Дюна

           InvoluntarilyheglancedtowardtheplaceonthecavernfloorwhereJamishadlain.

           StilgarpressedthroughtoJessica’sside,returningfromthecavedepthswherethebodyofJamishadbeentaken.HespoketoPaulinabitter,controlledtone:“Whenthetimecomesforyoutocallmeoutandtryformyburda,donotthinkyouwillplaywithmethewayyouplayedwithJamis.”

           JessicasensedthewayherownwordsandStilgar’ssankintoPaul,doingtheirharshworkontheboy.Themistakethesepeoplemade—itservedapurposenow.ShesearchedthefacesaroundthemasPaulwasdoing,seeingwhathesaw.Admiration,yes,andfear...andinsome—loathing.ShelookedatStilgar,sawhisfatalism,knewhowthefighthadseemedtohim.

           Paullookedathismother.“Youknowwhatitwas,”hesaid.

           Sheheardthereturntosanity,theremorseinhisvoice.Jessicasweptherglanceacrossthetroop,said:“Paulhasneverbeforekilledamanwithanakedblade.”

           Stilgarfacedher,disbeliefinhisface.

           “Iwasn’tplayingwithhim,”Paulsaid.Hepressedinfrontofhismother,straighteninghisrobe,glancedatthedarkplaceofJamis’bloodonthecavernfloor.“Ididnotwanttokillhim.”

           JessicasawbeliefcomeslowlytoStilgar,sawthereliefinhimashetuggedathisbeardwithadeeplyveinedhand.Sheheardmutteringawarenessspreadthroughthetroop.

           “That’swhyy’askedhimtoyield,”Stilgarsaid.“Isee.Ourwaysaredifferent,butyou’llseethesenseinthem.Ithoughtwe’dadmittedascorpionintoourmidst.