Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Inthesuddenhush,Stilgarbowedtoher.“Sayyadina,”hesaid.“IftheShai-huludgrant,thenyoumayyetpasswithintobecomeaReverendMother.”
Passwithin,shethought.Anoddwayofputtingit.Buttherestofitfittedintothecantwellenough.Andshefeltacynicalbitternessatwhatshehaddone.OurMissionariaProtectivaseldomfails.Aplacewaspreparedforusinthiswilderness.Theprayerofthesalathascarvedoutourhidingplace.Now...ImustplaythepartofAuliya,theFriendofGod...Sayyadinatoroguepeopleswho’vebeensoheavilyimprintedwithourBeneGesseritsoothsaytheyevencalltheirchiefpriestessesReverendMothers.
PaulstoodbesideChaniintheshadowsoftheinnercave.Hecouldstilltastethemorselshehadfedhim—birdfleshandgrainboundwithspicehoneyandencasedinaleaf.Intastingithehadrealizedheneverbeforehadeatensuchaconcentrationofspiceessenceandtherehadbeenamomentoffear.Heknewwhatthisessencecoulddotohim—thespicechangethatpushedhismindintoprescientawareness.
“Bi-lakaifa,”Chaniwhispered.
Helookedather,seeingtheawewithwhichtheFremenappearedtoaccepthismother’swords.OnlythemancalledJamisseemedtostandalooffromtheceremony,holdinghimselfapartwitharmsfoldedacrosshisbreast.
“Duyyakhahinmange,”Chaniwhispered.“Duypunrahinmange.Ihavetwoeyes.Ihavetwofeet.”
AndshestaredatPaulwithalookofwonder.
Paultookadeepbreath,tryingtostillthetempestwithinhim.
