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Book Three: The Prophet
SomethinginhisownsecretivedepthsstayedtheCountthen,andheglimpsedbriefly,inadequately,theadvantageheheldoverPaul—awayofhidingfromtheyouth,afurtivenessofpersonandmotivesthatnoeyecouldpenetrate.
Paul,awareofsomeofthisfromthewaythetimenexusboiled,understoodatlastwhyhehadneverseenFenringalongthewebsofprescience.Fenringwasoneofthemight-have-beens,analmost-KwisatzHaderach,crippledbyaflawinthegeneticpattern—aeunuch,histalentconcentratedintofurtivenessandinnerseclusion.AdeepcompassionfortheCountflowedthroughPaul,thefirstsenseofbrotherhoodhe’deverexperienced.
Fenring,readingPaul’semotion,said,“Majesty,Imustrefuse.”
RageovercameShaddamIV.Hetooktwoshortstepsthroughtheentourage,cuffedFenringviciouslyacrossthejaw.
AdarkflushspreadupandovertheCount’sface.HelookeddirectlyattheEmperor,spokewithdeliberatelackofemphasis:“Wehavebeenfriends,Majesty.WhatIdonowisoutoffriendship.Ishallforgetthatyoustruckme.”
Paulclearedhisthroat,said:“Wewerespeakingofthethrone,Majesty.”
TheEmperorwhirled,glaredatPaul.“Isitonthethrone!”hebarked.
“YoushallhaveathroneonSalusaSecundus,”Paulsaid.
“Iputdownmyarmsandcamehereonyourwordofbond!”theEmperorshouted.“Youdarethreaten—”
“Yourpersonissafeinmypresence,”Paulsaid.“AnAtreidespromisedit.
Muad’Dib,however,sentencesyoutoyourprisonplanet.Buthavenofear,Majesty.
