Дюна
Book One: Dune
“WiththeDuke’spermission,”thewater-shippersaid,“I’dliketoinquirefurtheraboutcustoms.”
Letoheardthesuddenoilytoneintheman’svoice,notedthewatchfulsilenceinthisgroup,thewayheadswerebeginningtoturntowardthemaroundtheroom.
“Isn’titalmosttimefordinner?”Jessicaasked.
“Butourguesthassomequestions,”Letosaid.Andhelookedatthewatershipper,seeingaround-facedmanwithlargeeyesandthicklips,recallingHawat’smemorandum:“...andthiswatershipperisamantowatch—LingarBewt,rememberthename.TheHarkonnensusedhimbutneverfullycontrolledhim.”
“Watercustomsaresointeresting,”Bewtsaid,andtherewasasmileonhisface.“I’mcuriouswhatyouintendabouttheconservatoryattachedtothishouse.
Doyouintendtocontinueflauntingitinthepeople’sfaces...m’Lord?”
Letoheldangerincheck,staringattheman.Thoughtsracedthroughhismind.Ithadtakenbraverytochallengehiminhisownducalcastle,especiallysincetheynowhadBewt’ssignatureoveracontractofallegiance.Theactionhadtaken,also,aknowledgeofpersonalpower.Waterwas,indeed,powerhere.
Ifwaterfacilitiesweremined,forinstance,readytobedestroyedatasignal....
Themanlookedcapableofsuchathing.DestructionofwaterfacilitiesmightwelldestroyArrakis.ThatcouldwellhavebeentheclubthisBewtheldovertheHarkonnens.
“MyLord,theDuke,andIhaveotherplansforourconservatory,”Jessicasaid.ShesmiledatLeto.
