Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
“Thereisseed,”themansaid.
Chanikneltandputherhandstothesloshingsack.“Blessedisthewateranditsseed.”
Therewasfamiliaritytotherite,andJessicalookedbackattheReverendMotherRamallo.Theoldwoman’seyeswereclosedandshesathunchedoverasthoughasleep.
“SayyadinaJessica,”Chanisaid.
Jessicaturnedtoseethegirlstaringupather.
“Haveyoutastedtheblessedwater?”Chaniasked.
BeforeJessicacouldanswer,Chanisaid:“Itisnotpossiblethatyouhavetastedtheblessedwater.Youareoutworlderandunprivileged.”
Asighpassedthroughthecrowd,asussurationofrobesthatmadethenapehairscreeponJessica’sneck.
“Thecropwaslargeandthemakerhasbeendestroyed,”Chanisaid.Shebeganunfasteningacoiledspoutfixedtothetopofthesloshingsack.
Now,Jessicafeltthesenseofdangerboilingaroundher.SheglancedatPaul,sawthathewascaughtupinthemysteryoftheritualandhadeyesonlyforChani.
Hasheseenthismomentintime?Jessicawondered.Sherestedahandonherabdomen,thinkingoftheunborndaughterthere,askingherself:DoIhavetherighttoriskusboth?
ChaniliftedthespouttowardJessica,said:“HereistheWaterofLife,thewaterthatisgreaterthanwater—Kan,thewaterthatfreesthesoul.IfyoubeaReverendMother,itopenstheuniversetoyou.LetShai-huludjudgenow.”
JessicafeltherselftornbetweendutytoherunbornchildanddutytoPaul.
ForPaul,sheknew,sheshouldtakethatspoutanddrinkofthesack’scontents,butasshebenttotheprofferedspout,hersensestoldheritsperil.
