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Book Three: The Prophet
Hawat’sgazestabbedpastPaul,andtheoldmansaid:“LadyJessica,IbutlearnedthisdayhowI’vewrongedyouinmythoughts.Youneedn’tforgive.”
Paulwaited,buthismotherremainedsilent.
“Thufir,oldfriend,”Paulsaid,“asyoucansee,mybackistowardnodoor.”
“Theuniverseisfullofdoors,”Hawatsaid.
“AmImyfather’sson?”Paulasked.
“Morelikeyourgrandfather’s,”Hawatrasped.“You’vehismannerandthelookofhiminyoureyes.”
“YetI’mmyfather’sson,”Paulsaid.“ForIsaytoyou,Thufir,thatinpaymentforyouryearsofservicetomyfamilyyoumaynowaskanythingyouwishofme.Anythingatall.Doyouneedmylifenow,Thufir?Itisyours.”Paulsteppedforwardapace,handsathisside,seeingthelookofawarenessgrowinHawat’seyes.
HerealizesthatIknowofthetreachery,Paulthought.
Pitchinghisvoicetocarryinahalf-whisperforHawat’searsalone,Paulsaid:“Imeanthis,Thufir.Ifyou’retostrikeme,doitnow.”
“Ibutwantedtostandbeforeyouoncemore,myDuke,”Hawatsaid.AndPaulbecameawareforthefirsttimeoftheefforttheoldmanexertedtokeepfromfalling.Paulreachedout,supportedHawatbytheshoulders,feelingthemuscletremorsbeneathhishands.
“Istherepain,oldfriend?”Paulasked.
“Thereispain,myDuke,”Hawatagreed,“butthepleasureisgreater.”HehalfturnedinPaul’sarms,extendedhislefthand,palmup,towardtheEmperor,exposingthetinyneedlecuppedagainstthefingers.“See,Majesty?”hecalled.
