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Book Three: The Prophet
“Child,canyoucommunicatewithyourbrother?”
“MybrotherknowsI’mhere,”Aliasaid.
“Canyoutellhimtosurrenderasthepriceofyourlife?”
Aliasmiledupathimwithclearinnocence.“Ishallnotdothat,”shesaid.
TheBaronstumbledforwardtostandbesideAlia.“Majesty,”hepleaded,“Iknewnothingof—”
“Interruptmeoncemore,Baron,”theEmperorsaid,“andyouwilllosethepowersofinterruption...forever.”HekepthisattentionfocusedonAlia,studyingherthroughslittedlids.“Youwillnot,eh?CanyoureadinmymindwhatI’lldoifyoudisobeyme?”
“I’vealreadysaidIcannotreadminds,”shesaid,“butonedoesn’tneedtelepathytoreadyourintentions.”
TheEmperorscowled.“Child,yourcauseishopeless.Ihavebuttorallymyforcesandreducethisplanetto—”
“It’snotthatsimple,”Aliasaid.ShelookedatthetwoGuildsmen.“Askthem.”
“Itisnotwisetogoagainstmydesires,”theEmperorsaid.“Youshouldnotdenymetheleastthing.”
“Mybrothercomesnow,”Aliasaid.“EvenanEmperormaytremblebeforeMuad’Dib,forhehasthestrengthofrighteousnessandheavensmilesuponhim.”
TheEmperorsurgedtohisfeet.“Thisplayhasgonefarenough.Iwilltakeyourbrotherandthisplanetandgrindthemto—”
Theroomrumbledandshookaroundthem.TherecameasuddencascadeofsandbehindthethronewherethehutmentwascoupledtotheEmperor’sship.
Theabruptflicker-tighteningofskinpressuretoldofawide-areashieldbeingactivated.
“Itoldyou,”Aliasaid.“Mybrothercomes.
