Дюна
Book One: Dune
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Jessicathoughtabouttheprophecy—theShari-aandallthepanopliapropheticus,aBeneGesseritoftheMissionariaProtectivadroppedherelongcenturiesago—longdead,nodoubt,butherpurposeaccomplished:theprotectivelegendsimplantedinthesepeopleagainstthedayofaBeneGesserit’sneed.
Well,thatdayhadcome.
Mapesreturnedknifetosheath,said:“Thisisanunfixedblade,myLady.
Keepitnearyou.Morethanaweekawayfromfleshanditbeginstodisintegrate.It’syours,atoothofshai-hulud,foraslongasyoulive.”
Jessicareachedoutherrighthand,riskedagamble:“Mapes,you’vesheathedthatbladeunblooded.”
Withagasp,MapesdroppedthesheathedknifeintoJessica’shand,toreopenthebrownbodice,wailing:“Takethewaterofmylife!”
Jessicawithdrewthebladefromitssheath.Howitglittered!ShedirectedthepointtowardMapes,sawafeargreaterthandeath-paniccomeoverthewoman.
Poisoninthepoint?Jessicawondered.Shetippedupthepoint,drewadelicatescratchwiththeblade’sedgeaboveMapes’leftbreast.Therewasathickwellingofbloodthatstoppedalmostimmediately.Ultrafastcoagulation,Jessicathought.Amoisture-conservingmutation?
Shesheathedtheblade,said:“Buttonyourdress,Mapes.”
Mapesobeyed,trembling.TheeyeswithoutwhitesstaredatJessica.“Youareours,”shemuttered.“YouaretheOne.”
Therecameanothersoundofunloadingintheentry.Swiftly,Mapesgrabbedthesheathedknife,concealeditinJessica’sbodice.“Whoseesthatknifemustbecleansedorslain!”shesnarled.
