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Book Two: Muad‘dib
ThosedamnableSardaukar!
Withaself-accusingbitterness,hefacedthethoughtofthesoldier-fanaticsandtheImperialtreacherytheyrepresented.HisownMentatassessmentofthedatatoldhimhowlittlechancehehadevertopresentevidenceofthistreacherybeforetheHighCounciloftheLandsraadwherejusticemightbedone.
“Doyouwishtogotothesmugglers?”theFremenasked.
“Isitpossible?”
“Thewayislong.”
“Fremendon’tliketosayno,”Idahohadtoldhimonce.
Hawatsaid:“Youhaven’tyettoldmewhetheryourpeoplecanhelpmywounded.”
“Theyarewounded.”
Thesamedamnedanswereverytime!
“Weknowthey’rewounded!”Hawatsnapped.“That’snotthe—”
“Peace,friend,”theFremencautioned.“Whatdoyourwoundedsay?Aretherethoseamongthemwhocanseethewaterneedofyourtribe?”
“Wehaven’ttalkedaboutwater,”Hawatsaid.“We—”
“Icanunderstandyourreluctance,”theFremensaid.“Theyareyourfriends,yourtribesmen.Doyouhavewater?”
“Notenough.”
TheFremengesturedtoHawat’stunic,theskinexposedbeneathit.“Youwerecaughtin-sietch,withoutyoursuits.Youmustmakeawaterdecision,friend.”
“Canwehireyourhelp?”
TheFremenshrugged.“Youhavenowater.”HeglancedatthegroupbehindHawat.“Howmanyofyourwoundedwouldyouspend?”
Hawatfellsilent,staringattheman.HecouldseeasaMentatthattheircommunicationwasoutofphase.Word-soundswerenotbeinglinkeduphereinthenormalmanner.
“IamThufirHawat,”hesaid.“IcanspeakformyDuke.
