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Book Three: The Prophet
HeturnedtolookatPaul—astringywhipcordofayouth,notasdesiccatedastheArrakeennatives,butwithribstheretocount,andsunkenintheflankssothattherippleandgatherofmusclescouldbefollowedundertheskin.
JessicaleanedclosetoPaul,pitchedhervoiceforhisearsalone:“Onething,Son.SometimesadangerouspersonispreparedbytheBeneGesserit,awordimplantedintothedeepestrecessesbytheoldpleasure-painmethods.Theword-soundmostfrequentlyusedisUroshnor.Ifthisone’sbeenprepared,asIstronglysuspect,thatwordutteredinhisearwillrenderhismusclesflaccidand—”
“Iwantnospecialadvantageforthisone,”Paulsaid.“Stepbackoutofmyway.”
Gurneyspoketoher:“Whyishedoingthis?Doeshethinktogethimselfkilledandachievemartyrdom?ThisFremenreligiousprattle,isthatwhatcloudshisreason?”
Jessicahidherfaceinherhands,realizingthatshedidnotknowfullywhyPaultookthiscourse.ShecouldfeeldeathintheroomandknewthatthechangedPaulwascapableofsuchathingasGurneysuggested.Everytalentwithinherfocusedontheneedtoprotectherson,buttherewasnothingshecoulddo.
“Isitthisreligiousprattle?”Gurneyinsisted.
“Besilent,”Jessicawhispered.“Andpray.”
TheEmperor’sfacewastouchedbyanabruptsmile.“IfFeyd-RauthaHarkonnen...ofmyentourage...sowishes,”hesaid,“Irelievehimofallrestraintandgivehimfreedomtochoosehisowncourseinthis.”TheEmperorwavedahandtowardPaul’sFedaykinguards.“Oneofyourrabblehasmybeltandshortblade.
