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Book Three: The Prophet
Stillwiththatflat-voiceddignity,Stilgarsaid:“Thusourstepsareguided.”
“Allright,”Paulsaid.“Then,whorulesthistroopofourtribe—andwhorulesallthetribesandtroopsthroughthefightinginstructorswe’vetrainedintheweirdingway?”
Paulwaited,lookingovertheheadsofthethrong.Noanswercame.
Presently,hesaid:“DoesStilgarruleallthis?Hesayshimselfthathedoesnot.DoIrule?EvenStilgardoesmybiddingonoccasion,andthesages,thewisestofthewise,listentomeandhonormeinCouncil.”
Therewasshufflingsilenceamongthecrowd.
“So,”Paulsaid.“Doesmymotherrule?”HepointeddowntoJessicainherblackrobesofofficeamongthem.“Stilgarandalltheothertroopleadersaskheradviceinalmosteverymajordecision.Youknowthis.ButdoesaReverendMotherwalkthesandorleadarazziaagainsttheHarkonnens?”
FrownscreasedtheforeheadsofthosePaulcouldsee,butstilltherewereangrymurmurs.
Thisisadangerouswaytodoit,Jessicathought,butsherememberedthemessagecylinderandwhatitimplied.AndshesawPaul’sintent:Gorighttothedepthoftheiruncertainty,disposeofthat,andalltherestmustfollow.
“Nomanrecognizesleadershipwithoutthechallengeandthecombat,eh?”
Paulasked.
“That’stheway!”someoneshouted.
“What’sourgoal?”Paulasked.“TounseatRabban,theHarkonnenbeast,andremakeourworldintoaplacewherewemayraiseourfamiliesinhappinessamidstanabundanceofwater—isthisourgoal?”
“Hardtasksneedhardways,”someoneshouted.
