Lebel 1886 Talon

LEBEL 1886 TALON (See also, LEBEL 1886, FIELD MODIFICATIONS) The Lebel 1886 Talon was an unusual sight, one that went against military doctrine at the time. Whilst generally, organized armed forces preferred fore-mounted bayonets, the Talon instead eschewed this in favor of a rear-mounted axe blade. This made it far more effective as a bludgeoning and hacking melee weapon, rather than a precision weapon

Unpublished manuscript, "Bad As They Seem
Author: Hayden Collins
Undated
Bleached paper, typewritten, 8.5x11 in

-21-
The twins traveled a day and a night before they reached the cave.

Minimally armed and draped in matching suits of decadent red cloth, their differences were muted.

Lynch provided Jos and Fin the clothing, instructions, a map, and two small stones, and sent them off in a carriage. Their suits had been tailored some weeks before and had lain ready in Lynch's trunk. She had remained behind

"The cards afford me a certain clairvoyance,"had been her answer to the question the twins had not dared ask. But how did you know? How did you know?

Huffington's orders had been as cold and calculating as the man himself. The twins had grown accustomed to doing Lynch's bidding, and at her nod of approval, had immediately agreed to take his commission. They would bring Huffington the weapon, and he would provide weapons and information.

The carriage driver left them an hour's walk from the mouth of the cave, and left them there. When they returned, should they return, they would find their own way back.

Before the gaping grey maw of the cave, Jos turned to Fin, and their eyes met, still identical, still a mirror, even after all that had changed. Somewhere inside, they would find the Butcher's House. "To a life well lived and a death well deserved,"said Fin, in a quiet voice, as each placed a small, cold stone on their tongue

They turned, and entered the cave, the mournfully high cry of the wind their only farewell.