Дюна

           Theoldwomannodded,whispered:“Igiveherthesilverskies,thegoldendesertanditsshiningrocks,thegreenfieldsthatwillbe.IgivethesetoSayyadinaChani.Andlestsheforgetthatshe’sservantofusall,toherfallthemenialtasksinthisCeremonyoftheSeed.LetitbeasShai-huludwillhaveit.”

           Sheliftedabrown-stickarm,droppedit.

           Jessica,feelingtheceremonyclosearoundherwithacurrentthatsweptherbeyondallturningback,glancedonceatPaul’squestion-filledface,thenpreparedherselffortheordeal.

           “Letthewatermasterscomeforward,”Chanisaidwithonlytheslightestquaverofuncertaintyinhergirl-childvoice.

           Now,Jessicafeltherselfatthefocusofdanger,knowingitspresenceinthewatchfulnessofthethrong,inthesilence.

           Abandofmenmadeitswaythroughaserpentinepathopenedinthecrowd,movingupfromthebackinpairs.Eachpaircarriedasmallskinsack,perhapstwicethesizeofahumanhead.Thesackssloshedheavily.

           ThetwoleadersdepositedtheirloadatChani’sfeetontheledgeandsteppedback.

           Jessicalookedatthesack,thenatthemen.Theyhadtheirhoodsthrownback,exposinglonghairtiedinarollatthebaseoftheneck.Theblackpitsoftheireyesstaredbackatherwithoutwavering.

           Afurryredolenceofcinnamonarosefromthesack,waftedacrossJessica.

           Thespice?shewondered.

           “Istherewater?”Chaniasked.

           Thewatermasterontheleft,amanwithapurplescarlineacrossthebridgeofhisnose,noddedonce.“Thereiswater,Sayyadina,”hesaid,“butwecannotdrinkofit.”

           “Isthereseed?”Chaniasked.