Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
BloodyragmoundsofSardaukarandFremenlayinatwistedpatternacrossthechamber.
“Hold!”Paulshouted.“TheDukePaulAtreidescommandsyoutohold!”
Thefightingwavered,hesitated.
“YouSardaukar!”Paulcalledtotheremaininggroup.“BywhoseordersdoyouthreatenarulingDuke?”And,quickly,ashismenstartedtopressinaroundtheSardaukar:“Hold,Isay!”
Oneofthecorneredtriostraightened.“Whosayswe’reSardaukar?”hedemanded.
PaultooktheknifefromGurney,helditaloft.“Thissaysyou’reSardaukar.”
“Thenwhosaysyou’rearulingDuke?”themandemanded.
PaulgesturedtotheFedaykin.“ThesemensayI’marulingDuke.YourownemperorbestowedArrakisonHouseAtreides.IamHouseAtreides.”
TheSardaukarstoodsilent,fidgeting.
Paulstudiedtheman—tall,flat-featured,withapalescaracrosshalfhisleftcheek.Angerandconfusionwerebetrayedinhismanner,butstilltherewasthatprideabouthimwithoutwhichaSardaukarappearedundressed—andwithwhichhecouldappearfullyclothedthoughnaked.
PaulglancedtooneofhisFedaykinlieutenants,said:“Korba,howcametheytohaveweapons?”
“Theyheldbackknivesconcealedincunningpocketswithintheirstillsuits,”thelieutenantsaid.
Paulsurveyedthedeadandwoundedacrossthechamber,broughthisattentionbacktothelieutenant.Therewasnoneedforwords.Thelieutenantloweredhiseyes.
“WhereisChani?”Paulaskedandwaited,breathheld,fortheanswer.
“Stilgarspiritedheraside.”Henoddedtowardtheotherpassage,glancedatthedeadandwounded.
