Chapter 33

Moderator: Freakzilla

Post Reply
User avatar
Freakzilla
Archivist
Posts: 3453
Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:56 pm
Location: Duluth, Georgia, USA
Contact:

Chapter 33

Post by Freakzilla »

My father, the Padishah Emperor, was 72 yet looked no more than 35 the year he
encompassed the death of Duke Leto and gave Arrakis back to the Harkonnens. He
seldom appeared in public wearing other than a Sardaukar uniform and a Burseg's
black helmet with the imperial lion in gold upon its crest. The uniform was an
open reminder of where his power lay. He was not always that blatant, though.
When he wanted, he could radiate charm and sincerity, but I often wonder in
these later days if anything about him was as it seemed. I think now he was a
man fighting constantly to escape the bars of an invisible cage. You must
remember that he was an emperor, father-head of a dynasty that reached back into
the dimmest history. But we denied him a legal son. Was this not the most
terrible defeat a ruler ever suffered? My mother obeyed her Sister Superiors
where the Lady Jessica disobeyed. Which of them was the stronger? History
already has answered.

-"In My Father's House" by the Princess Irulan

Jessica is awakened in the cave by people moving around, it's Jamis challenging Paul to ritual combat as a test of the legend. Jessica tries to talk him out of it, then when she can't tries to instill fear in him of her. Jamis accuses her of putting a spell on him and Stilgar orders her to be silent of forfeit. Chani gives Paul a crysknife and some tips about Jamis' fighting style. Here is the time nexus he saw in his earlier vision, there are so many tiny variables that a clear path forward cannot be seen. Jamis attacks and Paul dodges but his counterattack is too slow, he's been conditioned all his life to fight with a shield. Only the slow blade will penetrate the shield. He also turns at an angle that would normally help the shield deflect a blow. This happens over and over until finally, Jamis switches knife hands, Chani had warned him about this and he was prepared. He dodged the other way and Jamis comes down on Paul's knife and dies on the floor. Jessica asks him how it feels to be a killer now, in hopes of crushing and rush Paul may be feeling from the fight. Stilgar warns him that he won't be able to toy with him like that when the day comes that they have to fight. Paul explains about the shield conditioning. Stilgar gives Paul his sietch name, Usul, which means the base of the pillar. For his open name, Paul asks what they call the kangaroo mouse, it's Muad'dib, the teacher of boys. The Fremen are assured of the prophecy. Allthough Paul is past the time nexus, all he can see in the future is the Jihad and vows not to let it come to pass.
They were destroyed because they lied pretentiously. Have no fear that my wrath
will fall upon you because of your innocent mistakes.

~Leto II, God Emperor
Post Reply

Return to “Dune”