The Talon
The predecessor of The Claw in the Malazan Empire, used primarily for assassination and spy work. It was commanded by Dancer. Forced underground after Dancer's disappearance, its surviving members still exist, though secretly, so as not to attract the attention of the Claw.
The Talon: rumoured Imperial covert organization predating the Claw
NoK, UK mmpb, Glossary
NoK, UK mmpb, Glossary
Talon symbol NoK p.70
A severed birds foot (tattoo)
Talon DG p.282
Baudin carried a talon of some large cat, amber coloured and smooth
Hawl – a yellow stained talon strung on a thong – HoC p. 660
Rivalry between the Claw and the Talon
'Heboric: An old rivalry...Dancer and Surly. In keeping with the Imperial symbol of the demon hand gripping a sphere, he called them his Talons. Surly used that model in creating the Claw. The Talons were external - outside the Empire - but the Claws were internal, a secret police, a network of spies and assassins.'
Kulp: 'But the Claw are used in covert military operations...'
'They are now. When Surly became Regent in the absence of Kellanved and Dancer, she sent her claws after the Talons. The betrayal started subtly - a string of disastrous botched missions - but someone got careless and gave the game away. The two locked daggers and fought it out to the bitter end.'
'And the Claw won.'
...'Surly becomes Laseen. Laseen becomes Empress. The Claws sit atop the pile of skulls like well-fed crows. The Talons went the way of Dancer. Dead and gone...or, as a few mused now and then, so far underground as to seem extinct...Like Dancer himself, maybe'
DG, UK MMPB, p.448-9
Kulp: 'But the Claw are used in covert military operations...'
'They are now. When Surly became Regent in the absence of Kellanved and Dancer, she sent her claws after the Talons. The betrayal started subtly - a string of disastrous botched missions - but someone got careless and gave the game away. The two locked daggers and fought it out to the bitter end.'
'And the Claw won.'
...'Surly becomes Laseen. Laseen becomes Empress. The Claws sit atop the pile of skulls like well-fed crows. The Talons went the way of Dancer. Dead and gone...or, as a few mused now and then, so far underground as to seem extinct...Like Dancer himself, maybe'
DG, UK MMPB, p.448-9
Heboric: So the Talons remain...Then who commands you?'
Baudin: 'No-one...I was born into it. There's a handful left, kicking around here and there, either old or drooling or both. A few first sons inherited...the secret. Dancer's not dead. He ascended, alongside Kellanved - my father was there to see it, in Malaz City, the Night of the Shadow Moon.'
DG, UK MMPB, p.449
Baudin: 'No-one...I was born into it. There's a handful left, kicking around here and there, either old or drooling or both. A few first sons inherited...the secret. Dancer's not dead. He ascended, alongside Kellanved - my father was there to see it, in Malaz City, the Night of the Shadow Moon.'
DG, UK MMPB, p.449
See Baudin for an example of a Talon kit.
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