Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“Iholdmyselfresponsibleforthismistake,Muad’Dib.”
“HowmanyoftheseSardaukarwerethere,Gurney?”Paulasked.
“Ten.”
Paulleapedlightlytothefloorofthechamber,strodeacrosstostandwithinstrikingdistanceoftheSardaukarspokesman.
AtenseaircameovertheFedaykin.Theydidnotlikehimthusexposedtodanger.ThiswasthethingtheywerepledgedtopreventbecausetheFremenwishedtopreservethewisdomofMuad’Dib.
Withoutturning,Paulspoketohislieutenant:“Howmanyareourcasualties?”
“Fourwounded,twodead,Muad’Dib.”
PaulsawmotionbeyondtheSardaukar,ChaniandStilgarwerestandingintheotherpassage.HereturnedhisattentiontotheSardaukar,staringintotheoffworldwhitesofthespokesman’seyes.“You,whatisyourname?”Pauldemanded.
Themanstiffened,glancedleftandright.
“Don’ttryit,”Paulsaid.“It’sobvioustomethatyouwereorderedtoseekoutanddestroyMuad’Dib.I’llwarrantyouweretheonessuggestedseekingspiceinthedeepdesert.”
AgaspfromGurneybehindhimbroughtathinsmiletoPaul’slips.
BloodsuffusedtheSardaukar’sface.
“WhatyouseebeforeyouismorethanMuad’Dib,”Paulsaid.“Sevenofyouaredeadfortwoofus.Threeforone.PrettygoodagainstSardaukar,eh?”
Themancameuponhistoes,sankbackastheFedaykinpressedforward.
“Iaskedyourname,”Paulsaid,andhecalledupthesubtletiesofVoice:
“Tellmeyourname!”
“CaptainAramsham,ImperialSardaukar!”themansnapped.Hisjawdropped.HestaredatPaulinconfusion.
