his hip crushed during fighting in the Mouse Quarter. He lost all his belongings at the time but was rescued by Fiddler and Dujek Onearm. His rescuers provided Tak with funds in return for him making specialised munitions-firing crossbows for them as their previous supplier, an old jeweller, had died.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1069/1070 He refused to get the hip fixed as it earned him near five percent sympathy and another five percent from soldiers who thought him a veteran.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, US SFBC p.875-876
 
Tak had four wives, which he attributed not to his charms but the allure of his mysterious wealth.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1068 He also had many children, although none resembled him.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, US SFBC p.875
Tak's shop was located in the Centre District of Malaz City. It had a burning mouse, acid-etched on a polished tin disc, as shop sign. The sign dangled from a crumbling overhang over the narrow front door which was actually more solid than it looked and was latched on the inside. Upon entering, a landing with stairs led up to the shop floor. It was cluttered with weapons, armour, jewellery, tapestries, bolts of precious silk, standards and statues looted from battles and overrun cities. A broad lacquered table with a plush chair served as desk as well as a hiding place. Releasing two latches revealed a large hidden drawer.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1067/1068
==In The Bonehunters==
On the night that Adjunct Tavore Paran's fleet carrying the Malaz 14th Army arrived in Malaz City, Fiddler surreptitiously slipped into the city. He called on Tak for a new crossbow since he lost his old one under Y'Ghatan. Tak showed him one which had been hidden in the secret drawer of the table. He told Fiddler that this model had a few improvements like an increased range of probably around fifty paces. It could also now fire sharpers and burners in addition to cussers. Teasing Fiddler, telling him he had only the one, Tak then pointed towards a box overhead which contained another four crossbows of the same model. Tak refused to take money for the weapons.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1067-1071
He then showed Fiddler a fiddle which he had picked up some time ago and which had cost him four copper crescents. He asked two thousand gold for it from Fiddler and they agreed that amount equalled the worth of six of the twelve diamonds that Fiddler had on him. Tak then asked the same amount again for the bow, the hair of which came from a horse he had known. Tak proceeded to tell Fiddler an outrageous story involving the horse, Master Sergeant Braven Tooth, and the naming of Limp of the Ashok Regiment. After the sale, the two strung and loaded the crossbows, agreeing that it was a night reminiscent of the old Mouse out there.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1071/1072
==Notes and references==
Category:Malaz City
Category:Malazans
Category:Males