Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Andhehadamomentarysenseofthefitnessofthingsthattheshadesofthosemenshouldlookdownonthismoment.TheHarkonnenfortsandtownsacrosstheshieldedlandslayinFremenhandsorcutawayfromtheirsourcelikestalksseveredfromaplantandlefttowither.Onlythisbasinanditscityremainedtotheenemy.
“Theymighttryasortieby’thopter,”Stilgarsaid.“Iftheyseeus.”
“Letthem,”Paulsaid.“We’ve’thopterstoburntoday...andweknowastormiscoming.”
HeswungthetelescopetothefarsideoftheArrakeenlandingfieldnow,totheHarkonnenfrigateslineduptherewithaCHOAMCompanybannerwavinggentlyfromitsstaffonthegroundbeneaththem.AndhethoughtofthedesperationthathadforcedtheGuildtopermitthesetwogroupstolandwhilealltheotherswereheldinreserve.TheGuildwaslikeamantestingthesandwithhistoetogaugeitstemperaturebeforeerectingatent.
“Isthereanythingnewtoseefromhere?”Gurneyasked.“Weshouldbegettingundercover.Thestormiscoming.”
Paulreturnedhisattentiononthegianthutment.“They’veevenbroughttheirwomen,”hesaid.“Andlackeysandservants.Ah-h-h,mydearEmperor,howconfidentyouare.”
“Menarecomingupthesecretway,”Stilgarsaid.“ItmaybeOtheymandKorbareturning.”
“Allright,Stil,”Paulsaid.“We’llgoback.”
Buthetookonefinallookaroundthroughthetelescope—studyingtheplainwithitstallships,thegleamingmetalhutment,thesilentcity,thefrigatesoftheHarkonnenmercenaries.Thenheslidbackwardaroundascarpofrock.
