Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“IwishtoknowifaHarkonnenisofficiallyapartofyourentourageorifaHarkonnenismerelyhidingbehindatechnicalityoutofcowardice.”
TheEmperor’ssmilewascalculating.“AnyoneacceptedintotheImperialcompanyisamemberofmyentourage.”
“YouhavethewordofaDuke,”Paulsaid,“butMuad’Dibisanothermatter.
Hemaynotrecognizeyourdefinitionofwhatconstitutesanentourage.MyfriendGurneyHalleckwishestokillaHarkonnen.Ifhe—”
“Kanly!”Feyd-Rauthashouted.Hepressedagainstthebarrierlance.“Yourfathernamedthisvendetta,Atreides.Youcallmecowardwhileyouhideamongyourwomenandoffertosendalackeyagainstme!”
TheoldTruthsayerwhisperedsomethingfiercelyintotheEmperor’sear,buthepushedheraside,said:“Kanly,isit?Therearestrictrulesforkanly.”
“Paul,putastoptothis,”Jessicasaid.
“M’Lord,”Gurneysaid,“YoupromisedmemydayagainsttheHarkonnens.”
“You’vehadyourdayagainstthem,”Paulsaidandhefeltaharlequinabandontakeoverhisemotions.Heslippedhisrobeandhoodfromhisshoulders,handedthemtohismotherwithhisbeltandcrysknife,beganunstrappinghisstillsuit.Hesensednowthattheuniversefocusedonthismoment.
“There’snoneedforthis,”Jessicasaid.“Thereareeasierways,Paul.”
Paulsteppedoutofhisstillsuit,slippedthecrysknifefromitssheathinhismother’shand.“Iknow,”hesaid.“Poison,anassassin,alltheoldfamiliarways.
