Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
”
TheEmperorandhisTruthsayerwerecarryingonaheated,low-voicedargument.
Paulspoketohismother:“Sheremindshimthatit’spartoftheiragreementtoplaceaBeneGesseritonthethrone,andIrulanistheonethey’vegroomedforit.”
“Wasthattheirplan?”Jessicasaid.
“Isn’titobvious?”Paulasked.
“Iseethesigns!”Jessicasnapped.“MyquestionwasmeanttoremindyouthatyoushouldnottrytoteachmethosemattersinwhichIinstructedyou.”
Paulglancedather,caughtacoldsmileonherlips.
GurneyHalleckleanedbetweenthem,said:“Iremindyou,m’Lord,thatthere’saHarkonneninthatbunch.”Henoddedtowardthedark-hairedFeyd-Rauthapressedagainstabarrierlanceontheleft.“Theonewiththesquintingeyesthereontheleft.AsevilafaceasIeversay.Youpromisedmeoncethat
—”
“Thankyou,Gurney,”Paulsaid.
“It’sthena-Baron...Baronnowthattheoldman’sdead,”Gurneysaid.
“He’lldoforwhatI’vein—”
“Canyoutakehim,Gurney?”
“M’Lordjests!”
“ThatargumentbetweentheEmperorandhiswitchhasgoneonlongenough,don’tyouthink,Mother?”
Shenodded.“Indeed.”
Paulraisedhisvoice,calledouttotheEmperor:“Majesty,isthereaHarkonnenamongyou?”
RoyaldisdainrevealeditselfinthewaytheEmperorturnedtolookatPaul.
“Ibelievemyentouragehasbeenplacedundertheprotectionofyourducalword,”hesaid.
“Myquestionwasforinformationonly,”Paulsaid.
