Дюна
Book One: Dune
“YousaythistoconfuseyoungFeyd-Rautha,butitisnotnecessarytoconfusemynephew.”
Thesullen-facedyouthstirredinhischair,smoothedawrinkleintheblackleotardshewore.Hesatuprightasadiscreettappingsoundedatthedoorinthewallbehindhim.
Piterunfoldedfromhischair,crossedtothedoor,crackeditwideenoughtoacceptamessagecylinder.Heclosedthedoor,unrolledthecylinderandscannedit.Achucklesoundedfromhim.Another.
“Well?”theBarondemanded.
“Thefoolansweredus,Baron!”
“WheneverdidanAtreidesrefusetheopportunityforagesture?”theBaronasked.“Well,whatdoeshesay?”
“He’smostuncouth,Baron.Addressesyouas‘Harkonnen’-no‘SireetCherCousin,’notitle,nothing.”
“It’sagoodname,”theBarongrowled,andhisvoicebetrayedhisimpatience.“WhatdoesdearLetosay?”
“Hesays:‘Yourofferofameetingisrefused.Ihaveofttimesmetyourtreacheryandthisallmenknow.’”
“And?”theBaronasked.
“Hesays:‘TheartofkanlystillhasadmirersintheEmpire.’Hesignsit:
‘DukeLetoofArrakis.’”Piterbegantolaugh.“OfArrakis!Oh,my!Thisisalmosttoorich!”
“Besilent,Piter,”theBaronsaid,andthelaughterstoppedasthoughshutoffwithaswitch.“Kanly,isit?”theBaronasked.“Vendetta,heh?AndheusestheniceoldwordsorichintraditiontobesureIknowhemeansit.”
“Youmadethepeacegesture,”Pitersaid.“Theformshavebeenobeyed.”
“ForaMentat,youtalktoomuch,Piter,”theBaronsaid.Andhethought:Imustdoawaywiththatonesoon.
