Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
TheEmperorclearedhisthroattospeak,butthechildspokefirst—athinvoicewithtracesofasoft-palatelisp,butclearnonetheless.“Sohereheis,”shesaid.Sheadvancedtotheedgeofthedais.“Hedoesn’tappearmuch,doeshe—onefrightenedoldfatmantooweaktosupporthisownfleshwithoutthehelpofsuspensors.”
ItwassuchatotallyunexpectedstatementfromthemouthofachildthattheBaronstaredather,speechlessinspiteofhisanger.Isitamidget?heaskedhimself.
“MydearBaron,”theEmperorsaid,“becomeacquaintedwiththesisterofMuad’Dib.”
“Thesist....”TheBaronshiftedhisattentiontotheEmperor.“Idonotunderstand.”
“I,too,sometimeserronthesideofcaution,”theEmperorsaid.“Ithasbeenreportedtomethatyouruninhabitedsouthpolarregionsexhibitevidenceofhumanactivity.”
“Butthat’simpossible!”theBaronprotested.“Theworms...there’ssandcleartothe....”
“Thesepeopleseemabletoavoidtheworms,”theEmperorsaid.
Thechildsatdownonthedaisbesidethethrone,dangledherfeetovertheedge,kickingthem.Therewassuchanairofsurenessinthewaysheappraisedhersurroundings.
TheBaronstaredatthekickingfeet,thewaytheymovedtheblackrobe,thewinkofsandalsbeneaththefabric.
“Unfortunately,”theEmperorsaid,“Ionlysentinfivetroopcarrierswithalightattackforcetopickupprisonersforquestioning.Webarelygotawaywiththreeprisonersandonecarrier.
