Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“TheybelievePaulisinasacredtrance,gatheringhisholypowersbeforethefinalbattles.ThisisathoughtI’vecultivated.”
Chaniloweredherselftoherkneesbesidethepad,bentclosetoPaul’sface.
Shesensedanimmediatedifferenceintheairabouthisface...butitwasonlythespice,theubiquitousspicewhoseodorpermeatedeverythinginFremenlife.
Still....
“Youwerenotborntothespiceaswewere,”Chanisaid.“Haveyouinvestigatedthepossibilitythathisbodyhasrebelledagainsttoomuchspiceinhisdiet?”
“Allergyreactionsareallnegative,”Jessicasaid.
Sheclosedhereyes,asmuchtoblotoutthissceneasbecauseofsuddenrealizationoffatigue.HowlonghaveIbeenwithoutsleep?sheaskedherself.
Toolong.
“WhenyouchangetheWaterofLife,”Chanisaid,“youdoitwithinyourselfbytheinwardawareness.Haveyouusedthisawarenesstotesthisblood?”
“NormalFremenblood,”Jessicasaid.“Completelyadaptedtothedietandthelifehere.”
Chanisatbackonherheels,submergingherfearsinthoughtasshestudiedPaul’sface.ThiswasatrickshehadlearnedfromwatchingtheReverendMothers.Timecouldbemadetoservethemind.Oneconcentratedtheentireattention.
Presently,Chanisaid:“Isthereamakerhere?”
“Thereareseveral,”Jessicasaidwithatouchofweariness.“Weareneverwithoutthemthesedays.Eachvictoryrequiresitsblessing.Eachceremonybeforearaid—”
“ButPaulMuad’Dibhasheldhimselfalooffromtheseceremonies,”Chanisaid.
