Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
“Outhere,woman,wecarrynopaperforcontracts.Wemakenoeveningpromisestobebrokenatdawn.Whenamansaysathing,that’sthecontract.Asleaderofmypeople,I’veputtheminbondtomyword.Teachusthisweirdingwayandyouhavesanctuarywithusaslongasyouwish.Yourwatershallminglewithourwater.”
“CanyouspeakforallFremen?”Jessicaasked.
“Intime,thatmaybe.Butonlymybrother,Liet,speaksforallFremen.
Here,Ipromiseonlysecrecy.Mypeoplewillnotspeakofyoutoanyothersietch.TheHarkonnenshavereturnedtoDuneinforceandyourDukeisdead.ItissaidthatyoutwodiedinaMotherstorm.Thehunterdoesnotseekdeadgame.”
There’sasafetyinthat,Jessicathought.Butthesepeoplehavegoodcommunicationsandamessagecouldbesent.
“Ipresumetherewasarewardofferedforus,”shesaid.
Stilgarremainedsilent,andshecouldalmostseethethoughtsturningoverinhishead,sensingtheshiftsofhismusclesbeneathherhands.
Presently,hesaid:“Iwillsayitoncemore:I’vegiventhetribe’sword-bond.
Mypeopleknowyourworthtousnow.WhatcouldtheHarkonnensgiveus?
Ourfreedom?Hah!no,youarethetaqwa,thatwhichbuysusmorethanallthespiceintheHarkonnencoffers.”
“ThenIshallteachyoumywayofbattle,”Jessicasaid,andshesensedtheunconsciousritual-intensityofherownwords.
“Now,willyoureleaseme?”
“Sobeit,”Jessicasaid.Shereleasedherholdonhim,steppedasideinfullviewofthebankinthebasin.Thisisthetest-mashed,shethought.
