Дюна

           Hewasbeltlessandwithoutweapons,buthispresencemovedwithhimlikeaforce-shieldbubblethatkepthisimmediateareaopen.

           AFremenlancedroppedacrosshispath,stoppedhimwherePaulhadordered.Theothersbunchedupbehind,amontageofcolor,ofshufflingandofstaringfaces.

           Paulswepthisgazeacrossthegroup,sawwomenwhohidsignsofweeping,sawthelackeyswhohadcometoenjoygrandstandseatsataSardaukarvictoryandnowstoodchokedtosilencebydefeat.Paulsawthebird-brighteyesoftheReverendMotherGaiusHelenMohiamglaringbeneathherblackhood,andbesideherthenarrowfurtivenessofFeyd-RauthaHarkonnen.

           There’safacetimebetrayedtome,Paulthought.

           HelookedbeyondFeyd-Rauthathen,attractedbyamovement,seeingthereanarrow,weaselishfacehe’dneverbeforeencountered—notintimeoroutofit.

           Itwasafacehefeltheshouldknowandthefeelingcarriedwithitamarkeroffear.

           WhyshouldIfearthatman?hewondered.

           Heleanedtowardhismother,whispered:“ThatmantotheleftoftheReverendMother,theevil-lookingone—whoisthat?”

           Jessicalooked,recognizingthefacefromherDuke’sdossiers.“CountFenring,”shesaid.“Theonewhowashereimmediatelybeforeus.Agenetic-eunuch...andakiller.”

           TheEmperor’serrandboy,Paulthought.AndthethoughtwasashockcrashingacrosshisconsciousnessbecausehehadseentheEmperorinuncountedassociationsspreadthroughthepossiblefutures—butneveroncehadCountFenringappearedwithinthoseprescientvisions.