Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“Iamyourruler,andIsaytoyouthatitistimewestoppedkillingoffourbestmenandstartedkillingourrealenemies—theHarkonnens!”
Inoneblurredmotion,Stilgarhadhiscrysknifeoutandpointedovertheheadsofthethrong.“LongliveDukePaul-Muad’Dib!”heshouted.
Adeafeningroarfilledthecavern,echoedandre-echoed.Theywerecheeringandchanting:“Yahyachouhada!Muad‘Dib!Muad’Dib!Muad’Dib!Yahyachouhada!”
Jessicatranslatedittoherself:“LonglivethefightersofMuad’Dib!”ThescenesheandPaulandStilgarhadcookedupbetweenthemhadworkedasthey’dplanned.
Thetumultdiedslowly.
Whensilencewasrestored,PaulfacedStilgar,said:“Kneel,Stilgar.”
Stilgardroppedtohiskneesontheledge.
“Handmeyourcrysknife,”Paulsaid.
Stilgarobeyed.
Thiswasnotasweplannedit,Jessicathought.
“Repeatafterme,Stilgar,”Paulsaid,andhecalledupthewordsofinvestitureashehadheardhisownfatherusethem.“I,Stilgar,takethisknifefromthehandsofmyDuke.”
“I,Stilgar,takethisknifefromthehandsofmyDuke,”Stilgarsaid,andacceptedthemilkybladefromPaul.
“WheremyDukecommands,thereshallIplacethisblade,”Paulsaid.
Stilgarrepeatedthewords,speakingslowlyandsolemnly.
Rememberingthesourceoftherite,Jessicablinkedbacktears,shookherhead.Iknowthereasonsforthis,shethought.Ishouldn’tletitstirme.
“IdedicatethisbladetothecauseofmyDukeandthedeathofhisenemiesforaslongasourbloodshallflow,”Paulsaid.
Stilgarrepeateditafterhim.
