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Book Three: The Prophet
TheBaronlookedawayfromher,studiedthesuiteforaclue.ThereweretwooftheGuildagents,onetallandfat,oneshortandfat,bothwithblandgrayeyes.AndamongthelackeysstoodoneoftheEmperor’sdaughters,thePrincessIrulan,awomantheysaidwasbeingtrainedinthedeepestoftheBeneGesseritways,destinedtobeaReverendMother.Shewastall,blonde,faceofchiseledbeauty,greeneyesthatlookedpastandthroughhim.
“MydearBaron.”
TheEmperorhaddeignedtonoticehim.Thevoicewasbaritoneandwithexquisitecontrol.Itmanagedtodismisshimwhilegreetinghim.
TheBaronbowedlow,advancedtotherequiredpositiontenpacesfromthedais.“Icameatyoursummons,Majesty.”
“Summons!”theoldwitchcackled.
“Now,ReverendMother,”theEmperorchided,buthesmiledattheBaron’sdiscomfiture,said:“First,youwilltellmewhereyou’vesentyourminion,ThufirHawat.”
TheBarondartedhisgazeleftandright,reviledhimselfforcomingherewithouthisownguards,notthatthey’dbemuchuseagainstSardaukar.Still....
“Well?”theEmperorsaid.
“Hehasbeengonethesefivedays,Majesty.”TheBaronshotaglanceattheGuildagents,backtotheEmperor.“HewastolandatasmugglerbaseandattemptinfiltratingthecampoftheFremenfanatic,thisMuad’Dib.”
“Incredible!”theEmperorsaid.
Oneofthewitch’sclawlikehandstappedtheEmperor’sshoulder.Sheleanedforward,whisperedinhisear.
TheEmperornodded,said:“Fivedays,Baron.
