fh.godemperorofdune-第60章

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pared　for　Idaho。　This　one　had　to　be　taught　the　necessities；　and　quickly。
　Moneo's　door　opened；　the　acolyte　again。　〃Will　you　eat　now？〃
　〃Later。〃　He　raised　a　hand　as　she　started　to　leave。　〃I　would　like　the　door　left　open。〃
　She　frowned。
　〃You　may　practice　your　music；〃　he　said。　〃I　want　to　listen。〃
　She　had　a　smooth；　round；　almost　childlike　face　which　became　radiant　when　she　smiled。　The　smile　still　on　her　lips；　she　turned　away。
　Presently；　he　heard　the　sounds　of　a　biwa　lute　in　the　outer　office。　Yes；　that　young　acolyte　had　a　talent。　The　bass　strings　were　like　rain　drumming　on　a　rooftop；　a　whisper　of　middle　strings　underneath。　Perhaps　she　could　move　up　to　the　baliset　someday。　He　recognized　the　song：　a　deeply　humming　memory　of　autumn　wind　from　some　faraway　planet　where　they　had　never　known　a　desert。　Sad　music；　pitiful　music；　yet　marvelous。
　It　is　the　cry　of　the　caged；　he　thought。　The　memory　of　freedom。　This　thought　struck　him　as　odd。　Was　it　always　the　case　that　freedom　required　rebellion？
　The　lute　fell　silent。　There　came　the　sound　of　low　voices。　Idaho　entered　the　workroom。　Moneo　watched　him　enter。　A　trick　of　light　gave　Idaho　a　face　like　a　grimacing　mask　with　pitted　eyes。　Without　invitation；　he　sat　down　across　from　Moneo　and　the　trickery　was　gone。　Just　another　Duncan。　He　had　changed　into　a　plain　black　uniform　without　insignia。
　〃I　have　been　asking　myself　a　peculiar　question；〃　Idaho　said。　〃I'm　glad　you　summoned　me。　I　want　to　ask　this　question　of　you。　What　is　it；　Moneo；　that　my　predecessor　did　not　learn？〃
　Stiff　with　surprise；　Moneo　sat　up　straight。　What　an　unDuncan　question！　Could　there　be　a　peculiar　Tleilaxu　difference　in　this　one　after　all？
　〃What　prompts　this　question？〃　Moneo　asked。
　〃I've　been　thinking　like　a　Fremen。〃
　〃You　weren't　a　Fremen。〃
　〃Closer　to　it　than　you　think。　Stilgar　the　Naib　once　said　I　was　probably　born　Fremen　without　knowing　it　until　I　came　to　Dune。〃
　〃What　happens　when　you　think　like　a　Fremen？〃
　〃You　remember　that　you　should　never　be　in　pany　that　you　wouldn't　want　to　die　with。〃
　Moneo　put　his　hands　palms　down　on　the　surface　of　his　table。　A　wolfish　smile　came　over　Idaho's　face。
　〃Then　what　are　you　doing　here？〃　Moneo　asked。
　〃I　suspect　that　you　may　be　good　pany；　Moneo。　And　I　ask　myself　why　Leto　would　choose　you　as　his　closest　panion？〃
　〃I　passed　the　test。〃
　〃The　same　one　your　daughter　passed？〃
　So　he　has　heard　they　are　back。　It　meant　some　of　the　Fish　Speakers　were　reporting　things　to　him。。。unless　the　God　Emperor　had　summoned　the　Duncan。。。。　No；　I　would　have　heard。
　〃The　tests　are　never　identical；〃　Moneo　said。　〃I　was　made　to　go　alone　into　a　cavern　maze　with　nothing　but　a　bag　of　food　and　a　vial　of　spice…essence。〃
　〃Which　did　you　choose？〃
　〃What？　Oh。。。if　you　are　tested；　you　will　learn。〃
　〃There's　a　Leto　I　don't　know；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃Have　I　not　told　you　this？〃
　〃And　there's　a　Leto　you　don't　know；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃Because　he's　the　loneliest　person　this　universe　has　ever　seen；〃　Moneo　said。
　〃Don't　play　mood　games　trying　to　arouse　my　sympathy；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃Mood　games；　yes。　That's　very　good；〃　Moneo　nodded。　〃The　God　Emperor's　moods　are　like　a　river…smooth　where　nothing　obstructs　him；　foaming　and　violent　at　the　least　suggestion　of　a　barrier。　He　is　not　be　be　obstructed。〃
　Idaho　looked　around　at　the　brightly　lighted　workroom；　turned　his　gaze　to　the　outside　darkness　and　thought　about　the　tamed　course　of　the　Idaho　River　somewhere　out　there。　Bringing　his　attention　back　to　Moneo；　he　asked：　〃What　do　you　know　of　rivers？〃
　〃In　my　youth；　I　traveled　for　him。　I　have　even　trusted　my　life　to　a　floating　shell　of　a　vessel　on　a　river　and　then　on　a　sea　whose　shores　were　lost　in　the　crossing。〃
　As　he　spoke；　Moneo　felt　that　he　had　brushed　against　a　clue　to　some　deep　truth　in　the　Lord　Leto。　The　sensation　dropped　Moneo　into　reverie；　thinking　of　that　far　planet　where　he　had　crossed　a　sea　from　one　shore　to　another。　There　had　been　a　storm　on　the　first　evening　of　that　passage　and；　somewhere　deep　within　the　ship；　an　irritating　non…directional　〃sug…sug…sug…sugsug〃　of　laboring　engines。　He　had　stood　on　deck　with　the　captain。　His　mind　had　kept　focusing　on　the　engine　sound；　retreating　and　ing　back　to　it　like　the　oversurging　of　the　watery　green…black　mountains　which　passed　and　came；　repeating　and　repeating。　Each　down　crash　of　the　keel　opened　the　sea's　flesh　like　a　fist　smashing。　It　was　insane　motion；　a　sodden　shaking；　up。。。up；　down！　His　lungs　had　ached　with　repressed　fear。　The　lunging　of　the　ship　and　the　sea　trying　to　put　them　down…wild　explosions　of　solid　water；　hour　after　hour；　white　blisters　of　water　spilling　off　the　decks；　then　another　sea　and　another。　。　。
　All　of　this　was　a　clue　to　the　God　Emperor。
　He　is　both　the　storm　and　the　ship。
　Moneo　focused　on　Idaho　seated　across　the　table　from　him　in　the　workroom's　cold　light。　Not　a　tremor　in　the　man；　but　a　hungering　was　there。
　〃So　you　will　not　help　me　learn　what　the　other　Duncan　Idahos　did　not　learn；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃But　I　will　help　you。〃
　〃Then　what　have　I　always　failed　to　learn？〃
　〃How　to　trust。〃
　Idaho　pushed　himself　back　from　the　table　and　glared　at　Moneo。　When　Idaho's　voice　came；　it　was　harsh　and　rasping：　〃I'd　say　I　trusted　too　much。〃
　Moneo　was　implacable。　〃But　how　do　you　trust？〃
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　Moneo　put　his　hands　in　his　lap。　〃You　choose　male　panions　for　their　ability　to　fight　and　die　on　the　side　of　right　as　you　see　it。　You　choose　females　who　can　plement　this　masculine　view　of　yourself。　You　allow　for　no　differences　which　can　e　from　good　will。〃
　Something　moved　in　the　doorway　to　Moneo's　workroom。　He　looked　up　in　time　to　see　Siona　enter。　She　stopped；　one　hand　on　her　hip。
　〃Well；　father；　up　to　your　old　tricks；　I　see。〃
　Idaho　jerked　around　to　stare　at　the　speaker。
　Moneo　studied　her；　looking　for　signs　of　the　change。　She　had　bathed　and　put　on　a　fresh　uniform；　the　black　and　gold　of　Fish　Speaker　mand；　but　her　face　and　hands　still　betrayed　the　evidence　of　her　desert　ordeal。　She　had　lost　weight　and　her　cheekbones　stood　out。　Unguent　did　little　to　conceal　cracks　in　her　lips。　Veins　stood　out　on　her　hands。　Her　eyes　looked　ancient　and　her　expression　was　that　of　someone　who　had　tasted　bitter　dregs。
　〃I've　been　listening　to　you　two；〃　she　said。　She　dropped　her　hand　from　her　hip　and　moved　farther　into　the　room。　〃How　dare　you　speak　of　good　will；　father？〃
　Idaho　had　noted　the　uniform。　He　pursed　his　lips　in　thought。　Fish　Speaker　mand？　Siona？
　〃I　understand　your　bitterness；〃　Moneo　said。　〃I　…had　similar　feelings　once。〃
　〃Did　you　really？〃　She　came　closer；　stopping　just　beside　Idaho；　who　continued　to　regard　her　with　a　look　of　speculation。
　〃I　am　filled　with　joy　to　see　you　alive；〃　Moneo　said。
　〃How　gratifying。　for　you　to　see　me　safely　into　the　God　Emperor's　Service；〃　she　said。　〃You　waited　so　long　to　have　a　child　and　look！　See　how　successful　I　am。〃　She　turned　slowly　to　display　her　uniform。　〃mander　of　the　Fish　Speakers。　A　mander　with　a　troop　of　one；　but　nonetheless　a　mander。〃
　Moneo　forced　his　voice　to　be　cold　and　professional。　〃Sit　down。〃
　〃I　prefer　to　stand。〃　She　looked　down　at　Idaho's　upturned　face。　〃Ahhh；　Duncan　Idaho；　my　intended　mate。　Don't　you　find　this　interesting；　Duncan？　The　Lord　Leto　tells　me　I　will　befitted　into　the　mand　structure　of　the　Fish　Speakers　in　time。　Meanwhile；　I　have　one　attendant。　Do　you　know　the　one　called　Nayla；　Duncan？〃
　Idaho　nodded。
　〃Really？　I　think　perhaps　I　don't　know　her。〃　Siona　looked　at　Moneo。　〃Do　I　know　her；　father？〃
　Moneo　shrugged。
　〃But　you　speak　of　trust；　father；〃　Siona　said。　〃Who　does　the　powerful　minister；　Moneo；　trust？〃
　Idaho　turned　to　see　the　effect　of　these　words　on　the　majordomo。　The　man's　face　appeared　brittle　with　repressed　emotion。　Anger？　No。。。something　else。
　I　trust　the　God　Emperor；〃　Moneo　said。　〃And；　in　the　hope　that　it　will　teach　both　of　you　something；　I　am　here　to　convey　his　wishes　to　you。〃
　〃His　wishes！〃　Siona　taunted。　〃Hear　that；　Duncan？　The　God　Emperor's　mands　are　now　wishes。〃
　〃Speak　your　piece；〃　Idaho　said。　〃I　know　we　have　little　choice　in　whatever　it　is。〃
　〃You　always　have　a　choice；〃　Moneo　said。
　〃Don't　listen　to　him；〃　Siona　said。　〃He's　full　of　tricks。　They　expect　us　to　fall　into　each　other's　arms　and　breed　more　like　my　father。　Your　descendant；　my　father！〃
　Moneo's　face　went　pale。　He　gripped　the　edge　of　his　worktable　with　both　hands　and　leaned　forward。　〃You　are　both　fools！　But　I　will　try　to　save　you。　In　spite　of　yourselves；　I　will　try　to　save　you。〃
　Idaho　saw　Moneo's　cheeks　tremble；　the　intensity　of　the　man's　stare；　and　felt　oddly　moved　by　this。　〃I'm　not　his　stud；　but　I'll　listen　to　you。〃
　〃Always　a　mistake；〃　Siona　said。
　〃Be　still；　woman；〃　Idaho　said。
　She　glared　at　the　top　of　Idaho's　head。　〃Don't　address　me　that　way　or　I'll　wrap　your　neck　around　your　ankles！〃
　Idaho　stiffened　and　started　to　turn。
　Moneo　grimaced　and　waved　a　hand　for　Idaho　to　remain　seated。　〃I　caution　you；　Duncan；　that　she　could　probably　do　it。　I　am　no　match　for　her　and　you　do　recall　your　attempt　at　violence　against　me？〃
　Idaho　inhaled　a　deep；　quick　breath；　let　it　out　slowly；　then：　〃Say　what　you　have　to　say。〃
　Siona　moved　to　perch　at　the　end　of　Moneo's　table　and　looked　down　at　both　of　them。　〃Much　better；〃　she　said。　〃Let　him　have　his　say；　but　don't　listen。〃
　Idaho　pressed　his　lips　tightly　together。
　Moneo　released　his　grip　on　the　edge　of　his　desk。　He　sat　back　and　looked　from　Idaho　to　Siona。　〃I　have　almost　pleted　the　arrangements　for　the　God　Emperor's　wedding　to　Hwi　Noree。　During　those　festivities；　I　want　you　both　out　of　the　way。〃
　Siona　turned　a　questioning　look　on　Moneo。　〃Your　idea　or　his？〃
　〃Mine！〃　Moneo　returned　his　daughter's　glare。　〃Have　you　no　sense　of　honor　and　duty？　Have　you　learned　nothing　from　being　with　him？〃
　〃Oh；　I　learned　what　you　learned；　father。　And　I　gave　my　word；　which　I　will　keep。〃
　〃Then　you'll　mand　the　Fish　Speakers？〃
　〃Whenever　he　trusts　me　with　mand。　You　know；　father；　he's　ever　so　much　more　devious　than　you　are。〃
　〃Where　are　you　sending　us？〃　Idaho　asked。
　〃Provided　we　agree　to　go；〃　Siona　said。
　〃There　is　a　small　village　of　Museum　Fremen　at　the　edge　of　the　Sareer；〃　Moneo　said。　〃It　is　called　Tuono。　The　village　is　relatively　pleasant。　It's　in　the　shadow　of　the　Wall　with　the　river　just　beyond　the　Wall。　There　is　a　well　and　the　food　is　good。〃
　Tuono？　Idaho　wondered。　The　name　sounded　familiar。　〃There　was　a　Tuono　Basin　on　the　way　to　Sietch　Tabr；〃　he　said。
　〃And　the　nights　are　long　and　there's　no　entertainment；〃　Siona　said。
　Idaho　shot　a　sharp　glance　at　her。　She　returned　it。　〃He　wants　us　breeding　and　the　Worm　satisfied；〃　she　said。　〃He　wants　babies　in　my　belly；　new　lives　to　warp　and　twist。　I'll　see　him　dead　before　I'll　give　him　that！〃
　Idaho　looked　back　at　Moneo　with　a　bemused　expression。　〃And　if　we　refuse　to　go？〃
　〃I　think　you'll　go；〃　Moneo　said。
　Siona's　lips　twitched。　〃Duncan；　have　you　even　seen　one　of　these　little　desert　villages？　No　forts；　no。　。　。〃
　〃I　have　seen　Tabur　Village；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃I'm　sure　that　is　a　metropolis　beside　Tuono。　Our　God　Emperor　would　not　celebrate　his　nuptials　in　any　cluster　of　mud　hovels！　Oh；　no。　Tuono　will　be　mud　hovels　and　no　amenities；　as　close　to　the　original　Fremen　as　possible。〃
　Idaho　kept　his　attention　on　Moneo　while　speaking：　〃Fremen　did　not　live　in　mud　huts。〃
　〃Who　cares　where　they