fh.godemperorofdune-第32章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　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　'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　plied；　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；　mander；〃　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　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　mander　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　mitted　here　before　all　of　the　inhabitants　were　wiped　out。〃
　〃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　mander　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。〃
　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。〃
　〃You're　up　to　something；〃　Idaho　said；　striding　beside　her。　〃What　is　it？〃
　〃I've　always　heard　that　gholas　were　full　of　questions；〃　Siona　said。　〃；　too；　have　questions。〃
　‘Oh'？'
　〃What　was　he　like　in　your　day；　the　man　Leto？〃
　〃Which　one？〃
　〃Yes；　I　forget　there　were　two…the　grandfather　and　our　Leto。　I　mean　our　Leto；　of　course。〃
　〃He　was　just　a　child；　that's　all　I　know。〃
　〃The　Oral　History　says　one　of　his　early　brides　carne　from　this　village。〃
　〃Brides？　I　thought。　。　。〃
　〃When　he　still　had　a　manly　shape。　It　was　after　the　death　of　his　sister　but　before　he　began　to　change　into　the　Worm。　The　Oral　History　says　the　brides　of　Leto　vanished　into　the　maze　of　the　Imperial　Citadel；　never　to　be　seen　again　except　as　faces　and　voices　transmitted　by　holo。　He　has　not　had　a　bride　for　thousands　of　years。〃
　They　had　arrived　at　a　small　square　at　the　center　of　the　village；　a　space　about　fifty　meters　on　a　side　and　with　a　low　walled　pool　of　clear　water　in　its　center。　Siona　crossed　to　the　pool's　wall　and　sat　on　the　rock　ledge；　patting　beside　her　for　Idaho　to　join　her　there。　Idaho　looked　around　at　the　village　first；　noting　how　people　peered　out　at　him　from　behind　curtained　windows；　how　the　children　pointed　and　whispered。　He　turned　and　stood　looking　down　at　Siona。
　〃What　is　this　place'？〃
　〃I've　told　you。　Tell　me　what　Muad'Dib　was　like。〃
　〃He　was　the　best　friend　a　man　could　ever　have。〃
　〃So　the　Oral　History　is　true；　but　it　calls　the　caliphate　of　his　heirs　The　Desposyni；　and　that　has　an　evil　sound。〃
　She's　baiting　me。　Idaho　thought。
　He　allowed　himself　a　tight　smile；　wondering　at　Siona's　motives。　She　appeared　to　be　waiting　for　sonic　important　event；　anxious。。。even　dreading。。。but　with　an　undertone　of　some　thing　like　elation。　It　was　all　there。　Nothing　she　said　now　could　be　accounted　as　more　than　small　talk；　a　way　of　occupying　the　moments　until。。。until　what'？
　The　light　sound　of　running　feet　intruded　on　his　reverie。　Idaho　turned　and　saw　a　child　of　perhaps　eight　years　racing　toward　him　out　of　a　side　street。　The　child's　bare　feet　kicked　up　little　dust　geysers　as　he　ran　and　there　was　the　sound　of　a　woman　shouting；　a　despairing　sound　somewhere　up　the　street　The　runner　stopped　about　ten　paces　away　and　stared　up　at　Idaho　with　a　hungering　look；　an　intensity　which　Idaho　found　disturbing。　The　child　appeared　vaguely　familiar…a　boy；　a　stalwart　figure　with　dark　curly　hair；　an　unfinished　face　but　with　hints　of　the　man　to　be…rather　high　cheekbones；　a　flat　line　across　the　brows。　He　wore　a　faded　blue　singlesuit　which　betrayed　the　effects　of　much　laundering　but　obviously　had　begun　as　a　garment　of　excellent　material。　It　had　the　look　of　punji　cotton　woven　in　a　cordlock　that　did　not　permit　even　the　frayed　edges　to　unravel。
　〃You're　not　my　father；〃　the　child　said。　Whirling　away。　he　raced　back　up　the　street　and　vanished　around　a　corner。
　Idaho　turned　and　scowled　at　Siona；　almost　afraid　to　ask　the　question：　Was　that　a　child　of　my　predecessor？　He　knew　the　answer　without　asking　that　familiar　face；　the　genotype　carried　true。　Myself　as　a　child。　Realization　left　him　with　an　empty　feeling；　a　sense　of　frustration。　What　is　my　responsibility？
　Siona　put　both　hands　over　her　face　and　hunched　her　shoulders。　It　had　not　happened　at　all　the　way　she　had　imagined　it　might。　She　felt　betrayed　by　her　own　desires　for　revenge。　Idaho　was　not　simply　a　ghola；　something　alien　and　unworthy　of　consideration。　She　had　felt　him　thrown　against　her　in　the　'thopter；　had　seen　the　obvious　emotions　on　his　face。　And　that　child　。　。　。
　〃What　happened　to　my　predecessor？〃　Idaho　asked。　His　voice　came　out　flat　and　accusatory。
　She　lowered　her　hands。　There　was　suppressed　rage　in　his　face。
　〃We　are　not　certain；〃　she　said；　〃but　he　entered　the　Citadel　one　day　and　never　emerged。〃
　〃That　was　his　child？〃
　She　nodded。
　〃You're　sure　you　did　not　kill　my　predecessor？〃
　〃I。。。〃　She　shook　her　head；　shocked　by　the　doubts；　the　latent　accusation　in　him。
　〃That　child；　that　is　the　reason　we　came　here？〃
　She　swallowed。　〃Yes。〃
　〃What　am　I　supposed　to　do　about　him？〃
　She　shrugged；　feeling　soiled　and　guilty　because　of　her　own　actions。
　〃What　about　his　mother？〃　Idaho　asked。
　〃She　and　the　others　live　up　that　street。〃　Siona　nodded　in　the　direction　the　boy　had　gone。
　〃Others？〃
　〃There　is　an　older　son。。。a　daughter。　Will　you。　。　。　I　mean；　I　could　arrange。　。　。〃
　〃No！　The　boy　was　right。　I'm　not　his　father。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　Siona　whispered。　〃I　should　not　have　done　this。〃
　〃Why　did　he　choose　this　place？〃　Idaho　asked。
　〃The　father。　。　。　your。　。　。〃
　〃My　predecessor！〃
　〃Because　this　was　Irti's　home　and　she　would　not　leave。　That　is　what　people　said。〃
　〃Irti。。。the　mother？〃
　〃Wife；　by　the　old　rite；　the　one　from　the　Oral　History。〃
　Idaho　looked　around　at　the　stone　fronts　of　the　buildings　which　enclosed　the　square；　the　curtained　windows；　the　narrow　doors。　〃So　he　lived　here？〃
　〃When　he　could。〃
　〃How　did　he　die；　Siona？〃
　〃Truly；　I　do　not　know。。。but　the　Worm　has　killed　others。　We　know　that　for　sure！〃
　〃How　do　you　know　it？〃　He　centered　a　probing　stare　on　her　face。　The　intensity　of　it　forced　her　to　look　away。
　〃I　do　not　doubt　the　stories　of　my　ancestors；〃　she　said。　〃They　are　told　in　bits　and　pieces；　a　note　here；　a　whispered　account　there；　but　I　believe　them。　My　father　believes　them；　too！〃
　〃Moneo　has　said　nothing　to　me　of　this。〃
　〃One　thing　you　can　say　about　the　Atreides；〃　she　said。　〃We're　loyal　and　that's　a　fact。　We　keep　our　word。〃
　Idaho　opened　his　mouth　to　speak；　closed　it　without　making　a　sound。　Of　course！　Siona；　too；　was　Atreides。　The　thought　shook　him。　He　had　known　it；　but　he　had　not　accepted　it。　Siona　was　some　kind　of　a　rebel；　a　rebel　whose　actions　were　almost　sanctioned　by　Leto。　The　limits　of　his　permission　were　unclear；　but　Idaho　sensed　them。
　〃You　must　not　harm　her；〃　Leto　had　said。　〃She　is　to　be　tested。〃
　Idaho　turned　his　back　on　Siona。
　〃You　don't　know　anything　for　sure；〃　he　said。　〃Bits　and　pieces；　rumors！〃
　Siona　did　not　respond。
　〃He's　an　Atreides！〃　Idaho　said。
　〃He's　the　Worm！〃　Siona　said　and　the　venom　in　her　voice　was　almost　palpable。
　〃Your　damned　Oral　History　is　nothing　but　a　bunch　of　ancient　gossip！〃　Idaho　accused。　〃Only　a　fool　would　believe　it。〃
　〃You　still　trust　him；〃　she　said。　〃That　will　change。〃
　Idaho　whirled　and　glared　at　her。
　〃You've　never　talked　to　him！〃
　〃I　have。　When　I　was　a　ch