Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Thestuffinthesackhadabittersmellsubtlyakintomanypoisonsthatsheknew,butunlikethem,too.
“Youmustdrinkitnow,”Chanisaid.
There’snoturningback,Jessicaremindedherself.ButnothinginallherBeneGesserittrainingcameintohermindtohelpherthroughthisinstant.
Whatisit?Jessicaaskedherself.Liquor?Adrug?
Shebentoverthespout,smelledtheesthersofcinnamon,rememberingthenthedrunkennessofDuncanIdaho.Spiceliquor?sheaskedherself.Shetookthesiphontubeinhermouth,pulleduponlythemostminusculesip.Ittastedofthespice,afaintbiteacridonthetongue.
Chanipresseddownontheskinbag.AgreatgulpofthestuffsurgedintoJessica’smouthandbeforeshecouldhelpherself,sheswallowedit,fightingtoretainhercalmnessanddignity.
“Toacceptalittledeathisworsethandeathitself,”Chanisaid.ShestaredatJessica,waiting.
AndJessicastaredback,stillholdingthespoutinhermouth.Shetastedthesack’scontentsinhernostrils,intheroofofhermouth,inhercheeks,inhereyes—abitingsweetness,now.
Cool.
Again,ChanisenttheliquidgushingintoJessica’smouth.
Delicate.
JessicastudiedChani’sface—elfinfeatures—seeingthetracesofLiet-Kynesthereasyetunfixedbytime.
Thisisadrugtheyfeedme,Jessicatoldherself.
Butitwasunlikeanyotherdrugofherexperience,andBeneGesserittrainingincludedthetasteofmanydrugs.
Chani’sfeaturesweresoclear,asthoughoutlinedinlight.
Adrug.
WhirlingsilencesettledaroundJessica.
