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that he had begun to question the purpose of this outing.
During the night, Idaho had come to realize that not all of the violence in
Onn had originated with the organized rebels. When he had inquired after
Siona, Moneo had sent word that "my daughter is safely out of the way," adding
at the end of the message: "I commend her to your care."
In the 'thopter, Siona had not responded to Idaho's questions. Even now, she
sat in sullen silence beside him. She reminded him of himself in those first
bitter days when he had vowed vengeance against the Harkonnens. He wondered at
her bitterness. What drove her'?
Without knowing why, Idaho found himself comparing Siona with Hwi Noree. It
had not been easy to encounter Hwi, but he had managed it in spite of the
importunate demands of Fish Speakers that he attend to duties elsewhere.
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Gentle, that was the word for Hwi. She acted from a core of unchanging
gentleness which was, in its own way, a thing of enormous power. He found this
intensely attractive.
I must see more of her.
For now, though, he had to contend with the sullen silence of Siona seated
beside him. Well. . .
silence could be met with silence.
Idaho peered down at the passing landscape. Here and there he could see the
clustered lights of villages winking out as the sunlight approached. The
desert of the Sareer lay far behind and this was land that, by its appearance,
might never have been parched.
Some things do not change very much, he thought. They are merely taken from
one place and reformed in another place.
This landscape reminded him of Caladan's lush gardens and made him wonder what
had become of the verdant planet where the Atreides had lived for so many
generations before coming to Dune. He could identify narrow roads, market
roads with a scattered traffic of vehicles drawn by six-legged animals which
he guessed were thorses. Moneo had said that thorses tailored to the needs of
such a landscape were the main work beasts not only here but throughout the
Empire.
"A population which walks is easier to control."
Moneo's words rang in Idaho's memory as he peered downward. Pastureland
appeared ahead of the
'thopter, softly rolling green hills cut into irregular patterns by black
stone walls. Idaho recognized sheep and several kinds of large cattle. The
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'thopter passed over a narrow valley still in gloom and with only a hint of
the water coursing down its depths. A single light and a blue plume of smoke
lifting out of the valley's shadows spoke of human occupation.
Siona suddenly stirred and tapped their pilot on the shoulder. pointing off to
the right ahead of them.
"Isn't that Goygoa over there'?" Siona asked.
"Yes." Inmeir spoke without turning, her voice clipped and touched by some
emotion which Idaho could not identify.
"Is that not a safe place'?" Siona asked.
"It is safe."
Siona looked at Idaho. "Order her to take us to Goygoa."
Without knowing why he complied, Idaho said: "Take us to that place."
Inmeir turned then and her features, which Idaho had thought a square block of
non-emotion during the night, revealed the clear evidence of some deep
feeling. Her mouth was drawn down into a scowl. A nerve twitched at the corner
of her right eye.
"Not Goygoa, Commander," Inmeir said. "There are better..."
"Did the God Emperor tell you to take us to a specific place?" Siona demanded.
Inmeir glared her anger at this interruption, but did not look directly at
Siona. "No, but He..."
"Then take us to this Goygoa," Idaho said.
Inmeir jerked her attention back to the 'thopter's controls and Idaho was
thrown against Siona as the craft banked sharply and flew toward a round
pocket nestled in the green hills.
Idaho peered over Inmeir's shoulder to took at their destination. At the very
center of the pocket lay a village built of the same black stones as the
surrounding fences. Idaho saw orchards on some of the slopes above the
village, terraced gardens rising in steps toward a small saddle where
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hawks could be seen gliding on the day's first updrafts.
Looking at Siona, Idaho asked: "What is this Goygoa?"
"You will see."
Inmeir set the 'thopter into a shallow glide which brought them to a gentle
landing on a flat stretch of grass at the edge of the village. One of the Fish
Speakers opened the door on the village side. Idaho's nostrils were
immediately assaulted by a heady mixture of aromas-crushed grass, animal
droppings, the acridity of cooking fires. He slipped out of the 'thopter and
looked up a village street where people were emerging from their houses to
stare at the visitors. Idaho saw an older woman in a long green dress bend
over and whisper something to a child who immediately turned and went dashing
away up the street.
"Do you like this place?" Siona asked. She dropped down beside him.
"It appears pleasant."
Siona looked at Inmeir as the pilot and the other Fish Speakers joined them on
the grass. "When do we go back to Orin?"
"You do not go back," Inmeir said. "My orders are to take you to the Citadel.
The Commander goes back."
"I see." Siona nodded. "When will we leave?"
"At dawn tomorrow. I will see the village leader about quarters." Inmeir
strode off into the village.
"Goygoa," Idaho said. "That's a strange name. I wonder what this place was in
the Dune days?"
"I happen to know," Siona said. "It is on the old charts as Shuloch, which
means 'haunted place.'
The Oral History says great crimes were committed here before all of the
inhabitants were wiped out."
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"Jacurutu," Idaho whispered, recalling the old legends of the water stealers.
He glanced around, looking for the evidence of dunes and ridges; there was
nothing-only two older men with placid faces returning with lnmeir. The men
wore faded blue trousers and ragged shirts. Their feet were bare.
"Did you know this place?" Siona asked.
"Only as a name in a legend."
"Some say there are ghosts," she said, "but I do not believe
Inmeir stopped in front of Idaho and motioned the two barefooted men to wait
behind her. "The quarters are poor but adequate," she said, "unless you would
care to stay in one of the private residences." She turned and looked at Siona
as she said this.
"We will decide later," Siona said. She took Idaho's arm. "The Commander and I
wish to stroll through Goygoa and admire the sights."
Inmeir shaped her mouth to speak, but remained silent.
Idaho allowed Siona to lead him past the peering faces of the two local men.
"I will send two guards with you," Inmeir called out.
Siona stopped and turned. "Is it not safe in Goygoa?"
"It is very peaceful here," one of the men said.
"Then we will not need guards,' Siona said. "Have them guard the 'thopter."
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Again, she led Idaho toward the village.
"All right," Idaho said, disengaging his arm from Siona's grasp. "What is this
place'.'"
"It is very likely that you will find this a very restful place." Siona said.
"It is not like the old Shuloch at all. Very peaceful." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]