Дюна
Book One: Dune
“Ho-ho-ho-o-o-o!”Itwasthesmuggler,Tuek,headthrownbacklaughingwithcompleteabandon.
Nervoussmilesappearedaroundthetable.
Bewtwasgrinning.
Thebankerhadpushedhischairback,wasglaringatPaul.
Kynessaid:“OnebaitsanAtreidesathisownrisk.”
“IsitAtreidescustomtoinsulttheirguests?”thebankerdemanded.
BeforePaulcouldanswer,Jessicaleanedforward,said:“Sir!”Andshethought:WemustlearnthisHarkonnencreature’sgame.IsheheretotryforPaul?Doeshehavehelp?
“Mysondisplaysageneralgarmentandyouclaimit’scuttoyourfit?”
Jessicaasked.“Whatafascinatingrevelation.”Sheslidahanddowntoherlegtothecrysknifeshehadfastenedinacalf-sheath.
ThebankerturnedhisglareonJessica.EyesshiftedawayfromPaulandshesawhimeasehimselfbackfromthetable,freeinghimselfforaction.Hehadfocusedonthecodeword:garment.“Prepareforviolence.”
KynesdirectedaspeculativelookatJessica,gaveasubtlehandsignaltoTuek.
Thesmugglerlurchedtohisfeet,liftedhisflagon.“I’llgiveyouatoast,”hesaid.“ToyoungPaulAtreides,stillaladbyhislooks,butamanbyhisactions.”
Whydotheyintrude?Jessicaaskedherself.
ThebankerstarednowatKynes,andJessicasawterrorreturntotheagent’sface.
Peoplebeganrespondingallaroundthetable.
WhereKynesleads,peoplefollow,Jessicathought.HehastoldushesideswithPaul.What’sthesecretofhispower?Itcan’tbebecausehe’sJudgeoftheChange.That’stemporary.Andcertainlynotbecausehe’sacivilservant.
