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Book One: Dune
Thetenorvoicehadlostsomeofitscoldreserve.
Jessicaheardtheclue-tonesintheman’svoice,allowedherselfaninwardshudder.HowcouldtheBaronhavemadesuchananimaloutofaMentat?
“Igiveyouachoice,Piter,”theBaronsaid.
“Whatchoice?”
TheBaronsnappedfatfingers.“ThiswomanandexilefromtheImperium,ortheDuchyofAtreidesonArrakistoruleasyouseefitinmyname.”
JessicawatchedtheBaron’sspidereyesstudyPiter.
“YoucouldbeDukehereinallbutname,”theBaronsaid.
IsmyLetodead,then?Jessicaaskedherself.Shefeltasilentwailbeginsomewhereinhermind.
TheBaronkepthisattentionontheMentat.“Understandyourself,Piter.YouwantherbecauseshewasaDuke’swoman,asymbolofhispower—beautiful,useful,exquisitelytrainedforherrole.Butanentireduchy,Piter!That’smorethanasymbol;that’sthereality.Withityoucouldhavemanywomen...andmore.”
“YoudonotjokewithPiter?”
TheBaronturnedwiththatdancinglightnessthesuspensorsgavehim.
“Joke?I?Remember—Iamgivinguptheboy.Youheardwhatthetraitorsaidaboutthelad’straining.Theyarealike,thismotherandson—deadly.”The
Baronsmiled.“Imustgonow.IwillsendintheguardI’vereservedforthismoment.He’sstonedeaf.Hisorderswillbetoconveyyouonthefirstlegofyourjourneyintoexile.Hewillsubduethiswomanifheseeshergaincontrolofyou.He’llnotpermityoutountiehergaguntilyou’reoffArrakis.Ifyouchoosenottoleave...hehasotherorders.”
“Youdon’thavetoleave,”Pitersaid.
