Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Paulcrouched,realizingthenthathehadnoshield,butwastrainedtofightingwithitssubtlefieldaroundhim,trainedtoreactondefensewithutmostspeedwhilehisattackwouldbetimedtothecontrolledslownessnecessaryforpenetratingtheenemy’sshield.Inspiteofconstantwarningfromhistrainersnottodependontheshield’smindlessbluntingofattackspeed,heknewthatshield-awarenesswaspartofhim.
Jamiscalledoutinritualchallenge:“Maythyknifechipandshatter!”
Thisknifewillbreakthen,Paulthought.
HecautionedhimselfthatJamisalsowaswithoutshield,butthemanwasn’ttrainedtoitsuse,hadnoshield-fighterinhibitions.
PaulstaredacrosstheringatJamis.Theman’sbodylookedlikeknottedwhipcordonadriedskeleton.Hiscrysknifeshonemilkyyellowinthelightoftheglowglobes.
FearcoursedthroughPaul.Hefeltsuddenlyaloneandnakedstandingindullyellowlightwithinthisringofpeople.Presciencehadfedhisknowledgewithcountlessexperiences,hintedatthestrongestcurrentsofthefutureandthe
stringsofdecisionthatguidedthem,butthiswasthereal-now.Thiswasdeathhangingonaninfinitenumberofminisculemischances.
Anythingcouldtipthefuturehere,herealized.Someonecoughinginthetroopofwatchers,adistraction.Avariationinaglowglobe’sbrilliance,adeceptiveshadow.
I’mafraid,Paultoldhimself.
AndhecircledwarilyoppositeJamis,repeatingsilentlytohimselftheBeneGesseritlitanyagainstfear.“Fearisthemind-killer....”Itwasacoolbathwashingoverhim.
