Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
They’dneverknownanythingbut
victorywhich,Paulrealized,couldbeaweaknessinitself.Heputthatthoughtasideforlaterconsiderationinhisowntrainingprogram.
“IhaveamessageforyoutocarrytotheEmperor,”Paulsaid.Andhecouchedhiswordsintheancientformula:“I,aDukeofaGreatHouse,anImperialKinsman,givemywordofbondundertheConvention.IftheEmperorandhispeoplelaydowntheirarmsandcometomehereIwillguardtheirliveswithmyown.”PaulhelduphislefthandwiththeducalsignetfortheSardaukartosee.“Iswearitbythis.”
Themanwethislipswithhistongue,glancedatGurney.
“Yes,”Paulsaid.“WhobutanAtreidescouldcommandtheallegianceofGurneyHalleck.”
“Iwillcarrythemessage,”theSardaukarsaid.
“Takehimtoourforwardcommandpostandsendhimin,”Paulsaid.
“Yes,m’Lord.”Gurneymotionedfortheguardtoobey,ledthemout.
PaulturnedbacktoStilgar.
“Chaniandyourmotherhavearrived,”Stilgarsaid.“Chanihasaskedtimetobealonewithhergrief.TheReverendMothersoughtamomentintheweirdingroom;Iknownotwhy.”
“Mymother’ssickwithlongingforaplanetshemayneversee,”Paulsaid.
“Wherewaterfallsfromtheskyandplantsgrowsothicklyyoucannotwalkbetweenthem.”
“Waterfromthesky,”Stilgarwhispered.
Inthatinstant,PaulsawhowStilgarhadbeentransformedfromtheFremennaibtoacreatureoftheLisanal-Gaib,areceptacleforaweandobedience.Itwasalesseningoftheman,andPaulfelttheghost-windofthejihadinit.
