Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Theeffectwasthatofanancienttent.
Harahstoodinfrontofhim,lefthandonhip,hereyesstudyinghisface.
“Thechildrenarewithafriend,”shesaid.“Theywillpresentthemselveslater.”
Paulmaskedhisuneasebeneathaquickscanningoftheroom.Thinhangingstotheright,hesaw,partlyconcealedalargerroomwithcushionspiledaroundthewalls.Hefeltasoftbreezefromanairduct,sawtheoutletcunninglyhiddeninapatternofhangingsdirectlyaheadofhim.
“Doyouwishmetohelpyouremoveyourstillsuit?”Harahasked.
“No...thankyou.”
“ShallIbringfood?”
“Yes.”
“Thereisareclamationchamberofftheotherroom.”Shegestured.“Foryourcomfortandconveniencewhenyou’reoutofyourstillsuit.”
“Yousaidwehavetoleavethissietch,”Paulsaid.“Shouldn’twebepackingorsomething?”
“Itwillbedoneinitstime,”shesaid.“Thebutchershaveyettopenetratetoourregion.”
Stillshehesitated,staringathim.
“Whatisit?”hedemanded.
“You’venottheeyesoftheIbad,”shesaid.“It’sstrangebutnotentirelyunattractive.”
“Getthefood,”hesaid.“I’mhungry.”
Shesmiledathim—aknowing,woman’ssmilethathefounddisquieting.“Iamyourservant,”shesaid,andwhirledawayinonelithemotion,duckingbehindaheavywallhangingthatrevealedanotherpassagebeforefallingbackintoplace.
Feelingangrywithhimself,Paulbrushedthroughthethinhangingontherightandintothelargerroom.Hestoodthereamomentcaughtbyuncertainty.
AndhewonderedwhereChaniwas...
