[EternalShadow]

Ok I did a search and checked all the ones with Hawl as the title and I still don't understand if Admiral Noks wife Hawl is the same Hawl as the woman who dies on Drift Avalii??

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[caladanbrood]

Basically, yup:)

When Cotillion recognises her, he says:

Quote

It was the old witch, Cutter saw, the one who had been burned. The one I thought was the source of power in the Malazan party. But it
wasn't her. It was Traveller. He halted a few paces away, brought up short by Cotillion's expression, the ravaged look that made him suddenly appear twenty years older. The gloved hand that had swept the hair back now caressed the dead woman's scorched face.
'You knew her?' Cutter asked.
'Hawl,' he replied after a moment. I'd thought Surly had taken them all out. None of the Talon's command left. I thought she was dead.'
'She is.' Then he snapped his mouth shut. A damned miserable thing to say—
'I made them good at hiding,' Cotillion went on, eyes still on the woman lying in the bloody, trampled grass. 'Good enough to hide even from me, it seems.'

So definately Old Guard. And thus the same Hawl, it's safe to assume:)

[EternalShadow]

Thanks, Wonder why Admiral Nok thought she was dead before she actually died :confused:

Confuzzled

[caladanbrood]

Quote

'I made them good at hiding,' Cotillion went on, eyes still on the woman lying in the bloody, trampled grass. 'Good enough to hide even from me, it seems.'

Thats why, I imagine. When the Old Empire was taken over by Laseen, they all split up and "died", pretty much. Staying in touch would have been bad plan, especially for a Talon, I would imagine.

[Dolorous Menhir]

EternalShadow;138137 said:

Thanks, Wonder why Admiral Nok thought she was dead before she actually died :confused:

Confuzzled

I think it's plausible that Nok knew his wife was alive the whole time, and lied to Tavore. Perhaps "lied" is the wrong word, he simply continued the story that Hawl had died that far back.

I do find it hard to believe that his wife was alive for the whole duration of Kellanved's rule (almost 100 years) and 10 years of Laseen, and yet he had no idea she lived.

It would be easier to decide either way if we knew more about Nok's loyalties. Obviously he's not fond of Laseen, but does he remain with the Empire out of allegiance to the Empire itself, or because of a loyalty to Kellanved & Dancer. If the latter, then I think the possibility that he knew his wife lived a secret life as a Talon is much more likely (since he would've been willing to aid in the deception).