Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Theywouldn’thavestartedabirthcelebrationnearthetimeofceremonythatmournedtheslaveraidsofPoritrin,BelaTegeuse,Rossak,andHarmonthep.
Jessicasighed.Sheknewshewastryingtokeepherthoughtsoffhersonandthedangershefaced—thepittrapswiththeirpoisonedbarbs,theHarkonnenraids(althoughtheseweregrowingfewerastheFrementooktheirtollofaircraftandraiderswiththenewweaponsPaulhadgiventhem),andthenaturaldangersofthedesert—makersandthirstanddustchasms.
Shethoughtofcallingforcoffeeandwiththethoughtcamethatever-presentawarenessofparadoxintheFremenwayoflife:howwelltheylivedinthesesietchcavernscomparedtothegrabenpyons;yet,howmuchmoretheyenduredintheopenhajrofthedesertthananythingtheHarkonnenbondsmenendured.
Adarkhandinserteditselfthroughthehangingsbesideher,depositedacupuponthetableandwithdrew.Fromthecuparosethearomaofspicedcoffee.
Anofferingfromthebirthcelebration,Jessicathought.
Shetookthecoffeeandsippedit,smilingatherself.Inwhatothersocietyofouruniverse,sheaskedherself,couldapersonofmystationacceptananonymousdrinkandquaffthatdrinkwithoutfear?Icouldalteranypoisonnowbeforeitdidmeharm,ofcourse,butthedonordoesn’trealizethis.
Shedrainedthecup,feelingtheenergyandliftofitscontents—hotanddelicious.
