Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Subtlesignsofastrugglegreetedthemhere—asuspensorlampdisplaced,abedcushiononthefloor,asoother-reelspilledopenacrossabedstand.
“Itwasacleverplan,”theBaronsaid.Hekepthisbodyshieldtunedtomaximum,stopped,facinghisnephew.“Butnotcleverenough.Tellme,Feyd,whydidn’tyoustrikemedownyourself?You’vehadopportunityenough.”
Feyd-Rauthafoundasuspensorchair,accomplishedamentalshrugashesatdowninitwithoutbeingasked.
Imustbeboldnow,hethought.
“Youtaughtmethatmyownhandsmustremainclean,”hesaid.
“Ah,yes,”theBaronsaid.“WhenyoufacetheEmperor,youmustbeabletosaytruthfullythatyoudidnotdothedeed.ThewitchattheEmperor’selbowwillhearyourwordsandknowtheirtruthorfalsehood.Yes.Iwarnedyouaboutthat.”
“Whyhaven’tyoueverboughtaBeneGesserit,Uncle?”Feyd-Rauthaasked.
“WithaTruthsayeratyourside—”
“Youknowmytastes!”theBaronsnapped.
Feyd-Rauthastudiedhisuncle,said:“Still,onewouldbevaluablefor—”
“Itrustthemnot!”theBaronsnarled.“Andstoptryingtochangethesubject!”
Feyd-Rauthaspokemildly:“Asyouwish,Uncle.”
“Irememberatimeinthearenaseveralyearsago,”theBaronsaid.
“Itseemedtherethatdayaslavehadbeensettokillyou.Isthattrulyhowitwas?”
“It’sbeensolongago,Uncle.Afterall,I—”
“Noevasions,please,”theBaronsaid,andthetightnessofhisvoiceexposedthereinonhisanger.
Feyd-Rauthalookedathisuncle,thinking:Heknows,elsehewouldn’task.
