Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
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Shenodded,whippedaribbonofclothfrombeneathherrobe,linkedtheringsontoitwithanintricateoverandunderweaving,hesitated,thenstuffedthemintothesashbeneathherrobe.
Imissedsomethingthere,Paulthought.Hesensedthefeelingofhumoraroundhim,somethingbanteringinit,andhismindlinkedupaprescientmemory:watercountersofferedtoawoman—courtshipritual.
“Watermasters,”Stilgarsaid.
Thetrooparoseinahissingofrobes.Twomensteppedout,liftedthewaterbag.Stilgartookdowntheglowglobe,ledthewaywithitintothedepthsofthecave.
PaulwaspressedinbehindChani,notedthebutteryglowoflightoverrockwalls,thewaytheshadowsdanced,andhefeltthetroop’sliftofspiritscontainedinahushedairofexpectancy.
Jessica,pulledintotheendofthetroopbyeagerhands,hemmedaroundbyjostlingbodies,suppressedamomentofpanic.Shehadrecognizedfragmentsoftheritual,identifiedtheshardsofChakobsaandBhotani-jibinthewords,andsheknewthewildviolencethatcouldexplodeoutoftheseseeminglysimplemoments.
Jan-jan-jan,shethought.Go-go-go.
Itwaslikeachild’sgamethathadlostallinhibitioninadulthands.
Stilgarstoppedatayellowrockwall.Hepressedanoutcroppingandthewallswungsilentlyawayfromhim,openingalonganirregularcrack.Heledthewaythroughpastadarkhoney-comblatticethatdirectedacoolwashofairacrossPaulwhenhepassedit.
PaulturnedaquestioningstareonChani,tuggedherarm.“Thatairfeltdamp,”hesaid.
“Sh-h-h-h,”shewhispered.
