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Book Three: The Prophet
”
“Majesty,”theBaronpleaded.“Whatareyou—”
“Silence!”
TheoldBeneGesseritputahandontheEmperor’sshoulder,leanedcloseto
whisperinhisear.
Thechildseatedonthedaisstoppedkickingherfeet,said:“Makehimafraidsomemore,Shaddam.Ishouldn’tenjoythis,butIfindthepleasureimpossibletosuppress.”
“Quiet,child,”theEmperorsaid.Heleanedforward,putahandonherhead,staredattheBaron.“Isitpossible,Baron?CouldyoubeassimplemindedasmyTruthsayersuggests?Doyounotrecognizethischild,daughterofyourally,DukeLeto?”
“Myfatherwasneverhisally,”thechildsaid.“MyfatherisdeadandthisoldHarkonnenbeasthasneverseenmebefore.”
TheBaronwasreducedtostupefiedglaring.Whenhefoundhisvoiceitwasonlytorasp:“Who?”
“IamAlia,daughterofDukeLetoandtheLadyJessica,sisterofDukePaul-Muad’Dib,”thechildsaid.Shepushedherselfoffthedais,droppedtotheflooroftheaudiencechamber.“MybrotherhaspromisedtohaveyourheadatophisbattlestandardandIthinkheshall.”
“Behush,child,”theEmperorsaid,andhesankbackintohisthrone,handtochin,studyingtheBaron.
“IdonottaketheEmperor’sorders,”Aliasaid.Sheturned,lookedupattheoldReverendMother.“Sheknows.”
TheEmperorglancedupathisTruthsayer.“Whatdoesshemean?”
“Thatchildisanabomination!”theoldwomansaid.“Hermotherdeservesapunishmentgreaterthananythinginhistory.
