Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Now,hidingbeneathabitofdesertrock,henoddedtohimself,pulledhistornandslashedtunicaroundhimasthoughwardingoffthecoldshadows.
Thesizeoftheattack.
HehadalwaysexpectedtheirenemytohireanoccasionallighterfromtheGuildforprobingraids.ThatwasanordinaryenoughgambitinthiskindofHouse-to-Housewarfare.LighterslandedandtookoffonArrakisregularlytotransportthespiceforHouseAtreides.Hawathadtakenprecautionsagainstrandomraidsbyfalsespicelighters.Forafullattackthey’dexpectednomorethantenbrigades.
ButthereweremorethantwothousandshipsdownonArrakisatthelastcount—notjustlighters,butfrigates,scouts,monitors,crushers,troop-carriers,dump-boxes....
Morethanahundredbrigades—tenlegions!
TheentirespiceincomeofArrakisforfiftyyearsmightjustcoverthecostofsuchaventure.
Itmight.
IunderestimatedwhattheBaronwaswillingtospendinattackingus,Hawatthought.IfailedmyDuke.
Thentherewasthematterofthetraitor.
Iwilllivelongenoughtoseeherstrangled!hethought.Ishould’vekilledthatBeneGesseritwitchwhenIhadthechance.Therewasnodoubtinhismindwhohadbetrayedthem—theLadyJessica.Shefittedallthefactsavailable.
“YourmanGurneyHalleckandpartofhisforcearesafewithoursmugglerfriends,”theFremensaid.
“Good.”
SoGurneywillgetoffthishellplanet.We’renotallgone.
Hawatglancedbackatthehuddleofhismen.Hehadstartedthenightjustpastwiththreehundredofhisfinest.Ofthose,aneventwentyremainedandhalfofthemwerewounded.
