#just clarifying now that vakama-in my eyes at least in this au- is a grown man(20s or 30s)

[bionicle-ramblings]

Writing a little something for @crystaltoa for their fantasy AU. It's also been on my head a lot😅

Matau was not the type to exactly go to other regions, as his own was perfectly fine. He only ever left it because something he needed for trading or work was there. Being outside of his region and traveling was also benefit he enjoyed.

What he did not particularly enjoy were the knights, both in and out of Le-Metru.

By all means, Matau could outrun a knight; they wore their heavy armor and sometimes ran slowly to stay in groups. He wore no armor, or at least armor that slowed him down, and he was a gnome. One of the smaller beings that existed in the land, but that only made him harder to catch.

He reasoned as such when he vaulted off a wall before a knight could grab him, leaping upward until he was racing across rooftop after rooftop.

"Ha!" He proclaimed. "Nice work-try, pesky knights!"

One of the knights growled. "Follow him! Don't let that thief get away!"

Matau climbed onto a chimney to catch his breath. "Thief? Sneak-thief? ME!?"

While it was true Matau had a precious stone in his satchel, he didn't think it was stolen.

How could I steal something if no one was around to claim it?

An arrow flew past him, barely grazing his ear.

As more knights reloaded their bows and crossbows, Matau sprang off the chimney and leapt from building to building, ducking and dodging arrows as they were fired at him.

Matau looked over his shoulder to see if any more knights were around him, if they were either behind him or rounding buildings to try cutting him off.

It cost him when his foot slipped off of the roof and sent him tumbling downward and into a large chimney.

Smoke and heat met him as he fell.

It was followed by a harsh landing on cold charcoals and a scream, and then the clattering of metal falling to the floor.

And the man who screamed, a blacksmith, remained where he stood, only picking up the tools he dropped even as Matau pushed himself up and cringed at the dust he was covered in.

"Ugh. Gross-nasty." Matau saw the human and cleared his throat. "Someone forgot to brush-clean that."

The man's brow furrowed, either from confusion or from finally processing what was happening in the moment.

The door to the shop was banged on, making both Matau and the human jump.

"Royal guards! We need to search your shop!"

"Stupid, pesky knights," Matau hissed under his breath.

The human looked around the shop and quickly scooped Matau off of the ground.

"Hey!"

"Stay quiet!" The human murmured before practically throwing Matau into a large vase that held bars and rods of metal. "Stay down."

Matau glanced at the door and nodded, shimmying to hide himself more.

The human quickly tidied up his shop and took a breath before opening the door.

The knights stood on the other side, along with the dwarf he had been the apprentice to.

"Sirs," he greeted with a nod. "Nuhrii."

"Good day," one of the knights greeted back. "So sorry to you and your mentor, but we need to check your shop."

Hopefully just for rats and not a gnome.

He gave the knights a confused, albeit cautious nod as he stepped out of the way and opened the door wider.

The knights filed in and began searching the shop, alarmingly careful in their search so nothing would be damaged.

Many simply pulled open any drawers that they could, opened cabinets, boxes, even looked up the chimney Matau had fallen down, taking note of the scattered coals and dust.

One of them stood by Nuhrii, examining one of the swords that needed a guard and hilt. "Impressive work," he noted. "Yours?"

"My apprentice's, actually," the dwarf said grudgingly.

One of the knights searched behind a shelf of tools and gear, close to the vase.

Nuhrii nudged him. "Show some manners. Introduce yourself."

One of the knights turned their attention to the vase.

"Vakama," the human said, trying to remain calm. "My name is Vakama."

The knight examined the blade closely, checking for any warping or damage- not that he would find any. "You've learned well from your mentor."

Vakama bit his tongue as he saw the knight dig through the vase, waiting for the moment they would find and drag out the gnome hiding inside, and then arrest Vakama with him for "harboring a criminal."

Instead, the knight stood straight. "Nothing," they reported.

Around the room, the other knights echoed, "Nothing."

The knight standing by Nuhrii huffed. "Damn."

Vakama hid a sigh.

"Thank you, both, for your time," the knight said as his group marched out of the shop. "If either of you see anything, be sure to report it to us."

"Yes, sir," Nuhrii replied.

"What were you looking for?" Vakama asked, feigning ignorance.

Nuhrii glared at him as the knight answered, "That's none of your concern. Just a thief we've been having trouble with."

"We'll keep an eye out," Nuhrii said before Vakama could think of responding.

"Much obliged. Good day, you two." With a nod, the knight turned and left the shop.

Nuhrii wheeled around to face Vakama. "Do you know anything of this thief?"

Vakama shook his head. "No, sir."

"Are you lying to me?" The dwarf asked sharply. "I'll know of you are, and having your apprenticeship stripped would be the least of your worries, boy!"

"Of course I'm not!" Vakama protested. "What reason would I have for lying to you or knights?"

Nuhrii glared at him for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. I'll take your word for it." He turned to the door of the shop. "Get back to work," he said, opening the door to let himself out, and then slamming it shut behind him.

Vakama took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "That went well."

"It went sure-fine."

The human jumped and quickly turned.

There was Matau, sitting on the mantle above the fireplace and examining a dagger.

Did he teleport there? Turn himself invisible?

Vakama only picked up the sword he'd been working on, now cooled from being out of the forge, and a hammer. "I wouldn't stay long, if I was in your place. They might come back."

The gnome gave him a doubtful look. "Might. I'll be far-gone by the time those stupid knights look here again."

"Let's hope you are, when that happens, Matau."

Matau blinked before standing, beaming with pride. "My reputation precedes me! Yes, I am Matau! Have you heard of me thanks to talk-stories from Le-Metru?"

"Not exactly," Vakama admitted. "You wouldn't believe me, if I told you."

"Try me." Matau vaulted off the mantle and landed in Vakama's shoulder. "I've been far and wide on ever-great adventures! I would believe anything you say."

"Even if I was lying?"

Matau froze, smile gone for a moment before he smirked, sitting down.

"I think I like you, human," he said, eyes narrow and on Vakama's face.

Vakama carefully moved Matau off of him. "What were they after you for anyway?"

"I'm not sure," Matau said with a shrug. "But they're not cheer-happy that I have this."

The gnome reached into the satchel he wore and pulled out a stone, one that glowed green from within and was translucent as if it was carved from glass or a gem.

Vakama crouched down to get a closer look, brow furrowed. "Where did you get this?"

"The street."

Vakama eyed him dubious.

"What? I did!" Matau barked. "Someone must've dropped it and they didn't come back for it!"

"And you didn't think to try and return it?"

"I didn't see who dropped it."

Vakama stood and walked to one of the drawer sets in the shop. "You wouldn't happen to know someone named Lhikan, would you?"

Matau screwed his face for a moment. "I know OF him, but I don't KNOW him. Why?"

Vakama turned back to him, holding something in his hand:

A stone, similar to the one Matau had in his possession, only it glowed red from within.

"He gave this to me and told me to keep it safe."