Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“Perhapsyouhaveonlypaganriteshere,”Feyd-Rauthasaid.“WouldyouliketheEmperor’sTruthsayertoprepareyourspiritforitsjourney?”
Paulsmiled,circlingtotheright,alert,hisblackthoughtssuppressedbytheneedsofthemoment.
Feyd-Rauthaleaped,feintingwithrighthand,butwiththeknifeshiftedinablurtohislefthand.
Pauldodgedeasily,notingtheshield-conditionedhesitationinFeyd-Rautha’sthrust.Still,itwasnotasgreatashieldconditioningassomePaulhadseen,andhesensedthatFeyd-Rauthahadfoughtbeforeagainstunshieldedfoes.
“DoesanAtreidesrunorstandandfight?”Feyd-Rauthaasked.
Paulresumedhissilentcircling.Idaho’swordscamebacktohim,thewordsoftrainingfromthelong-agopracticeflooronCaladan:“Usethefirstmomentsinstudy.Youmaymissmanyanopportunityforquickvictorythisway,butthemomentsofstudyareinsuranceofsuccess.Takeyourtimeandbesure.”
“Perhapsyouthinkthisdanceprolongsyourlifeafewmoments,”Feyd-Rauthasaid.“Wellandgood.”Hestoppedthecircling,straightened.
Paulhadseenenoughforafirstapproximation.Feyd-Rauthaledtotheleftside,presentingtherighthipasthoughthemailedfightinggirdlecouldprotecthisentireside.Itwastheactionofamantrainedtotheshieldandwithaknifeinbothhands.
Or...AndPaulhesitated....thegirdlewasmorethanitseemed.TheHarkonnenappearedtooconfidentagainstamanwho’dthisdayledtheforcesofvictoryagainstSardaukarlegions.
