Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
oh,yes—
I’vekilledourgrandfather,thedementedoldBaron.Hehadverylittlepain.”
Silence.Histimesensehadseenherwithdrawal.
“Muad’Dib.”
PaulopenedhiseyestoseeStilgar’sblack-beardedvisageabovehim,thedarkeyesglaringwithbattlelight.
“You’vefoundthebodyoftheoldBaron,”Paulsaid.
AhushofthepersonsettledoverStilgar.“Howcouldyouknow?”hewhispered.“WejustfoundthebodyinthatgreatpileofmetaltheEmperorbuilt.”
Paulignoredthequestion,seeingGurneyreturnaccompaniedbytwoFremenwhosupportedacaptiveSardaukar.
“Here’soneofthem,m’Lord,”Gurneysaid.HesignedtotheguardtoholdthecaptivefivepacesinfrontofPaul.
TheSardaukar’seyes,Paulnoted,carriedaglazedexpressionofshock.Abluebruisestretchedfromthebridgeofhisnosetothecornerofhismouth.Hewasoftheblond,chisel-featuredcaste,thelookthatseemedsynonymouswithrankamongtheSardaukar,yettherewerenoinsigniaonhistornuniformexceptthegoldbuttonswiththeImperialcrestandthetatteredbraidofhistrousers.
“Ithinkthisone’sanofficer,m’Lord,”Gurneysaid.
Paulnodded,said:“IamtheDukePaulAtreides.Doyouunderstandthat,man?”
TheSardaukarstaredathimunmoving.
“Speakup,”Paulsaid,“oryourEmperormaydie.”
Themanblinked,swallowed.
“WhoamI?”Pauldemanded.
“YouaretheDukePaulAtreides,”themanhusked.
HeseemedtoosubmissivetoPaul,butthentheSardaukarhadneverbeenpreparedforsuchhappeningsasthisday.
