Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Theothersheadedforanotherpassageoppositetheentrance.Paulledthewaythroughananteroomandintoachamberwithdark,wine-coloredhangingsonitswalls.
“Wecanhavesomeprivacyhereforawhile,”Paulsaid.“Theotherswillrespectmy—”
Analarmcymbalclangedfromtheouterchamber,wasfollowedbyshoutingandclashingofweapons.Paulwhirled,ranbackthroughtheanteroomandoutontotheatriumlipabovetheouterchamber.Gurneywasrightbehind,weapondrawn.
Beneaththemonthefloorofthecaveswirledameleeofstrugglingfigures.
Paulstoodaninstantassessingthescene,separatingtheFremenrobesandbourkasfromthecostumesofthosetheyopposed.Sensesthathismotherhadtrainedtodetectthemostsubtlecluespickedoutasignificantface—theFremenfoughtagainstmenwearingsmugglerrobes,butthesmugglerswerecrouchedintrios,backedintotriangleswherepressed.
ThathabitofclosefightingwasatrademarkoftheImperialSardaukar.
AFedaykininthecrowdsawPaul,andhisbattlecrywasliftedtoechointhechamber:“Muad‘Dib!Muad’Dib!Muad’Dib!”
AnothereyehadalsopickedPaulout.Ablackknifecamehurtlingtowardhim.Pauldodged,heardtheknifeclatteragainststonebehindhim,glancedtoseeGurneyretrieveit.
Thetriangularknotswerebeingpressedbacknow.
GurneyheldtheknifeupinfrontofPaul’seyes,pointedtothehairlineyellowcoilofImperialcolor,thegoldenlioncrest,multifacetedeyesatthepommel.
Sardaukarforcertain.
Paulsteppedouttothelipoftheledge.OnlythreeoftheSardaukarremained.
