Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Jessicanoddedtoherself,rememberingherson’sambivalentfeelingstowardthespicedrugandtheprescientawarenessitprecipitated.
“Howdidyouknowthis?”Jessicaasked.
“Itisspoken.”
“Toomuchisspoken,”Jessicasaidbitterly.
“GetmetherawWaterofthemaker,”Chanisaid.
JessicastiffenedatthetoneofcommandinChani’svoice,thenobservedtheintenseconcentrationintheyoungerwomanandsaid:“Atonce.”Shewentoutthroughthehangingstosendawaterman.
ChanisatstaringatPaul.Ifhehastriedtodothis,shethought.Andit’sthesortofthinghemighttry....
JessicakneltbesideChani,holdingoutaplaincampewer.ThechargedodorofthepoisonwassharpinChani’snostrils.Shedippedafingerinthefluid,heldthefingerclosetoPaul’snose.
Theskinalongthebridgeofhisnosewrinkledslightly.Slowly,thenostrilsflared.
Jessicagasped.
ChanitouchedthedampenedfingertoPaul’supperlip.
Hedrewinalong,sobbingbreath.
“Whatisthis?”Jessicademanded.
“Bestill,”Chanisaid.“Youmustconvertasmallamountofthesacredwater.Quickly!”
Withoutquestioning,becausesherecognizedthetoneofawarenessinChani’svoice,Jessicaliftedtheewertohermouth,drewinasmallsip.
Paul’seyesflewopen.HestaredupwardatChani.
“ItisnotnecessaryforhertochangetheWater,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasweak,butsteady.
Jessica,asipofthefluidonhertongue,foundherbodyrallying,convertingthepoisonalmostautomatically.
