Chapter 141 – Silver
When I entered the courtyard of the head of the goblins, I couldn't help but think how wealthy and powerful he may be. They controlled Gringotts, and through it, they could control the lives of countless wizards. Would they, though? It had to be a delicate situation, and they had to balance around the factions, walking a tightrope. If they ever fell in with one wizarding group, that could easily mean that all the other wizards joined up against them in an attempt to bring them down.
Quincy was right; I bet that war between wizards profits them more than taking either of their sides. If they remain impartial, they can play both sides and remain in a position where neither group could slight or attack them, in fear of pushing them into the arms of the other. Crafty. And... I had an inkling that any other goblin family, especially those Gold... Gold, whoever would jump on the opportunity to take over.
My thoughts were interrupted by arriving at the villa and walking in, greeted by a giant hall made of marble and statues, furniture crafted from precious metals. To my surprise, a human butler greeted us. Wait, no, it was a wizard; I noticed the wand hanging on his side.
"Please, come this way. The Master will be with you shortly," he said courteously, but he only looked at Grindelwald and ignored the rest of us. Following the butler, he led us to a conference room and served us drinks and snacks before leaving through another thick, golden door.
"You can eat and drink; it won't be poisoned." Grindelwald said with a chuckle, watching Quincy tap the food with the tip of her wand. To demonstrate it, he picked up one muffin and bit into it while looking around calmly.
"Would it be below their standard?" She asked, following suit while I tasted the tea, which was superb.
"No. They would do it anywhere else. Here? Too many eyes. We walked all the way here so everyone in this city knows our arrival and our connection to old Hammerstrike. If anything happened, it would come to light very quickly. He won't do anything that makes him open to attacks from rival families."
"Like from the Goldhands?" Quincy asked, following up with another question: "Was that really a wizard before? Do wizards serve goblins? I never heard about it!"
"Yes, and yes." He nodded, washing the muffin down with a cup of tea, "It isn't rare, but of course, any wizard in service of a goblin family would be shunned back home. So, they are usually exiles or runaways. Escapeeds, if you will."
"Dark wizards?" I chortled, looking at him, and sure enough, he nodded his head.
"I was also given an option to become a servant. Of course, don't be mistaken! They come with special contracts that are as binding as any wizarding, magical oath. But, for some who are talented enough, becoming a goblin's servant is much better than being thrown into Azkaban."