Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
AllthiswasasaframeforthetargetoftheEmperor’spointinghand.
Outofthesandhazecameanorderlymassofflashingshapes—greatrisingcurveswithcrystalspokesthatresolvedintothegapingmouthsofsandworms,amassedwallofthem,eachwithtroopsofFremenridingtotheattack.Theycameinahissingwedge,robeswhippinginthewindastheycutthroughthemeleeontheplain.
OnwardtowardtheEmperor’shutmenttheycamewhiletheHouseSardaukarstoodawedforthefirsttimeintheirhistorybyanonslaughttheirmindsfounddifficulttoaccept.
Butthefiguresleapingfromthewormbacksweremen,andthebladesflashinginthatominousyellowlightwereathingtheSardaukarhadbeentrainedtoface.Theythrewthemselvesintocombat.AnditwasmantomanontheplainofArrakeenwhileapickedSardaukarbodyguardpressedtheEmperorbackintotheship,sealedthedooronhim,andpreparedtodieatthedooraspartofhisshield.
Intheshockofcomparativesilencewithintheship,theEmperorstaredatthewide-eyedfacesofhissuite,seeinghisoldestdaughterwiththeflushofexertiononhercheeks,theoldTruthsayerstandinglikeablackshadowwithherhoodpulledaboutherface,findingatlastthefaceshesought—thetwoGuildsmen.
TheyworetheGuildgray,unadorned,anditseemedtofitthecalmtheymaintaineddespitethehighemotionsaroundthem.
Thetallerofthetwo,though,heldahandtohislefteye.AstheEmperorwatched,someonejostledtheGuildsman’sarm,thehandmoved,andtheeyewasrevealed.
