Дюна
Book One: Dune
Deliberatelyhebentovertheendofthetable,spatonitspolishedsurface.
Asthemenaroundthetablestartedtosurgetotheirfeet,Idaho’svoiceboomedacrosstheroom:“Hold!”
Intothesuddenchargedstillness,Idahosaid:“Wethankyou,Stilgar,forthegiftofyourbody’smoisture.Weacceptitinthespiritwithwhichitisgiven.”
AndIdahospatonthetableinfrontoftheDuke.
AsidetotheDuke,hesaid:“Rememberhowpreciouswaterishere,Sire.
Thatwasatokenofrespect.”
Letosankbackintohisownchair,caughtPaul’seye,aruefulgrinonhisson’sface,sensedtheslowrelaxationoftensionaroundthetableasunderstandingcametohismen.
TheFremenlookedatIdaho,said:“Youmeasuredwellinmysietch,DuncanIdaho.IsthereabondonyourallegiancetoyourDuke?”
“He’saskingmetoenlistwithhim,Sire,”Idahosaid.
“Wouldheacceptadualallegiance?”Letoasked.
“Youwishmetogowithhim,Sire?”
“Iwishyoutomakeyourowndecisioninthematter,”Letosaid,andhecouldnotkeeptheurgencyoutofhisvoice.
IdahostudiedtheFremen.“Wouldyouhavemeundertheseconditions,Stilgar?There’dbetimeswhenI’dhavetoreturntoservemyDuke.”
“Youfightwellandyoudidyourbestforourfriend,”Stilgarsaid.HelookedatLeto.“Letitbethus:themanIdahokeepsthecrysknifeheholdsasamarkofhisallegiancetous.Hemustbecleansed,ofcourse,andtheritesobserved,butthiscanbedone.HewillbeFremenandsoldieroftheAtreides.Thereisprecedentforthis:Lietservestwomasters.”
“Duncan?”Letoasked.
