Дюна
Book One: Dune
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ShehadneverbeforeseenthemanwhoenteredtostandbesidetheBaron,butthefacewasknown—andtheman:PiterdeVries,theMentat-Assassin.Shestudiedhim—hawkfeatures,blue-inkeyesthatsuggestedhewasanativeofArrakis,butsubtletiesofmovementandstancetoldherhewasnot.Andhisfleshwastoowellfirmedwithwater.Hewastall,thoughslender,andsomethingabouthimsuggestedeffeminacy.
“Suchapitywecannothaveourconversation,mydearLadyJessica,”theBaronsaid.“However,I’mawareofyourabilities.”HeglancedattheMentat.
“Isn’tthattrue,Piter?”
“Asyousay,Baron,”themansaid.
Thevoicewastenor.Ittouchedherspinewithawashofcoldness.Shehadneverheardsuchachillvoice.ToonewiththeBeneGesserittraining,thevoicescreamed:Killer!
“IhaveasurpriseforPiter,”theBaronsaid.“Hethinkshehascomeheretocollecthisreward—you,LadyJessica.ButIwishtodemonstrateathing:thathedoesnotreallywantyou.”
“Youplaywithme,Baron?”Piterasked,andhesmiled.
Seeingthatsmile,JessicawonderedthattheBarondidnotleaptodefendhimselffromthisPiter.Thenshecorrectedherself.TheBaroncouldnotreadthatsmile.HedidnothavetheTraining.
“Inmanyways,Piterisquitenaive,”theBaronsaid.“Hedoesn’tadmittohimselfwhatadeadlycreatureyouare,LadyJessica.I’dshowhim,butit’dbeafoolishrisk.”TheBaronsmiledatPiter,whosefacehadbecomeawaitingmask.
“IknowwhatPiterreallywants.Piterwantspower.”
“YoupromisedIcouldhaveher,”Pitersaid.
