Дюна
Book One: Dune
Whoitis,wecannotsay,butwe’recertainsureofit.Mayhapthere’sthehandguidedthatflesh-cutter.”
Paulabsorbedthisinsilence:atraitor.Beforehecouldspeak,theoddwomanwhirledawayandranbacktowardtheentry.
Hethoughttocallherback,buttherewasanairaboutherthattoldhimshewouldresentit.She’dtoldhimwhatsheknewandnowshewasgoingtodohisbidding.ThehousewouldbeswarmingwithHawat’smeninaminute.
Hismindwenttootherpartsofthatstrangeconversation:weirdingroom.Helookedtohisleftwhereshehadpointed.WeFremen.SothatwasaFremen.Hepausedforthemnemonicblinkthatwouldstorethepatternofherfaceinhismemory-prune-wrinkledfeaturesdarklybrowned,blue-on-blueeyeswithoutanywhiteinthem.Heattachedthelabel:TheShadoutMapes.
Stillgrippingtheshatteredseeker,Paulturnedbackintohisroom,scoopeduphisshieldbeltfromthebedwithhislefthand,swungitaroundhiswaistandbuckleditasheranbackoutanddownthehalltotheleft.
She’dsaidhismotherwassomeplacedownhere—stairs...aweirdingroom.
***
WhathadtheLadyJessicatosustainherinhertimeoftrial?ThinkyoucarefullyonthisBeneGesseritproverbandperhapsyouwillsee:“Anyroadfollowedpreciselytoitsendleadspreciselynowhere.Climbthemountainjustalittlebittotestthatit’samountain.Fromthetopofthemountain,youcannotseethemountain.”
—from“Muad’Dib:FamilyCommentaries”bythePrincessIrulan
ATTHEendofthesouthwing,Jessicafoundametalstairspiralinguptoanovaldoor.
