Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
Hehadthoughttoopposethejihadwithinhimself,butthejihadwouldbe.
HislegionswouldrageoutfromArrakisevenwithouthim.Theyneededonlythelegendhealreadyhadbecome.Hehadshownthemtheway,giventhemmasteryevenovertheGuildwhichmusthavethespicetoexist.
Asenseoffailurepervadedhim,andhesawthroughitthatFeyd-RauthaHarkonnenhadslippedoutofthetornuniform,strippeddowntoafightinggirdlewithamailcore.
Thisistheclimax,Paulthought.Fromhere,thefuturewillopen,thecloudspartontoakindofglory.AndifIdiehere,they’llsayIsacrificedmyselfthatmyspiritmightleadthem.AndifIlive,they’llsaynothingcanopposeMuad’Dib.
“IstheAtreidesready?”Feyd-Rauthacalled,usingthewordsoftheancientkanlyritual.
PaulchosetoanswerhimintheFremenway:“Maythyknifechipandshatter!”HepointedtotheEmperor’sbladeonthefloor,indicatingthatFeyd-Rauthashouldadvanceandtakeit.
KeepinghisattentiononPaul,Feyd-Rauthapickeduptheknife,balancingitamomentinhishandtogetthefeelofit.Excitementkindledinhim.Thiswasafighthehaddreamedabout—managainstman,skillagainstskillwithnoshieldsintervening.HecouldseeawaytopoweropeningbeforehimbecausetheEmperorsurelywouldrewardwhoeverkilledthistroublesomeduke.Therewardmightevenbethathaughtydaughterandashareofthethrone.Andthisyokelduke,thisback-worldadventurercouldnotpossiblybeamatchforaHarkonnentrainedineverydeviceandeverytreacherybyathousandarenacombats.
