The Winds Of Dune Part 24

These men were like lumbering oxen in a field of porcelain-delicate politics. "You can't just withdraw from the Imperium! Your sworn oaths, the Landsraad Charter, the ancient laws of-"

The priest waved his hand, seemingly unperturbed. "Everything will work out in the end, my Lady. It is obvious that we are no threat to Muad'Dib. In fact, Caladan is of little use to him except as a gathering place for his pilgrims ... who have now been mostly turned away."

Thoughts rushed through Jessica's mind. What would have been a minor problem might now become a watershed event. If the people of this planet had quietly chosen to ignore the name change, perhaps Paul would have turned a blind eye. But not if they openly defied Muad'Dib. These fools were putting her son in an impossible position, one from which he could not afford to back down.

"You do not understand the repercussions of what you suggest." Jessica contained her temper only through the use of her most effective Bene Gesserit techniques. "I am your d.u.c.h.ess, and you acted without consulting me? Some rulers would have you executed for that."

Sintra sniffed. "Come now, my Lady, no ruler of Caladan would punish us for doing what is right. That would be a Harkonnen thing to do."

"Perhaps you don't understand Harkonnens," Jessica said. They could never have imagined that her own father was the Baron himself.

"Oh, we are just one world, and a small one," Mayor Horvu said. "Paul will see reason."

Impatience flashed in Jessica's eyes. "What he will see see is that one of his planets has defied him-his homeworld, no less. If he ignores that, how many other planets will take that as implicit permission to break away? He'll face one rebellion after another, because of you." is that one of his planets has defied him-his homeworld, no less. If he ignores that, how many other planets will take that as implicit permission to break away? He'll face one rebellion after another, because of you."

Horvu chuckled as if Jessica Jessica were the one who didn't understand. "I remember when you came here as a young Bene Gesserit, my Lady, but were the one who didn't understand. "I remember when you came here as a young Bene Gesserit, my Lady, but we we have been with the Atreides Dukes for century upon century. We know their benevolence." have been with the Atreides Dukes for century upon century. We know their benevolence."

Jessica could not believe what she was hearing. These men had seen none of the Imperium, knew nothing of galactic politics. They a.s.sumed that all leaders were the same, that one action was not connected to another and another. They might remember the none of the Imperium, knew nothing of galactic politics. They a.s.sumed that all leaders were the same, that one action was not connected to another and another. They might remember the young young Paul Atreides, but neither of these men could possibly grasp how much he had changed. Paul Atreides, but neither of these men could possibly grasp how much he had changed.

"Where is Earl Halleck? Is he aware of what you've done?"

The mayor and priest looked at each other. Horvu cleared his throat, and Jessica could tell that they had acted behind Gurney's back. "The Earl is on his estate and has not come to Cala City for ... some days. We did not feel we needed to trouble him with this matter."

"It is simple, my Lady," Sintra said. "We aren't a part of the Jihad, and we never were. Outside politics and outside wars have nothing to do with us. We just want our planet back to the way it was for twenty-six generations under the Atreides Dukes."

"Paul isn't just an Atreides anymore. He's also Muad'Dib, the Fremen Messiah and Holy Emperor." She crossed her arms over her chest. "What will you do when he sends Fedaykin armies to seize control and execute anyone who speaks out against him?"

The mayor's chuckle showed no anxiety. "Come now, my Lady, you dramatize. He is the son of our beloved Duke Leto Atreides. Caladan is in his blood. He couldn't possibly mean us harm."

Jessica saw that these men were blind to the dangers of what they had unleashed. Her voice was low. "You misjudge him. Even I don't know what my son is capable of any longer."

In the deepening darkness of her first night back, Jessica rose from the private writing desk inside her bedchamber, leaving her papers and recordings unfinished. She walked over to the stone wall and threw open the windows to let the cool night air flow in. It came with a hint of fog and the familiar smell of iodine and salt, seaweed and waves.

Curling waves slammed harder against the base of the cliff with each advance-and-retreat. She could see the silvery line of breakers lit by starlight and a waxing moon. The rumble and roar of booming surf and the clatter of rocks moving on the sh.o.r.e soothed her with their constancy, unlike the turmoil that washed across other worlds.

Throughout his youth, Paul had listened to those gentle whispers of Caladan seas, and they had given him a sense of serenity, a sense of place and family history. Now, as Muad'Dib, he heard instead the crackling hiss of sandstorms- Caladan seas, and they had given him a sense of serenity, a sense of place and family history. Now, as Muad'Dib, he heard instead the crackling hiss of sandstorms-Hulasikali Wala, as the Fremen called it, "the wind that eats flesh." And the defiant shouts of fanatical armies.... as the Fremen called it, "the wind that eats flesh." And the defiant shouts of fanatical armies....

She couldn't convince herself that Paul's priests would have tried to rename Caladan without at least his implied approval. Had he finally become a leader so powerful that his advisers were afraid to speak honestly to him?

Or was he a man without real advisers at all? Paul had prescience; he was the Kwisatz Haderach, with a kind of perceptive wisdom that Jessica did not understand. But did such powers and talents necessarily make Paul infallible infallible? She kept coming back to that question in her mind, and she wondered what psychological damage the Water of Life had done to him in the Fremen ritual that had changed him forever.

Some time ago, Reverend Mother Mohiam had warned her about the dangers of this child, the superhuman Kwisatz Haderach who had emerged before his time and slipped out of the Sisterhood's control. When the old woman had tested Paul at the age of fifteen, it had been more than a test. What if the Bene Gesserit accusations about him were correct? What if Jessica had had committed a grave, disastrous error by bearing a son instead of a daughter? What if, after all, he was committed a grave, disastrous error by bearing a son instead of a daughter? What if, after all, he was not not a messiah, but instead a terrible mistake ... an abomination of historic proportions? a messiah, but instead a terrible mistake ... an abomination of historic proportions?

As she watched the surf, a pale ma.s.s of luminescence drifted along, a cl.u.s.ter of plankton s.h.i.+ning in the night. Hovering above it with flitting wings and distant cries, sea birds dove down to feed upon the fish that, in turn, fed upon the plankton. Another patch of luminescence drifted closer, caught on an eddy that drove the two cl.u.s.ters together, mixing them in a clash of s.h.i.+fting colors.

It reminded Jessica of the Jihad....

She had reviewed eyewitness accounts of battlefield horrors. Jessica could not delude herself into thinking that the zealous followers were operating beyond her son's control, that Paul did not know the things they did in his name. He had been there, in person. He had seen seen the atrocities happen, and he had not spoken out against them. Rather, he had urged his fighters onward, had inspired them. the atrocities happen, and he had not spoken out against them. Rather, he had urged his fighters onward, had inspired them.

"Has your son forgotten who he really is?" Horvu had looked at her with tired, pleading eyes, expecting her to have a ready and truthful answer for him. But she didn't know. with tired, pleading eyes, expecting her to have a ready and truthful answer for him. But she didn't know.

Out on the nearby headlands, she spotted a bonfire, which brought to mind the recent aborted festival of the Empty Man. A s.h.i.+ver ran down her spine, as she wondered if her son had become the Empty Man of local legend.

Have I created a monster?

Jessica slept restlessly that night, her thoughts br.i.m.m.i.n.g with concerns and realizations about what Paul condoned and why he was doing it. A vivid nightmare started out convincingly as a memory of herself as a young mother slipping into Paul's bedchamber, looking down at the five-year-old boy. He slept soundly, looking so innocent, yet with a dark potential hidden within him.

If only she had known then that this boy would grow up to be a man who sterilized entire worlds, who had the blood of billions of innocent people on his hands, who led a Jihad that showed no signs of ending....

In her dream, the young mother Jessica looked down at the sleeping child and picked up a pillow. She pressed it hard against his face, holding it there as the boy struggled and fought her. She pressed harder....

Jessica bolted awake in a sweat. Her stomach churned with revulsion. Had her fears simply guided her dreams, or was that in itself a warning of what she needed to do-what Reverend Mother Mohiam had always wanted her to do?

I gave life to you, Paul-and I can take it away.

When the message arrived from the Mother School, even the written words seemed to have the imperative power of Voice. The Sisterhood demanded that Jessica go to Wallach IX regarding a "most important matter," and the order was signed by Reverend Mother Mohiam herself.

Because of her lifetime of training and obligations, Jessica's immediate reaction was to rush there in response to the summons. But she forced herself to pause and throw off the programmed reaction; she was annoyed at the way the Sisters tried to manipulate her, how they had always always tried to manipulate her. They wanted something. And if she did not go to them willingly, on her own terms, they would find some other means of getting her there, some less obvious way. tried to manipulate her. They wanted something. And if she did not go to them willingly, on her own terms, they would find some other means of getting her there, some less obvious way.

Jessica had returned from Salusa Secundus only the day before, had just learned of Mayor Horvu's foolish and naive declaration, and now another obligation pulled her away. Once again, she would have to leave Gurney Halleck in charge on Caladan. But he needed to be forewarned.

When he came to see her, she was gathering necessary items for her travel wardrobe. "Gurney, I will be back as soon as I can, but the people of Caladan are in your hands for the time being." As she regarded him more closely, she saw a gaunt difference in his expression. He looked deeply shaken. "Gurney, what is it?"

The man focused his gaze on the wall rather than directly at her. "A personal matter, my Lady. Nothing that need concern you."

"Come now, my good friend. Maybe I can help, if you'll just let me."

He hesitated for a long moment, then said in a stony voice, "My gaze hounds ... bloodfire virus. If I had acted sooner, maybe I could have saved some of them. But I waited too long."

"Oh, Gurney, I'm so sorry."

He took an awkward step backward, separating himself from her. "They were just dogs. I've been through far worse, my Lady, and I will endure this." Now she understood why he had been unaware of Mayor Horvu's ill-considered message to Arrakeen. But he was a man who preferred to deal with his emotions privately, and her sympathy would only make it more difficult for him. "It is past, and we both have our jobs to do. Go where you need to go, and I will rule in your absence."

She nodded, but he needed to know what she was leaving him with. "Some of the townspeople have gotten a dangerous and foolish idea into their heads. While you were at your estate, they unilaterally declared Caladan's independence from the Imperium."

Gurney stood straighter now. "G.o.ds below, they can't do that!"

"They already have. They sent a formal pet.i.tion to Muad'Dib. While I'm gone, please don't let this get out of hand."

"It sounds as if it already is out of hand, my Lady. But I will do my best to limit the damage."

The most effective family unit is quite large-a community in which children are raised and trained in a uniform fas.h.i.+on, not in a random, unpredictable way. There is also the matter of good genetics.

-RAQUELLA BERTO-ANIRUL, founder of the ancient order of Bene Gesserit

After arriving on Wallach IX, Jessica saw bright reminders of her childhood everywhere around the Mother School. And that was intentional, to emphasize what she had been taught, again and again. We exist to serve We exist to serve. But Jessica was not that same person anymore. For years, she had been little more than a serving girl to Mohiam; now she was returning as the d.u.c.h.ess of Caladan and the Mother of Muad'Dib, the Emperor of the Known Universe. Much more than a meek acolyte.

As she entered the central plaza, she refused to let herself feel intimidated about the meeting to which she had been summoned. The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood no longer controlled her. Jessica controlled herself, her decisions, and her future.

She walked around the sprawling complex to gather her thoughts before facing the other Reverend Mothers. She paused by a fountain, where a refres.h.i.+ng spray of water misted her face. She dipped a hand in the cool water of the fountain, let the cupped moisture run onto the cobblestones. A waste ... a luxury. Water was not a precious resource on Wallach IX. Others might see Jessica as a moonstruck girl dawdling at her ch.o.r.es, but she was in no hurry. Though they had commanded her, she had come of her own accord.

Despite the failings of the Bene Gesserit order, this place was a hub of human learning and triumphs, where the greatest thoughts were a.s.sembled and transmitted far and wide. Jessica had learned much here, but only later had she learned the most important truth of all-that even the Sisterhood was not always right. of human learning and triumphs, where the greatest thoughts were a.s.sembled and transmitted far and wide. Jessica had learned much here, but only later had she learned the most important truth of all-that even the Sisterhood was not always right.

But they were predictable. Neither Reverend Mother Mohiam nor any other Sister had deigned to notice her arrival, but Jessica saw right through that as a ploy to emphasize her lack of importance. How different her reception was from how Muad'Dib and the clamoring populace of Arrakeen would have received her.

Jessica already had deeply conflicting att.i.tudes about Mohiam. The two women had an odd relations.h.i.+p that alternated from hostile to cool, with all too brief moments that approached tenderness. The old woman considered her a disappointment and would always look for ways to make Jessica pay for daring to have a son.

For now, at least, the highest ranking Bene Gesserits wanted to speak with Jessica. She was curious and concerned, but not afraid.

A black-robed woman emerged from the half-timbered stucco and wood administration building and stared at her. It was Mohiam herself, sending a signal of impatience with a rigid stance, a twitch of an elbow, a flicker of the wrist before she turned and went back inside.

Now that Jessica understood them, the Sisterhood's manipulative mind games were amusing. Let them wait for me ... for a change Let them wait for me ... for a change. She remained at the fountain for another minute, focusing her thoughts, then made her way up the stairs and pushed open a heavy door. Like other structures in the Mother School complex, it had moss-streaked sienna roof tiles and special windows to concentrate the minimal light from Wallach IX's distant sun.

She joined other robed Sisters inside the chapter chamber. Their footsteps creaked on the floor planks of the octagonal room as they found spots on elaccawood perimeter benches.

Even the ancient Mother Superior Harishka took a seat like an ordinary acolyte. The Mother Superior remained alert, defying her age, though an attentive Medical Sister sat close to her. Harishka's dark, almond eyes peered out from beneath her black hood as she leaned forward to speak to a much younger Sister at her other side, whom Jessica recognized as Reverend Mother Genino. Despite her lack of years, Genino had risen quickly to become one of the Mother Superior's key personal advisers. had risen quickly to become one of the Mother Superior's key personal advisers.

When Harishka squared her shoulders and s.h.i.+fted her body to gaze across the chamber at Jessica, the rustling of low conversations ceased. The imposing Mother Superior spoke into the sudden silence. "We're grateful you have come such a long way to see us, Jessica."

"You summoned me, Mother Superior." They thought she'd had no choice. "What is this important matter you must discuss with me?"

The Mother Superior bobbed her head like a crow. "We are concerned about Muad'Dib and his dangerous decisions. We fear those who may be counseling him."

Jessica frowned. Like any powerful leader, Paul had numerous people who could advise him, some good and others bad. The self-centered Qizarate sought to increase its power and influence, especially the man Korba, but Paul's other advisers were trustworthy and earnest. Stilgar, Chani, even Irulan....

With a thin, wrinkled arm, Harishka gestured to the Medical Sister at her side, who spoke up. "I am Sister Aver Yohsa. I was one of those who tended Emperor Shaddam's first wife, the Kwisatz Mother Anirul, after the voices within began to overwhelm her."

"I'm very aware of Anirul's story. I was there. What is the relevance now?"

"It is a reminder of the danger of falling prey to the inner voices." Harishka's eyes narrowed further. "The temptation to listen to such ancient wisdom is often irresistible." Several Sisters s.h.i.+fted uneasily in their seats; Genino slipped off one of her sandals and leaned down to rub what appeared to be a sore spot on her foot. "For Reverend Mothers, our ancestors-within trace only through the maternal lines, but your son Paul does not have those limitations. He sees into both his feminine and masculine pasts."

"He is the Kwisatz Haderach, as the Sisterhood itself has admitted."

Speaking for the first time, Mohiam cleared her throat. "But he has none of the preparations and precautions that we intended to provide. He is dangerous. We suspect that he is already listening to advice that could destroy the human race. Corrupt ancestors from his pasts. What if Paul-Muad'Dib listens to the greatest dictators in human history?"

Harishka added, "You know all the obvious names. What if he has inner conversations with Genghis Khan, Keeltar the Ubertat, or Adolf Hitler? What if he takes private counsel from Agamemnon, known to be an Atreides ancestor? Or from ... others?" inner conversations with Genghis Khan, Keeltar the Ubertat, or Adolf Hitler? What if he takes private counsel from Agamemnon, known to be an Atreides ancestor? Or from ... others?"

Jessica frowned. She smoothed her expression to remove any obvious surprise or concern. Were they subtly reminding her that his grandfather was the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen? "Paul would never do anything so foolish," she said with insufficient conviction. "Besides, Other Memories cannot be searched at will, like records from a filing cabinet. Every Bene Gesserit knows that. The voices must come of their own volition."

"Is that true even for the Kwisatz Haderach?" Mohiam asked.

Now Jessica was angry. "Are you suggesting that Paul is possessed by voices within?" She didn't want to consider that possibility, but the idea had struck home. Paul himself had suggested a similar flaw, las.h.i.+ng out at her just after the Battle of Arrakeen. "How would you like to live billions upon billions of lives? How can you tell what's ruthless unless you've plumbed the depths of both cruelty and kindness?" "How would you like to live billions upon billions of lives? How can you tell what's ruthless unless you've plumbed the depths of both cruelty and kindness?"

The Mother Superior gave an aloof shrug. "We merely suggest that possession is a possibility. It might explain some of his extreme and unorthodox actions."

Jessica remained firm, just as she had when Shaddam and Fenring pressed her to explain Paul's behavior during the banquet on Salusa. "My son is strong enough to make his own decisions."

"But can any person survive the constant pressure of so many internal voices whose goals are entirely different from those of the living? He may be an abomination, just as Mohiam insists his sister is."

Jessica clenched her hands in her lap, and then surprised the other women by laughing. "And there you have it-the standard Bene Gesserit response to anything you find not to your liking. Abomination!" Now that she had identified their flaw, she found them amusing. "You're just being petulant because my son has made the Sisterhood irrelevant. With your Missionaria Protectiva and your Manipulator of Religions on Dune, you you set in motion the circ.u.mstances that created him. You placed a tool in front of him, and now you complain that he used it? He grasped the reins of the myth- set in motion the circ.u.mstances that created him. You placed a tool in front of him, and now you complain that he used it? He grasped the reins of the myth-your myth-and rode it to power and glory. After the way the Bene Gesserit treated him, do you expect him to respect you at all?" myth-and rode it to power and glory. After the way the Bene Gesserit treated him, do you expect him to respect you at all?"

"Maybe you could make him do so," Harishka said. "If your role were expanded, you could convince him of our worth."

Reverend Mother Genino slipped her sandal back on and said abruptly, "We have a proposal for you, Jessica-a proposal for the good of the Sisterhood and all humankind."

Finally, they are getting to the point, Jessica thought. Jessica thought.

"The Sisterhood has decided that we must bring the Emperor down, by any means necessary. And we want you to help us end his reign of terror."

The cold statement stunned her. "What do you mean, bring him down?"

Mohiam said, "Paul Atreides is a genetic mistake-your mistake, Jessica. He grows more dangerous and unpredictable with each pa.s.sing moment. It is up to you to rectify your error." mistake, Jessica. He grows more dangerous and unpredictable with each pa.s.sing moment. It is up to you to rectify your error."

"He must either be killed or controlled." Harishka shook her head sadly. "And we very much doubt if he can be controlled."

Jessica drew in a sharp breath through flared nostrils. "Paul is not a monster. I know him. He has clear reasons for everything he does. He is a good man."

Harishka slowly shook her head from side to side. "Maybe at one time he was, but how well do you know him now? Do not hide from what you feel in your heart. Tens of billions have died in the past seven years of his Jihad, and the war shows no sign of ending. An incalculable swath of pain and suffering across the galaxy. Look at it, child! You know full well what your son has done-and we can only imagine the additional horrors that lie in store."

Jessica no longer feared this old woman, was beyond being impressed by her supposed strength and wisdom. "What makes you think I would ever choose the Sisterhood over my son?"

Seeming to change the subject, Harishka rose from the hard elacca-wood bench. "I am old, and I have seen much of life, and of death." She seemed small and frail. She pressed a hand to her back, as if it pained her greatly. "Here is the Sisterhood's offer: If you do as we wish, I will step down immediately as Mother Superior and elevate you you to the position. You, Jessica, will lead the Bene Gesserit order. With that power, perhaps you can find a way to influence your son and bring him back under the Sisterhood's control-for the good of humanity." to the position. You, Jessica, will lead the Bene Gesserit order. With that power, perhaps you can find a way to influence your son and bring him back under the Sisterhood's control-for the good of humanity."

The idea startled her. "And why do you believe such an offer would be attractive to me?"

Harishka said, "Because you are a Bene Gesserit. We taught you everything that is important in life."

"But not of love. You know nothing of love."

Mohiam spoke in a hard voice. "If Paul-Muad'Dib cannot be tamed, then we have only one alternative."

Jessica shook her head. "I will not do it."