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Book Two: Muad‘dib
TheywouldhavetobetoldofthetwostraysinArrakeensanctuary.
Glowglobescamealightfartherintothecave.Shesawpeoplemovingthere,PaulamongthemalreadydressedandwithhishoodthrownbacktorevealtheaquilineAtreidesprofile.
Hehadactedsostrangelybeforetheyretired,shethought.Withdrawn.Hewaslikeonecomebackfromthedead,notyetfullyawareofhisreturn,hiseyeshalfshutandglassywiththeinwardstare.Itmadeherthinkofhiswarningaboutthespice-impregnateddiet:addictive.
Aretheresideeffects?shewondered.Hesaidithadsomethingtodowithhisprescientfaculty,buthehasbeenstrangelysilentaboutwhathesees.
Stilgarcamefromshadowstoherright,crossedtothegroupbeneaththeglowglobes.Shemarkedhowhefingeredhisbeardandthewatchful,cat-stalkinglookofhim.
AbruptfearshotthroughJessicaashersensesawakenedtothetensionsvisibleinthepeoplegatheredaroundPaul—thestiffmovements,theritualpositions.
“Theyhavemycountenance!”Stilgarrumbled.
JessicarecognizedthemanStilgarconfronted—Jamis!ShesawthentherageinJamis—thetightsetofhisshoulders.
Jamis,themanPaulbested!shethought.
“Youknowtherule,Stilgar,”Jamissaid.
“Whoknowsitbetter?”Stilgarasked,andsheheardthetoneofplacationinhisvoice,theattempttosmoothsomethingover.
“Ichoosethecombat,”Jamisgrowled.
Jessicaspedacrossthecave,graspedStilgar’sarm.“Whatisthis?”sheasked.
“Itistheamtalrule,”Stilgarsaid.“Jamisisdemandingtherighttotestyourpartinthelegend.
