I don't recall it ever saying he had total control over the Taken. He just sort of points them and in a direction and they go. He only uses the Motes of Dark as bait to attract the Taken. [spoiler]What actually happened to that Dredgen anyway? It's not like he died. The Captain basically just knocked him over. Why didn't he just get back up and try to kill Drifter again?[/spoiler]