Дюна
Book One: Dune
Jessicastoodthereglaringattheshield-blankedwindowsofhersittingroom.Hawat!CouldhebetheonetheHarkonnensbought?Weshallsee.
Jessicacrossedtothedeep,old-fashionedarmchairwithanembroideredcoverofschlagskin,movedthechairintopositiontocommandthedoor.Shewassuddenlyveryconsciousofthecrysknifeinitssheathonherleg.Sheremovedthesheathandstrappedittoherarm,testedthedropofit.Oncemore,sheglancedaroundtheroom,placingeverythingpreciselyinhermindagainstanyemergency:thechaisenearthecorner,thestraightchairsalongthewall,thetwolowtables,herstand-mountedzitherbesidethedoortoherbedroom.
Paleroselightglowedfromthesuspensorlamps.Shedimmedthem,satdowninthearmchair,pattingtheupholstery,appreciatingthechair’sregalheavinessforthisoccasion.
Now,lethimcome,shethought.Weshallseewhatweshallsee.AndshepreparedherselfintheBeneGesseritfashionforthewait,accumulatingpatience,savingherstrength.
Soonerthanshehadexpected,arapsoundedatthedoorandHawatenteredathercommand.
Shewatchedhimwithoutmovingfromthechair,seeingthecracklingsenseofdrug-inducedenergyinhismovements,seeingthefatiguebeneath.Hawat’srheumyoldeyesglittered.Hisleatheryskinappearedfaintlyyellowintheroom’slight,andtherewasawide,wetstainonthesleeveofhisknifearm.
Shesmelledbloodthere.
Jessicagesturedtooneofthestraight-backedchairs,said:“Bringthatchairandsitfacingme.”
Hawatbowed,obeyed.ThatdrunkenfoolofanIdaho!hethought.
