Дюна

           Hecrossedtothemound,liftedthedistrans.“WhenourwaterwentbelowminimatthesiegeatTwoBrids,Jamisshared.”Themanreturnedtohisplaceinthecircle.

           AmIsupposedtosayIwasafriendofJamis?Paulwondered.Dotheyexpectmetotakesomethingfromthatpile?Hesawfacesturntowardhim,turnaway.Theydoexpectit!

           AnothermanacrossfromPaularose,wenttothepackandremovedtheparacompass.“IwasafriendofJamis,”hesaid.“WhenthepatrolcaughtusatBight-of-the-CliffandIwaswounded,Jamisdrewthemoffsothewoundedcouldbesaved.”Hereturnedtohisplaceinthecircle.

           Again,thefacesturnedtowardPaul,andhesawtheexpectancyinthem,loweredhiseyes.Anelbownudgedhimandavoicehissed:“Wouldyoubringthedestructiononus?”

           HowcanIsayIwashisfriend?Paulwondered.

           AnotherfigurearosefromthecircleoppositePauland,asthehoodedfacecameintothelight,herecognizedhismother.Sheremovedakerchieffromthemount.“IwasafriendofJamis,”shesaid.“Whenthespiritofspiritswithinhimsawtheneedsoftruth,thatspiritwithdrewandsparedmyson.”Shereturnedtoherplace.

           AndPaulrecalledthescorninhismother’svoiceasshehadconfrontedhimafterthefight.“Howdoesitfeeltobeakiller?”

           Again,hesawthefacesturnedtowardhim,felttheangerandfearinthetroop.Apassagehismotherhadoncefilmbookedforhimon“TheCultoftheDead”flickeredthroughPaul’smind.Heknewwhathehadtodo.

           Slowly,Paulgottohisfeet.

           Asighpassedaroundthecircle.